The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation has made the decision to postpone the 20th Annual Cancer Crushing Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. The postponement is due to the Governor’s emergency declaration and growing concerns regarding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
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At this time, we are planning to reschedule the breakfast for Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. We will share additional details and information as necessary and will provide updates as we continue our planned public roll out of changes.

Due to concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), all Benton PUD facilities in Kennewick and Prosser, including our auditoriums, are now closed to the public.  These closures will remain in effect until further notice. 
 
We believe our actions are prudent and timely measures consistent with our commitment to protecting the health, safety and well-being of our employees and customers.  Closing our facilities to public access is one of the many steps Benton PUD is taking to make sure we continue to deliver vital electric and broadband services during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to assess the situation and adjust our operations accordingly.

Benton PUD offers several easy and convenient self-service payment options including SmartHub, either online or via the smartphone app and our secure, automated pay-by-phone system.  These payment methods can all be accessed from the convenience of your home.  Benton PUD also offers a payment drop-box and kiosk at our offices in Kennewick and Prosser.

For assistance with account information, setting up new service or other general inquires please contact Customer Service at (509) 582-2175.  As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will not be assessing late fees for past due balances.

Crews are ready to respond to outages.  Continue to report outages 24/7 through our outage line at 1-888-582-2176 or SmartHub.

Benton PUD is monitoring information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19 and following federal, state, and local agency recommendations.  We are also collaborating with local agencies including the Benton-Franklin Health District.  At this time, it is recommended you take the same measures you would to prevent the spread of a cold or the flu by following CDC recommendations such as:

• Stay home when you’re sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects
• Follow social distancing protocols and avoid people who are sick

Prosser Memorial Health is committed to providing a safe, healing, patient-centered care environment. While hospital visitation or accompanying a patient for a medical appointment by family, friends, and designated care partners are valuable, there is a time when limitations must be placed on incoming visitors to reduce the potential spread of disease. This is one of those times.

Due to the prevalence of influenza in the community, and the Governor’s emergency declaration regarding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Prosser Memorial Health is asking that patients only bring one care partner with them when they visit. Younger visitors or non-immediate family members might be allowed only if “deemed necessary” by the patient’s healthcare team.

Additionally, we ask that any visitors, including family members, who have had a cough and fever within the past 48 hours, please do not come into a Prosser Memorial Health facility unless they are seeking medical care. This will allow us to retain important personal protective equipment such as masks for staff providing direct care to patients. If you are not seeking emergency care, and you intend to come to one of our facilities for care with these symptoms, please call ahead to the location you will visit prior to your arrival.

Prosser Memorial Health would like to thank you for your partnership in helping us during this difficult time. Your willingness to help reduce unnecessary exposure to yourself and others allows us to focus on caring for our patients and support community containment efforts to reduce the spread of infectious disease.

In response to Governor Inslee’s expanded proclamation banning gatherings over 250 people statewide, this weekend’s Vintage at the Ridge at the Numerica Pavilion has been postponed until further notice. 

The annual shopping event at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex was originally scheduled for today until 7p and Saturday, March 14 from 9a to 4p. Vendors will be packing up their home décor, treasures and unique wares starting at 6p tonight, and will be notified when the popular event has been rescheduled.

The City of Kennewick is evaluating all events and activities to remain in compliance with directives from the Governor’s office and following the guidance of the Benton Franklin Health District. The Numerica Pavilion will remain closed through the weekend, and more information will be made available on recreation programs, events and activities as it becomes available. 

For more information about Vintage at the Ridge or the Southridge Sports and Events Complex, please contact Brandon Lange at (509) 585-4279 or [email protected].

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is closely monitoring the latest developments in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and is responding to the rapidly evolving situation with measures to protect the health and safety of our customers, employees and community.

These steps follow the declaration by the World Health Organization of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, and actions taken by Governor Jay Inslee today to minimize COVID-19 exposure and illness throughout Washington state.

Effective immediately, Ben Franklin Transit will take the following measures:

1. Close the lobby of our Customer Service office at Three Rivers Transit Center, located at 7109 W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick, until further notice. There will be one outside service window near the building’s main entrance open during regular lobby hours where customers can purchase tickets and passes. Tickets and passes may also be ordered online at https://www.bft.org/fares/ and mailed to customers, or may be purchased at several outlet locations throughout the Tri-Cities and in West Richland, Benton City, and Prosser. A list of these locations is available at https://www.bft.org/fares/pass-ticket-outlets/.
   
2. Close the reception desk at our Administration building, at 1000 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, to members of the public. The lobby at this location will remain open for visitors with appointments, as well as for customers to pick up Dial-A-Ride applications or drop off Vanpool payments. No other customer services will be available in the Administration building lobby at this time.
   
3. Cancel or postpone public meetings and gatherings at BFT facilities until further notice.
   
4. Allow teleworking for non-essential employees, those not involved in providing direct service to customers, while ensuring business continuity.

These steps do not impact bus, Dial-A-Ride, Vanpool, bus stop maintenance, and customer services. We will continue to provide regular service levels to our community at this time and will notify customers if there are any changes in service. For the most up-to-date bus schedules we recommend that riders download and use the Transit app, or check MyRide.BFT.org.

To protect our passengers and drivers, BFT has implemented daily disinfection procedures in all our vehicles and facilities using products listed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as effective against COVID-19. We evaluate vehicles if there are reports or concerns expressed about cleanliness and remove any vehicle in question from service for thorough cleaning and disinfecting.

Our top priorities are to continue service and to keep our employees and customers healthy and safe. We appreciate the public working with us to make this possible. We ask our riders to consider limiting non-essential trips and, most importantly, to stay home when sick.

In addition, we ask everyone to take personal health preparedness steps to protect themselves and others by following guidance from the Washington State Department of Health and Benton-Franklin Health District:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
  
• Stay at home and away from others if you feel ill.

The Academy of Children’s Theatre is postponing its May production of “A Wrinkle In Time.”  The play performances have been re-scheduled for two consecutive weekends beginning June 12. The show will now perform on June 12 and at 7 p.m. and on June 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 3 p.m.  All performances or at the ACT studio, located at 213 Wellsian Way in Richland. 

Based on the iconic tale written by Madeline L’Engle, the cast features 20 youth actors and set design that explores the universe and beyond. In the lead role as Meg is Alexis Williams; Jonathon Howell portrays her brother Calvin.  Director is Shea King. 

The engaging plot explores the story of a troubled young girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space.  She is accompanied by her younger brother and a friend who try to rescue her father, a gifted scientist, from evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.  The play  unfolds as a classic exploration and quest of good battling evil. 

Reserved seating tickets are now available on line at www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org, by calling 509-943-6027. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors (65+) and youth (13-18), and $10 for children ages 12 and under. The show is recommended for the ages six and older.  

Trios Health is pleased to announce that CEO John Solheim recently earned the inaugural Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Health Care Governance certification.

Mr. Solheim has spent the last year increasing his understanding of hospital governance and ability to enhance board effectiveness through participation in the WSHA Health Care Governance Education program. Participation included attending webinars and peer learning events on a variety of topics, ranging from community health needs assessments to federal and state health care policies.

He will be recognized at the WSHA Health Care Governance awards dinner on Wednesday, May 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Seattle Airport Marriott. The dinner is scheduled the evening before the WSHA 2020 Safety & Quality Leadership Summit, which will take place on Thursday, May 14.

The Washington State Hospital Association launched the WSHA Health Care Governance Education program in 2019 to help increase the skills and expertise of those who govern Washington state health systems. This includes members of boards of directors and public hospital districts’ elected commissioners. Fifty-nine individuals representing 29 hospitals and health systems across Washington state earned their WSHA Health Care Governance certification, and 105 individuals logged at least one credit hour in 2019. 

“As health care leaders, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on how to best assist our hospitals and health systems in meeting the needs of our patients and the greater community,” WSHA Hospital Governing Boards Committee Chair Buffy Alegria said. “The WSHA Health Care Governance Education program is a valuable opportunity to expand our knowledge.”

“Excellent governance is essential to excellent hospitals,” WSHA President & CEO Cassie Sauer said. “We are inspired by the popularity this program has garnered, as it shows the commitment our health care leaders have to improving their own skills to better serve their communities.”

Trios Health, a UW Medicine Community Health Partner, operates two hospitals to accommodate the area’s fast-growing population: Trios Women’s and Children’s Hospital at its downtown Kennewick location and Trios Southridge Hospital in south Kennewick. Trios Medical Group, comprised of nearly 100 employed physicians and providers, serves as the core of a growing medical staff network of 325+ providers throughout the Tri-Cities and includes practices and services at six Care Centers and one Urgent Care Center.

​Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following update and temporary changes to office operations in Washington, D.C., Yakima, and Tri-Cities: 

“I remain committed to assisting and listening to the people of Central Washington, and my office and I will continue working to ensure all needs are met,” said Rep. Newhouse. “At this time, we are complying with state and federal recommendations for office operations and public events to protect the health of my constituents and staff.”

Coronavirus Resources for Central Washington can be found here.

The Washington, D.C. office is currently not holding in-person meetings. Meeting requests are still being fulfilled via telephone and video. Submit a meeting request here.

District offices are currently accepting meetings by appointment only. Please call the Yakima office at (509) 452-3243 or the Tri-Cities office at (509) 713-7374 to schedule an appointment. 

Constituents wishing to contact the office are encouraged to e-mail or call the district offices in Yakima, Tri-Cities, or the North District. Please click here for contact information. 

Constituents in need of assistance with a federal agency can find more information here. 

All public events hosted by Rep. Newhouse’s office will be postponed until further notice. This includes the Central Washington Job Fair, previously scheduled on April 11, 2020. To be notified of future event dates, please sign up for the e-newsletter. 

Mobile Office Hours for March will be cancelled. Upcoming Mobile Office Hours will be postponed. 

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S. David Smith of SERVPRO of Tri-Cities West wants local home and business owners to know that the approaching spring season is notorious for flood-producing weather, so now is the time to prepare for the unpredictable.

“The water damage caused by a broken pipe, malfunctioning clothes or dishwasher, backed up gutters, or damaged roof is typically limited damage and pretty straightforward to deal with,” says Smith. “Depending on where you live and work, however, you may also be at risk for flooding caused by rain, melting snow, coastal storms, storm surges, overflows of dams, ice jams in rivers, or a severe spring storm. Those are the types of flooding risks you need to plan for in advance.”

While some areas are more prone to flooding than others, FEMA warns that everyone lives in an area with some flood risk, so it’s important to understand your risk and take the appropriate steps to prepare. You can discover the flooding risk for your specific home or business address here, but even those who live in a “low flood risk” zone should heed weather warnings. Here are some of spring’s common flood-related weather hazards and where they are most likely to occur. 

* Thunderstorms: The Southeast sees the greatest number of thunderstorms while the West Coast sees the fewest. They occur most often in the spring and summer months during the afternoon and evening hours but can occur anywhere and anytime. These powerful storms can dump large amounts of rain in a short period of time, resulting in flooding and power outages. In an average year, the U.S. experiences about 100,000 thunderstorms.

* Snow Melt: Areas of the U.S. that receive a lot of snowfall are subject to flooding from snow melt. As warming temperatures melt the snow on top of frozen ground, water can pour into basements and flood yards and streets. Communities downstream of heavy snowpack areas are at flooding risk from streams and rivers swollen with melted snow and ice. Communities along rivers are subject to flooding due to ice jams that block the river’s flow.

* Coastal Flooding: Flooding events during or following a coastal storm are common, but changes in average sea level and ongoing development have led to a new phenomenon for coastal communities—Blue Sky or Sunny Day Flooding. Spring is one of the times when this phenomenon occurs, when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to the earth, and the moon, sun, and earth align, resulting in extraordinarily high tides. Coastal flooding is most common along the Northeast and Gulf Coasts.

“It’s great to look forward to the warmer days of spring, but it’s also important to remember that this change in the weather can trigger some unsettled and even dangerous weather,” says Smith. “Prepare now for the risk of flooding events by making an emergency plan for meeting up with loved ones, storing fresh water in the event of water supply contamination, having fresh batteries on hand in case of power outages, stockpiling non-perishable food.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, floodwaters can pose several health risks and cause injuries, infections, chemical hazards, and more. Never drive through flooded roadways, and avoid contact with floodwater when possible as it may contain downed power lines or electric current from a home or business; human or livestock waste; household, medical, or industrial hazardous waste; debris; or wild animals such as rodents and snakes. If the water has entered a structure through the flooding of a creek, stream or river, or if it has filtered through insulation during its intrusion, it is also to be considered black water and could be hazardous to your health. 

“If your home or business is affected by a flood, remember, quick action is critical to minimizing damage and long-term health risks,” says Smith. “Add SERVPRO of Tri Cities West to your contact list in your phone. We’re here to help.”

SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of Tri Cities West, please contact David Smith at (509) 943-9290 or [email protected]. For more information on SERVPRO, please visit www.servpro.com.

The Board of Fire Commissioners for Benton County Fire District 4 is holding a public hearing to discuss a resolution calling for a Fire Levy lid lift to hire more emergency personnel. If approved, voters could see the measure on the August 4 Primary Election ballot. The meeting will be Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. at 2604 Bombing Range Road in West Richland (99353). 

Community members who are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to provide comment, are encouraged to contact Acting Chief Paul Carlyle. He can be reached at [email protected], or by mailing to the meeting address. All communication is welcome and becomes part of the public record.

Call volumes have increased 78.3 percent for the Fire District since 2010 due to growth and an aging population that relies more on emergency services. The Fire District has a plan to meet this increase in demand for service in a way that minimizes impacts to taxpayers. 

For example, it asked the community to fund a new fire station, which was approved in 2018. Building and equipping a new station can take two or three years. The next step is to hire additional personnel to meet the increase in demand for service throughout the District. Finding the right people – interviewing, testing and background checks – can take almost a year and would need to be funded through a lid lift. If approved by voters, the lid lift would take effect in 2021.

“We have been strategic in how we do this,” said Acting Chief Paul Carlyle. “The goal is to ask for what is needed, as it’s needed. At the point revenue comes in, it would go right out again to fund emergency personnel and reduce response times.”

Voters last approved a Fire Levy of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2014. That levy rate has fallen to $1.35/ $1,000 in 2020. Levy rates fall as property values rise to limit the Fire District to roughly the same amount of revenue per year. Lid lifts help an agency keep up with rising costs and the increase in demand for emergency services.

The lid lift resolution asks voters to return the Fire Levy to the previously approved amount of $1.50/$1,000. The additional cost would be approximately $3.75 per month for the owner of a $300,000 home. More information can be found on the Fire District’s website at www.bcfd4.org.