Wenatchee World

Hearing examiner reviews Helion fusion power plant permit The Chelan County Hearing Examiner Wednesday reviewed the application for what would become the world's first fusion power plant, with a few members of the public submitting comments at the

The Chelan County Hearing Examiner Wednesday reviewed the application for what would become the world's first fusion power plant, with a few members of the public submitting comments at the hearing expressing concern about the project.

Confluence Health grows Student Observation Program, emphasizes workforce development While Wenatchee High School has a long-standing partnership with Confluence Health and participates in its Student Observation Program, it’s newer to Eastmont High School, which began last year.

While Wenatchee High School has a long-standing partnership with Confluence Health and participates in its Student Observation Program, it’s newer to Eastmont High School, which began last year.

Microsoft in Malaga: Advanced cooling system testing to begin in $16.4M port project Microsoft is slated to begin testing this month on its first data center building in Malaga, sending “small volumes of cooling water” to a new Cooling Water Disposal Facility, a

Microsoft is slated to begin testing this month on its first data center building in Malaga, sending “small volumes of cooling water” to a new Cooling Water Disposal Facility, a company spokesperson said.

Port of Chelan to sue county over tax increment area moratorium Port of Chelan County commissioners on Monday authorized filing a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to restrain Chelan County from enforcing its Tax Increment Area (TIA) moratorium in unincorpo...

Port of Chelan County commissioners on Monday authorized filing a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to restrain Chelan County from enforcing its Tax Increment Area (TIA) moratorium in unincorporated areas, according to a release on Tuesday.

Leavenworth City Council states opposition of selling off of public lands The Leavenworth City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of keeping federal forests and the area's other natural resources public.

The Leavenworth City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of keeping federal forests and the area's other natural resources public.

Fun fall season in Leavenworth arrives with Autumn Leaf Festival The city of Leavenworth’s longest-running festival, the Autumn Leaf Festival, paraded happily around downtown on Saturday for the 61st year.

The city of Leavenworth’s longest-running festival, the Autumn Leaf Festival, paraded happily around downtown on Saturday for the 61st year.

Remains found near Rock Island Campground confirmed as Travis Decker Remains discovered last week in the Icicle Creek drainage have been confirmed through DNA testing as those of Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three young daughters, Chelan

Remains discovered last week in the Icicle Creek drainage have been confirmed through DNA testing as those of Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three young daughters, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison announced on Thursday.

Wildfires in NCW worsen air quality, health risks for residents As wildfires continue to burn in North Central Washington, smoke is pushing air quality to dangerous levels, raising health concerns for residents across the region.

As wildfires continue to burn in North Central Washington, smoke is pushing air quality to dangerous levels, raising health concerns for residents across the region.

Triple-homicide suspect Travis Decker confirmed dead by US Marshals Service The U.S. Marshals Service says triple-homicide suspect, Travis Decker, is dead, following a months-long search and investigation.

The U.S. Marshals Service says the triple-homicide suspect, Travis Decker, is dead, following a months-long search and investigation.

'Our goal is to have great labor relations' | Chelan County Sheriff's Office reflects on grievance hearing A grievance hearing on Sept. 9 was held in open session to the surprise of top officials at the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, who were not expecting the open format

A grievance hearing on Sept. 9 was held in open session to the surprise of top officials at the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, who were not expecting the open format or to address points outside the scope of the grievance.

Sheriff: Shirt, bracelet among items found with remains that point toward Decker Authorities say human remains discovered Thursday in the Icicle Creek drainage were inside clothing that matches what Travis Decker was seen wearing the day he disappeared.

Authorities say human remains discovered Thursday in the Icicle Creek drainage were inside clothing that matches what Travis Decker was seen wearing the day he disappeared.

Remains found in Icicle Creek area may belong to Decker Human remains found on Thursday during a search may belong to Travis Decker, according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison.

Human remains found on Thursday during a search may belong to Travis Decker, according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison.

Investigators believe it could be 33-year-old Decker due to the clothing on the remains.

Builders in North Central Washington say new state order could limit competition Builders in North Central Washington say a new executive order signed last week by Gov. Bob Ferguson could make it harder for small companies to compete.

Builders in North Central Washington say a new executive order signed last week by Gov. Bob Ferguson could make it harder for small companies to compete.

Lower Sugarloaf Fire 11% contained, evacuations extended Evacuation levels were increased this week on the Lower Sugarloaf Fire as it continues to burn between the Chumstick and Entiat River valleys.

Evacuation levels were increased this week on the Lower Sugarloaf Fire as it continues to burn between the Chumstick and Entiat River valleys.

Volunteers step in as Forest Service staffing shortage hits Enchantments As the Enchantments see a reduction in staff among the U.S. Forest Service, local volunteers are stepping up to the plate to care for Washington’s most treasured areas, the Enchantments.

As the Enchantments see a reduction in staff among the U.S. Forest Service, local volunteers are stepping up to the plate to care for Washington’s most treasured areas, the Enchantments.

Wenatchee Valley College stands to lose federal funding after the U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday it will end grants for Minority-Serving Institutions.

Ferguson signs order in Wenatchee requiring labor agreements on major state construction projects Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-07 on Tuesday requiring Project Labor Agreements on construction projects costing more than $35 million during the Washington State Building and Constructio...

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-07 on Tuesday requiring Project Labor Agreements on construction projects costing more than $35 million during the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council Conference in Wenatchee.

Union, Chelan County Sheriff's Office dispute 'secret' personnel file More than a year after The Wenatchee World submitted a records request for “all sustained complaints against sheriff’s deputies in 2024” the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is arbitrating the fallout

More than a year after The Wenatchee World submitted a records request for “all sustained complaints against sheriff’s deputies in 2024” the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is arbitrating the fallout of that request before the Chelan County Commissioners.

Mission Ridge releases long-awaited expansion impact study; public comment period open On the heels of Chelan County releasing the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort’s proposed expansion project, the resort on Monday announced its own

On the heels of Chelan County releasing the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort’s proposed expansion project, the resort on Monday announced its own economic impact study.

Immigration policies and labor needs: A look at the growing reliance on H-2A workers in the Pacific Northwest Blaine Smith is a second-generation orchardist who grows cherries, pears and apples in Monitor, Washington, a small unincorporated town full of orchards. He relies on both domestic employees and H-2A

Blaine Smith is a second-generation orchardist who grows cherries, pears and apples in Monitor, Washington, a small unincorporated town full of orchards. He relies on both domestic employees and H-2A guest workers to bring in the harvest.

Washington pilot program trains rural nurses to ease shortage The federal Health Resources and Services Administration estimated a shortfall of more than 13,000 registered nurses (RNs) in Washington State in 2024.

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration estimated a shortfall of more than 13,000 registered nurses (RNs) in Washington State in 2024.

Lower Sugarloaf Fire grows to 6,200 acres The Lower Sugarloaf Fire exploded Wednesday night, casting smoke and ash into the Wenatchee River Valley.

The Lower Sugarloaf Fire exploded Wednesday night, casting smoke and ash into the Wenatchee River Valley.

Final call for Chelan County's K9 Ruben The bond between partners in the line of duty is built upon trust.

The bond between partners in the line of duty is built upon trust.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office's K9 Ruben and his handler, Detective Mark Hegberg, have built that with countless hours in training over their careers. But now Hegberg must continue without man's best friend.

Dry lightning fires ignited across Chelan County September kicked off in Chelan County with several new fires that sparked from a dry lightning storm Sunday night.

September kicked off in Chelan County with several new fires that sparked from a dry lightning storm Sunday night.

Where money once grew on trees: Regulations, labor costs squeezing small Wenatchee orchards In Wenatchee, orchards once stretched from the Columbia River to Saddle Rock. Flash forward to August 2025, the landscape of the “Apple Capital” looks completely different. For generations, Wenatchee’...

In Wenatchee, orchards once stretched from the Columbia River to Saddle Rock. Flash forward to August 2025, the landscape of the “Apple Capital” looks completely different. For generations, Wenatchee’s economy has revolved around tree fruit.

Chelan County seeks public comments on Helion’s proposed fusion power plant The public is invited to submit comments on a conditional use permit to build a “High Impact Facility,” described as the world’s first fusion power plant with an on-site substation.

The public is invited to submit comments on a conditional use permit to build a “High Impact Facility,” described as the world’s first fusion power plant with an on-site substation.

'No child left behind': Educators push back as federal cuts threaten English Learner programs As federal enforcement on English-learner rights wanes, North Central Washington schools briefly lost millions in funding for bilingual and migrant programs. Educators say these programs are essential...

As federal enforcement on English-learner rights wanes, North Central Washington schools briefly lost millions in funding for bilingual and migrant programs.

Cashmere’s awarded author of ‘Coyote’ middle school books Third through ninth-graders have enthusiastically voted the 2019 book “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart of Cashmere to the top of their favorite reading lists. Now the

Third through ninth-graders have enthusiastically voted the 2019 book “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart of Cashmere to the top of their favorite reading lists.

Developer eyes 122-lot subdivision outside East Wenatchee A subdivision application will appear before the Douglas County Hearing Examiner in September over their subdivision application for over 100 single-family lots outside the city of East Wenatchee.

A subdivision application will appear before the Douglas County Hearing Examiner in September over their subdivision application for over 100 single-family lots outside the city of East Wenatchee.

Washington treasurer pays a visit to Wenatchee Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti went to a Wenatchee Confluence Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday and spoke about the state’s credit score and called for schools to require financial educat...

Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti went to a Wenatchee Confluence Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday and spoke about the state’s credit score and called for schools to require financial education.