Good morning, Yakima.

A single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning on River Road left one person dead and three injured when a 2016 Infiniti Q50 entered a construction zone near 34th Avenue and rolled several times—authorities are investigating if speed was a factor.

A teenager who admitted being addicted to speed totaled two cars before fatally crashing a minivan at 112 mph — killing a driver and three children — and last month he was sentenced to over 17 years in prison with a condition that his car must have a speed-limiter as lawmakers plan to require such devices soon.

Downtown Sunnyside hosted its 37th annual Cinco de Mayo festival last weekend—drawing over 25,000 people with more than 100 vendors, carnival rides, and a festive parade featuring floats, horses, and drill teams—and local organizers plan to expand the event next year.

Federal funds for the Yakima Valley Grow Your Own Consortium and the masters of mental health counseling program were discontinued on April 29, leading Heritage University and Educational Service District 105 to appeal the decision and seek new funding to support enrolled students. The programs, which had 17 social work students completing internships in May and 18 mental health counseling students set to start internships in August, were designed to address the shortage of school mental health professionals.

Rattlesnake season has started and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy advises Yakima hikers to wear long pants, gaiters, and sturdy shoes while staying on trails to avoid encounters — hikers should freeze and slowly move away if a rattlesnake is heard.

Candidates may file for office in the 2025 elections from 8 a.m. today until 5 p.m. May 9 through in-person, online, mail and email methods, with many local seats on the ballot including city councils, school boards and fire districts across the county.

The last day to withdraw is May 12 and candidate statements are due May 20—new filings will be announced daily.

Alpine Bloom Painting Event

6-8 p.m. — Mickey's Pub — Ticket required — Unleash your creativity while enjoying food and drinks at this guided painting session.

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Yakima

3 PM – 12 AM — Uptown Yakima — Ticket purchase required — Explore historic landmarks and engage in fun challenges with friends during a thrilling scavenger hunt.

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Yakima

3 PM – 12 AM — 27 N Front St, Yakima, WA — Ticket purchase required — Explore Yakima's historic sites in a fun-filled self-guided scavenger hunt.