Yakima Herald-Republic Weekly News

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

2009-11-06T18:54:13+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.

Photo: Peeling back time

2009-11-03T07:56:00+00:00

I-82 repairs due today, Wednesday near Yakima

2009-11-03T07:53:38+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The left lane of eastbound Interstate 82 near the North First Street exit will be closed today for repair work. Maintenance crews will shut the lane between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to repair a damaged median guardrail, according to a news re

Repairs on I-90 westbound this week near Cle Elum

2009-11-03T07:53:00+00:00

CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Heading to Seattle today, Wednesday or Thursday? Be prepared for delays near Cle Elum. Westbound traffic along Interstate 90 will be reduced to one lane near the Washington State Patrol weigh station while crews repair sensors there, ac

11/03/09 Facts and Records

2009-11-03T07:53:00+00:00

Bankruptcies Chapter 7 Sean Christopher Elliott, Cle Elum. Case No. 09-05710. Oct. 13, 2009. Assets $279,102, liabilities $289,712. Guadalupe Casares and Estela Casares, Yakima. Case No. 09-05717. Oct. 13, 2009. Assets $147,483, liabilities $160,612. Flor

Yakima hospitals start flu restrictions

2009-11-03T07:52:52+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Flu restrictions went into effect Monday at both Yakima hospitals. Patients will be allowed only two visitors at a time. They must be healthy and over age 14, according to standards announced by Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and Yakima

Davis sets four-ton goal for recycle-a-thon

2009-11-03T07:52:29+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Start collecting those cans. Davis High School is holding a recycle-a-thon Nov. 14. And the goal is to collect more than four tons of recycles in three hours. So now's the time to be saving newspapers, magazines, phonebooks, cardboard, cl

Grandview residents could face utility rate boosts

2009-11-03T07:52:00+00:00

GRANDVIEW, Wash. -- Residents of this Lower Valley city may see higher utility bills next year. City Administrator Scott Staples is suggesting in the proposed 2010 budget an increase on water, sewer and irrigation services that would cost a typical reside

District sends intent to fire teacher facing sex charge

2009-11-03T07:51:00+00:00

The East Valley School District sent a letter to physical education teacher Michele Taylor on Monday saying there is "probable cause" to terminate her. Taylor, 31, is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student last spring. She has been on paid

Firm has edge on winning rail line lease

2009-11-03T07:51:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- It appears a new firm will be selected to operate the 22-mile Toppenish to White Swan rail line, the subject of a controversial tug of war when the current lease was granted four years ago. Two firms, including the current operator, have

Suspect in shooting death turns self in

2009-11-03T07:49:20+00:00

The main suspect in the shooting death of a 16-year-old Wapato boy last year is in custody. Delfino Juan Benson, 19, surrendered Friday at the Puyallup Police Department, according to a news release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's det

County pushes for state, national disaster decrees

2009-11-03T07:49:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima County commissioners are asking Gov. Chris Gregoire to declare the county a disaster area in light of the massive State Route 410 landslide that closed the highway and dammed the Naches River. In a letter e-mailed to the governor's

Sunnyside eyes more officers, utility rate hikes

2009-11-03T07:48:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Utility rates would increase and the city would hire three new police officers under the proposed 2010 budget City Council members saw for the first time Monday night. Interim City Manager Jim Bridges presented a formal proposed budget

Sunnyside IDs eluding suspect

2009-11-03T07:48:00+00:00

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Police are still looking for the man suspected of leading officers on a wild, high-speed car chase late Thursday. Police say Augustine Jaime Avalos fled a routine traffic stop about 11 p.m. near the 800 block of Fourth Street. The driv

11/03/09 Photo Journal

2009-11-03T07:47:00+00:00

Controlled burn sparks notice of air-quality violation in Yakima County

2009-11-03T07:44:00+00:00

The Forest Service is in trouble for a controlled burn that filled the Yakima Valley with thick smoke for five hours in late September. The 2,000-acre burn in the Bethel Ridge area west of Yakima violated state clean air laws, according to the Yakima Reg

Help wanted: court interpreters in Yakima County

2009-11-03T07:44:00+00:00

Dora Ornelas has just spent an hour interpreting for mental health patients at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, and she's already late for her next assignment. Court starts at 9 a.m. in Yakima County's jail basement, but Spanish-speaking defendants will

More delays expected on Interstate 90

2009-11-03T01:40:00+00:00

CLE ELUM -- Heading to Seattle Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? Be prepared for delays near Cle Elum.

Flu restrictions in effect at Yakima hospitals

2009-11-02T18:31:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. — Flu restrictions go into effect today at both Yakima hospitals.

Main suspect in Wapato killing in custody

2009-11-02T16:20:00+00:00

The main suspect in the shooting death of a 16-year-old Wapato boy last year is in custody.

Acclaimed author to sign books Saturday

2009-11-02T07:28:51+00:00

YAKIMA -- It will be a little like a homecoming at the Bethel Nazarene Church bazaar on Saturday. Author Wanda Brunstetter, who has sold more than four million books, many Amish-themed novels, will sell and sign her books during the bazaar, from 8 a.m. t

Studded tires now legal in Washington

2009-11-02T07:27:49+00:00

Now that it's November, it's legal to drive with studded tires on vehicles. The tires may be used through March 31. Also during this period, commercial drivers with rigs weighing more than 10,000 pounds must carry chains. The Washington State Patrol wil

How'd you fare on this week's quiz?

2009-11-02T07:24:50+00:00

1. What are these girls doing? A) participating in a lacrosse clinic 2. Domestic sheep that graze on national forest land must be kept apart from bighorn sheep to prevent the spread of A) bacterial parasites such as pasteurella 3. Yakima Valley Memoria

Hospice group to host grief workshops

2009-11-02T07:24:18+00:00

SUNNYSIDE -- Lower Valley Hospice is planning workshops that help people face holidays after the death of a loved one. The annual series is called "Grief and the Holidays." The workshop will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at United Christian Church, 317 S.

Sign regulations to be discussed in Prosser

2009-11-02T07:19:25+00:00

PROSSER -- Downtown business owners here will hold a meeting Tuesday to discuss sign regulations. The meeting will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Benton PUD conference room, 250 Gap Road. The Prosser Historic Downtown Association and City Hall are consider

11/02/09 In Basket

2009-11-02T07:18:35+00:00

Entrepreneurship Jan Seago has been named a 2009 Purpose Prize fellow. She was one of 46 people nationwide selected for the honor, which is given to social entrepreneurs older than 60 who are using their experience and passion to take on society's biggest

11/02/09 Senior Lunch Menus

2009-11-02T07:16:21+00:00

Older American Nutrition Program (Call 574-2200 the day before by 3:30 p.m. to register for lunch.) Today: Hamburger beef gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, tropical fruits, muffin. Tuesday: Chicken a la king, biscuits, peas, peaches, cookie. Wednesday: Baked

Shop Talk: Don't believe everything you see on site plan

2009-11-02T07:00:25+00:00

Yakima Valley shoppers want more retail. On the Shop Talk blog, posts about new stores coming to the Valley usually garner the most comments. And readers are eager to share rumors they hear about stores that might be heading this way. Last week, one Sho

The new Nile: a new road and river channel

2009-11-02T06:30:00+00:00

NILE -- Nothing is as it was just three weeks ago along this stretch of Nile Road. Certainly not State Route 410 or the Naches River. And not for people like Boyd Brown and Barb Milligan, whose lives have been change

West Valley High students spreading out

2009-11-02T06:28:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Two months have passed since the new West Valley High School opened its doors, just in time for the start of the school year. By now, students and staff alike have learned to find their way around the 240,338-square-foot

Selecting a nursing home

2009-11-02T05:56:00+00:00

Creativity can make a world of difference for dementia patients YAKIMA, Wash. -- Picking a long-term care facility for an elderly parent or relative is a complicated consumer project, experts say. While there's plenty of advice and information to help w

Man airlifted after shooting himself in leg

2009-11-01T18:19:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A 68 year-old man from Colfax, Wash. was injured in a hunting accident Saturday morning, according to a news release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

Teen recovering after gang-related shooting

2009-11-01T17:54:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- An 18 year-old male was treated at a local hospital after begin shot late Saturday, according to a Yakima Police Department news release.

Man arrested after allegedly stabbing girlfriend

2009-11-01T17:39:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima police responded to the report of a stabbing victim at about 7 p.m. Saturday.

One of the world's largest solar projects is planned near Cle Elum

2009-11-01T04:58:00+00:00

CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Coal -- one of the dirtiest sources of energy around -- was once king in this Upper Kittitas County town. Now the vision is cleaner and greener because of a massive solar installation proposed for 580 acres of logged timberland about fo

A detailed look at Yakima City Council candidates' fundraising

2009-11-01T04:51:00+00:00

Yakima City Council campaign fundraising totals as of Friday

Seeing double trouble with second group home next door

2009-11-01T04:10:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. - Having one group home in the neighborhood was bad enough, says Alex Santillanes. Now he's got two, side by side. "It's like, when's the third one coming?" says Santillanes, a well known gang intervention consultant

Fundraising edge no assurance of success in council races

2009-11-01T04:08:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. - Yakima City Council candidate Dave Ettl started out his campaign saying he'd try to get elected without spending money, but things have changed since then. The local radio

Recent war veterans connect with services at Stand Down

2009-11-01T04:07:00+00:00

YAKIMA, Wash. - John Tate Jr. counts himself lucky.

Photo: Trek'n'Treat

2009-11-01T04:05:53+00:00

ANDY SAWYER/Yakima Herald-Republic Trek 'n' Treat Isaac Jensen, 5, left, followed by his mom, Diaun Jensen, heads down the course Saturday during the first Trek 'n' Treat costume run at Selah Junior High School on Halloween. More than 30 children -- some

Check your knowledge of this week's local news

2009-11-01T04:03:48+00:00

Herald-Republic weekly news quiz 1. What are these girls doing? A) participating in a lacrosse clinic B) preparing to go trick-or-treating C) auditioning to be on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" D) trying out their new 3D glasses 2. Domestic sh