Good morning, Yakima.

Incumbent Jilliann Patterson, a private chef and board member from District 3, will face nonprofit assistant director Catti Alvarez-Villanueva — who brings over a decade of experience supporting first-generation and low-income students—in the Nov 4 election for the Sunnyside school board District 5 seat. Both candidates filed for mini-reporting to raise up to $7,000 as all five school board seats are on the ballot due to redistricting.

Incumbent Stephen Berg, the school board president and a supply chain manager, will face Sandra Zesati, an engagement specialist at Yakima Valley College’s Grandview campus, in the District 4 election on Nov.

4. Both candidates have chosen mini-reporting plans to keep spending below $7,000—Zesati raised nearly $2,500 while Berg has not reported contributions.

Incumbent Lisa Roberts—who served four years on the Sunnyside school board and raised $500—is running against registered nurse Raquel Isquierdo-Lopez, who raised about $3,600, for the District 2 seat on the Nov.

4 general election ballot; Roberts supports cost-saving ideas and community forums while Isquierdo-Lopez promises to spend money wisely to boost school safety.

Two large wildfires are burning over 40,000 acres each in central Washington while state cuts have slashed funding for fire prevention and response.

The Department of Natural Resources will meet with lawmakers when the governor presents his budget in December — officials worry the cuts could weaken fire-fighting efforts next season.

Yakima Police officials will hold four town hall meetings to discuss public safety in the city.

The meetings are set for Monday at 6 p.m. at Henry Beauchamp Community Center — Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and noon at Harman Center at Gailleon Park, and Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Washington Fruit Community Center.

Firing Center Road across the Interstate 82 overpass at Exit 26 will be closed to eastbound traffic during daytime hours Monday through Friday, Oct.

13-17 for repairs scheduled by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Drivers should use the eastbound off ramp at Exit 29 and then return westbound for access to the Yakima Firing Center and gas station—plan for extra travel time as flaggers direct traffic.

Tieton officials will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall at 418 Maple St. to discuss joining the Yakima Valley Libraries system—aiming to update service fees as the library system cancels longstanding contracts and considers alternatives like a bookmobile.

City leaders want public input on what option best meets the town's needs.

West Valley residents will see tax cuts after the school board unanimously voted on September 9 to use $7.5 million in extra bond funds from a 2019 bond—this extra money came from lower construction costs and a faster schedule.

The new rate will drop taxes by about $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value each year from 2026 through 2038—district officials will work with the county treasurer to process the changes.

Washington reached an agreement with Catholic priests and the Department of Justice that allows clergy to maintain the seal of confession while keeping most mandatory reporting requirements in place—an exception based on a federal injunction granted on July 18.

This change means priests will continue their confidential work without breaking their vows as the law goes into effect.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today that the modern firearm general deer hunting season opens.

Officials urged hunters to review updated protocols for chronic wasting disease prevention, check local access on federally managed lands because of the government shutdown — and be alert to wildfire conditions.

Researchers at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan found that 10-minute VR sessions with hallucinatory visuals on Oct.

10th boosted mood, creativity and thinking flexibility in 50 healthy adults. The study suggests that VR may help with mental health treatments when used in controlled settings—experts warned that VR might cause motion sickness.

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.