The weather is heating up and the Kennewick Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the four City splash pads will open Memorial Day weekend. These zero depth water features are a great way to cool down on hot days in the park.

Splash pads are open 9am to 7pm daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Kennewick Splash Pad Locations: Columbia Park, Grange Park, Southridge Sports and Events Complex, and Underwood Park.

For more information, please contact Brandon Lange at 509-585-4279 or [email protected].

Visit Tri-Cities is now accepting nominations for outstanding businesses who have enhanced the tourism industry through their excellent customer service. One outstanding tourism-related business will receive the Excellence in Service Award, a prestigious acknowledgement Sponsored by Battelle that celebrates members of the Tri-Cities tourism and service industry for their ongoing commitment to go above and beyond in providing outstanding customer service.
 
“The positive outlook of our communities is a distinguishing feature that attracts visitors to the Tri-Cities,” said Kevin Lewis, President & CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “When visitors feel the welcoming energy of our people, they become connected with the area in meaningful ways. We appreciate Battelle’s support in recognizing those who set an example in sharing the positive energy that defines our communities and creates a one-of-a kind experience for our visitors.”
 
Visitor spending in the Tri-Cities hit $594.7 million in 2022, which sustains 5,706 jobs in Benton and Franklin counties and supports a thriving local business economy. Visitors also generated $59.8 million in State and local taxes. The tax revenue generated by visitors helps fund police and fire, teachers and schools, the maintenance of our roadways and the beautification of our parks and reduces individual Tri-Citians household tax burden by nearly $600. In short, the visitor economy enhances quality of life that touches every single Tri-Citian.
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The deadline for nominations is September 1, 2023, at that time nominations will be reviewed by the Visit Tri-Cities nominating committee. Once selected, the recipient will be honored at the Visit Tri-Cities Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 2023, where they will accept the award, as well as receive a $500 gift card.
 
Keith Moon, Owner of Tumbleweeds Mexican Flare, earned the honor in 2022. Keith not only provides our community with enthusiastic customer service, but he is a true community member- staying connected with his customer base, always welcoming new customers, and providing a positive work environment for his staff. Keith creates a memorable experience and earned this prestigious recognition. Previous winners include Kathy Nutt with Frichette Winery, The Lodge at Columbia Point, Red Mountain Trails, the Tri-City Dust Devils, Friends of Badger Mountain and more! It’s a wide range of businesses but what they all have in common is their commitment to providing an enhanced visitor experience and when visitors experience outstanding service, we all benefit!
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For more information or to fill out a nomination form, visit: VisitTri-Cities.com/TCexcellence.

Business owners are invited to attend "What’s your business worth?”. Hosted by Baker Boyer, the event is scheduled for May 23rd from 12:00-1:30 pm at Meadows Spring Country Club.

The event will feature a panel of experts who will provide insights and strategies for business owners to properly value and structure a business to help owners prepare for the eventual successful sale or transition of their business. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panelists during the discussion.

Lunch will be served at the event, and there is no cost for business owners to attend. However, RSVPs are required by May 16th to secure a seat.
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To RSVP for the event or for more information, visit https://www.bakerboyer.com/resources/announcements-and-events/whats-your-business-worth-event.

As the country celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Tri-Cities reports that visitor spending in the Tri-Cities increased by more than $100 million in 2022. All told, visitors brought $595 million to local businesses last year.

“Visitor spending brings fresh revenue from outside of the area creating a positive economic cycle in our communities,” said Kevin Lewis, President and CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. “These revenues generate activity and enthusiasm in our communities. They create jobs, lower local taxes, promote long-term investment and improve our quality of life,” he said.

Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. “The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.

Statewide, visitor expenditures increased 24% to $22.1 billion in 2022. Direct state and local tax revenue increased 19.6% from 2021 to $3.1 billion, and tourism supported 221,394 direct and induced jobs in the state, a 10.5% increase over the previous year.

“The Tri-Cities and surrounding communities were built on the spirit of exploration and discovery,” said Lewis. “A unique blend of recreation, history and science are cradled in an intriguing landscape of vineyards, waterways and farmland, creating uncommon and unexpected opportunities for visitors and locals.”

According to the 2022 report from Tourism Economics, visitors spent $594.7 million in Benton and Franklin counties last year, generating nearly $60 million in State and local taxes. This influx of revenue energizes the local business economy and supports more than 5,700 jobs in the Tri-Cities – up 21% from 2022. The tax revenue generated by visitors helps offset taxes that residents would normally pay to fund police and fire, teachers and schools, the maintenance of our roadways and the beautification of our parks. “Thanks to visitor spending, local household taxes are reduced by almost $600 per household each year,” said Lewis. “In short, the visitor economy enhances quality of life that touches every single Tri-Citian.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the annual industry celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. Join Visit Tri-Cities in sharing and celebrating the value tourism holds for the local economy, businesses, and quality of life for residents during National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13, 2023!

Find ways to celebrate Tri-Cities Tourism at visittri-cities.com.

​Benton REA is pleased to announce the hiring of Ryan J. Redmond as their new Chief Executive Officer.
 
In December of 2022 Benton REA’s Board of Trustees and hiring firm GreatCo-Ops started the process of searching for a new CEO. After consideration of all applicants and a thorough interview process, the Board of Trustees announced their decision on April 20, 2023.
 
Redmond brings over fifteen years of experience in the utility industry and has been in leadership roles for over 20 years. He has a proven track record of leading effective, high performing teams, executing long-term strategic business policies and contracts, and successfully leading teams through extreme change. “It's an amazing time to be in the utility and energy business. I'm excited to take the helm now and work with Benton REA’s fantastic team to build a better tomorrow for our membership,” says Redmond.
 
Redmond earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washington State University and a Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga School of Law. He has worked for Puget Sound Energy, Bonneville Power Administration and most recently was the Chief Resources Officer at Peninsula Light Company in Gig Harbor, Washington.
 
Redmond and his wife have three children. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, writing, and playing the tuba. 

The sun is shing and temperatures are rising; summer is near! And the best way to enjoy your summer is by doing so safely. That is why Prosser Memorial Health is back with their Summer Safety Event on May 17, 2023, at our Primary Care Clinics. The event will include food, treats, activities, and water safety tips for the whole family.  

Water activities may feel like the easiest way to keep cool on hot summer days, but it’s important to remember that, like most outdoor activities, they must be done with safety in mind. Anyone can run the risk of drowning when they enter a body of water, even experienced swimmers. For young children, it is one of the leading causes of preventable death. This is why it is so important to practice and teach safe habits. Even adult activities, like boating or water sports where children may not be involved, should be done with the proper equipment and safety measures. Prosser Memorial wants to make sure that everyone heads into the summer ready to tackle the heat while also staying safe! 

The Summer Safety Event will take place on Wednesday, May 17th from 4-6pm at our Prosser Clinic, Benton City Clinic, and Grandview clinic. This is a free family-friendly event, and we will be giving out life jackets for children while supplies last. To learn more about this event or clinic locations, visit our website at prosserhealth.org. 

Columbia Basin College (CBC) is announcing the impact that the CBC Project Management Program (PMP) has had on area business across the region. 
 
As the first college in the nation to offer three completion project management tracks accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center (GAC), news of the program’s growth cannot be overstated. These internationally recognized and highly sought-after accreditations, allow project management students to feel confident that CBC is preparing them to enter the workplace with the project management knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.
 
Included in the GAC accreditation are CBC's Project Management 1-Year Certification, Project Management Associate in Applied Science (AAS PM) degree, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management (BASPM) degree.  The GAC accreditation ensures the quality of academic degree programs and their graduates in order to meet the standards of the rapidly growing field of project management. Over 135 project management degree programs in twenty-two countries around the world are accredited by GAC.

 “The project management program’s growth and value to industry over the years is a testament to the need for project management professionals in our area,” said CBC President Rebekah Woods. “Many students choose to double major with project management and other degrees, which provides more opportunities for career growth.”

In addition, the local PMI Columbia River Basin Chapter started a new scholarship program to be managed through the CBC Foundation. The scholarship is in perpetuity, enabling students to pursue a project management education while experiencing a professional curriculum that provides training to prepare managers for certification by the PMI.

Further, new courses on topics such as behavioral project management, project tailoring and hybridization will be offered in 2023-2024 academic year only at CBC.

CBC’s project management program was launched in 2011 with funds awarded through the Department of Energy.

​Gesa, a community-focused credit union, is partnering with the American Red Cross Northwest region to support the “Sound the Alarm (STA). Save a Life.” campaign, which raises awareness for and educates the public on home fire safety, as well as provides free smoke detectors to those in need. Gesa is encouraging community members to donate and volunteer for the campaign if they are able, in order to help save more lives across the community.
 
“Every second counts when there’s a home fire because you may have as little as two minutes to escape before it’s too late,” Michele Roth, Central and Southeast Washington chapter executive said. “That’s why the Red Cross is working with volunteers and partners like Gesa to help families take critical steps to protect themselves against these everyday disasters.”
 
From now until May 12, community members can visit a Gesa branch to donate money to the STA campaign, which will be used to help communities across the Northwest prepare for, respond to, and recover from house fires. The credit union’s Gesa Community Foundation will provide a matching donation of up to $10,000.
 
Additionally, Gesa team members will volunteer to help with installing free smoke alarms and providing home fire safety education to community members who sign up for a free home visit with their local Red Cross here. The campaign is still in need of additional volunteers, especially individuals that are bilingual. To become a volunteer, community members can sign up here. 
 
Every day, an average of seven people in the U.S. die in home fires, often in homes without working smoke alarms. Since the campaign began in 2014, more than 2.5 million free smoke alarms have been installed and more than 1 million households have been made safer across the country, resulting in more than 1,500 confirmed lives being saved.
 
“We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross Northwest region every year on this vital safety campaign that has helped many people across the country avoid the devastating effects of a home fire,” said Don Miller,  President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “There is a great need for functioning smoke alarms and home fire safety education across our communities, which is why we’re hoping the public can join us in our efforts to support this campaign, whether that’s by donating their money or time, so that we can potentially save more lives.”
 
Each year, the American Red Cross Northwest region assigns a signature city for the STA campaign, where the non-profit will allocate more time and resources during the campaign. This year, the signature city selected is Yakima, Washington.
 
For more information about Gesa Credit Union visit www.gesa.com. For more information about the Sound the Alarm Campaign, visit redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.

​Lourdes Health is pleased to announce that Jessica Leon, a Registered Nurse in the Lourdes Emergency Department, has been named as a recent recipient for The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses at Lourdes Health.

“Jessica is well-deserving of this honor,” said Kena Chase, Lourdes Chief Nursing Officer. “She is a great example to all of her co-workers and strives to treat her patients and their families with respect, dignity, and kindness.”

Jessica was nominated by a Lourdes RN on the medical surgical unit, who noticed how Jessica had handled a patient in the dying phase of their life as well as helping the family to understand what was happening. They noted her ability to provide insightful information to the patient and their family, without putting her own emotions into play.
 
The staff member who nominated Jessica wrote, “The patient had several family members by her side with lots of questions and concerns. Jessica took the time to address each one. I watched her treat the patient with respect and compassion. When the patient passed onward, Jessica consoled them and then needed a hug herself. Losing patients, whether expected or not, is very hard on nurses. Jessica handled the situation very professionally and then took a minute for herself.”
 
Nancy Yzaguirre, BSN, RN, Director of Emergency & Respiratory Services and Jessica’s supervisor said, “Jessica is a dedicated nurse and is loved by her co-workers as well as patients because she takes care of them like her own family.”

The DAISY Award® is an international program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, whose family experienced first-hand the difference his nurses made in his care through clinical excellence and compassionate care. The family created The DAISY Award® to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families, and staff to thank and honor their special nurses.

To nominate a nurse or to learn more about The DAISY Award®, visit yourlourdes.com/Daisy.