Good morning, Yakima.

Yakima Town Hall will host CBS Evening News host Norah O'Donnell on October 29 at 11 a.m. at the Capitol Theatre—residents can enter a contest for two free reserved seats until October 17.

Residents in Yakima are urged to use only manufacturer-approved charging cords to prevent lithium-ion battery fires during Fire Prevention Week—fire experts advise avoiding cheap cords, overcharging, and stress the importance of working smoke alarms.

Yakima’s historic trolley will offer a Halloween-themed ride on October 24-26 with games, candy, and free pumpkins for the first 100 kids from Wray’s Marketfresh IGA - the 25-minute round-trip ride runs along Pine Street and tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the Trolley Museum Gift Shop at 306 West Pine Street. This community event promises a fun, spooky experience for families.

Last Saturday, Wendy's in Union Gap held its grand opening and donated $2 for every order, raising $756 for the Yakima School District Child Nutrition Program.

It will also sponsor the Harvest Marching Band Festival on October 28 with a prize booth, giveaways, and a frosty mascot appearance.

Yakima Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Johann Strauss Jr.'s 200th birthday on October 25th at 7:30 p.m. at Capitol Theatre downtown with dancers from the Yakima School of Ballet joining the performance, and a contest to win two free seats ends on October 19th at 11:59 p.m.—winners will also enjoy an after party.

Actress Jackie Cruz spoke Wednesday at Heritage University in Yakima for a Hispanic Heritage event—she shared how early dreams in Queens and hardships like homelessness and a near-fatal car crash helped shape her career as an actor and singer.

She said her experiences inspire local Latino youth to pursue big dreams.

Del Monte Foods closed its Yakima warehouses and plant in August, leaving many employees without jobs and local pear farmers with excess crops due to a drop in demand for canned pears—apple growers may face similar challenges.

Yakima Valley College received more than $900,000 in federal grants to support first-generation and low-income students in its Upward Bound and TRIO Student Support Services programs for the 2025-26 school year.

The Upward Bound program serves 110 high school students with tutoring, test prep, and college tours while TRIO offers academic advising and mentoring to 200 college students — strengthening their access to higher education.

Incumbent council member Matt Brown and challenger Amy Forrest are running for the Yakima City Council District 6 seat, where voters will choose a four-year representative amid a projected $9 million budget deficit.

Both candidates propose different approaches—Brown favors administrative cuts to protect essential services while Forrest supports a tax levy with new revenue measures—to address the budget gap and safeguard public safety.

The U.S. FDA reported that Minnesota-based Sno Pac Foods recalled two organic frozen spinach products (including Del Mar) on Oct.

9 due to a possible Listeria risk; no illnesses have been reported and consumers should check their products and discard or return them if the lot codes match the recall list.

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.

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.

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.

Yakima Halloween Trolley

3-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Yakima Valley Trolleys — $5/person — Enjoy a spooky ride with games, treats, and free pumpkins for the first kids aboard.

Dreams and Fairy Dust Painting Event

2-4 p.m. — 5th Line Brewing — Ticketed event — Unleash your creativity with a guided painting session while enjoying the brewery's offerings.