Yakima-Pasco News

Tri-City Herald

• Franklin County lands $1.9M grant for Road 170

  Tri-City Herald – 44 mins ago  

  PASCO -- Franklin County is one step closer to moving Road 170 away from the blanket of rubble left Full Story »

• Franklin County adopts 'bare bones' budget

  Tri-City Herald – 44 mins ago  

  PASCO -- Franklin County has adopted a 2010 budget that officials describe as "bare bones." Full Story »

• $7.4M grant to help La Clinica get new building

  Tri-City Herald – 49 mins ago  

  PASCO -- Community Health Center La Clinica officials plan to use a $7.4 million federal stimulus gr Full Story »

• Kennewick woman allowed to keep cats

  Tri-City Herald – 49 mins ago  

  KENNEWICK -- The Kennewick woman at 210 Yelm St. will get to keep all her cats, the city Board of Ad Full Story »

• W. Richland mini-mart wins national interior award

  Tri-City Herald – Thu Dec 10, 4:38 am ET  

  WEST RICHLAND -- It's always a day at the beach at Smitty's Paradise, the most tropical co Full Story »

The Daily News

• Siblings cherish long-awaited reunion with birth mother on Thanksgiving

  The Daily News – Tue Dec 8, 4:21 am ET  

  For Helen Ford, finding her birth mother four months ago was “exciting, but scary.” Full Story »

• Freezing cold prompts Kelso church to open emergency shelter

  The Daily News – Tue Dec 8, 2:54 am ET  

  Due to this week’s freezing temperatures, a Kelso church has opened an overnight shelter for the homeless, and Community House in Longview is allowing people to sleep in its lobby. Full Story »

• Wood stove blamed for Kelso house fire; officials urge caution with home heating

  The Daily News – Tue Dec 8, 2:54 am ET  

  A house fire Friday in Kelso was caused by a piping-hot wood stove, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue said. Full Story »

• Tip leads to arrest in string of burglaries

  The Daily News – Tue Dec 8, 2:53 am ET  

  Thanks to an alert citizen’s call to the Crime Stoppers tip line, Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man suspected of committing in nine burglaries and thefts in Cowlitz County. The arrest also clears at least one Clark County case, according to the sheriff’s office. Full Story »

• Longview Fibre to shut down No. 6 paper machine

  The Daily News – Tue Dec 8, 2:53 am ET  

  Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging Inc. will temporarily shut down its No. 6 paper machine in January and reassign 32 employees to other machines, company spokeswoman Sarah Taydas said Monday. Full Story »

KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities

• A Christmas wish come true for local family

  KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities – Thu Dec 10, 1:10 am ET  

  A Kennewick family had it's Christmas wish come true this year after winning a contest hosted by a local radio station Full Story »

• Winner of coats for kids school challenge announced today

  KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities – Thu Dec 10, 12:45 am ET  

  Each year local schools compete to see who can collect the most coats for the KNDU Coats for Kids Drive Full Story »

• Shop online and help a local non-profit organization

  KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities – Wed Dec 9, 9:19 pm ET  

  As you shop online for holiday gifts, you can also be helping out a local non profit charity or school, all thanks to a website called GoodShop. Full Story »

• La Clinica gets $7.5 MM in Recovery Act funding

  KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities – Wed Dec 9, 8:58 pm ET  

  They got the money after applying for recovery act funds and their funding is part of nearly six hundred million dollars given to community health centers across the country. Full Story »

• Swine flu clinics start at BF Health District

  KNDO - KNDU Tri-Cities – Wed Dec 9, 8:57 pm ET  

  Today is the first of three days the Benton Franklin Health District will be giving out free H1N1 vaccines to any person at risk. Full Story »

Yakima Herald-Republic

• 12/10/09 Lower Valley briefs

  Yakima Herald-Republic – Thu Dec 10, 3:24 am ET  

  PROSSER — Benton County has received one of six statewide historic preservation awards. The nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has picked Benton County as a recipient for the fifth annual Landmark Deeds Award for Public Service. Full Story »

• Wreath-laying event to honor US war veterans

  Yakima Herald-Republic – Thu Dec 10, 3:23 am ET  

  The community is invited to a wreath-laying event in honor of veterans Saturday morning. Full Story »

• Yakima People: West Valley grad to be recognized at WSU

  Yakima Herald-Republic – Thu Dec 10, 3:23 am ET  

  Lynnea K. Braun, a 2005 graduate of West Valley High School, was recently chosen to be highlighted in Saturday’s commencement ceremony by Washington State University’s College of Liberal Arts. Full Story »

• Family tries to rebuild after fire

  Yakima Herald-Republic – Thu Dec 10, 3:10 am ET  

  Many of us are thankful for caring friends and family, and for the good things in life we have. Unfortunately, there are all too many whose fortunes aren’t as good and whose needs are great. Full Story »

• Students take hard look at tobacco

  Yakima Herald-Republic – Thu Dec 10, 3:10 am ET  

  Zillah High School freshman Veronica Cuellar works on an advertisement poster warning of the dangers of tobacco use Wednesday druing an anti-tobacco training session at Spanish Radio KDNA. Full Story »

The Daily Record

• Group stands silent for peace at Ellensburg post office

  The Daily Record – Wed Dec 9, 4:56 pm ET  

  ELLENSBURG — These protesters were not looking for an argument. Full Story »

• Ellensburg council passes utility rate increase

  The Daily Record – Wed Dec 9, 4:56 pm ET  

  ELLENSBURG — The Ellensburg City Council passed a rate increase for gas, water and sewer utilities, as well as a fee increase for electricity Monday night. Full Story »

• 3 arrested in month-long EPD drug operation

  The Daily Record – Wed Dec 9, 4:56 pm ET  

  For THE DAILY RECORD ELLENSBURG — Three men have been arrested in relation to a month-long undercover drug operation conducted by the Ellensburg Police Department Anti-Crime Team. Full Story »

• Youth Services of Kittitas County gives kids a place to go

  The Daily Record – Wed Dec 9, 1:26 pm ET  

  (Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment in a seven-part Daily Record series looking at charitable efforts in Kittitas County during the holiday season.) Full Story »

• More Kittitas County land-use decisions coming

  The Daily Record – Wed Dec 9, 1:26 pm ET  

  KITTITAS COUNTY — Kittitas County commissioners will conduct their own round of public hearings starting 6:30 p.m. today on proposed changes to the county’s growth plan to bring it in line with state law and comply with state land-use board rulings. Full Story »

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

• Mastin to QB prison push

  Walla Walla Union-Bulletin – Wed Dec 9, 9:59 pm ET  

  Former state Rep. Dave Mastin can’t resist a sports analogy when it comes to saving jobs at the Washington State Penitentiary. Full Story »

• Budget proposal holds promise of lesser job cuts

  Walla Walla Union-Bulletin – Wed Dec 9, 6:00 pm ET  

  of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin The Washington State Penitentiary would lose a minimum of 29 full-time jobs under the no-new-tax 2010 budget proposal presented today by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Full Story »

• Resentencing ordered in child pornography case

  Walla Walla Union-Bulletin – Wed Dec 9, 6:00 pm ET  

  of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin A local man serving a lengthy sentence for possessing child pornography appears to be in line for less prison time. Full Story »

• Suspended sentence handed down in gang fight

  Walla Walla Union-Bulletin – Wed Dec 9, 5:59 pm ET  

  An apologetic Hector Gonzalez also received a stern warning from Judge Donald W. Schacht. Full Story »

• Area paintballers score a new place to shoot it out

  Walla Walla Union-Bulletin – Wed Dec 9, 5:59 pm ET  

  Splat Paintball and Outdoor Recreation Supplies has opened a new paintball field in a pasture near Touchet. Full Story »

KAPP Yakima

• Death Penalty Possible For Defendant

  KAPP Yakima – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 pm ET  

  YAKIMA -- A man facing a murder charge in the death of a Sunnyside girl may also face the death penalty. Jesus Perales is accused of killing 14 year-old Francisca Ramirez. Police say Perales stabbed Ramirez because she had planned to make rape accusations. Full Story »

• Deputy Police Chief Cleared Of "Creating Hostile Workplace"

  KAPP Yakima – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 pm ET  

  YAKIMA -- His fellow officers accused him of creating a hostile workplace. Now an inquiry clears Yakima deputy police chief Kelly Rosenow, of no-confidence allegations. Full Story »

• Two Women Hit By Car While Crossing The Street

  KAPP Yakima – Tue Dec 8, 10:50 pm ET  

  YAKIMA -- Two women are hurt after being hit by a car while crossing a Yakima street. The accident happened around seven tonight. Police say the women in their twenties, crossed Nob Hill Boulevard at Eleventh Avenue. One car stopped for them, but another didn't. Full Story »

• Block Watch Working For One Neighborhood

  KAPP Yakima – Tue Dec 8, 10:50 pm ET  

  WEST VALLEY -- Some West Valley residents are thrilled their neighborhood block watch program is working. Residents near Church Avenue formed their own block watch earlier this year. They've noticed crime going up in their area, and wanted to do something to fight back. Full Story »

• Staying Warm During Cold Weather

  KAPP Yakima – Mon Dec 7, 9:20 pm ET  

  UNION GAP -- From those who have to work in the cold, to those who help people stay warm in this weather, both can be a daunting task. As a barista for Brewlesque Espresso in Union Gap, it's Krystal Johnson's job to wear lingerie, no matter how hot or cold it is outside. Full Story »

KIMA Yakima

• Leaf Bags Could Cost You

  KIMA Yakima – Thu Dec 10, 2:39 am ET  

  Your leaf bags may earn you a fine if you leave them on the curb. Full Story »

• 20-year-old Dies After Being Hit by a Car

  KIMA Yakima – Thu Dec 10, 2:38 am ET  

  We've learned that one of the young women hit by a car Tuesday night has died. Full Story »

• Shopping Carts Still a Problem in Yakima

  KIMA Yakima – Thu Dec 10, 2:23 am ET  

  We're still seeing shopping carts left throughout Yakima even after a new ordinance, aiming to stop it, took effect. We were the first to tell you about the ordinance and now nearly a half of a year later, Action News finds out if it's working. Full Story »

• Frigid Temperatures Don't Cool Crime

  KIMA Yakima – Wed Dec 9, 10:23 pm ET  

  Winter is coming, but crime has not gone into hibernation. People don't stop breaking the law just because it gets cold, but they do move their antics indoors. Action News shows you how. Full Story »

• Website Saves Homeless Pets

  KIMA Yakima – Wed Dec 9, 9:53 pm ET  

  YAKIMA -- A website is bringing people from all over the country to adopt pets from Yakima. Full Story »

KVEW Kennewick

• "Caffeine Psychosis" Used As Defense In WSU Hit And Run

  KVEW Kennewick – Wed Dec 9, 10:12 pm ET  

  COLFAX -- The Idaho motorist charged with striking down two pedestrians on the Washington State University campus may be suffering from "caffeine psychosis." Full Story »

• West Richland Honored With Medal

  KVEW Kennewick – Wed Dec 9, 9:27 pm ET  

  WEST RICHLAND -- A West Richland police officer is awarded with the departments highest honor. Scott Oak said he was surprised after getting the Medal of Valor this week. Full Story »

• Wash. Gov. Gregoire Says Tax Hikes Needed

  KVEW Kennewick – Wed Dec 9, 1:12 pm ET  

  OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire says higher taxes will be needed to pay for health care, education and welfare programs as the state tries to climb out of the long recession. Full Story »

• Drifting Van Catches Fire, Flips Truck

  KVEW Kennewick – Tue Dec 8, 9:27 pm ET  

  KENNEWICK -- A bizarre accident in Kennewick, one that police said two people barely escaped with their lives. Kennewick Police said a white mini-van drifted from the east bound lane of 10th Avenue just before 2 PM. Full Story »

• 4 Slain Officers Honored At Memorial

  KVEW Kennewick – Tue Dec 8, 9:27 pm ET  

  TACOMA -- A procession of 2,000 cars followed four flag-draped caskets to a memorial service as thousands of mourners lined the streets to honor the slain officers. Full Story »

KEPR Pasco

• Budget Cuts Could Slice Deep for Local Services

  KEPR Pasco – Wed Dec 9, 11:22 pm ET  

  Hundreds of programs used by thousands in the Tri-Cities are on the chopping block. Gov. Chris Gregoire released a supplemental budget with severe cuts Wednesday, cuts even she thinks go too far. Full Story »

• Local Law Enforcement Caravan to Tacoma

  KEPR Pasco – Wed Dec 9, 10:23 pm ET  

  Hours before the police memorial procession in Tacoma, local police organized a smaller procession here in the Tri-Cities. Full Story »

• Walla Walla Pen Cuts

  KEPR Pasco – Wed Dec 9, 10:23 pm ET  

  State budget cuts announced this week mean one unit of the Walla Walla Pen will be shut down. Full Story »

• COURAGE UNDER FIRE: Local Officer Honored with Medal of Valor

  KEPR Pasco – Wed Dec 9, 10:23 pm ET  

  After a daring rescue during a fiery crash on I-182, a local officer receives the highest award in law enforcement. Full Story »

• 100 Year Fix: Walla Walla Pipes

  KEPR Pasco – Wed Dec 9, 10:22 pm ET  

  Most of Walla Walla's pipes need to replaced, but first the city has to decide how to pay for it. Full Story »