Yakima Herald-Republic Weekly News

11/10/09 Calendar

2009-11-10T08:22:15+00:00

Ear at the White House

2009-11-10T08:21:00+00:00

Hopes run high at White Pass for early opening

2009-11-10T08:21:00+00:00

Veterans Day parade Wednesday on Yakima Avenue

2009-11-10T08:20:58+00:00

Pair suspected in Sunnyside car break-ins

2009-11-10T08:20:23+00:00

Gregoire seeks delay in federal landslide damage survey

2009-11-10T08:20:00+00:00

Harvest Festival to benefit Tieton Intermediate

2009-11-10T08:19:41+00:00

US Highway 12 lane closed today

2009-11-10T08:19:08+00:00

Democrat takes on Doc Hastings

2009-11-10T08:17:00+00:00

Yakima investigator recalls role in solving D.C. sniper killings

2009-11-10T08:16:00+00:00

Re-cycling offers alternative to gangs

2009-11-10T08:16:00+00:00

Don’t give George Villalobos a hacksaw. The 13-year-old bike mechanic-in-training might try to use it to remove a crusty tire from the rim of a road bike. “That would make it more simple,” he says through his grunts, as he pries at the bead with tire leve

County proposes to pipe Columbia water to basin

2009-11-10T08:15:49+00:00

Would-be robber leaves pharmacy empty-handed

2009-11-10T08:15:22+00:00

Ballot count produces few changes in tight Valley races

2009-11-10T08:14:07+00:00

Group urges victims of cleric sexual abuse to step forward

2009-11-10T08:14:00+00:00

One lane of U.S. 12 near 16th Avenue will be closed Tuesday

2009-11-10T00:29:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- One lane of westbound U.S. Highway 12 outside of Yakima will be closed Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation announced.

Former Marine gears up to run against Doc Hastings

2009-11-09T23:15:00+00:00

Governor asking for more time to assess landslide damage

2009-11-09T22:19:00+00:00

NILE, Wash. — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking federal officials for more time to assess damage from the Oct. 11 Nile Valley landslide for a possible federal disaster declaration.

Two Sunnyside teens held for Saturday car prowls

2009-11-09T22:13:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- A pair of car-prowl suspects who were arrested this weekend had five car stereos and other stolen property when officers stopped their car, authorities said.

White Pass may open for business Friday

2009-11-09T21:58:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- For the folks in the White Pass ski area community, both the recreationists schussing down the slopes and the businesses seasonally dependent on those skiers and snowboarders, any season opener prior to Thanksgiving is considered a very g

See how you did on the quiz

2009-11-09T07:09:45+00:00

1. John Bassett will be moving to the Yakima Valley to take the job of A) Heritage University president 2. In his new job, John Bassett will succeed B) Sister Kathleen Ross 3. A pretend "cruise" for elderly residents at a long-term care center is an exa

Tamales mix tradition with fun

2009-11-09T07:08:21+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Esther Raab doesn't want the younger ones to lose touch with their roots. So, as they knead masa with their bare hands in large, stainless steel mixing bowls, she tells them, "Really get in there, girls." She wants them to continue a tr

Wednesday events will honor US military

2009-11-09T07:05:24+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Marines and soldiers will carry banners recognizing their fallen comrades, including several from the Yakima Valley, in the city's Veterans Day parade on Wednesday. Organizers say it is the first time the banners have been presented in t

11/09/09 Senior Lunch Menus

2009-11-09T07:04:47+00:00

Older American Nutrition Program (Call 574-2200 the day before by 3:30 p.m. to register for lunch.) Today: Liver and onions, mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh fruit combo mix, cookie. Tuesday: German sausage, sauerkraut, chantilly potatoes, grapes, pud

A witness to disaster at the Nile landslide

2009-11-09T07:03:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Steve Smith will never forget the sound. Standing behind his house at the bottom of a steep slope, he heard muffled thunder and cracking in the hillside. About 11 a.m. that Saturday morning, he returned from teaching a volunteer firefight

11/09/09 In Basket

2009-11-09T06:58:52+00:00

Agriculture The Yakima County Farm Bureau has elected officers and board members for the 2009-2010 year. Officers are Gene Jenkins, president; Sue Olson, Gail Thorton and Bob St. Hilaire, vice presidents; Heinz Humann, treasurer; and Steve George, secreta

Shop Talk: Holiday shopping season starts ramping up

2009-11-09T06:58:00+00:00

With Halloween behind us and holiday shopping in its early stages, things seem pretty calm around here. I have a few fun tidbits for you today, but things will surely be picking up on Shop Talk as we get into the full swing of holiday shopping. New Yak

Get ready for driving on winter roads

2009-11-09T06:58:00+00:00

Being prepared means more than winter tires -- and many drivers fail to plan ahead YAKIMA, Wash. -- Loel Helmick wants to make sure his cars will start, run and stop no matter what the weather. The 67-year-old retired forklift operator already has taken

Chinook, Cayuse passes both closed for winter

2009-11-09T00:08:00+00:00

East Valley attic fire controlled quickly

2009-11-08T23:58:00+00:00

Two airlifted to Seattle hospital after accident north of Sunnyside

2009-11-08T18:20:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Two people were airlifted to a Seattle hospital after a pickup and van collided Saturday evening about 10 miles north of Sunnyside on State Route 241.

Latest review calls for closing Ahtanum View Corrections Center

2009-11-08T17:44:00+00:00

A consulting group hired to find ways to slash costs in the state's prison system released its final report last week.

Deputies say chase reached speeds up to 100 mph

2009-11-08T17:37:00+00:00

TOPPENISH, Wash. -- Authorities say a driver who had been ingesting drugs led Yakima County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase that reached up to 100 mph early Sunday morning.

The paraeducator dilemma

2009-11-08T07:43:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- They didn't stay long, streaming out of the board room shortly after the meeting started, leaving a sea of empty seats. While they were there, though, they held up their arms, straight and strong, making a state

How well did you read last week's YH-R?

2009-11-08T07:15:53+00:00

Herald-Republic*weekly news quiz 1. John Bassett will be moving to the Yakima Valley to take the job of A) Heritage University president B) Sunnyside city manager C) YVCC's Grandview campus administrator D) Yakima Herald-Republic editor 2. In his new jo

Sunnyside jail escapee caught after three years

2009-11-08T06:37:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A gang member who escaped from the Sunnyside jail three years ago and was among the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitives is back in the United States after being caught in Mexico. Aaron Lopez Garcia, 31, was arrested Friday night in Ma

Wilson Building has an old look, but a new life

2009-11-08T06:34:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Scott Irons liked what he saw Friday as he watched the Wilson Building shed its skin. Not that he was surprised. Due to age and neglect, the 107-year-old building has been regarded for years as one of downtown Yakima's biggest eyesores. N

City spends $16,000 defending Ensey

2009-11-08T06:31:04+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- An unsuccessful recall effort targeting Yakima City Councilman Rick Ensey will cost taxpayers $16,400 in legal fees, according to Ensey. A week ago, he predicted the bill would be nowhere near that amount. He made those comments in respon

Keeping weight off the bigger challenge

2009-11-08T06:29:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Competitors in a weight-loss competition between Yakima and Yuma, Ariz., are trimming down, but will they keep the pounds off once the eight-week contest is over? About 90 percent of people in such contests return to the way they were bef

Chinook Pass closed due to heavy snow, avalanche danger

2009-11-08T00:17:00+00:00

The state Department of Transportation closed Chinook Pass due to heavy snow and avalanche danger Saturday morning. It could be a temporary closure. "We've got crews up there now using snowplows and snowblowers to try and keep the road open," DOT spokes

Grandview woman killed in I-82 head-on collision

2009-11-07T21:46:00+00:00

PROSSER, Wash. - A 20-year-old Grandview woman was killed in an accident on Interstate 82 near Prosser early this morning when a pickup crossed over into the wrong lane of traffic and drove into her car.

Toppenish man driving in wrong lane killed in crash

2009-11-07T17:06:00+00:00

A 21-year-old Toppenish man was killed about 1:30 this morning when his car, which was traveling in the wrong lane, struck another vehicle head-on on VanBelle Road one-half mile east of Granger, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Forum will focus on developmental disabilities

2009-11-07T07:12:24+00:00

Forum set on developmental disabilities YAKIMA -- A legislative forum on developmental disabilities will be held Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the EPIC campus, 701 Superior Lane in Yakima. Legislators from the 13th, 14th and 15th districts will be on hand to

Friendly 'surgeons' will mend dolls, stuffed animals

2009-11-07T07:11:39+00:00

'Surgeons' mend dolls, stuffed animals SUNNYSIDE -- Nurses at Sunnyside Community Hospital plan to take care of all kinds of injuries on Tuesday, even those that require imagination. A group of nurses plans to help perform minor "surgery" on ripped, torn

Toys for Tots collection begins

2009-11-07T07:10:29+00:00

Toys for Tots collection begins YAKIMA -- The annual Toys for Tots campaign kicked off Friday in Yakima, with organizers taking donations and applications through Nov. 17. This is the 63rd annual collection for needy children by the Marine Corps Reserve.

Mattawa man injured in rollover

2009-11-07T07:09:31+00:00

Mattawa man injured in rollover A Mattawa man was taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital with a leg injury after a rollover accident Friday afternoon. The accident took place about 3 p.m. about a mile and a half south of Mattawa on State Route 243. Eus

Memorial held for slain Seattle officer

2009-11-07T07:09:00+00:00

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Timothy Brenton was a modest man, the kind of guy who would shrug off praise by cracking a joke. He also was an excellent police officer -- intelligent, tough, dedicated -- but a terrible driver, often driving the wrong direction while c

State agencies sign water quality roadmap

2009-11-07T07:08:18+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Two state agencies responsible for both livestock and clean water have a new agreement they say will allow them to be more effective regulators. The Departments of Ecology and Agriculture signed the new "memorandum of understanding" on Oc

Wapato council says no to only applicant for open seat

2009-11-07T07:08:00+00:00

Empty seats on the Wapato City Council are nothing new. Last year, two of the council's seven seats remained unfilled for three months before anyone showed any interest in serving as a council member. And this year,

CWU educator really makes horse sense

2009-11-07T07:08:00+00:00

She legislates, she educates, she develops policy. And, she's pretty adept in the saddle. Ann Anderson of Ellensburg has just returned from the 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show in Fort Worth, Texas, with two prizes -- a championship finish and a si

Winter shelters for homeless need more volunteers

2009-11-07T07:06:09+00:00

Homeless shelters for winter short of volunteers yakima herald-republic YAKIMA -- More volunteers are needed to staff winter homeless shelters or they won't open on time next week, organizers said Friday. Extreme Winter Weather Shelter project director D

11/07/09 Calendar

2009-11-07T07:05:12+00:00

NOVEMBER FILIPINO HARVEST DINNER -- Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Filipino Hall, 211 W. Second St. in Wapato. Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors and $6 for children 6-10. Music and dance by local youth dance troupe Batang Wapato. Info: 509-877-4809 or 509-877-4677. YAKIMA

Some races stay tight as vote counting continues

2009-11-07T07:04:30+00:00

yakima herald-republic Another day of ballot counting Friday did little to change several tight elections across Yakima County. Some leads widened while one grew even tighter. * In Sunnyside, one City Council race is nearly neck-and-neck while another is

Police seek woman bank robber

2009-11-07T07:03:18+00:00

Woman suspect sought in bank robbery SUNNYSIDE -- An armed, masked woman robbed a bank in Sunnyside on Friday morning, according to police. The woman, described as Hispanic, 5-foot-5 and 120 to 130 pounds, entered the Banner Bank at 911 E. Edison Ave. abo

Police looking for woman they say robbed Sunnyside bank

2009-11-06T23:14:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- An armed, masked woman robbed a bank in this Lower Valley city late this morning, according to police.

11/07/09 Faith Happenings

2009-11-06T23:02:42+00:00

Faith and fitness is tonight at Yakima Athletic Club There will be a faith and fitness night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Yakima Athletic Club. The faith topic is Hebrews 12:1. This is a free event, but a donation of one pair of socks is requested. C

Old-timey tunes fill the air at Mabton Grace Brethren Church

2009-11-06T18:54:00+00:00

MABTON, Wash. -- Sooner or later, somebody had to break out "Amazing Grace." This t

Use that mountain of leaves to enrich, protect garden

2009-11-06T17:48:06+00:00

Care to take a guess of how much the leaves weigh that Yakima residents send to the Terrace Heights Landfill each fall? A hundred tons? Or maybe five times that amount? Actually, 224 tons of leaves were collected last year, and at least that amount will b

11/08/09 Volunteer Opportunities

2009-11-06T17:44:37+00:00

Here are this week's volunteer needs in the Yakima Valley: * TUTORS NEEDED: The Southeast Yakima Community Center Tutoring Program seeks adult tutors for youth in grades K-12. Tutors will provide homework assistance and basic tutorials. Training is provi

Lack of volunteers threatens plans to open homeless shelters

2009-11-06T17:07:00+00:00

AKIMA, Wash. -- More volunteers are needed to staff winter homeless shelters or they won’t open on time next week, organizers said this morning.

Motorcycle driver injured in I-82 accident in Richland

2009-11-06T16:06:00+00:00

RICHLAND, Wash. — A Prosser woman faces a negligent-driving charge after a crash late Thursday that injured a Kennewick man on Interstate 82, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Filipino-American Harvest Dinner scheduled for Sunday

2009-11-06T07:29:51+00:00

WAPATO -- Pork, chicken and spices form a main dish. Bok choy, pancit noodles and pork lichon gives substance to a soup. Salads and dessert are on hand. Welcome to the annual Harvest Dinner hosted Sunday by the Filipino-American Community of the Yakima Va

Sunnyside police on lookout for man who shot at car

2009-11-06T07:29:36+00:00

SUNNYSIDE -- Police in Sunnyside are seeking a man suspected of shooting at an occupied car on Wednesday night. The victim, who was not identified, was driving in the area of North Avenue and Victory Way when his black BMW was struck by two bullets, accor

New seven-figure license plates to be unveiled soon

2009-11-06T07:29:21+00:00

OLYMPIA -- The state's Department of Licensing has changed its plans to make new seven-character license plate configurations easier to remember. Starting this month or in early December, new license plates will have seven characters -- three letters, fol

County's $500K gang initiative passes in U.S. Senate

2009-11-06T07:22:44+00:00

YAKIMA -- The Yakima County Gang Initiative legislation worth $500,000 has passed the U.S. Senate as part of the 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill. It will be reconciled with similar legislation in the U.S. House. The initiative will

Conservatives say election was not race-based

2009-11-06T07:22:24+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Why did Sonia Rodriguez lose her seat on the Yakima City Council when the other three incumbents won by huge margins? Was it the L word? Take your pick: liberal, Latino, lawyer. Rodriguez, a family law attorney whose appointment to the C

State orders mine to stop operations at Nile landslide

2009-11-06T07:20:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Warning that any renewed operations could trigger additional landslides, the state on Thursday imposed an emergency order suspending mining at a gravel pit at the site of last month's massive landslide near Nile. The order stops Simmons

The skies are limited at Yakima airport

2009-11-06T07:20:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Last month, Horizon Air officials visited Yakima to promote its service to and from Seattle in hopes of boosting passenger levels. Local and airline officials generally agree the visit was a positive one. "I thought the meetings were ve

Judges uphold county's will to move junkyard

2009-11-06T07:15:13+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A three-judge state appeals panel has upheld Yakima County's decision to spend more than $700,000 to move Douglas Auto Wrecking from an island in the Yakima River to a site along the Yakima Valley Highway. The ruling was issued Thursday

Alleged shooters lead police on midday chase

2009-11-06T07:13:20+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Police say two California felons shot a Yakima man in the leg, then led officers on a car chase before breaking into a southeast Yakima home and threatening to kill a woman there Thursday afternoon. Within 40 minutes of the shooting, aut

Baking birthday wishes

2009-11-06T07:11:56+00:00

Local volunteers make sure all kids can enjoy a cake on their special day YAKIMA, Wash. -- When Benedicte Eades was a little girl, birthdays were a big deal. She could request whatever she wanted for dinner, and her mom always made her a tasty cake. Now

Ex-teacher found guilty on lesser rape charges

2009-11-06T07:09:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A jury found a former Wapato teacher accused of raping one of his fifth-grade students not guilty Thursday on three of five sex charges. Jesus Vega Barcenas, 28, was convicted on two counts of second-degree rape of a girl, now 14, whom h

Late vote counts offer few surprises

2009-11-06T07:07:28+00:00

Not a lot of surprises Thursday as additional votes were counted. Margins in tight races widened for an incumbent in Sunny-side and a Grandview candidate who had been behind Election Night. In Yakima, Council-woman Sonia Rodriguez showed slight gains bu

Farm Workers Clinic buys plot in Terrace Heights

2009-11-06T07:06:53+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic has purchased 3.39 acres near the new medical college in Terrace Heights with an eye toward building a new clinic in the next several years. "We decided to purchase at this time because the Temple fa

CWU president to be inaugurated today

2009-11-06T07:06:35+00:00

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Central Washington University will celebrate the inauguration of its 14th president, James Gaudino, today Nov. 6with musical perfor-mances, a historical sympo-sium, a swearing-in ceremony and several other events. Gaudino became Centr

Yakima magazine launches today

2009-11-06T07:05:18+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Local features, glossy photographs and full-color content all add up to quality, and it's coming your way. The premier issue of Yakima magazine, a new bimonthly publication, officially launches today. Published by the Yakima Herald-Repu

Former Wapato teacher found guilty on lesser charges of child rape

2009-11-05T23:27:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. - A jury found a former Wapato teacher accused of raping one of his fifth-grade students not guilty Thursday on the most severe of five sex charges.

Central Washington Artists' Exhibition breaks with tradition

2009-11-05T23:19:46+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yes, there will be traditional paintings at the Larson Gallery's 54th annual Central Washington Artists' Exhibition, but there will also be ceramic books, digitally modified photos, mixed-media sculpture and, of course,

Indoorsman-- Everything's unique, just like everything else

2009-11-05T23:13:45+00:00

I was raised a grammar and usage prescriptivist, which is sort of the grammar and usage equivalent of a colonial-era Calvinist. It is a severe, rule-bound belief system that punishes sentence-ending prepositions with canings and public humiliation in the

11/06/09 Night life

2009-11-05T23:13:00+00:00

NIGHT LIFE Blues/Jazz/Swing CASCADE WINE COMPANY. 6 tonight. Dennis Clauss. 214 W. Yakima Ave. 509- 972-2811. (Pianist and oboist.) JACK-SONS SPORTS BAR: BLUES, BREWS AND BURGERS. Thursdays (except for comedy nights). Open blues jam: 7-9 p.m. Featured b

11/06/09 Planner

2009-11-05T23:11:31+00:00

AUDITIONS "DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER." 7 p.m. Nov. 17-18. United Methodist Church, 824 Sixth St., Prosser. Roles for three men and three women. Performance planned for February. Info: Rick James, 509-521-3925, www.valleytheatercompany.org. BEL CANTO OF YAK

11/06/09 Art

2009-11-05T23:10:29+00:00

ART CONTEST YAKIMA VALLEY PET RESCUE POSTER. Celebrating pet rescue in the community. Deadline to submit art is Dec. 7. Any 2-D media welcome: painting, computer graphics, drawing, photography cartoon. All art must be donated in order to be considered (n

Kittitas gets stimulus money for waste water treatment plant

2009-11-05T23:10:00+00:00

KITTITAS, Wash. -- The city of Kittitas will receive $742,000 in federal stimulus money to improve its wastewater treatment plant.

11/06/09 Theater

2009-11-05T23:09:18+00:00

ON STAGE "ROMEO AND JULIET." 7:30 tonight and 2 p.m. Saturday. Akin Center Theatre at Melody Lane, 2610-A W. Nob Hill Blvd. Tickets: $15 adult, $12 seniors and $10 student with ID. Box office open noon-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 509-248-2787, www.akintheatr

11/06/09 Film clips

2009-11-05T23:08:50+00:00

OPENING TODAY "THE BOX" -- A dark fantasy about a young couple who receive a magical box, an offer of $1 million -- and the promise that pushing a button to ensure that million will kill someone they do not know. Starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and

11/06/09 Now on sale

2009-11-05T23:08:13+00:00

ON SALE WEDNESDAY HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 2010 WORLD TOUR. 7 p.m. Feb. 17, Yakima Valley SunDome, 1301 N. Fair Ave. Tickets $16 general admission, $24 reserved, $30 center reserved, $45 VIP and $60 for courtside. On sale 10 a.m. Wednesday through TicketsWes

11/06/09 Books

2009-11-05T23:07:25+00:00

BOOK READING/SIGNING SUSAN MARIONNEAUX LA RIVIERE. 6:30 tonight. Borders, 1700 E. Washington Ave., Union Gap. Local author will sign copies of her book, "The Brothers." Accompanied by a performance by Larry La Riviere, promoting his CD "Gator Woman." 509

11/06/09 10 Days Out

2009-11-05T23:06:39+00:00

Today * It's First Friday again in downtown Yakima, which means entertainment, drink specials and art openings at a host of different businesses. In other words, this is the night to hit the town. Highlights include $1 margaritas at Tequila's, 1 W Yakima

Two men in custody after shooting in Yakima

2009-11-05T22:18:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima police arrested two men around 1:20 p.m. today in connection with a shooting at South Second Street and East Race Street.

Police looking for man they say shot at car in Sunnyside

2009-11-05T19:48:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Police say they are seeking a man suspected of shooting at an occupied car on Wednesday night.

Yakima Valley Farm Workers buys land in Terrace Heights

2009-11-05T19:03:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic has purchased 3.39 acres near the new medical college in Terrace Heights with an eye toward building a new clinic in the next several years.

Mining suspended near Nile land slide

2009-11-05T18:59:00+00:00

NILE, Wash. — Saying any renewal of operations could cause additional landslides, the state Department of Natural Resources this morning imposed an emergency order suspending mining at the Simmons and Son Hauling gravel pit.

Yakima police to help honor fallen Seattle police officer

2009-11-05T17:27:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. — Members of the Yakima Police Department’s honor guard will participate in Friday’s memorial for a Seattle police officer killed on the job.

Leading Heritage

2009-11-05T07:31:00+00:00

TOPPENISH -- Because of his commitment to providing an education to underserved populations, John Bassett was named as Heritage University's new president on Wednesday. "John was the person who you knew there was no risk," said Paul Moulton, chairman of

Jury deliberates case of Wapato man charged with girl's rape

2009-11-05T07:22:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Jurors will resume deliberations this morning after closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of a former Wapato teacher accused of raping one of his fifth-grade students. Jesus Vega Barcenas, 28, is accused of two counts of first-degree

Meeting to offer landslide updates

2009-11-05T07:18:34+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- County and state agencies will provide updates on the Oct. 11 Nile Valley landslide at a community meeting at 6 p.m. today at the Nile Valley Community Church, 60 Bedrock Lane. Jim Hall, director of the Yakima County Office of Emergency M

Chamber will put on grant-writing workshop

2009-11-05T07:18:33+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce is holding a workshop on grant writing from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Tuesday at the chamber building at 10 N. Ninth St. Wilma Dulin, faculty director for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Yaki

'Stop Kiss' opens tonight at CWU

2009-11-05T07:18:00+00:00

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- A seriocomic modern play, "Stop Kiss," opens at Central Washington University tonight. The performance begins at 7 p.m. in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre. Additional performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday and Nov. 12 to 14, also

Wine education series offered at CWU

2009-11-05T07:17:38+00:00

ELLENSBURG -- Do you want to improve your tasting skills, increase your wine knowledge and have a good time? Then this wine education series is for you. Central Washington University is hosting a wine education series beginning Friday. The cost of the th

Union Gap facility now under Pexco name

2009-11-05T07:17:09+00:00

UNION GAP, Wash. -- A Union Gap plastic extruding facility is going under a new name as its parent company tries to unify all the services it offers under one brand. Filtrona Extrusion, which operates a facility at 2405 S. Third Ave., will now be called P

Camp Prime Time fundraiser Nov. 21

2009-11-05T07:16:54+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A dinner and auction fundraiser for Camp Prime Time will be Nov. 21 at the Yakima Convention Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the cost is $50 per person. For reservations, call 509-248 2854. Entertainment will be provided by Josh Blue, w

Ag official says budget will be focus of legislators

2009-11-05T07:12:12+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Some longstanding agricultural issues likely will resurface when the state Legislature convenes for a short, 60-day session in January. But much of the session is likely to focus on the significant budget shortfall, according to Bob Gore,

If results hold, Rodriguez will depart by end of month

2009-11-05T07:12:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima city officials confirmed Wednesday that if trends hold and City Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez loses her election bid, she'll have to give up her seat when election results are certified later this month. Updated election results Wed

New ballots turn around two races

2009-11-05T07:12:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Additional ballots counted Wednesday reversed scores in city council races in Sunnyside and Grandview, but otherwise did little to change results in most races.

Musician brings percussion, discussion about how to play marimba

2009-11-05T07:11:00+00:00

The shoemaker's son has come a long way from banging on buckets in his hometown of León, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. So long, in fact, he's in the Yakima Valley this week performing intense percussion pieces that earn standing ovations and

Former Miss Washington gears up for Nevada pageant

2009-11-05T07:10:09+00:00

Former Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto will compete for another crown in Las Vegas this weekend. Umemoto, Miss Washington 2007 and second runner-up to Miss America 2008, will be one of 15 women competing Saturday for the title of Miss

11/05/09 Lower Valley briefs

2009-11-05T07:09:00+00:00

Veterans Day program in Granger GRANGER -- Roosevelt Elementary School in Granger invites veterans and current members of the military to join students and staff for a Veterans Day program in their honor. The event will be at 1 p.m. in the school's gymnas

Shooting injures Yakima teen Tuesday night

2009-11-05T07:08:32+00:00

YAKIMA -- An 18-year-old Yakima man suffered a minor arm wound in a gang-related shooting late Tuesday, police said. Officers responded to the area of 24th and West Lincoln avenues about 11:45 p.m. to check on multiple report

Sunnyside hospital to limit H1N1 by limiting visits

2009-11-05T07:07:52+00:00

To help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu to pregnant women and babies, Sunnyside Community Hospital is restricting visits to its family birthing center. No one under age 14 and no ill visitors will be allowed in t

Visits limited at Sunnyside hospital over flu concerns

2009-11-04T18:48:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- To help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu to pregnant women and babies, Sunnyside Community Hospital is restricting visits to its family birthing center.

New Heritage University president named

2009-11-04T18:28:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- John Bassett, current president of Clark University in Worcester, Mass., has been named the new president of Heritage University in Toppenish.

Yakima man wounded in late-night shooting

2009-11-04T16:04:00+00:00

An 18-year-old Yakima man suffered a minor arm wound in a gang-related shooting late Tuesday, police said.

Hawkins easy winner in race for coroner

2009-11-04T07:50:12+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- With 75 percent of the vote, Yakima County Coroner Jack Hawkins easily won his bid to complete the four-year term of retired Coroner Maury Rice. Hawkins, 60, a former police officer and deputy sheriff, outdistanced political newcomer Meli

Scoggins, Ranta win Yakima school board spots

2009-11-04T07:50:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Jim Scoggins will get his seat back. Preliminary results in the race between the former school board member and incumbent Raymond Navarro Jr. show Scoggins taking the lead for a spot on the Yakima School District Board of Directors by

Voters overwhelmingly renew criminal justice sales tax

2009-11-04T07:45:59+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima County voters apparently liked what they saw in the way law enforcement and the courts have spent their sales tax dollars. A renewal of the three-tenths of a cent tax passed overwhelmingly Tuesday, with more than 78 percent of vot

Carey retains seat on WV school board

2009-11-04T07:44:38+00:00

Michael Carey, who won the primary election, is continuing his winning streak. Preliminary results show the incumbent will likely keep his seat on the West Valley School District Board of Directors. Carey captured 2,968 votes -- or more than 59 percent of

Republicans sweep races for Legislature

2009-11-04T07:44:18+00:00

YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC Republicans enjoyed something of a clean sweep in a handful of legislative races in Tuesday's election. The only Democratic legislator from rural Eastern Washington lost to a Republican challenger, and freshman Rep. David Taylor, R

A good night for conservatives in Yakima County

2009-11-04T07:43:59+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Incumbents are out in Sunnyside, conservatives are in on the Yakima City Council, Latino candidates fared poorly countywide against non-Latino candidates, a handful of races are way too close to call, and a candidate who withdrew more th

Hagarty coasts to win as county prosecutor

2009-11-04T07:43:34+00:00

YAKIMA -- Since his name was the only one on the ballot under Yakima county prosecutor, Jim Hagarty didn't have to worry about Election Night jitters. The incumbent had 98 percent of the 23,716 votes counted as of Tuesday night. Hagarty, 59, was appoint

Newcomer joins incumbents on Union Gap City Council

2009-11-04T07:43:00+00:00

UNION GAP -- Two incumbents and one newcomer will serve the Union Gap City Council for four-year terms. Preliminary ballot results Tuesday night showed veteran councilman Dan Vanover well ahead of opponent Delta Vincent, grabbing 62 percent of votes with

Incumbents in trouble for Sunnyside City Council

2009-11-04T07:43:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE -- Incumbents did not fare well Tuesday night. A single vote separated candidates in one City Council race, while challengers appeared to have the edge in two other races. Unofficial results late Tuesday showed challenger Jason Raines and incumb

Jimenez winning big for Toppenish City Council

2009-11-04T07:41:08+00:00

TOPPENISH -- Former councilwoman Clara Jimenez received a strong boost from voters in her comeback campaign for Toppenish City Council, while Councilman Mark Oaks, a relative newcomer, was hoping to hold onto a slight lead in his bid for a four-year term.

Election roundup

2009-11-04T07:41:00+00:00

SELAH -- Frances Harris will regain her seat on the Selah School Board after defeating Ryan Smith. With preliminary results tallied, Harris had earned 1,386, or 52 percent, of the 2,682 votes cast. Smith had 1,274 votes, or 48 percent. Smith was appointed

Reyna holds lead in race for Mabton mayor

2009-11-04T07:40:10+00:00

MABTON -- If the votes keep moving his way, Councilman Angel Reyna will be the next mayor of Mabton. Tuesday night, Reyna was holding a clear lead over convenience store owner Daniel Jun in the race to replace embattled Mayor Velva Herrera. Reyna had 79 v

Clustering group homes doesn't sit well with many at City Council

2009-11-04T07:39:30+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Although Yakima city officials said regulating the location of "clean and sober" housing is beyond their jurisdiction, that didn't keep them from getting an earful from people upset that two such group homes will sit side by side in their

Tieton to discuss budget today

2009-11-04T07:32:08+00:00

TIETON -- The Tieton City Council has scheduled a special meeting to consider whether the town's budget can absorb pay raises for several employees. Mayor Stan Hall says he didn't expect the topic to come up this late in budget talks, but today's meeting

Wilbur-Ellis Co. agrees to pay EPA fine

2009-11-04T07:31:41+00:00

YAKIMA -- The improper sale of a restricted pesticide to an uncertified buyer in Yakima was among 21 violations by the Wilbur-Ellis Co. that resulted in the California firm agreeing to pay a fine of nearly $100,000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agenc

Prosser hospital warns of possible phone scam

2009-11-04T07:31:18+00:00

PROSSER -- Prosser Memorial Hospital is warning area residents about a possible scam. The family of a Prosser resident recently complained of a phone call from a man identifying himself as a member of Prosser Ambulance. He asked for personal information i

Benton County looks to replace auditor

2009-11-04T07:30:56+00:00

PROSSER -- Republican leaders will begin this week working to replace Bobbie Gagner as Benton County auditor. Gagner plans to retire Dec. 31 after 23 years to help care for her ill mother. The Benton County Republican Central Committee will begin discussi

Ettl leads Rodriguez for spot on Yakima City Council

2009-11-04T04:13:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Radio talk-show personality Dave Ettl was victorious in his Yakima City Council bid Tuesday, the lone challenger to win four contested council races.

Heritage University to announce new president Wednesday

2009-11-04T01:51:00+00:00

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Heritage University will announce the naming of its new president on Wednesday.

Calif. firm fined for selling restricted pesticide

2009-11-03T18:10:00+00:00

SEATTLE, Wash. — The improper sale of a restricted pesticide to an uncertified buyer in Yakima was among 21 violations by the Wilbur-Ellis Company that resulted in the California firm agreeing to pay a fine of nearly $100,000, the U.S. Environmental Prote

Supporters make final election-day push

2009-11-03T17:45:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- In a last minute push for votes, supporters held placards and waved to passing motorists this morning at the corner of 40th and Summitview avenues.