Good morning, Yakima.

The Sunnyside community mourned the loss of Anthony Gutierez, a junior at Sunnyside High School who died in a car accident over the weekend as the school provided counselors and the Washington State Patrol investigated the crash.

Yakima County prosecutors charged Jesus Ramiro Rodriguez, a Norteño gang member, with second-degree murder after he fatally shot Raul Rudy Macias at Chesterley Park on May 12 in front of his three children—officers recovered two firearms and set bail at $200,000.

Leland James Vijarro, 26, pleaded guilty on May 13 to assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and using a firearm when he fired at law enforcement during a February 10, 2024 standoff in Toppenish — his sentencing is set for Aug.

11.

Mike Siebol, the curator at Yakima Valley Museum, recalled his memories of the Mount St. Helens eruption as the museum featured an exhibit with artifacts from May 18, 1980.

He described the ash falling and the community’s fast cleanup—details he said can be traced at Chesterley Park—showing how residents recovered from the event.

Today, the average gas price in Yakima is $3.98 per gallon after an 11.4-cent rise in the last week, although it remains 27.9 cents lower than a year ago.

GasBuddy advises drivers to use its app—check state lines and loyalty discounts to save money on holiday travel.

Yakima County commissioners will vote today on interim acting coroner Marshall Slight, who has led the office since former coroner Jim Curtice resigned in April after a drug incident.

Two commissioners back Slight based on strong community input + his proven work ethic, while Commissioner Curtis prefers following the county GOP’s recommendation.

The National Weather Service is expected to cut overnight service at its Pendleton office that provides forecasts for Central Washington and Yakima Valley, with federal hiring freezes prompting similar cuts at other offices.

Sen. Maria Cantwell urged lifting the freeze—warning that a shortage of meteorologists may weaken local emergency services.

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.