BONUS EPISODE: Yakima City Council says "Yakima Valley Trolleys Must Raise $7 Million in 18 Months"

Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Ken Johnsen, founder of the non-profit Yakima Valley Trolleys in Yakima, Washington. Earlier this week, the Yakima City Council voted to withdraw financial support for the trolley portion of a project key to Yakima's future, and key to the future of Yakima Valley Trolleys. Now, the City of Yakima says that Yakima Valley Trolleys has about 18 months to come up with $7 million to support the trolley-related elements of the reconstruction of 6th Avenue in downtown Yakima. Without the tracks on 6th Avenue, Yakima Valley Trolleys' status as the only intact interurban in North America would end - as the route from Yakima to Selah, Washington would be permanently severed. Ken Johnsen is now working to identify the resources required to raise $7 million dollars, and joined CASCADE OF HISTORY on Saturday, February 21, 2026 to provide an update. Contribute to Yakima Valley Trolleys: https://www.yakimavalleytrolleys.org/donations/ LIVE BROADCAST from Yakima Valley Trolleys Powerhouse in June 2025: https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/ep-112 Background via the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation's List of Most Endangered Places: https://preservewa.org/yakima-valley-trolleys-named-to-washingtons-most-endangered-places-list/ CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.