Good morning, Yakima.

Camp Hope in Yakima provides food, showers and shelter to up to 250 unhoused residents 24/7 as winter approaches—backup tents can be set up quickly to boost capacity if needed.

The shelter also works with healthcare partners to offer medical and mental health support and is building an on-site behavioral health clinic.

C & H Hardware in Yakima, a local store operating since December 31, 1959, will close on Wednesday, November 26 at noon due to increased online shopping competition—owner Jay Fleck said the store struggled to keep up with lower online prices.

The Yakima school board approved a 20-year, $200 million bond measure to let voters decide on funding repairs and improvements, including rebuilding Hoover and Garfield elementary schools, on the April ballot.

The district expects up to $20 million in matching state funds and an estimated annual property tax increase of about $246 per home.

Yakima School District will develop a full-day summer learning program for students in grades 1 to 9 using a $200,000 planning grant from the Ballmer Summer Discovery initiative—funding that will cut summer learning loss and boost academic growth in 20 schools.

The free program is set to launch in Summer 2026.

The Washington State Department of Ecology warned that the Yakima Basin could face a fourth year of drought in 2026—if water shortages continue, it would be the longest drought in over 30 years as reservoirs sit at 52 percent since 1971.

Weather expert Cliff Mass from the University of Washington said reservoir levels are normal and refilling fast, challenging earlier reports.

Shoppers in Washington will pay higher plastic grocery bag fees starting in 2026 as fees rise from eight cents to twelve cents.

The Department of Ecology said the change aims to reduce plastic waste by urging people to use reusable bags—some have already shared mixed opinions on social media.

Yakima County library officials and the Yakima Valley Libraries board approved a three‑year contract that keeps Naches Library open with its noon to 5 p.m. hours, starting in 2026 and raising the fee to $55,704 over the period.

Naches Town Council voted on Nov. 10 and strong community support helped secure the deal—supporters say it will keep library programs and services running—while the council and a local coalition share the new cost.

Researchers found that increased use of hallucinogens such as psilocybin has not led to more emergency room visits or hospitalizations, with these drugs accounting for under 2% of substance-related cases from 2016 to 2023—decriminalization policies did not show any link to higher health risks. The study noted that alcohol and opioid use remained the main drivers of hospital admissions related to substance use.

YAKIMA, Wash. — Comprehensive Healthcare has been chosen for Washington state’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic pre-certification program to expand mental health and substance use treatment in Central Washington.

The program will launch in January and will offer 24/7 crisis support and care for everyone regardless of insurance status — officials said it will improve access to whole person care.

Medicare will set a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for Part D prescriptions starting in 2026, ending extra 5% payments after the limit is reached.

The new law—part of the Inflation Reduction Act—lets beneficiaries plan for predictable expenses, although spending will vary by plan and enrollment choices.

A list of 13 meal prep ideas has been shared to help home cooks get ready for Thanksgiving and ease the stress in the kitchen.

The recipes include simple steps and a mix of dishes (from mains to desserts) that let families enjoy the holiday without overworking in the kitchen.

A FOX41 Yakima article offers 13 no-drama dessert ideas to simplify Thanksgiving planning for local hosts.

The list shows simple recipes like Easy Apple Crisp and Pumpkin Dump Cake — each designed to bring seasonal flavor with minimal effort.

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.