Gamache ousted in commissioner's race - Yakima County Commissioner Ron Gamache has lost a bid for a third term after being bested by two challengers in a crowded race. Having garnered 40 percent of the votes counted Tuesday night, 48-year-old Kevin Bouchey, a third-generation Toppenish farmer,...MORE...
Ybarra, Johnson come out as top two in 14th District - Democrat Vickie Ybarra and Republican Norm Johnson emerged Tuesday from a crowded field of candidates vying for the state House seat soon to be vacated by veteran Republican lawmaker Mary Skinner. They will advance to the Nov. 4 general election, setting...MORE...
Hastings garners 61 percent of vote in House race - Incumbent U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, and his Democratic challenger George Fearing will advance to the general election, having drawn more votes than fringe Republican Gordon Allen Pross. Hastings finished first with 54,712 votes, or about 61 percent...MORE...
Elofson wins seat on Superior Court - In a contested judicial race that never got personal, Yakima attorney David Elofson defeated fellow litigator Rob Lawrence-Berrey Tuesday for a seat on the Yakima County Superior Court bench. With 28 percent of the possible ballots counted, Elofson had 12...MORE...
Move-the-seat advocate winning in Benton County - PROSSER -- A longtime advocate of moving the county seat to Kennewick, Fred Staples collected more votes than incumbent Benton County commissioner Leo Bowman, according to late unofficial results Tuesday evening. A third candidate for the commission seat,...MORE...
Selah's Bravo Company prepares for second tour in Iraq - SELAH -- Fourteen-year-old Tyler Ireton has been through this before. He knows what to do. "With Dad gone, I'm going to be doing a lot of work around the house," the East Valley High School freshman said. The oldest of four -- with siblings ages 13, 10 an...MORE...
EMS vote set for February - Yakima voters will have their say on a proposed levy that would raise money for more firefighters and paramedic training. The City Council voted Tuesday to put the Emergency Medical Services levy up for a vote on Feb. 3. The council's vote was unanimous b...MORE...
Beer, wine returning to Toppenish Safeway shelves - Safeway in Toppenish is currently getting a facelift that includes a Starbucks, a sandwich bar, Artesian desserts and something else that not everyone is happy about -- a beer and wine section. Nearly eight years ago, the Safeway store at 711 W. First Ave...MORE...
Federal judge signs off on Mattawa day-care settlement - A $2 million settlement for Mattawa day-care operators who alleged they were mistreated by state investigators has been approved by a federal judge, the plaintiffs' lawyers announced Tuesday. But the day-care workers expect to proceed with a separate tria...MORE...
Yakima School District approves budget - The Yakima School District's board of directors unanimously approved a $157 million budget Tuesday night. The budget reflects an anticipated deficit of about $1.7 million and more than 20 fewer teaching positions. The reduction in teachers is being absorb...MORE...
Council talks endorsements, public hearings - Remember that spat the Yakima City Council had earlier this year over endorsements and public hearings? Well, it came up for air again. The Council took two confusing votes on the subject Tuesday, voting 4-3 against a hearing on Initiative 985 if sponsor...MORE...
Yakamas can share concerns at listening conference - TOPPENISH -- Yakama tribal members will have a chance to voice any concerns over trust issues such as federally managed Indian money and lands during a two-day listening conference beginning today. The Intertribal Monitoring Association on Indian Trust F...MORE...
State audit: Mt. Adams schools missing funds - WHITE SWAN -- A state audit found more than $3,800 in public funds have been mishandled in the Mt. Adams School District over a five-year period. The discovery comes after the district's business manager, Mike Wells, noticed a significant drop in revenue ...MORE...
The risks and rewards of opening a new restaurant - Jon Dunsmore knows the sacrifice that comes with developing a new restaurant. He's been separated from his family since moving here a year ago. He's paying a mortgage for his family home in the Chicago area and renting...MORE...
Hantavirus claims life of Ellensburg police officer - An Ellensburg police officer died Friday from what is believed to have been the deadly hantavirus, a rare illness contracted from inhaling airborne urine and feces of mice. Sgt. Nelson Ng died at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital at approximately 2 p.m., ba...MORE...
City lays out ‘tough choices’ to cut $1.1M - SUNNYSIDE -- City councilmembers tonight will get their first glimpse of next year's finances. And the picture won't be pretty. At a special council meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Sunnyside's Law and Justice Center, City Manager Eric Swansen will ask council for...MORE...
Sentencing Wednesday signals official close of Thirtymile fire tragedy - In deaths of four fighters Sentencing Wednesday signals official close of Thirtymile fire saga By MARK MOREY YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC Ellreese Daniels, the incident commander charged for the deaths of four Central Washington firefighters at the Thirtymile f...MORE...
Yakima's 181st says goodbye - The 181st Brigade Support Battalion's Dave Ammann hugs fellow guard member Cameron Welniak during a troop send off for the Washington National Guard at Wixson Park in Selah on Tuesday....MORE...
Yakima's ChartConnect sold to Ohio firm - ChartConnect, a Yakima company that created a Web-based medical records system widely used in this region and elsewhere in the Northwest, is being acquired by a larger company. Noteworthy Medical Systems of Cleveland, Ohio, announced Monday it is in the p...MORE...
Central unanimous pick to win GNAC - ELLENSBURG -- To the surprise of no one, Central Washington has been picked to win the GNAC football championship by a unanimous preseason vote of the conference's coaches. The Wildcats, 10-3 and a Division II playoff quarterfinalist last year, include pr...MORE...
Wapato picks two to fill council vacancies - WAPATO -- After being short two members for more than three months, the Wapato City Council finally chose a local high school graduate and a medical clinical worker to fill those posts. Three months had passed since both Francis Lame Bull and Lloyd Bensco...MORE...
Rosedell Manor B&B wins nod - YAKIMA -- Against the wishes of some neighbors, the conversion of one of Yakima’s most historic homes into a bed and breakfast has been approved on appeal....MORE...
Granger lawmaker honored for work - An open government champion from our area is being recognized for his work. State Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, will receive an award from the Washington Coalition for Open Government next month. The ranking minority member of the House State Government...MORE...
Robbery suspect sought in Toppenish - TOPPENISH -- Police are seeking the identity of a man suspected in connection with a robbery last month at the city cemetery on Elmwood Road. The suspect took a vehicle from the victim on the evening of July 17, according to Toppenish police. The vehicle ...MORE...
Yakama tribe holds confab over trust issues - TOPPENISH -- Yakama tribal members will have a chance to voice any concerns over trust issues such as federally managed Indian money and lands during a two-day listening conference beginning Wednesday. The Intertribal Monitoring Association on Indian Trus...MORE...
08/20/08 Around the Valley - Wapato fills spots on City Council WAPATO -- After being short two members for more than three months, the Wapato City Council has chosen a local high school graduate and a medical clinical worker to fill those posts. Three months had passed since both Fr...MORE...
Saving the planet one vegetable at a time - A clump of radishes, an armload of cucumbers, a bunch of cayenne peppers -- these students are tilling, hoeing and weeding their way toward saving the planet. A group of students at East Valley High School has been h...MORE...
Bears falter again - YAKIMA -- En route to their 21-40 record, worst in the Northwest League, the Bears had of late shown their home fans a more proficient side. They had, in fact, won five of their last six at Yakima County Stadium, including three straight last week. Tuesda...MORE...
Yakima Bears update - Next game Opponent: Tri-City Dust Devils. When, where: 7:05 p.m. tonight, Yakima County Stadium. Radio: KUTI (1460). Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Houston Summers (4-5, 5.88) vs. Tri-City RHP Ken Durst (4-3, 3.29). Notes YAKIMA-BASED TEAM TO BE HONORED...MORE...
Save on ride wristbands, fair tickets - Those counting their leisure-time pennies can now save some cash on the carnival rides at this year's Central Washington State Fair -- which means more money to spend on corn dogs. Discounted carnival ride wristbands ...MORE...
State audit of Mt. Adams schools reveals $3,800 in missing funds - WHITE SWAN -- A state audit found more than $3,800 in public funds have been misappropriated in the Mt. Adams School District over a five-year period. The discovery comes after the district's business manager, Mike Wells, noticed a significant drop in rev...MORE...
Seven rescued, others injured in two Columbia River mishaps - Seven unidentified people from Yakima were rescued from the Columbia River Sunday evening when their 22-foot boat stalled in high winds and had to be abandoned, Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana said this morning. Occupants of the Fiberform craft boarded...MORE...
Ruling brings no clear end to neighbors' noise dispute - Limited ruling brings no clear-cut end to neighbors' noise dispute By PAT MUIR YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC A noise dispute between a high-profile fruit market and the bed-and-breakfast next door didn't get much clearer with a Yakima County hearing examiner's...MORE...
Task force fields more complaints than audit input - Task force fields more complaints than audit input By CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC Does the city of Yakima really have more vehicles than it has employees? That puzzling question was one of many observations and suggestions made Mon...MORE...
UPDATE: Ybarra, Johnson advance in 14th District House race - Democrat Vickie Ybarra and Republican Norm Johnson emerged Tuesday from a crowded field of candidates for the state House seat soon to be vacated by veteran Republican lawmaker Mary Skinner. They will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. MORE...
Paving the way for an uptown look downtown Yakima - Anthony Nelson and Evelyn Weems work on the corner of Second and A streets in Yakima on Monday as they replace old sidewalks with new sidewalks. The work is part of phase three of the Yakima Downtown Futures Initiative, which is being paid for by state...MORE...
181st Support Battalion to receive sendoff Tuesday morning - The community has a chance to say goodbye to members of the 181st Brigade Support Battalion during a farewell ceremony in Selah today.Tuesday The event, organized by the Veterans Task Force, will begin at 10 a.m. at Wixson Park, located in...MORE...
Noteworthy Medical Systems to buy ChartConnect - ChartConnect, a Yakima company that created a Web-based medical records system widely used in this region, is being acquired by a larger company. Noteworthy Medical Systems of Cleveland, Ohio announced Monday it is in the process of buying ChartConnect. T...MORE...
Grease fire injures Granger man - GRANGER — A man was severely burned by hot grease from a cooking fire that damaged a travel trailer in Granger late Saturday, city firefighters said. The fire in the 800 block of Guzman Avenue was reported shortly before midnight Saturday. The sequence...MORE...
Spencer trial -- 'Murder or nothin'' option puzzles jurors - Michael Spencer testified that he fatally shot his girlfriend by accident, and a Yakima County jury found him innocent. But some of the jurors question whether a lesser charge should have been an alternative. In rec...MORE...
A natural media for kids - ELLENSBURG -- Seashells, beeswax, pine cones, flower petals and sand dollars crowd the classroom shelves. It is an artist's wonderland where kids are able to sift through and pick the perfect object to make their next creation a possibility. Art dangles f...MORE...
Today is last day to mail ballots - Today is the last day to mail ballots for the primary election. n The new top-two primary system allows you to vote for the candidates of your choice, regardless of party, with the two highest vote-getters advancing to the general election in Nove...MORE...
Record heat gives way to storms, hail and wind today - YAKIMA -- The recent heat wave will go out with a bang today -- the bang of thunderstorms, hail, high winds, and the chance for explosive wildland fires, according to the National Weather Service. A red flag warning is in effect for all of Eastern Washing...MORE...
From foreigners to friends in just a few days - I was scared. Spending eight days with 35 Washington high school students I don't know, in a state I'd never set foot in, was rather intimidating. And it was even more of a stretch to imagine spending four of those days with approximately 1,500 leadershi...MORE...
Column -- Labels close doors - When I first heard it, my immediate reaction was disbelief. "Is your kid retarded?" an acquaintance of mine asked years ago. I was pushing my son Jed around in a grocery cart at Albertsons. The older man had tried to get my son to...MORE...
Rotary seeks Australia exchange members - The Yakima area Rotary Clubs are accepting applications for a group study exchange in Australia next spring. The clubs are seeking young business professionals between the ages of 25 to 40 to participate in the exchange to the Northern Territory of Aus...MORE...
Olympic hurdle champ has Yakima ties - When Dawn Harper came out of nowhere to win the 100-meter hurdles today at the Beijing Olympics, her triumph was celebrated perhaps a little bit more in Yakima than those of other gold-medal winners....MORE...
Police arrest three suspects in connection with drive-by shooting - YAKIMA -- Three people were arrested Sunday after a drive-by shooting and a related police chase that ended when the driver bailed out of the vehicle at the emergency room entrance for Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, authorities said....MORE...
Rebuffed Sunnyside bar owner tries to expose city - SUNNYSIDE -- When Charles Egley applied for a business license to hold adult entertainment in downtown Sunnyside, City Council members all but brought the city to a screeching halt, imposing a moratorium and rewriting laws. Egley calls it overreacting. "I...MORE...
East Valley Fire hoping to enlist volunteers - The East Valley Fire Department hopes to interest a few more residents in volunteering. The department's annual volunteer recruit academy is scheduled to start next month. Coordinators would like to enlist up to 10 recruits. Volunteer recruiting has slow...MORE...
Former State Patrol chief Bachofner dies - Will Bachofner, the longest-serving chief of the Washington State Patrol who was considered the father of the modern agency for his efforts to increase training and diversity within the ranks, will be remembered today at his funeral in Lacey, Wash. Bacho...MORE...
Seeking resonance in rebranding the Yakima Valley - What do you think of when you hear "Yakima Valley?" Do you think of the area's agricultural bounty, the high number of boutique wineries and the relaxing nature of the area and its people? Or do you point to car thefts...MORE...
Need answers? Here they are (for the news quiz) - 1. At what point does window tinting become illegal in Washington? C) When the tinting doesn't let in at least 35 percent of light 2. What annual summer event was held at Sarg Hubbard Park on Saturday for the 16th time? C) A Case of the Blues and All...MORE...
'Cleansing sins away' at citywide baptism - To a believer, baptism counts even if it's chlorinated. In fact, part of the idea behind Saturday's citywide baptism at Franklin Pool was that not every baptism needs to take p...MORE...
A place to serve - Rylan Montgomery found the task at hand -- drilling a screw into a table without plugging it into a power source -- very difficult. The 16-year-old knew it would take him a long time. My dad, 50-year-old Robert Fontana, picked up the drill, and said, "Li...MORE...
Keep that skin safe this summer - It's summer -- the time for back flips off the diving board, ice-cold Slurpees from 7-Eleven, and the banana-coconut scent that diffuses from tanning oils. Many summer activities revolve around being outdoors. While teenagers are exposed to the sun's rays...MORE...
08/19/08 Death notices - Nina W. James, 88, of Sunnyside, formerly of Zillah, died Friday at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Mrs. James was born in Detroit Lakes, Minn. She was a registered nurse. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Freburn James of Sunnyside; two d...MORE...
Carnival tickets for the CW fair go on sale today - Beginning today, thrifty thrill-seekers and dollar-wise dare devils can now save some cash on the carnival rides at this year’s Central Washington State Fair — which means more money to spend on corn dogs....MORE...
Northwest League -- Hose puts on pitching clinic in Bears loss - PASCO -- The Tri-City Dust Devils manufactured a run in the bottom of the 11th inning to end a back-and-forth game with a 3-2 win against the Yakima Bears on Sunday night at Gesa Stadium. Erik Wetzel scored the decisive run on a sacrifice fly by Leonardo ...MORE...
8/18/08 Bears Update - Next game Opponent: Tri-City Dust Devils When, where: 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Yakima County Stadium. Radio: KUTI (1460). Box score Dust Devils 3, Bears 2 (11) YAKIMA TRI-CITY ab r h bi ab r h bi Cooper ss 4 0 2 0 Blackmon dh 5 0 1 0 RRdriguez cf 4 0...MORE...
Local Report -- Plesha beats Chang for men's city title - YAKIMA -- Sunnyside's Danny Plesha beat Yakima's Abe Chang for the men's open singles title at the Yakima City Tournament on Sunday at the Yakima Tennis Club. Selah's Kevin Bertelsen beat Yakima's Aaron McCausland for the men's 3.5 singles championship. B...MORE...
Foes remain unconvinced about dairy proposal - A Sunnyside family wanting to erect a 6,000-cow dairy on the Yakama reservation didn't appear to win the support of tribal members Thursday night during an informational meeting that turned heated. More than 100 people, some from the reservation, others f...MORE...
On the bus to better health - When Spud Edmondson of Yakima visited the Apple Health bus Thursday, he didn't know what to expect. But after listening to state and local officials, he learned obtaining health coverage for children is not only easy. It's necessary. "A lot of people do...MORE...
Northwest League -- Blackmon goes for extra bases to beat Bears - PASCO -- Charles Blackmon hasn't hit a home run this season but a penchant for extra-base hits has made Tri-City's leadoff batter one of the most feared sluggers in the Northwest League. And Blackmon introduced himself to the Yakima Bears in a big way on ...MORE...
Campaigns going down to the wire - Don't be surprised to see candidates for the state Legislature or the Yakima County commission waving signs on street corners over the next few days. With thousands of primary ballots still out there and precious little time before they are due Tuesday, l...MORE...
8/17/08 Bears Update - Next game Opponent: Tri-City Dust Devils When, where: 7:15 p.m. today, Gesa Stadium, Pasco. Radio: KUTI (1460). Box score Dust Devils 5, Bears 4 YAKIMA TRI-CITY ab r h bi ab r h bi Cooper ss 1 1 0 0 Blackmon dh 5 1 3 2 RRdriguez cf 3 0 0 0 Wetz...MORE...
Think you're so smart? Take our news quiz - Yakima Herald-Republic weekly news quiz 1. At what point does window tinting become illegal in Washington? A) When the reflective tinting blinds other drivers B) When you can't see you've locked your keys in the vehicle C) When the tinting doesn't let...MORE...
Safe Kids -- Make sure your kids get to school safely - Whether you're a parent jumping enthusiastically for joy, or a kid moaning and groaning, there's no getting around the fact that school is just around the corner. And as schools across the country kick into full swing, children will be filling the streets...MORE...
New Yakima development draws ire of neighbors - Former Yakima mayor John Puccinelli dropped the W-bomb during a hearing Thursday at City Hall over the future of a proposed gated community known as Toscanna. "This could be the next Wal-Mart," Puccinelli warned, referring to a legal battle over a propose...MORE...
College Football -- UW's loss is CWU's gain - ELLENSBURG -- It already was warm Saturday morning when Central Washington's football Wildcats gathered for their first official event of the season. Not that hot mid-August weather is rare here, mind you. But already there were apprehensive glances towar...MORE...
West Nile Virus claims life of horse - YAKIMA -- The year's fifth case of West Nile virus in a horse was confirmed Friday in Yakima County near Ahtanum Ridge, a state agriculture official announced. Of the five horses, fou...MORE...
Basketball -- WV's Strait plans to play in Austria - YAKIMA -- When Andrew Strait left Yakima for the University of Montana four years ago, one of the things the West Valley graduate liked about that move was being only a days' drive from home. Well, Strait is on the move again and you can forget the road t...MORE...
Workers deal with the heat - YAKIMA -- On a hot day, customer traffic at the Elephant Super Car Wash slows down around 2 p.m., when temperatures near their peak. Many customers do not want to deal with the blazing sun or the hot...MORE...
08/18/08 death notices - Delilah Dawn Stahi, 41, of Wapato died Friday in Toppenish. She was born in Toppenish and worked as a laborer in the fruit industry. Survivors include her mother, Caroline Stahi of Wapato; four children; and two sisters, Angela and Pame...MORE...
Visitors bureau unveils logo to go with new strategy - To start his presentation, John Cooper asked the audience about the words or thoughts they associated with several car brands. When the president and CEO of the Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau showed a Lexus, people said "luxury" and "high...MORE...
08/18/08 In Basket - Employment Thomas Chapman has returned to Selective Employment Inc. as its general manager. He previously worked as a recruiter for the company from 1997-2001. Chapman's primary focus is the recruitment and placement of temporary and full-time employees...MORE...
Car chase ends near the Arboretum - SCANNER TRAFFIC: Law enforcement officials just took a man into custody from an island in the Yakima River near the Arboreteum....MORE...
Yakima schools seeks $157 million budget - YAKIMA -- The Yakima school board will be asked Tuesday evening to approve a $157 million operating budget with a $1.7 million deficit. The budget, which is a 7.2 percent increase...MORE...
08/17/08 Volunteer Opportunities - Here are this week's volunteer needs in the Yakima Valley: * CLERICAL STAFF: EPIC Parker Heights Center in Wapato is looking for volunteers to help its clerical staff. Volunteers will assist with filing, organizing, answering phones and covering the front...MORE...
Fire destroys Sunnyside auto shop - SUNNYSIDE -- A downtown fire Thursday sent a man to the hospital with minor burns on his arms, and destroyed an auto mechanic's shop. Sunnyside firefighters were called about 8:45 a.m. to a fire inside one of the garage bays of In and Out, an auto repair ...MORE...
Lowrider bug consumes Yakima family - YAKIMA -- Hugo Fernandez was about 16 when he was first hit with the bug. His son, Isaak, was much younger than that when he got it. Now, as he is about the enter the fourth grade at...MORE...
Sen. Murray: Immigration reform not easy, but still possible - Comprehensive immigration reform is not going to be easy next year either, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a wide-ranging interview Thursday that also touched on U.S. energy policy, education and the recently passed farm bill. During a sit-down w...MORE...
Photo: Turned over and treated - A passenger of a Pontiac Le Mans, seen through the rear car window, is treated after the car she was riding in flipped after colliding with a Honda at the intersection of Jefferson Ave. and Oregon Ave. on Friday, August 15, 2008....MORE...
What can be done about Granger gangs? - GRANGER -- Francis Guzman's grandchildren aren't allowed to play in her fenced-in front yard for fear of being struck by a stray bullet. Guzman has lived on Guzman Avenue --...MORE...
08/17/08 Death notices - Mary Ferri Isernio Mary Ferri Isernio, 93, died Saturday at Hillcrest Assisted Living in Yakima. She was born in Perth Amboy, N.J., and lived in Seattle and Yakima. She worked in the personnel department for Boeing Co. and as a secretary for Seattle Metro...MORE...
What's Happening - High country finally becoming snow-free Enough snow has finally melted off on most high-country trail systems to make them navigable, even by groups with stock animals. Of course, all that freshly-melted snow also means mosquitos are at their nastiest in...MORE...
Wanderscheid loses final - MILL CREEK -- Zach Wanderscheid's run at the 54th PNGA Junior Boys Amateur Championship ended with a loss to Christian Boudreau in the Sixth Flight final Friday at the Mill Creek Country Club. Boudreau, from Beaverton, Ore., edged the Goldendale golfer 3 ...MORE...
Yakima man gets life for third strike - A Yakima man found guilty of severely choking his girlfriend was sentenced this week to life in prison under the state's three-strikes law. Prosecutors pursued charges against 26-year-old Stephen Bailey despite the victim's desire for the case to be dropp...MORE...
Yakima Bears update - Next game Opponent: Tri-City Dust Devils When, where: 7:15 p.m. today, Gesa Stadium, Pasco. Radio: KUTI (1460). Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Sean Morgan (0-2, 6.75) vs. TBA. Box score Bears 4, AquaSox 3 EVERETT YAKIMA ab r h bi ab r h bi Phill...MORE...
Former officials sketchy on ramp details - Two surviving members of the Yakima City Council who approved construction of the Yakima Mall parking garage ramps said they don't remember details of the 1971 agreement with mall owners, but they do support current...MORE...
Suspect ends up the river - An eluding suspect who ended his flight on an island in the Yakima River on Thursday morning was wanted for misdemeanor drug and driving offenses, Union Gap police said. The 39-year-old man, who is from the Yakima area, was taken into custody on the islan...MORE...
Rossi looking to finish what he started in '04 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi wants his Yakima supporters to take advantage of their second chance to elect him. Rossi, 48, who lost a twice-recounted 2004 race to Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire by fewer than 150 votes, said he has been su...MORE...
Meet the Bears - GREG BORDES Second baseman, shortstop Bear facts: The 5-foot-9,160-pound Bordes was born June 3, 1985 in New Orleans, one of Charlie and Jeannie Bordes' six children. He went to Dobson High School in Mesa, Ariz., then played at nearby Arizona State. One o...MORE...
Catholic Church may have to sound the retreat - COWICHE -- As he moves from room to room, the Rev. Robert Siler, chief of staff of the Catholic Diocese of Yakima, makes sure to flip the switches. "Since I have to pay the bills, we'll make sure to turn off the ...MORE...
Police in Valley patrol for drunken drivers - Starting today, police officers across Yakima County will spend extra time looking for drunken drivers over the next two weeks. The annual summer emphasis patrol is part of the state Traffic Safety Commission's year-round campaign to reduce intoxicated dr...MORE...
Former Prosser police chief will not face charges - PROSSER -- Benton County prosecutors have decided not to prosecute Win Taylor, Prosser's former police chief, for an argument with a process server at his home. Kristen Joy Du Bruille, an intern with Carmen Law Office in Wenatchee, accused Taylor of grabb...MORE...
Popular sockeye lake fishery closes - The ultra-popular sockeye fishery on Lake Wenatchee, north of Leavenworth in Chelan County, will close one hour after sunset today. About 3,000 sockeye have been caught since the season opened Aug. 6, and leaving the season open for the weekend "would ris...MORE...
Lawsuit filed over train that hit teen - More than a year after her grandson survived being hit by a train, Julie Cruz of Union Gap is seeking justice. "If they can't straighten the tracks, then they should build an overpass for children, for pedestrians," Cruz said about the Ahtanum Road cross...MORE...
Moxee fruit company hit with fine - A local fruit company, Roy Farms of Moxee, has agreed to pay a fine of $29,320 for not having a safety program to protect the public in the event of a release of anhydrous ammonia. The company also agreed to spend $84,000 on new communications and safety...MORE...
Bears roll on - YAKIMA -- It's a modest achievement, one which many professional baseball teams have accomplished this summer several times over. It becomes a big deal, however, if it's your first. And for the Bears, who have absorbed so many more lumps than they've admi...MORE...
Selah man going to prison in counterfeiting case - A Selah man accused of being part of a counterfeiting operation that passed dozens of bad bills around the Northwest was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in federal prison. Cameron Gaunt pleaded guilty to one count of counterfeit-related conspi...MORE...
Town hall focuses on Yakima performance audit - YAKIMA -- Grousers and gadflies, here's your big chance. A first-in-the-state performance audit of Yakima's municipal operations by the state auditor's office will be the subject of a town hall meeting Monday seeking comments from the public. The time is...MORE...
Detectives seek ID on forgery suspect - YAKIMA -- Yakima County sheriff's detectives are trying to identify a man who cashed stolen checks at a Union Gap bank. The man was recorded making the transaction on the bank's video surveillance system. Detectives released images from the video today in...MORE...
Vacation Bible School isn't what it used to be, it's bigger - Walk through the doors of the sanctuary and enter the marketplace. Designed to resemble the center of commerce in Jesus' time, the room -- which normally accommodates Sunday worship services -- holds a fisherman'...MORE...
08/16/08 Faith Happenings - Worship conference set for this weekend The new Yakima Valley Worship Network is hosting its first Yakima Worship Conference this weekend. The event continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. It concludes Sunday with a 6 p.m. concert. The guest speaker and co...MORE...
NEW: Two more pot busts yield total of 9,000 plants - GRANDVIEW -- Another day, another marijuana bust. Actually, make that two days and two busts. Narcotics agents with the Law Enforcement Against Drugs task force today announced that two more marijuana growing operations have been busted up in the Lower Va...MORE...
Mel Jr. makes rounds - Mel Stottlemyre Jr. squinted into the bright afternoon sun, and his expression changed from one of pleasure from speaking to some of baseball's invigorating aspects to extreme distaste when discussing its worst. "No one in this game," he said, "likes to g...MORE...
Summers knuckles down - By now, virtually everyone in the Northwest League knows that Houston Summers throws a knuckleball. And it's no secret that he's been told to use his money pitch the vast majority of time. Still, a microsecond of uncertainty can put a hitter off balance a...MORE...
Yakima Bears update - Next game Opponent: Everett AquaSox. When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium. Radio: KUTI (1460). Probable pitchers: Yakima LHP Ian Harrington (3-5, 3.92) vs. Everett RHP Walter Suriel (4-2, 5.37). Box score Bears 4, AquaSox 0 EVERETT...MORE...
Photo Journal - Horses graze in a field along North 68th Avenue just north of Englewood Avenue on July 31. h# Photo Journal c# Yakima Herald-Republic...MORE...
Crops, wineries, recreation touted as Yakima branding points - The Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau unveiled its new brand Thursday that it hopes will provide a uniform message on what the area has to offer. The new brand will promote several key attributes of the Yakima Valley including the accessibil...MORE...
Fire engulfs Sunnyside auto mechanic's shop - SUNNYSIDE -- A downtown fire this morning sent a man to the hospital with burns on his arms and destroyed an auto mechanic's shop. Sunnyside firefighters were called about 8:45 a.m. to a fire inside one of the garage bays of In and Out, an auto repair bus...MORE...
Mosquitoes test positive for the West Nile virus - More mosquitoes trapped within the greater Yakima area have tested positive for West Nile virus, the Yakima Health District said Thursday afternoon. The confirmation brings the year-to-date total in the county to eight positive mosquito pools and three po...MORE...
A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz - For Saturday's A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz, put away the Hawaiian wear and bust out your best Havana shirt and dust off those dancing shoes. Headlining the popular event at Sarg Hubbard Park on the Greenway...MORE...
Lineup for CWU arts and speakers series announced - Oh man, is it back-to-school time already? Well, at least Central Washington University is already giving you plenty of options on how to spend your spare time -- whether you're a student or not. Today, tickets go on sale for CWU's 2008-09 Performing Arts...MORE...
It's time to go West -- to Toppenish for the big art show - This weekend's Toppenish Western Art Show runs from noon to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday in Railroad Park, between Asotin and Toppenish avenues. The annual show -- now in its 11th year -- features more than 30 Western, N...MORE...
Cirque Du Soleil coming to Yakima -- via The Majestic - Next week, Yakima Theatres Inc. will host several screenings of Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium." The digital concert film features some of Cirque du Soleil's most memorable music -- remixed -- plus dance, theater and multimedia. Showings are at 7:15 p.m. W...MORE...
Huckleberry Jam to bridge Native and Latin cultures - Rap music will echo from the stage. Custom cars will be on display. Teams will run the court in a three-on-three basketball tournament, and skateboarders will vie for a spot in a national competition. Welcome to Huc...MORE...
Princes of Comedy playing the Capitol tonight - Last week, the Princes of Comedy tour missed its gig at the Capitol Theatre -- something about getting held up at the Las Vegas airport. But instead of blowing off Yakima, the tour is swinging through town to make up the show. "A lot of promoters would sa...MORE...
Guilty Pleasures -- Remembrances of Olympics past - Back in the summer of 1996, Guilty Pleasures was working at a bakery that, sadly, virtually no one ever came to. This left a lot of time for getting completely wrapped up in that summer's Olympic games in Atlanta. Because Guilty Pleasures had to be at the...MORE...
08/15/08 10 Days Out - Friday, Aug. 15 * The second outdoor concert of The Seasons' Front Porch Concert Series is Show Brazil, featuring Brazilian recording artist, vocalist, composer, percussionist, guitarist and musical arranger Eduardo Mendonça. The concert will incl...MORE...
08/15/08 Night life - NIGHT LIFE Blues/Jazz/Swing THE DEPOT RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday: David Aggett. 32 N. Front St. 469-4400. (Jazz, blues electric guitar.) JACK-SONS SPORTS BAR. 6-11 p.m. Thursdays: Open blues/jazz jam. 432 S. 48th Ave. 966-4340. JOHN...MORE...
08/15/08 Books - DISCUSSION BORDERS. 1700 E. Washington Ave., Union Gap. 248-4018. * Multi-Faith Book Discussion: 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. Spiritual issues. * Passionate Readers Book Club: 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. WRITING YAKWRITERS....MORE...
08/15/08 Just announced - CARLOS MENCIA AT CLOSE RANGE. 6 p.m. Oct. 12. Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. Tickets: $42 through TicketsWest, 800-325-7328, Capitol Theatre box office, 853-2787. (Comedic mind.) "IN THE MOOD." 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. Tickets:...MORE...
08/15/08 Art - BENEFITS SUMMER SALAD SUNDAY BENEFIT. 4 p.m. Sunday. Gallery One, 408 N. Pearl St., Ellensburg. Handmade ceramic salad plates, summer salads, specialty breads, wine. Benefits ceramic studio artists. 925-2670, www.gallery-one.org. ART WALKS FIRST FRIDA...MORE...
08/15/08 Theater - "TAMING THE WILD, WILD WEST IN A DRESS." 7:30 tonight and Saturday. Princess Theatre, 1226 Meade Ave., Prosser. Tickets available at the door. Presented by the Valley Theater Company. PLAN AHEAD August "THE WARDEN MEMOIRS/LAS MEMORIAS DE WARDEN." Studen...MORE...
08/15/08 Planner - AUDITIONS YAKIMA YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. 5-8 p.m. Aug. 25 and Aug. 27 or 5-6 p.m. Sept. 15. Englewood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave. Bring a piece or etude; be ready to play a brief portion of scales and demonstrate sight-reading. For serious stude...MORE...
08/15/08 Film Clips - OPENED WEDNESDAY "TROPIC THUNDER" -- Ben Stiller wrote, produced, directed and stars in this comedy about movie stars acting in a jungle combat film who find themselves caught up in a real guerrilla war. Also starring Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brand...MORE...
Local golf notes -- Donahue, Wanderscheid win matches - YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC MILL CREEK -- Brad Donahue and Zach Wanderscheid both won their sixth-flight openers as the 54th PNGA Junior Boys Amateur Championship moved into match play Wednesday at the Mill Creek ...MORE...
Soaking up the views - Waterfall lovers will certainly want to visit the Lewis River in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Not only do three separate falls plunge across rock cliffs in a space of less than three miles, two other nearby waterfalls add a dash of extra flavor to...MORE...
08/14/08 Around the Valley - Western Art and Railroad Show in Toppenish this weekend TOPPENISH -- Visitors can ride a caboose through a rail yard or peer into an old railroad station this weekend during the 11th annual Western Art and Railroad Show. Perched on the corner of Toppenish...MORE...
Young Sunnyside boy hit by pickup - SUNNYSIDE -- A 5-year-old boy was taken to Sunnyside Community Hospital Tuesday night after running in front of a pickup, police said. The incident was reported shortly after 8 p.m. at South 13th Street and Kearney Avenue...MORE...
Bears prove to be double trouble for Everett - For two innings at least, they were fence busters -- peppering the gaps and walls of Yakima County Stadium in a manner reminiscent of Conor Jackson. And while the Bears didn't sustain their extra-base assault Wednesday night against Everett, two innings w...MORE...
Lake Wenatchee to have short run for sockeye - YAKIMA -- If you haven't joined the 4:30 a.m. line of anglers waiting to launch their fishing boats into Lake Wenatchee to catch your daily limit of the thousands of sockeye salmon that have been arriving there for the past month, you may be too late. The...MORE...
Anyone can make a big splash - YAKIMA -- As the lady in the parking lot walked by me, I could see she was doing everything she could not to laugh. She shot a quick glance at me, in my drenched clothes, dripping all over the pavement, and I could see by the smirk on her face she was abo...MORE...
Boy hit by truck in Sunnyside - SUNNYSIDE -- A 5-year-old boy was taken to Sunnyside Community Hospital Tuesday night after running in front of a pickup, police said. The incident was reported shortly after 8 p.m. at South 13th Street and Kearney Avenue, according to a news release issu...MORE...
08/14/08 Bears Update - Next game Opponent: Everett AquaSox. When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium. Radio: KUTI (1460). Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Houston Summers (3-5, 6.18) vs. RHP Nolan Gallagher (0-0, 2.37). Notes WAIT AND SEE FOR DUFFY: Bears outfielder...MORE...
Around the Valley - PROSSER -- Theater fans still have a chance to see "Taming the Wild, Wild West in a Dress" this weekend. The Valley Theater Company will hold two more productions of the melodrama that opened last weekend. Curtain time...MORE...
08/14/08 Death Notices - John Giovanini John Giovanini, 90, of Yakima died Tuesday. Mr. Giovanini was born in Clinton, Ind., and served in the Army during World War II. He taught at the junior high school in Wapato for more than 25 years and lived in Yakima for more than 50 years...MORE...
Weather/Forecast
