Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Top Stories

Stitches ‘N’ Beads Loft opens, supports women worldwide through handmade creations

Owner Vimbai Madya envisions both a gift shop for tourists, as well as a space for the community to learn crafts such as crocheting and beading.
LEAVENWORTH – Stitches ‘N’ Beads Loft, a new addition to downtown Leavenworth, offers handmade gifts and serves as a space for creativity and community connection. The shop is …
Executive Q&A
Brad Hawkins
Chelan County Commissioner
District 3

Meet Brad Hawkins, Chelan County Commissioner

Hawkins received his K-12 education in Wenatchee School District, graduated with honors from Central Washington University, and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from George Washington …
Representative Mike Steele

Meet Mike Steele, Executive Director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce and a Washington State Representative

Mike Steele wears many hats in his service to the Lake Chelan Valley. As the executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for 18 years and a recently reelected state representative, …
Jerrilea CrawfordMayor of East Wenatchee

Meet Jerrilea Crawford, Mayor of East Wenatchee

Crawford began her tenure as East Wenatchee mayor in 2020 and is currently serving her second term. Before becoming mayor, she served on the city council for three years.  Crawford’s …
Barbara Walters
Executive  Director of NCW Libraries

Meet Barbara Walters, Executive Director of NCW Libraries

NCW Libraries covers 14,500 square miles with branch locations from Curlew in Ferry County to Mattawa in Grant County. Walters took on the Executive Director role at NCW Libraries in 2018 after …
Mike Poirier
Mayor of the City of Wenatchee

Meet Mike Poirier, Mayor of the City of Wenatchee

Poirier was elected in 2023 and began his term as mayor in 2024. Before that he served on the Wenatchee City Council from 2016-2019 and again from 2022-2023. Poirier, who grew up and raised his …
Other News
While the region has long been anchored by stable STEM industries such as agriculture, government, natural resources and healthcare, a surge in demand for these skills is reshaping the employment …
Existing home sales reached their highest level since March as buyers adapt to current mortgage rate conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales of previously owned …
In our ongoing exploration of sustainable restaurant practices, we dive deeper into the practical aspects of commercial composting. Many restaurant owners wonder: What exactly can be composted, and …
Keeping up with People
LEAVENWORTH – Icicle Creek Center for the Arts’s (ICCA) Board of Directors have named Monica Miller as its new Executive Director (ED). Miller, who holds a BA in Studio Arts from The …
WENATCHEE — Wenatchee Valley College has appointed Tracy Donnelly as the new dean of Allied Health and Professional Technical Programs, a position she began December 9. In her new …
Pioneer Title Company has appointed Tyler Robinson as its new Title Department Manager. Robinson, who previously served as a Title Officer with the company, will oversee daily operations of the …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society appointed BJ Andersen as its new executive director on Nov. 4, following the departure of James Pumphrey in June. Andersen first began her …
WENATCHEE — Chelan County Public Utility District has announced three new senior management appointments, naming leaders for operations, energy resources, and financial oversight. Dan Koch …
Local Features
The Pankow family, who owns Leavenworth Coffee Roasters, stands in front of their recently opened coffee and waffle shop, Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles.
LEAVENWORTH – The newly opened Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles lives up to its name, serving locally roasted coffee and creative, one-of-a-kind waffles. Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles is …
Read more.
An artist's rendering shows the plans for the new Hub Center which will be housed in the old Chelan Hospital building.
CHELAN – The former hospital building in Chelan is being repurposed into a mixed-use business building called the Hub Center. Managed by Coldwell Banker Cascade, the property will provide …
Read more.
More Business News

Impact Stream: Empowering Communities in Togo Through Blockchain Technology

LEAVENWORTH - In an era where global aid organizations often dictate the solutions for struggling communities, a decentralized non-governmental organization is challenging the norm by empowering …

Scammers claiming to be from a state agency are targeting WA businesses

OLYMPIA - Businesses and nonprofit organizations should watch out for fraudulent letters that claim to be asking for money on behalf of the Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Since …

Building Digital Leaders: NCW's Commitment to Computer Science

As December 7-14, 2024, marks Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), North Central Washington is set to engage students, families, and the broader community in a celebration of coding and …

Washington Trust Bank named among 2024's Best Banks to Work For

Washington Trust Bank has been recognized as one of American Banker magazine's "Best Banks to Work For" in 2024, marking its sixth recognition since the program's inception in 2013. The largest …

Green dining: How your restaurant's composting program can attract eco-conscious customers

The dining landscape is changing. Today's customers aren't just looking for great food – they're increasingly making dining choices based on environmental sustainability. Composting is an easy …
Opinion
Amy Yaley
COO
Ward Media
From first glance to first click: Building brand awareness that actually drives research
Why Traditional Single-Channel Awareness Falls Short In today's connected world, relying on just one marketing channel is like trying to fill a stadium through a single entrance – you're …
Terry Ward
Local entrepreneurs reshape our community's future
This month's Wenatchee Business Journal highlights how local entrepreneurs are reshaping our region through innovation and social impact. From blockchain-powered philanthropy to immigrant-led retail …
Tyler Kert
Tamarack Wealth Management
Are you going to pay the death tax?
Death and taxes. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying. Those are two things that are unavoidable. And since this is a business journal, I’ll spare you the solution I found for getting …
Labor Reports
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 …
L&I announces 3.8% increase in Washington Workers' Compensation Rates for 2025
Washington state employers and workers will see their workers' compensation insurance premiums rise by an average of 3.8% in 2025, the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced. …
Boeing strike drives WA job losses in October
OLYMPIA — Washington state's economy shed 35,900 jobs in October, primarily due to a major strike by Boeing machinists, while the unemployment rate slightly decreased to 4.7%, state officials …
Real Estate

U.S. Home sales rose 3.4% in October, first yearly gain since July 2021

Existing home sales rose 3.4% in October, marking the first year-over-year increase since July 2021, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sales climbed to a seasonally …

Home sales continue downward trend as inventory rises, first-time buyers remain sidelined

U.S. existing-home sales declined for another month in September, falling 1.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.84 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors. The …

Home sales dip 2.5% in August amid inventory gains and price increases

The U.S. housing market exhibited further signs of deceleration in August as existing home sales declined for the second consecutive month, according to a comprehensive report released Tuesday by the …
Health Care
Cascade Medical Foundation receives $10,000 grant for Mobile Healthcare Initiative
LEAVENWORTH — Cascade Medical Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group Community Partnership Fund. The grant, jointly …
Confluence Health rations IV solutions amid nationwide shortage, delays elective surgeries
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health is implementing measures to address a nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) solutions, a crisis affecting healthcare facilities across the United States. …
Maria Dalzell, physician assistant at Confluence Health, displays her Rural Physician Assistant of the Year award at the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA) annual conference. Dalzell was recognized for her outstanding contributions to rural healthcare in Washington State, particularly her work in nephrology and addressing health disparities in underserved communities.
Confluence Health PA named Washington's Rural Physician Assistant of the Year
WENATCHEE—Maria Dalzell, a physician assistant (PA) working in nephrology for Confluence Health, was recently named the Rural Physician Assistant of the Year by the Washington Academy of …
Dr. Andrew Jones
Patients win big in Confluence Health shift
As options expand in other industries, healthcare has had a lot of catching up to do. The desire for ready access, diverse availability, easy scheduling, and a variety of options has become …
Dopl Technologies co-founders Stephen Seslar, Ryan James, and Wayne Monsky, started the company in 2022 to improve healthcare access in rural Washington.
WA company aims to bridge healthcare gap in rural areas
LEAVENWORTH – Dopl Technologies is on a mission to improve healthcare access in rural underserved areas of Washington state and beyond.  The Bothell-based software company provides …
Bonus coverage from the web
Tourism & Travel

Chelan County Commissioners allocate over $319K in Lodging Tax dollars to boost local tourism initiatives

WENATCHEE — Chelan County Commissioners greenlit the allocation of nearly $320,000 in lodging tax dollars toward various tourism-related entities, benefitting a gamut of local organizations. …

Around the region
Chief Justice Debra Stephens swears in the Washington state Supreme Court’s newest justice, Sal Mungia, on Monday in Olympia.

WA’s newest state Supreme Court justice is sworn in

OLYMPIA - After a narrow election victory in November, Sal Mungia is officially Washington’s newest state Supreme Court justice.  Mungia, along with current justices Steven Gonzalez …
Spear fisherman

Methow Memorial to expand exhibits at Pateros park

PATEROS – Following nearly a decade serving as the anchor attraction in Lakeshore Park, the Methow Memorial, a sculpture and interpretative installation celebrating the Methow Tribe, plans are …
Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris

Bridgeport installs security cameras to combat vandalism

BRIDGEPORT – In its efforts to discourage vandalism and tagging in its parks and other areas, the city is installing two camera security systems to monitor both vehicle traffic and citizen …
Chelan Scout Master Mark Carroll and Eagle Scout Cameron Willoughby open and refold the first United States flag, featuring only 13 stars, at Willoughby’s Eagle Scout ceremony.

Manson teen soars to Eagle Scout rank

MANSON – Cameron Willoughby, a 2024 Manson High School grad, celebrated a major milestone in December when he was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.  Earning the Eagle …

Lake Chelan Chamber gears up for two weekends of Winterfest

CHELAN – Chelan and Manson will celebrate the magic of winter with two weekends of Lake Chelan Winterfest this month. Ice Weekend in Chelan will be held on January 17-19. The festivities …