Friday, October 16, 2026
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Bringing local grains back to the table

Bosket Bread co-owner Riley Bosket weighs out dough.
LEAVENWORTH —- For the past seven years, Bosket Bread has made a name for itself as a major local wholesale bakery in the Greater Wenatchee Valley, supplying restaurants and grocery stores with …

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Executive Q&A
Jim Kuntz, CEO of the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority, has spent nearly four decades working in economic development and public service across Washington state.

Meet Jim Kuntz, Chief Executive Officer, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority

Jim Kuntz has spent nearly four decades working in economic development and public service, building a career around the role ports can play in strengthening local communities. Today, as CEO of the …
Norma Gallegos, founder and legal director of Hand in Hand Immigration Services, has spent more than a decade helping immigrants navigate the path to U.S. citizenship.

Meet Norma Gallegos, Founder and Legal Director of Hand in Hand Immigration Services

For more than a decade, Norma Gallegos has dedicated her career to helping immigrants navigate the complex path to U.S. citizenship. As founder and legal director of Hand in Hand Immigration …
Adam Rynd, entrepreneur and owner and designated broker at Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate, is featured in this Executive Q&A in the Wenatchee Business Journal. Rynd discusses the North Central Washington real estate market, development challenges, and his perspective on the region’s long-term economic outlook.

Meet Adam Rynd, Entrepreneur and Owner and Designated Broker at Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate

North Central Washington’s real estate market continues to evolve under the pressure of rising costs, shifting policy, and changing buyer behavior, all while demand for housing remains strong …
Nick Covey, CEO of Link Transit, is leading the organization through a period of regional growth, technological transformation and increased focus on sustainability.

Meet Nick Covey, CEO of Link Transit

For more than three decades, Nick Covey has watched public transportation in North Central Washington evolve from a modest operation housed in double-wide mobile homes into a modern, forward-looking …
Kirk Hudson, general manager of Chelan Public Utility District, leads one of North Central Washington’s most critical public enterprises as it balances growth, innovation, and long-term stewardship of public power.

Meet Kirk Hudson, Chelan Public Utilities District General Manager

For more than a century, Chelan Public Utility District has played a foundational role in shaping the economic and quality-of-life advantages of North Central Washington, delivering affordable, …

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Other News
OLYMPIA — Washington's unemployment rate declined for the third consecutive month in September, falling to 4.8% even as employers shed an estimated 15,400 jobs, according to preliminary figures from the Washington Employment Security Department.
Dr. Andrew Jones, CEO of Confluence Health, announced that 75 nonprofit organizations received a combined $505,474 through the 2026 Community Health Partnership Fund.
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group have awarded $505,474 in grants to 75 nonprofit organizations across North Central Washington as part of their 2026 Community Health Partnership Fund program.
A water cannon salute welcomes the inaugural flight from Portland to Pangborn Memorial Airport Oct. 3.
EAST WENATCHEE — The first passenger off Pangborn Memorial Airport’s inaugural flight from Portland arrived dressed for the occasion, though perhaps not the occasion airport officials had in mind.

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E-edition

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Keeping up with People
Hanan Zawideh
WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley College has named Hanan Zawideh interim vice president of Organizational Culture, Retention, and Engagement. She began the position Sept. 8. Zawideh has more than …
Outgoing Baker Boyer President and CEO Mark Kajita, left, shakes hands with incoming President and CEO Clifford “Kip” Kontos. Kontos was selected by the bank’s board following a four-year succession planning process. Kajita will remain as an adviser for one year to assist with the transition.
WALLA WALLA — Baker Boyer has named Clifford “Kip” Kontos its 12th president and CEO as longtime executive Mark Kajita retires from the positions and steps down from the bank’s board of …
Seth Suzelis
WENATCHEE — Seth Suzelis, a senior accountant with Cordell, Neher & Company, PLLC, has earned his certified public accountant license. Suzelis joined the Wenatchee accounting firm in …
Lindsey Morrow has been named Wenatchee Valley College’s new director of Presidential Initiatives. Morrow previously served in the college’s Workforce Education department and as an administrative assistant at WVC.
WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley College has named Lindsey Morrow its new director of Presidential Initiatives following an internal search, the college announced Monday. Morrow began the position …
Jenise Trinidad Coates began working as the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center’s curator of education and programs on July 17, 2026.
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center has hired Jenise Trinidad Coates as its new curator of education and programs as the museum continues its Branch Out transition to …

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Local Features
Vendors manage their own booths, which is demonstrated by the unique inventory and display of each booth.
CASHMERE — At 70,000 square feet, Apple Annie Antique Gallery is one of the largest antique malls in Washington state, hosting anywhere from 120 to 150 vendors and over 225 booths under one roof. …
From left, Tauni Hink, Lynn Love, and Diane Senn share an afternoon over wine and stories inside The Velvet Den, Side Street Cashmere’s newest addition.
CASHMERE — The music was already doing most of the work. Upon entry into The Velvet Den, Sinatra’s voice filled the room with “The Lady is a Tramp,” giving way a moment later to Sarah …

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More Business News
Zoe Jaspers, left, receives a 2026 Peacebuilder Award from Pastor Deb Sperry, accepted on behalf of the Interfaith Justice Coalition.

Ward, Interfaith Justice Coalition honored as peacebuilders at WVDRC celebration

WENATCHEE — A newspaper publisher, a coalition of faith communities and a longtime mediator were honored Oct. 1 as the Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center celebrated 20 years of helping people find common ground.
Ouzel Kitchen owner Paul Sozio.

Ouzel Kitchen centers food, community and connection

LEAVENWORTH — For Paul Sozio, who recently opened Leavenworth’s newest restaurant Ouzel Kitchen, some of the best connections are made over a shared meal.
Liz Hazen is Upper Valley MEND’s social worker.

Upper Valley MEND: How a dynamic team is meeting each need with dignity

LEAVENWORTH — When a community member is in need of financial assistance, housing, healthcare, food or more, Leavenworth-based nonprofit Upper Valley MEND is there to help.
New hardbound books are released on Tuesdays, Olson told us, so they plan to be open earlier in the week in order to accommodate voracious readers.

New owners see Fable as a bookstore and a place to belong

WENATCHEE — Renee Olson was scrolling Facebook one night when she saw that Fable Books and Blooms was for sale. She sent her friend Rachel Findlee a message set to the tune of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
Community partners gathered Sept. 17 to celebrate the return of career staffing at Station 17 in Malaga.

A community investment that will save lives

On Thursday, September 17, I stood in front of Station 17 on West Malaga Road and watched something happen that I've been looking forward to for a long time: career firefighters moving back into a station that has, for the better part of a decade, depended almost entirely on the dedication of our volunteers.

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Regional news from the NCW News network
Opinion
Janea Stark is Executive Director of the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and Chair of the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC).
Wenatchee is where Washington comes together to build
Each October, people from across Washington make their way to Wenatchee with infrastructure projects to advance, funding questions to answer, and lessons to share. This year, they will return October …
Amy Yaley Ward Media
Your community is part of your marketing strategy
When business owners think about marketing, they often think about advertising first.
Tyler Kert Tamarack Wealth Management
Don’t leave your kids a tax bomb
Imagine you've spent 40 years diligently saving for retirement. You contributed to your 401(k), rolled old accounts into an IRA, invested consistently, and watched the balance grow. By the time you retired, you accumulated $2.2 million in pre-tax retirement accounts. That's quite an accomplishment.

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Labor Reports
Washington unemployment rate rises to 5.2% In April
OLYMPIA — Washington’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in April as the state lost an estimated 4,500 jobs, according to the Employment Security Department. The April rate was up from 5.1% in …
Washington unemployment drops to 4.5% as state adds 11,800 jobs
Washington state's unemployment rate dropped to 4.5% in December as employers added 11,800 jobs. The employment gains marked a strong finish to 2024, with construction and leisure sectors …
Washington state adds 30,900 jobs in November as Boeing strike ends
Washington state's economy rebounded in November with the addition of 30,900 jobs following the resolution of a major aerospace strike, while unemployment decreased slightly to 4.6%. The …

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Real Estate

Chelan and Douglas real estate market outpaces national trends

Brian Fair Pioneer Title Company
The real estate market in Chelan and Douglas counties continues to buck national trends, posting significant gains in March even as sales across the United States declined. On April 24, the …

Existing home sales fall 5.9% in March as median price tops $400,000

Existing-home sales fell sharply in March, slipping 5.9% from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Sales declined in …

Home sales rise 4.2% in February as buyers slowly return to market

Existing-home sales increased 4.2% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million homes, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors. Despite the monthly …

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Health Care
Confluence Health Hospital Central Campus in Wenatchee, shown from the main entrance on the south side of the facility.
Confluence Health earns Gold Recognition from AMA for physician well-being efforts
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has been awarded gold recognition by the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine® program for its efforts to reduce physician burnout and support …
Confluence Health, Three Rivers Hospital recognized for excellence in heart and stroke care
WENATCHEE — Two North Central Washington hospitals have been honored by the American Heart Association for their work in improving outcomes for patients with heart disease and stroke. …
Surgeons and staff pose with the new da Vinci 5 surgical robot at Confluence Health’s Central Campus in Wenatchee. From left: Dr. Katie Peterson, OB/GYN and core medical director for value-based care; Dr. Adam O’Brien, OB/GYN; Dr. Catherine Straub, general surgeon; Geneva Wilson, surgery charge RN; and Dr. Darren Hess, general surgeon.
Confluence Health introduces Advanced Da Vinci 5 surgical robot in Wenatchee
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has begun using the new da Vinci 5 surgical system at its Central Campus hospital, expanding its capabilities for minimally invasive procedures in North Central …
Confluence Health Hospital celebrated the introduction of state-of-the-art medical technology Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Central Campus, thanks to a donation from a retired local surgeon, Dr. Chris Stahler.
Retired physician's donation brings advanced medical technology to Confluence Health Hospital
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health Hospital celebrated the introduction of state-of-the-art medical technology Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Central Campus, thanks to a donation from …
CVCH expands behavioral health services with new East Wenatchee clinic
EAST WENATCHEE — Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH) announced Tuesday it will open a new behavioral health clinic in East Wenatchee to expand mental health services in Chelan and Douglas …

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Bonus coverage from the web
Tourism & Travel

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Around the region
Flights in and out of Pangborn Memorial Airport to and from Portland have gotten off to a tremendous start, with planes nearly three-quarters full right from the start.

Portland flights draw early passengers as port eyes more service at Pangborn

WENATCHEE — The first passenger numbers for Pangborn Memorial Airport’s new Portland route are giving regional port officials encouragement as they look toward a larger goal: enough local air service to bring more North Central Washington travelers through their hometown airport.
Following an ordinance approved on Oct. 13, utility customers in Chelan will be able to dispute and appeal billing issues without facing the threat of immediate service termination.

Chelan adopts utility billing dispute process with protections against shutoff

CHELAN — Utility customers will have a formal process to challenge incorrect bills and protection against service cutoffs over disputed charges while their cases are reviewed under an ordinance approved by the Chelan City Council on Oct. 13.
Crews work along Chiwawa River Road during the Little Giant Fire.

Agencies assess post-fire hazards across Little Giant burn area

ENTIAT — Residents got a closer look at the ongoing risks left by the Little Giant Fire during an Oct. 14 meeting, where agencies outlined efforts to identify and mitigate post-fire hazards, as well as plan for long-term recovery.
The Chelan Municipal Golf Course will undergo an investment-grade audit to determine costs and potential savings that could derive from an upcoming irrigation system replacement.

Chelan approves audit of savings, costs of golf irrigation replacement

CHELAN — The city will move forward with a $144,974 study to determine how much water and electricity savings could help pay to replace the aging irrigation system at Lake Chelan Golf Course.
Magical Strings shares the joy of Celtic music and dance on stage at ICCA’s Snowy Owl Theater. Magical Strings will return to ICCA on Dec. 17.

ICCA holiday lineup features John Prine tribute, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and more

LEAVENWORTH — The holiday lineup at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) will feature John Prine tribute, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Celtic Yuletide, and a choral-orchestral collaboration throughout the month of December.
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