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Summary of Sunnyside' substantive news events for Oct. 1999

Yakima Valley News will glean news items from other sources and summarize them for our readers. Sunnyside items will be archived along with our own stories for your convenience and future research. Use your computer's "find" command to locate a word or phrase that might help you. Click q to email YVN's vast newspaper empire. Click q to enter YVN's news archives.

Yakima County 2nd-half property taxes due Nov. 1
SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 10-27-99)--Property taxes for the last half of the year are due Nov. 1, says Yakima County Treasurer Nancy Davidson. Taxpayers mailing payments must have their envelopes postmarked by that date. If you misplaced your bill, click q, punch in your parcel number, and get your tax amount. If you don't know your parcel number, click q, punch in your address, and get it. Davidson said her outfit is, this minute, foreclosing on real estate properties and seizing personal property for delinquent taxes. The county reportedly billed more than 100,000 "customers" this year for $124 million.

Hospital fund raiser heading toward $1.2-million

SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 10-27-99)--Dr. P.J. Swofford, campaign chair for Sunnyside Community Hospital, says the project has raised $807,000 in gifts and pledges so far. SHC's goal is $1.2 million. Individuals, businesses, clubs, churches and other groups are cordially invited to kick in. The hospital served 14,034 emergency patients last year, or an average 38 a day. Donate at 525 S. 6th St. or phone (509) 837-1336.

Decision about water wells due in a week or two

SUNNYSIDE (Monday 10-25-99)--Can builders of new residential subdivisions sink a well that draws less than 5,000 gallons of water a day without checking in with WA's beloved Dept. of Ecology? State bureaucrats, plus developer Campbell & Gwinn, and property owners E.A. and Beverly White, are seeking a decision on the matter in Yakima County Superior Court. The court should have an answer in a couple of weeks. Ecology's Keith Phillips says the Attorney General believes the exemption is for individuals, not developers. The decision will have statewide repercussions. [Judge Walter Stauffacher, Courtroom #3, 77-2-01484-5 (Water Rights) 9:30 AM 11-11-99 Washington State Dept Ecology Vs James Acquavella (1 HourTelephonic Hearing)]

Feds funnel $2.5 million to widen Midvale Rd.

SUNNYSIDE (Friday 10-22-99)--Feds have funneled $2,542,977 through the WA Dept. of Transportation to pay for widening Midvale Road from the I-82 off ramp 1 1/2 miles south to Peanut Hump near Duffy Road. The Sunnyside Port District project includes a two-way turn lane at Duffy. Traffic lights will be installed at the Midvale and Alexander Road intersection. Port Mgr. Amber Hansen believes the project will spur industrial development and make the area safer for drivers.

Sunnyside High requires ID badges now

SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 10-21-99)--In a move to help identify outside troublemakers, Sunnyside High School now requires identification badges for students. It was a response to last week's on-campus shooting rumor. From now on, the badges will be "standard attire" says Principal Bob Thomas. Replacement badges will cost $2. All doors except the front door will be locked. SHS will hand out printed passes to approved visitors.

Police Chief Anderson probe winding down

SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 10-20-99)--Independent counsel Gary Cuillier indicates the probe of Police Chief Wallace Anderson should be handed to City Attorney Mark Kunkler by Friday. He's going to make recommendations to the city as well. Attorney Adam Moore, bankrolled by local businessmen, also is on the case and isn't in Anderson's corner. Attorney Wade Gano is on the chief's side. Cuillier expects to hear from Gano and Moore today. The chief is accused of shooting a gun and storing military explosives in the old jail, and of shooting a blue heron and seagull in town. Anderson reportedly has paid a $250 fine for nailing the heron.
 
The Scots are coming! The Scots are...
SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 10-19-99)--The UK's ScottishPower might buy PacificCorp, the outfit that owns Pacific Power and provides the juice for Sunnysiders. The buy reportedly is OK with Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission bureaucrats. But a host of other overfed regulators have to give it the green light as well. It would mark the first time foreigners buy a major American utility company. Scottish folks indicate it will be a good deal for local rate payers. If the deal flies, we should know about it by year's end.
 
Government reps form drug coalition
SUNNYSIDE (Monday 10-18-99)--The Lower Valley Substance Abuse Coalition has been formed from representatives of several government groups, according to reports. Included are the Yakima County Sheriff's Dept., State Patrol, plus school districts in Sunnyside, Grandview, Mabton, and Granger. The group at first will get dollars from the Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition, but hopes local businesses and groups later will kick some bucks. The Coalition's goal is to stop local folks from using illegal drugs. They are opposed by the Pusher Corps, which is better funded via drug sales.
 
Councilman, wife donate downtown land
SUNNYSIDE (Monday 10-18-99)--Don and Karen Vlieger today donated personal property for the Sunnyside Centennial Square. The Vlieger property formed part of the 6th Street and Edison Avenue parcel upon which the Square will be built. The Fraternal Order of Eagles owns the other half of the needed parcel. The Centennial Square Committee--given more buying power by Councilman Vlieger's donation--is expected to purchase the Eagle property next month. Vlieger told reporters "We think the Centennial Square concept and plan is good for the city of Sunnyside, good for the downtown and good for the community...We hope many more will step forward to support this great project." Click q for more info.

Shooting rumor half empties Sunnyside High

SUNNYSIDE (Friday 10-15-99)--Half the student body fled Sunnyside High School today after rumors a shooting would take place there today. School Supt. Rick Cole, Principal Bob Thomas and Sunnyside Police Capt. Ed Radder, however, were on the case early today.
 
Fed report reveals S'side tap water good
SUNNYSIDE (Friday 10-15-99)--Sunnyside has good drinking water according to a federal report. "We have good water, a good system and our physical plant is in good shape," Gary Potter, Sunnyside's Public Works Director, told reporters. Residents will get a copy of the report each year henceforward.
 
Eric Herrera promotes Tejano music
SUNNYSIDE (Friday 10-15-99)--Eric Herrera, 20, a KDNA volunteer, has turned band promoter and producer for Sierra, a local Tejano band. Herrera produces "Puro Tejano Pro" a popular afternoon radio show on the all-Spanish station. He says its tough for bands and promoters to break into music gigs, but he's giving it his all. Look for Sierera to play at the Darkhorse Inn tonight and soon in Pasco. Need a band? Give Eric a call at (509) 854-1919.
 
Realtors blast R-1 proposal at planner meet
SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 10-14-99)--Real Estate interests reportedly ganged up on the Sunnyside Planning Commission last night. They demanded rejection of a proposal to require new homes in R1-zoned areas have at least 90% of the square footage of nearby existing homes. The message was delivered by local realtors Tom Biehl, Kenny Nelson, Leroy Ganser, and Sandy Bos. Commissioners referred the flap to the City Council to enjoy at their 7 p.m. meeting Monday, Oct. 18.
 
Feds control Sunnyside air, parking stalls
SUNNYSIDE (Thursday 10-14-99)--Feds today demand a certain number and type of parking stalls for commercial and industrial developments, according to Gary Potter, Sunnyside Public Works director. Feds say, for example, one parking stall is required for each two employees, and all facilities require a stall for the crippled. Other Feds (they're everywhere) indicate the city also will have to pave some graveled streets, roads and alleys to keep dust down. All this will be taken up with the Planning Commission Nov. 10, and later with the City Council.
 
Salmon flap about water, not fish, say realtors
SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 10-13-99)--Local realtor Kenny Nelson says the "saving-the-salmon" issue is not really about fish, but about crimping water flow to the land. Those who advocate breaching Northwest dams are out to cut back irrigation water for agriculture and residential development, says the Washington Association of Realtors (WAR). WAR says flooding rivers and lack of water to land will reduce property values. "There is no proof whatsoever that dams have anything at all to do with the decline in the fish population," Nelson told the Realtors Assn.
 
Sunnyside police officers attend trooper service
TRI-CITIES (Wednesday 10-13-99)--Sunnyside police officers joined thousands mourning the death of James Saunders, Washington State Patrol trooper, who was gunned down in Pasco Oct. 7. Saunders, 31, was a loved and respected father, husband, and colleague. Nicolas Solorio Vasquez, 28, of Pasco, an illegal alien, is charged with agravated first-degree murder in the case. His bail is set at $2-million.
 
Melody Eikenbary takes Red Cross helm
SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 10-13-99)--Melody Eikenbary has been appointed as paid administrative assistant for the Red Cross' Lower Valley office. Bill Combs, who now is stationed in Yakima and visits the Sunnyside office on Fridays, says Melody has proven to be indispensable to the Yakima County operation. Melody is following in the footsteps of her father, Ernie Peterson, who has been an American Red Cross volunteer for many years.
 
PacificCorp may kick in some local $
SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 10-12-99)--PacificCorp Foundation--Pacific Power's charitable arm--has freed up some grant money which might be used for Sunnyside projects, according to Ed Ulmer, PP's lower valley customer business manager. Ulmer has suggested PP sock some dollars into Sunnyside's Centennial Project and into Sunnyside Community Hospital. It just may happen. Pacific Power--like many corporations--receives fed tax breaks for setting up charitable foundations from which they dole money for worthy causes.
 
Meeting set to discuss farm-camp rules
SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 10-12-99)--State bureaucrats will gather with the public in Ellensburg Oct. 15 to present draft rules for licensing, operating, and inspecting temporary worker housing in the state. Draft rules will be discussed by the Depts. of Health and Labor & Industries. After proposed rules are filed, a November public hearing will be set to discuss rules up for adopton next March.
 
David Estudillo passes state BAR exam
SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 10-12-99)--David Estudillo, son of Ely and Esperanza Estudillo of Sunnyside, has passed the state bar exam. Estudillo graduated from Sunnyside High in 1991, and the U of W law school this year. He'll be sworn in as an officer of the court Oct. 28 in Yakima. He currently works with the law firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn and Aylward in Moses Lake. David is the seventh of 10 Estudillo children to earn a college degree.
 
2 S'side auto supply stores close their doors
SUNNYSIDE (Monday 10-11-99)--Bowden's Auto Supply and Al's Auto Supply have closed their doors here, according to their managers. Al's employed 10 in Sunnyside. Bowden's was owned by Al Bowden, Yakima.
 
Soroptimists give $550 for life-saver unit
SUNNYSIDE (Tuesday 10-11-99)--The Lower Valley Soroptimists have donated $550 to the Lower Valley Red Cross for an automated exterior defibrillator (AED) training unit. The life-saving device will greatly increase a person's chance to survive cardiac arrest, according to the Yakima County Red Cross' Bill Combs. The units soon are expected to be located in public areas and shopping malls everywhere. Thanks to the Soroptimists, the Lower Valley now has its first one.