Lukehart, 87, who among other achievements helped create the Yakima Valley SunDome and built the “Palm Springs of Washington” sign along Interstate 82, died Feb. 25, 2023, his wife Mary said.

This article appears in print in the May 2018 issue, as part of the “Sunny Getaways” cover story. Click here to subscribe. Driving east on Interstate 82, you can’t miss the sign welcoming visitors to ...

Soon she was contacted by Gary Lukehart, a Yakima businessman who came up with the slogan, “Yakima: The Palm Springs of Washington” and erected a sign with the phrase on property he owns off ...

A sign reads “Welcome to Yakima, the Palm Springs of Washington” near Interstate 82. (M. ... dotted with Spanish signs for businesses catering to a Mexican audience.

YAKIMA -- A billboard proclaiming, "Welcome to Yakima: The Palm Springs of Washington," is back by Interstate 82 amid the snow and cold of winter. The sign is owned by Gary Lukehart, a Yakima ...

A few years ago, I was in the Pacific Northwest and go to visit the City of Yakima — known as the Palm Springs of Washington. Quick side note: It’s known as that because someone put up a sign ...

YAKIMA – A crudely painted sign on the north edge of town proudly proclaims, “The Palm Springs of Washington.” Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch.

There’s a big sign declaring it “the Palm Springs of Washington” just north on Highway 97 that was put up by a guy named Gary in 1987 to get people from Seattle to visit.

Or maybe it should be Palm Springses. Did you know that both Yakima and Moses Lake have claimed that title? Well, at least people putting up signs near each city have at one time or another. Can ...

Longtime Yakima Valley businessman Gary Lukehart, who helped create the SunDome and erected the "Palm Springs of Washington" sign along Interstate 82, has died.

Recently, the Yakima Valley has received some attention because of the impressive rise of local band Yahritza y su Esencia.

Recently, the Yakima Valley has received some attention because of the impressive rise of local band Yahritza y su Esencia.