Yakima police ID woman found dead in abandoned house

May 21, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — An apparent homicide victim found dead in an abandoned house last week was identified Monday by Yakima police as 28-year-old Verenis Fabiola …

Yakima: Personal police cruisers will improve safety

May 21, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — City police patrol officers will each have their own cruiser under a $4.7 million plan that city officials said this morning will …

Cannes film market a bustling place

May 20, 2013

CANNES, France — Based on the first five days at the Marche du Film, commonly known among U.S. filmmakers as the Cannes Film Market, I …

PHOTOS: Music makers of the Selah Community Days parade

May 20, 2013

Jacob Haffner, right, helps Kirsten Samaniego with her Selah Viking band hat before the Selah Community Days parade Saturday morning. Nine bands, including one from …

Columbia Land Trust opens new office

May 20, 2013

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A Vancouver, Wash.-based organization dedicated to preserving land near the Columbia River has opened a new office in Hood River, Ore., in …

Power restored in Mabton, Sunnyside

May 20, 2013

MABTON — About 1,200 Pacific Power customers went without power for parts of Sunday afternoon and evening due to a power failure in Mabton and …

More doctors, staff being hired to prepare for health care law

May 20, 2013

Come October, an estimated 55,000 people in Yakima County will be eligible to start enrolling in expanded Medicaid and the state Health Benefits Exchange under …

Photos/video: Color Naches Fun Run 5K

May 20, 2013

Sunday’s Color Naches Fun Run 5K was the first run of its kind in Naches, and it drew 540 runners who were sprayed with colored …

Selah woman injured in I-82 crash

May 20, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — A Selah woman was injured Saturday night when she lost control of her SUV and it rolled onto its top on Interstate …

Photos: Tractor enthusiasts ready to run

May 19, 2013

UNION GAP, Wash. — The trips are neither far nor fast. But they are a journey back in time. As far back as the year …

Spencer Hatton: Memories of late loved ones grow peacefully next to tribute trees

May 19, 2013

On a sunny afternoon last week, I stopped by the Milky Way. I reached it after crossing a carpet of lush green grass at the …

Former Yakima man convicted in child’s death could get life

May 19, 2013

BOISE, Idaho — A 22-year-old man who was seriously injured in a 2009 house fire in Yakima is scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Boise, …

YH-R staff collects 15 awards in regional SPJ contest

May 19, 2013

The Yakima Herald-Republic won 15 awards, including three first places, in the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Northwest Excellence in Journalism competition. The winners were …

Yakima County farmland prices jump 29 percent in 3 years

May 19, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Steve Weber is looking for farmland to purchase on behalf of his clients. So, apparently, are a lot of other people. And …

Cameras show missing doctor entering Ukraine park, not leaving

May 18, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — As the search for Dr. Jay Sloop entered its fourth day in Kiev, organizers explained why volunteers focused their efforts on a …

School district balks at paying $30K for trolley

May 18, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima School District officials say they are willing to help the city’s trolley make its centennial run to Selah in June, but …

Photos: Wiley City Rodeo begins today

May 18, 2013

Butch Clark of Zillah unloads roping steers Friday that will be used in the 64th Annual Wiley City Rodeo today and Sunday in Wiley City. …

Public hearings to discuss design standards for signs, cell towers

May 18, 2013

The Yakima City Council is holding public hearings on design standards for cellphone towers and billboards at its Tuesday meeting. The council enacted six-month moratoriums …

Yakima city councilmen face crowded field

May 18, 2013

Races for the Yakima City Council heated up Friday, the final day for candidates to file for 2013 elections. Meanwhile, Union Gap saw the wife …

PHOTOS: Selah Community Days’ annual Cruz Nite

May 18, 2013

Ron Anderson drives his 1964 Volkswagen Beetle into the Selah Community Days’ annual Cruz Nite and Poker Run on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Lince …

Sunnyside to break ground on skills center

May 17, 2013

SUNNYSIDE — Like many of his welding classmates at Sunnyside High School, sophomore Manuel Bernardino sees a future in the trade. His brother and father …

Moxee driver sentenced to year in prison for drugged driving

May 18, 2013

Two years to the day, a motorist who caused an injury crash near Moxee while high on meth and marijuana was sentenced to a year …

Yakima council race gains another challenger

May 17, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — A third candidate has jumped into the race for Yakima City Council’s Position 7. Local real estate manager Enrique Jevons filed Friday …

Hot light fixture disrupts power company’s Yakima office building

May 17, 2013

TERRACE HEIGHTS, Wash. — After learning that a hot light set off a fire alarm at Pacific Power on Keys Road, roughly 30 evacuated workers …

Kittitas, Yakima county business action plan finalized

May 17, 2013

A joint Kittitas and Yakima county economic strategy that aims to boost business and jobs is close to completion. The economic development plan will come …

Valley View teacher named Ellensburg teacher of year

May 18, 2013

ELLENSBURG — Valley View Elementary School life skills teacher Peggy Kelleher entered college hoping to become a nurse and earned her first degree in high …

Mid-Columbia tea party group target in IRS debacle

May 17, 2013

KENNEWICK — The president of a Mid-Columbia tea party group said she didn’t have much regard for the Internal Revenue Service before her organization was …

VIDEO: Homicide victim found in abandoned Yakima house

May 17, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — A badly decomposed body found Wednesday night in an abandoned house was the victim of a homicide, Yakima police said Thursday. An …

Former Grandview legislator Margaret Rayburn dies

May 17, 2013

Margaret Rayburn, a longtime Grandview resident, schoolteacher and former state legislator, died Tuesday in Sunnyside. She was 86. Rayburn served five terms in the Legislature, …

Webcams let people monitor MLK underpass construction

May 17, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Work is well underway at Yakima’s Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard underpass construction site, where a 70-foot-tall drilling rig is working on …

Man who struck boys with car gets 15 months in prison

May 17, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — A motorist from Yakima who was high on drugs when he ran over two boys waiting for the school bus was sentenced …

Two challengers enter race for Yakima City Council seats

May 17, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Candidates filing for local nonpartisan races Thursday included challengers for two Yakima City Council incumbents — Bill Lover and Dave Ettl. The …

Accountant to be hired in Granger to fix money woes

May 17, 2013

GRANGER, Wash. — In an effort to remedy some problems in its finance department, Granger plans to hire a certified public accountant to routinely review …

Toppenish High student named a winner in statewide art contest

May 17, 2013

TOPPENISH — Toppenish High School senior Jonathan Navarro won a state art award for his self portrait in pencil at the 40th annual Superintendent’s High …

Photos/Video: Ring for remembrance

May 16, 2013

The honor guard of the Yakima Police Department, rings a bell during a ceremony to honor those in law enforcement who have been killed in …

State Liberty Caucus leader elected to national board

May 17, 2013

Yakima resident and state Republican Liberty Caucus chairwoman Sandi Belzer-Brendale was elected to the group’s national board in Austin, Texas, last weekend. Belzer-Brendale was a …

Fire officials urge caution when burning debris

May 17, 2013

ZILLAH — Fire officials say a brush fire they battled Wednesday is a reminder of how quickly an unextinguished pile of intentionally burning debris can …

Lower Valley Relay for Life event to start a few hours late

May 17, 2013

GRANDVIEW — This weekend’s annual Lower Valley Relay for Life will start a few hours late because of a scheduling conflict with high school sports. …

National Art Show and Auction returns to Ellensburg this weekend

May 16, 2013

When an art show is entering its 41st year, there’s rarely something not tried before, but the 41st annual National Art Show and Auction will …

McDonald’s worker sees her stolen car in drive-thru

May 17, 2013

Tri-City Herald KENNEWICK — A woman working at a Kennewick McDonald’s saw her stolen SUV in the drive-thru of the restaurant and called police, who …

Cherry crop will be smaller this year

May 16, 2013

Northwest cherry growers anticipate the 2013 crop will be well short of last year’s record. Growers and marketers from Washington, Oregon and three other states …

Community cleanup event Saturday in Terrace Heights

May 16, 2013

The Terrace Heights Improvement Association is holding a community cleanup from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. “Responsibility for our own space starts at home,” …

Retired Yakima doctor still missing in Ukraine

May 16, 2013

The search effort for a retired physician from Yakima missing in Kiev, Ukraine, is set to focus on a park in the city, searchers said …

Kaleidoscope Konnections receives grant

May 16, 2013

Pacific Power will award Kaleidoscope Konnections $2,000 from the Pacific Power Foundation at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Nob Hill Elementary School. The grant will support …

EPA fines two gas stations on Yakama reservation

May 16, 2013

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has fined two gas stations on the Yakama reservation for discharging potentially contaminated runoff water directly into the ground. According …

Study: Washington the least foul-mouthed state in the U.S.

May 16, 2013

Your mother would be proud. According to a new study, folks from Washington are less likely to use obscenities that anybody else in the country. …

Photos/Video: Lamprey returned to Yakima River basin

May 15, 2013

WHITE SWAN, Wash. — After being largely absent for nearly a half-century, an old friend of the Yakamas — the Pacific lamprey — is being …

Retired Yakima doctor goes missing during Ukraine mission trip

May 15, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Dr. Jay Sloop of Yakima has disappeared in Kiev, Ukraine, where he was on a medical mission, officials with the Seventh-day Adventist …

Former West Valley schools chief loses post in Iowa

May 15, 2013

Peter Ansingh, a former longtime superintendent of the West Valley School District, has been fired by the school district in Iowa where he worked for …

Union Gap to consider moving court services to Yakima County

May 15, 2013

UNION GAP — Union Gap city officials say they will begin negotiating with Yakima County to take over management of municipal court services. City Manager …

Yakima’s Memorial Hospital soliciting resignations

May 14, 2013

Citing financial problems and a need to fix them quickly, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital is asking an undisclosed number of employees to voluntarily resign. In …

Central Washington may see early fire season

May 14, 2013

Spot fires in Western Washington and in Oregon portend an early and potentially extended wildland fire season this year, fire officials are warning. The wildland …

Helping hands keep consignment store going

May 13, 2013

GOLDENDALE, Wash. — Aimee’s Attic, a second-hand consignment store, has always brought people together. When store owner Aimee Waddell, 45, first met with her consignors …

Health fair slated tonight in Toppenish

May 14, 2013

TOPPENISH — Walking, running and biking events highlight tonight’s community health fair. The event is from 4 to 7 p.m. at Valley View Elementary School, …

Police: Ellensburg man likely died from drug overdose

May 14, 2013

ELLENSBURG — Ellensburg police said a 28-year-old man apparently died Sunday from a drug overdose in a restroom at Kiwanis Park. The man’s body was …

Director plans to enter movie shot in Lower Yakima Valley into film festivals

May 13, 2013

It’s been almost two years since Rick Castaneda started filming his movie, Cement Suitcase, in the Lower Yakima Valley. The film wrapped up earlier this …

Grandview man’s body found near Richland

May 14, 2013

RICHLAND — The body of a missing Grandview man was found over the weekend in the Yakima River near the Wanawish Dam outside of Richland. …

Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, 73 degrees

May 13, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — It will be mostly cloudy today in the Yakima area, according to Accuweather.com. It will be breezy in the afternoon, with a …

Yakima convenience store robbed Monday

May 14, 2013

YAKIMA — A Yakima convenience store was robbed at gunpoint Monday, police said. A male suspect entered the Gateway 76 store, 1802 E. Nob Hill …

Two Prosser residents hurt in I-82 crash

May 14, 2013

RICHLAND — Two Prosser residents were hurt Sunday evening when their vehicle blew a tire and rolled into the Interstate 82 median outside of Richland, …

Gas prices in Yakima jump by double digits

May 14, 2013

YAKIMA — The average price of gasoline in Yakima increased 16.1 cents over the past week to $3.73 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. That outpaced …

Mother’s Day bittersweet for widow with newborn

May 12, 2013

SELAH — This mother’s story is impossible to tell without mentioning the father left out of the supporting role he was so excited to play. …

Heritage grad aims high after overcoming odds

May 12, 2013

TOPPENISH — As Debra Whitefoot walked Saturday with 217 other graduating students at Heritage University, she no doubt reflected on the unconventional journey that brought …

Normand Garcia: Becoming a U.S. citizen both a dream and a privilege

May 12, 2013

A little over 10 years ago, I arrived in New York on a flight from Peru. I was 25 years old, with a backpack and …

Pets of the Week: May 12, 2013

May 12, 2013

Roamie is an 8-year-old female Spaniel mix. She was found in Moxee on May 4 and is available for adoption. This senior girl is very …

Track 29 supporters rally to give it another go

May 12, 2013

A handful of business owners, customers and employees waved signs and pleaded for public support for the troubled Track 29 retail center in downtown Yakima …

Photos/Video: 2013 graduating class of PNWU doctors

May 13, 2013

The 2013 graduating class of osteopathic physicians from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences on May 11 at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, Wash. …

Photos, Video: Moments from the 2013 PNWU commencement

May 12, 2013

Scenes from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences 2013 graduating class of osteopathic physicians on May 11 at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, Wash. …

PNWU Class of 2013 has a healthy reputation

May 11, 2013

Pioneers, community leaders, collaborators, self-motivators. Movers and shakers. According to faculty and administrators, the Pacific Northwest University College of Health Sciences Class of 2013 is …

Girlfriend of missing man charged with welfare fraud

May 11, 2013

The case surrounding a Yakima man who has been missing for nearly three and a half years took an interesting turn Friday. Larry Riegel, a …

Photo: High water will keep submerged SUV in river

May 11, 2013

WAPATO, Wash. — A vehicle partially submerged in the Yakima River near Parker may have to stay there for a few weeks because of high …

Flood fears rise with temperatures on Naches River

May 11, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima County surface water staff is watching a levee along the Naches River at Rambler’s Park, northwest of Yakima, as melting snow …

Heritage commencement speaker a champion of higher ed

May 10, 2013

TOPPENISH — David Warren has given hundreds of commencement speeches in his long career as a crusader for private colleges and increased financial aid funding …

Hospital billing disparity can be sizable in Yakima, too

May 10, 2013

Yakima’s two hospitals reflect a nationwide pattern of massive disparities in billing practices, though the actual reimbursements they receive from Medicare and Medicaid are virtually …

Defendant says he concealed evidence in Goggin triple homicide

May 10, 2013

A parolee told a judge Thursday that he helped conceal evidence against Kevin Harper despite knowing Harper was the prime suspect in a West Valley …

150-plus turn out for downtown revitalization meeting

May 10, 2013

Affordable housing, green space and places to showcase events. That’s what local residents want for downtown Yakima. They offered their views Thursday night at a …

Man shot in forearm in Yakima

May 10, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima police say a man was apparently shot in the forearm late Wednesday, though the circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear. The …

Granger man dies in canal crash

May 10, 2013

MOXEE— A Granger man was killed earlier this week when his pickup plunged into a canal about three miles north of Moxee, the Washington State …

New season of Yakima Farmers Market starts Sunday

May 10, 2013

Fresh-produce lovers have plenty to look forward to this summer as the Yakima Farmers Market opens for the season Sunday. The market opens with a …

Standoff with sex offender ends peacefully in Ellensburg

May 10, 2013

ELLENSBURG — A convicted sex offender wanted for probation violations was arrested Thursday morning after an armed 17½-hour standoff, the Kittitas County sheriff said. The …

150-plus turn out for downtown revitalization meeting

May 10, 2013

Affordable housing, green space and places to showcase events. That’s what local residents want for downtown Yakima. They offered their views Thursday night at a …

Nurses’ union launches ad campaign against owner of Yakima Regional

May 10, 2013

As negotiations between Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center and its nurses’ union continue, the union has launched an ad campaign against the practices of …

Yakima burglary suspect gets drug treatment sentence

May 10, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — A 22-year-old Yakima man with a history of residential burglaries as a juvenile was convicted Wednesday of his first burglary as an …

Trolleys centennial celebration plans veer off track

May 9, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — What was supposed to be a centennial celebration for one of Yakima’s iconic attractions has dissolved into a dispute of legalities, ethics …

1st-degree murder charge to be filed in Yakima case

May 9, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Two men involved in a deadly fight Monday were not related to each other, as police initially believed. Instead, they were former …

EPIC employees likely to keep jobs under new management

May 9, 2013

More than 300 employees working for Yakima-based EPIC’s federally funded Head Start programs are expected to be rehired for their jobs with little interruption when …

Union Gap warns motorists of peacocks on the attack

May 8, 2013

The timeless struggle between man and nature has spilled into the streets of Union Gap, and nature’s got feathers. And talons. Citing increased aggression from …

Five rescued from the Cle Elum River

May 7, 2013

CLE ELUM, Wash. — Five people were rescued this weekend after their boat got stuck on rocks in the Cle Elum River, the Kittitas County …

Firewalls halt spread of Yakima apartment complex blaze

May 8, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. — Firewalls designed to prevent flames from spreading are credited with confining a fire to a single residence in a 45-unit Yakima apartment …