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Hey Yakima, hope your week’s off to a good start! A new mayor, a Grammy win for Zach Top, red wine and chocolate pairings, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Transparency at City Hall: Yakima welcomed Matt Brown as its 54th mayor after a 6-1 council vote. He replaces Patricia Byers and plans a “Mayor Minute” on Facebook, emphasizing safety, small businesses, and teamwork — see what’s planned in Yakima.
Airport leadership sets course: Yakima Airport has named Christopher Hopkins as its new director after a nationwide search, with plans to boost passenger numbers, add destinations, and work with Horizon on more frequent flights — see what’s planned next.
First bench expansion in decades: Local lawmakers propose adding a ninth Yakima County Superior Court judge to ease backlogs, costing about $220,000 a year, sponsored by state Reps. Gloria Mendoza and Deb Manjarrez — get all the details.
Help for dislocated workers: Washington received $1 million from the U.S. Labor Department for December flooding recovery, with Yakima County eligible for jobs and services. Gov. Bob Ferguson requested $21.3 million in FEMA aid — see which counties qualify.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Country phenom’s big night: Yakima native Zach Top won the inaugural Best Traditional Country Album at the 2026 Grammys for Ain’t In It For My Health. He was also nominated for I Never Lie. His acceptance speech drew buzz, and he is currently touring Europe. Get details on awards and tour.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Protecting homegrown food safety: Washington State Department of Health will offer free PFAS testing for home-raised eggs and meat in East Selah on Saturday, March 7. The state will collect samples and share results with residents. This will be the fourth round of testing for the neighborhood. See who qualifies and when.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Pick up and play: Whether you’re restringing, upgrading, or finally nailing that chorus, Taylor Music keeps Yakima’s scene humming with repairs, new and used guitars, and lessons in guitar, bass, piano, and voice. Serving players since 1936, they make it easy to sound better… and have fun doing it.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Steamy noodle comfort: Whether you’re battling Yakima chill or craving a deep-bowl reset, Mom’s Dishes serves rich, aromatic pho, from brisket and filet mignon to the loaded Mom’s Special with short rib, tendon, and meatballs. Add crisp spring rolls and legit bánh mì for an effortless side quest.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🏺 Galentine’s Day | Wednesday (2/11) at 3:00 PM – Grab your gals and head to The Kiln for a Galentine’s night that delivers. Expect wine, pizza, and pop-ups from Crave Ink Tattoo, Nia + Co Skincare, and Lynked Permanent Jewelry for flash ink, skincare, and forever bracelets, because friends, carbs, and sparkle beat roses.
🌿 Herbs for Perimenopause @ North Town Coffee House | Wednesday (2/11) at 5:00 PM – Swap guesswork for a cozy evening on herbs for perimenopause and menopause, with tastings, practical tips, and take-home guides. Learn what helps, from diet to botanicals, because hot flashes, mood swings, and 2 a.m. wakeups are not your personality. Seats are limited, grab a ticket.
🎨 Open Studio Night @ Happily Painted LLC | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Need an easy win with the kids, your date, or your sanity? Happily Painted Studio is hosting an open studio paint night, ages 8+, where you pick the colors, set the pace, and they clean up. Create something fridge-worthy, or delightfully abstract.
This weekend
🌸 Hurry up Spring! Arts and Crafts Fair | Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 AM – Manifest spring with the Hurry Up Spring arts and crafts fair, one of the year’s most anticipated, best curated art shows. Come graze, shop, and sip while all the restaurants and shops are open. No snow boots required.
🌶 Spicy Valentine’s Day Market | Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 AM – Heat up your Valentine shopping at Hometown Ace’s second annual spicy market, with local spice vendors, sizzling BBQ deals, and hot-to-the-touch Made In gear. Park the kids at the Tootsie Troll factory, then stock up like adults who refuse bland dinners.
🥂 Valentine’s Day Brunch @ DoodleVines Winery & Event Center | Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 AM – Skip the overcrowded dinner scramble and do Valentine’s Day right with a relaxed, elevated brunch at DoodleVines, featuring a special menu from The Fat Pastor. Real coffee, thoughtful plates, and time to actually talk, not perform romance. Elastic waistbands, encouraged.
🐼 Valentine Panda Ages 5+ @ Happily Painted LLC | Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 AM – Need a cute Valentine plan that doesn’t involve glitter in your carpet? Bring the kids or grandkids, ages 5 and up, to Happily Painted for a guided Valentine Panda painting session. Zero experience, all supplies, plenty of giggles, and surprisingly frame-worthy results.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Yakima report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 46°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 0%
Partly sunny. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
This house is wild
West Valley home in a private cul-de-sac showcases rock trim, a covered porch, and a fenced backyard with patio. French doors open to a bright living area with tall ceilings, a fireplace, and a chandelier. Granite kitchen with subway tile and pantry connects to formal dining. Upstairs, a generous primary suite with views and a 3-car garage complete the home.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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