Hello Kittitas County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Snake-filled waterways, family play night, and family fun color run fundraiser + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
River rescue prompts caution: After water overtook his kayak, a 69-year-old Kittitas County man was rescued from a log jam on the Yakima River near Cle Elum. Swiftwater crews used a 12-foot inflatable boat -- see the rescue details.
All-star action on display: Photos captured Kittitas' Ronan Stewart running for a first down at the Earl Barden All-Star Classic at East Valley High on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with more showcase moments -- see more game photos.
Warm habitat hotspots: From the Yakima River near Ellensburg to the Columbia and Snake, these five Washington waterways brim with garter snakes, racers, and western rattlers when spring warmth hits the sunbaked banks -- explore snake-filled waterways.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Plant goals, achieved: Loewen Greenhouses and Landscaping LLC has greenhouses packed with locally grown annuals, perennials, edibles, shrubs and trees, plus a crew that can design in 3D and build patios, irrigation and more. Perfect if your yard needs less hmm and more heck yes, right here in Kittitas County.
Sneak in a reset: North Alder Street Park is that easy, close-to-home green space with a paved loop for quick laps, hoops if you need to shoot it out, a solid play structure for the kids, and a picnic shelter you can reserve when the crew demands snacks.
Small-town sips: The Time Out Saloon is the kind of Kittitas hang where the beer stays cold, burgers and tots hit right, and friendly regulars make it easy to unwind. If you need a simple, local reset this week, this spot has your back.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
☕ Memory Cafe @ UKCSC Centennial Center (Cle Elum) | Wednesday (6/24) at 1:15 PM – A welcoming meetup for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, plus the family, friends, and caregivers alongside them. Hosted by a Dementia Friend every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, expect conversation, coffee, and that supportive small-town vibe we hate to admit we love.
📚 Summer Reading! @ Roslyn Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Beat the heat at Roslyn Public Library's Summer Reading, where kids keep a reading log of what they read, or what you read to them, and earn prizes at the end. You get afternoons in the AC, they get stickers, glory, and bragging rights.
🧸 Family Play Night @ Valley Play Museum (Ellensburg) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats watching the kids discover, climb, and conspire while you sneak in a real conversation. The Valley Play Museum hosts Family Play Night the last Thursday each month, with evening hours, hands-on exhibits, and enough joyful chaos to tire everyone out, you included.
🏃 Family Fun Color Run Fundraiser @ N. Alder Street Park (Ellensburg) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Get color-splashed for a cause, and help Valley Play Museum keep play open to every family. Walk, jog, or stroller your way through music, bubbles, and color stations, then stick around for tie-dye, chalk and cheer, a dance party, and frozen treats.
🎨 Ellensburg Mural Festival @ Gallery One | Saturday (6/27) – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to watch paint dry, here it is. Regional artists are turning Phoenix Alley, between 4th and 5th east of Pearl, into a live outdoor gallery, with fresh murals, casual strolls, and neighborly chit-chat.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Kittitas County report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind 2 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 50°F — Precip: 13%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Later: A chance of rain showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis fully remodeled 33+acre farm and ranch pairs Badger Creek frontage with serious working infrastructure and polished comfort. The down-to-the-studs renovation includes a new foundation, updated systems, heated floors, a propane fireplace, and a 2022 primary suite addition. Outside, orchards, vineyard, barns, shop space, irrigation, and fenced pastures round out the package.
Take a peek inside → |
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