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.

Pedro Hernandez, of Yakima, prunes trees in the orchards of Marley Ranch in Wapato on Tuesday, Jan. 19. A crew of about 20 workers has been pruning trees in preparation for this year’s season since last November.

About 50 people from the Buena and Zillah area attended an information meeting and potluck Jan. 21, at Buena Grange to learn more about establishing a block watch program.

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.

The Toppenish City Council is again at full strength, after the appointment of Mark Oaks on Jan. 11, during the council’s first regular meeting of the year.

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 Toppenish City Council voted unanimously to name Blaine Thorington Toppenish Mayor at its study session Jan. 4.

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.

Yakima County Sheriff’s deputies are seeking a 19-year-old Yakima teen for questioning after the body of a Yakima man was found in a canal southeast of Toppenish on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The body of Fernando Figueroa, 21,was found wrapped in plastic and floating in the middle of a canal near the Marion Drain and Campbell Road.
Initial reports indicate Figueroa died after suffering at least one gunshot wound. Joseph E. John, 19,  was the last person seen with Figueroa before he disappeared.
Anyone with information on John or the case is asked to contact the Yakima County Sheriff’s office at (509) 574-2500.