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.

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.

TOPPENISH —Thirteen first-time donors took part in the fourth annual Washington State Children’s Family Services blood drive on Friday, June 12 at the Nations Foursquare Church in Toppenish. The Toppenish office sponsored the event, which is a division of Children and Family Services.

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.   

Four Toppenish elementary schools have become the first in the state to be named Gold Award Winners in the Healthier US School Challenge.

Three students from the Zillah and Wapato school districts have emerged as regional award winners in the annual Educational Service District 105 School Bus Poster Contest.

TOPPENISH – Rathbun Iron Works will be in an all-new building before the end of summer, if the facility’s construction goes as planned.

Lifeguards in training gear get ready for the upcoming summer pool season in Toppenish.  Pool opens June 16th.

TOPPENISH - Applications are available for the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce Annual 4th of July Parade. A long-standing tradition in the Yakima Valley, the parade kicks off at 11 a.m.
The parade staging area will be at the Toppenish Rodeo Grounds, and the parade route winds through downtown Toppenish for approximately a mile and a half.
This year’s Grand Marshals are Jack and Floy Thorington.
The Wild West Parade typically has more than 100 entries.
The Toppenish Lions Club hosts a pancake breakfast at Post Office Park in Toppenish at 7 a.m.
Parade applications are available online at www.toppenish.net and can also be mailed, emailed, or faxed by calling the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce office at 865-3262 or visiting 504 S. Elm St.,. Toppenish to pick one up. 
Deadline for judging is June 26, but applications will be accepted right up to 10 a.m. on the 4th for parade entrants.