River of Fire presented by Gesa Credit Union is back for another fun-filled event on the 4th of July in Columbia Park. This year’s event continues the collaborative effort between the City of Kennewick and VenuWorks who runs the Three Rivers Campus.

Enjoy free admission and parking provided by the City of Kennewick. The Kids Zone with many fun activities and multiple food truck hubs open at 2 p.m. Live entertainment featuring a variety of Marimba, Rock, and Latin bands 2:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Fireworks are on the Columbia River and will be shot from a barge, producing one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the State. The fireworks show sponsored by Benton PUD will start at 10:05 p.m. and last approximately 18 minutes.

New this year, the event will have two stages of entertainment available for attendees.

“We have a full day of fun activities and entertainment planned, with bands for both our English and Spanish speaking communities and plenty of activities for children. We look forward to hosting this event with the City of Kennewick and we hope to see you there!” Sybil Young, Director of Sales & Marketing.

Street Closures and Parking: In preparation for the event, a portion of Columbia Park Trail between the Veteran’s Memorial roundabout and the East Boat Launch will close from 6 a.m. on July 4 to 12 a.m. on July 5. There will be no through access for vehicles during this time. There will be no east end access from Edison starting at 12 p.m. on July 4 to 12 a.m. on July 5. All vehicle access into the park will close at 9 p.m.

To access the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex and Foodies at the Landing, guests are encouraged to use the Highway 240 entrance.

ADA parking is available in the 20 acres parking lot. Guests requiring ADA parking should enter the park via the Highway 240 entrance.

Event parking will be located in the 20 acres and grass area just west of the 20 acres. Parking staff will be onsite directing traffic and parking throughout the day.

This event is presented by GESA Credit Union and sponsored by Benton PUD, Legends Casino, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center.

For more information, please contact Sybil Young at 509-737-3757 or [email protected].

​(Kennewick, WA) – Trios Health was proud to partner with WSU’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences’ “Camp I Can Say It!”, an intensive bilingual speech therapy and early literacy summer day camp for children ages 5–7 with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or other severe speech disorders.
 
The camp was held at Trios Care Center in Kennewick, Washington, June 24-28 and was led by experts from the WSU Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in partnership with community health care providers.
 
Therapy was provided by graduate student clinicians and supervised by WSU faculty and certified speech-language pathologists. Most camp staff were bilingual and provided activities in Spanish and English.
 
The program featured: Individual Assessment, individual therapy, small group therapy, large group therapy and family education.
 
“We were proud to partner with WSU’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences”, said Kristy Lietze. “This camp not only addressed the unique challenges of childhood apraxia, but also celebrated the linguistic diversity and potential of every child involved.”
 
To learn more about the WSU’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, please visit https://medicine.wsu.edu/speech-hearing-sciences.
 
To learn more about Trios Health’s Therapy Services, please visit https://www.trioshealth.org/therapyservices  

The 30th Annual Cool Desert Nights, a community event celebrating classic cars, music, and family fun, takes place on Friday, June 21st, and Saturday, June 22nd in Richland. 

Start the festivities with an early dinner in a nearby restaurant or check out the food vendors in John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way when they open at 5:30 p.m. Then, find a spot along George Washington Way, between Knight Street and Symons to watch the exciting classic car cruise from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

The Party in the Park starts rocking in John Dam Plaza at 7:00 p.m. when the electrifying energy of Fastlane, a powerhouse of local talent, takes the stage to deliver an unforgettable 2-hour performance of the iconic Eagles' music. Festival goers will enjoy food vendors and a beer garden. 

On Saturday, June 22, beginning at 7:00 a.m., the Richland Kiwanis will be serving fluffy pancakes in Jefferson Park until 11:00 a.m., while the nearby Show N Shine, where colorful vintage, classic, and sports cars and their owners gather begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Uptown Shopping Center, 1317 George Washington Way. There will also be a Kids' Zone, food vendors, music, and merchants. The highly anticipated awards ceremony is at 3:00 p.m. The event ends at 4:00 p.m. 

Whether you are a seasoned collector, a hobbyist, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of cars, there's something for everyone at this event.
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For more information, see the Richland Chamber of Commerce website, www.richlandchamber.org, or its Facebook Page. You can also find details of the cruise route and Friday’s Party in the Park on www.ci.richland.wa.us/news.  

Students from across the Mid-Columbia region are getting ready for the second annual Tri-Cities STEM Career Academy. This program is a five-day event that aims to introduce high school students to the dynamic local careers in agriculture, science, and energy. The Academy runs from Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28.
 
Students will explore the physics of producing hydropower, design and build a solar car and hydrogen car, build and fly a drone, take field trips to local employers, and experience real-world simulations. Students will learn directly from engineers, hydro and nuclear plant operators, skilled trades workers, scientists, conservationists, and other industry professionals. These professionals will explain future local employment opportunities, what skills and education are needed, and how to get those skills.
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Students will learn pathways to good-paying careers in clean energy, agriculture, and conservation in the Tri-Cities and be able to write their own story, a plan to build a bridge from high school to a successful STEM career in the Tri-Cities.
The Academy is a Foundational for Water & Energy Education (FWEE) event hosted by local innovators in clean energy, agriculture, and conservation. Benton PUD and Washington Grain Commission serve as anchor sponsors, with partners including Benton & Franklin Conservation Districts, Energy Northwest, City of Richland Energy Services, Educational Service District 123, Kennewick School District, Benton REA, UA Local 598, Agriculture and Natural Resources Center of Excellence, and workshops led by industry experts, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

​Gesa, a community-focused credit union, today announced its 2024 Local Heroes Grant Program will be accepting grant applications through July 31, 2024. Any local organization that supports local heroes in a Gesa community, such as firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, educators, and veterans, is encouraged to apply for grants up to $50,000 to support their efforts. In its fourth year, the program will offer more than $400,000 in grants.
 
“Gesa has long admired and appreciated the heroes who work hard to enhance and protect our local communities,” said Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union. “Our Local Heroes Grant Program stands as a way to honor their selfless and noble efforts. We’re in awe that the program continues to grow thanks to the generous support of our members, allowing us to support even more local organizations in need.”
 
Funds for the grants are generated through Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card Program. With every swipe of a Local Heroes co-branded Gesa Visa® Debit Card, Gesa members earn funds designated for grants in that card’s Local Heroes category. Funds accumulate over the course of a year and are distributed annually by the Gesa Community Foundation.
 
The Local Heroes Grant Program began in 2021 and to date has provided more than $1 million in grants to more than 100 organizations. The grants provide vital resources to help ensure that these groups can have the tools they need to best serve local communities across the region.
 
Grant applicants must provide proof that the funds will directly benefit at least one of the specified Local Heroes groups in a Gesa community, which is defined as a community where Gesa has a physical location. The grant application period closes July 31, 2024.
 
For more information on grant eligibility and to apply, visit www.gesa.com/community/local-heroes. 

Prosser Memorial Health is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Ralph G. Laraiso, DO, to our Prosser Clinic team. Dr. Laraiso brings a wealth of experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation, specializing in the management and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions.

Dr. Laraiso completed his education at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and his medical residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh. His extensive career includes leadership roles and clinical positions across several esteemed medical centers, including Kadlec Neuroscience Center, Alaska Regional Medical Center, TriHealth Rehabilitation Hospital, and more.

His specialties and areas of expertise include acute and chronic low back pain, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease, lumbago, degenerative joint Disease, SI joint dysfunction, neuropathy, osteoarthritis, migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome, paraplegia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and more.

Dr. Laraiso is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to his patients, utilizing the latest advancements in medical technology and treatment methodologies. His approach focuses on improving the quality of life for those suffering from debilitating conditions through tailored treatment plans and patient-centered care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Laraiso, call the Prosser Clinic at 509.786.1576. To learn more about his services, and more services available at Prosser Memorial Health, visit prosserhealth.org.

Columbia Ability Alliance is thrilled to announce the addition of Krista McElroy to their team as an Employment Specialist. Krista brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the nonprofit’s mission of empowering individuals through meaningful employment opportunities.

Krista joins Columbia Ability Alliance from her role as a preschool teacher at West Side Preschool, where she had the unique opportunity to mentor students involved in the Richland School District’s Work-Based Learning Program. This hands-on experience allowed Krista to work closely with students, helping them with classroom setup, engaging with preschoolers, and managing classroom cleanup. This inclusion opportunity was transformative for Krista, as it underscored the significance of job opportunities and on-the-job learning experiences for students, fostering connections and a deeper understanding of the impact of meaningful employment.

“Krista will be an asset to our team with her background in education and out of the box thinking,” said David Haldeman, Divisional Programs Manager. “We are excited to have her join the Columbia Ability Alliance team.” 

In her role, Krista will be instrumental in supporting and assisting clients with disabilities and barriers in their job searches, preparing them for interviews, and providing ongoing support to ensure job retention until clients feel confident and independent. Recognizing that each individual possesses distinct abilities, Krista emphasizes the importance of flexibility in her approach. She believes that work is a crucial element in gaining control over personal choices, promoting self-growth, and ensuring security and confidence in meeting basic needs.

For more information about Columbia Ability Alliance’s services, please visit columbiaabilityalliance.com or contact them at (509) 582-4142.

This year’s Slurry Seal pavement preservation project begins on Monday, June 17, and will last through July 10. The project targets the south end of central Richland, between Aaron Drive and Van Giesen Street. City crews are currently preparing the roadway in anticipation of the project. 

Slurry Seal is a mixture of fine aggregate and emulsified asphalt that is applied to residential roads. This preventative maintenance extends the life of existing asphalt while sealing it from the harmful effects of water penetration and sun. Slurry Seal is a cost-effective treatment that provides a new wearing surface that usually lasts five to ten years. The application usually requires a one-day road closure.

Residents will be given notices by the contractor, Doolittle Construction, LLC prior to work being done on their street. Additionally, no parking signs will be in place a few days before, warning about parking on the streets. 

To minimize damage to the slurry seal mix and to avoid tracking oil on cars, bikes, and shoes, residents are encouraged to obey posted construction signs and stay off the street until it is fully open.

This year’s slurry seal project is the largest the city has ever done in one season.
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For more information, including a detailed map, visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/ppp.

During its regular Commission meeting, the Port of Kennewick’s Board of Commissioners received and approved a Letter of Interest (LOI) submitted by BlueChart Homes. BlueChart Homes desires to build single-family residential homes in a variety of attached, detached, row houses and town houses as envisioned within the Vista Field master plan. The developers proposed to construct nearly 300 homes within and adjacent to the port’s initial development area during the course of seven phases.

Port of Kennewick Commissioners unanimously approved BlueChart Home’s Letter of Interest and directed port staff to work through the collaborative design process to bring a fully defined purchase and sale agreement to commission in the near future.

Port CEO Tim Arntzen stated, “BlueChart Homes brings together experienced, well-funded home builders with a strong sales division for their properties. They have the funding and experience to build at scale while implementing the community’s vision for Vista Field. Their focus on residential will activate public spaces and create patrons to attract and support additional commercial and retail development at Vista Field.”

BlueChart Homes is a joint venture led by experienced developers Levi Holmes and Benjamin Paulus. Levi Holmes, principal of Chartwell Land Company, of Silverdale, WA has designed, entitled, and/or built over 2,000 residential units, with a great deal of experience entitling projects for production home builders. Benjamin Paulus, principal of Blue Fern and Teak Construction of Redmond, Washington is a third-generation homebuilder with more than 17-years-experience building a mix of residential for sale, including infill townhomes and 4-Star Built Green homes, plat development, and multi-family projects.

Holmes and Paulus joined together to form BlueChart Homes to leverage each one’s strengths to help populate Vista Field. Both Holmes and Paulus have been following surging national interest in and demand for walkable, bikeable, transit-served, pedestrian-scale development.

Forming BlueChart Homes allows the developers to transition their focus to New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design. And they are enthusiastic about the community-driven master plan to transform Vista Field into an urban town center. Indeed, Levi Holmes has been working with two of DPZ CoDESIGN’s associate companies, Qamar and Associates and Structuras Naturalis for several years and are intricately familiar with the unique and special opportunities for building at Vista Field.
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When asked about this and previous development proposals, DPZ CoDESIGN, the internationally renowned company which led the community planning process for Vista Field, shared this statement:

“DPZ is pleased to see the placemaking emerging from Port of Kennewick’s endeavors at Vista Field. The Port’s investment in the streets, linear park, waterway, and retail plaza have set the stage for a variety of live, work, and play spaces. The shops, offices, and the adaptive reuse of the historic airport hangars focus on pedestrian spaces – wide sidewalks, places to gather, landscape features, and public art – all surrounded by a diversity of houses and apartments. In this way, residents and businesses, new and old buildings, together are pioneering the new community.” 

Arntzen added, “offering smaller lots is one way of helping build affordability into housing. Smaller scale lots with a density of development surrounded by open public gathering spaces will encourage an immediate sense of place and neighborhood. And that was the way historic downtowns traditionally formed.

Will living at Vista Field be for everyone? No. And realistically, at full build-out Vista Field will likely meet only 1% of the area’s projected growth over the next 20 years. But it will appeal to many people: those who were vocal and eagerly participated in the early master planning process; those who don’t want five acres and a shop; those who don’t want a huge yard to mow or maintain; and to those who do want a convenient way to live, work and play all in the same space. And it will appeal to those who want to reduce their dependence on the automobile and prefer to walk or bike to entertainment, medical, services, shopping, or dining.

Vista Field will appeal to all ages. And, with opportunities to meet and mingle with neighbors, with beautiful, walkable spaces, and unique gathering places—Vista Field is destined to become a truly regional town center.”

HAPO Community Credit Union is excited to present THRIVE, an event designed to provide valuable financial insights and support to our community.

THRIVE will be held on June 15th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Pasco HAPO Financial Center located at 2701 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA.

HAPO Community Credit Union is honored to host THRIVE, an event that aims to empower the community through financial education and coaching.

Attendees will have the opportunity to open accounts, receive personalized financial coaching, and enjoy complimentary food, Kona Ice, and HAPO Swag. Special account promotions and loan offers will also be available, reinforcing HAPO’s commitment to fostering strong, trust-based relationships with its members and community.

A highlight of the event will be a ceremony proclamation from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, celebrating HAPO Community Credit Union’s receipt of the Juntos Avanzamos Designation. This recognition underscores HAPO’s dedication to serving underbanked populations, particularly within the Hispanic and Spanish-speaking communities.

THRIVE reflects HAPO’s mission to provide comprehensive financial services and education, ensuring open communication and support for all community members. The event embodies HAPO’s goal of offering inclusive financial assistance within a professional and supportive network.

HAPO Community Credit Union is thrilled to be able to provide extensive financial services and share financial tips with the community. We hope members and non-members take this opportunity to gather and enjoy our event and presentation.

HAPO Community Credit Union serves over 211,000 members and has 20 locations throughout Washington, and Umatilla and Morrow County in Oregon.