Sara Rae Shields

Renée Lopez's photography cruises from Yakima Avenue right into Washington, D.C. Renée Lopez is a photographer who has built a career focused on documenting women in lowrider culture, a perspective often overlooked and underestimated. Originally from Yakima, she recently had work

"For Lopez, lowriding is much more than custom paint and hydraulics. It’s heritage," @sararae-yhr.bsky.social writes for the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Sip & Snip, Prosser Balloon Rally and Bad Habit If you haven't had your fill of corn dogs, elephant ears and carnival thrills, the Central Washington State Fair continues through Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at State Fair Park.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Lowrider exhibit at Smithsonian Museum will feature work from artist originally from Yakima A former Yakima resident’s work will be featured in a Smithsonian exhibition later this month.

Renée Lopez’s portrait of the Dueñas Car Club, an all-female lowrider collective from Sunnyvale, California, is part of the exhibit and emphasizes how powerful women’s roles are in lowrider culture. Coverage from @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Musical in Sunnyside, White Pass run and Dogtoberfest Besides the Central Washington State Fair, check out a Broadway musical in Sunnyside, Dogtoberfest at Bron Yr Aur and a White Pass running event.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Annual country and rock music festival returns this weekend The Yakima Valley has a variety of community events this week, from Sunnyside Sunshine Days to Steppe into the Square in Tieton.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

From pastries to planets: a road trip to The Dalles A two-hour drive from Yakima to The Dalles, Oregon offers Greek pastries, stargazing, exotic animals, historic landmarks and neon-lit nostalgia all in one road trip.

Summer isn't over yet. You've still got time for one more PNW road trip — like this one, described by @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Ellensburg Rodeo, menudo fest and studio tours If you aren't hitting the road this weekend, check out the annual Ellensburg Rodeo, the menudo festival in Granger or the artist studio tour in Yakima.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley wine region fourth best in USA Today poll The Yakima Valley was voted as the fourth best wine region in the USA Today 10 Best readers’ choice poll.

The Walla Walla Valley was third. Coverage from @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

So much to do this weekend, including Yakima Pride Festival!

From hopeful to homeless to Heritage University: Wapato High School grad Natalie Parrales strives Despite moving from Mexico to Wapato alone as a freshman, Natalie Parrales overcame language barriers and homelessness to graduate high school and earn a scholarship to Heritage University. She…

The Wapato High School graduate is originally from Mexico and moved to Wapato on her own during her freshman year. Parrales moved in with a relative to start a new life. Story by @sararae-yhr.bsky.social‬ of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Union Gap Old Town Days, a big yard sale and Cruisin' the Ave. Cruise Yakima Avenue, play some music bingo or check out Old Town Days in Union Gap this weekend in the Yakima Valley.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social‬ at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

After 17 years with students in another Lower Valley town, this story means the world.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Day at the Dig, Grandview market and Larson Galley anniversary wine Meet your favorite local author while shopping local vendors, check out the Paranormal Cirque or support local nonprofit Yakima Pride this weekend.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social‬ at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Granger seniors publish personal stories for 'We Are America' book The book gave Anaie Garcia and her classmates a chance to share who they are with others. “We all have a story that really shows how we are today, and

“A lot of people are going to read our stories, and it's going to be a lot different than theirs," said Kevin Reyes, 18. "We have a unique story in all of us.” Coverage from @sararae-yhr.bsky.social‬ at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

You’re making me want to restart the show!

Couch ultra! LFG

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Selah Days, Legends powwow and a concert at Sportsman Park The annual Selah Community Days features activities all weekend and Legends Casino's annual powwow will fill the Yakima SunDome with drumbeats and hundreds of dancers in colorful traditional regalia.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Zillah Community Days, House Collective and downtown farmers market Zillah is the place to be this weekend with the high school's spring play opening and the annual Zillah Community Days. And here's your reminder that Sunday is Mother's Day.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Tieton half marathon, 'Grease' and Taco Fest East Valley High school brings "Grease" to the stage and Yakima Valley Libraries' new "Sounds of the Valley" concert series starts this week. And don't forget Taco Fest.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Sunnyside Cinco de Mayo festival this weekend The 37th annual Cinco de Mayo festival is this weekend in downtown Sunnyside.

The festival includes more than 100 vendors, dancing horses, a carnival, live entertainment, traditional music and food stands, @sararae-yhr.bsky.social reports for the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Under the radar places in the Yakima Valley, from tacos to basalt daisies This list features stellar tacos in Wapato, a new radio show from a familiar Yakima name, a short hike you might not know about and some artistic trash receptacles.

Get off the beaten track and explore these under-the-radar places in the Yakima Valley with your guide, @sararae-yhr.bsky.social of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Under the radar places in the Yakima Valley, from tacos to basalt daisies This list features stellar tacos in Wapato, a new radio show from a familiar Yakima name, a short hike you might not know about and some artistic trash receptacles.

There are lots of cool things to see and do in the Yakima Valley — and then there's the really good stuff that runs under the radar. Just ask @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic. She'll tell you where to find it.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Gems, dogs, Earth Day and steel cars The Yakima Valley is packed with events this weekend from wine tasting, a rock show, a Kids Fish In and community fun.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

WA food banks bracing for potential impacts from federal cuts and tariffs Cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture food assistance programs could hit local farmers, food banks and their users at a time when more families are reliant on them.

The Fruitvale Community Market in Yakima is open three days a week. Last summer, it served about 750 households on the days it was open, a number that's now grown to 1,300 households. Coverage from Questen Inghram at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Caton Landfill temporarily closes following state decision on permit The Caton Landfill near Naches has temporarily ceased operations following a recent state decision that upheld the denial of its solid waste permit.

"Unfortunately, despite our continued compliance and environmental safety record, we are facing regulatory challenges that have made continued operation legally untenable in the short term," Caton said on its website. Coverage from Questen Inghram at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Selah couple's running journey headed to Boston Marathon A little more than a decade ago, before they got married, John Roberts biked alongside his future wife, Heidi, during runs and cracked jokes about the ludicrous idea of joining

On the first day of April, John and Heidi Roberts celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary. Next Monday, they'll be together in a starting corral at the Boston Marathon, the culmination of a long journey John said began when he quit drinking in 2013. (Luke Thompson / Yakima Herald-Republic)

Yakima Valley weekend picks: Granger celebrates 75 years of the annual Cherry Festival Take advantage of Heritage University's powwow, a Sun Country Mustang Club car show or an Earth Day event in Cowiche Canyon.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Yakima Valley weekend picks: ArborFest, car show in Sunnyside and a tea party Local organizations are offering multiple options to spend time outside in nature this weekend.

Your guide to weekend events in the Yakima Valley, courtesy of @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Deep red Pansy with a yellow eye. No

Something beautiful for this day: Pansy, Yakima, Washington (April 2025). #flowers

In Yakima, more than 1,300 protesters call on Trump, Musk to keep hands off democracy, programs Protestors and demonstrators gathered across the country Saturday, proclaiming April 5, 2025, as a National Day of Action.

"We need to reach out to people that are starting to understand that things are falling apart, and really our only weapon against this is our voices,” said Susan Hahn, a retired Washington State Supreme Court judge. Coverage from @sararae-yhr.bsky.social at the Yakima Herald-Republic.