River of Fire presented by Gesa Credit Union is back and has a new festival feel with so many incredible additions. Additionally, fireworks are back on the Columbia River and will be shot from a barge, producing one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the State! This year’s event is a collaborative effort between the City of Kennewick and VenuWorks who operate the Three Rivers Campus.

PERSONAL FIREWORKS ARE STILL BANNED IN THE CITY LIMITS OF KENNEWICK FOR 2022. THE COMMUNITY IS ENCOURAGED TO ENJOY THIS SAFE, FREE, AND AMAZING PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY OVER THE RIVER!

Event Details: Enjoy free admission and parking. The Kids Zone and Food Truck Alley open at 2pm. Beer Garden opens at 4pm. Live entertainment featuring Fastlane and Stompin’ Ground from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. The fireworks show will start at 10:00pm and last approximately 20 minutes.

“We are extremely excited for this year’s event. With so many new additions to the event and fireworks moving back onto the river, your family is in for a full day of fun while celebrating our country’s independence. We are throwing an awesome celebration and hope you will join us.” Brandon Lange, Recreation Manager.

Street Closures and Parking: In preparation for the event, a portion of Columbia Park Trail between the Veteran’s Memorial roundabout and the East Boat Launch will close from 6am to midnight on July 4. There will be no through access for vehicles during this time. There will be no west end access from Highway 240 or the Fruitland or Hartford Street entrances.

To access the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex and Bite at the Landing, guests are encouraged to use the Edison Street or Columbia Center Boulevard entrances.

ADA parking is available in the Fishing Pond parking lot. Guests requiring ADA parking should enter the park via Fruitland or Hartford Street entrances.

Event parking will be located in the 20 acres and grass area just west of the 20 acres. Staff will be onsite directing traffic and parking throughout the day.

For more information, please contact Brandon Lange at 509-585-4279 or brandon.lange@ci.kennewick.wa.us.

Beginning Tuesday, July 5, prep work on Jadwin Avenue, from Van Giesen Street to Coast Street will begin in anticipation of the upcoming Jadwin Overly Project which will begin the following week. 
 
The project includes upgraded street lighting, pedestrian crossing and accessibility safety improvements, and restriping of the street to include bike lanes.
 
Traffic control measures will be in place and road construction project updates will be posted at www.ci.richland.wa.us/trafficimpacts. Notification letters were also sent to all who will be affected along Jadwin. 
The project is anticipated to be completed by the fall. 
 
For more information on this year’s pavement preservation projects, including the types of treatments being applied and a map of the streets impacted visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/ppp.

Port of Kennewick, City of Kennewick, Benton County and Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Advisory Committee (HAEIFAC) invite the public to celebrate the continued transformation of the East Columbia Drive waterfront at a ceremony to recognize the completion of Columbia Gardens Phase Two and introduce Gordon Estate Winery and Muret-Gaston Winery. 
 
The event will also recognize Columbia Gardens’ founding wineries: Bartholomew and Monarcha, and celebrate the Food Truck Plaza’s regular vendors: Culture Shock Bistro, Ann’s Best Creole & Soul Food, Taste of Wok, Only Tacos, Bobablastic and Swampy’s BBQ.
 
Who:               Everyone is welcome!
What:              Columbia Gardens Phase Two Ribbon Cutting Event
When:              Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 2 p.m.
Where:            313 E. Columbia Gardens Way, Kennewick, WA 99336
                        (near the Cable Bridge, across from Zip’s on East Columbia Drive)
 
The winemakers will be in attendance, all four wineries will be open, and the food trucks will offer sample tastings immediately following the festivities. 
 
Phase Two was funded by Port of Kennewick in partnership with City of Kennewick, Benton County’s Rural County Capital Fund program and a HAEIFAC grant; with support from Benton PUD, Ben Franklin Transit, Columbia Center Rotary, Kennewick Arts Commission, Kennewick Community Development Block Grant Committee and STCU. 
 
This phase involved constructing additional parking, a loop roadway, utilities, landscaping, new artwork, signage and a signalized pedestrian crossing. A Food Truck Plaza was established, and six shovel-ready parcels were readied for sale to encourage private-sector investment in the historic waterfront district. Columbia Gardens is unique because it is zoned as “Urban Mixed-Use” and federally designated as an “Opportunity Zone.” 

The Port of Benton terminated its lease with the Tri-City Railroad Company, LLC ("TCRY") as operator of the port's Southern Connection rail network.  The 16-mile rail line runs between Center Parkway in Kennewick and Horn Rapids Road in north Richland. 

The lease termination follows a ruling from Benton County Superior Court in May that found Tri-City Railroad was in default of its lease with the Port because the company had not properly maintained the rail system.

A final settlement agreement which established how the transition would occur became effective June 17, 2022. As a result of this agreement, the Port will assess existing tenancies at 2579 Stevens Drive and begin to negotiate new leases ahead of becoming the primary lessor on August 1, 2022.

For rail-related emergencies, problems or needs at the 2579 Stevens Drive building in Richland, contact Port of Benton at 509-375-3060. This is a 24-hour monitored phone system.

The port is currently establishing a contract with RailWorks to coordinate rail inspections and maintenance on the line until a new line operator is secured. Additionally, Advance Signal & Contracting will be taking over signal maintenance and inspection.
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*Please note that although the Port of Benton owns the rail and trackage commonly known as the Southern Connection, for all legal intents and purposes the Port of Benton is not considered a railroad, and as such, will not be taking over any operations of the Port trackage. We appreciate your patience and open communication throughout this process.

Prosser Memorial Health is happy to welcome Jennifer Brindle, MD, to our team of providers at the Benton City Clinic! For over 25 years, Dr. Brindle has been providing medical care to the Tri-Cities and Yakima Valley through various healthcare organizations, including Kadlec, Trios, and Lourdes. She studied Biology at the University of Regina and went on to receive her doctorate from the University of Saskatchewan. She also completed her residency at the University’s Plains Health Centre, and she is Board Certified in Family Practice.

Dr. Brindle knew from a young age that she wanted to be a doctor, following in the steps of her mother and grandfather. The healthcare field also combines her love of science with her love of people, and she enjoys the ever-evolving aspect of medicine that allows her to continue learning. As a family medicine physician, Dr. Brindle provides health care to patients of all ages and has enjoyed being able to care for them through various stages of life. Originally from Canada, Dr. Brindle made her way to the Tri-Cities on the recommendation of a classmate. 26 years later, she has come to love many aspects of the Pacific Northwest which she now calls home. She enjoys what each season has to offer and all the outdoor activities available year-round. She has also enjoyed the raising her daughters in this community.
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Dr. Brindle is excited to join the Benton City Clinic and will be providing a broad spectrum of primary care services for newborns to geriatrics. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Brindle, call 509.588.4075 or visit our website at prosserhealth.org.

On June 13th, Petersen Hastings was proud to announce the addition of Tavin Blair as Client Service Specialist for the firm. As a Client Service Specialist, Tavin will work with other members of the client services team to facilitate the collaborative monitoring and updating of personal and corporate investment accounts, as well as maintain complex financial reports, while prioritizing the requests and needs of our growing clientele.  

“Our entire team is very excited to welcome Tavin to his role within our firm,” said Diane Gaines, Director of Client Service. “With prior experience in the field, we are confident that his knowledge and passion to serve will be a valuable addition to both our clients and the Petersen Hastings team.”

Tavin was born in Pasco, WA. He graduated from Chiawana High School in 2018 and then moved on to attend George Fox University in Portland, OR where he played collegiate football and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance. His passion for helping others feel secure in their finances and reaching their financial goals is what drove him to Petersen Hastings.

Petersen Hastings is a Registered Investment Advisor located in Kennewick and Walla Walla, WA. As a primary fiduciary, Petersen Hastings serves committed investors with complex financial needs. Our multigenerational team of experienced and credentialed professionals delivers innovative solutions through The Trusted Financial PathTM to enhance and preserve wealth.
 
For additional information, visit our website at www.PetersenHastings.com or contact Scott Sarber by calling 509.735.0484 or emailing scotts@petersenhastings.com.

Port of Benton plans to begin construction on an electrical replacement project at the Richland Airport on Monday, July 11. The port obtained a $3,156,583 million, 100% grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund the replacement of the entire electrical system at the airport, which will replace all runway and taxiway lights.
 
Sierra Electric, Inc. was selected as the lowest responsive bidder for the project and has provided the estimated project schedule below to share with airport users and the community.
 
Please note the schedule is dependent on all materials arriving on time.
 
The electrical replacement project has been strategically planned in phases, as described below, to meet FAA’s construction safety guidelines and provide airport users with one operational runway throughout the project.
 
Monday, July 11 – Construction is planned to begin on Runway 8-26, and this runway will be closed for approximately eight weeks. Runway 1-19 will remain fully open.
 
Tuesday, September 6 – Construction will begin on the intersection of the two runways. Runway 8-26 will remain closed.
 
Tuesday, September 6 at 6 a.m. – Friday, September 9 at 4 p.m. – Runway 1-19 will operate with a 2,065-foot-long displaced threshold runway and without runway edge lighting.
 
Friday, September 9 at 4 p.m. – Monday, September 12 at 6 a.m. – Runway 1-19 will be open and operational but without runway or taxiway lighting.

Monday, September 12 at 6 a.m. – Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m. – Runway 8-26 and the intersection of the runways will be closed. Runway 1-19 will operate with a 2,065-foot-long displaced threshold runway.
Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m. – Monday, September 19 at 6 a.m. – Both runways will be open and operational but without runway or taxiway lighting.
Monday, September 19 – Runway 1-19 will be fully closed for approximately seven weeks. Runway 8-26 will be open and operational but without runway and taxiway lighting.
During the closure of Runway 1-19, all aircraft activity will be functioning on Runway 8-26, which will alter daily aircraft patterns and may affect neighboring homes and businesses.
Saturday, September 24 – Runway 8-26 is reenergized, with runway and taxiway lights.
 
Mid-November – Construction is planned to be complete, and Port of Benton expects to have the airport completely functioning.
 
For additional information, please visit portofbenton.com/projects, or call 509-375-3060.

Yakima Federal Savings & Loan is holding an open house to celebrate its newly remodeled Pasco branch.
 
The open house will be from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. June 29th, 2022.
 
Yakima Federal opened their Pasco branch in 1944 on West Clark. It was the bank’s first branch apart from the main office. That office was vacated in 1957 when the branch moved to West Lewis and then later to its current location.

The newly remodeled bank building is located at 3604 West Court, Pasco. 
 
The remodeled building is more open and brighter with an extra room for meetings. Care was also taken to stagger teller stations to allow for more privacy during transactions. The renovation also features many security and energy upgrades as well as a new ATM and upgraded drive-thru equipment for greater customer convenience.
 
Banlin Construction LLC, Kennewick, Washington, was the General Contractor.

Gesa, a community-focused credit union, is proud to announce its 2022 Local Heroes Grant Program will be accepting grant applications starting today, June 20, through July 31, 2022. Gesa encourages any local organization that supports local heroes in Washington, including firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, teachers and veterans, to apply for grants up to $50,000 to support their efforts. In its second year, the Local Heroes Grant Program will offer more than $250,000 in grants.
 
“From our members to our leadership, we at Gesa share an unparalleled commitment to serving the dedicated heroes our communities rely on,” said Richard Waddle Executive Vice President of Gesa Credit Union. “These local heroes are on the ground every day making our communities better and safer, and Gesa is eager to support their crucial work through our grant program.”  
 
Funds for the grants are generated through Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card Program. With every swipe of a Local Heroes co-branded Gesa Visa® Debit Card, Gesa members earn funds designated for grants in that card’s Local Heroes category. Funds accumulate over the course of a year and are distributed annually.
 
Grant applicants must provide proof that the funds will directly benefit at least one of the specified Local Heroes groups in a Gesa community, which is defined as a community where Gesa has a physical location. The grant application period closes July 31, 2022. For more information on grant eligibility and to apply, visit https://www.gesa.com/community/local-heroes.  

Lourdes Health is pleased to announce that its Lourdes Healthy Lifestyle Program was recently recognized at the 2022 Washington State Super Weekend with a 10-year partnership award for its Ideal Protein partnership.

Ideal Protein is a doctor-designed, coach-led scientifically proven weight loss method that targets body fat while allowing participants to maintain muscle mass and vitality. It teaches participants to use food as medicine to lose weight and live their healthiest lives.

“Our Ideal Protein partnership has changed many lives in the Tri-Cities area and empowered our clients to lead healthier lives, which is aligned with our mission of Making Communities Healthier,” said Cynthia Gomez-Hodges, Director of Operations and Professional Services at Lourdes Health. “We are proud of this program and thankful to all those who have been involved to help or serve our patients and help them make lifestyle changes to support healthier living.”

Lourdes Ideal Protein program is led by Dr. Michael Adling, a family medicine physician at Lourdes Health. Those interested in learning more about the program can register for a free virtual Ideal Protein Educational Seminar at yourlourdes.com/Events or call our Ideal Protein office for more information at 509.416.8877. Additionally, more information can be found at yourlourdes.com/Ideal-Protein.