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.
Chelan County News Archive
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.
23 local groups awarded county lodging tax grants
Chelan County commissioners approved the awarding of nearly $320,000 in lodging tax dollars to a variety of tourist-related organizations. Read the story to learn who those groups are.
County passes 2024 budget
Chelan County commissioners passed the 2024 budget, which projects $56.9 million in expenditures. The 2024 budget allows for the creation of seven new positions in a variety of departments, including three additional deputies for the Sheriff's Office.
Parts of STR code to be sent to Planning Commission for review in 2024
Sections of Chelan County’s short-term rental code, now more than a year old, are headed back to the Planning Commission for its input. The Planning Commission could address the proposed changes by mid-year in 2024.
Dec. 15 is Volleyball State Champions Day in Chelan County
County commissioners signed a proclamation, declaring Dec. 15, 2023, be recognized as Volleyball State Champions Day in Chelan County. The proclamation honors the Manson, Chelan and Wenatchee high school volleyball teams, each of which earned the title of state champion in their divisions in the WIAA.
Public invited to help in updating of Hazard Mitigation, Community Wildfire Protection plans
Chelan County and its partners seek volunteers to serve on a new steering committee that will help guide next year’s updating process to the Chelan County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection plans, two important plans used to identify natural hazards and their risks to the area.
Public invited to help in updating of Hazard Mitigation, Community Wildfire Protection plans
Chelan County and its partners seek volunteers to serve on a new steering committee that will help guide next year’s updating process to the Chelan County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection plans, two important plans used to identify natural hazards and their risks to the area.
County hires consultant to identify noncompliant short-term rentals
Community Development has hired a consultant to begin identifying all short-term rentals in Chelan County, both those operating legally and illegally.
Nov. 30 summit to discuss feasibility of forest products campus
The public is invited to join in the Chelan County Forest Products Campus Summit, to be held 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 30 at Wenatchee Valley College's Mish ee twie building. People can also listen in via Zoom.
BOCC passes preliminary budget -- What's next?
On Nov. 1, the Board of County Commissioners approved a 2024 preliminary budget for all Chelan County budgeted funds. Commissioners will continue budget workshops in November, with the 2024 budget hearing set for Dec. 11.
$100 recording fee increase effective Jan. 1
Effective Jan. 1, the fee to record most documents in Washington will increase by $100 effective. The first-page recording fee for most documents will be $303.50. Learn which documents are exempt from the increase.