The Grandview Herald

06/17/2026

Grandview Boy and Alaska Airlines

Sheldon Bruce Simmons was born on October 8, 1908, in Clearwater County, Idaho. He grew up in Grandview, Washington.

At 16, Simmons quit school to become a deckhand aboard a freighter bound for the Orient. Over the next three years, he drove a delivery truck in Ketchikan, studied electrical engineering in Los Angeles, and worked as an electrician in the Alaska-Juneau gold mine. He quit the mine so he and a friend could sail 2,100 miles down the Yukon River on a 14-foot rowboat. When they landed in the Arctic, he took a job on a runway construction project.

Simmons got the flying bug watching Noel Wien and others land on the unfinished airstrip. In 1929 Sheldon, “Shell” went to Yakima, Washington near his hometown and learned to fly at a flying school run by John L. Seawall, a WW I pilot.

Simmons returned to southeast Alaska and after several failed attempts at air service involving the only Curtiss Jenny on floats and an open-cockpit Aero-Marine Klem, started Alaska Air Transport in 1935.

Simmons joined Alex Holden’s Marine Airways in 1939 to form Alaska Coastal Airlines, which joined with Ellis Airlines in 1965 to form Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines. This company became part of Alaska Airlines in 1968. Simmons became a director emeritus of Alaska Airlines in 1981.

Simmons died November 16, 1994, in Juneau. He was inducted into the Alaska Hall of Fame on February 18, 2010, and the Alaska Aviation Museum Hall of Fame in 2010.

06/17/2026

Backward Glance looks back into the Grandview Herald newspaper archives and captures glimpses of news items from Grandview’s past.

80 Years Ago - June 1946

Three Grandview High athletes will be striving for places in the baseball sun when they participate in the Yakima Valley Boys’ All-Star double-header at Parker Field in Yakima. The three are Dick Allen, catcher; Marvin Whitney, first baseman, and Bert Wells, outfielder.

The firm of Smith & Judd has opened a new department in their store. The demand for recording has risen in the last year to the point where the company feels justified in creating this new music department. Miss Joan Davis will be in charge and has attended a special school in Seattle where she was taught the record filing system.

Mack Barnard has announced the final papers have been signed conveying title of the Grandview Meat Market to H. C. Dykstra, for years owner and operator of the Grandview Packing Company. Dykstra has purchased the market with the idea of turning its operation over to Carl Stevens, his son-in-law, who will assume charge of the retail end of the business, including plans for a new modern refrigerated slaughterhouse.

Both the Perham Fruit and Yakima Valley Fruit Growers are asking for more help in their processing plants. According to J. M. Schooley, manager of Perham’s, they can use another one hundred cherry packers. Harold Werner of the Big Y states they can use both cherry packers and sorters.

70 Years Ago - June 1956

First game of the schedule for the newly organized Girls’ Softball League will be next Tuesday between the Nazarenes and the Chicks. The second game, starting at 8, will be between the Queens and the Co-Eds. Girls playing on the Nazarenes team will be Kay Lybyer, Arlie Kay Grow, Lois Johnson, Norma Larson, Shirley and Sandra Warner, Pat Hawn, Jerri Hals, Harriett Brown, Barbara Huff, Patsy Essary and Hazel Brown.

In the Dairy Month Mystery Man contest, Mrs. Vern Schryvers of Costello’s Café received a reward of $7 last week when she correctly identified the mystery man as Bob Hamilton and offered him a glass of milk. A new mystery man was immediately appointed and is still at large, according to recent reports.

Miss Grandview 1956, Beth Lyall, will make her first official appearance at the city swimming pool dedication on Friday afternoon when she is scheduled to dive from the high board and break the traditional tape.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Grandview Baptist Church will be this Sunday afternoon at the church property located at Highway 410 and Bonnieview. Rev. Clyde Godfrey, pastor of the church which presently holds services in the American Legion hall, extends a cordial invitation to the public to attend.

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

City offices will be CLOSED Friday, June 19 as we observe Juneteenth. Friday garbage service will take place Monday, June 22. Thank you.

06/16/2026

06/10/2026

Burn Restrictions Tighten Across the Region as Fire Danger Rises

Benton County and Yakima Counties, along with surrounding areas, are entering peak wildfire season, and multiple agencies - including the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Benton Clean Air Agency, and Yakima County Fire Marshal have issued burn restrictions or warnings as dry, windy conditions persist.

Restrictions are increasing now as DNR reports that human-caused fires remain the leading ignition source in Washington. Keep in mind that burn restrictions are used to reduce wildfire starts during these hot, dry, and windy periods.

Local fire districts in Benton and Yakima counties have already responded to several early-season brush fires, many caused by: Escaped debris burns; equipment sparks; rekindled spring burn piles; and roadside ignitions.

How Residents Can Reduce Fire Danger: At Home

Create a defensible space: clear dry grass and weeds within 30 feet of structures; trim tree branches 6-10 feet off the ground; and remove leaves and needles from roofs and gutters
Keep a charged garden hose or fire extinguisher accessible
Store firewood at least 30 feet from buildings


When Using Equipment: avoid mowing or using metal-bladed trimmers during hot, windy afternoons; and keep vehicles off dry grass - hot exhaust systems ignite fires; and secure trailer chains to prevent roadside sparks.

If You Burn (when allowed): Never leave a fire unattended; keep water and a shovel on site; burn only natural vegetation - no garbage, plastics, or treated wood; and fully extinguish fires until the ashes are cool to the touch.

For Farmers: Maintain spark arrestors on equipment; wet down fields and fence lines before mowing and coordinate with your fire district during high wind days.

Current Burn Status - Benton County. Residential Outdoor Burning:

Not allowed today under the Benton Clean Air Agency’s daily burn decision.
This includes yard debris, tumbleweeds, and ditch burning.
Allowed: BBQs, propane appliances, campfires in approved pits.


Agricultural Burning is allowed with restrictions:

Permit-required agricultural burning is allowed during posted hours.
Limited agricultural burning (orchard pruning’s, tumbleweeds, canal/fence‑line vegetation) does not require a permit, but notification to Benton Clean Air Agency and your local fire district is required.


City of Prosser: Prosser follows Benton Clean Air Agency rules. No residential outdoor burning is permitted within city limits. Recreational fires must be: in a contained pit or manufactured device; under three feet in diameter; and constantly attended with water available.

Benton County Fire Districts (3, 4, 5, 6)

All districts follow the countywide burn decision.
Districts may impose stricter temporary bans during high wind events.
Residents should check their district’s daily status before burning.


Washington DNR Wildfire Danger Levels (as of May 28, 2026): Lower Basin Fire Danger Rating Area (FDRA) – High; Valley FDRA - High; and Upper Yakima FDRA - High (relevant for Yakima County & western Benton County)

High fire danger means: Fine fuels ignite easily, and fires spread rapidly; and outdoor burning is strongly discouraged even where technically allowed.

DNR reminds residents that burn restrictions apply on all DNR‑protected lands, including state forests and private forestlands.

Yakima County Burn Restriction (June 1–August 31, 2026): Yakima County has issued its annual burn restriction for June 1 through August 31, prohibiting all residential outdoor burning in unincorporated areas.

Key points from the Yakima County Fire Marshal’s recent announcement: Residential burning prohibited: yard waste, ditch banks, and private debris burning. “During this period, residential outdoor burning of non‑recreational materials is prohibited.” Agricultural field and orchard burning may be allowed with a YRCAA permit.
“Agricultural field and orchard burning may be allowed with a permit from the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency (YRCAA).” Recreational fires allowed in approved campground devices and private fire pits.
“Recreational fires are allowed in approved campground devices and private residential fire pits.” Penalties: $250 for first offense, up to $1,000 for repeated violations. “Residential outdoor burning in violation… may be subject to a civil fine of $250 for the first offense…” This restriction is mandated annually under Yakima County Ordinance 4‑2026.

Important Contacts:

Benton Clean Air Agency - Residential Burn Line: 509‑783‑6198. Agricultural Burn Line: 509‑783‑6570.
YRCAA: 509‑834‑5050 or yakimacleanair.org
Washington DNR Burn Portal: burnportal.dnr.wa.gov


Prosser Fire Districts

District 3 (Prosser): 509‑786‑3873
District 4 (West Richland/Badger Canyon): 509‑967‑2945
District 5 (Benton City): 509‑588‑3212
District 6 (Plymouth/Paterson): 509‑875‑2200

06/10/2026

The countdown is on for the Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo! We’re filling the grandstands, prepping the show animals, and bringing the real fun to the valley this August 5-8th.

Lock the dates in, who’s coming with you?

photo by: