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 →
Just two months ago, Nana Kate’s owner Catherine Platt wasn’t sure how she was going to keep her Selah café and coffee shop open. She had already lost two-thirds of her typical revenue due to the statewide shutdown, and without being able to offer indoor seating for the foreseeable future, Platt’s business of seven years... Continue Reading →
Who could’ve imagined back in March that we might have to go an entire year without high-school sports? First, the spring season was wiped out due to COVID-19. Then came fall sports. Now we’re all collectively crossing our fingers that there will be a winter sports season. But, at this point, would you put any... Continue Reading →
Northwest fruit growers have had trouble for years finding enough workers to help them during harvest season. Across the industry, labor availability has become such a concern that many farmers are desperately searching for technological innovations that can help offset the steady decline in manpower. The situation has continued to worsen this year due to... Continue Reading →
She may be only a few years out of college, but Kady Porterfield is already commanding attention from the Northwest agricultural community. Just five years into her career in Central Washington, Porterfield has ascended to a number of key leadership positions, expanding on what she learned growing up on a ranch in Macdoel, Calif. Now,... Continue Reading →
Chris and Aubree Cherry felt like they were making a good decision last year when they moved to Selah to open a new Grocery Outlet. As the store prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary next month, the young owner-operators say moving to Selah has proven to be not only the right decision, but also the... Continue Reading →
Family-owned businesses are a staple in the Yakima Valley economy, but only a select few have been around for more than 50 years. Count Selah Trailer Camper Sales among the lucky ones. The recreational trailer sales and service provider at 518 S. First St. opened in 1965 and is still going strong today. Their secret? ... Continue Reading →
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Sports fans are going to have a lot of free time on our hands this fall. Some readers are probably getting tired of my doom-and-gloom predictions for the fall season. If you’re an optimist, I can’t say I blame you. But optimism requires a reality check once... Continue Reading →
Austin Allred enjoys being a dairyman in every way, but for him, the cows are the highlight. “Ever since high school, the biggest draw for me has been the animals,” said the owner of two Central Washington dairies, who started out raising heifers on the family farm in Royal City, Wash., in the 1990s. “I... Continue Reading →
It’s good to see sports starting to make a comeback. Players, coaches and fans have been going through some serious competition withdrawals during this quarantine spring, and we’re all ready for some live action. Over in Selah, the Yakima Valley Pepsi Pak has played about a dozen baseball games over the past two weeks against... Continue Reading →
