New fire marshal to start April 15
Christina Pedersen, formerly of the Yakima County Fire Marshal’s Office, is the new fire marshal for Chelan County.
Chelan County News Archive
Chelan, Douglas counties switching to new emergency alert system on April 1
Beginning April 1, Chelan and Douglas counties will switch to a new emergency alert system called Everbridge. Residents of both counties are encouraged to sign up for the alert system.
Commissioners bring Coordinated Entry in-house starting July 1
The Coordinated Entry program – the access point for local services for people experiencing homelessness – will be overseen by Chelan County beginning July 1.
March 27 town hall will introduce new community-driven detection program
Do you live on Lake Chelan? Join us on March 27 to learn how you can play a role in keeping aquatic invasive species out of Lake Chelan. The town hall event is 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Hall, 232 E. Wapato Ave. in Chelan.
County's firefighting project awarded $893,250 in federal funds
Chelan County will receive $893,250 in federal funds for a one-of-a-kind firefighting project that will place large water storage tanks around some of Chelan County’s most wildfire-prone areas. The funding comes at the support of Congresswoman Kim Schrier and Community Project Funding dollars.
Dryden Transfer Station to close for most of April for repairs
Beginning April 1, the Dryden Transfer Station will be closed for most of April so a contractor can repair the concrete floor of the pit where garbage is collected and loaded, commonly called the “push pit.”
Meeting Materials: Pedoi and Harris one-way discussion in Manson
On Feb. 29, Chelan County Public Works Director/County Engineer Eric Pierson and County Commissioner Tiffany Gering met with the Manson community to discuss potential options to traffic and parking issues in the downtown Manson area. The presentation is available for download.
County's hazard mitigation planning process kicks off March 6
On March 6, local government stakeholders in the Chelan County planning area will meet to participate in the first round of Steering Committee meetings to update the Chelan County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection plans, two important plans used to identify natural hazards and their risks to the area. The public is invited to attend.
Register now for small business hazardous waste collection event
Chelan County Public Works in April will host a Small Quantity Generator collection event for small businesses looking to safely dispose of hazardous wastes. Businesses must pre-register.
AlertSense notices go out to public asking for updates
Chelan County Emergency Management is sending notices for those people registered with AlertSense, the county’s emergency alert system. The county is asking users to update their contact information.
Winter brings seasonal road closures
Burch Mountain Road near Wenatchee is among those roads closed annually to avoid damages to the roadway that come with freezing and thawing. The road is closed Feb. 15 to April 1.
New 24-hour STR monitoring system is up and running
Community Development is now contracting with an outside agency to provide 24-hour monitoring of short-term rentals in Chelan County. Read to learn how you can report a problem in your neighborhood.
Point in Time shows increase in unsheltered count
Results of the recent Homeless Point in Time Count indicate a 16.5 percent increase over last year in the number of people living unsheltered – out of doors or in a place not meant for habitation – and a nearly 8 percent decrease in the number of people living in shelters or temporary housing. Read more to get the details on the information collected.
Seasonal weight restrictions now on county roads
Temporary weight restrictions are in place in all county road districts. For an update on where seasonal weight restrictions are being enforced, go to the Public Works Traffic Alerts and Restrictions page.
County calls for capital grants applications for lodging tax dollars
Grants applications for capital improvement projects related to tourism are due by March 15 to the Chelan County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Read for more details and to download the application. A total of $420,000 is available this year.
Survey, open houses underway to gather public input into Recreation Element
Every seven years, Chelan County updates the Recreation Element of the Chelan County Comprehensive Plan. You can participate by completing an online survey or attending an open house scheduled for Feb. 7 in Chelan or Feb. 8 in Wenatchee. Read more for event details and a link to the survey.
Visits to county’s MRWF continue to grow
A new record was set in 2023 at the Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility. The facility took in its greatest amount of household hazardous waste yet – more than 74.3 tons.
Jail to install high-tech medical sensors in some cells
The Chelan County Regional Justice Center will install new medical sensors in a dozen intake and holding cells that will monitor an incarcerated person’s vital signs, alerting staff to any rapid deteriorations in health.
County to conduct Point in Time Count on Jan. 25
Chelan County and community partners will conduct the annual Homeless Point in Time Count from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Lighthouse Christian Ministries in Wenatchee, 410 Columbia St.
Wenatchee Heights Road to see road construction, improvements come spring
Beginning April 8, a contractor for Chelan County Public Works will begin rehabilitating a portion of Wenatchee Heights Road, from milepost 1.32 (near Wheeler Hill Road) to milepost 2.10 (near Edgemont Drive).
Jan. 30 public workshop looks at potential park in Peshastin
Peshastin residents are invited to a Jan. 30 workshop that kicks off a public envisioning process for a potential new community park there. The meeting is 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Peshastin Memorial Hall.
County adds $15,000 to diversion program
At its Jan. 2 board meeting, Chelan County commissioners gave a burst of additional diversion dollars to the Wenatchee Rescue Mission after the nonprofit depleted its one-time financial assistance funds it provides to people teetering on a housing crisis.
Natural Resources awarded nearly $770,000 for Peshastin Creek project
Chelan County Natural Resources was awarded nearly $770,000 to complete the study and design of a restoration project that will not only relocate and reconnect the Peshastin Creek channel with its historic floodplain but also eventually build two highway bridges across the rerouted creek.
County’s Secure Crisis Residential Center is 1 of 2 in state
Operating out of one of the four secure units at the Chelan County Juvenile Center, the SCRC has been serving the local community since 1999. Law enforcement placements are the most common reason a child stays at the SCRC. Read more to learn about the unique center and how it helps children and families.