A new mural is being planned for the City of Murals this fall, and anyone familiar with the decades-old collection will be familiar with the artist. Kennewick painter Don Brown, who has been involved in numerous Toppenish mural projects over the years, is currently working on a concept that will appear on the exterior of... Continue Reading →
Ever since high school, Levi Brewer — aka Leviticuss — has wanted to make a career out of making music. The 2010 Selah High graduate and independent music production company owner has been steadily building his brand over the past decade. Now, he is starting to see a return on his investment. “I have a... Continue Reading →
This time last year, the owners of Fiddle’s Coffee House in Wapato were admittedly a little spooked by the uncertain future brought on by COVID-19. Fidel Negrete and Efren Martinez had just opened the shop off West First Street and U.S. Highway 97 in November 2019 and they didn’t know how their business was going... Continue Reading →
Mark it down: There will be a Toppenish Rodeo this year. After COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 85-year tradition in 2020, all signs point toward a return of the city’s signature event July 2-3. “We absolutely plan on having a rodeo this year,” board President Randy Cobb said. “There are still a few hoops... Continue Reading →
The Selah Fire Department has undergone some major changes in 2021. But unless you have stopped by the station in the past few months, you may not be aware that there’s a new chief in town. Jim Lange, the former deputy chief, has been managing day-to-day operations at SFD since January and will officially take... Continue Reading →
Anyone wondering what’s been happening with the Toppenish Mural Society board of directors now has an answer. After nearly one year away due to COVID-19, the board convened its first formal meeting of 2021 on Thursday, Feb. 19. Now, the group has more clarity about how to proceed as it tries to rebuild community interest... Continue Reading →
The availability of medical services in Selah has increased significantly this fall with the arrival of the Best Practices Healthcare Center off East Goodlander Road. A multi-specialty family medical clinic opened Nov. 2 on one side of the former Astria Health clinic at 715 N. Park Drive — which closed earlier this year — and... Continue Reading →
If you see a guy with a pink beard cruising down the highway on a Harley this fall, don’t be surprised. For the third year in a row, D.J. Blankenship of Konnowac Pass will be dying his white beard pink throughout the month of October to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Three years... Continue Reading →
Members of the Selah community are still trying to find their bearings after a catastrophic wildfire began raging in the Wenas Valley on Aug. 31. In just 10 days’ time, the Evans Canyon Fire consumed about 76,000 acres and destroyed six homes and six outbuildings. Driven by high winds and tinder-dry conditions, the fire forced... Continue Reading →
When K-12 classes abruptly ended in mid-March due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, few educators in Washington had any idea what might lay ahead. A statewide stay-at-home order came next, followed by a full cancellation of in-person instruction on April 6. Some school districts around the state struggled early on to react... Continue Reading →
The past month has been a trying time for every city and small town in America. Statewide stay-at-home orders due to the novel coronavirus outbreak have prevented people from patronizing local businesses, prompting some difficult decisions about the future. Many small business owners in the Yakima Valley aren’t sure if they are going to make... Continue Reading →
Karate changed Andy Franz’s life. Now, the owner of Goju-Ryu Karate in Selah is using the ancient martial art to change the lives of people around the Yakima Valley. Franz and his eight volunteer instructors work with children and adults five evenings a week at 103 E. Naches Ave., teaching them how to be more... Continue Reading →
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was updated and republished in July 2021. ••••• Sports reporting is something I’ve always enjoyed. Covering events, writing features, talking to athletes and coaches — it’s a great job if you can get it. Honestly, following high school teams and reporting on them is more fun than it is work. Hanging... Continue Reading →
Jamin Mohler is well versed in all areas of the funeral home business. From embalming to cremation to working with bereaved families, the owner of Brookside Funeral Home in Moxee has done — and seen — it all. In fact, Mohler has seen enough of what goes on behind the scenes in the industry that... Continue Reading →
Jim Hausske can trace his love for photography back to when he was just a little tyke, growing up in south Seattle. Starting about age 5, he would bring his Kodak Brownie camera down to Lake Washington every summer to take photos of the hydroplane races. As time went on, he picked up a few... Continue Reading →
“You can keep your pencils.” In a way, the origin of Styles For Students can be traced back to that comment made by local barber J.D. Mares. The Yakima School District’s incentive program for high schoolers began last year as a way to reward students for good attendance, grades and citizenship. But until Mares and... Continue Reading →
Originally published in August 2017 •••••• OK fine, I admit it. I’m a small-town guy. It has taken me about 16 years — my whole newspaper career — to accept this reality. But the longer I spend away from the big city, the less I want to return. Just give me an occasional weekend visit... Continue Reading →
