NCW News

09/30/2025

Challenging weather and terrain on both the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires fueled rapid fire growth and shifting evacuation zones over the past week.

CHELAN COUNTY – Challenging weather and terrain on both the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires fueled rapid fire growth and shifting evacuation zones over the past week. “We …

09/29/2025

A 28-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening after a stabbing in a South Wenatchee neighborhood left another man injured and prompted a multi-agency search.

WENATCHEE — A 28-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening after a stabbing in a South Wenatchee neighborhood left another man injured and prompted a multi-agency search. Chelan County …

09/29/2025

A 36-year-old man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon after a domestic disturbance call led to a standoff in an East Wenatchee neighborhood.

EAST WENATCHEE — A 36-year-old man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon after a domestic disturbance call led to a standoff in an East Wenatchee neighborhood. Police were called to …

09/29/2025

With two major wildfires still burning in Chelan County and little relief in sight, county officials have extended the outdoor burn ban through Oct. 15.

The ban, which typically runs from June 1 to Oct. 1, can be extended at the discretion of the Chelan County Board of Commissioners. This year, the county’s fire marshal, local fire chiefs, and state and federal partners all urged commissioners to give crews more time — with, hopefully, more favorable weather — before allowing outdoor burning again.

WENATCHEE — With two major wildfires still burning in Chelan County and little relief in sight, county officials have extended the outdoor burn ban through Oct. 15. The ban, which …

09/19/2025

East Wenatchee’s banner policy drew an unusually large crowd Thursday night as residents packed City Hall to weigh in on the inclusion of Pride flags. Supporters outnumbered opponents by more than 12 to 1, but Councilmember Christine Johnson voiced opposition to the flag’s automatic approval, saying it should require a council vote. The policy remains in place for now, though further revisions may come in October.

EAST WENATCHEE — A Thursday night City Council workshop on banner policy began as a routine review but quickly turned into a rare public airing of dissent over the city’s inclusion of …

09/16/2025

A 37-year-old New York man, Andrew Wong, was found dead Sept. 9 after failing to return from a hike in the Enchantments near Leavenworth. Chelan County deputies located his car at a trailhead, prompting a search by the Mountain Rescue team with helicopter support from Snohomish County. Wong was discovered in the Dragontail Peak area with injuries consistent with a fall.

https://www.ncw.news/stories/missing-hiker-found-dead-in-enchantments,139594

09/15/2025

North Central Washington’s population is growing — but not as fast as many think. At the Sept. 9 Tri-Commission meeting, Dr. Patrick Jones of EWU laid out a stark forecast:
-Chelan County added just 600 residents last year (under 1% growth)
-By 2030, one in four residents could be 65+
-Wenatchee now has the highest home resale prices in Eastern Washington ($570K+)
-Local employment still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels

What does this mean for jobs, housing, health care, and the next generation of families in the valley? Leaders are being asked to make big choices now.
Read the full report by Andrew Simpson 👉 https://www.ncw.news/stories/the-math-behind-ncws-future-presents-leaders-with-serious-choices,139437

WENATCHEE — If you thought the region’s growth was racing ahead, Dr. Patrick Jones has news for you: the numbers don’t bear it out. Jones, executive director of Eastern …

09/12/2025

Community members, veterans, and leaders gathered in Cashmere on Thursday to mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Former Gov. Gary Locke urged Americans to set aside political divisions and “disagree agreeably,” while Rob Todd — a flight attendant whose life was spared on 9/11 — received the 2024 Spirit of America Award.

Read the full story here:

CASHMERE — The 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks was observed Thursday at the Spirit of America Memorial in Cashmere, where community members, veterans, musicians, and public …

09/03/2025

The Washington State Department of Ecology has issued an air quality alert as wildfire smoke continues to impact our region.

Health officials urge residents to:
Stay indoors when air quality is unhealthy
Use clean indoor air with good ventilation/filtration
Wear N95 or N100 masks if you must go outside

Symptoms may include coughing, watery eyes, shortness of breath, headaches, or chest pain. Seek medical attention if serious symptoms occur.

N95 masks are available at state distribution sites, and local libraries are open as clean air shelters.

https://www.ncw.news/stories/air-quality-alert-issued-for-chelan-and-douglas-counties-due-to-wildfire-smoke,137772

EAST WENATCHEE — The Washington State Department of Ecology has issued an air quality alert for Chelan and Douglas counties as smoke from wildfires continues to drift across the region. …

08/28/2025

RiverCom 911 has received unanimous approval from the state’s Project Review Committee to use the General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) method in building its future emergency communications center.

The new facility is still in planning stages, with RiverCom’s Board reviewing funding options for construction and future system upgrades.

https://www.ncw.news/stories/rivercom-911-receives-green-light-for-facility-planning,136537?

WENATCHEE — RiverCom 911 has received unanimous approval from the state’s Project Review Committee to move forward with a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) delivery method …

08/28/2025

Two Eastern Washington nonprofits — Team Okanogan Animal Rescue (TOAR) and Okandogs — are teaming up for Rescue Rocks, a fundraiser to support spay/neuter programs, adoptions, and critical veterinary care in rural communities.

https://www.ncw.news/stories/rescue-rocks-benefit-to-support-animal-welfare-across-eastern-washington,136536?

LEAVENWORTH — Two Eastern Washington nonprofits are teaming up to raise money for critical animal welfare programs through Rescue Rocks, a benefit event set for Sept. 6 at the Leavenworth …

08/27/2025

The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra is set to open its 79th season this fall, blending classical tradition with fresh collaborations under Music Director Nikolas Caoile.

Running Sept. 27 – April 18, 2026, the Season of Hope invites audiences to experience music that inspires, uplifts, and connects.

https://www.ncw.news/stories/wenatchee-valley-symphony-orchestra-announces-79th-season-season-of-hope,136535?

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra will open its 79th season this fall with a lineup organizers say celebrates both classical tradition and contemporary creativity. …