Thanks to everyone who joined us for a beautiful, sunny, business after hours with Water2Wine Cruises! 

At a special board meeting this afternoon, the Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Board of Directors met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter, specifically review of an investigation report and findings regarding complaints lodged against CEO Thomas Drotz. When they reconvened in open session, they voted unanimously to terminate his contract, without severance compensation.

Current Chief of Customer Experience Brian Lubanski will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the transit agency indefinitely, a position he has held since Drozt was placed on administrative leave in early February.
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Lubanski has worked for the agency since 2023, when he was hired as Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications. He brings 33 years of management experience to the post.

The City of Richland, in coordination with the Badger Mountain South Developer, is providing an update on the ongoing and Gage Boulevard and Reata Road Roundabout Project, with a temporary road closure scheduled to support the next phase of construction.

Beginning Monday, April 13, 2026, Reata Road will be closed in both directions between Southgate Way and Badger View Road. This closure is necessary as the contractor advances construction activities for the new roundabout.

A signed detour will be in place directing traffic from Sagebrush Road to Bermuda Road in both directions. Local access will be maintained for the duration of the closure for residents on the south side of Reata Road, as well as access to Southgate Way.

The closure is anticipated to remain in place for approximately two months, depending on construction progress and weather conditions.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, use alternate routes, and exercise caution when traveling near active construction zones. Delays are expected.

The Reata Road and Gage Boulevard Roundabout Project is part of ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and support future growth in the area.

For project updates and additional information, visit the City’s project page at richlandwa.gov/GageReataRoundabout.

The Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Customer Service Department at Three Rivers Transit Center has extended its hours to better serve riders. The lobby and walk-up window are now open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the phones are manned from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Three Rivers Transit Center is located at 7109 W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick.
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Phone and Website Outage
BFT will replace its core network on Sunday, April 12, 2026, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this time, the website and phone service will experience intermittent outages. However, all modes of service will run as usual. If you need to make Dial-A-Ride reservations during this window, please call 509.502.9855.

The Pasco Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for the 2026 season, which will run from May 9 through October 31. The market is held in the shade of the Mercado pavilion at Peanuts Park in downtown Pasco every Saturday during the season from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. Vendors are welcome to participate on a flexible schedule, and are not required to attend every week.
 
Established in 1988, the Pasco Farmers Market is special. It provides a space for local farmers, artisans, and food vendors to sell products they grow or make themselves. Vendor applications are reviewed individually, and wholesalers or re-sellers are typically not eligible. The City also coordinates vendor participation to support a diverse mix of offerings and a consistent experience for visitors!
 
Vendors pay a one-time $50 annual application fee to participate in the season. Weekly booth fees are $30 per market day. Early registration is strongly encouraged, because acceptance and waitlist placement are determined on a first-come, first-served basis.  Prepayment discounts are also available for vendors who commit to multiple market dates in advance, offering added value for those planning to participate regularly throughout the season.
 
Applications are available online at: https://dtpascofm.mymarket.org/forms/signup
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The Richland Police Department (RPD) invites community members to attend RPD Community Day on Saturday, May 9, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Richland Police Department.

This free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity for residents to connect with local law enforcement, public safety partners, and community organizations in a fun and welcoming environment.

Attendees will be able to explore a variety of public safety equipment and demonstrations, including police drones, SWAT and bomb squad vehicles, patrol units, and traffic enforcement tools. Richland Fire and Emergency Services will also be on site with fire trucks and ambulances available for viewing.

In addition to equipment displays, families can enjoy interactive activities such as traffic safety go-karts and hands-on demonstrations designed to engage and educate visitors of all ages.

Community Day also provides an opportunity to meet RPD officers and staff, ask questions, and learn more about the programs and partnerships that support public safety in Richland.

Free barbecue will be provided by Swampy’s BBQ, while supplies last.

“This event is a great opportunity for us to connect with the community we serve in a relaxed, family-friendly setting,” said Chief Marty Pilcher. “We look forward to meeting
community members, sharing what we do, and continuing to build strong relationships across Richland.”

RPD Community Day is open to the Richland public, and all are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact 509-942-7608 or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RichlandPolice.

Trios Health is proud to introduce and celebrate its incoming Resident Class of 2029, a talented group of nine physicians who will begin their graduate medical education journey in June 2026.

The new class includes five Internal Medicine residents and four Family Medicine residents, each embarking on a rigorous three-year program designed to deepen medical knowledge, refine clinical skills, and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to the community.

This year’s residency Match marks a historic milestone as the 75th Match cycle and the largest on record, with 53,373 applicants nationwide. Trios Health’s programs attracted significant interest, receiving 404 applications for Family Medicine and 912 applications for Internal Medicine.

The Graduate Medical Education (GME) department conducted an extensive selection process, interviewing 81 candidates for Family Medicine positions, along with 18 candidates through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). For Internal Medicine, 91 applicants were interviewed, in addition to 27 SOAP candidates.

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) is a structured process that allows eligible unmatched or partially matched applicants to secure residency positions through a series of offer rounds conducted during Match Week.

Incoming Residents:
Family Medicine

• Drew McKinney, MD — St. George’s University School of Medicine
• Shionna Medrano, MD — Windsor University School of Medicine
• Cara Stanfield, DO — Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
• Elizabeth Thai, MD — American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Internal Medicine

• Eric Hayden, DO — Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Sheila Ngongesa, MD — Kenyatta University School of Medicine
• Mairene Pita, DO — Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• Michelle Salazar, MD — St. George’s University School of Medicine
• Saba Ahmed, DO — Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

“We are proud to welcome the residents not only to Trios Health, but also to our market and broader community.”, said David Elgarico, Market President & Chief Executive Officer, Trios Health. “Their dedication and passion will play a meaningful role in the care we provide and the lives we impact.”
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“We look forward to supporting each of these residents as they grow into skilled, compassionate physicians and future leaders in Internal Medicine and Family Medicine,” said Emma Chambers, Designated Institutional Official (DIO), Graduate Medical Education.

High-achieving high school seniors in Central Washington and the Columbia Basin have until April 20 to apply for the Yakima Federal Savings and Loan Award for Academic Excellence scholarship program. The bank will award up to $217,500 in total funding this year to help local students pursue higher education.
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Individual scholarships of $2,500 are available to eligible students residing in Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, or Franklin counties.


Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the award, applicants must graduate in the top 10% of their class and demonstrate high moral character, industriousness, and ambition. The program is also open to home-schooled students who meet the academic criteria.

Applicants must submit:

• A completed application via YakimaFed.com/scholarship.
• A one-page letter of motivation outlining future plans, life experiences, challenges overcome, and the anticipated impact of the scholarship.

Key Dates and Award Details

• Application Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026.
• Recipient Notification: June 1, 2026.
• Disbursement: Awards are paid directly to the student’s chosen school upon fall enrollment.

"For 50 years, Yakima Federal has been committed to investing in the future of our local leaders," said Dan Gaulke, President and CEO of Yakima Federal. "With nearly $3.4 million awarded to date, we are proud to continue supporting the ambition and hard work of students in our communities."

Awards are limited to two applicants per school. For more information on requirements and to apply, visit YakimaFed.com/scholarship.

The City of Pasco Irrigation Utility will begin distributing water on April 6, with plans to have all customers supplied by April 10. The irrigation system provides non-potable water for outdoor uses such as watering lawns and landscaping, helping conserve treated drinking water for indoor needs.

As irrigation season begins, residents are encouraged to take simple steps to use water efficiently and help maintain reliable service throughout the system. Small changes at home can make a meaningful difference, especially during the warmer months when demand is highest.

The Washington State Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for much of the state in 2025, and mountain snowpack this year is one of the lowest ever recorded, which may impact water availability during the irrigation season.
To promote efficient use and consistent water pressure, customers are encouraged to follow a voluntary watering schedule based on the last number of their address:

• Even-numbered addresses: Water on Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Sunday
• Odd-numbered addresses: Water on Monday, Wednesday, and/or Saturday

Following this staggered schedule helps ensure the irrigation system can keep up with daily demand across the community.
Residents can also reduce water use by following a few simple tips:

• Check sprinklers regularly to make sure water is reaching landscaping, not sidewalks or driveways
• Water during the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation
• Fix leaks or broken sprinkler heads as soon as possible

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The irrigation season typically runs from April through October, depending on weather conditions. Public Works crews will continue to monitor and maintain the system throughout the season to address leaks, pressure concerns, and other issues.