Pot bust at Colter Creek Photo submitted by Arnette Brixey Law enforcement agencies converged near Nason Creek last week to bust a marijuana grow. Some 2,550 plants were removed by the Cannabis Eradication Response Team, which helps local law enforcement. Pipe, fertilizer and garbage were also removed from the scene. No arrests were made.

Getting a charge out of the trolleys

Cashmere and Leavenworth's green trolley is staying on track despite an even greener version coming to Link Transit this month. Lime green electric trolleys are the newest arrivals for the local transit authority, powered by lithium ion batteries with a titanate matrix. The vehicles will reduce carbon emissions by 688 metric tons over the diesel trolleys each year and will be cheaper to operate in the long run. Thursday, September 02, 2010 More...

Tree rot danger prompts park closure

An empty beach and the buzz of chainsaws and wood chippers aren't what you would expect to find at Lake Wenatchee State Park in late summer. But that was the scene on Saturday, three days after State Park officials closed the park and evacuated campers because of safety concerns over tree root rot and the danger of falling trees. Officials closed the 489-acre park Aug. 25 and by Saturday, crews were cutting down and chipping up trees that had been tagged with blue and white striped tape - those deemed infected by the tree experts surveying the property. The immediate goal was to clear the infected trees from the day-use park so it could reopen in time for Labor Day weekend, but the decision had not yet been made by press time. The long-term goal is to make the entire park safe for campers, but that will take a little longer. Thursday, September 02, 2010 More...

PUD to expand fiber access

All but the most remote areas of Chelan County will have broadband Internet service sometime in the next three years as a result of a decision by Chelan County Public Utility District Commissioners last Wednesday. Commissioners unanimously approved acceptance of the $25 million federal grant from the Rural Utilities Service Broadband Initiatives Program at the special meeting. Acceptance of the grant requires the PUD to expand its fiber program to most of the currently un-served areas of the county. Thursday, September 02, 2010 More...

Preparations for Fair at fever pitch

Most who visit the Chelan County Fair enjoy the many offerings of the event, with perhaps nary of thought of all that went into making the event happen. Not the case for Chelan County Expo Center Director Marsha Clute. For Clute, putting the fair together is a year long process. Problem is, many aspects of the fair do not come together until the final weeks, making those final weeks quite hectic for Clute and her mostly volunteer staff. They are booking entertainment, finding superintendents and judges for all the departments, taking registration for livestock, and receiving reservations for camping and parking. They are finalizing contracts for all the vendors. "The advertising and the entertainment is the most difficult," Clute said. "We have to follow up with vendors to make sure they have their funds and insurance. It's a lot of work because we have 60 vendors." Thursday, September 02, 2010 More...

Cashmere resident Gretchen Minard dies at age 108

Marguerite “Gretchen” Frank Minard Thursday, August 26, 2010 More...

Women's Equality Day coming up

Women's Equality Day, Aug. 26, marks an important day in the history of our country. It is the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution. The Susan B. Anthony Amendment granted women that most basic of human rights - the right to vote, to have a voice in making the laws of our land. This right to suffrage was not GIVEN to women. Wednesday, August 25, 2010 More...

Cashmere High School holds leadership camp

Cashmere High School's class of 2011 should be stronger leaders for the upcoming school year, thanks to a leadership camp hosted at the Conservatory Events Center in Cashmere by the Associated Student Body last week. The 2010-2011 ASB President Eric Sype and vice-president Randall Chipman, also honor society president, presented the leadership camp to the Cashmere School Board Aug. 16 after wrapping up a day of fun and games, and most importantly, leadership. Wednesday, August 25, 2010 More...

Upper Valley Museum hosts Wellington display and tours

Even 100 years later, it is still the deadliest avalanche in North American history. The snow came rumbling down a steep slope near the summit of Stevens Pass burying two trains. The Wellington Disaster claimed 96 lives back on March 1, 1910. A sober reminder of the power of Mother Nature. Though the Great Northern Railroad sought to erase the disaster from our memories by renaming Wellington, the public has never forgotten this horrible tragedy. Now, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disaster, the Upper Valley Museum in Leavenworth if offering a display of Wellington photos and a tour of the Wellington disaster area. "We have panels of enlarged photos of the Wellington site," said Mark Behler, the railroad historian who will lead the tours. "It shows recovery of some of the bodies. We also have a Great Northern Blanket." Wednesday, August 25, 2010 More...

Benefit for Camp Zanika set for Aug. 28

For the last 78 years, thousands of girls, and as of 1975, boys, have enjoyed the natural surrounding and camp fire atmosphere of Camp Zanika at Lake Wenatchee. Owned and operated by Campfire U.S.A, previously Camp Fire Girls, the six day camp, which now hosts six camping sessions during the summer, including one for families, is hosting a benefit Aug. 28 to keep the tradition alive. Wednesday, August 25, 2010 More...

Burnett grabs big victory in primary

The contentious race for Chelan County Sheriff took interesting turn when the primary results revealed challenger Brian Burnett scored an impressive victory over two-term Sheriff Mike Harum and fellow challenger Mike Hartnett. Burnett tallied 57 percent of vote, versus 23 percent for Harum, and 19 percent for Hartnett. As the top two vote getters, Burnett and Harum now move onto the general election in November. "It really speaks for the grass roots efforts," Burnett said of his primary win. "I think some were downplaying endorsements of law enforcement groups. A lot of times when people contact law enforcement, the word spreads. We just have a lot of people out there spreading the word. Wednesday, August 25, 2010 More...