Cashmere Year in Review Part 1

January 2022

Single-use utensils no longer automatically given after Jan. 1, 2022

By: Megan Sokol

Hospitality sectors all over Washington State will automatically stop serving customers single-use utensils after Jan. 1, 2022. This law is part of a series of changes published in SB 5022 on July 25, 2021. This law is centered on reducing waste and littering for the foreseeable future. Single-use utensils that will be limited include straws, cold beverage cup lids (not including drive-thru beverages), forks, spoons, knives, and condiment packaging.

Cashmere City Council update

By: Joel Walinski

New City Council Member John Perry was inducted as a new City Council Member.

Prior to the Public comment period, Mayor Jim Fletcher stated that the new development being proposed for Kennedy/Olive Roads will be decided by the Hearing Examiner. He explained that the approval of the development was a judicial processor, and the City Council is the legislative branch of the government and is not involved with the approval process of this development. He expected public comments, but none were given.

Chelan-Douglas Health District Officers Hold Omicron Variant Press Conference

By: Megan Sokol Staff Writer

The Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) Interim Health Officer Dr. James Wallace and Administrator Luke Davies held a press conference on Jan. 4, at the Town Toyota Center to speak to the public regarding the recent insurgence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The press conference was the beginning of the CDHD’s public campaign to address the Omicron Variant situation. Dr. Wallace said that they were not there to alarm the public, but rather to raise awareness of how quickly Omicron is spreading and to better prepare the community.

Historic “Snowmageddon” 2022

By: Megan Sokol, Staff writer A record-setting 36 inches of snow graced Leavenworth residents on Jan. 5. That evening, Chelan County residents received an alert of an incoming snowstorm set to hit around 6 p.m.

Stevens Pass Update

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Jeremy Rubingh’s petition “Hold Vail Resorts Accountable” has amassed nearly 40k signatures since its publication in early January. In response to the criticism, Vail resorts appointed new Interim General Manager Tom Fortune to Stevens Pass resorts. Fortune is a local Stevens Pass resident, as well as a former operations director to Stevens Pass Resort prior to its acquisition to Vail Resorts in 2018. Vail Resorts also has limited skier capacity and closed the Stevens Pass resort due to hazardous weather restrictions. They hope to resume their operations once US Hwy. 2 is reopened.

February 2022

Sultan Bandit Escapes Police 3 times in Week-long Pursuit

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Police throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana were hot on the trail of repeat burglar and Sultan local Jesse Spitzer, who was able to slip through the fingers of every officer he encountered. In the past week, Spitzer was able to escape police custody three times, racking up a hefty list of burglary charges in the process. Spitzer, who is now 30 years old, was 19 years old when he was first found guilty for attempted murder of a police officer back in Nevada of 2010. He was originally sentenced up to 22 years in prison in July 2011. His mother suspects that his recent actions were in consequence of his addiction to narcotics.

Cashmere City Council Holds Special meeting with Woodard and Curran

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Cashmere City Council held an impromptu discussion with construction company Woodard and Curran over a possible 5-year contract with them, allowing the company to take over water and wastewater management. The special meeting took place on Jan. 26, with Woodard and Curran Client Manager Anthony Naccarato and Area Manager Dave Kitzmiller leading the presentation.

Cashmere High School Drama Presents the “The Addams Family: School Edition” Musical

Submitted by Susan Gubsch

The Cashmere High School Drama Department is excited to be presenting “The Addams Family: School Edition”. This fun, laugh out loud musical comedy was performed on January 28 and 29 and will be presented again February 3, 4 and 5, 2022 at the Cashmere Middle School Auditorium.

Cashmere American Legion Auxiliary #64

Submitted by Linda Ingraham, President

Every year the American Legion Auxiliaries around the state help with holiday gift shops at VA Medical Centers and Nursing Homes. We send gifts and a time is set in early December for 2-3 days at these facilities for the veterans to come in and shop for their families. The gifts are wrapped, and they take them at no cost to them at all. We here in Cashmere have helped every year until last year. Last year Jeanette Sauer-Smith, the activities director at the VA Nursing Home in Spokane, said they would do their own shopping, so we just sent money since no one was allowed in. This year when we talked with her, she said she was so shorthanded that she wasn’t sure what she was going to do. So, she said she would send us a list of some to go shopping for if we wanted to do that for them. Well, we got a list all right, all 66 veterans there with a wish list. Of course, we were more than willing to do that and went shopping.

Girls Basketball Team Earns No. 1 Spot in CTL League

By: Cashmere High School Athletics

The Bulldogs ran their CTL winning streak to 69 straight victories on Feb. 2. Cashmere is now 15-1 on the season, and a perfect 11-0 in CTL play. They are the 2022 CTL Champions. The Bulldogs honored their three seniors prior to the game on Wednesday, and then came out on fire as they jumped out to a 57-5 halftime lead. Senior Riley Johnson knocked down six 3-pointers and led the Bulldogs with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals. Junior Maddie Hammond added 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Genn Ledesma contributed 9 points and 3 assists.

Assistant Coach Tyler Theiss Wins WA State Football Award

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Cashmere High School’s Assistant Football Coach Tyler Theiss was awarded the district 6 Assistant Football Coach of the Year. Theiss was awarded by the Washington State Football Coaches Association on Feb. 3. “I kind of thought to myself, when I got the email [Thursday] morning, that it was a joke or that it was some sort of spam email,” Theiss said. He recalled asking Coach Bremer if it was real who confirmed that it was “only a matter of time.”

Chelan County Proposes Multimodal Pathway Plan

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Chelan County’s proposed Multimodal Pathway Plan gains traction as they brainstorm new routes that could connect neighboring communities to Chelan, Leavenworth, Cashmere, and Wenatchee. On Feb. 9, Chelan County Natural Resources Director Mike Kaputa presented to the Chelan County Transportation Council a power point presentation that illustrated constructed pathways that would connect Manson to Chelan, Monitor to Cashmere, and Malaga to Wenatchee.

Cashmere Students Protest over Mask Mandate

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Passerbys could hear country music nd smell burgers charring on the grill as they pass Cashmere High School on Feb. 9. Students surrounding a pickup truck with a grill and could be seen playing cornhole after standing outside all day protesting the WA State Mask Mandate. Over 30 Cashmere high schoolers took part in a statewide protest on mask mandates, while the Cashmere Middle schoolers had around 50 students the following morning.

Cashmere Bulldogs Prepare for Playoffs

By: Megan Sokol

Cashmere held a Pep assembly on Feb. 10 for their student athletes after both Girls and Boys Basketball teams reigned victorious against their Cascade competitors.

Cashmere Girls Basketball Player Riley Johnson Named Player of the Year

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

The Caribou Trail League recently named Girls Basketball Senior, Riley Johnson, Player of the year. Alongside Johnson is Brent Darnell who was named Coach of the year.

It’s National FFA Week

By: Rusty Finch FFA Advisor

Cashmere FFA is gearing up for a busy spring with leadership and skill competitions, animal project acquisition and the spring plant sale. Our first competitive speaking event will be the FFA Creed featuring 10 new freshmen.

March 2022

Cashmere Local Eloise Day Turns 100

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

The Day family will be celebrating the 100th birthday of matriarch Eloise Day on March 10, 2022 at a gathering at the Cashmere Presbyterian Church. After living through a century’s worth of history, Eloise confides that her secret to a long life is to keep an open mind. Eloise Day was raised by her Nebraskan father, Lloyd Frease, and Seattle local, Margarette Frease, in the small town of Cashmere.

Cashmere Pageant Cancelled…Again

Although There is Hope for Festival Participation

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Cashmere Pageant Coordinator Valerie Carney has confirmed that they will not be doing a standard Cashmere pageant this year. Instead, they are opting to hold an essay contest for Cashmere High School juniors and seniors and hope to send them to neighboring parades across NCW

Girls Basketball Team Earns 3rd Place in State Championship

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

The Cashmere girls’ basketball team entered the semifinals after defeating Zillah High with a close 50-45 score on March 3. On Friday, March 4, Cashmere lost to Nooksack Valley with a 60-48 score, but were still in the running to earn the 3rd place championship title.

Over 17 Vale third graders win Art.Link Design Contes

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

The 2021 Art.Link Design Contest was graced with dozens of entries from 3rd-graders all over Chelan and Douglas counties. Out of all the cities Link Transit covers, 17 Vale Elementary students reigned supreme with the largest number of winning entries.

Vale Elementary Volunteer Honored on 80th Birthday

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

When volunteer Gladys Lewis arrived at Vale Elementary on the morning of March 16, she did not expect to be applauded by an entire crowd of students and teachers. She was overwhelmed with hugs from teachers and the squeals of children she had spent years volunteering with. She holds a bucket labeled “My Birthdays,” with a birthday princess sash as she fights back tears of joy. One by one, preschoolers and kindergarteners place a $1 bill in her bucket and are rewarded with small hugs. She received $100 in total. “I’ve never felt more special in my entire life,” Mrs. Lewis said. Lewis has been a volunteer at Vale Elementary for a total of nine years, with seven of those years volunteering full-time, for five days a week.

April 2022

Cashmere Royalty update

Staff Report

Cashmere Royalty is bringing back their royalty program, with the pageant returning in the 2022-2023 school year. While there will not be a traditional pageant this year, the Royalty program has returned with an essay contest and interview program to select each court and queen. The Cashmere High women selected to represent our community will be at Founders’ Days and attend many community festivals and parades throughout the state and beyond.

Cashmere City Council

By Kirk Beckendorf, Correspondent

Mayor Jim Fletcher officially declared April 29, Arbor Day in Cashmere and he urged “all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands”.

Cashmere Royal Court Selected

By: Cassie Warman

The Cashmere Float Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce the coronation of the 2022 Cashmere Founders’ Days Royal Court: Princess Joslyn Lucero, Queen Lauren Kurt and Princess Lesly Vejar-Garcia.

May 2022

Cashmere City Council

By Kirk Beckendorf, Correspondent

Outgoing Fire Chief, Cy Sousley, was recognized for his 17 years of service with Cashmere’s Fire Department. He received the recognition at the Cashmere City Council’s April 25 meeting. Afterwards Blake Larson was welcomed as the new Chief by Mayor Jim Fletcher.

Ultralight Aircraft Crash Lands in Cashmere High School’s Batting Cage

By: Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Cashmere Superintendent Glenn Johnson was not expecting a call that an Ultralight aircraft had crashed into the Cashmere High School baseball field, specifically in the batting cage.

Devastating fire engulfs family’s home

Community steps in with GoFundMe Campaign

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Randy and Dawna Turner’s double wide trailer home was fully engulfed by fire on April 26 at 1:32 p.m., with one suffering from smoke inhalation and another sustaining first and second degree burns and was later transported to Central Washington Hospital then to Harborview in Seattle.

Cashmere Middle School Band and Drill Teams earn first place in the Apple Blossom Parade

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Both Band and Drill teams for Cashmere Middle School have earned the number 1 spot in the April 29th Apple Blossom Parade. Kent and Annie Chalmers, the married Band and Drill instructor duo, celebrate their win after two years of lockdown.

Gina Imperato steps down as Cashmere Chamber of Commerce Manager

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

After serving the Cashmere community for six years, Gina Imperato will officially be leaving the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce on June 3, 2022.

Shon Smith is once again running for Chelan County Commissioner

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Wok About Grill owner Shon Smith is running for the Chelan County Commissioner District 3 seat once again, after losing a close race to current Commissioner Bob Bugert.

Two Candidates Vie for Sheriff’s Seat

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

Current Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett is coveting his seat for a fourth term. With $30,350.31 already spent for his campaign, signs all over Chelan County, and seemingly no opponent running against him, Burnett was confident that he would win. However, a last-minute campaign filing from Deputy Mike Morrison just made the election more captivating.

June 2022

Cashmere City Council meeting

By Kirk Beckendorf, Correspondent

Seven lifeguards have been hired to staff the Cashmere city pool this summer. At the May 23rd City Council meeting, Mayor Jim Fletcher announced that more interviews are scheduled, and the city has a goal of having at least 15 lifeguards

Cashmere’s Kert sisters earn doubles spot at 1-A State Tournament

By Matthew Ockinga, Correspondent

Jerry Seinfeld once described tennis as ping pong, except you’re playing on the table. In a different context, tables symbolize the deep bond of family unity. While gathering around the dinner table, every member of the Kert family sits next to a fellow tennis player. Trevor Kert, head coach of the Cashmere High School tennis squad, is the proverbial godfather of this athletic dynasty. All four of his children have played for the Bulldogs - at an elite level.

City of Cashmere ironing out details for possible library move to Riverside Center

By Megan Sokol, Staff Writer

The talk in town has centered squarely on the Cashmere Library’s possible relocation to the Riverside Center since January of 2022. Mayor Jim Fletcher expressed his enthusiasm for the Riverside Center to finally become the community center Cashmere greatly desires.

Welcome to Founders’ Days

Submitted by Cashmere Chamber of Commerce

We’ve got food vendors in the park, live music in the streets and for the first time, putt-putt golf! The festivities will be topped off by our annual Crunch Pak Grand Parade at 5 p.m. on June 25th. We cannot wait to see everyone out for Founders’ Days and look forward to a weekend of family fun for our community.

Beta Hatch celebrates the opening of another facility in Cashmere

By Kirk Beckendorf, Correspondent

Beta Hatch, a unique insect farming operation in Cashmere, celebrated its official grand opening on June 24th. Beta Hatch Founder and CEO, Virginia Emery, and Governor Jay Inslee, both spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony highlighting the innovative and sustainable methods utilized by the new agricultural enterprise.

West Cashmere Bridge holds opening and dedication ceremony

By: Erin Mullins Reporter

The West Cashmere Bridge held an opening and dedication ceremony on June 22 at 10 a.m., to commemorate the completion of Chelan County’s largest ever transportation project, which cost about $27 million in total. The bridge replaced the former Goodwin Road Bridge and provided large vehicles access to Cashmere without going through downtown.