Good morning, Yakima.

The Lynchpin Foundation is hosting an open house today from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 1200 Chesterley Drive, Suite 180 to showcase weekly clubs like Nerf League, Minecraft, LEGO, Dungeons & Dragons & resources for teens and families.

A free Veterans' Claims Clinic will be held Jan.

15 and Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yakima Convention Center (10 N. 8th St.); veterans should bring ID and a copy of their DD 214 or other proof of service.

Applications are open for Yakima County Search and Rescue academy; bring applications to the Yakima County Sheriff's Office (1822 S.

First St.) by Nov. 15. The 40 hour course teaches map and compass, field exercises, and prepares volunteers for a record number of local missions.

Beth Kalinga was named October's STCU Classroom Makeover winner and received $500 to enhance her science classroom at Kiona-Benton City Middle School, where she uses hands-on projects and her long Benton City roots to engage students.

Heritage University received a $2.5 million federal grant to build a nursing pathway for rural, first-generation and low-income students from 11 Lower Yakima Valley high schools, running Oct.

1 through Sept. 30, 2030 and funding advising, bilingual family outreach, tutoring, clinical placements and paid Nurse Tech positions.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a Benton County dairy herd tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on Monday; the herd is quarantined, sick cows are being treated, and WSDA says pasteurized milk is safe and shortages aren't expected.

Farmers should report symptoms to their veterinarian or WSDA (360-902-1878).

Benton-Franklin Health District says highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected at a Benton County dairy earlier in October; state and federal labs confirmed it, officials are monitoring exposed employees and enforcing strict biosecurity at the farm, and residents are urged to avoid handling sick or dead birds and report unusual livestock deaths.