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Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) and Franklin PUD have partnered to expand free internet access for residents in Franklin County with the recent installation of Wi-Fi hotspots at several MCL branches across the county. Now, residents can enjoy increased broadband at the Basin City, Connell, Kahlotus, and Merrill’s Corner branches. Pasco library customers can continue to access a signal from the south lawn of the library at 1320 W. Hopkins St. and from neighboring Memorial Park.

All MCL branches are open for curbside pickup only; no public computers are available. Increasing Wi-Fi access outside library locations is part of a joint effort to provide free Wi-Fi at strategic points throughout the county for educational purposes.

“We are thrilled to partner with Franklin PUD to be able to offer residents and library customers increased Wi-Fi access at our libraries in Franklin County,” says MCL Executive Director and Chief Librarian Kyle Cox. “We know libraries are at the heart of our communities and offering this service is a natural extension of our and the PUD’s commitment to residents.”

“With the increase in working at home and online education that we are experiencing due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever for the PUD to continue expanding broadband in Franklin County,” says Franklin PUD’s broadband manager Ben Hooper. “We take pride in the fact that we have built an outstanding network that can serve multiple needs and support the community.”

The service is available every day from 8 am to 8 pm in the parking and sidewalk areas surrounding buildings. Users can log on from their mobile device or laptop computer. A password is not required.

The new library hotspots complement existing Franklin PUD hotspot locations. Here is the full list:

PASCO
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Pasco Branch, 1320 W. Hopkins St. Pasco, WA (south of building only)
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_Public_WiFi
Memorial Park, 350 N. 14th Ave. Pasco, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_Public_WiFi
Pasco Farmers Market, 101 S. 4th Ave. Pasco, WA
• Wireless Network Name: Free_Downtown_Wifi

BASIN CITY
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Basin City Branch, 50-A N. Canal Blvd. Basin City, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_BC

CONNELL
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Connell Branch, 118 N. Columbia Ave. Connell, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_Connell.227
Connell Community Center, 211 E. Elm Street Connell, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Connell_Public_WiFi

ELTOPIA
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Merrill’s Corner Branch, 5240 Eltopia West Eltopia, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_Merrills.226

KAHLOTUS
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Kahlotus Branch, 225 E. Weston St. Kahlotus, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Public_WiFi
Intersection of Durham Ave. and W. Martin St. (near the community pool)
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Public_WiFi
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MESA
Bailie Land & Cattle Company, 205 1st Ave. Mesa, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Mesa_Public_WiFi
Plans are underway for a hotspot at MCL’s West Pasco library as well as branches in Benton County.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and leaders in the fitness industry have formed the Tri-City Fitness Coalition (TCFC), to advocate for the reopening of gyms and fitness centers.

Today, as a response to the eased restrictions for modified Phase 1 that went into effect Thursday, August 27th which did not include the reopening of fitness centers, the Tri-City Fitness Coalition sent a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman urging them to reopen indoor fitness facilities. State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy, local legislators, county commissioners, and city officials were included in the e-mail. 
 
“The closure of our fitness centers, studios and sports facilities has been devastating to our community,” said Sharon Smith, General Manager of Gold’s Gym in Richland, “Hundreds of employees have lost their jobs and are unable to provide for their families. Thousands of members no longer have access to the fitness equipment and support they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our businesses have been closed for six months. We need to get back to work before there is no business to go back to.”

The Coalition hopes to hear back from the Governor and Secretary Wiesman soon. 

To join the Tri-City Fitness Coalition, please email Stephanie Swanberg, Regional Chamber Government and Regional Affairs Director, at stephanie.swanberg@tricityregionalchamber.com.

Gesa Credit Union was proud to announce the total 2019-2020 school year earnings of their Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program to each school district through a Zoom reception on August 24, 2020. The total awarded was over $227,000 with the highest earning district receiving over $53,000 to support student programs. 

Gesa’s Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program supports local schools by earning money for partner districts to use toward academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular programs like DECA, music, FBLA, FFA, and more. The program has also funded technology needs, which during this unprecedented year has proven to be invaluable. To date, Gesa has donated more than $500,000 through this program for Washington schools.

“At Gesa we are passionate about supporting school districts and our educators. It is who we are as a credit union and we are thankful to our members who have embraced this program and have joined us in giving back,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “This truly is an effortless way to make an impact in the community and support our students, especially during this extraordinary time.” 

With every swipe of a Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card, Gesa makes a small donation to that particular school district. Co-Branded Affinity Debit Cards are available exclusively at Gesa Credit Union. These cards are free to Gesa members with a checking account and there is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the designs.
 
To learn more about Gesa Credit Union and the Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program, visit www.gesa.com. 

Nonprofits that provide services in Benton and Franklin counties can apply for a grant from Three Rivers Community Foundation (3RCF) to support their programs and services. This annual grant program has given over $5.2 million back to our communities since 2004.

As a community foundation, 3RCF is charged with holding and investing funds for various donors and organizations and distributing the proceeds of those investments for charitable purposes. While some of the distributions are directed by donors, 3RCF maintains an unrestricted fund to support an annual application-based grant program.

“This application-based process gives nonprofits the opportunity to apply for funds to expand an underfunded program or start-up a new program to address community needs,” says Executive Director Abbey Cameron. “These organizations are on the ground, have the expertise, and know the needs. We are fortunate to be able to help them get the job done.”

The application process is open now with a deadline of September 25th. All funding decisions will be made by the 3RCF Board of Directors. Funds will be distributed in November. To access the application and to review grant guidelines, visit http://3rcf.org/non-profits/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/.

In 2019 3RCF distributed almost $83,000 in grants to 28 nonprofits. For a list of nonprofits who received grants in 2019, visit http://3rcf.org/non-profits/recent-grant-recipients-2010/.

At Prosser Memorial Health, our mission is to improve the health of our community. As our community grows, we also grow by expanding services and adding new providers. Prosser Memorial Health is excited to announce the addition of the new Prosser Urology Center, led by Board Certified Urologist, Dr. Thomas Tieu. Dr Tieu has been caring for patients in Lewiston, Idaho, along with his wife, Board Certified Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialist, Dr. Coral Tieu. She will be also joining the PMH Family at Prosser Ear, Nose & Throat Center.

Dr. Tieu received his MBA at the University of New Mexico and BS at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, He attended medical school in Chicago and completed his residency at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Division of Urology, in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Tieu is a member of the American Urological Association and is a Board Certified Urologist.

“To build a service that’s available for patients here and to grow and expand that footprint for Prosser overall is well within our reach.” -Dr. Tieu. In his free time, Dr. Tieu enjoys spending time with his wife Coral, their three children, and two dogs.

The new Prosser Urology Center is located at 820 Memorial Street and is now accepting new patients. Services include kidney stones and kidney stone removal, prostate surgery and minimally invasive surgery, vasectomy, overactive bladder, incontinence, and bladder, testicular, and kidney cancers. To schedule an appointment at Prosser Urology Center or learn more about Urology services at Prosser Memorial Health, call 786.5599 or visit prosserhealth.org.

Columbia Park in Kennewick will be closed Friday, September 4th through Sunday, September 6th from dawn until 3 pm each day. No access into the park will be allowed at the N. Hartford St., Highway 240 and N. Edison St. access points for the HAPO Over the River Drive-In Airshow.

As has been the case in prior years, event organizers lease the park for exclusive use, compensating tax payers for the time it is unavailable for free public access. Admission into the park during these times will only be authorized to vehicles with pre-purchased tickets to the event. Barriers such as fencing and barricades will impede through access. There will be no access to the east boat launch during the temporary park closure.
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The City and non-profit event organizers regret any inconvenience this may cause boaters, bicyclists and pedestrians, and appreciate the community’s flexibility in accommodating this Tri-Cities tradition that in years past has generated more than $3 million per year in economic impact in the region and funding for continued maintenance and improvement of area parks and recreational opportunities.

Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Kennewick Branch, located at 1620 S. Union St., opened today for curbside pickup of books and materials and returns. The service is available modified hours Monday through Friday from 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. All other Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) branches and Bookmobile are open regular branch hours for contactless curbside pickup.

“We thank Kennewick customers for their patience,” says Executive Director and Chief Librarian Kyle Cox. “We know many people are eager to dive in to new library books and materials and return items.”

Customers should put books and materials on hold using the online catalog at midcolumbialibraries.org, or by calling their local branch. Customers will receive a notification by text, email, or phone once items are ready for pickup. More details are available at midcolumbialibraries.org/curbside-pickup.

This month, the Benton-Franklin Health District approved MCL to offer curbside pickup services at its 11 branches and Bookmobile in Benton and Franklin counties under the current Modified Safe Start Plan.

The health and safety of library staff and customers is of the highest importance. MCL is complying with all safety requirements from the State and has implemented a 96-hour quarantine of returned materials based on the latest research in Battelle's REALM study.

Customers can check the library website, midcolumbialibraries.org, and Facebook page for updates.

At Prosser Memorial Health, our mission is to improve the health of our community. As our community grows, we also grow by expanding services and adding new providers. Prosser Memorial Health is excited to announce the addition of the new Prosser Urology Center, led by Board Certified Urologist, Dr. Thomas Tieu. Dr Tieu has been caring for patients in Lewiston, Idaho, along with his wife, Board Certified Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialist, Dr. Coral Tieu. She will be also joining the PMH Family at Prosser Ear, Nose & Throat Center.

Dr. Tieu received his MBA at the University of New Mexico and BS at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, He attended medical school in Chicago and completed his residency at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Division of Urology, in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Tieu is a member of the American Urological Association and is a Board Certified Urologist.

“To build a service that’s available for patients here and to grow and expand that footprint for Prosser overall is well within our reach.” -Dr. Tieu. In his free time, Dr. Tieu enjoys spending time with his wife Coral, their three children, and two dogs.

The new Prosser Urology Center is located at 820 Memorial Street and is now accepting new patients. Services include kidney stones and kidney stone removal, prostate surgery and minimally invasive surgery, vasectomy, overactive bladder, incontinence, and bladder, testicular, and kidney cancers. To schedule an appointment at Prosser Urology Center or learn more about Urology services at Prosser Memorial Health, call 786.5599 or visit prosserhealth.org.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Minority Business Development Agency, are offering 100 free personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to qualifying businesses located in Benton and Franklin Counties. PPE kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each PPE kit contains:

• 1 infrared digital thermometer
• 100 masks
• 4 bottles of hand sanitizer
• 2 boxes of gloves
• 2 face shields

To apply, please fill out the application (linked below) and return to Liz Renz, Office Manager, at info@tricityregionalchamber.com.