Good morning, Yakima.

Today, a YVC pottery sale runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Palmer Martin Hall (corner of Nob Hill Blvd and 16th Ave).

The weekend also offers a Candlelight Ball Friday at The Crown Ballroom, Santa’s meet-and-greet Saturday at Valley Mall, and a quiet Silent Santa session Sunday for families with sensory sensitivities, plus a rock and mineral auction in Selah (viewing begins at 6 p.m.), a Friday banjo show at Yakima East, holiday markets at Tieton Cider Works, and a kids’ play event at Jumpers Club House.

Shoppers will face higher prices for smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets in 2026 as chip makers deliberately keep memory chip supply tight—aiming to avoid price drops—and AI data centers fuel rising demand for DRAM and NAND, industry experts stated.

Grocery prices have risen 2.7% this year and are 30% higher than five years ago—putting pressure on local family budgets.

USDA forecasts food costs will increase 2-3% in 2026 and experts urge residents to plan meals and buy in bulk to manage expenses.

On Tuesday, the Yakima School Board voted to put a $200 million bond on the April ballot to fund improvements at Hoover and Garfield Elementary and upgrade playgrounds and HVAC systems — the measure is the first YSD capital effort since 2010 and will need a super majority to pass.

The Yakima Basin had three straight years of drought—water reservoirs now hold about 52% of their usual supply and state experts warn a fourth dry year is possible.

Local residents are encouraged to use low-water practices now as state officials monitor conditions for spring and summer.

Authorities announced the Bateman Island causeway—a nearly 100-year-old path connecting the Tri-Cities—will close as early as next month after the U.S. Army Corps awarded a $1.2 million contract to Pipkin Inc. to restore salmon migration and river health; the project—a collaboration with the state—will manage sediment during removal to improve the local ecosystem.

Researchers found that eating disorders raise the risk of serious problems like heart failure, liver and kidney issues, broken bones, diabetes, and depression.

The study compared more than 24,700 patients with nearly 500,000 others and showed that the highest risks occur in the first year and remain high in later years—indicating a need for careful, ongoing monitoring.

After her trusted doctor left for a concierge practice, Susie Felber did more research following a health crisis and learned that this care model offers greater access to the doctor for an annual fee.

Concierge care typically charges a fee (about $2,000 to $5,000 a year) for longer visits and direct communication but does not cover all health costs.

Greystar, the nation’s largest landlord, reached a $7 million settlement with nine states over its rent-setting algorithm that officials said drove up housing costs – it agreed to stop using the disputed software as part of legal action filed Tuesday in a North Carolina federal court.

Beef Counts Mobile Market - Yakima

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — State Fair Park — Registration required — Drive-thru beef distribution serving pre-registered families in Yakima.

Dancing Sky Painting Event

6-8 p.m. — Hoops — Tickets required — Enjoy food and drinks while painting to your favorite 80’s & 90’s tunes.