Good morning, Yakima.

Yakima's Salvation Army is seeking sponsors for Project 700, which pairs community donors with students identified by local school counselors so each child can receive a $100 allowance for winter clothing.

The agency will hold shopping days next month and is accepting new unwrapped toy donations for the annual Toys for Tots program & invites local contributions.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, community members will receive free firearm lockboxes and trigger locks with training on the triple safe storage method from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce—this event, hosted by the Yakima Health District with partners, runs concurrently with a Crime Stoppers initiative for safely disposing of personal documents and medications.

In October, local residents decorate their porches with pumpkins and LED lights—using motion sensors so the displays shine longer while sparking friendly contests on social media.

The tradition mixes old porch culture with modern flair in neighborhood streets.

Farm labor experts say that immigration enforcement is making workers scared in Central Washington—yet harvest numbers in Yakima Valley remain steady this fall.

New H-2A wage cuts and easier visa rules set to start after Oct. 2 may shift labor choices and affect local earnings—raising concerns about long-term market impacts.

Solarity Credit Union will host a free fraud prevention seminar on October 24th at 1 p.m. at Yakima Harman Center to help locals spot scams, plus an FBI agent will share expert tips to keep money safe.

Yakima City Council narrowly approved a $375,000 repair of the Naches River Bridge to help restore trolley service to Selah by summer 2026 and to counter lost revenue from COVID delays — the council will have a new five-year operating agreement prepared by December 9 to secure service through 2030.

A study released Tuesday showed that the diabetes drug empagliflozin and an insulin nasal spray safely improved memory tests and brain blood flow in seniors with early Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment — the trial involved 47 participants with an average age of 70 — and researchers plan larger studies soon. The results suggest that targeting metabolism may reduce brain injury markers and offer a promising step toward new Alzheimer’s treatments.

A study from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that almost all patients with violence injuries had legal needs like help with benefits, housing or jobs + the Recovery Legal Care program secured $1.2 million in benefits over two years.

Researchers added that they are now studying if the legal aid model can reduce re-injury rates and support patients in their recovery.

A recent study presented at The Menopause Society meeting found that nearly 82% of women said digestive problems like bloating, constipation, stomach pain and acid reflux started or got worse during menopause—nearly 600 UK women reported these issues, yet many did not receive a clear diagnosis or effective treatment. Researchers said the findings show that these symptoms need more attention and support.

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.