Member News

Benton PUD announced Jodi Henderson has been promoted to Manager of Communications and Governmental Relations. Henderson, who joined Benton PUD in 2010, was promoted to Communications Specialist and has been a part of the communication and government relations team for seven years. She graduated from Western Washington State University with a degree in political science and participated in Leadership Tri-Cities Class XXI. 

Jenny Sparks has been promoted to Manager of Key Accounts and Prosser Customer Service. Jenny was originally hired as a Marketing Specialist in 2005 and has held a number of positions including Business Analyst of Customer Programs, and Manager of Customer Service - Prosser Branch. Jenny completed the APPA Key Accounts Certification Program in 2014. She is a graduate of Central Washington University.

The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and Artistic Director Justin Raffa are proud to present their 11th annual Latin American Music Celebration. They will be partnering with Canticus Vocal Ensemble, a chamber ensemble from Yakima led by Scott Peterson. The project will encompass three performances over one weekend, at venues in Pasco, Yakima, and Sunnyside.

The featured work on the program is “Missa Latina” by Bobbi Fischer, a setting of the Latin Mass for solo soprano, mixed choir, and a band consisting of violin, bandoneon (accordion), and a jazz ensemble of piano, double bass, drums, and percussion. The word “Latina” not only refers to the Latin text, but also to the musical style which makes use of Latin-American rhythms. Elements from Argentinian tangos mingle with Caribbean rhythms and Latin jazz, with space provided for instrumental improvisations. The work builds a bridge between the music of Europe and that of South America. Naomi Isabel Ruíz will be the soprano soloist, with George Woodward on accordion. 

The Mastersingers are thrilled to collaborate for the first time with Canticus Vocal Ensemble of Yakima, one of the newest musical performance groups to appear in the Central Washington region. Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Scott R. Peterson, Canticus is a chamber choir of singers who come from an area that encompasses Ellensburg, Yakima and Sunnyside. They present a variety of music from various genres and historical periods, performing choral music at a high artistic level suited for a small choir.

The Tri-Cities performance will be Friday, March 1 at 8:00pm at St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Pasco. Tickets are $25 for adults, free for K-12 students. This production is part of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers 2018-19 season, and tickets can be purchased online at www.mcmastersingers.org or by calling 509-460-1766. Mastersingers is proud to partner with STCU who be serving as the March 1st concert sponsor.

Additional performances are Saturday, March 2 at 7:30pm at The Seasons Performance Hall in Yakima, and Sunday, March 3 at 4:00pm at St. Joseph Parish in Sunnyside. Please visit the website for more information on these events.

The Mastersingers are also pleased to present the Mastersingers Youth (MY) choirs in concert on March 11 at CBC at 6:30pm. Admission is free for all but reservations are encouraged through the Mastersingers website at www.mcmastersingers.org.

To receive free notifications about Mastersingers concerts and events, join our text club by texting the word “choir” to 78816. This program is made possible in part by grants from the Washington American Choral Directors Association, the Washington State Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

SCORE of Mid-Columbia Tri-Cities Is Hosting SCORE’s Equipping Entrepreneurs Day Sponsored by Columbia Bank.

Resources for a Stronger Small Business on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.  This is located at CBC Center for Innovation and Design at 2600 N. 20th in Pasco for a fee of $10 (lunch).  There will be 10 inspiring topics from 10 experts in their field to choose from, and a marketing idea panel at lunch.  SCORE Equipping Entrepreneurs Day is for those starting up a business or wanting to grow their business. 

Click here for more info.

Contact:  Janice Vesper 509 735 1000 Ext. 235

In January 2019, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center welcomed Jeff Cummings, Physician Assistant to our medical team. Jeff is a Physician Assistant certified through the National Commission
of Certification of PAs with a focus in oncology and primary care.

Jeff received his Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. Since graduating he has been working in primary care at the Miramar Clinic in Pasco, which is part of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. Jeff is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Jeff grew up in Houston, Texas. He currently resides in West Richland with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, biking, and playing the guitar and piano.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Jeff join our team. His patient-centric and collaborative approach is a great addition to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center,” stated Chuck DeGooyer, Tri-Cities Cancer Center CEO. “The Cancer Center is delighted to welcome Jeff to our team of skilled healthcare providers.”

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center is proud to celebrate 25 years of caring for our community by providing world-class cancer treatment, survivorship, prevention and early detection programs delivered with excellence here at home. We are YOUR Tri-Cities Cancer Center. To learn more about the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, please visit www.tccancer.org.

​Mr. Edison Valerio, Numerica Credit Union – Branch Manager and Ms. Jamie Arevalo, Cash Management Relationship Officer, will be presenting a workshop on Making Your Business Creditworthy. This workshop is sponsored by Numerica Credit Union. Credit worthiness reflects a person’s, company’s, or entity’s ability to pay back a debt. In other words, how likely they are to repay a loan by meeting their financial obligations. A high credit score provides high creditworthiness. You will learn the five C’s of lending, building a relationship with your financial institutions, financial requirements and Business lending products. The workshop will be from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 20 at the Bechtel Board Room at 7130 W Grandridge Blvd Ste A Kennewick. This seminar is the latest in a series of workshops provided to the business community by SCORE, Mid-Columbia Tri-Cities Chapter.

For more Information about the workshop & to register, click here.

Online voting begins Monday February 11th for the 2019 Tri-Cities People’s Choice Awards. 

People’s Choice shines a spotlight on the best of the best in the Tri-Cities. It celebrates the people behind our favorite local businesses and recognizes them for all that they bring to our community. Over 65 categories! 

The winners of the Tri-City Herald’s seventh annual People’s Choice Awards will be announced in a special section publishing May 31st

Winners of the Tri-City Herald’s People’s Choice Awards in 2019 will receive a certificate as well as window cling decal so that their customers know they are proud winners. They also receive the digital logo to place on Facebook or other media.
Support your local favorites by voting between Monday February 11th to Monday March 4th. 

One vote per Category, Per Day, Per Registered Person.  No required amount for voting.  Each vote counts.

Vote Here:  www.tri-cityherald.com/contests.

Adam & Jen in the Morning from 94.9 The Wolf (KIOK-FM) has been nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award. The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards take place on Sunday April 7th in Las Vegas, NV. The Radio Awards are given out during the annual Radio Winners Reception which will be held on Saturday, April 6, the day prior to the ACM Awards® live telecast from MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 7, 2019 on the CBS Television Network.

This is the first nomination for Adam & Jen and they are the only nomination from Washington State. You can hear Adam & Jen on 94.9 FM weekday mornings from 5:30a-10am. 54th ACM Radio Awards nominees are:

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

• Adam & Jen in the Morning KIOK-FM Richland, WA
• Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton WYCT-FM Pensacola, FL
• The Q Crew with Jason and Ashley on Q100.3 KRWQ-FM Medford, OR
• The Roger & Corliss Morning Show KORA-FM Bryan, TX
• Scotty & Catryna in the Morning KCLR-FM Columbia, MO
  
  

About the Academy of Country Music Awards
​The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by Dick Clark productions and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and R.A. Clark are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Market named Chukar Cherries’ Original Assortment best in category for Gourmet Food Gift. The largest home and design show on the West Coast, the Las Vegas Winter Market boasts more than 4000 exhibitors.

Truly original—Chukar’s Original Assortment was the very first gourmet food gift to win the award as the category was added in 2019. Sponsored by Gourmet Insider Magazine—the premier magazine for gourmet store operators—Chukar’s chocolate assortment was chosen based on aesthetics, user benefits, innovation and marketability. “We’re delighted,” says Chukar’s Founder and CEO, Pam Montgomery. “Last year we celebrated 30 years in business, and we’ve been committed to authenticity, freshness, and flavor in our gifts since the beginning. We’re honored to be the first recipients of this prestigious award.”

Chukar’s Original Assortment is the company’s all-around best selling gift. It features an array of chocolate-covered dried cherries, nuts and berries including Northwest-grown dried Bing and Rainier cherries in dark and milk chocolate. An attractive gift—the 12 oz. assortment is packaged in a hard-sided cherry-red box adorned with designs from a premier Northwest illustrator.

The assortment represents Chukar’s commitment to featuring locally grown fruit in all of their products. In 1988 Montgomery launched the business on her family’s orchard after being inspired by the flavor of sun-dried cherries. Chukar was the first to dry cherries without added sugar and to this day the company is committed to using only natural ingredients with no preservatives, sulfites, artificial flavors or unnecessary sugar. All Chukar’s cherries are Northwest grown and manufactured at Chukar’s headquarters in Prosser, WA—the heart of Washington cherry country. In addition to chocolate, the company offers wholesome nut mixes and granola, pie fillings, preserves, baked goods, caramel corn and a host of unique Pacific Northwest gifts.
​
Chukar Cherries are available online at CHUKAR.COM, at the company’s flagship store in Prosser, in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, at REI and at a host of other premier retailers.

The City of Kennewick is now accepting applications for our Mini Citizen’s Academy. The Mini Citizen’s Academy is a free two-night program designed to provide community members with a better understanding of the workings of their local government through interactive presentations by multiple departments. The academy covers a wide range of topics, including how the annual budget is developed, how public safety resources are deployed and Council priorities.

Applications for the Kennewick Citizens Academy are available online at www.go2kennewick.com. Space is limited. The academy will be held February 20th & 21st from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers – 210 W 6th Ave. A full agenda will be provided before the first meeting. Applications must be submitted by Monday, February 18th.

The City also has lots of upcoming opportunities for Kennewick residents and business owners who want to have an active role in serving the community and providing direct input on making Kennewick an exceptional place to live, work and play.

The City is currently accepting applications for those interested in serving on the Arts Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Community Development Block Grant Board, Civil Service Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Kennewick Housing Authority and Planning Commission.

Any adult Kennewick resident or business owner interested in being considered for appointment or additional information may apply on-line at www.go2kennewick.com. Full descriptions of vacancies and positions available are also provided on the City’s webpage. Appointees will attend regularly scheduled meetings that influence important community decisions. Closing date for submitting Boards and Commissions applications is February 25th.

For additional information on the Citizen’s Academy or Boards and Commissions, please contact Jackie Aman at 585-4238 or email jackie.aman@ci.kennewick.wa.us.

When citizens are actively involved in their government, decisions can better reflect the needs of the community!

State of Motion, a nonprofit fostering small business, is offering up to ten scholarships for Fuse Launch: Ideation. This scholarship pays the $75 tuition, so students attend the complete series for free. 

Fuse Launch: Ideation is a five-week workshop for those who have an idea for a food business and need some guidance getting it started. It runs 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday for five weeks starting March 5 at Red Mountain Kitchen in Downtown Kennewick. This event would not be possible without a grant from the City of Kennewick economic development office. Registration for the class is now open at fusespc.com.

To be eligible, applicants need to submit a one-page or shorter essay about their interest in the food industry. Fuse staff members will select the top essays for scholarships.

Please send your completed essay to katie@fusespc.com by February 15 for consideration.