Join us for a fun and meaningful night of networking and baseball at the Elij ah Family Homes Dusty Networking Game — hosted at Gesa Stadium during a Dust Devils game!

Thursday, June 19th, arrive at 5:30 PM to make some connections. The BBQ dinner will be available for enjoyment from 6:05 pm, along with a selection of drinks, and will be served until 7:05 pm. Tickets: $36.50 per person (includes entry to the game, all-you-can-eat BBQ, drink, and one raffle entry). Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase to increase your chances of winning some fantastic items.

Get ready for a great evening with raffle prizes and a Networking Bingo Game, where you’ll have the chance to meet new people by finding those who match fun prompts on your card. It’s a perfect opportunity to build connections while enjoying a relaxed, family-friendly event.

Space is limited, so don’t wait! Reserve your spot and bring a colleague or friend along. Reserve your ticket today.

Richland Fire and Emergency Services is proud to announce that Fire Chief Tom Huntington has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dan Packer Fire Chief of the Year Award by the Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) Association. The honor was presented during the annual WFC Banquet held earlier this month.

The Dan Packer Award, named in memory of Fire Chief Dan Packer who lost his life in 2008 while assisting with wildfire operations in California, recognizes fire service leaders who demonstrate extraordinary professionalism, leadership, and service to their communities. Recipients are selected based on their embodiment of Chief Packer’s legacy—marked by loyalty, strength in action, and commitment to collaborative service.

Chief Huntington, who marked 30 years of service with the City of Richland in 2024, has held every rank in the department before becoming Fire Chief in 2015. Over the last decade, his visionary leadership has driven regional partnerships, enhanced emergency response, and led transformational projects across the Tri-Cities region.

Among his recent accomplishments:

• Expansion of Service: Opened Richland’s sixth fire station to meet growing demand in the southern part of the city.
• Heart Safe Richland Initiative: In collaboration with Kadlec Regional Medical Center, the department earned American Heart Association recognition for advancing cardiac and stroke care through community CPR academies and AED installations.
• Regional Communications Leadership: Chief Huntington is leading the development of a $29 million bi-county 800 MHz radio system to modernize emergency communications across Benton and Franklin Counties, a project set for completion in 2026.
  
  

"Chief Huntington has consistently exemplified what it means to serve with strength, vision, and humility," said Michael C. Harris, Fire Chief for Franklin County Fire District #3, who submitted the award nomination. "He has made our region safer, better connected, and more resilient."

As part of this recognition, Chief Huntington’s name has been engraved on the WFC’s perpetual Dan Packer Award trophy, and he was presented with a commemorative plaque during the ceremony.

Reflecting on the honor, Chief Huntington shared that he was “truly humbled” and credited his team and community partners for their support. "This award is a reflection of the people I work alongside every day. I’m proud to share this recognition with all of them."

For more information about Richland Fire and Emergency Services, visit www.ci.richland.wa.us.

Stephens Media Group is thrilled to announce the return of Live@5, the Tri-Cities’ longest-running summer concert series, beginning Thursday, May 29, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at John Dam Plaza in Richland.

Now celebrating its 21st season, Live@5 continues its legacy as a family-friendly community tradition, featuring free weekly concerts, great food, and strong local business engagement. This year also marks a new milestone as Yakima Federal Savings and Loan joins as the event’s title sponsor.

Each Thursday evening, John Dam Plaza transforms into a vibrant community gathering with:

• Live music from top local and regional bands
• A Children’s Fun Zone presented by Knockerball Tri-Cities
• A reimagined Beer Garden experience presented by Emerald of Siam
• A variety of food trucks and local vendors
• Community booths featuring Toyota of Tri-Cities and dozens of local businesses
  
  

“Yakima Federal is thrilled to support local and regional artists and we are excited to host this years Live @ 5.  We’ll see everyone out there. Remember to stop by and say “hi”!” Paul Crawford, Assistant Vice President / Marketing Manager - Yakima Federal Savings and Loan

Dan Manella, General Manager of Stephens Media Group, emphasized the impact of the event:
“Live@5 has proven to be that rare kind of event that brings together people and families from across the Tri-Cities to enjoy a night out in a beautiful park setting — with great food, drinks, local vendors, and the best music the region has to offer.

Whoever came up with this idea more than 20 years ago should be proud. Twenty-one years later, it’s bigger and better than ever — thanks to our listeners, sponsors, and community partners. There’s nothing like it in the Pacific Northwest — certainly not in the Tri-Cities.”

Live@5 has grown into a beloved summer tradition, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy live entertainment and community connection in a safe, inclusive environment. Admission is always free, made possible by the generous support of sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of the Tri-Cities community.

Mark your calendars for May 29, and join us every Thursday this summer at John Dam Plaza. Music kicks off at 5:00 PM — and the good times keep rolling all evening.
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For updates and weekly lineups, visit the Live@5 Facebook page or tune in to any of the six Stephens Media Group radio stations.

FUSE is proud to host the Final Pitch Night for its Spring 2025 LAUNCH Accelerator cohort on Tuesday, June 11 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at FUSE SPC, located at 723 The Parkway in Richland. The event will showcase three emerging startups as they present their final pitches after completing an intensive 8-week program designed to accelerate their ventures.

The evening will feature:

• Live pitches from three promising startups innovating in education, medicine, and consumer behavior.
  
• Complimentary food and beverages
  
• A full bar hosted by Solar Spirits, celebrating local flavor and entrepreneurship.

​The presenting companies will share bold solutions to complex problems, ranging from empowering children through innovative education platforms, to redefining medical access, to decoding the Gen-Z wine market. This event marks the culmination of the LAUNCH Accelerator —a FUSE program built to support early-stage founders as they refine their business models, validate market fit, and prepare for growth and investment.

“We built LAUNCH to help founders turn their ideas into real businesses,” said Paul Carlisle, program architect and FUSE director. “Pitch Night is where the energy, ideas, and hard work collide—and the community gets to witness it all.”

The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is recommended: fusespc.com/launch

In partnership with: Gravis Law, Solar Spirits, and the City of Richland

Energy Northwest and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) are taking a significant step toward strengthening the Pacific Northwest’s supply of affordable, reliable and secure energy. On May 20, BPA approved implementation of an Extended Power Uprate (EPU) project that increases the output of Columbia Generating Station, which is the region’s third largest generating resource and only operating nuclear energy plant. The EPU is an approximately $700 million project that will increase the station’s electrical output by 162 megawatts by 2031.

Following 18 months of in-depth analysis, BPA’s approval allows the project to move into its next phase. Over the next six years, Energy Northwest and BPA will collaborate on planning and implementation. Once completed, the additional 162 megawatts of firm capacity could power approximately 125,000 homes, strengthening the Pacific Northwest’s energy portfolio.

“We applaud BPA for its decision to approve this project and for its strategic vision in advancing our region’s future with additional, reliable capacity that nuclear energy can provide," said Bob Schuetz, Energy Northwest, CEO. "Their leadership in supporting this initiative underscores a commitment to affordable and carbon-free electricity for the Northwest region, including our public power member utilities and their customers."

“This is a great value for ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest,” said BPA Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “Upgrading an existing resource to provide additional reliable energy will help BPA keep pace with its customers’ growing electricity needs and keep rates low.”

“President Trump and Secretary Wright have made it clear: expanding America’s nuclear energy capacity will be essential for meeting growing demand for affordable, reliable and secure energy,” said Department of Energy Acting Undersecretary for Infrastructure Michael Goff. “This project exemplifies the energy vision for America by unleashing new power generation for the people of the Pacific Northwest without raising costs.”

Columbia Generating Station, a 1,207-megawatt nuclear energy facility near Richland, Washington, is owned and operated by Energy Northwest. The EPU will increase electrical output by upgrading and replacing equipment — including turbines, heat exchangers, and the generator — while maintaining high safety standards and improving reliability. Nuclear energy facilities have successfully implemented uprates since the 1970s to boost clean energy generation from existing plants.

The project will involve approximately 30 individual upgrades, primarily focused on increasing the size of pumps and motors. These enhancements coincide with biennial refueling outages, creating new job opportunities for skilled workers.

Additionally, 24 megawatts of energy-efficiency upgrades will be incorporated during the next three refueling outages in 2027, 2029 and 2031, bringing the total increase to 186 megawatts. This expanded capacity will be added to BPA’s federal system power, serving consumer-owned utilities across six Northwest states.

The EPU project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Energy Northwest and BPA, showcasing their shared commitment to advancing reliable energy solutions.

By increasing the capacity of Columbia Generating Station, they are enhancing the reliability of the region's power supply and contributing to a sustainable future. The combined efforts of both organizations will ensure that the Pacific Northwest continues to benefit from affordable and secure electricity, supporting the needs of regional customers.

Energy Northwest intends to submit a license amendment request for EPU to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2028. 

The Richland Fire Department will be conducting controlled burns on the WSU Tri-Cities campus this Friday, May 23, as part of their Wildfire Training Academy. These burns are weather permitting and are an important part of preparing our crews for wildfire season. 

Burns will take place in the vegetated areas next to the Wine Science Center, near the intersection of Crimson Way and 1st Street. Fire crews will arrive at 8:00 AM to assess weather and fuel conditions, with burning scheduled between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Please don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in the area. Thank you for your support as we work to keep our community safe. 

*Interesting Note: WSU-TC Wine Science Students will be collecting the smoke to use in their research on how smoke impacts wine grapes.

Central Richland will be buzzing with excitement this weekend as 24 high school teams from across Washington state converge on Columbia Playfields for the WIAA State Fastpitch Softball Playoffs.

Tournament play begins today, Thursday at 3:00 p.m. with 1A division matchups. The action continues Friday starting at 9:00 a.m., featuring both 1A and 4A teams, and culminates with the championship rounds on Saturday evening.

Columbia Playfields is located at 1500 Mansfield Street, Richland, just off Stevens Drive.

Traffic & Parking Alert:
Expect significant traffic delays on Stevens Drive, as road construction is ongoing near the Mansfield Street entrance to the Playfields.  Visitors are strongly encouraged to avoid construction on Stevens Drive by using George Washington Way and Swift Boulevard for easier access.  In addition, parking immediately adjacent to the Columbia Playfield will be limited.

Parking Options:

• Overflow parking is available at:
  • Fran Rish Stadium
  • Richland High School

​Join us in cheering on Washington’s top high school athletes as they compete for the state title!

The City of Pasco invites the community to attend its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at City View Cemetery, located at 1300 North Oregon Avenue.

This meaningful event will commemorate the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. The ceremony will feature special guest speaker Sergeant Major Walter Castilleja Jr., as well as remarks from Mayor Pete Serrano and Mayor Pro Tem David Milne, and ceremonial contributions from the American Legion Post 34 Honor Guard and the Tri-Cities Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.
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This event is free and open to the public. Residents, families, and veterans are encouraged to gather and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The Falls on 24th, Kennewick’s most anticipated new apartment community, is proud to announce its official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 11am, an event that will feature a taco lunch, tours of the stunning new residences, and a chance to explore the very first true mixed-use development built and permitted in the City of Kennewick.

The Falls on 24th marks a major milestone in the growth and sophistication of the city, setting a new standard in design, function, and community living. Crafted by Elite Construction and Development—one of the Tri-Cities’ most respected local companies—the building showcases exceptional craftsmanship, deep industry knowledge, and forward-thinking innovation. This powerhouse development team has not only delivered superior quality but has elevated the landscape of Kennewick’s urban development.

“At Elite Construction and Development, we bring over two decades of expertise in delivering premium multifamily communities to the Tri-Cities that blend timeless design with enduring quality,” says Trini Garibay, CEO of Elite Construction and Development. “With The Falls on 24th, we’ve created more than just luxury apartments — we’ve crafted an elevated living experience.”

What makes The Falls on 24th stand out? Beyond beautifully designed studio, one-, and two-bedroom residences with open, light-filled floorplans, the community includes modern features and amenities tailored to today’s lifestyles, including: secured digital building access, elevator service, valet trash service, refrigerated parcel lockers for grocery delivery, Lyft/Uber Lounge, gorgeous views and water features, lush courtyard with BBQ and firepit, a pet-friendly community with dedicated dog and pet relief areas, Fiber wi-fi included in the utility package, EV charging coming soon, and so much more!
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Looking for storage? The Falls also offers temperature-controlled, digitally secured public storage units with 24-hour camera-monitored access, starting at just $65/month.