Daily
Yakima
Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
Good morning, Yakima. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 24th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ This weekend, Yakima Valley offers many events including a Sip & Snip fundraiser at DoodleVines Winery on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. to support Valley Spay and Neuter and the 36th annual Prosser Balloon Rally with hot air balloons launching at 6:30 a.m. Friday—Its Chainsaw Cat venue will host live music on Saturday with Bad Habit performing at 8 p.m. Yakima Herald-Republic
- ➤ Laura Schatler recalled her son, Captain Aaron Blanchard—who trained as a pilot in the Marine Corps and Army—before he was killed by indirect fire in Afghanistan nearly 12 years ago. She said that his determined spirit and the support of family helped her begin to heal. KIMA
- ➤ At the Central Washington State Fair in the Yakima Valley SunDome, over 115 vendor booths—featuring both returning favorites and new sellers—are set up as vendors prepare for fair day. 1280 NewsTalk KIT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Whitman Winery began building a new production facility on its vineyard in late August, and owner Scott Whitman said the steel-frame building will improve efficiency and support the winery's growth—its completion is set for December. KIMA
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Local Yakima farmworkers feel anxious as federal immigration rules change, which may reduce their work hours while more H-2A workers are hired. Local growers & labor groups are pushing for new laws to ease worker shortages and protect jobs amid this uncertainty. Yakima Herald-Republic
- ➤ Kayla Altendorf, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Public Hop Research Program, began her career in hop breeding during an environmental studies class and now develops new cultivars that improve the Yakima Valley's hop industry. Her team in Prosser released its first cultivar, Vera, after nearly 15 years of work—highlighting strong community support from local growers and brewers. Yakima Herald-Republic
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Heritage University received a grant of more than $2M from the National Science Foundation to boost rural STEM education and will start the Strengthening Rural STEM Education program on Oct 1 — offering research opportunities, summer fellowships, international research in Panama, and fully funded capstone projects — to support 20 to 35 students each year. NonStopLocal
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Firefighters are working to contain the Wildcat Fire that started on August 25 near Bumping Lake from a lightning strike—evacuation orders have remained in effect for Bumping River Road and the Goose Prairie area. Crews are repositioning sprinklers and clearing wood as warmer, drier weather may make the fire harder to control and officials warn people not to fly drones over the area. Apple Valley News Now
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ An article explains that life insurance should cover the economic value of stay-at-home parents who care for children and manage households. Financial experts advise that young families plan for about $1.5 million to $2 million in coverage to help pay for child care, house help and other expenses if a home caregiver dies — these figures come from recent studies. FOX 41
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Yakima seniors are invited to help shape future plans for the Harman Center by attending a meeting today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 101 North 65th Ave led by the Yakima Planning Commission—no formal actions will be taken while discussions aim to guide future center operations amid concerns over a property tax hike in November. 1280 NewsTalk KIT
- ➤ Starting October 1, the annual Discover Pass for state lands will cost $45 instead of $30 to help pay for park upkeep. The price hike—approved by the legislature in April and signed by the governor in May—is the first since 2011 and will bring changes to the Lifetime Disabled Veterans Pass. NonStopLocal
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Yakima Health District has launched an investigation into Mercado Los Amigos on Fruitvale Blvd after three customers fell ill from E.coli from eating store foods, and the store voluntarily closed its fresh produce and meat counters on Sep. 18. The Environmental Health team will test samples—helping to verify food safety measures before the store may reopen. KIMA
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Washington Esther Conference 2025
6 PM – 6 PM — Life Church Yakima — Separate payments required — A two-day event empowering young women to be beautifully rooted in faith and purpose.
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Warrior Run 2025
8 a.m. — Pacific Northwest University-Health Sciences — Suggested donation of $15 — Conquer a 5k obstacle course and let the kids join the fun with a modified Little Warriors run.
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LEGACY 19
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Sarg Hubbard Park — Free entry — Celebrate fitness and community at this exciting local event for all ages.
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Art in the House: Artist and Vendor Event
6:00 p.m. — Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood Association — Donations welcome — Support homeless teens by providing meal donations for Rod's House.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake - you can't learn anything from being perfect.
~ Adam Osborne
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