Good morning, Yakima.

Selah Community Days 2026 kicks off May 14 at the Selah Civic Center with the Young Life Community Dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. — a carnival opens at Wixson Park, followed by Friday’s 28th annual potato feed and Saturday’s grand parade at 10:00 a.m., honoring America’s 250th birthday.

Safe Yakima Valley will host a community fun run and walk on Saturday in Yakima.

The event will offer local residents a chance to get active + enjoy a safe, outdoor experience that brings neighbors together.

Yakima Humane Society invites locals to walk shelter dogs during lunch breaks and free afternoons to boost mood and give the dogs fresh air.

Volunteers can contact the society to learn about fostering or adoption opportunities.

The Yakima Fire Department responded to a fire on the 200 block of Union Street just before 9:00 p.m. today that burned two occupied outbuildings, a manufactured home and a large tree with no injuries; crews quickly controlled the blaze and are investigating its cause.

Los Chicaquiles is set to transform the long-standing El Mirador Express (418 W Walnut Ave) into a Mexican brunch spot while keeping its original front door.

The new restaurant will open soon as the business license remains active until the end of October.

Gasoline prices in Yakima surged to $5.43 per gallon this week after a 13.8-cent increase, with GasBuddy data — showing no relief as cheaper options remain at Ahtanum Fuel Stop and Wheeler’s Kountry Korner.

Analysts warn that rising oil prices may push costs even higher soon.

Childcare providers and supporters rallied at Larson Park last Monday, May 11 to urge lawmakers to invest in universal childcare during Day Without Child Care.

The group said rising costs and wage concerns risk closing centers — prompting calls for new funding measures to secure affordable care for families.

Naches Valley Middle School saw improved student behavior and engagement after a strict cellphone policy kept phones in lockers from first bell to last, with teachers noting more face-to-face talk (better focus and less bullying) during lunch.

The City of Zillah is upgrading its wastewater treatment plant today to modernize waste processing by turning byproducts into drier, stable material for agriculture+ the project will also boost worker safety and reduce long-term maintenance challenges.

On April 30, a USDA grain inspector spotted a yellow-legged hornet at the Port of Vancouver — officials set traps to check for additional hornets that may harm local honeybee populations.

Experts say any sighting highlights a risk to the ecosystem.

Firefighters battled a large grass fire near Highway 24 east of Mattawa on Sunday night — heavy winds pushed flames to 2,200 acres by Monday morning.

Additional crews and air support were brought in to contain the blaze, the first wildfire of the season.

The BLM and U.S. Wildland Fire Service will enforce fire restrictions on BLM-managed land in Oregon and Washington beginning May 14 to cut wildfire risk amid warmer, drier conditions; the rules ban fireworks and sky lanterns, and violations can carry fines or jail time.

MultiCare facilities in Yakima are now out of network for Regence commercial insurance patients after contract talks stalled over reimbursement rates; some patients will receive a 90-day continuity of care period (through Aug.

9) to complete their treatment without interruption. The parties remain committed to future negotiations.

Utz Quality Foods is recalling several chip flavors with best-by dates in July or August 2026 due to a potential Salmonella risk from a seasoning ingredient so Yakima residents should check their pantries and call Utz for a refund.