The rate of speed digital information is being transmitted to and from personal devices and the ability to create and forward materials to others for connected engagement is being accessed and relied upon with great importance as a result of the ever changing COVID-19 environment.

Do voters really care what candidates have to say? One may not think so after seeing the piles of discharged General Election Voters’ Pamphlets left behind at the Sunnyside Post Office counter on Monday, October 12.

As we observe National Newspaper Week – October 4-10 this year – it is time to pause for a moment and reflect on the global and national issues which have shaped and added character to our local stories with relevance and importance, making the Sunnyside Sun Newspaper a real news source of community information and trusted journalism.

The much anticipated announcement by the Yakima Health District for local school officials to proceed with in-person, hybrid learning on Monday afternoon, September 28, is a positive step for students to begin transitioning back into the classroom within the next three weeks and moving beyond the limiting confines of distance instruction.

The term “social distancing” along with the wearing of protective face mask coverings has been merged together for safeguarding our physical health in maintaining a measurable distance from others who are not family members residing in the same household to prevent the viral spread of COVID-19 – contributing to the loss of personable contact with others, which may be having a significant impact on our mental health.

As a rural and agricultural haven of farmers, ranchers and people who appreciate this quality of lifestyle here in the lower valley, our relationship with animals and the environment is constantly evolving but our duty to ensure their care and humane treatment is a community responsibility which should never waiver.

The new Sunnyside public camping ordinance recently approved by the city council is receiving praise from local businessowners and neighbors in the South Seventh Street area but is also an example of community residents working together to help one another.

The start for the 2020-21 school year seems to be on everyone’s mind – even those who have not been in a classroom for years, either as a student or volunteer.

In the fight against COVID-19, Yakima County was singled out by Gov. Jay Inslee for significantly reducing the spread of the highly infectious disease during the Joint Information Center media briefing and his press conference last week.

Our appointed leaders are responsible for and responsive to the citizens who elected them, and meetings should reflect a public discourse for a wide spectrum of communications.

As School Districts across the state have announced their immediate plans for full online learning to begin the upcoming school year – protecting their students, staff, and community from furthering the spread of COVID-19, the Sunnyside School Board plans to make their decision the following week on Friday, August 7.

As local health officials clarified Yakima County’s modified Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan and apparently were able to get back on the same page of the approved “Roadmap to Recovery” after previously announcing we were at Phase 1.5 on July 3 — continues in adding to the rising levels of uncertainty and frustration which continue to plague us all on a daily basis.

Lower Yakima Valley parents along with community members, school district and health officials are swiftly working together and developing a fluid and cautionary plan for reopening K-12 school this fall.

The statewide mask order which went into effect on June 26 requiring individuals to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and outdoors when people are unable to stay six feet apart from others has been helping to make a positive difference throughout the lower valley – we cannot let down our guard against COVID-19 as Yakima County moves to Phase 1.5 of the Safe Start Washington plan.

As school districts across the lower valley begin developing school reopening plans through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI), the Department of Health, and the Department of Labor and Industry – the most important part will include the public’s involvement, which is vital to the success in restarting campuses and extracurricular activities.