Emergency repair work to begin on Yaksum Canyon Road
On Oct. 19, construction will begin on a portion of Yaksum Canyon Road that is failing. The road is south of Cashmere, and work is expected to take about two weeks.
Chelan County News Archive
Blake Refund Bureau assists with refunds of court fines
Washington state has created an online reimbursement center for court-ordered fines or costs paid in connection with drug possession convictions, found to be unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in State v. Blake.
Commissioner Overbay to host community meeting
Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay will host a District 1 community meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, at Mission View Elementary School in Wenatchee. Joining him will be several directors of county departments.
Task Force seeks board members who have experienced homelessness
The Chelan-Douglas Homeless Housing Task Force, which sets priorities for homeless services and programs in the two counties, seeks new members who have the personal experience of being without a home. Applications are due Oct. 17.
Public comments sought on options for restoring grizzly bears to North Cascades
The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service seek public input on a draft Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates options for restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem. Comments also are being taken on the proposed 10(j) rule.
Memorial service planned for Oct. 7 for K9 Kait
On Oct. 7, the Chelan County Regional Justice Center will host a memorial service for its narcotics-detecting canine, K9 Kait. The public is invited to the service.
Community meeting planned to talk about Peshastin Bridge repairs
Join Chelan County Public Works on Oct. 12 for a meeting about repairs coming in 2024 to the Peshastin Bridge. The construction is expected to cause a temporary closure of the bridge.
Stehekin community invited to Sept. 26 meeting
In September, Chelan County is hosting two in-person opportunities for Stehekin residents to share their ideas and comments on a draft request for proposals that seeks a consultant to guide the community in creating a sustainable plan for the future.
Public Works has surplus equipment up for auction
Surplus equipment from Chelan County Public Works will be included in an online auction on Sept. 28.
County to join lawsuit against State for refusal to provide necessary mental health treatment
A new lawsuit against the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, filed by a coalition of 25 counties, holds the state accountable to fulfill its obligation to evaluate and treat patients with behavioral health conditions and would reduce further strain on a crumbling behavioral health system that the state legislature and local governments are actively working to restore.
County engineers win prestigious statewide honor
The Washington State County Road Administration Board announced recently that Paula Cox, PE, and Josh Patrick, PE, of Chelan County Public Works have been named co-recipients of the 2023 Project Manager of the Year award for their work on the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project.
Eagle Creek project among 23 salmon restoration projects to be awarded federal funding
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell announced a total of $58 million in funding for 23 projects that will remove fish passage barriers like small dams and culverts, to open up salmon migration routes. Among the projects is the Eagle Creek Fish Passage Restoration Project near Leavenworth.
Join Community Development for Sept. 13 outreach meeting
Among the discussions at Community Development's Sept. 13 outreach meeting will be accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, and recently passed state legislation that encourages their construction. The meeting is 6-8 p.m. at Wenatchee High School.
Call if you can, text if you can't
RiverCom 911, along with its partner law, fire and emergency responder agencies in Chelan and Douglas counties, is pleased to announce Text-to-911 is now available to Chelan and Douglas county residents and visitors.
Chelan County jail’s K9 Kait has passed away
K9 Kait, Chelan County’s narcotics-detecting canine, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 22, the Chelan County Regional Justice Center announced. Kait served the community for more than two years.
Goatheads! Learn how to identify them and get rid of them
Julie Sanderson, coordinator of the Chelan County Noxious Weed Control Board, talks about how you can identify and then eradicate goatheads (also called puncturevine) on your property.
How do you feel about tourism in Chelan County?
Visit Chelan County, a newly formed destination marketing and stewardship organization, is asking for the public's input as it develops a long-term Destination Stewardship Plan for tourism in the region. Please consider completing the online community survey.
$1.1 million awarded to mix of public, community housing projects
A mix of municipal projects and new affordable housing projects will share in $1.1 million from the Cascade Public Infrastructure Fund this year.
Chumstick Hwy projects starts August 7
Chumstick Highway Phase V, the road improvement project between Plain and Leavenworth, begins Monday, Aug. 7. Motorists are advised that two other road construction projects will be occurring in the Leavenworth area during the county's project. Read more to learn about traffic impacts.
Campfire ban takes effect Aug 4 in portions of Chelan County
Beginning Aug. 4, fire restrictions will raise to a Stage 2 level in the Valley Zone of Chelan County. This means campfires are banned in unincorporated Chelan County and target shooting is only allowed at a gun range.
Commissioner Overbay elected to lead WCRP in 2024
Beginning in October, Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay will serve as the vice president and president-elect of the Washington Counties Risk Pool, which supports its member counties with risk management programs.
Wenatchee River clean-up effort on Aug. 5 calls for volunteers
The Wenatchee River Clean-Up Community Float on Aug. 5 invites people who are interested in playing a hands-on role in keeping the local river healthy to join in the efforts, which will include a free community celebration at Cashmere Riverside Park. Volunteers will take to the river via guided rafts or walk the shoreline at the park.
Veteran's Advisory Board seeks 3 new members
The Chelan County Veteran’s Advisory Board, or VAB, seeks three new board members who can commit to six meetings a year and a three-year term. Learn more about how to apply for consideration.
Fundraising efforts underway to cover medical costs for jail’s canine
The annual community fundraising campaign for the Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s narcotics-detecting canine is kicking off early this year with a heavy focus on raising money to cover recent unexpected health costs for K-9 Kait. Learn more about how you can help.