http://www.dailysunnews.com/ Stories from the Daily Sun News (c)2010, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) voted to pass a bill that includes a major federal payment to help ease the state's budget shortfall, help out-of-work Washington residents, tax relief for state families and businesses and numerous job creation incentives. The legislation, the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act (H.R. 4213), passed the Senate by a vote of 62 to 36. "This bill provides across-the-board help for our state's economy and families," said Murray. "It includes Medicaid assistance to help reduce the state budget deficit, provides a safety net for those struggling to get back to work, helps more families afford health insurance, incentivizes businesses to grow and hire, and gives Washington taxpayers the fairness they deserve. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17949/federal-help-may-be-on-the-way-to-aid-with-states-money-woes Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:58:29 GMT 17949 Long-time Davita, Inc. employee Stephanie Sanchez was recently promoted to facilities administrator at Mt. Adams Kidney Center in Sunnyside. Sanchez has been with Davita, Inc., the company that owns Mt. Adams Kidney Center, for eight years. She described her position as more of a manager and said she's involved with everything from the financial side of the medical center to the hiring of teammates (employees). http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17948/lower-valley-native-new-head-administrator-at-sunnysides-mt-adams-kidney-center Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:57:15 GMT 17948 HERMISTON, ORE. - Just a hair short, for both Rob Rice and Stacee Isaac...that best sums up the two bowlers' performances this past Sunday at a Central Washington Open (CWO) competition staged in Hermiston, Ore. The one-day tourney drew a field of 60 of the Northwest's top keglers. Rice and Isaac were two of the six Sunnyside-area bowlers who trekked across the state line to compete in the scratch event. The CWO competitions traditionally draw only those bowlers who average 190 or better in league play. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17947/rice-isaac-lead-six-person-sunnyside-contingent-at-cwo-tourney-in-oregon Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:53:47 GMT 17947 YAKIMA - In a missed opportunity, the Grandview Greyhounds boys basketball team fell just short to Fife yesterday, 58-55 in the opening round of the State 2A boys basketball tourney. Wednesday's contest in Yakima was nip and tuck the whole way, with 10 lead changes. In the first half, Grandview had no answer for the Trojans' Cameron Hayes, who scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first half. Hayes helped stake Fife to a 17-14 first quarter lead with a trey at the buzzer. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17946/greyhounds-drop-heartbreaker-at-2a-state-tourney Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:52:13 GMT 17946 GRANDVIEW - The day for moving the Grandview Rose Garden is nearly here. A moving party is planned for Saturday, March 20, and Grandview Parks and Recreation Director Mike Carpenter said it will be a coordinated effort to move the approximately 300 rose bushes from their current location at Westside Park to the eastside entrance of the city. Work has been well underway in prepping the new home for the roses, and Carpenter said a couple of days prior to the moving party, there will be activity at the current site as crews begin unearthing the city's pride and joy. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17945/rose-garden-moving-party-march-20 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:49:42 GMT 17945 MABTON - The Mabton City Council's rift over the selection of an engineering firm continued last night with a 3-2 divided vote in favor of offering a contract to Gray and Osborne. Under terms of the $5,000 contract, Gray and Osborne will serve as an engineering consultant as the city looks to draw up plans to improve its wastewater treatment plant. Tuesday night's meeting saw a continuance of divided opinions over whether Gray and Osborne or Spink Engineering of Richland, which previously contracted with the city, should get the contract. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17944/tight-mabton-city-council-vote-goes-way-of-gray-and-osborne-firm Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:45:03 GMT 17944 Yesterday (Tuesday) morning just before 8:30 a.m. firefighters from Yakima County Fire District #5 rushed to the 500 block of Wendell-Phillips Road near Sunnyside to save the home of Antonia Castilleja. The property is owned by Eliza Negrete, but Castilleja was living in the 110-year-old, two-story farmhouse that firefighters found to be under pressure from smoke. Smoke quickly began billowing from the first floor and fire erupted through the roof shortly after their arrival. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17943/woman-infant-dislodged-when-old-farm-home-razed Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:43:13 GMT 17943 Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin was the featured guest speaker at the Monday Noon Rotary Club meeting at Snipes Mountain Brewery and Restaurant in Sunnyside, addressing progress made to combat gang activity in Outlook. The "Stand Up For Outlook" anti-gang group sprang up out of Sunnyside community meetings that began last year, Irwin said, noting his involvement stemmed from a desire to work on a project that rippled outward from this community. His desire, he said, is to create a team mentality to duplicate and grow from one community to the next. In terms of gangs, he said, "It took us a lot of years to get here and it's going to take us years to get out." http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17942/sheriffs-department-involved-in-anti-gang-movement-in-outlook Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:39:41 GMT 17942 GRANDVIEW - Deciding to take its time in a search for a new city administrator, the Grandview City Council yesterday indicated it will select Public Works Director Cus Arteaga for the post on an interim basis. The discussion took place Tuesday at the end of a day-long council special session, during which councils generally don't take formal action. Since former administrator Scott Staples left last month, Mayor Norm Childress has been handling many of the administrative chores. At the same time, department heads like Arteaga have picked up the slack as well. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17941/grandview-tabs-arteaga-for-interim-administrator-post Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:38:29 GMT 17941 A 2010 season opening jamboree between the Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser golf teams was staged yesterday at the Lower Valley's premier golfing venue, Black Rock Creek Golf Course. None of the female golfers from the three schools were able to get in more than seven holes of golf, due to impending darkness, thus their rounds were deemed incomplete and scores were not released. On the boys side in the nine-hole match, played on the par-36 front nine at Black Rock Creek, Prosser's Chad Hancock led all linksters by carding a 5-over-par 41. Mustang teammate Wade French finished two strokes back at 43. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17940/prosser-linksterfires-low-round-at-three-team-match Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:35:32 GMT 17940 The trio of Justin Bos, Alex Quiroz and Ron Van Gundy, to put it quite simply, were never challenged in last Sunday's men's club kick-off event for 2010 at Sunnyside's Black Rock Creek Golf Course. Playing a three-man Vegas scramble, where each team member tees off and then must choose which drive to use from where the team members each get to take a shot until the ball is dropped in the cup, the winning trio of Bos, Quiroz and Van Gundy carded an 8-under-par 64. The next closest finishers from the 17-team field was the threesome of Larry Kleingartner, Don Cardenas and Ken Goin. The three golfers posted a 2-under-par 70, six shots back of the winners. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17939/bos-quiroz-van-gundy-top-finishers-in-2010-opener-at-black-rock Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:34:23 GMT 17939 GRANDVIEW - Grandview High School's Payton Parrish was named a CWAC girls basketball All-League selection for 2009-10. The 5'10" guard/post was named to the second team, the only freshman from the 10-school league making the list. "She led the team in just about every category," Grandview Coach Paul Van Pelt said. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17938/ghs-freshman-earns-cwac-all-league-honors Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:32:10 GMT 17938 Last Thursday, March 4, Gerardo Rios Orosco, 38, of Pasco plead guilty to first degree robbery in Yakima County Superior Court. Rios Orosco was responsible for the Jan. 11 robbery of Sunnyside's Yakima Federal Savings and Loan, located on the corner of East Edison Avenue and South Eighth Street. He did not use a weapon in the robbery and police have not disclosed the amount of money taken from the bank. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17937/bank-robber-sentenced-to-four-and-a-half-years-in-prison Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:31:19 GMT 17937 Young ladies that are sophomores living within Sunnyside School District boundaries that are either home-schooled, attend Sunnyside High School or Sunnyside Christian High School and are eager to represent the community are encouraged to throw their hat into the ring for the title of Miss Sunnyside. And informational meeting for potential 2010 pageant candidates will be staged at Sunnyside High School on Monday, March 22, from 11:40 to 12:20 p.m. in classroom 134 (Teri Alvarez-Ziegler). Eligibility requirements, such as the need for a minimum grade point average of 2.8, will be discussed at the meeting. Informational packets and application forms will be available at the meeting. Those who can't attend the meeting are free to pick up a packet and application form from that day forward. The application deadline is Monday, April 19. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17936/miss-sunnyside-candidates-sought-for-2010-pageant Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:29:20 GMT 17936 How can I describe the state tournament week for the SCHS basketball teams? Unbelievable! With so many enjoyable experiences occurring, I can only share my thanks to the sources of the entire experience. As a coach I have been thoroughly blessed to enjoy so many special times with the young men on the SCHS basketball team, and I am sure Coach Smeenk feels the same emotions when working with the young ladies. Thank you, players, for your diligent effort and dedication for another fine season. Also, I want to thank my assistant coaches, Brian and Henry Bosma, for their dedication and commitment to excellence. God is good! Without His constant care none of these accomplishments and memories would be possible. May we thank Him daily for the blessings He provides! http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17935/forum Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:28:38 GMT 17935 The United States is currently engaged in a global war against terrorists whose primary mission is to attack our nation and destroy our way of life. While we may not see the results of our soldier's efforts on the front pages of the newspaper each day, they are serving around the world to protect our nation and bring terrorists to justice, and have already killed or captured some of the most dangerous terrorists. Bringing terrorists to the United States will only undermine our security and place our citizens at risk. I join with many Americans who are concerned about the Obama Administration's initial decision to transfer Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the admitted mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, to New York City for trial in civilian federal court. Under their plan the man who planned and helped execute the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 that fateful day would receive the same protections and legal rights under the Constitution that U.S. citizens receive, and serve as a potential target for further attacks, putting our country at risk. Recent news reports indicate that the Administration may consider changing its mind and reversing course, a decision I would welcome. Most Americans understand the danger of transferring terrorists to the United States and holding trials for them here. The trials must occur, but in a place that provides maximum safety for our nation, and at as low a cost to the American taxpayer as possible. That is why I am supporting and co-sponsoring the Keep Terrorists Out of America bill aimed at preventing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison from being transferred into the United States. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17934/words-from-washington Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:26:15 GMT 17934 My daughter turned four-years-old recently and I'm having a tough time trying to wrangle my hands around that one. It's not the fact that the Cub is a four-year-old now. That part is awesome! I can't even begin to explain the sheer joy it is to come home and have Piper shriek, "Daddy," as she runs to me and gives my legs a great bear hug. She then walks with me as I perform my nightly 'coming-home' routine of dispensing my keys and wallet on the counter and taking off my jacket. As she accompanies me on this task she tells me everything that has happened since I left for work after lunching at home. If our dog Boon Mee jumped up and scratched her, I will be told all about it. If my wife Tanya had to get stern with the Cub or give her a time-out, I won't be home three minutes before Piper is giving me all the details. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17933/cutting-to-the-core Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:25:36 GMT 17933 If everything goes as planned the city of Sunnyside will begin collecting a stormwater fee from city residents this April. The Sunnyside City Council at last night's meeting approved an ordinance that establishes a rate of $3.75 per utility billing account for the stormwater utility. Byron Olson, director of finance and administrative services for the city of Sunnyside, told the council the city has an estimated 3,400 utility accounts that are billed on a monthly basis for water, sewer and garbage. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17932/sunnyside-utility-bills-going-up-this-april Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:13:21 GMT 17932 The Sunnyside City Council was given a presentation last night, Monday, at a workshop held before the regularly scheduled meeting concerning whether to remodel the existing Sunnyside Fire Station or to relocate altogether. Sunnyside Fire Chief Aaron Markham told the council that typically an ideal fire station has access to between 1.5 and 2 acres. Preferred street frontage is typically between 160 and 180 feet. Markham told the council that it isn't wise to put a fire station on a congested thoroughfare, but instead should be located on a side street near the thoroughfare where apparatus can get out and control the intersection traffic signals if possible. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17931/fire-station-renovation-possibility Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:12:16 GMT 17931 Local U.S. Cellular customers who access the internet via their cell phones have likely noticed a change for the better in terms of how long it takes to have full access to information. The company has announced its entire network in Washington state and northern Oregon will have full 3G coverage by the end of this coming summer. But for Sunnyside users, the network is already in place. "It enables (Evolution-Data Optimized) capable cell phones and air cards to work up to 10 times faster than before and that's all at no additional cost," said Erryn Anderson, Area Sales Manager. Evolution-Data Optimized cell phones are also known as smartphones. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17930/us-cellular-introduces-3g-mobile-broadband-service Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:09:59 GMT 17930 OUTLOOK - A hummingbird and wildlife habitat, marigolds, tomatoes, strawberries...these are just a few of the things students at Outlook Elementary School are growing in a community garden. The school's 21st Century program provided the funds to build a greenhouse last year and since the initial garden began, those involved in the program have sought out other funds to help build upon those efforts. Physical education instructor Mark Moore said two grants were recently obtained to further expand the community garden. Those grants were each in the amount of $1,000. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17929/outlook-students-getting-their-hands-dirty-after-school Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:08:36 GMT 17929 Orville E."Gene" Carlyle, 82, a longtime Sunnyside resident and businessman, went to be in the arms of his heavenly Father on Friday, March 5, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born Sept. 22, 1927 in Winona, to Otis and Lillian (Black) Carlyle. The family moved to Sunnyside, when Gene was three years old. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17928/obituary Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:06:03 GMT 17928 Dora Glee Fields, 73, of Granger went to be with her parents on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. She was born Dec. 4, 1936 on McPherson Ridge in Idaho to Earl and Iona (Kyle) Monroe. Glee, as she liked to be called, went to school in Kooskia, Idaho, where she met Edwin Fields, a member of her class in 1949. They started dating in 1953, and later married on Oct. 1, 1956 and were married for 53 years. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17927/obituary Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:05:26 GMT 17927 On March 1, 2010 the Lord blessed us with Daniel Isaiah Aguilar. After a pregnancy full of life and memories with us, Daniel had to return back home with our heavenly Father. He enjoyed going to church, eating cookies, story-time with Dad, and late, late night television. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17926/obituary Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:04:41 GMT 17926 SPOKANE - The Rogers High School Pirates used a huge fourth quarter surge to erase a 12-point fourth quarter lead held by Sunnyside to edge the Grizzlies 62-59 in a loser-out Regional game this past Friday. The loss ended Sunnyside's hopes of making it to this year's 3A State tournament. The game was even pretty much the whole way through. Sunnyside held a slight advantage in free throws, hitting 17-of-25 compared with the Pirates hitting 13-of-20. Rogers High School held a slight advantage in field goals and three point shots made. The Pirates grabbed three more rebounds than the Grizzlies, 38 to 35, and committed one less turnover, 14 compared with Sunnyside's 15. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17925/spokane-club-ends-sunnysides-quest-for-3a-state-tourney-berth Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:54:18 GMT 17925 OUTLOOK - Fire engulfed an Outlook warehouse this past Friday, taking with it a gourmet white asparagus operation, as well as refrigerators that store the Friend family peonies and flower bulbs. According to Yakima County Fire District #5 Captain Ken Robillard, the large metal structure at 611 Price Road owned by John Friend limited firefighter accessibility, despite the fact that there were roughly 10 entrances into the building. Robillard said metal structures present two challenges: heat that retains metal and razor sharp edges. In a metal structure fire, once the walls collapse, firefighters are then tasked with pulling all the metal out. "It's just not something we send the guys into...it's not safe," Robillard said, adding the decision was also contingent upon how much of the building's contents could be saved. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17924/fire-destroys-gourmet-asparagus-operation Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:50:58 GMT 17924 BICKLETON - The community of Bickleton crowned one of its own yesterday as the 2010 Alder Creek Picnic and Rodeo queen. The coronation took place yesterday, Sunday, at the Bickleton Presbyterian Church, where Katelynn Clinton was crowned. Clinton, a Bickleton High School junior, will represent the rodeo and community at a host of events throughout the year, starting this Saturday and ending in December. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17923/clinton-crowned-queen-of-rodeo-picnic-in-bickleton Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:47:49 GMT 17923 Thanks to grant funding, the Sunnyside Housing Authority and Sunnyside Police Department have partnered together to create a new police officer position. Longtime Sunnyside police officer Severiano "Chico" Rodriguez has accepted the position, which will assist the housing authority and its tenants. Rodriguez, who has been with Sunnyside since 1986, will continue to serve as a fully commissioned officer with the housing authority. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17922/sunnyside-police-officer-accepts-new-position Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:46:40 GMT 17922 It was a good day for upstarts in CWAC boys basketball yesterday, this past Saturday, as the fourth-seeded Grandview Greyhounds knocked off third-seeded Selah for the league's final berth in the State 2A tourney. In the CWAC's third place game Saturday in Sunnyside, Grandview used a strong first half to outlast the Vikings 80-70 and punch its ticket to State. Later Saturday afternoon in Sunnyside, second seed Wapato handed regular season CWAC champ Ephrata just its second loss of the season in earning the league's top berth at State. Ephrata advances as the league's second entry at State. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17921/greyhounds-advance-to-state Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:43:05 GMT 17921 This past Saturday, the sun was out and all the entries at the Sunnyside High School sixth annual "Show 'N Shine" were polished and buffed to a perfect shine. There were a total of 152 entries at the event, which benefits the annual senior class party. Anyone with an enthusiasm for vehicles of many types was in for a real treat, as there were pedal cars, lowrider bicycles, motorcycles, classic cars and sporty pick-ups at the event. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17920/entries-sparkle-and-shine-at-annual-show-n-shine Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:39:31 GMT 17920 Jerry Burton Mashburn, 66, of Sunnyside left this world to go home on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at home. Jerry was born April 21, 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyo. to William and Thelma Mashburn. He later moved to San Jose, Calif., where he grew up and went to school. After graduating from high school in l961, Jerry began a three-year active duty assignment in the U.S. Navy, and served that duty on a diesel submarine. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17919/obituary Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:29:48 GMT 17919 Jerry B. Mashburn, 66, of Sunnyside died Thursday, March 4, 2010, at home. He was born April 21, 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyo. to William and Thelma Mashburn. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sherry Mashburn of Sunnyside; five daughters, Colleen Coleman, Vanessa Moore, Clara Hamil, Susan Beebe and Denae Mashburn; three sons, Patrick, Chris and Michael all of Sunnyside; 11 grandchildren; and one sister, Pat Rice of Oregon. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17917/death-notice Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:39:10 GMT 17917 Rex T. Kabrich, 83, passed away on Feb. 26, 2010, in Yakima. He was born Aug. 30, 1926 in Yakima to Bill and Helen Kabrich. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17918/obituary Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:39:10 GMT 17918 There was a recent case in Prosser that brought to question a person's right to bear arms under the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Washington constitutional laws regarding the right to "open carry." Under federal and state law a person has the right to openly carry a gun. The right to bear arms has been a debate over the recent years because of violent crimes committed nationwide. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17915/jennies-journey Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:29:26 GMT 17915 Cat lovers know their fellow cat lovers, and the kitties themselves know it, too. Affirmation this is exceptionally true for me came when my childhood friend in Clarkston called the moment he believed there'd be no reason for me to say no to a new feline friend. My friend, Shaun, loves cats and cat-like creatures with a passion unparalleled by even me. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17916/paper-clips Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:29:26 GMT 17916 I was disrespectful of Governor Christine Gregoire when she signed Senate Bill 6130, gutting voter-approved I-960. I attended the public bill signing wearing a suit-and-tie and standing beside her I held my nose with one hand and went thumbs down with the other for the official photo. Some found it offensive, others funny, some heroic. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17914/guest-editorial Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:28:30 GMT 17914 Dear Editor, We would like to thank the Daily Sun News for the great coverage you gave us while we were at the State 1B basketball tournament. We will save the nice articles and photos! Thank you, Coach Emily Barnhart, assistants Neal Brown and Selena Naught, and Mr. Palmer, our Superintendent for getting us there. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17913/forum Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:27:38 GMT 17913 Jose Antonio Ochoa, known as Joedy-Joe in Northwest hip-hop circles, has just released his fourth CD titled, Taking Care of Business. "It's a well formulated CD," Ochoa said of the 21-track effort. "It has transitions that go from hard street, to more relatable sounds, to more of a party feel, to hardcore lyrical music." Ochoa, from Sunnyside, writes his own lyrics and creates his own instrumentals but this CD marks the first time he has sampled other musicians' instrumentals for his album. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17912/sunnyside-hip-hop-artist-releases-fourth-cd Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:24:52 GMT 17912 The 20,000-acre Sulphur Creek Ranch will again serve as the site this month for three weeks of shooting dog trials. The Anderson family owns the ranch, six miles north of Sunnyside on Lewandowski Road, and they've served as field trial hosts for the past 51 years. Amy Anderson Means is the third generation in the family to be involved with the shooting dog trials, and she said the competition gets started on Saturday, March 13, with the Region 10 Amateur shooting dog trials. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17911/shooting-dog-trials-start-march-13 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:22:47 GMT 17911 YAKIMA - The Mabton High School boys basketball team ended its run at State yesterday (Thursday) with a 73-47 loss to the Chelan Goats. The loss gives the Vikings a record of 15-10 for the season. Mabton Coach Brock Ledgerwood said he thought his team played hard and executed well for most of the game. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17910/mabton-falls-to-chelan-season-comes-to-an-end Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:22:06 GMT 17910 MABTON - Last fall she felt very tired and her bones ached, but doctors from two different hospitals were unable to explain why Gloria "Blanquita" Trujillo of Mabton wasn't feeling well. The 34-year-old mother of four is currently battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and has the Philadelphia chromosome, making her susceptible to a reoccurrence once she is in remission. "On November 1st I went to Sunnyside Community Hospital...they thought I had ulcers," Blanquita recalls, stating medical personnel at the first hospital she visited sent her home. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17909/family-rallies-around-leukemia-victim Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:19:05 GMT 17909 The Jr. Indelook Club will meet on Tuesday, March 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Ella Peebles. The co-hostess is Sally Schwartz. The program of the day is "1949 Entertainment," with Bingo games slated for the afternoon. Members are asked to bring a White Elephant item in a brown paper bag to be used as prizes for the games. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17907/jr-indelook-club-to-meet Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:30:50 GMT 17907 GRANDVIEW - As part of drug and alcohol awareness week at Compass High School in Grandview, students got an opportunity to hear from a recovering drug addict yesterday (Wednesday). His message was clear: it's okay to ask for help. Joel Tannehill, a drug counselor with Merit Resources that works at White Swan High School, told the Compass students he never asked for help for fear it would show weakness to others. That mistake cost the man 15 years of his life and saw the death of a close friend. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17908/recovering-addict-speaks-with-compass-students Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:30:50 GMT 17908 YAKIMA - Things weren't very easy for the Mabton High School boys basketball team yesterday, Wednesday, at the boys 1A State Tournament in Yakima. The Vikings lost to Bellevue Christian 61-43 yesterday in the team's tourney opener. Things won't get any easier today as the Vikings face No. 1 ranked Chelan in a loser-out contest. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17906/little-things-overwhelm-vikings-in-state-opener-loss Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:29:52 GMT 17906 GRANDVIEW - Students studying winery technology at Yakima Valley Community College were tasked to coordinate and promote a wine education and tasting event, and they delivered this past Wednesday night. Students taking business marketing classes went all out, providing the public an opportunity to tour the Grandview campus teaching winery, while learning the ins and outs of wine making at the college and the programs available for those wanting to become a part of the wine industry. Jose Licano, a student in the wine program at Yakima Valley Community College, said those visiting the teaching winery were given a first-hand look at the equipment used in wine making. A tour of the facility, he said, also offered those at the event the opportunity to taste and smell different varieties of wine produced by students. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17905/yvcc-students-host-teach-tour-and-taste-event Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:28:28 GMT 17905 The Sunnyside Fire Department used two recently awarded grants from Walmart to purchase supplies for long transports and equipment to help save lives. Sunnyside Deputy Fire Chief Lloyd Hazzard said he applied for two grants from Walmart and received one for $1,000 and another for $750. The $1,000 grant was used to buy two portable DVD players and some children's movies. The devices will be used in the department's ambulances that are used to transport patients. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17904/fire-department-scores-big-with-two-walmart-grants Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:26:34 GMT 17904 The Sunnyside Noon Rotary Club is looking for sponsors of this year's raffle drawing that will support the Sunnyside swim team. According to Sunnyside Noon Rotary Club member Julie Schilperoort, this is a great opportunity for Sunnyside businesses to support their community and promote their business at the same time. The big prizes this year for the raffle are a four-wheeler and an iPod Touch. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17903/sunnyside-rotary-seeks-raffle-support-to-benefit-swim-team Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:18:01 GMT 17903 Donald Gordon Kent, 86, of Anacortes died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. He was born Oct. 2, 1923 in Longview and was raised by his parents, Varney and Marjorie (Bordlin) Kent, in Grandview. Don met Pat Cornell in second grade and declared he would marry her one day. As a teenager, Don and his mother Marjorie moved to Seattle, where he graduated from Broadway High School in 1941. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17902/obituary Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:08:02 GMT 17902 The headline for my column this week isn't named for the 60s rock band, but for the fact that today marks 10 years after our return from Budapest, Hungary. Joni and I boarded the plane from Budapest to Seattle 10 years ago today, starting fresh and from scratch much as we had five years prior to that when we moved to Hungary. The decade has sped by, with much to be thankful for and much still to be done. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17901/f-as-in-frank Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:06:43 GMT 17901 GRANDVIEW - The Grandview Greyhound boys basketball team shot at a 55 percent clip from the field last night in an 87-52 romp over East Valley. Tuesday night's home victory was a CWAC District loser-out contest. Grandview dropped down into the consolation bracket after poor shooting from the field in a semi-final loss this past Saturday. Finding the target wasn't a problem last night, though, as Grandview fired away and hit 61 percent of its shot attempts in the first half on the way to a 24-13 lead after the first quarter and a 42-30 advantage at the half. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17900/grandview-advances-to-consolation-finals Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:05:36 GMT 17900 Cristina Klatovsky of Inland Northwest Blood Center couldn't be happier with the recent news that her organization was granted $40,000 through Walmart's Washington State Giving Program. Last fall she wrote the program for the grant funding to benefit bone marrow registrations. "It costs money to join the bone marrow registry...sometimes that cost is prohibitive for those wanting to join," said Klatovsky. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17899/lower-valleys-inland-northwest-blood-center-receives-40000-walmart-grant Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:02:02 GMT 17899 School board approves 2010-11 Calendar Sunnyside School Board officials approved the 2010-11 calendar this past Thursday at their regularly scheduled metting. With the exception of November, December and May, Sunnyside teachers can expect a professional development day once a month. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17898/school-board-briefs Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:39:35 GMT 17898 Leroy "Little Zeke" Graff, 76, died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Prosser Memorial Hospital from complications of Parkinson's disease and melanoma. He was born in Minatare, Neb. to George and Marie (Schnell) Graff. He lost his father at the age of seven and was raised by a mother who instilled in him a belief in hard work. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17897/obituary Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:33:52 GMT 17897 OUTLOOK - Rest assured, there are a select few fifth graders at Outlook Elementary School who, thanks to Principal Robert Bowman, will know exactly what to do when it comes time to attend a middle school dance. Perhaps that's why this group gives up their recess every Wednesday and Friday to study swing dance under Bowman's tutelage. "I think it's cool that when we get to have dances at the middle school, we'll know what to do," says leading man and Outlook Elementary School fifth grader Elijah Gomez. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17896/fifth-grade-students-sacrifice-recess-for-dance Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:30:32 GMT 17896 Sunnyside High School junior Christine Kim has earned the grand prize at the local science fair last night, Monday, and will now compete at the Regional fair, which takes place at Columbia Center Mall beginning March 11. Kim, the high school's Science Club president, studied shark oil's affect on cancer cells. All told, 38 high school students created projects and there were 14 supporters who judged them. At the middle school level, 17 science fair projects were presented and six volunteers judged the projects. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17895/kim-earns-top-honors-at-local-science-fair Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:27:46 GMT 17895 YAKIMA - Sunnyside Christian Coach Dean Wagenaar will be the first to admit that at no point this season did he have a firm grasp on just how good his Knights were. Now he knows. Sunnyside Christian blew away the competition at the 1B State Boys Basketball Tournament, walking off the Yakima Valley SunDome court this past Saturday night with the championship trophy in hand. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17893/knights-1b-state-champs Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:41:27 GMT 17893 YAKIMA - Northsound Christian, said Sunnyside Christian girls Coach Al Smeenk, has some good players and began the 1B State tournament at the Yakima Sun Dome with a 15-3 record. "We knew Friday's game would be tough," he shared of the 50-38 victory over the Lions. He said the real difficulty was in stopping Melissa Castor of Northsound Christian, who scored 26 points over the Lady Knights. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17894/lady-knights-fourth-at-state Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:41:27 GMT 17894 YAKIMA - For the first time in nearly 30 years, Bickleton's Lady Pirates have claimed State honors, finishing the season in seventh place at the State 1B girls tourney after defeating Wilson Creek 58-41 this past Friday and falling to familiar nemesis Sunnyside Christian on Saturday, 53-35. Bickleton junior Katelynn Clinton was also recognized for scoring the most points during 1B State tourney play after finishing with 73 points, according to Coach Emily Barnhart. In Friday's game against Wilson Creek, it was teammate Star Kibby who was the Lady Pirates' high scorer, notching 19 points and nabbing 10 steals. Clinton, who scored 10 points, also tallied 10 steals for a double-double. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17892/bickleton-lady-hoopsters-finish-seventh-at-state Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:37:22 GMT 17892 Annie Oakley and Frank Butler went head to head, or rather shot for shot, against each other this past weekend in the Sunnyside High School presentation of Annie Get Your Gun. Peter Stone's 1999 revival of the 64 year old Broadway classic had a little something for everyone, from memorable songs to humor, and yes, even a little romance. Alright, it had a lot of romance. In fact, it's your typical story of love won and lost, then won again, with all the trials and tribulations that mark the way. With wit and music to punctuate the story, Annie Get Your Gun tells the tale of Annie Oakley, an uneducated, country sharpshooter whose rise to fame in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show costs her the man she loves. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17891/students-bring-broadway-classic-to-the-stage Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:25:10 GMT 17891 If the Sunnyside School District successfully applies for school improvement grant funding, as approved by the school board, SHS principal Brian Hart could find he's no longer principal. That's what Sunnyside School Board officials were told at their regularly scheduled meeting last night, Thursday. That doesn't mean Hart would be out of a job, though. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17890/hart-may-be-out-as-principal-of-sunnyside-high-school Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:52:59 GMT 17890 After 90 years, Sunnyside's American Legion Auxiliary Unit 73 is in the process of turning in its charter due to lack of membership and financial problems. According to President Bev Ice, Poppy Chairman Pat Maynard and Dorothy Aiken, membership and volunteerism within the club has dwindled over the course of the years. Maynard said it's frustrating that few attend the meetings. "For the past few years it's only been a couple of women (that do)." http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17889/sunnysides-american-legion-auxiliary-to-fold Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:48:21 GMT 17889 KENNEWICK- The Mabton Lady Vikings' dreams of making it to the 1A State tournament were dashed by Connell last night, as the Eagles handed them a 43-32 defeat. Mabton Coach Chris McCallum said of the game, "I flat out got outcoached...it's all on me." He said his team devised a game plan, but "...Connell had an answer for everything." http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17888/connell-ends-mabton-girls-season Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:47:41 GMT 17888 YAKIMA - Ask and ye shall receive. Bickleton's Lady Pirates were hoping to get a match-up against a State-caliber team to gauge where their basketball program is currently at, and they learned there is room for a lot of improvement. Facing the defending 1B State champion Colton Wildcats, who are also currently ranked No. 1 in the state, in Thursday afternoon's quarter-final game at the Yakima Valley SunDome, Bickleton's girls fell fell behind 20-1 before eventually succumbing, 76-18. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17887/defending-state-champs-lay-it-on-bickleton-girls Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:44:44 GMT 17887 YAKIMA - What's the chances of rallying from a 19-point deficit with just over a quarter and a half remaining in a game? Pretty good, if you're the Sunnyside Christian High School Knights! Playing a quarter-final contest against the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors last night at the 1B State Boys Basketball Tournament in the Yakima Valley SunDome, Sunnyside Christian did exactly that. Somehow, some way, the Knights pulled their act together down the stretch and eked out a thrilling 55-53 victory. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17886/knights-claim-thriller-advance-to-semi-final-tilt Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:42:05 GMT 17886 YAKIMA - After 14 lead changes and four ties last night in the Yakima Sun Dome at the 1B State tournament, the Sunnyside Christian girls basketball team suffered a 59-57 loss to the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors. The Warriors opened the game with a field goal 12 seconds into the game, but the Lady Knights took control of the ball and Renee Dalrymple tossed it to Julie Long, who scored a trey a minute later. Almira/Coulee-Hartline's defense stepped up and Madeline Isaak of the Lady Warriors changed the score again from within the paint. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17885/two-point-heartbreaker-sends-christian-girls-into-consolation-loser-out-game Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:39:16 GMT 17885 A Grandview man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree assault in Yakima County Superior Court this past Wednesday. Victor Garcia Flores's charges stem from a gunfight last May in Grandview in which one man was shot in the leg, police say. Also yesterday, a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm against Flores was dropped. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17884/grandview-man-pleads-guilty-stemming-from-may-2009-gunfight Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:38:45 GMT 17884 Listening to Gia Notte's latest effort, Shades, I got a few funny comments from co-workers. One such worker asked me over my cubicle wall if I was waiting on hold. She thought that whichever company I was waiting for had the volume on their 'hold' music up kind of loud. She then laughed when I told her it was music from a CD I was reviewing. Another co-worker said Gia Notte is the kind of music that Glen Quagmire, from The Family Guy, would listen to. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17883/gia-shines-with-shades Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:34:52 GMT 17883 The Sunnyside Volleyball Club hosted its first Sunnyside Challenge this past weekend. We had 10 teams, age division U-16. They came from all around Washington state. We would like to publicly thank the following: Fiesta Foods, The Daily Buzz, Carol Zavala, Patty Griffith, Deb Dale, Bill Daley, Steve Carpenter, the Sunnyside School District, and all of our parents. We had a very successful event and could not have done it without all of you. Again, thank you for your support with our club. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17882/forum Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:33:54 GMT 17882 Now that thick snow has blanketed much of the country, we all know what that means: more sledding bans. In Massachusetts, says The Week Magazine, a movement is afoot to crack down on the pastime. Many Massachusetts communities are posting warning signs or issuing outright bans. A state lawmaker introduced a bill requiring children to wear helmets because "there are no brakes on a sled." In Omaha, Neb., two popular parks banned sledding after the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that public parks are not legally protected from being sued. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17881/guest-column Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:31 GMT 17881 Eunice Vandella (Wiley) Kinney, 87, of Sunnyside passed on to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Grandview Healthcare Center. She had endured a long term of serious illness and her prayers for deliverance have been answered. She was born Aug. 9, 1922 in Tulsa, Okla., the daughter of Ed and Ida Ethel (McCarthy) Wiley. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17880/obituary Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:31:46 GMT 17880 Erma Ruth (Graff) Sainsbury, 87, died peacefully Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at her home in Sunnyside, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Erma was born the eldest of 11 children on April 1, 1922 to Burton and Ruth Prescott in Burley, Idaho. After spending seven years in Burley the family moved to Butte for a year before moving to St. Ignatius, Montana, where her father was the town blacksmith. Erma always felt St. Ignatius was home and returned many times to visit over the years. She met Jacob Graff at St. Ignatius and after a short courtship they were married in Missoula on Dec. 18, 1937. In February 1938 they moved with the entire Graff family to Sunnyside. Erma and Jake made their home together in the Lower Valley for 45 years, during which time they brought their sons Dick and Tim and daughter Eileen into the world. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17879/obituary Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:28:24 GMT 17879 BICKLETON - Delta Petroleum came up short last year in its test drilling for natural gas near Bickleton. To make matters worse, the Denver, Colo. company was also slapped with a fine by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The state announced the fine in a press release issued this week. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17878/bickleton-drillers-fined-7500 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:02:29 GMT 17878 Sunnyside's Daybreak Rotary Club learned the ins and outs of the Yakima Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol this past Wednesday morning courtesy of First Lieutenant Norm Kautz and mission pilot Jack Parker. The two men explained the Civil Air Patrol is a United States Armed Forces Auxiliary for people ages 12 to 99 that promotes aerospace education, provides emergency services and has a cadet program. What's interesting is that the organization is a 501 (c) (3) that operates through donations and volunteerism. The Air Force provides an airplane and gas for missions, as well as five hours of flight time per cadet. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17877/civil-air-patrol-open-to-young-and-old-alike Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:53:09 GMT 17877 KENNEWICK - The Sunnyside High School Grizzliette Dance Team capture second place honors during a competition held this past Saturday at Kamiakin High School. The Grizzliettes recorded 243 points in the hip hop category, just three points back of first place Southridge High School with 246 points. Coach Melodie Griffin said that's the highest score the Grizzliettes have received in her nine years of coaching them. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17876/grizzliettes-second-at-regional-event Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:48:32 GMT 17876 YAKIMA - The Sunnyside Christian girls hoops went on a 20-point run in the opening quarter of yesterday's game against Northwest Yeshiva and never looked back. The Lady Knights opened State tourney play with a 62-25 win in the first round at the Yakima Sun Dome. After winning the Greater Columbia 1B League championship game last Friday over Bickleton, the Lady Knights didn't know what to expect from the team from Mercer Island, but got off to a great start when Julie Long nailed a trey. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17875/lady-knights-62-25-winners-in-state-opener Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:47:06 GMT 17875 YAKIMA - With the exception of Steven Broersma, the Sunnyside Christian Knights played a nifty game of hide-and-seek with their fans last night. For the first 26 minutes of the 32-minute game in the opening round at the 1B State boys basketball tournament, the 6'6" Broersma was about the only player the Sunnyside Christian faithful could clearly identify on the Yakima Valley SunDome court. Down the stretch, however, Broersma's teammates resurfaced and the Knights' supporters had little difficulty in recognizing the players that had been instrumental in Sunnyside Christian piecing together a 14-game win streak that earned the Greater Columbia 1B League champs a spot in this year's State tourney. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17874/christian-boys-edge-pateros-advance-to-state-quarter-finals Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:44:26 GMT 17874 Students in Teri Alvarez-Ziegler's honors biology class at Sunnyside High School are competent and willing to meet the challenges she places before them. The students were recently assigned to complete projects focusing on photosynthesis, respiration or nutrition and they met the challenge, according to the teacher. Alvarez-Ziegler called the project TAZ Fair, the acronym being her initials, and each of the students in the class presented their individual projects on a project board just as they would in a science fair. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17873/taz-fair-a-fun-opportunity-for-honors-biology-students-to-prepare-for-sunnyside-science-fair Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:38:20 GMT 17873 MABTON - Two engineering firms were interviewed by the city of Mabton for a project that would upgrade its wastewater management facility and the city council members were divided when deciding Tuesday with which firm to sign a contract. The two firms included Spink Engineering of Richland and Gray & Osborne, Inc. Mayor Angel Reyna during Tuesday's study session said he, Councilman Mario Martinez and Councilman Mark Gourneau all interviewed representatives of the two firms. He was most impressed with Gray & Osborne because he feels its staff will be able to focus on the city's needs. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17872/controversy-arises-over-decision-to-hire-engineer-for-mabton-wastewater-improvements Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:28:09 GMT 17872 GRANDVIEW - The Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo Board has welcomed four new members into the fold, but four positions remain vacant just six months out from fair time. Bruce Matsumura and Craig Wentz share the member-at-large position, Kristi Myers is in charge of the 4-H division and school art exhibits and Michelle Mensonides handles the livestock sale. According to Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo President Becky Lloyd, volunteers are still needed to serve in the positions of secretary, public relations, awards and commercial booths. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17871/fair-board-welcomes-new-members-seeks-more Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:26:56 GMT 17871 YAKIMA - In less than two weeks Bickleton's Katelynn Clinton will be crowned a rodeo queen. This morning she wowed the SunDome crowd by becoming queen of the State 1B girls tourney single game scoring record, pouring in a tourney record 35 points to spark the Lady Pirates to a 50-35 win over Lummi in the State 1B Girls tournament opener. Clinton and the Lady Pirates started slowly in Wednesday's game, though. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17870/bickleton-wins-1b-state-opener Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:24:59 GMT 17870 PROSSER - Being a farm girl is just a condition of the heart, it doesn't necessarily mean one lives on a farm. That's Rene Groom's mantra. Groom helped form the Prosser chapter of Farmgirls, a sisterhood that delights in teaching and sharing traditional customs, like canning, tatting (making lace) and, of course, farming. Prosser's chapter, which meets the last Tuesday of the month at The Barn Restaurant at 6 p.m., is 140-plus members strong. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17869/farm-girls-share-rustic-talents-skills Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:23:19 GMT 17869 There is no doubt the good guys are going to win the war on crime in Sunnyside. The reason is simple. The vast majority of the young American-Hispanic population is disgusted with the gangs and willing to work with the police. Last week I conducted more than a dozen interviews with young Americans of Hispanic origin. At the hardware store, at the convenience store at 3 a.m. while making my rounds of the mobile home park, at the fast food places and especially in the mobile homes adjoining South Hill Park. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17868/forum Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:22:35 GMT 17868 I spent last weekend in Tacoma and I picked up a copy of the Tacoma News Tribune. In there I read a story about a man being charged with first degree assault on a child. The man is accused of beating his six-week-old son. The story is sickening. There is absolutely no excuse for beating a child that is only 42 days old. The story said the man told police he had relapsed into drug addiction and blamed that. B.S.! I don't care how high or drunk a person is. EVERYBODY knows you don't harm a child. I don't believe in the death penalty but if there was ever a prime candidate, he is. There are several other people that would be ripe for being put to death, but like I said, I don't agree with that punishment. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17867/cutting-to-the-core Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:21:45 GMT 17867 Christine Jenean Valenzuela, 56, of Sunnyside went to be in the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Christine was born Dec. 6, 1953 in Sunnyside, the daughter of William Allen and Patricia Naomi Richards. She received her education and graduated from Sunnyside High School with the class of 1972. Christine later attended Yakima Valley Community College in Grandview earning a LPN degree. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17866/obituary Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:20:30 GMT 17866 Eunice Vandella (Wiley) Kinney, 87, of Sunnyside died on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Grandview Healthcare Center in Grandview. A complete obituary will follow at a later date. Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17865/death-notice Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:19:48 GMT 17865 Eunice Vandella (Wiley) Kinney, 87, of Sunnyside died on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Grandview Healthcare Center in Grandview. A complete obituary will follow at a later date. Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17864/death-notice Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:05:13 GMT 17864 MABTON - Last night (Monday) the Mabton School Board was told it needs to refocus on its technological needs. Mike Roberts, the district's technology director, said, "The core of the situation is the current budget covers the basics...like spyware, virus protection..." He told the school board the educators do not have adequate technological tools to provide students with the level of education at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's required tier of technology. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17863/mabton-schools-in-need-of-modern-technological-tools Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:18:58 GMT 17863 GRANDVIEW - Grandview School Board of Directors Monday night gave the thumbs up for Supt. Kevin Chase to move forward with applying for a school improvement grant. According to Matt Mallory, Grandview Middle School has been identified as a low achieving school, along with 29 other schools in the state. As a result, Grandview now qualifies for the grant funds. Mallory said school improvement grants are usually three-year grants. "And there's usually a person from the state that comes and works in the building for two or three days a week." http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17862/low-achieving-school-qualifies-grandview-for-additional-state-funding Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:15:40 GMT 17862 The Sunnyside City Council heard an earful of complaints from citizens at last night's meeting regarding safety in Sunnyside. Fenn Shrader, a property owner in Sunnyside, urged the council to get tough on criminals in Sunnyside. He noted two shootings that emanated from 1418 S. Sixth Street that caused bullets to strike his apartments across the street. He said bullets penetrated the door of an apartment and broke two windows. One of the bullets, he said, fell on a bed with a child sleeping in it. The occupants at 1418 S. Sixth Street have since been evicted. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17861/public-safety-committee-formed-to-help-rid-sunnyside-of-criminals Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:13:38 GMT 17861 Administrators at Sierra Vista Middle School recently announced the school's honor roll recipients for the second quarter of the 2009-10 school year. Posting perfect 4.0 grade point averages among sixth grade students were Alexis Cardenas, Alyson Carrillo, Jennifer Duran, Celeste Garcia, Elizabeth Garcia, Yesenia Garcia, Angel Garza and Griselda Lupercio. Also posting perfect grades for the second quarter were sixth graders Rebecca Meza, Shams Nassar, Raul Ramirez, Victoria Rios, Mario Tellez and Karla Villanueva. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17860/sierra-vista-middle-school-announces-honor-roll Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:10:53 GMT 17860 It is often said that children and teenagers today are just too busy. With all the after school activities available, how could anyone find time to do their school work, too? The students of Harrison Middle School do not seem to have much problem keeping up their grades. Leading by example at HMS this past quarter with a total of 10 students achieving a 4.0 GPA, are eighth graders Ramon Alaniz, Itzel Alvizo, Stefani Anciso, Aidee Cisneros, Blanca Contreras, Gardenia Contreras, Ryan Pike, Nickolas Ramirez, Shawna Santini and Kurtis Tramel. Seventh graders added five more names to the 4.0 GPA honor with Leah Diddens, Trajen Frank, Katelyn Hazzard, Miguel Hernandez, Jordan Rodriguez. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17859/harrison-middle-school-honor-roll Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:10:07 GMT 17859 Hoping to help people document their 'barrio' lifestyles, sisters Madeline and Laura Alviso recently opened Firme509.com Studio in Sunnyside, located at 704 1/2 East Edison Avenue. "Both me and Lala (Laura) love to take pictures," Madeline Alviso said. "Our fathers used to take photos of weddings and used to take Lala along. She learned to use the camera at a young age." Alviso said she always admired Lala's style, which she calls 'barrio' culture. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17858/new-photography-studio-capturing-culture-of-latinos Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:09:03 GMT 17858 Patricia A. "Patty" Hecker, 72, of Grandview went to be with her sweetheart on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. She was born March 28, 1936 in Reamsville, Kansas. She moved to Grandview in 1937 with her family. She attended school in Grandview and graduated in 1954. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17857/obituary Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:05:46 GMT 17857 James "Jim" Stanton, former Sunnyside Fire Chief, was last Friday injured after having been run over by a tractor. According to Stanton's wife, Lana, he was working on a tractor when the operator accidentally placed the equipment in the wrong gear, subsequently running the former fire chief over. "Jim called the ambulance and then he called his brother," said Mrs. Stanton. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17856/former-sunnyside-fire-chief-injured-in-tractor-mishap Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:08:12 GMT 17856 GRANDVIEW - Grandview police are investigating whether or not a drive-by shooting in the area of Stassen Park and West Fifth Street yesterday morning (Sunday) resulted in injury. Police raced to the scene at 3 a.m. after witnesses reported hearing shots fired and ultimately found the correct location, which was a home in the 400 block of Avenue E. While investigating the scene, police fielded a call that a gunshot victim was seeking treatment and claimed to be shot in Grandview. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17855/grandview-police-investigating-shooting Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:07:43 GMT 17855 Former President Ronald Reagan once said, "Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." How about South Fifth Street, at the end of Franklin Avenue? If the Bonnie Dunbar Bronze Committee has its way, that is as far as you will have to travel to see an American hero. Over the last several years, the Bronze Society has banded together to immortalize important figures from the Lower Yakima Valley's distant past, including Ren Ferrel and Lloyd Miller, but now it is time to honor someone who not only influenced significant events of the past, but continues to make an important impact on the future. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17854/bronze-committee-seeks-to-immortalize-local-astronaut Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:07:03 GMT 17854 ZILLAH - The Mabton High School boys basketball team is back in familiar territory after beating the Riverview Panthers 62-55 in the District 5 semi-finals this past Friday in Zillah. The win gives the Vikings an automatic berth to State and sets up a District final showdown with league SCAC West rival Granger next Friday at 7:30 p.m., at Zillah Middle School. Mabton started last Friday's game slowly, getting just six points in the first quarter. Mabton Coach Brock Ledgerwood said his team struggled with the three-point shot against Riverview's 2-3 zone defense and allowed the Panther guards to penetrate Mabton's defenses. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17853/mabton-boys-declaw-panthers-qualify-for-1a-state Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:05:34 GMT 17853 TACOMA - The Sunnyside High School wrestling program may have fallen short of last year's fifth-place finish at the State 3A wrestling tourney, but the Grizzlies still proved plenty competitive. Overall, Sunnyside finished in 12th place as a team with 46 points. Yelm won the 3A tourney with 148 points, followed by Enumclaw with 142 points and North Central with 124.5 points. The brightest point for Sunnyside came in the 285-lb. weight class, where Jose Barajas advanced to the championship finals before getting pinned in the title bout in just 46 seconds by Cody Treddenbarger of Juanita. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17852/grizzly-grapplers-place-two-at-state Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:02:45 GMT 17852 TACOMA - For an athlete qualifying for the State wrestling tournament it is always a little nerve wracking. When you're a freshman carrying the weight of being the only one representing your school, the weight can be crushing. That was the situation young Mary Gutierrez of Mabton faced when she went to State this past weekend in Tacoma. The 112-pounder took a record of 14-3 and the No. 2 seed from the eastern region to Tacoma, but lost her first two matches on Friday to end her season and her hopes of bringing home a medal. Still, the youngster gained valuable experience that should serve her well next season. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17851/gutierrez-falls-at-state-but-gains-valuable-experience Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:01:45 GMT 17851 You have to fight to the bitter end if you want to win. Grandview girls basketball Coach Paul Van Pelt has been drilling that in the Lady Greyhounds' heads all season, and this past Saturday night it clicked when they defeated Toppenish 54-49. With a District berth on the line and 35 seconds to go, Lady 'Hound Payton Parrish stole the ball and scored from the outside to overcome a 47-46 deficit. http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/story.aspx/17850/lady-hounds-nip-toppenish-wildcats-to-claim-district-berth Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:00:44 GMT 17850