š± Why Wenatcheeās school board just extended Superintendent Kory Kalaharās contract
Wenatchee, Washington Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Wenatchee! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. āļø
In today's newsletter:
- Why Wenatcheeās school board just extended Superintendent Kory Kalaharās contract
- Why deadly crashes are rising on Highways 97 and 97A near Wenatchee
- Want in on Wenatcheeās liveliest Thursday night trail gathering?
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? š¤ (Answer below!)
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 57 degrees.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 84, low: 58.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 89 and low of 64 degrees. š¶ Hot!
š° News we're reading
ā¢ WSD awarded Board of the Year, Kahalar gets contract extension (ncwlife.com) ā Wenatcheeās school board has been named the 2026 Regional School Board of the Year for Chelan County and has extended Superintendent Kory Kalaharās contract through 2029 with a salary increase. At the same meeting, the district honored 25 retiring staff members, with board members citing the celebration and recent financial challenges as reasons they see Kalaharās leadership as especially valuable. 
Ā Ā Ā 
ā¢ Traffic deaths on the rise in North Central Washington (methowvalleynews.com) ā Drivers traveling between Wenatchee and Okanogan County are facing a troubling spike in fatal crashes, even as statewide traffic deaths decline. Highways 97 and 97A near Wenatchee have seen multiple deadly incidents, prompting extra Washington State Patrol emphasis patrols this summer and renewed warnings about speeding, impairment, distraction, and seat belt use as the deadliest driving season begins. Ā Ā Ā
ā¢ Community on the Dirt: Inside the #2 Canyon Thirsty Thursday Social Ride (kpq.com) ā In the foothills above Wenatchee, a weekly #2 Canyon āThirsty Thursdayā social ride is turning local singletrack into a community hub for mountain bikers of all levels. Riders meet at the upper trailhead for group routes, then gather in the gravel lot for hot dogs, beers, and trail talk, with local organizers and shops helping grow this laid-back Wenatchee Valley tradition. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Wenatchee
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Upcoming Events in
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ā Featured events ā
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NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION ā
Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, 2850 Gun Club Rd, East Wenatchee
5:00 pm
Saturday June 13
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Other local events
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Snow make up days (if needed)
Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center Wenatchee, WA 98801 -
Sports Med Skills USA Rm 112
Foothills Middle School Wenatchee, WA 98801
8:20 am
Monday June 15
Friday June 19
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š Events Nearby
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Sports Med Skills USA Rm 112
Foothills Middle School Wenatchee, WA 98801
8:20 am -
Rodz on the River ā
Entiat City Park, Silicosaska Park, Shearson St, Entiat
10:00 am -
Snow make up days (if needed)
Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center Wenatchee, WA 98801 -
Kyle Kinane ā
Numerica Performing Arts Center, 123 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee
7:30 pm -
Wenatchee Pride Festival 2026 ā
Lincoln Park, 1410 S Mission St, Wenatchee
12:00 pm -
FATHERS DAY FUN ā
Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, 2850 Gun Club Rd, East Wenatchee
5:00 pm -
Kitten Yoga ā Wenatchee Valley Humane Society ā
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, 1474 S Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee
9:00 am -
Sammy Steele ā
Circle 5 Winery (Martin-Scott), 3400 10th St SE, East Wenatchee
1:00 pm -
Gala ā Wenatchee Valley Humane Society ā
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, 1474 S Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee
2:00 pm
Friday June 12
Sunday June 14
Monday June 15
Thursday June 18
Saturday June 20
Saturday June 27
Sunday August 2
Saturday September 26
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š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Thousands of Washington residents open their hearts and homes to children and youth in foster care.
Get to know why one Kitsap County family chose to foster. Check out the video: https://youtu.be/XIC-eTVlPxk?si=0FGL5rByu847dkbZ Learn more: https:/ā¦ (Nextdoor ) - Just a small fence to add a little touch to an rv parking .
All pressure treated . Needing your fence repainted or repaired can gladly help you with that at an affordable price. Thank you Rhonda for lettingā¦ (Nextdoor Columbia River West Side)
- WinCo Foods posted a job opening for Overnight Stocker in Wenatchee. Apply here.
- Allied Universal posted a job opening for Security Officer Patrol in Wenatchee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wenatchee here.
š Nearby News
East Wenatchee
- Van Well Nursery to Cease Operations After 2026 Crop- Fruit Growers News (fruitgrowersnews.com)
Leavenworth
- Behind the making of Out & Back with Alison Mariella DĆ©sir (cascadepbs.org)
- JUNE 11 2026 HEADLINES ā Northern Kittitas County Tribune (nkctribune.com)
Chelan
- Lake Chelan Valley Boys & Girls Club sees surge in youth sports participation (lakechelanmirror.com)
- Forest Service proposes 30,000-acre wildfire buffer above Lake Chelan (lakechelanmirror.com)
- Campgrounds open near Lake Chelan as Forest Service tackles trail, dock projects (lakechelanmirror.com)
Ok Wenatchee! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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