Like Mattawa, more E. Washington towns need Spanish translators

The mayor of the Yakima Valley town of Mattawa says more towns with large Spanish-speaking populations will likely need to hire translators.

The mayor, Judy Esser, says Bridgeport, Brewster and Mabton may face the same federal pressure.

The Justice Department forced Mattawa to use translators and to translate municipal documents into Spanish. The city agreed to resolve complaints from people who were victims of domestic violence and felt they weren't helped by police because of language differences.

Mattawa officials expect the translation services will cost the town about $4,000 this year.

Mattawa's population is 2,609 and nearly 90 percent Hispanic.