NCW News

By TAYLOR CALDWELL Ward Media Staff Reporter LEAVENWORTH —  Residents Coalition of Chelan County (RC3) and members of the Planning Commission disagree over policy language in the city’s draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan, which the city council will consider for adoption in October. During a Sept. 22 public hearing, RC3 called for more language to protect the city’s small-town character, existing housing and open space.

By ANDREW SIMPSON Ward Media Staff Reporter WENATCHEE — Columbia Valley Community Health has renamed its Member Services department to Access and Enrollment Services, a change intended to make the team’s role clearer as new Apple Health eligibility rules approach. The team helps individuals and families navigate Washington Healthplanfinder, compare insurance plans and enroll in coverage.

By ANDREW SIMPSON Ward Media Staff Reporter WENATCHEE — Chelan County PUD commissioners unanimously approved a settlement Friday with the federal government over the utility’s share of Columbia River Treaty obligations, resolving a dispute that had been headed for trial in January. The agreement sets the collective obligation of the Chelan, Douglas and Grant county PUDs at the financial equivalent of 25% of the treaty’s Canadian Entitlement through July 2044.

By ANDREW SIMPSON Ward Media Staff Reporter EAST WENATCHEE — Two electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickups have joined the East Wenatchee Police Department’s fleet, and a Chevrolet Blazer EV is on the way, the department announced on Sept. 25. All three vehicles were purchased with funding from Washington’s HB 2015 public safety grant program, according to a department news release. The same funding source has helped the department hire two entry-level officers who are now attending the police academy.

Public Safety Report: Posted Friday, September 25, 2026 10:41 am NCW News Ward Media NCW – Police officers and sheriff's deputies in Chelan and Douglas counties handled 1,002 calls for service Sept. 18–24, up 21% from the previous week, according to RiverCom 911 dispatch logs. Fire crews answered 61 fire, alarm, smoke and crash calls, and ambulance crews handled about 275 medical calls.

A line of work trucks sat running in the parking lot of Kent’s Pacific Raceways Monday, but there was hardly any engine noise and no diesel exhaust. The vehicles, ranging from forklifts to delivery vans to semi trucks, were all electric models eligible for the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program, a new funding mechanism supplied by the state’s Climate Commitment Act designed to kickstart the state’s electric work truck market.

By ANDREW SIMPSON Ward Media Staff Reporter WENATCHEE — In April of this year, the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce named Norwood Wine Bar its 2025 Business of the Year. Now Norwood owner Josh Thaut has been chosen to lead the Chamber itself. The Chamber announced Sept. 24 that Thaut will become its executive director, beginning Sept. 28.

By ANDREW SIMPSON Ward Media Staff Reporter CASHMERE — The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority has approved an agreement to remove invasive grass from Brender Creek and restore vegetation along its banks at the Cashmere Mill District. Cascadia Conservation District has secured grant funding to treat reed canary grass along the creek, which crosses Port property. The district has been working on neighboring properties and will now be able to extend that work through the mill site.

NCW News Ward Media WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee School District will hold a Special Education Para Educator Hiring Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 as it seeks to fill immediate openings. The hiring fair will be held at the district's central office, 235 Sunset Ave., next to Orchard Middle School. District staff will conduct interviews and assist applicants with completing employment applications at the event.

NCW News Ward Media WENATCHEE. — Three Wenatchee police officers are under internal investigation, including two who are also the subjects of criminal matters being handled by outside agencies, the Wenatchee Police Department announced Wednesday. Sgt. Cory Bernaiche was arrested Sept. 12 on suspicion of driving under the influence while off duty, according to the department. He was placed on administrative leave following the arrest.