Good morning, Yakima.

On Dec. 16, kids enjoyed the fifth free Story Time With Santa’s Friends event at Valley Mall featuring Buddy the Elf and Jovie (from Elf) as they listened to stories, sang, snacked, and crafted; the final session is set for next Tuesday at 11 a.m. on the mall’s upper level.

Yakima Parks and Recreation will begin building an outdoor workout gym in Chesterley Park this spring after receiving a $115,000 donation from Forbes Mercy; $50,000 will fund the gym plus the remainder will support other park programs.

Governor Bob Ferguson said heavy rains have caused record flooding with over 600 rescues so far — officials warn of more high water, mudslides, and power outages.

State and county teams plan to help residents with hotel and grocery costs as crews begin to assess the damage.

Gusts up to 60 mph are expected as a high wind warning runs from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. today, and fallen trees and power outages may occur along with a flood watch for the Yakima River — residents are invited to share any wind damage photos they see.

Today, road maintenance will reduce Pierce Avenue to one lane (between Lincoln and Martin Luther King Boulevard) and close Jefferson Avenue between Pierce and Oregon Avenues from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the same schedule set for Thursday.

Yakima Fire Capt. Jeremiah Stilley is boosting fire prevention by working with schools and community partners through his Sound Off program, which teaches students to check for working smoke alarms; he will expand the initiative next spring to help reduce risks.

A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology finds that strong relationships improve recovery for patients with heart disease.

Researchers urge including intimate partners in cardiac rehab (a collaborative approach) to boost health and quality of life.

A viewer emailed concerns about bed bugs on the 5th floor patient wards at Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec.

16, and hospital officials said they treated the area with established protocols & thorough inspections to secure patient safety.

Local health officials reported the first flu death of the season on Dec.

16 in Yakima County; the victim was over 65. They urged residents to get flu shots as tests show rising cases and stressed hand washing and staying home when sick + extra care for at risk groups.

Georgia-based Suzanna's Kitchen recalled 62,550 lb of breaded chicken on Tuesday, Dec.

16 after soy was omitted from the allergen label — restaurants nationwide have been told not to serve or keep the product.

Researchers found that risk-based breast cancer screening detects advanced cancers at a lower rate than annual mammograms, with nearly 30 cases per 100,000 person-years compared to 48 for standard screening.

The study tracked over 28,000 women until Sept. and advises that women discuss personalized screening with their doctor.

A new study from Canada shows that pregnant women who received the COVID vaccine during pregnancy were up to 36% less likely to have a preterm birth, stillbirth, or require intensive care compared to those vaccinated before pregnancy.

The research, reported Tuesday, Dec. 16, confirms vaccine safety for mothers + babies.

A new study shows that out-of-pocket spending on children’s behavioral care is growing twice as fast as other health costs, raising financial concerns for families.

Dr. Ashley Foster (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals) said increased telehealth and home health services may be driving these changes.