Good Morning it’s Thursday May 20th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today --- COVID-19 rates in Chelan and Douglas counties are declining, but local health officials continue to encourage masking…. Despite the recent easing of masking guidance.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story…

 

Recently the Chelan County, COVID incidence rate has plateaued or even dropped.

 

But Dr. Malcolm Butler, the Chelan-Douglas Health District health officer said that even though our numbers are looking reassuring, we’re an island amongst a high-risk sea.

 

Butler referred to a New York Times COVID-19 risk level chart that uses county case numbers per capita and test positivity to measure how risky any county in the United States is. 

 

Chelan and Douglas have been defined as “high risk,” but every county around are labeled “very high risk.” 

 

And as of May 18, Central Washington Hospital had eight people hospitalized due to COVID-19.

 

Throughout North Central Washington — Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties — roughly 6% to 7% of hospital beds are still filled with COVID patients.

 

And in the region overall, there are more cases in smaller hospitals.

 

Butler says that with the most medically vulnerable vaccinated and thus protected, they’re now seeing a lot of people who tolerate the disease fairly well. They’re sick enough to need the hospital. They need hydration, they need oxygen support, but they’re not sick enough to need an intensive care unit or the proning team or any of the other stuff we do in the bigger ICU.

 

But as we talked about in a recent episode, new masking guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have put local health officials in a bit of an awkward phase as they await more detailed instructions from the state Department of Health and the state Department of Labor and Industries. 

 

Butler says they’re anxious at the health district to really call the pandemic contained. And because masking is so effective and really, Butler would like to encourage people to continue masking until the rest of the state cools down.

According to the new CDC masking guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals would be able to stop wearing masks in most settings. Governor Jay Inslee recently even took his mask off during a press conference when he announced the new regulations.

 

Though the state Department of Health still requires that everyone use a mask in places like schools, public transit, hospitals and long-term care facilities regardless of vaccination status… it’s still a big move.

 

Especially, in Butler’s eyes, with COVID-19 variants continuing to be a concern. The B.1.1.7. variant is 50% more transmissible than the original strain and can possibly cause more severe cases of COVID.

 

But he says most health officers are even more concerned with the P.1 Brazilian variant that is likely making vaccines less effective.

 

So for now, contact tracing will continue, and the health district will potentially have to organize booster shots in the future.

 

The health district director is also looking to the approximately 15,000 individuals left to vaccinate in Chelan and Douglas counties.

 

And while 70% coverage is not herd immunity, the closer we get to this benchmark, cases will likely decrease.

 

For more on this story and to view the full bill visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

 

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Next….the Land Trust has opened 11 miles of new trails near Cashmere...

 

Hikers, wildflower appreciators and anyone looking for a hilly jaunt can now access over 11 miles of trails on a newly opened land preserve north of Cashmere.

 

The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust held an opening ceremony Saturday for the Cashmere Canyon Preserve, a 2,100-acre privately owned expanse. The trailhead is 2.5 miles north of Highway 2/97 on Nahahum Canyon Road.

 

Hay Canyon Ranch LLC owns the property and has placed a conservation easement with the Land Trust helping to permanently protect the area.

 

Those who make it up enough hills in the canyon can spot views of the Enchantments, Entiat Mountains and look down into the Wenatchee Valley.

 

Hikers can access the Cashmere Canyons Trailhead daily from dawn until dusk. But keep in mind that dogs and bikes are not permitted in the canyon.

 

See you out there!

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR.

 

Now, some history…

 

Did you know that British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and cartographer, David Thompson was responsible for mapping more than 1.9 million square miles of North America? Along his way down the Columbia River, he mapped Wenatchee for the North West Company. Believe it or not, the maps he made were of such high quality and detail that they were continued to be used into the 20th century.

 

His Columbia River travels cemented his reputation and he has been described as the “greatest practical land geographer that the world has produced.”

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Saturday!

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Tuesday May 18th and this is Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - Local Johanna Malena faced her victimizer last week in court where he was ordered to spend the next 7 and a half years in prison. He had molested her when she was just 8 years old.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story… 

 

Local Johanna Malena faced her victimizer last week in court where he was ordered to spend the next 7 and a half years in prison. 

 

She read aloud a five-page letter detailing the alleged abuse by Lonnie Kaye England.

 

Now… Her chest feels lighter because of it.

 

Malena struggles with anxiety in general. And the lightness she feels now is almost too new.

 

Lonnie England, who’s 56 years old pleaded guilty earlier this month in Chelan County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree child molestation. And Judge Kristin Ferrera sentenced him to 89 months in prison and a lifetime of community custody. 

 

Melana reached out to us after the sentencing, in part, to tell her story. She hopes that her story can inspire other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

 

She also wants to show people that there can be a positive outcome.

 

Malena told us that she thinks it’s important for people to know that it’s possible. It’s possible to win a case like hers. Victims can be heard.

 

She also said that she plans to use her experience to help others as a social worker.

 

The investigation began when Malena, who is now 29, told police she was molested by England on several occasions between 1998 and 1999. She was just 8 or 9 years old. Malena and her mother were living with England when the abuse is alleged to have occurred. 

 

But it wasn’t until adulthood did Johanna Malena come to understand that her experience as an 8-year-old with a man in his 30s was wrong. At the time he was the only father figure she had.

 

What made it click for her was a conversation she had with a friend. The friend recounted her own experience with sexual abuse.

 

Malena began counseling about a year after she realized she was molested and disclosed the alleged abuse to a therapist. And the therapist, who was legally required to report suspicions of child abuse, told police. That was in March 2017. 

 

England was charged with abusing her and another victim six months later.

 

The case would go on longer than most. It was already old by most criminal case standards by the time the pandemic hit. COVID-19 restrictions brought much of the legal system to a halt/

 

To Malena, the incessant delays of the case was another form of “revictimization.” There wasn’t a day she didn’t think about the case. For 44 months.

 

Ultimately England was charged with six crimes, including two counts of first-degree child rape and two counts of first-degree child molestation.

 

He reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. They allowed him to plead guilty to only the two counts of first-degree child molestation.

 

Malena said she was kept in the loop of plea negotiations. She pushed for the prosecution to only accept a deal in which England pleaded guilty to molestation and didn’t allow for him to file an Alford plea. 

 

Alford pleas allow defendants to plead guilty without admitting wrongdoing.

 

And he did not file an Alford plea, but after pleading guilty, England submitted a declaration to the court claiming innocence. He filed complaints against Ferrera and Deputy Prosecutor Julia Hartnell. In the complaints he alleged misconduct that would have prevented him from receiving a fair trial.

 

Ferrera dismissed the complaints at sentencing as baseless.

 

Malena says that she believes England was grooming her. 

 

Jessica Johnson, executive director of SAGE in Wenatchee, a non-profit agency that works with crime victims, said that grooming often progresses in stages. First, perpetrators will look for a child in a vulnerable position. The abuser will then take a role in the child’s life, like as a tutor or babysitter and then create a bond and dependency with the child.

 

Now, knowing what she knows now, Malena thinks the abuse impaired her ability to form deep bonds. She said it blocked her ability to trust people, including herself.

 

But now, with this chapter behind her, she’s relearning how to see the world.

 

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Here’s what else you need to know about today…

 

The state Department of Health has expanded eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to everyone 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized for ages 12 to 17. 

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Wenatchee Valley College students will have more in-person class options this fall, with COVID-19 vaccinations encouraged, but not required.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

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Next 

 

This year’s Apple Blossom carnival has found a new, temporary home at Lincoln Park. Its previous location, at the Town Toyota Center parking lot, is being used as a mass vaccination site.

 

On Thursday, The Wenatchee City Council approved the use of Lincoln Park and Darci Christoferson, the Apple Blossom Festival administrator is thrilled.

 

It’ll take place from June 4th through the 13th, and will be open 3pm on weekdays, noon on Saturdays, and 1pm on Sundays.

 

The carnival is an Apple Blossom staple, featuring big and small rides, games and food vendors. Like nearly all other festival events, it was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

 

For more information on 2021 Apple Blossom events check out appleblossom.org.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Saturday May 15th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s newest podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - Governor Jay Inslee has recently announced that counties will either move up or remain in Phase 3 until the economy fully reopens on June 30th.

 

This episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story...

 

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that counties will either move up or remain in Phase 3 until the economy fully reopens on June 30th.

 

Then, on the 30th indoor capacity will increase from 50% to 100% for almost all businesses and public places. This includes restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and more.

 

Inslee noted that the statewide COVID plateau that postponed the "Healthy Washington" county evaluations earlier this month has proven to be a decline.

 

And a full reopening will happen even sooner if the state reaches a 70% threshold of eligible people vaccinated with at least one dose.

 

Right now, across the state about 57% of people 16 and older have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. So we’ve still got a ways to go.

 

But in Chelan County it’s higher, around 60% of people 16 and older have received the first dose of a two-dose vaccine as of May 10th. 

 

Despite the reopening, the state of emergency will not necessarily end on June 30th. That really depends on statewide ICU capacity. If ICU capacity reaches 90%, activities and events will all be scaled back again.

 

During the announcement Inslee also discussed new masking guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

The new CDC guidelines don’t require that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings. 

 

But keep in mind this new guidance does not apply to places like hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctors' offices, schools, and public transportation. Inslee said that everyone is still required to wear a mask in these places.

 

So how do things look across North Central Washington now?

 

COVID-19 incidence rates have dropped in every county with the exception of Okanogan County.

 

Okanogan County actually has had 88 new COVID cases between April 28 and May 11. This meant they would’ve still remained in Phase 3 regardless of the governor's change, according to "Healthy Washington '' metrics.   

 

But Grant County's COVID data has improved a bit since the postponement, seeing the incidence rate drop from 290.6 per 100,000 to 276.6 per 100,000.

 

They were at risk of being sent back to Phase 2, but now will remain in Phase 3 along with every other county.

 

And in Chelan County rates have continued to drop, dipping below 100 as of May 10 with 96.7 per 100,000. 

 

So what do you think about the next couple of months? Do you expect the state to hit 70% of the eligible population vaccinated before June 30? Vote in our poll on NABUR by visiting wenatcheeworld.com/nabur 

 

You can also stay up to date with this story at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

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Next, our weekly profile of one of the World's 30 Under 35 award recipients. 

 

This week - Alyssa Lenicka. Lenicka now owns her own business. She had earned an associate degree from Wenatchee Valley College in 2018, which helped set her on the path, she said. Lenicka graduated in June 2020 and landed a job as marketing coordinator at CMI Orchards a few weeks later. That hiring process was conducted entirely over Zoom, thanks to the pandemic.

 

Lenicka said she never thought in her wildest dreams that she would have multiple job interviews only online… but in the end it all worked out.

 

She told us that her time at WVC was very beneficial, allowing her to work and develop her professional skills while still pursuing an education.

 

She transferred to CWU that fall and the next year started a business - it’s called AMH Marketing.

 

Lenicka said she saw an opportunity to help small businesses grow and develop using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. She’s worked with several businesses across different industries and has learned a lot. And she’s very passionate and driven to work with local businesses because she enjoys connecting with people in the community and working alongside the owners.

 

While at Central, Lenicka also worked as director of mentor development, supervising five student mentors and a classroom of 30 college students.

 

From that experience she developed leadership, communication, public speaking, and organization skills. It also taught her that hard work pays off.

We asked Lenicka what accomplishments she’s most proud of.. And she said that graduating from Central Washington University was certainly one of them. School was always a challenge for her. As a young child Lenicka was diagnosed with ADD, ADHD and dyslexia. She said If someone would have told her 10 years ago that she would be where she is today, she would not have believed it. 

 

But now, she’s a first-generation college graduate, business owner and the marketing coordinator at CMI Orchards.

 

Getting the job at CMI is another big accomplishment that she’s proud of. To Lenicka, it’s a dream job! She gets to work with a dynamic group of professionals selling and marketing our delicious apples, pears and cherries.

 

We also asked Lenicka what inspires her to be successful?

 

She told us she’s very inspired by women who have pushed themselves to be the best they can be in the business world. She’s also inspired by women who lift each other up and make sure they help others excel at work.

 

Lenicka says that being a young woman in business, it can be hard at times but it is always so inspiring to see what fellow colleagues have achieved and how they support others. This inspires her, in turn, to mentor other women in their careers.

 

Congratulations Alyssa!

 

Now, some history…

 

One of the valley’s best-loved steak houses, The Windmill Restaurant, started out as an unfulfilled dream. Donald Holland borrowed start-up money from his father and built the windmill-shaped building. But a partner cheated him of his nest egg. And Holland never opened the place for business.

 

The building functioned as a roadhouse, where counterfeiters and bootleggers were said to conspire. Then, after prohibition ended, the business got a special liquor license to be able to include a bottle of beer in each of the sack lunches it prepared for state road crews.

 

Its reputation for fine dining began in the 1950s, when Bill Glass established The Windmill as a dinner-only steak house. 

 

Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Tuesday!

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Thursday May 13th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today --- Governor Jay Inslee has signed legislation that will rebalance local health boards across the state by adding health experts and minorities.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

Now our feature story…

 

House Bill 1152, which Governor Jay Inslee signed earlier this week, means big changes are ahead for the Chelan-Douglas Health District board. 

 

All six individuals on the Chelan-Douglas Health District board of health are now elected officials. 

 

And if the number of elected officials stays the same, six more non-elected officials would be added to the board — two from specific categories:

 

The categories include: Health care providers, and consumers of public health who have faced significant health inequities. 

 

And these non-elected board members will all be approved by county commissioners.

 

Dan Sutton, Douglas County commissioner and health board chair said that the legislation is a chance to improve the overall service of the health department.

 

Sutton says he thinks there's some wonderful opportunities to include segments of our communities who have been overlooked or just weren't a part of the process. We’ve got a lot of different facets in our community that make up a whole, and Sutton is encouraged by the fact that we have an opportunity to really be inclusive.

 

Time will only tell how successful this bill is, but Sutton said he does not see anything negative with being more inclusive on the board.

 

But large boards are more cumbersome and make it harder to make good, quick decisions. So, changes to the size of the board to make it smaller are being considered.

 

So, what prompted this bill?

 

Tony Gonzalez, a Wenatchee lawyer and supporter of the bill, said it was born out of the pandemic and the lawsuits challenging the governor's pandemic shutdown orders.

 

Gonzalez said people saw the board of health really politicize the COVID issue, He also said that this is a positive step in the right direction to add community voices and medical experts on the board. It's not just adding an advisory group who can give recommendations. This is giving community voices and medical experts actual authority in some of the decision-making going forward.

 

Gonzalez also said that the real work starts now in identifying who or what community groups are going to best represent the area.

 

And as the COVID-19 pandemic continues for more than a year, resources and staff in the state Department of Health and in health districts across the state have been stretched thin.

 

The opening section of the newly-signed law says that everyone in the state, regardless of where they live or the community they belong to, should be able to rely on public health.

 

The bill will also create a public health advisory board. They’ll advise and develop goals for the state Department of Health. This board would also evaluate the state's emergency response to COVID-19 to provide recommendations for any future responses.

 

The public health advisory board will consist of governor-appointed representatives from a range of organizations — the governor's office, the state board of health, representatives from tribal government, business organizations, and representatives from four different Washington regions.

 

Also, if there is a federally recognized Indian tribe or an organization serving American Indian and Alaska Native people within a health district, the board of health must include a tribal representative selected by the American Indian health commission on the board.

 

These new requirements take effect on July 1st of 2022. 

 

For more on this story and to view the full bill visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

 

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Next….

 

In March of 2020, Katie Blair, Wenatchee High School graduate and adventurous traveler, suddenly lost her sense of taste and smell while living in Manhattan, New York.

 

A week before, she had been experiencing what she thought were allergy symptoms. But her symptoms were not a sign that spring had arrived. It was COVID-19.

 

Fourteen months later, the previously healthy 33-year-old is struggling to reclaim her life. 

 

Blair has what’s commonly known as Long-COVID. People with Long-COVID or “Long-haulers,” will sometimes see symptoms from their original infection persist for longer than usual. They may even see completely new symptoms develop.

 

And not much is known about Long-COVID. 

 

Blair figured out she had COVID on March 21, 2020. Over a year ago. She said the first couple of weeks were terrifying. 

 

Her symptoms eventually led to pneumonia. And in the first couple of weeks, Blair recalls burning up with a 104.5-degree temperature one night and calling several hospitals to find out the wait times. The shortest was six hours just to get her foot inside the door.

 

Then in late May she packed her belongings and drove across the country to Seattle.

 

But she still wasn’t getting better. Every day, something else would pop up. 

 

So, in early June she returned home to Wenatchee - surprising her parents in a happy reunion.

 

And ever since, Blair has been working on recovery.

 

Blair now has two physical therapy sessions a week as she continues to experience dizziness among other neurological issues that make it difficult to walk or perform other basic movements.

 

She has a newfound gluten-intolerance and difficulty with food, wine and even caffeine are out of the question. 

 

Blair also now struggles with anxiety and depression. The combination of afflictions makes meeting appointments a real difficulty and getting a good night’s sleep a rarity.

 

Blair has brought her story of sickness and recovery to other news publications in the past, hoping it would serve as a cautionary tale for others not taking the virus seriously.

 

She even called in to National Public Radio to share her experience recovering from Long-COVID, an interview she did not remember due memory issues brought on by her condition.

 

Blair’s doctors are hopeful about her recovery and the possibility of returning to enter the workforce in some capacity.

 

But for now her goal is to make it to Dallas to see her best friend’s newborn son.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR [this is pronounced just like neighbor] – your trusted neighborhood community. NABUR is a free online forum you can trust to connect with your community, focus on facts & make a difference. Join the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur .

 

Now, some history…

 

Did you know that the first people who settled in Wenatchee were known as The Wenatchi? There thousands of years before european settlers, they were a nomadic people and closely tied to nature. They spoke a variant of Salish, which were used by the people of the Pacific Northwest, and subsisted on salmon, starchy roots, berries, deer, sheep, and more.

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Saturday!

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Tuesday May 11th and this is Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - One of Wenatchee’s darkest chapters, the infamous discredited child sex abuse cases of the mid-1990s, is now being revisited in a docuseries. It’s called “In the Valley of Sin”, and it’ll explore police claims of a child sex trafficking ring in Wenatchee. The result was dozens of arrests and convictions.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story… 

 

One of Wenatchee’s darkest chapters, the infamous discredited child sex abuse cases of the mid-1990s, is now being revisited in a docuseries.

 

It’s called “In the Valley of Sin”, and it’ll explore police claims of a child sex trafficking ring in Wenatchee. The result was dozens of arrests and convictions — many of which were later overturned.

 

John Finley, executive vice president of FOX Nation and development said that after more than two decades, they decided it was time to take a fresh look at this very divisive and controversial story. Finley said they believe that now it’s possible to examine what happened with a new perspective.

 

If you don’t remember the details of the case, these sex abuse investigations took place in 1994 through 1995. They were led by Wenatchee police detective Bob Perez.

 

Ultimately 42 people were arrested, while 28 were convicted 18 actually saw their cases dismissed or overturned on appeal. Why? An investigation found that Perez coerced suspects into making false confessions.

 

Two key victims in the case were in Perez’s foster care at the time. Both of them later recanted their claims of sexual abuse at the hands of parents and acquaintances.

 

Perez ultimately stood by his work. He said that if he were an investigator charged with investigating the cases today, he’d do it exactly the same way. He ended up retiring from the department in 1997 and died in 2013 at age 60.

 

But after the investigations, in 1999 the state Legislature passed the “Perez Bill”. The bill made it illegal for parents, guardians or foster parents who are law enforcement officers to investigate the sexual abuse cases of children in their care.

 

The law also requires caseworkers to keep near-verbatim records of interviews. 

 

So, what’s the focus of the new docuseries?

 

Well, each episode “Valley of Sin” is about 45 minutes long and will tell the story of an individual family affected by these false claims.. The episodes will also go over the consequences that continue to haunt them to this day. 

 

In conjunction with the release of the series, FOX Nation host and legal analyst Nancy Grace are talking about the Wenatchee case on her daily program, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. In her commentary, Grace dives even deeper into the details of the story and examines the evidence and testimony that eventually unraveled the cases.

 

Grace said that as a crime victim and former felony prosecutor, it hits hard to see a miscarriage of justice. She noted that what any wrongfully accused person endures can never really be erased. It lives with them, in them, from that day forward, just as it does any violent crime victim.

 

Representatives from the Wenatchee Police Department were not involved in the making of the series. 

 

Capt. Edgar Reinfeld told us that they were contacted, but they ultimately decided not to participate. There’s no one at the department anymore with direct knowledge of the case.

 

To read more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com

 

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Here’s what else you need to know about today…

 

The Chelan-Douglas Health District has reported 28 people died from COVID-19 this year, with 20 of those from Chelan County and eight from Douglas County. Among those 28, 12 were women and 16 were men. This brings the total number of COVID-deaths up to 65 in Chelan County and 19 in Douglas County since the pandemic started.

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Wenatchee High School students interested in getting a COVID-19 shot will have a chance Saturday, May 15th. Students age 16 to 18 are invited to make an appointment for a Pfizer dose that will be administered by Columbia Valley Community Health staff. The vaccine event is a partnership between CVCH and the school district, designed to give students the opportunity to receive vaccinations in an easy to access, familiar place, according to a press release. Parents must be present when the shots are administered.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

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Next 

 

We’d like to highlight Jim Marr.

 

Minerals are important to Marr. They were key to his childhood at Holden Village in the early 1940s, his working life as a miner in Wenatchee in the 1970s, and his hobby as a prospector in his retirement years.

 

He says it's in his blood. Now, at 84, the Wenatchee man credits his childhood years at Holden with starting his interest in minerals.

 

In 1939, the Marr family moved to Lucerne, which is on Lake Chelan nine miles northwest of the city of Chelan. Lucerne was then, and is now, only accessible by boat.

 

It’s several miles down a winding forested road from Holden, where Howe Sound Mining Co., had set up machinery to mine for copper, lead and zinc. 

 

The miners’ quarters and main buildings are now a Lutheran retreat center.

 

The Marr family moved there when Jim Jr. was 4 years old. Marr Jr. learned early on that mining was dangerous work.

 

But the family had wonderful times. Every Fourth of July, there were games. Every winter, there were sleigh rides down the winding road through the community.

 

In the forest, the boys played army, using pine cones for hand grenades.

 

But in 1945, the family moved back to East Wenatchee to tend the family orchard and wheat farm.

 

Still, Marr feels like the best part of his childhood was at Holden.

 

And now after a lengthy career, Marr uses a two-pronged metal tool for mineral witching. The prongs move dramatically when a mineral deposit is nearby.

 

He even has what he calls a “show-and-tell” box of rocks that highlights many of the minerals in the area.

 

He knows he’s not about to strike it rich, though. He says It’s just fun to know where the stuff is. He gets a thrill out of it.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABURJoin the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur 

 

Finally some history …. Did you know that Lincoln Rock State Park is named for… a rock that looks uncannily like America’s 16th president? Above the rocky reach dam, overlooking the Columbia, the outcropping was long recognized by native americans and settlers as something resembling a person’s face. The face gained notoriety when it was published in an issue of The Ladies Home Journal in 1902 but It wasn’t until 1981 that the Chelan County Public Utility Commission developed a park there and the Lincoln Rock park became officially immortalized.

 

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Thanks for listening. We’d also like to thank our sponsor again, Equilus Group, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Thursday!

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Saturday May 8th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s newest podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - The County has warned builders about the current permit processing backlog. In fact, people should expect 90-day delays throughout the summer.

 

This episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story...

 

Don’t expect a quick turnaround on Chelan County building permit applications anytime soon.

 

As of Monday, the Community Development staff was juggling 350 open applications.

 

They’re experiencing an extreme backlog in permit application processing. Delays, in some cases over 90 days, can be expected… at least that’s what is says on their website.

 

Community Development Director Jim Brown attributes the backlog to a staff shortage. Also - a rush of permits in January. Those stemmed from people trying to get ahead of the new state energy code that went into effect on February 1st. It was followed by a second wave from those trying to stay ahead of rising materials costs.

 

In the first four months of this year builders submitted 151 more permits to the county’s planning department than last year.

 

And January saw a bump of 95 building permits, again - largely connected to the new energy code.

 

According to Brown, it’s all compounded and the staff is stretched thin. 

 

On top of everything a building permit technician was promoted - and the other plans examiner resigned.

 

So they not only had a new person examining plans, but they still hadn’t backfilled that permit tech post.

 

Normally, permits take anywhere from three weeks to 60-plus days to process depending on the complexity of the project.

 

It rarely takes over 90 days….. That is..  except this past year.

 

The team hoped to catch up with finding and training new hires, but now they’re in full construction season. There’s no ‘down time’.

 

Given the staffing and workload outlook, Brown expects the permit backlog won’t be cleared until fall at the earliest. And that’s assuming the construction season slows down.

 

Plans are in the works to streamline the permit process, which will help, but that also takes time.

 

They’re working on implementing an improved process for simple permits.

 

They’re also working on introducing an electronic plans submission process this summer and expanding in the fall to more electronic forms submissions.

 

And luckily, help is on the horizon.

 

The team just hired someone to fill a tech position. The new hire has experience in another county, so they’re already somewhat trained. 

 

But for now, things might get worse before they get better.

 

There’s a likely impending short-term rental code that will be coming mid-summer. That will result in hundreds of applications for those permits, all handled by the same staff. 

 

Chelan County Commissioner Bob Bugert said Community Development is doing all it can to handle the record number of permits. He credits Brown for handling the backlog in a "systematic and straightforward way."

 

He notes the department is handling some other big projects outside of the building permit applications.

 

To stay up to date with this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

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Next, our weekly profile of one of the World's 30 Under 35 award recipients. 

 

This week - Armando Bendito-Zepeda. Bendito-Zepeda attended Wenatchee Valley College before transferring to Eastern Washington University. There, he completed his undergraduate degree in accounting in 2016. He was the first in his family to earn a four-year degree.

 

Bendito-Zepeda then returned to Wenatchee to start his career. He began working at the state Department of Revenue’s Wenatchee office. During his two years there, he completed 100 audits of regional businesses. 

 

Looking to build on that experience, he moved in January 2019 to a position as associate accountant at CliftonLarsonAllen. CliftonLarsonAllen is a firm large enough to specialize in a variety of business services.

 

There, he’s been learning how to create the best opportunities for their clients.

 

When we asked Bendito-Zepeda what accomplishments he’s you most proud of he said that for the past seven years he waited tables at Pybus Bistro. He commuted to EWU’s business program.

But it was all that commuting led him to be able to finish his five year degree without any student debt. 

 

During his time working at the DOR, he continued working at Pybus Bistro. He consistently put in 60-70 hour work weeks. He would save as much as he could knowing that he wanted to purchase a home.

And as soon as he graduated school he began house hunting. House hunting in a very competitive Wenatchee market -- the summer of 2017. 

 

Given his parents’ living situation at the time, his intention was to purchase a home for his parents. Bendito-Zepeda had grown up moving from place to place around the valley and he wanted one place that the family could finally call home. 

 

And after looking at a dozen homes, and making an offer on half of them, he was finally able to purchase a beautiful home for his parents.

 

Bendito-Zepeda knew he couldn’t live with his parents forever so he set another goal. To buy a second home for himself. And in the fall of 2018, he began house hunting for what would be his home. Then, in January 2019 he finally purchased another great home not too far from his parents.

 

We also asked Bendito-Zepeda who inspires him to be successful.. He was quick to answer - his parents. They’ve always driven him to work hard and inspired him to be successful.

 

Bendito-Zepeda noted that while he cannot change the situation he was born into, he does have control of his future. 

 

Finally, after graduating college, he had the intention of staying in the Spokane area. He came back to Wenatchee thinking it would be temporary. But this decision ended up connecting him with countless opportunities to grow as a young professional. His goal is to one day be able to help families in a situation much like the one he grew up in…. without a stable place to call home.

And don’t forget that nominations for the 30 Under 35 Class of 2021 are due by May 14. For details go to wenatcheeworld.com/30under35.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR [this is pronounced just like neighbor] – your trusted neighborhood community. NABUR is a free online forum you can trust to connect with your community, focus on facts & make a difference. Join the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur .

 

Now, some history…

 

The Senator George Sellar Bridge in Wenatchee was built in 1950 to carry U.S. Route 2 across the Columbia River. 

 

The steel suspended tied-arch bridge has a main span of 480 feet with 224-foot anchor arms. It carries five lanes. 

 

The 1950 bridge replaced the nearby Columbia River Bridge that had been built in 1908. 

 

And this new bridge was recognized by the American Institute of Steel Construction as the most beautiful bridge of 1950 for spans over 400 feet in length.

The bridge's engineer was R. W. Finke. The contractor was the General Construction Company of Seattle. They used steel from the American Bridge Company. 

 

It’s now named the Senator George Sellar Bridge after the Washington state senator. he bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1995.

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Tuesday!

 

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Thursday May 6th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today --- Earlier this week the Wenatchee School board met for an Indigenous Land Recognition workshop. The goal was to find ways to better educate the community on local Indigenous people’s history.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story…

 

Earlier this week the Wenatchee School board met for an Indigenous Land Recognition workshop. The goal was to find ways to better educate the community on local Indigenous people’s history.

 

Mary Big-Bull Lewis led the session. To start, Mary asked members of the board this - What’s something people here know about local Native American facts.

 

Silence followed Big Bull Lewis’s question. 

 

Board President Laura Jaecks noted that she isn’t really up to speed on the history.

 

Big Bull-Lewis is the owner of Wenatchi Wear, and a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and a descendant of the Blackfoot Tribe. 

 

Just understanding and learning is really important in order to create a positive change.

 

Big Bull-Lewis shared local history about treaties left unhonored, the White River Massacre and how U.S. boarding schools attempted to erase Native culture — all examples of how Native Americans have been oppressed.

 

It was said that it’s not an easy topic and it can be uncomfortable, but it is part of the process of changing. The other part is about recognizing why there are gaps in Native American history.

 

Board members at the workshop picked up a handout on land acknowledgment with resources on creating a space for Indigenous people.

 

Wenatchee Superintendent Paul Gordon said he was blown away by his lack of knowledge after first hearing the presentation by Big Bull-Lewis.

 

Gordon emphasized that this is a great first step in the building of our knowledge. He continued to say that the history is really recent and is still impacting a number of Indigenous community members.

 

At the end of the workshop, Big Bull-Lewis’ asked board members what the school district can do to create purposeful land recognition.

 

The board agreed they could improve education on Indigenous history and suggested ideas such as having a school assembly on Native Americans, recognizing Wenatchee’s Native student population and adding to the school district curriculum.

 

For more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

 

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Next….

 

Picture this: Two bee swarms have landed on top of your chimney and they’re starting to trickle into your living room.

 

Who do you call? Well, that’s where the Swarm Team Dispatch comes in.

 

They’re members of the North-Central Washington Beekeepers Association who volunteer to capture rogue bee swarms and relocate them to permanent colonies.

At the heart of the operation is Dispatch Lead Teri McGarr. McGarr fields calls and coordinates beekeeper response. When she gets a call from the public or from RiverCom he figures out who’s closest. Then, she’ll send them out.

 

The Swarm Team started its Facebook Group and began more formally coordinating last year. 

 

McGarr says now, they’re slammed every day. Honeybees usually swarm between late spring and early summer. It’s commonly caused by overcrowding in an existing hive. With a second queen in tow, the swarm will look for a suitable place to form a second colony.

 

The Swarm Team most often responds to swarms that have landed on a tree branch or fencepost close to a building.

 

But if you see them, don’t spray them — they’re not interested in stinging or attacking people according to McGarr. If you just leave them alone, they’ll move on.

 

Beekeepers have a few tools at their disposal to wrangle a swarm. They use spray bottles of sugar water and floral-scented baits to lure them to a box. 

 

And the most effective method is finding the queen and gently placing her in the hive.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR [this is pronounced just like neighbor] – your trusted neighborhood community. NABUR is a free online forum you can trust to connect with your community, focus on facts & make a difference. Join the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur .

 

Now, some history…

 

Pangborn Memorial Airport has been serving the Wenatchee area since 1941 and was named for legendary aviator, Clyde Pangborn, who along with co-pilot Hugh Herndon completed the first non-stop flight across the Pacific ocean in 1931. Their intrepid enterprise began all the way in Misawa, Japan and ended 41 hours later (!) in East Wenatchee. In 1945, Northwest Airlines became the first commercial airline to offer service from the airport. Today, service is provided by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air on a runway that was extended to 7,000 feet in 2016.

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Saturday!

 

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Tuesday May 4th and this is Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - Two Wenatchee companies — PetHub and Cognition Med — are among the six finalists that will compete live for $200,000 in investment awards. It’s all happening at the 2021 Flywheel Investment Conference on May 20th

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story… 

 

Two Wenatchee companies — PetHub and Cognition Med — are among the six finalists that will compete live for $200,000 in investment awards at the 2021 Flywheel Investment Conference later this month.

 

The finalists were announced Wednesday. They were selected from 50 startups across the state.

 

So what is the Flywheel Investment Conference? Well, it’s an annual event that generates exposure and resources for early stage companies. 

 

The conference brings together entrepreneurs, investors and community members. It’s organized by the NCW Tech Alliance, which was formerly known as GWATA. And it’s hosted in partnership with the Flywheel Angel Network, a group of investors interested in supporting long-term economic development in North Central Washington. 

 

Investors include a mix of people with backgrounds ranging from health care, telecom and agriculture to the broader corporate world.

 

In addition to the grand prize of $200,000 in investment, the audience’s favorite finalist will win a $5,000 cash prize. And there’s a separate $50,000 relocation prize that’ll be offered to the first-place winner if they relocate to either Chelan or Douglas. But if the winning company is already local that offer will be extended to the runner up.

 

So who are the finalists?

 

First, Cognition Med, led by Dr. Gautam Nayak. Cognition Med is based in Wenatchee. The company was founded by Confluence Health cardiologist Dr. Gautam Nayak and Sanjay Khicha, a cardiothoracic surgeon in Wichita, Kansas. They’ve developed a mobile clinical collaboration app, that allows medical providers to provide patient-centered care with any colleague in any system at any time. The company’s goal is to reimagine how care is delivered across the country.

 

The next finalist is Fuchsia, led by Afshan Abbas. Fuchsia is currently based in Kirkland.

They make handcrafted artisan shoes that are comfortable and sustainable. The company produces on-demand shoes incorporating social and eco-consciousness practices in its innovative supply chain.

Another finalist? Iasis Molecular Sciences, fun by David J. Vachon. They’re based in Spokane. Iasis Molecular Sciences is an advanced materials company developing solutions to prevent the transmission of infectious pathogens from surfaces. Their primary focus targets disposable urological medical devices.

 

There’s also Motis, a company led by Rick Beaton and based in Seattle. Motis Grow is a cloud-based application that personalizes employee development and performance management. It also creates a high-performance business culture. It’s designed for the new hybrid and remote work trends, helping managers to understand, develop and upskill every employee in the organization.

 

And of course there’s PetHub, led by Tom Arnold. As we mentioned, PetHub is based in Wenatchee.

It’s a data platform that puts pets at the center for all aspects of their life from the time they’ve joined the family. PetHub has 700-800 new pets joining the site daily and more than 600 communities are using PetHub’s ID tags as their license or rabies tag.

 

And finally, there’s SyncFloor, led by Kirt Debique. SyncFloor is based in Seattle. They enable businesses of all kinds to “use music everywhere” by aggregating content from the world’s best independent catalogs. What they’ve built is  a streamlined discovery and licensing experience. SyncFloor currently offers two online marketplaces for music discovery.

 

The Flywheel Conference is planned as a hybrid event this year. That means in-person attendance is limited to speakers, presenters and investors. The event will be streamed online from noon to 3:30 p.m. on May 20th. And you can get tickets at gwata.org.

 

To read more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com

 

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Here’s what else you need to know about today…

 

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised masking rules for fully vaccinated people. But local health officials are still encouraging the community to remain vigilant against COVID-19. They’re also emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated - the key to getting rid of masks permanently.

 

The new CDC masking guidelines suggest that people who are fully vaccinated don’t need to wear a mask in some outdoor settings...

 

These settings include walking, running, or biking outdoors with members of your household. Also on the list - attending small, outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. You can check out the full list at wwrld.us/mask.

 

Really, the only exception made by the CDC is for crowded outdoor gatherings like live performances or sporting events. In these situations masking is still recommended for everyone.

 

Dr. Malcolm Butler, health officer for the Chelan-Douglas Health District provided an easy rule to follow: if you are outdoors and close enough to smell someone’s perfume, cologne or the tuna they ate for lunch, you should be masked.

 

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A bit over half — 55% — of people in Chelan and Douglas counties have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to health district data.

 

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Luke Davies, health administrator for the Chelan-Douglas Health District says that to protect everyone, vaccine coverage needs to reach somewhere between 70% to 76% for the entire population. These recommendations will continue to evolve but again, people should remain cautious.

 

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Incidence rates are still hovering a bit below the 200 cases per 100,000 population mark in Chelan and Douglas counties, and it is spiking in other places, Davies said. As of April 27th, the Chelan-Douglas combined incidence rate is at 174.2 new cases per 100,000. The growing number of cases of COVID-19 variants also remains a concern. 

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

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Next 

 

The Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Council is hosting its first-ever community event on May 8th. It’ll celebrate both the Mexican Cinco de Mayo holiday and local Latinx-owned businesses.

 

The event starts at 4pm and will take place at Pybus Public Market. You can expect activities, food and music.

 

Elvis Garcia, chairman of the council and owner of Wenatchee’s Seattle Yoga Lounge & Cafe said the event is designed to educate the public on the history and traditions of Cinco de Mayo and bring attention to local Latinx-owned businesses.

 

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico according to Garcia, but it’s evolved in the U.S.

 

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated mostly in Puebla. It includes a re-enactment of the battle, where people dress up as French and Mexican soldiers and go to war with one another. It’s typically followed by a parade where school children and soldiers march alongside mariachi musicians and elaborate floats. T

 

Garcia said the event on the 8th will include some of the traditions, along with a safe place for the many different cultures in our Valley to celebrate and learn about each other’s customs.

 

See you there!

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR [this is pronounced just like neighbor] – your trusted neighborhood community. NABUR is a free online forum you can trust to connect with your community, focus on facts & make a difference. Join the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur .

 

Finally some history

 

65 years ago in April of 1956, Wenatchee saw the biggest building month in history up until that point.

 

The city engineer's office has recorded permits during that 30-day period with a valuation totaling $1,647,641. The factor that built up the total was the start of construction of Wenatchee's new junior high school at a cost of $1,455,715.

 

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Thanks for listening. We’d also like to thank our sponsor again, Equilus Group, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Thursday!

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning it’s Saturday May 1st, and this is The Wenatchee World’s newest podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

wenatcheeworld.com/nabur

Today - A $2.8 million federal grant will help fund safety measures in Chelan County areas at high risk to wildfire. And the state Department of Natural Resources clarified the program earlier this week. 

 

This episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

-

 

Now our feature story...

 

A $2.8 million federal grant will help fund safety measures in Chelan County areas at high risk to wildfire. And the state Department of Natural Resources clarified the program earlier this week. 

 

It’ll pay for forest health treatments over the next five years to property owners whose homes are between Peshastin and Lake Wenatchee. The program will also add to the Chelan County PUD’s efforts to clear vegetation near power lines. the state Department of Natural Resources said Monday in a news release.

 

DNR Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said that collaborating with local organizations across the state is the best way to address our forest health crisis. 

She also noted that fire doesn’t respect property lines - and that’s why it’s important to be proactive in creating defensible spaces. 

The grant comes from the Natural Resource Conservation’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

 

The Fuel Break and Forest Resilience Partnership will be led by the Cascadia Conservation District, Chelan County PUD, and state Department of Natural Resources.

 

So, what’s going to be prioritized? First, properties that are identified by DNR for their potential to create high-priority fuel breaks. Those will include Lower Peshastin Creek, Derby Creek, Beaver Creek, Eagle Creek, Chumstick Creek, Lake Wenatchee, Lower Chiwawa River, Lower Nason Creek and Big Meadow Creek.

 

These areas are part of the Wenatchee River watershed, which is identified in the DNR’s 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan as one of the highest-priority areas for forest restoration and management efforts.

 

CCD Forest Program Manager Patrick Haggerty said that the project is the culmination of years of coordinated planning efforts. The DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, and local fire districts have identified the corridor from lower Peshastin up to Lake Wenatchee as being one of the most important areas in the entire state to take action on wildfire resilience and forest health.

 

Chelan County was also one of three counties tapped by the DNR to participate in Wildfire Ready Neighbors. What’s that? A new program that connects residents with experts who can help out in protecting their homes and property.

 

The Fuel Break and Forest Resilience Partnership will target properties next to 140 miles of overhead power lines in the area.The PUD already spends $3 million per year there to trim trees and clear vegetation.

 

PUD General Manager Steve Wright also stressed the importance of the program saying that the issue of forest health and wildfire risk is much bigger than any one agency can tackle. He said that they’re excited to collaborate with private landowners, Cascadia Conservation District and DNR. 

 

It seems like over 3,000 acres will be treated as part of this project over the next five years. And beyond that, the DNR is looking to treat 1.25 million acres of Washington forest lands by 2037.

 

Landowners should be contacted about the project in the fall. But in the meantime you can contact Cascadia Conservation District at [email protected] to learn more.

 

To stay up to date with this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

--

 

Next, our weekly profile of one of the World's 30 Under 35 award recipients. 

 

This week - Jenaia Johnson. Johnson is in her fifth year of teaching science — this year to ninth-grade students at Wenatchee High School. Before that she taught science at Pioneer and Foothills middle schools.

 

Johnson is a self described Filipino-Indigenous woman on a mission to make science education more equitable and relevant to students.

 

She uses her experience growing up in Wenatchee to connect to her students. And she works to inspire them as they inspire her.

 

After her own graduation from high school, she went on to get an undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii. There, she majored in secondary education and biology. Now, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in biology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She’ll graduate in May. 

 

Johnson has conducted research in Baja California, Mexico, where she spent time collecting data on cactus species at a ranch in the desert; and worked with the Vermilion Sea Institute collecting data on marine species and analyzing whale sharks.

 

And In summer 2019, she was in Namibia doing research for the Cheetah Conservation Fund, learning about the human-wildlife conflict and how implementing relevant and real data and citizen science into the classroom creates a rich science learning environment.

 

And last summer, she was supposed to be in Paraguay, conducting her final research project, but COVID-19 changed those plans. Instead, she partnered with a University in Thailand to create a campaign to bring mindfulness to the west and specifically in education. To her, the work has been enlightening. 

With so many accomplishments already we asked Johnson what inspires her to be successful.

 

She said that having the opportunities that were given to her by her upbringing — from parents and family to teachers in the Wenatchee School District — has given her the chance to see the world on her own. Johnson explained that we all live in such a special place and community, and she’s passionate about keeping our world in its natural wonder. 

 

Johnson also talked about wanting her students of color to be able to make a difference, to build compassion for the earth and one another.

 

Ultimately it’s her students who inspire her. She said that to have even one student each year build their own passion for the world around them is what drives her to continue this path in education.

 

Also, don’t forget that nominations for the 30 Under 35 Class of 2021 are due by May 14. For details go to wenatcheeworld.com/30under35.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR – your trusted neighborhood community. NABUR is a free online forum you can trust to connect with your community, focus on facts & make a difference. Join the conversation! Visit wenatcheeworld.com/nabur

 

Now, some history…

 

Lake Chelan is located on land historically associated with the Chelan Indian Tribe. It sits within the traditional territory of several native groups speaking the Interior Salish language. The area was homesteaded in 1862 by John W. Stevenson, a blacksmith from Ohio. Later, in 1880 The town of Chelan was established as a military post in by Colonel John Merriam. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1902. 

 

In 1942 - in response to increased tourism in the region, State Parks bought the first parcel of land that would become Lake Chelan State Park. The park opened just one year later and since then it’s  attracted multiple generations of families. Many families  several have vacationed here since the 1960s.

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Tuesday!

 

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Good Morning it’s Thursday April 29th, and this is The Wenatchee World’s podcast, Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today --- After eight years, General Manager Steve Wright is leaving the Chelan County PUD.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

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Now our feature story…

 

After eight years, General Manager Steve Wright is leaving the Chelan County PUD.

 

The announcement came on Tuesday. He said that the primary reason is simply that it’s been long enough. He’s spent 40 years in the industry and 20 years in leadership. Now, he wants the opportunity to try something new.

 

Wright’s contract with the PUD to serve as the General Manager runs through the end of this year. And he’s informed the Board that he doesn’t intend to serve as the General Manager beyond that.

 

Wright said he made the announcement early to allow the PUD’s board of commissioners time to search for his replacement. There will also be an overlap during the transition.

 

Shortly after, the commission announced they will begin a national search for a new general manager. They also noted that the public will have the opportunity to give input.

 

They also thanked Wright for his work, saying they’d like for him to stay longer.

 

So where is Wright headed? Well, he’s not sure what’s next yet. He has some thoughts but no firm plans. 

 

First and foremost, he’s focused on finishing strong at the PUD. He said that he’s feeling very optimistic about Chelan PUD and Chelan County. Wright noted that he wants to make sure he’s providing full effort until a replacement is on board. He said they’ll keep doing what they’ve been doing, guided by their strategic plan…

 

What is that strategic plan? Here’s Wright summarizing a few key points on the 2020 through 2024 plan.

 

 

Wright was hired by the PUD back in 2013 after a short-lived retirement from his previous position as head of the Bonneville Power Administration in Oregon. 

 

He was replacing John Janney, who had resigned to spend more time with his family and church.

 

Wright’s annual salary of $295,000 a year was a big leap from the $180,000 he earned at the BPA. 

 

Wright had started at BPA in 1981 in an entry-level position. Then, in 2002 he became an intermediate leader there before being permanently appointed two years later.

For more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

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Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

 

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Next, A proposal to send Wenatchee’s middle and high school students back to classrooms full-time was met with opposition. Teachers and the majority of school board members were against the idea.

 

As a result, students in grades 6 through 12 will continue in hybrid instruction for the rest of the school year.

 

Board member Julie Norton, an outspoken proponent of bringing students back for full-time instruction, pressed the school board to make the change.

 

Local students also spoke up during the board meeting, and some brought up the issue of mental health as well. Here’s senior Abby Danko.

 

The board had voted at the end of March to bring back K-5 students for full-time instruction but to keep 6-12 students in hybrid learning. That hybrid model has students on campus in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.

 

And during Tuesday’s meeting Board President Laura Jaecks said since that decision in late March, they've all been watching the transmission numbers. And there has been a dip.

 

Norton argued that since that time, the numbers are below the CDC threshold to return 6 through 12 students. The health district had also issued a statement saying kids are safer in school.

 

She noted that schools around us have decided to open full time, and that’s something that needs to be considered.

 

The Eastmont School District is one of them. They’re working on bringing secondary students back to school next week. 

 

But Wenatchee Education Board President Monica Christensen doesn’t think that’s the way to go. She presented a survey of teachers. She explained that 215 secondary teachers were surveyed on whether the secondary students should come back to school full-time. 17% were in favor while 83% were not.

 

 

Later, Michele Sandberg, a Wenatchee School Board member said that just because the board has the legal authority to open school back up doesn’t mean they should do it.

 

She said that now, the board has to make smart decisions.

 

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Before we go, some local history,  Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR 

 

Now, some history…

 

In late November of 1950 dedication ceremonies were underway for the new Columbia River Bridge. The new span, which cost about $2,800,000, was officially opened by State Highway Director William Bugge. 

 

The first car in line on the bridge was driven by Mrs. Richard Barber. Barber was the wife of the local highway superintendent. 

 

The bridge was built to continue Highway 2 across the Columbia River, replacing what is now the pedestrian bridge just upstream. When built, it was classified as the "Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

 

In 2000 it was renamed the Senator George Sellar Bridge. And then in 2010 an additional lane was added.

 

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Thanks for listening. Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Saturday!

 

Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.