Your trusted source for local Leavenworth, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Leavenworth author Denise Cherryholmes published a children's book titled “Tully’s Alpine Adventure,” inspired by a local lamb chase. The book features familiar names, places, and events from the community, aiming to engage young readers with local culture.
The Lower Sugarloaf Fire has expanded to 10,000 acres northeast of Leavenworth, prompting firefighters to implement a full suppression strategy. Evacuation notices have been issued, and additional firefighting resources are arriving as containment remains at zero percent. Cooler weather has aided firefighting efforts, but smoke has caused air quality alerts in surrounding areas.
Approximately 100 protesters gathered along US-2 in Leavenworth for a "Workers Over Billionaires" rally on Labor Day. The event highlighted the community's reliance on worker rights and fair wages in the face of growing economic inequality.
Chelan County offers lodging tax grants to community organizations and nonprofits aiming to boost tourism. Interested groups are encouraged to apply for funding to develop projects that attract more visitors. This initiative supports local economic growth and enhances the county's appeal as a travel destination.
The FBI confirmed that bones discovered during a search near Rock Island Campground are not human. This search was part of an ongoing manhunt for a fugitive, highlighting continued efforts by federal and local authorities to locate the suspect.
The Washington State Department of Ecology issued an air quality alert for Chelan and Douglas counties due to smoke from ongoing wildfires. Residents are advised to take precautions as air quality levels decline.
Cascade School District's youngest students began the 2025-2026 school year at Peshastin-Dryden Elementary on September 2. The school welcomed Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten students as they joined their peers for a new academic year. This marks a significant milestone for the district's early education program.
The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival returns on September 20, featuring cultural traditions and environmental education at Rocky Reach Park. This year’s theme, “Currents of Connection,” emphasizes the Columbia River's significance to local communities and wildlife. The event includes participation from 45 Native American educators representing multiple tribes.
Dry lightning storms over Labor Day Weekend ignited multiple new fires in North Central Washington's Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service reported six fire incidents, including the 25-acre Lower Sugarloaf Fire and the three-acre Cougar Fire, both exhibiting high spread potential. Officials urge hikers to avoid affected areas and exercise caution due to increased emergency response activity.
A two-day FBI-led grid search near Leavenworth recovered items potentially linked to the investigation of Travis Decker, whose three daughters were found murdered in June. Over 100 personnel searched more than 247 acres, emphasizing the importance of thorough terrain documentation. Authorities remind the public that Decker is considered dangerous and urge immediate reporting of sightings.