Saturday, May 18, 2024
Top Stories

Family Health Centers expanding dental care access in Okanogan County

An architectural rendering of the planned expansion to Family Health Centers' Omak campus. The expanded facility will include a new dental clinic with 18 additional operatories, allowing FHC to significantly increase access to oral health care services for the Okanogan County community. The modern, spacious design of the building aligns with FHC's mission to improve the health and well-being of the populations they serve.
OMAK - Family Health Centers (FHC) has announced plans to expand its Omak campus at 1003 Koala Drive by adding a new dental clinic. This expansion aims to increase access to oral health care for all …

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Executive Q&A
Ruben Betancourt, Executive Director<br> Chelan-Douglas Coalition for Health Improvement

Meet Ruben Betancourt, Executive Director for the Chelan-Douglas Coalition for Health Improvement

With a background in business and healthcare administration. Ruben Betancourt, through his work with underserved and underrepresented communities at Columbia Valley Community Health, realized his …
Maria Guerra, project designer at MJ Neal Associates

Meet Maria Guerra, project designer at MJ Neal Associates

Meet Maria Guerra project designer at the architectural firm MJ Neal Associates. Although architecture has always been her true calling, Guerra has followed a winding path back to it after serving in …
Dr. Sue Kane, CEO<br> NCW Tech Alliance

Meet Dr. Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance

Meet Dr. Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance, a nonprofit in North Central Washington committed to bridging the digital divide. Kane stepped into the CEO role in October 2023. Founded in 1999 as …
Emily Bautista-Herdt

Meet Emily Bautista-Herdt, Packaging Sales Manager at Northwest Wholesale, Inc.

Northwest Wholesale, Inc., or NWW, a locally owned farmer cooperative, has served fruit growers and packers in North Central Washington since 1937. As a cooperative, NWW is dedicated to helping tree fruit growers and packers from “bud to box.” According to their website, in the last ten years, NWW has been able to generate savings of $43.8 million, which has been returned to their members. In 2021, Bautista-Herdt started with NWW as a Packaging Sales Rep. In June 2022, she stepped into the Packaging Sales Manager role. 
Steve Wilkinson<br> Executive Director<br> Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce

Meet Steve Wilkinson, executive director of the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce

Steering the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce toward a dynamic future is Steve Wilkinson, the executive director, who brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community growth. Recently, we caught up with Wilkinson to learn more about him and his goals for the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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Other News
YAKIMA - On May 2 and 3, Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) Trustees Paula Arno Martinez, vice chair of the WVC Board of Trustees, and Wilma Cartagena, the board's legislative liaison, attended the …
Prospective buyers attend an open house at a home in San Francisco on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
US renters are more pessimistic about their ability to ever own a home and households’ expectations of home-price growth has reaccelerated after falling last year, a new Federal Reserve Bank of …
The Chelan Douglas Community Action Council (CDCAC) celebrated the soon-to-be open Food Distribution Center on Mar. 28. Rep. Mike Steele and Congresswoman Kim Schrier cut the ceremonial ribbon. …

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E-edition

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Keeping up with People
Marissa Collins<br> Executive Director<br> Wellness Place
WENATCHEE — Wellness Place, a local nonprofit that supports individuals facing cancer in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties, has named Marissa Collins its new Executive Director. …
The 2024 Mark Judy Memorial Caregiver Education Fund scholarship recipients, from left, Taylar Hendrickson, Janeth Baltazar Lopez and Brandi Weems.
LEAVENWORTH - Cascade Medical Foundation has launched a new scholarship program to honor former administrator Mark Judy and support the professional growth of healthcare professionals. The Mark Judy …
Manson High School Senior Alexis Villaseñor earned a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University to study neurosurgery.
MANSON – Manson High School Senior Alexis Villaseñor was recently accepted with a full scholarship to the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Maryland to study neurosurgery.  …
Christina Pedersen
WENATCHEE - Chelan County has hired Christina Pedersen as the new fire marshal, bringing with her over three decades of experience in the fire service. Pedersen, who is set to begin her new role on …
Diane Leigh
Diane Leigh, a managing broker at RE/MAX Advantage, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Realtor Achievement Award by the North Central Washington Association of Realtors (NCWAR). This highly …

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Local Features
Owner Katie and her wife Kirstie Miethe spent one of their first dates painting pottery, and have made it a tradition to do it on every vacation, which inspired the idea for the Art Haus.
LEAVENWORTH – On Apr. 1, the Leavenworth Art Haus celebrated its first year of operation, offering a space and supplies for all ages and abilities to decorate and create.  “This …
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The Barn, the new restaurant at Gamble Sands, is located adjacent to the Danny Boy Bar & Grill, opened for business March 7.
BREWSTER – The newest addition to the Gamble Sands golf, dining, and lodging experience 10 miles east of Brewster, The Barn, billed as the “newest dining hotspot and coolest hangout in …
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More Business News
Quincy High School student Nora Medina

Empowering the Next Generation: Schools' Focus on AI and Cybersecurity Skills

Technology isn’t just an asset but a necessity in education as schools across the region prepare students for the future. The Microsoft Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) …

Wenatchee MSA experiences strong job growth amidst rising unemployment

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Chelan and Douglas counties in Washington state, saw impressive job growth between March 2023 and March 2024 despite an uptick in …

Five from Confluence Health honored with 2024 Champion of Public Health Awards

WENATCHEE - Three staff members and two providers at Confluence Health were recently honored with the 2024  Champions of Public Health Award, presented by the Chelan-Douglas Health District …

Confluence Health honored with two awards for excellence in organ donation efforts

WENATCHEE - Confluence Health Hospital Central Campus was recently recognized with two hospital achievement awards by LifeCenter Northwest for excellence in organ donation efforts. LifeCenter …
2024 Flywheel Conference Winner OneCourt: CEO Jerred Mace in center

Dopl Technologies named winner of the 2024 Flywheel Investment Conference

WENATCHEE - The 2024 Flywheel Investment Conference, held from April 16-18 and sponsored by Ogden Murphy Wallace, Microsoft, and Confluence Health, concluded with Dopl Technologies being named the …

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Regional news from the NCW News network
Opinion
Terry Ward, Publisher
Local journalism needs your support more than ever
As the publisher of our local newspaper, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the recent Pew Research Center report on the changing relationship between Americans and their local news outlets. The …
Amy Yaley<br> COO<br> Ward Media
The road to top of mind awareness: crafting a strategic marketing blueprint
In the ever-evolving business landscape, the importance of strategic marketing cannot be overstated. A well-crafted marketing plan is the cornerstone for sustainable growth, guiding your business …
Tyler Kert<br> Tamarack Wealth Management
When Should You Invest? A solution to timing the market
Buy low and sell high. It’s that simple. Master that technique, and you’ll always make money. The problem, of course, is that in order to buy low and sell high, you either have to be able …

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Labor Reports
Washington State faces higher labor underutilization than U.S. in 2023
According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington State experienced significantly higher rates of labor underutilization compared to the national average in 2023. The …
Wenatchee MSA job market surges, outpacing state
The Wenatchee metro area employment picture looked exceptionally bright in January, with total nonfarm jobs surging at more than four times the statewide pace, according to a new report by a state …
Washington State sees job growth slow, unemployment rise in February
OLYMPIA - Washington's economy added 2,600 jobs in February, but the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.7%, marking the highest level since 2021 and the fifth straight month of rising joblessness. The …

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Real Estate

Adjusting to higher rates: Wenatchee Valley's real estate resilience

In the face of climbing interest rates, the single-family home market in Chelan and Douglas counties, with a spotlight on the Wenatchee Valley, has showcased remarkable adaptability. A comparison of …

Existing home sales vaulted 9.5% in February, largest monthly increase in a year

The housing market showed renewed strength last month as existing home sales posted their largest monthly gain in a year, according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors. The …

Realtors’ settlement could dramatically change cost of housing sales

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to settle litigation that accused the industry group of artificially inflating real estate commissions,   setting up a reconfiguration of the …

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Health Care
After a decade, Mall Boyd is wrapping up her term on the Cascade Medical Board of Commissioners.
Cascade Medical bids adieu to Commissioner Mall Boyd
LEAVENWORTH—After a decade of dedicated service, Commissioner Mall Boyd bid farewell to her role on the Cascade Medical Board of Commissioners, marking the end of an era in community healthcare …
Confluence Health has been awarded gold-level recognition by the American Heart Association for its commitment to employee health and well-being through its comprehensive Wellness Program initiatives.
Confluence Health receives gold-level recognition from American Heart Association for employee well-being initiatives
WENATCHEE—The American Heart Association has awarded Confluence Health gold-level recognition for its commitment to employee health and well-being. The recognition is based on the Association's …
Jared Ortiz
UW School of Dentistry RIDE student joins Family Health Centers for Rural Dental Care initiative
Family Health Centers (FHC) announced the addition of Jared Ortiz, a fourth-year DDS candidate, as an extern through the University of Washington School of Dentistry's (UWSOD) Regional Initiatives in …
The Mobile Clinic is complete with an exam room, waiting room, and restroom, and is built to reach patients in inclement weather.
Cascade Mobile Clinic meets patients in their communities
LEAVENWORTH – For just over a year, Cascade Medical has been working outside its traditional brick-and-mortar, bringing the clinic to patients by way of wheels. The Cascade Mobile Clinic stations itself in Plain or Peshastin every Tuesday, so patients don’t have to make the trip to downtown Leavenworth.
Washington ranks seventh in National Health Index despite challenges
In the latest America's Health Rankings report, Washington state has achieved an overall rank of seven, reflecting both its strengths and challenges in public health. This composite measure, based on …

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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. …

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Around the region
Stephanie Fuller

Lake Chelan school board member raises the alarm over growing insurance, utilities costs

CHELAN—School funding and its inadequacy were topics brought to the forefront of the May 13 monthly meeting of the Lake Chelan School District Board of Directors by board member Stephanie …
Jackson Moody

Bridgeport City Council welcomes Foster Creek Conservation District

BRIDGEPORT – Two presentations opened the regular monthly meeting of the city council on Wednesday, May 15.  Qristian Solorio, Chief of the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department, …

Chelan City Council agrees on Transportation Benefit District funding option

CHELAN—The city council selected the funding option of three-tenths of one percent for the city’s new Transportation Benefit District (TBD) on Tuesday, May 14, at its regular bi-monthly …
Workers use a barge and crane to retrieve a vehicle from Lake Chelan after a Colville man crashed his SUV into the lake Monday evening. Manson and Chelan Fire Departments worked to free the man and were able to start CPR before he was Life-Flighted to Harborview Medical Center. The man is expected to survive.

Man rescued from submerged vehicle in Lake Chelan expected to survive

MANSON– The Colville man who was rescued from a submerged vehicle in Lake Chelan is expected to survive.  Erik G. Korbely, 37, was life-flighted to Harborview Medical Center Monday …

WSP to host child car seat and water safety clinic in Wenatchee

WENATCHEE - The Washington State Patrol District 6, in collaboration with Wenatchee Valley Fire and local law enforcement agencies, is set to hold a child car seat and water safety clinic on May 18, …
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