22 organizations to receive lodging tax dollars from Chelan County
Chelan County commissioners have awarded $328,600 in lodging tax dollars to a variety of tourist-related organizations. Read more to learn who the 22 groups or nonprofits are.
Chelan County News Archive
Commissioners pass balanced budget for 2023
On Dec. 19, the Board of County Commissioners passed a balanced budget for 2023. Departments anticipate expenses of $51.5 million next year.
BOCC asks federal agencies to suspend efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears into North Cascades
Chelan County commissioners have submitted comments to the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking the federal agencies to immediately suspend current efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades.
County awards $4.6 million in ARPA funds to community groups, small ag producers
Chelan County commissioners have allocated $4.6 million of federal COVID relief dollars to a variety of local agencies, nonprofits and small agricultural producers. Read who received ARPA allocations.
Juvenile mentorship program matches volunteers with at-risk youth
The Chelan County Juvenile Court Mentoring Program pairs volunteers from the community with youths appearing in juvenile court. The program is unique to Chelan County Juvenile Court.
Dec. 14 Town Hall to discuss watercraft inspections at Lake Chelan
The public is invited to a town hall event on Dec. 14 to learn about a watercraft inspection program coming next year at Lake Chelan. The town hall is 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Chelan Fire Hall, 232 E. Wapato Ave. in Chelan.
What would you like to see at a waterfront park in Malaga?
On Dec. 13, people will be able to review the early design concept for a new 24-acre riverfront park in Malaga. A public event is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Malaga fire station, 3760 W. Malaga Road.
County to surplus 35 properties; land valued at $4.7 million
UPDATED TO INCLUDE LIST OF PROPERTIES GOING TO AUCTION: Chelan County Commissioners have surplused 35 county-owned properties that have a combined value of more than $4.7 million. A dozen of the surplus properties will be sold in an online auction in December.
Blackmon appointed to District Court judge
Allen Blackmon, a 26-year veteran of the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office, has accepted a judge’s appointment to the Chelan County District Court. He will begin serving as a judge in early December.
Interested in building climate resiliency in Chelan County? Join us on Thursday
Chelan County residents with an interest in building climate resiliency at the local level are encouraged to participate in a roundtable discussion on Thursday, Nov. 17. The roundtable will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Judge Mott to step down from District Court in December
UPDATE: Chelan County commissioners have narrowed a list of applicants who seek to replace outgoing District Court Judge Kyle Mott to five finalists. Commissioners now will interview the five finalists on Nov. 14. An appointment is expected to be made following the interviews.
Commissioner Bugert to hold Nov. 4 community meeting in Plain
Commissioner Bob Bugert will hold a community meeting on Nov. 4 in Plain to update citizens in the area about county issues impacting them. The community meeting will be 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at Beaver Valley Lodge, 18630 Beaver Valley Road. The agenda is available online.
Fire restrictions in Chelan County come off Oct. 28
All fire restrictions in Chelan County will expire on Friday, Oct. 28. In addition, the fire hazard level will be reduced from high to moderate in both the Valley and Mountain zones of the county until Nov. 4.
Jail responds to recent drug trends by training K9 Kait to detect fentanyl
With the rise of fentanyl use in the Wenatchee Valley, the Chelan County Regional Justice Center has responded by training its narcotics-detecting canine to identify the powerful synthetic opioid.
Fire restrictions lowered beginning Oct. 14; outdoor debris burning still banned
UPDATE: Fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County remain at Stage 1 until Oct. 28, when the restrictions will be re-evaluated. Stage 1 restrictions continue the ban on the outdoor burning of yard debris; however, they allow for recreational, residential campfires.
Community fundraising efforts underway for jail's K9 Kait
With October begins community fundraising efforts for K9 Kait and the Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s drug interdiction program. Learn more about all the efforts, including ordering a Team Kait t-shirt or hoodie by Nov. 3.
County extends fire restrictions through Oct. 15
On the recommendation of partner agencies and fire chiefs, the Chelan County fire marshal is temporarily extending current fire ratings and restrictions through at least Oct. 15, or until wildfire conditions ease. Recreational fires and outdoor burning remain banned.
Area vets invited to Sept. 29 seminar to learn about benefits, services
Area veterans are invited to a daylong seminar on Sept. 29 to learn more about those benefits and programs that assist people who have served in the armed forces.
Commissioner Gering to hold Sept. 29 community meeting for District 3
The public is invited to a community meeting hosted by Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gering. The meeting will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Chelan Fire & Rescue community room, 232 E. Wapato Ave., in Chelan.
County offers $4 million in grant opportunities to local nonprofits, small ag producers
The Board of County Commissioners is investing $4 million of its overall $14.9 million in ARPA funding into the community via grants to local nonprofits and community agencies as well as to small agricultural operations. Applications are by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30.
Forest Products Campus: A tool to building forest resilience
Chelan County is exploring the building of a Forest Products Campus that will harvest timber from overburdened Central Washington forests and produce lumber products for market, in turn improving forest health and preventing wildfires.
State's newest community forest established at Nason Ridge
Washington’s newest community forest was brought to life on April 14 when Western Rivers Conservancy transferred the 3,714-acre Nason Ridge property on Lake Wenatchee to Chelan County.
Construction to begin on new entryway into the county courthouse, law and justice center
Beginning Sept. 12, a contractor for Chelan County will start work on renovating the open breezeway between the County Courthouse and its adjacent Regional Law and Justice Center into one enclosed and secure entryway. The construction will impact visitors to the two county buildings.
Artwork on display in Juvenile Justice Center public lobby
The artwork on the Juvenile Justice Center webpage (see the above slider) was made by youths staying at the facility. It is on display in the wall case in the lobby area of the facility for the public to enjoy.