Good morning, Yakima.

The Yakima Humane Society is hosting Paws & Pages this month, where book lovers can reserve a 30-minute session to read to timid pets — it is also competing in the March Muttness fundraiser and has advanced to the Elite 8 in a contest with 60 shelters.

Emergency services responded at Yakima Valley Museum on Wednesday morning when reports of a fire scare at the 2100 block of Tieton Drive prompted crews to search the building; firefighters confirmed no damage or injuries.

During a snowy weekend, Kittitas County deputies rescued two stranded snowmobilers near Crystal Springs Sno-Park and aided an injured woman using a tracked rescue vehicle on March 16, while officials warned that winter conditions can quickly change (another group left a remote camp on their own).

World champion Irish dancers will perform A Taste of Ireland at the Capital Theatre on Apr.

29 at 7:30 p.m. This live show brings Irish music and dance traditions to local audiences and celebrates a rich cultural heritage.

A new guide lists dive bars in Lower Yakima Valley for locals and newcomers, from Union Gap's Old Town Pump Saloon to Zillah's Taqueria La Plazita, noting 21+ entry rules and affordable food + drinks.

The digest offers essential addresses and highlights relaxed local hangouts.

A mild winter with low snowpack and early pest activity challenged grain growers in our region, prompting experts along the Washington-Idaho border to recommend seed treatments for healthier crop roots.

Farmers plan to adjust methods as spring approaches.

Moxee Elementary School will conduct an emergency drill on March 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The exercise tests safety procedures with local agencies including Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Moxee Police Department, so nearby residents may hear simulated sirens.

Yakima Valley College will host its Career and Transfer Fair Monday, Apr.

6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hopf Union Building, connecting students and recent graduates with local employers for interviews and career workshops.

Yakima Valley Emergency Management warns residents to prepare for rising water levels by picking up sandbags at Roy's Ace Hardware, Steins Ace Hardware, Lowe's, and Central Pre-Mix Concrete Company in Yakima and at Sunnyside Ace Hardware and Central Pre-Mix Concrete Company in Sunnyside (check local alerts for updates).

Yakima County has restarted its flood control project in the West Valley to reroute Shaw Creek through a new 3,600-ft channel behind Cottonwood Elementary School, a change expected to remove 454 homes and 495 acres from the floodplain.

Phase one began in June 2025 and will continue until January (2027).

East Columbia Basin Irrigation District in central Washington signed agreements with seven local groups — setting up water delivery systems for over 2,800 farmers and protecting the Odessa aquifer.

The District delivered one system last year and will start two more in 2027.

Washington drivers are advised to check for five signs of fatigue before long trips & plan breaks, know their route, and avoid relying solely on caffeine.

Local safety experts say proper rest helps prevent drowsy driving risks.

Research from the University of Washington shows many Latino farmworkers still face long COVID symptoms years after infection as delayed vaccine access and high out-of-pocket costs (e.g., $120 inhalers) burden their daily work in the fields.

Local workers continue to manage these health challenges while remaining active in agricultural labor.

Costco is recalling its Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes with Glaze for possible salmonella contamination; if customers have it in their freezers (check dates Mar.

5 and Mar. 16) they should return it for a refund. Washington residents (who are not at risk) remain safe.

Jordan World Circus

5:00 – 6:30 PM — Yakima SunDome — Tickets start at $10 — Experience thrilling circus performances with family-friendly fun.