Children in Wapato put on their silliest faces, wore books on their heads, read under tables and participated in several other silly antics on Thursday, June 18, while being photographed as part of the Yakima Valley Libraries, “Be The Star at Your Library. The event in Wapato kicked off the local library’s YVL’s Summer Reading program.
According to Linda Nixon, YVL Children’s Services manager, all 19 libraries its service area will have a variety of programs throughout the summer for children, teens, adults and families.
Some of the photos from the “Be A Star” program will be posted on the YVL website.  Group photos are also on display at the library.

Isaiah Garcia came all the way from Texas to open his new restaurant, Chencho’s Grill, at 13 E. Toppenish Avenue.

The Toppenish School District Educator of the Year is a product of the district.

The PRCA Rodeo presented in conjunction with the Yakima Valley Fair will be reigned over this year by Misty Mahkee of Toppenish.

The body of a Wapato man reported missing June 7 was found June 10, at about 6:45 a.m., off North Harrah Road, according to a Yakima County Sheriff’s Office report.

About $500 has been collected so far in an effort to acquire a tool that should go a long way toward helping eliminate spray-paint vandalism in Toppenish.

The first phase of what’s envisioned as a multiple-panel mural could begin as soon as the end of the month, according to Mural Society Executive Director Susan Treneer.
She said Prosser artist Ken Carter has been commissioned to begin painting a 14X32-foot mural commemorating the Toppenish Polo Club on the east wall of the NAPA Auto Parts store.
Carter has participated in the painting of a number of Toppenish murals, and has also repaired and restored a number of the murals as part of the society’s ongoing maintenance program.
Treneer said Carter will begin on the new mural as soon as preparation of the surface to be painted is complete.
The Mural Society celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Mural-In-A-Day festivities June 5 and 6.   

The 2009 sweet cherry crop will come in a little later than usual, but it’s expected to be well worth waiting for.

TOPPENISH — Rodeo action will return to Toppenish Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m., when Daniel Beard Rodeos will bring a special rough-stock rodeo to the Toppenish fairgrounds.

The intersection of West First and Elm streets will be reconstructed beginning June 10, according to Lance Hoyt, Toppenish public works director.
During June 10 and 11, the utility fixtures in the street will be lowered.
June 15, the pavement at the intersection will be ground out, and the following day it will be repaved.
Hoyt said the grinding and repaving will be done at night, to minimize the inconvenience to motorists using the intersection.
Detours around the intersection will set up during the work.
Hoyt said the decision to do the reconstruction was made by the state department of transportation because the compaction of the roadway was not sufficient to prevent infiltration of surface water.