Push for Recall of Coroner Jim Curtice Over Alleged Drug Misconduct
Yakima County is rallying behind a citizen-led effort to recall Coroner Jim Curtice, following disturbing allegations that he misused illegal drugs taken from deceased individuals under his care. The Justice League of Yakima, spearheading the recall campaign, has begun collecting signatures to place the issue on the August 2025 primary ballot, aiming to oust Curtice before his term ends in 2026.
Curtice, who has been on self-imposed paid administrative leave since September 2024, faces accusations of lying to law enforcement about extracting and personally using drugs from bodies in the county coroner’s office. Despite calls for his resignation from the Yakima County Commissioners, Auditor, and Sheriff in October 2024, Curtice has refused to step down. As a result, he continues to draw a hefty salary of $10,487 per month, funded by taxpayers, according to data from openpayrolls.com.
The recall effort gained legal traction in January when Yakima County Superior Court Judge Kevin Naught ruled there was sufficient evidence to allow organizers to proceed with signature collection. To secure a spot on the August ballot, the Justice League must gather at least 14,000 valid signatures from registered Yakima County voters by early summer. Organizers are targeting 18,000 signatures to account for any invalid or ineligible entries.
Where to Sign or Collect Petitions
The Justice League has established numerous drop-off and pickup points for petition signatures throughout Yakima County. Registered voters can visit the following locations to sign or obtain petition papers:
| Location | Address | Hours of Operation |
| Baker’s Auto | 1205 S 18th St, Yakima 98901 | M-F, 8 am-5 pm |
| Blue Ribbon Video | 2807 W. Washington Ave, Yakima 98903 | M-F, 7 am-6 pm |
| Colonial FH | 228 S Alder St, Toppenish 98948 | M-F, 9 am-4 pm |
| Farmgirl Pickings | 2515 Main St, Union Gap 98903 | M-Sat, 10 am-8 pm/Sun, 11 am-7pm |
| Frank’s Tire Factory | 2612 S. 1st St., Union Gap 98903 | M-Sat, 10 am-6pm |
| Ginger Tyler, Farmers Inurance | 513 1st St., Selah 98942 | M-F, 8:30 am-5:30 pm |
| Greene’s Point S Tire | 1410 Yak Val Hiwy, Sunnyside 98944 | M-F, 7:30 am-5 pm; Sat 7:30 am-1pm |
| Heggies Place | 217 S Toppenish Av, Topp 98948 | Tu-Sat, 2 pm-2 am |
| Helms True Value Hardware | 475 N Wenas Rd, Selah 98942 | M-F, 7 am-7 pm/Sat 8-6/Sun 9-4 |
| Helms East Valley True Value | 104 Butterfield Rd, Yakima 98901 | M-F, 7 am-7 pm/Sat 8-6/Sun 9-4 |
| Hop Country Bar | 108 S Iler St., Moxee 98936 | M-Sat 11 am-10 pm/Sun 9 am-10 pm |
| Johnson’s Auto Glass | 119 S 1st St, Yakima 98901 | M-F, 7:30 am-5 pm |
| Keith & Keith FH | 902 W Yakima Av, Yakima 98902 | M-F, 9 am-5 pm |
| NewsTalk KIT | 4010 Summitview, Yakima 98908 | M-F, 8:30 am-1 pm |
| La Casa Del Grano | 2960 Ashue Rd, Wapato 98951 | M-F, 8 am-5 pm/Sat 8 am-4 pm/Sun 9-3 |
| Old Town Station | 2530 Main St, Union Gap 98903 | Sun-Sat, 6:30 am-8 pm |
| Papa Bairds Restaurant | 4108 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima 98901 | Tu-Fri, 8 am-2 pm/Sat & Sun, 8 am-1 pm |
| Parry Jewelers | 4001 Summitview Av #10, Yakima 98908 | M-F, 10 am-6 pm/Sat, 10 am-4 pm |
| Rise Bakery & Café | 520 S 5th St, Sunnyside 98944 | M 8 am-1:30/T-F 8-3:30/Sat 8-1:30 pm |
| Scotts Fuel Yard | 314 First Av, Zillah 98953 | M-F, 6 am-3:30 pm/Sat, 7-2:30/Sun, 8-2 |
| Speed Motor Sports | 2630 Main St, Union Gap 03 | Tue-Fri, 9 am-6 pm/Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm |
| Sundance Espresso | 406 S. 1st St., Selah 98942 | M-F, 5:30 am-6 pm/Sat-Sun, 6 am-6 pm |
| T and T Lounge | 307 S 1st St, Selah, 98942 | Sun-Sat, 6 am-2 am |
| Thompson Audiology | 1111 N 35th Av #100, 98902 | M-F, 9 am-4 pm |
| Valley Auto Parts | 201 N 6th St, Sunnyside 98944 | M-F 8 am-5:30 pm/Sat 8am-4 pm |
| Wenas Feed | 1200 N. Wenas Rd.,Selah 98942 | M-F, 8 am-5:30 pm/Sat, 8 am-1 pm |
| Wild Fire Pizza | 8501 Ahtanum Rd, Yakima 98903 | M-Sat, 6 am-8 pm |
| Yak Co Rep Office | 2008 W. Washington, Yakima 98903 | Tue & Thurs, 1-4 pm |
A Unified Call for Action
While the Yakima County Republicans are prominently backing the recall, the Justice League stresses that this is a nonpartisan issue. Any registered voter in the county, regardless of party affiliation, can participate. The group hopes to send a strong message that ethical breaches in public office will not be tolerated.
As the signature drive ramps up, all eyes will be on Yakima County to see if this grassroots movement can muster the support needed to force a reckoning at the ballot box. For now, Curtice remains on leave, and the clock is ticking toward the summer deadline.
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