Yakima County’s annual burn restrictions for unincorporated areas take effect June 1, prohibiting residential outdoor burning through Labor Day. The Yakima River Project at Sportsman State Park received final design approval, with public comments due by August 13.
City road projects are causing traffic disruptions through August, including overnight closures of Nob Hill/Fair Ave intersection (August 3-7) and ongoing work on Fruitvale paving, Apple Valley sidewalks, and Washington Ave water lines. The city has posted detours for affected routes.
Two development projects requiring public comment began this week: a culvert replacement and a park restoration project. Yakima County has also updated its ecosystem project with new SEPA filings detailing river restoration and infrastructure improvements.
Yakima Environmental Health will increase most food service permit and inspection fees starting in 2027, with some fees nearly doubling. The 2026 USDA report shows agricultural land values in Yakima at $4,500 per acre, up from prior years, while peanut stocks in commercial storage rose 5% compared to last year.
WSU Extension Master Gardeners continue sharing summer care tips for Yakima residents, including native plant care, iris post-bloom maintenance, and managing heat-stressed plants and pests. Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is accepting applications for youth ages 15.5-21 seeking law enforcement training.
What to watch next: The August 13 public comment deadline for the Yakima River Project and the August 3-7 Nob Hill/Fair Ave traffic closures will impact residents in the coming days.