Around the Valley

North First Street to be cleaned up

YAKIMA -- North First Street is about to get its spring cleaning done.

Organizers are hoping at least 150 volunteers will take part Saturday in the third annual effort to increase the visual appeal of the city's lodging district, considered a key gateway for visitors.

This year's cleanup is the first undertaking of the fledgling First Street First, a group of area businesses and other entities interested in improving the street's status as a part of Yakima.

The project starts at 9 a.m. from the Clarion Hotel, 1507 N. First St., and runs for three hours. A barbecue lunch, including music, will be offered to volunteers afterward.

If you'd like to help, please bring work gloves; tools will be provided for pulling weeds, pruning overgrown bushes, painting over graffiti and other tasks.

For more information, call For A Better Tomorrow at 576-3606.

La Casa Hogar fundraiser Sunday

This year's signature fundraising event for Yakima Interfaith Coalition La Casa Hogar is nearly, if not already, sold out.

The Connecting Communities Fiesta is from 3:30-7 p.m. Sunday at the Mighty Tieton Warehouse, 608 Wisconsin Ave., in Tieton. The cost for the event is $50 per person and includes traditional Mexican food, entertainment, raffles and a silent auction with many art pieces by local artists as well as items from Mexico and El Salvador.

All proceeds benefit La Casa Hogar, a nonprofit organization that offers classes, programs and financial assistance for new immigrant women and children to help transition to life in Yakima Valley.

For ticket availability or more information, call La Casa Hogar at 457-5058.

P.E.O. Sisterhood marks anniversary

YAKIMA -- Chapter P of the P.E.O. sisterhood is celebrating its 100th anniversary Saturday.

The event will run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Summitview Country Clubhouse, 101 N. 48th Ave. The philanthropic and educational organization strives to provide women with opportunities to take part in higher education.

It maintains five educational projects including an educational loan fund, an international peace scholarship fund, a program for continuing education and scholar awards. It also maintains the Cottey Junior College in Nevada, Mo., a fully accredited liberal arts college for women.

P.E.O. was founded in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, by seven girls. In the last 139 years, it's grown to encompass more than 250,000 women.

Operation Thank You to hold sale

The Yakima Valley chapter of Operation Thank You is hosting a garage sale next month to raise money to send care packages to troops stationed overseas.

Meantime, the nonprofit group is collecting stuff to sell. Quality, gently used items are needed now through June 4.

The sale takes place June 7 at the Davis High School cafeteria, 212 S. Sixth Ave.

Donations are being collected between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Bekins Moving and Storage Co., 1891 N. First St. in Yakima.

All proceeds from the sale will go to buy items to send to troops abroad.

Operation Thank You supports troops by sending them care packages and greeting returning troops.

For more information, call Shirley Woolem at 966-7069.

Man allegedly impersonated officer

YAKIMA -- A man who authorities said tried to pass himself off as a Yakima police officer late last week faces charges of criminal impersonation.

The 36-year-old Yakima man made a preliminary appearance Monday in Yakima County Superior Court and was released on bail.

He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday.

Yakima police said in an affidavit that a woman called them when a man, identifying himself as an Officer Michaels, was on her doorstep, ordering her to stop making harassing telephone calls to a second woman.

When police arrived at the home in the 1200 block of Fairbanks Avenue, they found the man on the porch. Police recovered a loaded handgun from the suspect.

The incident occurred at 1:50 a.m. Friday.

Bank employee accused of theft

A man who worked for Key Bank in Grandview faces arraignment Wednesday on charges he withdrew money from a depositor's account without permission.

The 19-year-old man could be charged with first-
degree theft. He made a preliminary appearance Monday in Yakima County Superior Court to be advised of the possible charges against him.

According to a police affidavit filed in the case, the depositor's daughter told authorities about the withdrawals that occurred earlier this year. The amount listed in the affidavit was $3,800.

Bank officials conducted their own investigation before contacting police.

Road work will close lane of I-90

An eastbound lane on Interstate 90 in the area of the Golf Course Road interchange will be is closed until Friday while the state Department of Transportation resurfaces the Yakima River Bridge with a new concrete overlay.

During the closure, the area's speed limit will be reduced to 50 miles per hour and drivers should expect backups during peak travel times. Traffic will be directed during the closure through signs, cones and portable electronic signs.

For more information and a complete construction report, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthCentral/Construction.

-- Yakima Herald-Republic