Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Behind PSE’s multi-year plan: Puget Sound Energy proposes raising Kittitas County electric bills nearly 30 percent by 2029, $51 more monthly, citing grid upgrades. The plan faces up to 11 months of state review -- get all the details.

MMR offers strong protection: Four measles cases were confirmed in Kittitas County, with three linked to one household. Health officials say there’s no indication of wider exposure and urge residents to review MMR vaccinations -- get all the details.

Deck replacement moves forward: I-90 Vantage Bridge work is underway for a third season, with one lane each way 24/7 and a 9-foot width limit. Expect delays as the project continues into 2028 -- see current lane and width limits.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you're probably overpaying (especially if you rack up fewer miles than you used to). It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching to a safe-driver-low-mileage plan with Lemonade could save you up to $1,000 over the next year without downgrading from full coverage. I drive a few times a week and went from paying hundreds to ~$60 a month for the exact same policy -- see how much you could save.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Pho meets boba bliss: Ellensburg’s own Young T and Tea is where steaming bowls of pho, legit banh mi, and slurpable milk tea do that midweek morale rescue you promised yourself back in January. Order a vermicelli bowl, add a boba, and pretend meal prep was always overrated.

Cider with hometown heart: Wheel Line Cider crafts dry, orchard-first ciders from heirloom bittersweet apples at their family farm near Ellensburg. Swing by the Cider Barn this week to taste, maybe book a tour, and support a community cider project that turns local apples into local good.

Korean-fusion comfort, anyone? When you need something a little special close to home, The Night Owl is serving shareable Korean-fusion plates and scratch cocktails in historic downtown Ellensburg. Think crispy Brussels, bulgogi street tacos, and a Beetroot Margarita that tastes better than your group chat's last dozen dinner plans.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

📿 Beading Beauties — Monthly Beadwork Circle @ Kittitas County Historical Museum (Ellensburg) | Monday (4/27) at 6:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for beads and company at a monthly circle honoring Columbia Plateau traditions, hosted by the museum and Ellensburg School District’s Ichiskíin Language and Native American Culture Program. All skill levels welcome, stories included. Bring your supplies, enjoy refreshments, and meet every fourth Monday.

✨ Reiki @ Peers Rising (Ellensburg) | Tuesday (4/28) at 1:00 PM – Fourth Tuesday at Peers Rising means free Reiki in Ellensburg, overworked shoulders welcome. Book a 20-minute reset with Laura White, breathe, and pretend your to-do list is someone else’s problem. Spots are scarce, so call, message, or swing by before calm gets booked solid.

☕ Memory Cafe @ UKC Senior Center (Cle Elum) | Wednesday (4/29) at 1:15 PM – If Wednesdays could use a gentler pace, the Memory Cafe is a weekly social spot for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, plus family, friends, and caregivers. Hosted by a Dementia Friend, it is safe, welcoming, and low-stress, with conversation, kindness, and no pop quizzes.

🎲 Family Play Night @ Valley Play Museum (Ellensburg) | Thursday (4/30) at 5:30 PM – Last Thursday evenings at Valley Play Museum mean one thing, sanctioned chaos you do not have to clean up. Bring the whole crew for hands-on exhibits, kid energy, and a 5:30 to 7:30 PM window that counts as quality time, not screen time.

🧹 Community Cleanup #1 @ Dru Bru - Cle Elum | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Whether you like tidy roadsides or just want an excuse to rock a neon vest, we’re sprucing up SR-903 in Cle Elum as part of the summer cleanup series. Fresh air, neighborly chatter, and the satisfying clink of a full trash bag.

🖼 First Friday Art Walk @ Ellensburg Downtown Association | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Ellensburg's First Friday Art Walk turns downtown into an easygoing gallery hop, with work in classic galleries, cozy shops, and sneaky little nooks. Stroll, chat up real artists, honor our creative neighbors, and confidently nod at mixed media like you meant to.

♻ 2nd Annual Recycling Event @ Ellensburg City Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Clean out the garage and swing by City Hall for Ellensburg’s recycling roundup. Drop off cans, cardboard, plastic, small batteries, paper for Shred-It, and donate bikes or professional clothing, learn curbside tips and where the odd stuff goes, but leave glass at home, naturally.

This custom build crowns 4.25 acres above the Kittitas Valley, showcasing Cascades and Mt. Stuart views from a full width sun deck. Inside, a gourmet kitchen and an owner's suite with fireplace stand out. The daylight basement adds a second kitchen for flexibility. A 4,420 sq ft heated, insulated shop with roll up doors plus commercial grade solar covers electric.