Wednesday, February 19, 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
Carl Florea, Mayor of Leavenworth

Meet Carl Florea, Mayor of Leavenworth

Florea has led Leavenworth since 2020, steering the small town through growth and change. Now serving his second term, Florea prioritizes tackling challenges like housing affordability, upgrading …
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 …
Other News
The U.S. labor market maintained its momentum in January, with employers adding 143,000 jobs while the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.0 percent, according to data released by the U.S. …
The latest quarterly report from the National Association of REALTORS® reveals a continuing trend of home price increases across American metropolitan areas, with Washington state markets showing …
U.S. import prices increased 0.3% in January, the largest monthly gain since April 2024, while export prices jumped 1.3%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February. Import fuel prices …
Keeping up with People
WENATCHEE — Stifel Financial Corp. announced that Kristen Taylor, a managing director with nearly 45 years of financial advisory experience, has been named to Forbes' 2025 Best-in-State Women …
CHELAN - Ken Moore, a longtime Chelan entrepreneur, has launched Moore Travel, a luxury travel consultancy aimed at serving the specific needs of travelers in the Chelan Valley region. The …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce the hiring of Larissa Gemer as the team’s new athletic trainer. …
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 …
Local Features
Edd and Sharon La Mar opened Lake Chelan Building and Supply in 1979 in Manson.
CHELAN - When it came time for Brett La Mar to hand over the reins to his family business, Lake Chelan Building and Supply, he wanted a buyer who would embody his parents’ motto – where …
Read more.
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.
More Business News

U.S. Labor Productivity Rises 1.2% in Q4 2024

Nonfarm business productivity increased 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with output rising 2.3% and hours worked up 1.0%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February. Unit labor …

Consumer Prices Rise 0.5% in January, Yearly Inflation at 3.0%

U.S. consumer prices increased 0.5% in January, following a 0.4% rise in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February. The annual inflation rate reached 3.0%, up slightly from 2.9% …

New Business Applications Drop in January

Business applications fell 14% in January compared to December 2024, with 392,496 new applications filed, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released February 12. The decline affected all …

U.S. Business Optimism Surges for 2025

Middle market business leaders are showing their strongest economic confidence since 2019, with recession fears dramatically declining, according to JPMorgan Chase's 2025 Business Leaders Outlook …

Lighting the Path for Cybersecurity Careers in North Central Washington

As technology and artificial intelligence continue to revolutionize industries, cybersecurity has emerged as an essential skill set for professionals across all sectors. From agriculture and energy …
Opinion
Amy Yaley
Ward Media
The Digital marketing mix: Why multi-channel presence triples customer value
In today’s hyper-connected world, small and medium businesses in North Central Washington face a unique opportunity: the ability to leverage digital marketing across multiple channels to …
Terry Ward
Community connections strengthen NCW's resilience
This month's stories highlight how community connections are strengthening North Central Washington in profound and lasting ways. From innovative security programs at Confluence Health to grassroots …
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 …
Labor Reports
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 …
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. …
Real Estate

Existing home sales rose 2.2% in December, marking strong end to challenging year

Existing home sales increased 2.2% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.24 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday. The December sales pace marked the …

Housing market soars in Chelan-Douglas while nation slumps

Brian Fair<br>
Pioneer Title Company
While U.S. home sales hit a 30-year low in 2024, the Chelan-Douglas region tells a different story. Local sales surged 11.7% by volume and 25.6% in dollar terms, defying the national downward trend …

Existing home sales jump 4.8% in November, hit highest level since March

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 …
Health Care
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 …
Members of the Confluence Health security team pose with Atlas, a German Shepherd who recently joined the hospital's new K9 security program. Atlas and his handler completed extensive training before beginning their duties.
Confluence Health adds new security dog
WENATCHEE -  Patients and visitors to Confluence Health Hospital’s Central and Mares campuses soon might see the  newest member of the Confluence Health staff on duty, and this staff …
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 …
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

Substance use prevention night to bring resources to Chelan Valley families

CHELAN - Local organizations are joining forces to host a comprehensive substance use prevention event aimed at supporting families across the Chelan Valley region. The community gathering, scheduled …

Chelan Schools announce first semester honor roll

CHELAN — Chelan High School and Middle School announced their honor roll students for the first semester of the 2024-25 academic year, with 254 students achieving academic excellence across …
Chelan FFA students pose with Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent author, advocate and agriculture professor. The students got to speak with Grandin at the National FFA Convention in October.

Chelan FFA shapes future leaders in agriculture and beyond

CHELAN – Every year, National FFA Week offers an opportunity to showcase the impact of agricultural education, leadership, and hands-on learning in local chapters across the country. …

Chelan council approves park policy code modifications and ordinances

CHELAN – The city council approved three code modifications and added two new ordinances related to city parks at its regular bi-monthly meeting on Feb. 11. The city has been working with …
A full banquet hall enjoys dinner provided by Brewster Marketplace.

Fire District 15 honors volunteers at 2025 Appreciation Dinner

BREWSTER – There were no major callouts on Saturday afternoon and evening, Feb. 8, to interrupt the 2025 Appreciation Dinner for Douglas Okanogan County Fire District 15 (DOCFD15) volunteers …