School officials in four local school districts are looking for voter approval on upcoming school maintenance and operations (M & O) levy issues on the Feb. 9 ballot. Granger, Mt Adams and Zillah are seeking two-year replacement levies. Wapato is asking for a replacement of its four-year levy. The levies provide funding for day-to-day district operating expenses.

Friends and family gathered in Granger on Sunday, Jan. 31 for the dedication of the Yakima Valley affiliate’s latest Habitat For Humanity. Isidro Romero, his wife Sophia and their young son Eric received the keys to their new home at 305 S. Fifth Ave. during the ceremony.

Cafe Ole has opened in the heart of Toppenish’s business district at 208 W. First.

District wrestling begins this week for local teams. Toppenish and Wapato will travel to Central Valley High School in for CWAC competition.

Several Zillah wrestlers improved their individual records while helping picking up two important team wins last week. Zillah defeated rival Granger 37-27 at Granger on Tuesday before crushing Highland at home, 66-8 on Thursday. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Zillah beat Granger 37-27 in SCAC West dual action. Both teams were unbeaten at 3-0.

Members of the Mighty Leopards’ basketball program showed off their hoop skills at a Zillah High School girls basketball game. School officials said more than 90 boys and girls in the Zillah’s fifth grade classes take part in the popular basketball skills program.

Zillah High School honored more than 40 students during the school’s annual ZHS Good Citizens assembly.

Just when you thought all the celebration for the New Year was over – our area chamber of commerce groups have announced plans for several annual chamber festivities in the coming weeks.

While Toppenish United Methodist Church members were preparing and serving Christmas dinner to those less fortunate on Christmas Day, thieves were also preparing a break-in at the local congregation on Beech Street. According to church pastor Darel Olson, the thieves took more than $10,000 in computers and musical equipment. The break-in is also disheartening to church members – it is the third time in the past year and a half the church had been robbed.

The first order of business at the Zillah City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 4 was the swearing in of Zillah’s mayor and three council members.