Good morning, Yakima.

Sort 4 the Cause holds a three-day ranch sorting fundraiser at Specks Arena today that will add $169,000 to its $831,000 total so it can reach $1 million in donations for local charities Children’s Wishes and Dreams, Wellness House & Heartlinks Hospice and Palliative Care.

The fundraiser also features silent and live auctions with local vendors and free parking.

Jammin' Java is open in Yakima near Wray's Market where locals can enjoy coffee drinks, cake pops, pastries, bagels, muffins, and cookies in a cozy space for takeaway or dining in—this new shop offers a fresh option for community coffee lovers.

Owner Norma Garcia opened the Yakima Valley Business and Mail Center in downtown Toppenish at 10 S.

Toppenish Ave. in April to offer full-service mailing, shipping, office supply, and meeting space options for local businesses. The center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — its varied services fill a key need in the Lower Valley.

Yakima police, while investigating shots fired on June 1 near South Eighth and East Arlington streets, found a 45-year-old man in an apartment on La Salle Street where they discovered several pounds of marijuana, slightly more than a half-pound of cocaine, four firearms including two reported stolen, and cash—he now faces charges for drug possession with intent to deliver and unlawful firearm possession.

Yakima State Fair Park announced a series of infrastructure upgrades during a press conference that included a completed $2.7 million renovation of its RV park with improved utility connections and ADA restrooms for overnight rentals.

An additional $2 million grant will add 101 RV spaces after the Central Washington State Fair, and a $400,000 grant will fund livestock barn roof repairs — measures expected to boost regional economic activity.

Toppenish High School sophomore Amir Peña won four state titles in May after a 2019 accident left him with a broken wrist and paralysis.

He says his haters push him to do better and he aims to break records and reach the Paralympics—goals that show his hard work.

Yakima City Council discussed one-time levy increases to cover a $9 million shortfall in the 2026 general fund and reviewed options such as raising property taxes for public safety and parks programs—any increase will need voter approval.

The council must decide on a strategy by the first week of July so the proposal can go on the November ballot.

Researchers found that changes in mouth and gut bacteria are linked to memory problems and dementia in Parkinson’s patients.

They studied 114 people and saw that harmful bacteria moving from the mouth to the gut may worsen symptoms — future research will check if better oral care and diet can help manage the disease.

A study published in Radiology showed that CT colonography significantly reduced colon cancer cases by 70% to 75% more than stool DNA tests and was also more cost-effective.

The research used simulation data from the CDC and suggests CT scans are a strong screening option for those avoiding colonoscopy — a finding that may influence future screening choices.