Good morning, Wenatchee.

Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee will lay off 1,561 H2A seasonal workers next month—full-time staff remain unaffected as the company prepares to continue packing and shipping its fruit.

This routine adjustment follows new timing under Washington’s Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act.

Stemilt—the local fruit packaging company—will lay off over 1,500 seasonal workers next month as part of its planned seasonal layoffs.

A new report by Moody’s Analytics shows that Washington is among 22 states facing recession as persistent job losses strain the job market—while some experts note strong business startup survival, leading to uncertainty about the state’s economic future.

Local economists are watching trends closely as more data comes in to clarify these mixed signals.

Firefighters in Chelan County have raised the Lower Sugarloaf Fire's containment to 66% by building strong lines near Sawkane Canyon and using burnout operations while evacuations remain in effect.

Officials say cooler and wetter weather will help bring the blaze—now 42,631 acres—under control soon with no reported structural damage.

Douglas County and East Wenatchee are asking residents for input through a Vision Zero survey to improve pedestrian, bike, and driver safety—participants will suggest changes for safer streets and guide funding priorities.

The survey is part of ongoing efforts to make daily travel safer in our community.

Settlers north of the Columbia River met at Cowlitz Landing in 1851 to form a new territory because services from Oregon City were too far, and Congress approved the territory in March 1853—President Fillmore later named it Washington and it became the 42nd state in November 1889.

Link Transit launched two new bus routes in East Wenatchee that connect neighborhoods with Pangborn Airport via Grant Road.

Route 15 runs fare-free from Columbia Station to Wenatchee Valley Mall before proceeding to the airport, while Route 19 serves community stops including schools + a clinic and operates weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:50 p.m.

Leavenworth Oktoberfest

6:30 AM — Leavenworth Festhalle — Tickets on sale July 1st — Celebrate with local and German beers, music, and family-friendly activities in America’s Bavarian capital.

2025 Fall Conference

9 AM – 12 PM — Wenatchee Convention Center — $410 Early Bird Rate available — Cultivate your excellence at the Washington State 911 Conference.

Arturo Sandoval Live Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Numerica Performing Arts Center — Tickets from $55 — Experience the vibrant sounds of jazz from a 10-time Grammy Award winner.

Monster Dash 5k & Little Goblin 1 Mile

10:00 – 11:30 AM — Walla Walla Point Park — Registration fee applies — Get ready for a spooky running event featuring both a 5K and a shorter 1-mile option.

Happy Halloween: Whisky Trail at Circle 5 Winery

6-10 p.m. — Circle 5 Winery — Cost unspecified — Dress in your Halloween costume and enjoy classic rock covers from the award-winning Whisky Trail band.

123 Andres Concert

6:00–7:30 p.m. — Numerica Performing Arts Center — Tickets from $130 — Experience the musical joy of 123 Andres in a vibrant performance.

iLuminate Artist of Light

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Numerica Performing Arts Center — $30 - $50 — Experience an electrifying fusion of technology, dance, and music that has captivated audiences worldwide.