🌱 How Rocky Reach’s hidden crews quietly power Wenatchee and shape local careers
Greetings Wenatchee! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Rocky Reach’s hidden crews quietly power Wenatchee and shape local careers
- What Wenatchee fruit growers say must change to save their orchards
- What Wenatchee’s new green hydrogen plant could mean for local energy
Also on today's calendar: Coffee & Donuts and 5 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Wenatchee? Post it to Wenatchee photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 46 and low of 40 degrees.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and windy, temps: high: 47, low: 32.
- Thursday: Occasional rain and drizzle, with a high of 36 and low of 33 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Behind the scenes at Rocky Reach, a workforce keeps the dam, and the county, running (ncw.news) — Rocky Reach Dam just north of Wenatchee is revealed as a complex, constantly monitored workplace where divers, mechanics, and technicians keep power — and local public amenities — running. A new outreach specialist is highlighting hydropower careers, many accessible without four-year degrees, while programs like IGNITE aim to connect Wenatchee-area students, especially girls, with these family-wage technical jobs. 
2. Expanding the market for tree fruit discussed by Washington tree fruit growers (yakimaherald.com) — Tree fruit growers and marketers meeting at the Wenatchee Convention Center are urgently searching for ways to boost demand for Northwest pears and cherries amid low prices, labor shortages, and oversupply. Local growers from the Wenatchee Valley described economic strain and aging family farms, while marketing experts pushed for better education, pricing, and digital outreach to younger and Hispanic and Asian consumers. Export strategists also highlighted growth opportunities in Asian markets despite tariffs and currency challenges.
3. Best Energy/Industrial: Hydrogen Production and Fueling Facility (enr.com) — A new large-scale green hydrogen production and fueling facility in Wenatchee is now operating, using Wells Dam power to create zero-emission fuel and support a long-term hydrogen strategy. The $23 million Douglas County PUD project, finished on time in May 2025, can eventually scale from 5 to 80 megawatts. Engineers and contractors navigated evolving designs, tight space, and nearby power lines to complete the complex build.
4. Filter Announce Spring 2026 U.S. Tour With Finger Eleven, Local H (rttnews.com) — Rock fans in Wenatchee can mark March 5, 2026, when Filter, Finger Eleven, and Local H kick off their U.S. tour at Town Toyota Center. The bands are celebrating Filter’s remixed album and the 30th anniversary of “Hey Man Nice Shot,” with this Wenatchee show leading a nationwide run through late March and early April.
5. Prep basketball scoreboard and what's up this week 12-15-25 (ncwlife.com) — Wenatchee boys and girls basketball teams dropped close games to Moses Lake and Sunnyside over the weekend, including a one-point boys loss to Sunnyside. The roundup also highlights results for nearby schools like Eastmont, Cashmere, Chelan, and Waterville-Mansfield. Looking ahead, NCWLIFE will televise Cashmere vs. Naches Valley on Friday, including a jersey-retirement ceremony for star alum Hailey Van Lith.
📸 Around Wenatchee
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Wenatchee
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Senior Writers Group
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center, 1312 Maple St, Wenatchee
9:30 am
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Choir/Orchestra Concert
Foothills Middle School Wenatchee, WA 98801
6:00 pm -
Candy Cane Lane
Orchard Middle School Wenatchee, WA 98801
6:00 pm -
Strings & Choir Performance
Sunnyslope Elementary School Wenatchee, WA 98801
6:30 pm -
Band, Choir & Orchestra Winter Concert
WHS Auditorium
7:00 pm -
Coffee & Donuts
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center , 1312 Maple St , Wenatchee
9:00 am -
Ukulele Lessons - Senior Strummers
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center , 1312 Maple St , Wenatchee
12:00 pm -
Friendship Bridge - Greeting Cards
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center , 1312 Maple St , Wenatchee
1:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
📣 Wenatchee Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Haunted Museum: The Protocol
Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center , Annex Building , 127 S Mission St , Wenatchee
6:00 pm -
Choir & Strings Concert
John Newbery Elementary Wenatchee, WA 98801
6:15 pm -
Strength Training
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center , 1312 Maple St , Wenatchee
9:30 am -
Candy Cane Lane
Orchard Middle School Wenatchee, WA 98801
6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Sucky time of year to get laid off, but here I am.
Anyone know of any immediate jobs hiring right now? I’ve got loads of experience in lending, customer service, Marketing, Networking, office, etc. … (Nextdoor School St)
- Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Wenatchee. Apply here.
- Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T1064) in Wenatchee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wenatchee here.
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: I don't know, but April May!
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