The City of Richland announces that the Badger Mountain Dog Park will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from opening until 12:00 p.m. (noon).

This temporary closure is necessary to allow maintenance crews to perform essential upkeep and ensure the park remains a safe, clean, and enjoyable space for all visitors and their pets.

The park is expected to reopen at noon on April 1. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and consider alternative locations during the closure period.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we work to maintain the quality of our community parks.

Families across the Tri-Cities are invited to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual Bunny Brunch, hosted by Richland Parks and Recreation. The festive, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Richland Community Center.

Bunny Brunch offers a cozy and cheerful atmosphere for guests of all ages, featuring a delicious breakfast of warm pancakes and fresh coffee. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register for breakfast, with early registration available until Friday, March 27th at $5 per person. Day-of registration will be available for $7.
Beyond the brunch, the event will include a variety of free, engaging activities designed to bring the community together. Guests can enjoy yard games, crafts, Bunny Bingo, live music, vendor booths, and colorful face painting. Children and families can meet the Spring Bunny and participate in festive activities like egg hunts and interactive play zones.

The Bunny Brunch is part of Richland’s lineup of signature community events, designed to foster connection and provide fun, accessible experiences for residents and visitors alike. More information can be found at www.richlandparksandrec.com/BunnyBrunch.

​The City of Pasco will host a series of public feedback sessions to gather input from residents before proposing updates to the Pasco Municipal Code and related policies for Essential Public Facilities. These include Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Housing and Secure Community Transition Facilities (SCTFs).
 
The goal of this effort is to create a process that preserves as much local control as allowed under state law while expanding opportunities for community input on proposed LRA Housing and SCTF applications. Under Washington State law, cities cannot ban these Essential Public Facilities or impose restrictions that would make it impossible to site them. However, cities can require certain steps in the application process, such as public hearings, and set some limits on where facilities can be located.
 
The City currently has a temporary moratorium on applications for Essential Public Facilities. For more information, visit: pasco-wa.gov/lrahousing
 
In-person feedback sessions will begin at 4:30 PM on the following dates:
 
March 31, 2026
Isaac Stevens Middle School
1120 N. 22nd Avenue, Pasco
 
April 15, 2026
Ray Reynolds Middle School
9507 Burns Road, Pasco
 
April 29, 2026
McLoughlin Middle School
2803 N. Road 88, Pasco
 
A hybrid (in-person and virtual) session will be held at 12:00 PM:
 
May 6, 2026
Pasco City Hall
525 N. 3rd Avenue, Pasco
 
Residents who would like to attend virtually can register here: Virtual Meeting Registration
 
Spanish interpretation will be available at all sessions. Russian interpretation is available by request. Please contact [email protected] to request translation services at least 72 hours before the session that you plan to attend. 

​The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) celebrated the arrival of a new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle with a ceremonial “push-in” event this afternoon, marking a significant investment in safety and emergency response capabilities at the airport.
 
The new ARFF vehicle is a third-generation Oshkosh Striker, the latest generation of specialized firefighting equipment designed specifically for aviation emergencies. The vehicle was purchased new for $1.1 million and replaces the airport’s previous frontline ARFF unit, which entered service in 2009.
 
The new Striker carries 1,500 gallons of water, 210 gallons of foam, and 500 pounds of dry chemical agent. It utilizes the latest fluorine-free firefighting foam (F3), aligning with evolving industry standards that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining effective firefighting performance.
 
“This new ARFF vehicle represents our continued commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards for our passengers, airline partners, and employees,” said Buck Taft, Director of Tri-Cities Airport. “We’re especially proud that this vehicle uses fluorine-free F3 foam instead of traditional AFFF, allowing PSC to lead the way in adopting safer, more environmentally responsible firefighting technology. As the Tri-Cities region grows and air travel continues to increase, it’s essential that our emergency response capabilities grow alongside it.”
 
Fire protection at the airport is provided through a partnership with the City of Pasco Fire Department. Two firefighters are dedicated to airport operations during each shift. The on-airport fire station includes an ARFF operations side dedicated to the airport and a city operations side staffed with four additional firefighters who can provide support if needed.
 
Today’s push-in celebration is a tradition that dates back to the early days of firefighting, when firefighters would physically push horse-drawn fire engines back into the station after a call. Today, fire departments and airport rescue teams continue the tradition as a symbolic way to welcome new equipment into service.

The Pasco Aquatic Center will host a lifeguard hiring fair on Saturday, March 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The new facility will operate year-round and feature both indoor and outdoor swimming areas and water attractions.
Lifeguards will work flexible, part-time schedules with a starting pay rate of $18.13 per hour.

The hiring fair is open to individuals who are at least 15 years old, able to pass a swim test, and able to lift up to 50 pounds. Lifeguards must obtain or hold a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification and American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED certification.

Interested applicants should fill out an application online at Aquatics Lifeguard in City of Pasco, WA | GovernmentJobs.com, then attend the hiring fair on March 21 at Memorial Aquatic Park (1520 W. Shoshone Street, Pasco).
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Applicants will complete a swim test and participate in an interview during the hiring fair.

Our upcoming Golf Tournament, on Friday, June 5th, is a great way to connect, compete, and give back. We’re looking for 36 teams, and we hope yours will be one of them!
​
A team of four is $600, and your registration includes:
• 4 players
• 2 golf carts
• 8 non-alcoholic drinks
• Entry into the Long Drive and KP (Closest to the Pin) contests
• Lunch after the tournament with Dog Haus as we celebrate and award the winners.
• Access to our Silent Auction, featuring amazing experiences to enjoy around the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas.

For more information, please get in touch with Molly Beaunaux at (509)-943-6610 Ext. 110.

The Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) is hosting a community forum on the pressing geopolitical topic of critical minerals. The event, titled “Digging for Energy: Why Critical Minerals Matter,” will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on March 10, both online and in person at the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland.

The program will feature a four-person panel, including guest speakers from WSU, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and other industry groups. Together, they will discuss the current state of U.S. critical mineral supplies and how those supplies affect domestic energy and technology development. The panel is designed for a non-technical audience, offering clear explanations that break down the complexities of the critical minerals debate.

“The goal of this panel is really to give people an avenue to learn what these critical minerals are, why we want them, where we’re getting them, and also ask questions to help understand the science around the topic,” said Erin Benson, assistant professor of critical minerals for the WSU School of the Environment and an INEF faculty fellow, who will be speaking as one of the panelists.

According to the Energy Act of 2020, a critical mineral is defined as a non-fuel material that is considered essential for economic or national security and susceptible to supply-chain disruption.

In the United States, the most recently published critical minerals list comprises 60 minerals — including all 15 elements known as rare earths. Rare earth elements are crucial for producing high-quality magnets used in large-scale electrical turbines, among other things. Today, an estimated 70 percent of all rare earth elements produced globally come from China.

“China has at times turned off the tap on rare earth elements and just stopped exporting them to anyone,” Benson said. “It’s a known risk.” 

For the March panel, Benson said she hopes to discuss how the U.S. government surveys for potential critical mineral deposits, as well as the risks and tradeoffs associated with domestic mining and production. 

In addition to Benson, the panelists for the forum are Aaron Feaver, WSU’s executive director for the Joint Center for Deployment & Research in Earth Abundant Materials; Nabajit Lahiri, research scientist at PNNL; and Sidney Smith, government affairs manager for the American Exploration and Mining Association. Sean V. O’Brien, director of the Energy Forward Alliance, will serve as moderator.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP online.

Resources
Registration link: https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8AKP6PTiA0wIaV0

​The City of Richland invites Tri-Cities residents, business owners, and community members to share their input through an online survey as part of ongoing updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Systems Plan.
 
The survey opens today, March 2 through April 6, 2026, and is available online at richlandwa.gov/CompPlan.
 
Together, the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Systems Plan evaluate existing conditions and establish a 20-year framework for local infrastructure policy, planning, and investment through the year 2046. Community feedback is a critical part of shaping how Richland plans for growth, mobility, and quality of life.
 
“We want to hear directly from our community,” said Planning Manager, Mike Stevens. “This feedback will help us better understand residents’ priorities, concerns, and daily transportation experiences as we plan for Richland’s future.”
 
The survey includes two components:

• An anonymous survey covering a range of transportation topics, including funding priorities and individual travel habits
• A Pin Map Exercise, which allows participants to leave comments, concerns, or suggestions for specific locations within the City of Richland, such as intersections, corridors, or neighborhoods

 
Community members are encouraged to participate by scanning the QR code featured on outreach materials or by visiting richlandwa.gov/CompPlan. Responses must be submitted by April 6, 2026.

The City of Pasco invites local artists to apply for the 2026/2027 Art in City Hall showcase. This program displays artwork from inside Pasco City Hall to help highlight the region’s creative community. In 2025, the program featured sculpture, photography, and paintings from artists across the area. The City looks forward to featuring additional works in 2026 and 2027.
 
Artists must be at least 13 years old, and residents of Franklin, Benton, or Walla Walla Counties. All visual arts are welcome, and artists of all experience levels are invited to submit applications, including pictures of the art proposed for display. The Pasco Arts & Culture Commission will review submissions and select specific works that will be displayed at Pasco City Hall.
 
Interested artists should email the following materials to [email protected] by Sunday, March 22, 2026:
 
1.      Virtual Artwork Submission
 Artists must submit proposed pieces to be considered by the Arts and Culture Commission; physical pieces will not be accepted. Include title, medium, and year of creation for each piece.
2.      Artist Statement (one page):
A brief bio and description of your artistic practice, including how your work connects to the goals of the Art in City Hall Program.
3.      Contact Information
Name, phone number, email address, and website (if applicable).
 
Submissions are tentatively scheduled to be reviewed by the Pasco Arts & Culture Commission on March 24, 2026. The Commission will select up to six artists, with four alternates named as alternates, to display their work at Pasco City Hall.
 
Artwork displayed at City Hall must be appropriate for a public government facility. Submissions may not include advertising (including purchase prices), religious promotion, sexual content, political partisanship, violent imagery, or other material considered unsuitable for public display.
Find examples of 2025 Art in City Hall displays here: Art in City Hall | Pasco, WA - Official Website
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