Good morning, Yakima.

Yakima Parks & Recreation is hosting a free drive-thru Santa letter drop on Saturday, Dec.

13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2301 Fruitvale Blvd where kids can mail their letters and enjoy festive lights, music, decorated trucks and a visit from Mrs. Claus.

The Yakima Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop on Dec.

10 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Hilton Garden Inn to connect officers with locals and answer community questions & build trust.

The Packaging Corporation of America announced a restructuring plan at its Wallula mill that will shut down the number two paper machine (producing 140,000 tons yearly) and cut 200 jobs as part of a $205 million effort; the changes will finish in the first three months next year.

Four Yakima residents will be honored with the Humanities Washington Award tomorrow in an online ceremony including museum archivist John Baule and Heritage University historian Yesenia Navarrete Hunter.

They are recognized for contributions to public humanities that connect community stories & encourage public dialogue.

Gas prices in Yakima dropped 7.8 cents per gallon to $3.77 by Dec.

8, according to GasBuddy from 91 stations surveyed. Rates fell 17 cents from last month + remain nearly 10 cents above last year.

Construction crews are sealing the new Pace High School campus in Wapato as part of a $33 million bond project that began five months ago; the nearly 20,000 sqft facility replacing a 1930s campus will open for students in fall 2026 (featuring a full gym, updated tech and new classrooms).

On Monday, Dec. 8, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office partnered with BlueBridge Alliance to launch a program that gives officers tools to offer food, clothing + shelter to people in distress during their calls.

The initiative aims to build trust between law enforcement and the community.

A Lower Valley hop farm was ordered to pay $300,000 and change its hiring and training practices after local workers and women were reportedly misled while domestic applicants were dismissed in favor of H-2A guest workers.

The settlement requires a nondiscrimination policy (between Toppenish and Mabton).

Research reported Monday, Dec.

8 showed that TikTok videos with false claims about epilepsy received over 2.9 million views while doctor-created videos drew under 368,000 views. Experts warned that misleading information could delay proper treatment and urged patients to check any advice with their doctor.

A new study pooled data from 247 patients across seven clinical trials and found that a single 50% nitrous oxide treatment provided quick relief from depression symptoms within 24 hours — repeated doses offered longer benefits.

The American Red Cross urges donors to book appointments for blood or platelet donations from Dec.

8 to 31 to ensure a steady supply during the busy holiday season. Local sessions include events at Yakima Blood Donation Center (302 S 2nd Street).

Yakima Health District updated its Board on unlicensed pop-up vendors who breach food safety rules and noted that after 211 hours of education, noncompliance will lead to enforcement.

Officials also announced improvements in vendor education (including a new website landing page) to prepare for increased activity during upcoming events.

Researchers showed that people with depression had over twice the risk of developing epilepsy and were 40% more likely to not benefit from their first antiseizure medication, with findings released at an annual meeting (based on robust data review).

Experts recommended coordinated care between mental health and neurology.

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.