Writer / Editor / Photographer
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 →
When Yakima Valley families want to do something fun in the dead of winter, where do they go? When it’s 100 degrees and too hot to go to the park, what can they do? More to the point, what is there for Yakima families to do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? The... Continue Reading →
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 writing about them is more fun than it is work. But there aren’t many small-town sports writers like me around anymore. That’s why... 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 →
