The Richland City Council has selected a candidate to fill the vacant City Council Position No. 4 following a competitive application and interview process.

After reviewing applications and conducting interviews during a special meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the City Council reached consensus and appointed Todd Samuel to the position in accordance with the Richland City Charter. The appointment was made following deliberations held in executive session as authorized under RCW 42.30.110.

Todd Samuel will be sworn in at the regular City Council meeting on February 3, 2026, and will serve until the candidate elected in the November 3, 2026, General Election takes office.

The vacancy occurred after late Council candidate Donald Landsman was elected in the November 2025 General Election. In accordance with the City Charter, the City Council opened an application process to fill the resulting vacancy. The City received applications from multiple qualified community members and appreciates the time and interest shown by all applicants. City Council interviews were open to the public and held prior to the regularly scheduled City Council workshop.

Additional information about City Council meetings and agendas is available at richlandwa.gov/agendas.

​The City of Richland Parks and Public Facilities Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 Park Partnership Program, offering up to $40,000 in matching grant funds from the Park Reserve Fund to support community-driven improvements to City parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities.
 
The Park Partnership Program is designed to support projects that:
 

• Improve or expand park and recreational opportunities for the general public
• Encourage private investment and community participation in developing park amenities
• Enhance quality of life for Richland residents

 
Eligible applicants may include community groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners interested in working collaboratively with the City to enhance public recreational spaces.
 
Important 2026 Application Dates
 

• Application Window: January 21 – March 2, 2026
• Application Deadline: March 2, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
  (Deadline includes completion of the application interview with Parks & Public Facilities staff.)
• Mandatory Oral Presentation to the Parks & Recreation Commission:  April 9, 2026

 
More information regarding the program, including a link to the application can be found at www.richlandparksandrec.com/ParkPartnership.
 
Important Program Notice
Beginning in 2027, the Park Partnership Program will transition to one annual application cycle, held in the fall, with grants awarded the following spring.
 
2026 will be the only year with two separate application periods. A second application window will open in fall 2026 as part of this transition.
 
Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and take advantage of this year’s unique opportunity to apply during either cycle.
 
Additional details, including eligibility requirements, application materials, and submission instructions, are available on www.richlandparksandrec.com/ParkPartnership.

Trios Health is pleased to announce that Thu Ha Nguyen, MD, FACS has accepted a position as a general surgeon. Dr. Nguyen will see patients at the 5th Floor clinic, located at 3730 Plaza Way in Kennewick.

Dr. Nguyen will see patients for broad general surgery, endoscopy, gallbladders, appendectomies, hernia repairs, breast and soft tissue cases.

Dr. Nguyen received her Medical Doctorate from LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, in New Orleans, LA. She is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nguyen to Trios Southridge Hospital,” said Emilia Keener, Market Senior Director of Medical Group Services. “Her experience and knowledge are of great value to our patients and our community.”

Patients can make appointments with Dr. Nguyen by calling 509.221.6550

The Pasco City Council elected Charles Grimm (District 2) to serve as Mayor and David Milne (District 5) to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem during the January 5, 2026 regular meeting. Grimm and Milne will serve in their respective positions through December 31, 2027.
 
Pasco’s Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem are elected by the City Council from among its members. The Mayor presides over City Council meetings, determines Council member assignments, makes appointments to boards and commissions, issues proclamations, and represents the Pasco City Council at key events. The Mayor Pro-Tem performs the Mayor’s duties when the Mayor is unavailable.
 
“I’m very honored to have the confidence of the Council,” Mayor Grimm said, “and the support of my family and others.”
 
During the same meeting, the City Council declared Pasco’s District 4 position vacant and re-appointed Joe Cotta to fill the seat. Former Mayor Pete Serrano was re-elected to represent District 4 in November 2025 but notified the City that he would not be able to serve his elected term.
 
Cotta had previously been appointed to temporarily fill the District 4 position after Serrano resigned his seat in 2025 and said he would be honored to continue representing District 4 through late 2027.
 
“I care about the community. I appreciate the position of influence to lead it, to do what’s best for Pasco,” Cotta said.
 
Cotta will take his oath of office at the January 12th City Council Workshop Meeting.
 
Video of the January 5 meeting can be found here:
https://pascowa.new.swagit.com/videos/371149

​The Richland City Council officially welcomed three councilmembers during its meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, with the swearing-in of Pat Holten (Position 3), Kurt Maier (Position 6), and Ryan Whitten (Position 7).
 
Pat Holten was recently elected to serve in Position 3, bringing decades of experience in education, community service, and civic involvement to the Council. Kurt Maier and Ryan Whitten were both re-elected to their respective positions, continuing their service and leadership on behalf of the Richland community.
 
In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the City Council selected Theresa Richardson to serve as Mayor and Shayne VanDyke to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026.
 
Council Position 4 remains vacant, with the City of Richland currently accepting applications from qualified residents interested in serving on the City Council. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m., January 16, 2026.
 
Per the Richland City Charter, the individual appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the candidate elected in the November 3, 2026, General Election takes office. Eligibility requirements and application materials are available at richlandwa.gov/bccvacancies.
 
For more information about the City Council vacancy or the application process, please visit richlandwa.gov or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 509-942-7390.

The Richland Police Department, in partnership with Richland Fire & Emergency Services, Benton County Emergency Services, Southeast Communications Center, and the Richland Public Library, is excited to invite the community to the return of Cocoa & Crafts with First Responders on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Richland Public Library, Doris Roberts Gallery Room. 
 
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Cocoa & Crafts with First Responders is back with much of the same heartwarming fun. Community members are invited to enjoy free hot cocoa and create Valentine’s Day-themed crafts, generously supported by the Richland Police Department Foundation, while meeting and interacting with local first responders in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. 
 
This event is geared toward elementary school-aged children, but all ages are welcome to attend. Whether families are long-time Richland residents or new to the community, Cocoa & Crafts with First Responders offers a unique opportunity to connect, ask questions, and learn more about the work first responders do every day to keep the community safe. 
 
Event Details: 
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
Location: Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Drive) – Doris Roberts Gallery Room 
 
This free event is open to the public. Families and friends are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of crafts, conversation, and community connection. 
 

The Richland City Council is accepting applications from qualified residents interested in serving on the City Council to fill a vacancy in Position No. 4.
 
The individual appointed by Council will serve until the candidate elected in the November 2, 2027, General Election takes office.
 
The appointment and service of councilmembers is governed by the Richland City Charter.
 
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a registered voter
• Have resided within the City of Richland for at least two continuous years prior to appointment
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Not hold any other public office (with the exception of service in the National Guard, organized reserves, or as a Notary Public)
• Not be employed by the City of Richland

 
Council Meetings
The Richland City Council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Boulevard. Council workshops are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All meetings are televised.
 
Application Process
Interested individuals must submit a completed application and resume through the City’s website no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 16, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
 
Applications are available on the City’s website under richlandwa.gov/bccvacancies. Interviews will be scheduled following review of submitted materials.
 
For more information, visit richlandwa.gov or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 509-942-7389.
 
Equal Opportunity Statement
The City of Richland does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status.
​
Contact Info:
Communications & Marketing Office, 509-942-7386, [email protected]