Slices of Wenatchee

Today - A Douglas County judge has dismissed a criminal case after allegations that the county’s top prosecutor directed staff to withhold key information from a colleague.

Today - A Wenatchee family says they have not heard from a local mother and her 9-year-old son since the two were detained at a scheduled federal immigration check-in last week. Read more: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/family-unable-to-locate-wenatchee-mother-son-after-ice-detention/article_8be27a2c-e35c-44bd-aaa6-4abb62abeca9.html#tncms-source=homepage-top-story

Today - A packed auditorium, a student battling leukemia and a community rallying together — Wenatchee High School’s annual talent show raised nearly $3,000 to help one of its own.

Today - Powder-keg warning signs were there nearly a year early — and a family in East Wenatchee is still living with what happened when help didn’t arrive in time.

Catherine Ross arrives in a room like a confetti cannon disguised as a person: bright, a little sparkly and impossible to ignore once she’s gone off. This year’s Washington State Apple Blossom Festival Royalty Selection Pageant emcee did not take a straight path to the microphone. Her story zigzags from Tacoma childhood stages to New York boardrooms, from operating roller coasters at Disney World to yoga training in Thailand, before circling back to Wenatchee: the place she now calls, simply and with relief, home.

Today - At 100 years old, a Wenatchee soda fountain continues serving memories alongside milkshakes, holding steady as downtown changes around it.

Today - Canceled citizenship ceremonies leave hopefuls in limbo across North Central Washington.

Today - With backpacks, clipboards, and compassion, Wenatchee volunteers hit the streets to count — and connect with — their homeless neighbors.

In this episode, a single narrator takes you inside Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort as ski instructor Otto Ross celebrates his 100th birthday at Hampton Lodge. The story traces Ross’ path from skiing on homemade gear as a kid to teaching his first lessons in 1950, training in Chamonix, serving on ski patrol and the 1960 Winter Olympics honor guard, and helping build Mission Ridge’s ski school when the resort opened in 1966. Along the way, it highlights the impact he had on generations of skiers—including his role in adaptive skiing—and ends with Ross’ simple perspective on longevity and what he hopes stays the same at Mission Ridge.

Today - A candlelight vigil in Wenatchee gave community members a space to grieve and reflect on the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis VA nurse by Border Patrol.

Mike “Maddog” Magnotti is a former Wenatchee police sergeant turned talk show host, columnist, and community theater actor whose life has swung from near-fatal infancy and a turbulent youth to decades of public service, performance, and outspoken commentary. Grounded by his nearly 50-year marriage to his wife Rosie and a faith that drives his views on justice and adoption, he’s built a local persona that’s loud, opinionated, and willing to challenge both his own institutions and the politics of the moment. https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/whos-who-sday-mike-maddog-magnotti/article_b5631f6a-561c-4854-bca2-81ef9cb561fa.html#tncms-source=homepage-top-story 

Today - Ever wonder what happens when strangers gather over tea and cake to talk about death? In one Wenatchee group, that’s exactly the point. https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/wenatchee-death-cafe-conversations-about-dying-life-and-loss/article_8b2beac7-88c9-43c2-949d-c88d77f003be.html

Today - You might know his name, or maybe just his smile — today we’re spending time with Cameron Miller, a man whose daily walks have become part of the heartbeat of downtown Wenatchee.

Today - Highway 2 through Tumwater Canyon is on the mend after December’s destructive flooding — but crews still face weeks of work before it’s safe to reopen.

Today - Some longtime businesses on South Wenatchee Avenue say customer traffic is the slowest they’ve seen in decades — and they’re pointing to everything from inflation to industry shifts to safety concerns right outside their doors.

Today - Wenatchee schools brace for major cuts as the district prepares to shrink its budget by more than $5 million next year.

Today - A $5 million jury award to a former East Wenatchee Water District employee has been overturned by a federal judge.

Today - A New Year’s arrival comes with a special title — Chelan County’s very first baby of 2026.

Today - Federal rural health funding could bring big changes for Chelan and Douglas counties — but local hospitals are still waiting to find out just how much they’ll get.

Today - Wenatchee residents gathered at Memorial Park to protest President Trump’s strike on Venezuela, calling it a dangerous precedent for U.S. military intervention.

In this episode, we step inside HoneyHour Market at The Side Street Cashmere, a new grocery, café and wine lounge built around small producers and everyday community connection. Through narration, we explore the market floor, the shared Cottage Kitchen and the Velvet Den wine bar.

Today - A Wenatchee man will serve 17 years in prison after being convicted on serious drug trafficking and firearm charges — we’ll walk you through what investigators found and how the case unfolded.

Today - A new tax financing district near Malaga moves ahead despite strong opposition from Chelan County leaders and residents.

When U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Snyder visits 85-year-old Vietnam veteran Don Welter at home in Wenatchee, a simple knock on the door becomes a rare moment of recognition, honor, and brotherhood that Alzheimer’s can’t erase.

Today - A beloved Wenatchee tradition returns to the stage, showing how a volunteer-run fundraiser has quietly shaped generations of community giving.

Today - Leavenworth’s lights are back on, but behind the glow is a story of grit, generosity, and a holiday season like no other.

Today - A multigenerational pear orchard in Cashmere is beginning the long road to recovery after devastating flooding — and they’re not alone across Chelan County.

Today - A mid-afternoon construction mishap forced evacuations and street closures in Wenatchee this week, after a gas line was struck near downtown — briefly disrupting traffic and daily routines before crews brought the situation under control.

Today - A Washington town is cut off as landslides and flooding force evacuations and raise new concerns for recovery.

Today - Most power has been restored around Leavenworth, but crews are still clearing debris and repairing lines as Chelan County enters the weekend with a cautious eye on the forecast.

Today - A major funding loss looms for the Wenatchee School District, with staff and student programs likely to feel the impact.

Today - A failing HVAC system left students and staff at Wenatchee High School struggling through smoke-filled classrooms this fall, as wildfires intensified across North Central Washington.

Today - A changing retail landscape brings fresh energy to Wenatchee Valley Mall, thanks to a new wave of women- and minority-owned businesses redefining the mall experience.

Today - A father-son Boy Scout project planted the seeds of a family legacy—one that’s now marking 60 years of Christmas tree traditions in Cashmere.

Today - Leavenworth lights up for the holidays, and behind the sparkle is a carefully built economy that thrives on winter tourism and festive spending.

Today - As harvest season winds down in North Central Washington, new data shows just how much agriculture is driving the economy in Chelan and Douglas counties.

Today: Downtown Wenatchee embraced a festive shade of pink last week as dozens of local shops kicked off the holiday season with a growing national event focused on supporting small businesses.

Today - A Wenatchee teen traveled across the world to reunite with the bone marrow donor who saved her life — and found family on the other side.

Today - Coming soon to downtown Wenatchee: a dessert shop expansion with a twist — Zully’s is adding a family-friendly gaming zone just in time for the holidays.

Today - Ageless love blossomed at East Wenatchee Senior Living, where two residents found each other late in life, and just tied the knot at 83 and 90.

Today - A Wenatchee jeweler leaves the city behind to build a business rooted in sustainability, creativity, and mountain views.

Today - A familiar voice, a timeless mission — today we celebrate Dave Herald’s remarkable 50-year career behind the mic and at the heart of his community.

Today - One Army veteran’s road from six-figure success to homelessness — and how he’s rebuilding his life in East Wenatchee — highlights the power of local support systems.

Today - Today, a longtime college access program for migrant students has come to an unexpected halt — and the loss of support could ripple far beyond the classroom.

Today - Food banks across Washington are seeing an overwhelming surge in demand as SNAP benefits stall during the prolonged government shutdown.

Today - A new WSU research facility and a massive water reservoir project are both under review in the Wenatchee Valley.

Today - Chelan County moves forward with a $62 million preliminary budget, despite a lingering deficit — and introduces a hiring freeze to tighten the reins.

Today - Wenatchee schools are bracing for a steep enrollment drop in the years ahead — and officials say it could reshape the district for the next decade.

In just one year, 24-year-old Haley Pond transitioned from social media manager to full-time tattoo artist and opened her own studio, Manuka and Moon Tattoo, in Cashmere. Inspired by nature and guided by an inclusive, self-taught philosophy, Pond has quickly built a clientele drawn to her black-and-gray botanical designs and welcoming approach to body art.

Today - As Día de los Muertos approaches, families in the Wenatchee Valley are keeping tradition alive—despite fear, grief, and the long shadow of immigration enforcement.