Join Century 21 Tri-Cities and Pahlisch Homes for the Grand Opening of Wild Canyon at Horn Rapids, a brand new community in Richland. Wild Canyon at Horn Rapids is the perfect new home community for those seeking exclusivity on a budget. Single-level and two-story homes intermix this up-and-coming neighborhood. The Yakima River and open spaces frame the outer limits of Wild Canyon. Living off the beaten path, north of downtown Richland, is the prize of such an area. Quiet, quaint streets. Long walks along adjoining manicured developments around the golf course add to the charm. WIld Canyon at Horn Rapids is the perfect community for those seeking exclusivity on a budget.

Enjoy some appetizers, enter to win prizes, and check out our new community!

May 3rd – 5th / 1:00 – 5:00pm
3006 Wild Canyon Way
Richland, WA 99354

Century 21 Tri-Cities is a local residential and commercial real estate sales organization and broker office serving the Tri-Cities area. For more details about Century 21 Tri-Cities, please visit www.c21-tc.com or call us at 509.572.2465.

For more information about this event, please contact Lesly Vance at lesly@c21-tc.com or Sydney Higgins at sydney@c21-tc.com. 

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The North George Washington Way Pavement Preservation Project will resurface 4.7 miles from Guyer Ave.,
north to Horn Rapids Road. Work will include:

• Asphalt milling and overlay
• Improvements to 110 sidewalk access ramps
• Restriping segments of the corridor to include bicycle lanes
• Replacement of Van Giesen/George Washington Way traffic signal
• Enhancements to some pedestrian crossings

While single lanes of traffic will remain open throughout the duration of the project, commuters and residents should anticipate delays and plan their travel routes accordingly. During most of the project, two lanes of traffic will remain open for travelers going north in the a.m. and then two lanes going south in the p.m.

Construction is expected to start in June 2019. Citizens can sign up for project updates by going to www.ci.richland.wa.us/enotify, create an account and select the Public Works Projects category. Updates will also be made
available on the project website at www.ci.richland.wa.us/NorthGway.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
June 2019 - November 2019

FUNDING SOURCES
The North George Washington Way Pavement Preservation Project is funded by:

• National Highway System (NHS) Asset Management Program funding
  
• Pavement Preservation Program funding through the City’s General Fund and the Transportation Benefit District
  
• Real Estate Excise Tax Fund
  
• City of Richland Business License Reserve Fund
  
• Community Development Block Grant Fund
  
• Battelle / PNNL
  
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(509) 942-7500

The Tri-Cities Airport processed nearly 100,000 enplaned (outbound) passengers during the first quarter of 2019, 17 percent more travelers than in the first quarter of 2018.

Despite difficult winter weather, 97,900 passengers flew out of Tri-Cities Airport in the first three months of the year, compared to 83,506 over the same period in 2018. Arriving and departing passengers in the first quarter 2019 totaled 195,414.

The improvement comes from a variety of sources: Allegiant Airlines retired its MD-80 planes began flying larger Airbus aircraft; Alaska Airlines recovered from last year’s pilot shortage; and United Airlines added a third daily flight to Denver. 2018 was the airport’s busiest year on record, and 2019 is on pace to meet or exceed those numbers.

“Tri-Cities Airport is experiencing excellent growth,” said Buck Taft, Airport Director. “Generally, smaller airports see a flat or negative first quarter, so it’s exciting to see our passenger numbers continue to rise. And with United starting daily nonstop flights to Los Angeles on March 31, we anticipate that the second quarter of 2019 will bring even more passengers.”

For more detail on the airport’s passenger counts, visit http://www.flytricities.com/grow/airport-statistics.

​Junior Achievement in Southeastern Washington (JA) announced today it has received a $25,000 contribution from Bechtel Group Foundation, marking $190,000 in total giving to the local chapter from the global firm since 2011. This most recent gift enables JA to deliver classroom programs focused on work readiness and entrepreneurship as part of Bechtel’s Building Future Leaders program.
 
Bechtel’s support is providing expansion of Junior Achievement programs, delivering programming to students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience such enrichment programs. Bechtel volunteers from Hanford’s Vitrification Plant are visiting local classrooms to deliver the programs.
 
“Bechtel’s generous partnership has enabled 4,100 young people in 160 classrooms throughout the Tri-Cities area to receive JA’s essential financial literacy education,” said Tamra Meyer, Junior Achievement’s Statewide Programs Director. “In 2018 alone, Bechtel volunteers delivered Junior Achievement programs to nearly 650 students in 14 schools.”
“We are proud to support our local Junior Achievement and its classroom programs,” explained Valerie McCain, a Bechtel principal vice president and Vitrification Plant project director. “Junior Achievement is a great way to cultivate students’ interest in work readiness, financial success and entrepreneurship.”
 
Junior Achievement is one of four nonprofits in Bechtel’s global stewardship program, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and humanitarian engineering efforts with Foundation gifts and company volunteers. Bechtel has partnered with Junior Achievement entities and chapters in 14 countries.
​
Each year Junior Achievement reaches more than 10 million students worldwide, helping them develop successful financial management habits, providing entrepreneurship education, and imparting the skills necessary to succeed in a global workforce. JA in Southeastern Washington reaches nearly 12,000 students each school year.

Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) is pleased to announce the West Richland library grand reopening is Saturday, April 27! The community is invited to celebrate the remodel of the library at 3803 W. Van Giesen from 11 am to 1 pm. There will be music, activities, prizes, and refreshments; an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting takes place at 11 am. Guests can enter to win a new Apple iPad, courtesy of Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries.

Located in downtown West Richland, the 6,173-square-foot building received approximately $251,500 in updates including new shelving, paint, furniture, electrical outlets, and custom artwork such as a photo mural showcasing the region’s unique culture and history. The library’s collection has been expanded with $50,000 in new materials resulting in the children’s collection increasing by 62%. The increased collection will complement the improved storytime area featuring a riparian themed mural as well several larger than life sculptures for children. Columbia Center Rotary provided a portion of the funding for the storytime area improvements.

The branch will also feature curbside pickup for materials placed on hold starting May 1. Funding for the curbside hold signs, as well as art and charging stations, was provided by the Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries.

The temporary library branch, which is located behind the permanent branch at 3803 W. Van Giesen, is closed April 22-26. Learn more about the remodel at midcolumbialibraries.org.
​
GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION
Saturday, April 27, 11 am
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ West Richland Branch
3803 W. Van Giesen St.
West Richland, 99353

The Academy of Children’s Theatre Garden Arts Tour will take place on Saturday, June 8th at seven beautiful gardens located throughout the Tri Cities.  McCurley Integrity Honda is the major event sponsor for the popular annual tour.  The self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  A finale Garden Party celebration will conclude the event from 3-5 p.m.  Tickets are $30.00 each and may be purchased on-line at www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org or at the ACT office at 213 Wellsian Way.  Tickets also are available at McCurley Integrity Honda, Wild Birds Unlimited,  and Beaver Bark Gift and Garden.

Showcasing a variety of diverse gardens, the 2019 tour features an inside look at the fruits of gardening expertise from an impressive group of amateur horticulturists and landscape architects.  This year’s tour features unique gardens in downtown Kennewick, the Street of Dreams, Rancho Reata, Horn Rapids, and North Richland.  The finale party will take place at an historic Richland riverfront estate. This event is the only garden tour in the area, and has been held annually for ten years. 

Complementing the gardens this year will be performances and demonstrations from a variety of artists, musicians, and performers including the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. 

Funds generated at the Garden Arts Tour support on-going education classes and programs at the Academy of Children’s Theatre.  ACT served over 6,000 local students last year, offering local children the only access to professional performance art in our region.  
        
For more information, call (509) 943-6027 or visit www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org.

Ben Franklin Transit will join transportation systems nationwide in observing National Get On Board Day on Thursday, April 25, 2019 by offering free fares all day on its bus, Dial-A-Ride, and General Demand services.

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2019 National Get On Board Day is intended to encourage people to support public transportation and showcases the benefits it brings to communities. Transit systems around the country are marking the observance in different ways, but with a unified message and purpose.

Each weekday in the United States, 34 million people board public transportation. It is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities. In fact, public transportation helps to make a community economically prosperous and competitive. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization.

Community members wishing to participate in Get on Board Day with Ben Franklin Transit can get help planning a trip as follows:

To Plan a Bus Trip:

• Online trip-planning tool: MyRide.bft.org
• Customer Service phone support: 509.735.5100

To Reserve a Dial-A-Ride or General Demand Ride: Call 877.646.4287

• Both services require reservations at least one day in advance
• Dial-A-Ride requires pre-qualification (www.bft.org/services/dial-a-ride/)
• General Demand serves specific areas (www.bft.org/NewPlaces)
• Reservation lines open Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information about Ben Franklin Transit and its services is available at bft.org.

Annual city-wide herbicide application for noxious weed control begins April 22nd.  Application vehicles will be operating between midnight and 6:00am, M-F, through the months of April and May.  The primary focus will be to control weeds in the curb/gutter line and gravel shoulders on all of the City’s main roadways. 

A yellow dye is mixed with the herbicide to assist with the application. The yellow dye will fade in three to four weeks and application areas are safe for people and pets to enter once the application is dry. If there is inadvertent contact with wet herbicide, it is recommended to remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes.

A map of the specific application areas are attached or can be viewed on our City website at: www.go2kennewick.com/DocumentCenter/View/11300/2019-Herbicide-Application-Map

Please call the City of Kennewick Public Works Department at (509) 585-4419 with any questions.

The Academy of Children’s Theatre will be staging an original musical production of “Alice in Wonderland” May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12.  Featuring a cast of 54 youth actors, the show is directed by Ginny Quinley, who also originally adapted the script.  Music director is Steve Haberman, who created all original music and lyrics for the engaging and classic story.  Choreography is being coordinated by a consortium of ACT students.

In the lead roles are Lauren Tanninen as Alice, Katy Connors as The Red Queen, and the Mad Hatter is portrayed by Emma Tomlinson.   

The show follows the imaginative plot of the book, traveling with Alice down the rabbit hole in one of literature’s most beloved tales. The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly stranger as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. 

ACT’s “Alice in Wonderland” features outstanding music, dance, acting, comedy, costumes, and sets.  Tickets are $16 for general admission; $13 for students/seniors/ military; and $10 for ages 12 and under. Recommended for the whole family, ages 5 and older. Purchase tickets online at: www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org. 

Lourdes Health announced today that Robert Monical has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of the facility, which serves the Tri-Cities community of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, Wash. Monical begins his new role April 29, 2019. 

“We are delighted to welcome Rob to Lourdes Health,” said Robert Wampler, interim president of LifePoint’s Western Division, of which Lourdes is a part. “He brings the hospital a great operational track record, a dedication to delivering high quality community care, a history of rallying teams to succeed, and a commitment to community. He will be a great addition to the Lourdes team and the Tri-Cities region.”  

Monical comes to Lourdes Health from Capital Medical Center, a LifePoint hospital in Olympia, where he was chief operating officer. During his tenure there, he led facilities, security, laboratory services, environmental services, surgical services, hospitalist programs, physical therapy and imaging teams and served as the operational lead for a $20 million surgical services expansion. Prior to Capital Medical Center, he served as CEO for McPherson Hospital in Kansas, Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital in Iowa and Culberson County Hospital in Texas.

“Rob is a great healthcare leader with experience working in communities across the nation,” said Chad Graves, chair of the board at Lourdes. “We are excited to welcome him to Pasco from Olympia, and we look forward to working with him to explore new ways that we can advance our efforts to make our communities healthier.”  

Monical earned his Bachelor of Public Health, with an emphasis in healthcare administration, at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and his Master of Healthcare Administration at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. 

 “I’m honored to join the Lourdes team and to become a part of the Tri-Cities region,” Monical said. “I’ve heard such great things about the hospital, its employees, physicians and communities. I’m excited to collaborate with everyone to strengthen healthcare here and enhance the health and wellbeing of those we serve.”