Thursday, October 1, 2026
Top Stories

Three additional suspects arrested in Chelan Hills Fire investigation

EAST WENATCHEE — Three additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, which killed an Orondo man, injured six firefighters, destroyed more than 100 structures and …

Washington students can now apply for 2027-28 college financial aid

High school seniors and other students planning college or job training can now apply for financial aid for the 2027-28 school year.

Washington minimum wage to rise to $17.73 an hour Jan. 1

Washington's minimum wage will go up 60 cents to $17.73 an hour on Jan. 1, the state Department of Labor & Industries announced Sept. 30.

Former Douglas County prosecutor Edgar appointed to fill vacancy

WATERVILLE — Former Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Walter Gordon Edgar will return to the office Oct. 1 following his appointment by the county Board of Commissioners.

Community Foundation of NCW marks 40 years with $170,000 gift match

WENATCHEE — The Community Foundation of North Central Washington will match donations dollar for dollar through June 2027, up to nearly $170,000, as part of a yearlong celebration of its 40th anniversary.

WA wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says

Damaged structures in the aftermath of the Spokane fires that began on Aug. 1. Some officials and consumer advocates fear the wildfire could lead to property insurance rate hikes and policy cancellations. (Photo courtesy of Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the …

It’s primary election day in WA. Here’s what you need to know

A ballot dropbox in Olympia on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Stadard)

Washington voters on Tuesday will start to winnow the competition in hundreds of local, state and federal races in this busy election cycle. All 98 seats in the state House and 24 in the Senate …

Ferguson proposes statewide school cellphone ban

Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks in support of his proposed “Away for the Day” policy, which would ban student cellphone use during school hours in Washington public schools, during an announcement in Seattle. Ferguson said he plans to seek legislation implementing a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban beginning in September 2027.

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that he will seek a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours in Washington public K-12 schools. The proposed “Away for the …

DOJ moves to vacate Jan. 6 conviction for Proud Boys leader from WA

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to erase the conviction of a prominent leader of the Proud Boys from Washington state for his actions during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. …

Work underway to create new WA housing agency

The Beacon Pacific Village housing complex where Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson announced new proposed housing investments on Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

OLYMPIA – Washington boasts 221 housing-related programs across 30 state agencies.  But despite all of these initiatives, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck thinks the state is still going in the wrong …

Court battle set to begin over WA’s new income tax

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax law plan Thursday to formally launch their legal challenge to the constitutionality of the controversial statute. Attorneys and plaintiffs have …

Sports

Wild rally past Tri-City 5-2 in preseason finale

Wenatchee Wild forward Kalen Miles scans for the puck in the final minutes of Wenatchee's 5-2 preseason win Sunday afternoon at the Tri-City Americans. Miles scored the first Wild goal, later adding an assist.
KENNEWICK — The Wenatchee Wild scored five consecutive goals to rally from an early two-goal deficit and defeat the Tri-City Americans 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Center in the preseason …
Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington was named the 2026 West Coast League Coach of the Year after leading the AppleSox to a league-best 39-13 regular-season record and their sixth WCL championship.
Mitch Darlington named West Coast League Coach of the Year
WENATCHEE — Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington has been named the West Coast League Coach of the Year after leading the team to its sixth league championship. The WCL announced the …
AppleSox rout Bells to advance to WCL Championship
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee AppleSox advanced to the West Coast League Championship with an 18-4 victory over the Bellingham Bells in the North Division Championship game. Wenatchee will face …
Wenatchee Wild forward Levi Benson (center) sets up between a pair of Prince George Cougars players during Friday's Western Hockey League game at CN Centre. Prince George notched four goals in the second period of Saturday's game en route to a 5-0 win over the Wild.
Power play pushes Prince George past Wild Saturday, 5-0
PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – One night after the penalty kills headlined a defensive standoff at CN Centre, the Prince George power play powered up and pushed its team to a win Saturday, …
Opinion

Vote NO on Three Rivers Hospital Bond

Before voters commit $48 million for hospital construction in Hospital District #1, they deserve solid county-wide information to confirm how best to meet the medical needs of the residents of …
Other News
WENATCHEE — Businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters hurt by the Chelan Hills Fire can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced Sept. 28.
CARLTON — The Methow Valley Ranger District plans to start prescribed burning Monday, Oct. 5, in the Libby Creek drainage west of Carlton if conditions are favorable.
OLYMPIA — The League of Women Voters of Washington has released online interviews with all 10 candidates running for five seats on the Washington Supreme Court in the Nov. 3 election. The …
WENATCHEE — Washington's All-Risk Mobilization Program has been authorized to support at least 12 wildfire incidents and pre-positioning efforts in Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties …
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Obituaries
Patricia Munk Patricia "Pat" (Davis) Munk passed away Aug. 11, 2026, in Lebanon. She was born in 1941 in California. She graduated from Napa High School and San Francisco State College. She was …
Teresa Marchand Hoback September 18, 1949 – July 4, 2026 Teresa Marchand Hoback, a woman whose life was defined by love, generosity, and service to others, passed away peacefully, surrounded …
Daniel Carl Martin March 9, 1947 – April 9, 2026 Daniel Carl Martin, a devoted Husband, Father, Brother, and Grandfather, passed away on April 9, 2026, following a courageous battle with …
Wade C. Jacobson, of Mansfield, WA, passed away on March 26, 2026 at the age of 60.  Arrangements by Precht Rose Chapel, Chelan, WA.
Betty Jean Smith, former resident of Brewster, WA passed away at the age of 91 in Gig Harbor, WA on February 6, 2026.  Arrangements provided by Barnes Chapel, Brewster.
David Arthur Schultz of Twisp passed on February 11, 2026, at the age of 88.  Arrangements by Barnes Chapel, Brewster
Web Extra Content
Former Tosa cop Mensah given $95,000 in PTSD claim
The Wauwatosa Common Council approved a $95,000 settlement on Tuesday night for Joseph Mensah, the former Wauwatosa police officer who killed three people while on duty during his five years on the force. The settlement stemmed from a workers compensation claim for PTSD.  The city said that Mensah filed the claim a few years ago, […]
Thousands of immigrants in Maryland to lose Medicaid coverage under H.R. 1
Treatments for cancer, diabetes and other conditions could be disrupted for up to 4,500 Maryland residents who will no longer qualify for Medicaid under a federal rule that takes effect Thursday that will disqualify people for Medicaid based on immigration status.
AG report details decades of abuse at Fall River, Springfield, Worcester dioceses
The attorney general called for the Legislature to strengthen remedies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and revealed that she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
California restricts parole for sex offenders after near-release of 2 convicted of molestation
People convicted of serious sex offenses must serve at least 25 years in prison and cannot receive parole until age 65 under a new California. Previously, some could earn parole at 50.
Why creatine deserves a place in your routine
(BPT) - By Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDAs a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist navigating perimenopause, I'm always thinking about how to best support my body and mind as I age. I'm also selective …