Gesa, a community-focused credit union, today announced a partnership with the Prosser School District to launch a new Co-Branded Affinity Card that will raise funds for Prosser Heights Elementary, Keene-Riverview Elementary, Whitstran Elementary, Housel Middle School and Prosser High School. Each time a member swipes their Affinity Card, Gesa will make a small donation to the Prosser School District. The donations raised through the Affinity card program will be used to fund programs and activities at each school that introduce boarder opportunities for Prosser students.
 
“It is with great excitement that the Prosser School District is partnering with Gesa Credit Union to bring the Affinity Card Program to Prosser supporters. This financial growth opportunity will help to enhance programs in all five of our schools in the district,” said Kim Casey, Interim Superintendent of Prosser School District. “The hope is to expand educational opportunities such as the Arts, Field Trips, and activities that support broader experiences for all students in the Prosser School District.”
 
The Prosser High School Affinity Card is the 36th card Gesa has launched that supports local schools in the community. Launched in 2015, Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card Program has raised more than $1 million for local partner school districts and universities to date, awarding more than $300,000 in 2022 alone.
 
“At Gesa, we firmly believe in empowering students and supporting their educational journey, which is why we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Prosser School District,” said Richard Waddle, Executive Vice President of Gesa Credit Union. “Through our new Co-Branded Affinity Card, and with the help of our members, we aim to raise funds for programs that will broaden our students’ horizons, introduce them to new opportunities and show them that the sky is the limit. Go Mustangs!”
 
Gesa’s Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program supports local schools by earning money for partner districts each time a card is used. Co-Branded Affinity Debit Cards are available exclusively at Gesa Credit Union and are free to Gesa members with a checking account. There is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the school designs. Anyone who lives, works, or worships in Washington is eligible to become a member and support their local schools.
 
For more information about Gesa Credit Union and its Affinity Debit Card Program visit www.gesa.com. 

​For the first time in history, American Airlines will begin flying from Tri-Cities Airport (PSC). Today the airline announced daily nonstop service to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), a major hub for American.
 
The route will begin February 15, and is currently scheduled to depart PSC at 3:00 p.m. and arrive into PHX at 7:00 p.m. It will depart PHX at 11:20 a.m. and land at PSC at 1:30 p.m. The flight will utilize a dual-class Embraer 175 with room for 76 passengers.
 
“American Airlines is excited to add Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco to our global route network starting in February,” said Philippe Puech, American Airlines Director of Short-Haul Network Planning. “This new service connecting PSC to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will mark our 100th nonstop destination from PHX, providing local residents easy access to all that Arizona has to offer and convenient one-stop access to the places customers want to visit most.”
 
“This is great news for the Tri-Cities region,” shared Buck Taft, Director of Tri-Cities Airport. “This new daily service will connect Tri-Cities with the global American network, which is incredible. And bringing in an entirely new air carrier allows the airport to provide passengers additional opportunities, increased competition, and more available seats.
 
“Success builds on success,” he continued. “If the community uses this route, the airline will have every incentive to add more.”
 
The announcement is part of PSC’s continued post-pandemic growth. Nearly 800,000 passengers flew through the airport in 2022, making it one of the busiest years on record. With the addition of American Airlines’ flights to Phoenix, Tri-Cities travelers will have access to ten major cities on six airlines.
 
American Airlines is the largest carrier at PHX, and this winter will offer 263 average daily flights to 100 destinations, providing convenient connections to destinations across the United States and Mexico. Tickets for the new route are on sale Monday at aa.com. 

​Plateau, the premier fine dining restaurant located at Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Pendleton, Oregon, is thrilled to announce its recent recognition with the prestigious Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. This is the first time that Plateau has received an award from Wine Spectator, further solidifying its position as a leading destination for exceptional dining experiences.
 
The Award of Excellence is a highly sought-after accolade in the culinary world, bestowed upon restaurants that offer meticulously curated wine lists with approximately 90 selections or more. These lists feature wines from quality producers, often not readily available at local wine stores, ensuring guests have a unique and exclusive wine experience. The selections are carefully chosen to complement the restaurant's cuisine in terms of both style and pricing, allowing guests to enjoy a well-rounded and memorable dining experience.
 
"We are extremely honored to receive the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator," said Diana Dumitru, Manager of Plateau. "This recognition is a testament to our commitment to providing our guests with exceptional food and wine. We’re proud to offer an extensive wine list that showcases the best producers and allows our guests to discover extraordinary wines they wouldn't easily find elsewhere."
 
What sets Plateau apart is its remarkable team of sommeliers. Led by Dumitru, Plateau boasts three staff members who hold level two awards in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) program of sommeliers. It is rare to have such a knowledgeable and passionate team of sommeliers at one restaurant, and their expertise elevates the dining experience by offering expert wine recommendations and insights.
 
Plateau's wine list features an impressive selection of 170 choices, with an inventory of over 1500 bottles. Notably, the restaurant prides itself on its collection of older vintages and a dedicated category on the list from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. This section showcases biodynamic wines from Cayuse Vineyards, where all the fruit is grown using biodynamic farming methods, highlighting Plateau's commitment to sustainability and exceptional quality.
 
Situated within the elegant confines of Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Plateau is renowned for its upscale dining experience. The restaurant's menu predominantly offers à la carte options, showcasing premium steaks, seafood, and a higher standard of cuisine. In addition, special event dinners provide guests with a unique culinary journey that goes beyond the ordinary.
 
Proudly serving guests since 2007, Plateau is a favorite fine dining venue for couples, families, and businesses to celebrate special occasions. With special menus on holidays, wine events, and live music, Plateau has established a loyal clientele.
 
Oregon’s well-known Gerry Frank, author, travel writer, and food critic, named Plateau as one of his favorite food spots in Oregon.
 
Plateau is dedicated to providing outstanding food and exceptional beverage service. With table-side theatrics and creative cocktail presentations, guests are treated to an unforgettable sensory experience that brings both food and drinks to life.
 
The Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence is a highly coveted honor and, in 2023, only 2,001 restaurants worldwide achieved this recognition. Plateau is proud to be among the select few that have met the rigorous standards set by Wine Spectator, solidifying its position as a leading culinary destination in the Pacific Northwest.
 
Plateau is one of only two Wine Spectator award recipients within a 200-mile radius. The other is located in Walla Walla, a popular wine region in Washington.
 
Plateau is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and is only the second tribe-owned restaurant in Oregon to receive a Wine Spectator award.
 
For reservations and more information about Plateau, please visit www.wildhorseresort.com/plateau or contact the restaurant directly at (541) 966-1610.

After 40 years of municipal government service, including the last thirteen as Kennewick City Manager, Marie Mosley announced she will be retiring on December 31, 2023.

“I am very proud of the community public/private partnerships, the cross-functional teams and cross-jurisdictional partnerships that make our bi-county Tri-Cities Region a great place,” said Marie Mosley. “I am confident that with our forward-focused City Council, strong leadership team and exceptional staff, the City is well positioned for continued success.”

At the Council Workshop, Marie said to Council, “I am honored to have served as your City Manager for the past thirteen years and believe we have achieved so much to make Kennewick a great place. I will work hard over my remaining time at the City on a successful transition and continued implementation of your goals and priorities for this biennium.”

Marie is a native of the Tri Cities. She was an Accountant for the City of Kennewick for seven years and then served at both the cities of Renton and Federal Way. Marie and her family moved back to the Tri Cities in 2001 where she resumed her employment with the City of Kennewick as Finance Manager, then Support Services Executive Director and was promoted to City Manager in 2010. During Marie’s tenure as City Manager, she has also had leadership roles on the following:

• Bicounty Police Information Network (BI-PIN) Executive Committee
• Hanford Communities Administrative Board
• Joint Coliseum Advisory Council
• Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) Executive Board Member
• Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force Executive Board Chair
• Benton County Emergency Services (BCES) Executive Board
• Tri-Cities Rivershore Enhancement Council (TREC) Strategic Committee Member
• Tri City Regional Hotel-Motel Committee
• United Way Executive Committee and Board Chair for 2014 & 2015.
• Cancer Crushing Executive – Tri-Cities Cancer Center
• Washington City/County Management Association Board
  
  

In 2019, Marie was named Kennewick Woman of the Year and recognized for her exemplary leadership and being a champion for providing public service at the highest level.
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The City Council will be taking the next steps in determining the City Manager selection process.

​The City of Richland invites all citizens to attend the annual National Night Out and City Fair event on Tuesday, August 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is in Howard Amon Park, 500 Amon Park Drive, near the Fingernail Stage.

National Night Out is a national community-building campaign to bring neighbors and law enforcement together to focus on community safety and strengthen relationships between the public and emergency services. In addition to public safety personnel, citizens will also have the opportunity to visit with other city department representatives and learn more about all City services and resources. Attendees will enjoy fun activities, learn more about City services, and participate in department demonstrations.

The opening ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the Fingernail Stage. After the ceremony, kids twelve and under are encouraged to complete a City Pass to be eligible for prizes. Entertainment will be provided by the Knutzen Brothers.

Richland Fire & Emergency Services will present HeartSafe Richland / Hands-Only CPR Training where kids and adults can easily learn this life-saving skill. The free demonstration will take place at the Fingernail Stage at 6:00 p.m.

Lee Boulevard at Amon Park Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic. Parking is available near the Richland Community Center, along the park, and in the parking lot of City Hall, 625 Swift Boulevard. Foot and bicycle transportation is encouraged.

Food vendors and park concessionaires will have items available for purchase.

Have you ever served your community? Are you curious how city government operates? Now is your chance! The fall application process has opened and there are vacancies on eight (8) different Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Citizens Review Committee
• Board of Adjustment
• Economic Development Committee
• Library Board
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Planning Commission
• Utility Advisory Committee
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Get involved today and help shape the future of your community. 

For further details on these positions or to apply, visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/bccvacancies and scroll to the Current Vacancies page. Applications will be accepted from July 24, 2023, through August 6, 2023.

For more information, please contact: Jennifer Rogers, City Clerk (509) 942-7389.

Prosser Memorial Health is thrilled to welcome Family Nurse Practitioner Jonathon Blanchard to our team at the Prosser Clinic! Jonathon is a Washington State University alum, graduating Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor’s in nursing, and then receiving his Doctorate of Nursing Practice from WSU. While earning his doctorate, he worked as a registered nurse for various medical centers and was previously positioned as Charge Nurse for the Lourdes Medical Center emergency department. Jonathon holds certification for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and is family practice certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

The medical field is close to home for Jonathon, whose grandmother and mother were both nurses, and father, a combat medic. Coming from a small town in Idaho where healthcare was not always accessible, he focused heavily on rural care and community engagement during his studies. This is also part of the reason he chose to work at PMH. He finds that Prosser Memorial Health’s involvement and commitment to the community is a good fit for his lifestyle and the type of medicine he practices. In his free time, Jonathon can be found outdoors with his wife, kids, and dogs. They like to spend their evenings in the park and enjoy camping frequently every year.

Jonathon will be providing a variety of family medicine services at Prosser Memorial Health’s Prosser Clinic located at 336 Chardonnay Avenue. To learn more about Jonathon and his offered services, or to schedule an appointment, visit us online at www.prosserhealth.org, or call the Prosser Clinic at 509.786.1576.

The City of Richland is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Community Development Block Grant through August 18, 2023. Approximately $225,000 is available to fund eligible non-profit organization projects or public agencies that serve the residents of Richland.

Community Development Block Grants support community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. The program is designed to improve the economic, social, and physical environment of eligible, cities and counties to enhance the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents, thereby strengthening the entire community.
 
The CDBG program can fund a wide range of activities such as :
• Community facilities 
• Housing rehabilitation, infrastructure in support of affordable housing
• Sewer, water, streets/sidewalks, and other infrastructure 
• Public Services

For information, a list of previously funded projects, or to apply please go to www.ci.richland.wa.us/cdbg.  
 
If you have any questions, please contact Toni Lehman at 509-942-7580 or tlehman@ci.richland.wa.us. 

​Gesa, a community-focused credit union, today announced the recipients of its Scholarship Program for the 2023-2024 academic year. In total, more than $100,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to 36 students across Washington.
 
Since 1987, Gesa has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to students who have active student loans, are entering college for the first time, or are pursuing higher education.
 
“One of the core values that Gesa was founded on 70 years ago, and one that we’re still proud to hold close to our hearts today, is supporting education in the communities we serve,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “We’re honored to invest in the next generation of leaders as they continue their education journey and pursue their dreams.”
 
Recipients of this year’s Scholarship Program were selected by the credit union’s Gesa Community Foundation. The recipients for each category include:
 

• Continued Education
  • Elizabeth Moradeyo Ogunmokun – Richland
  • Abigail Gitte Hedges – Richland
  • Veronica Huerta Monjes – Benton City
  • Diana Rodriguez – Yakima
  • Jordan Smith – Ellensburg
  • Keliann Drewsilla Maelynn Stephens – Moses Lake

 

• Entering Freshman
  • Logan Bradford – Richland
  • Colin Matthew Ward – Richland
  • Doc Phoenix Holloway – Richland
  • Katelyn Rose Albertin – Kennewick
  • Jacob Riley Byrd – Pasco
  • Kendra Christine Candanoza – Prosser
  • Benjamin William Shannon – Spokane
  • Talia Rose Emmerson – Spokane Valley
  • Devanee Lopez – Yakima
  • Brinkley Michelle Treat – Yakima
  • Jazmine Ella Ann Becher – Buckley
  • Mailei Seirra Jungblom – Ione

 

• Loan Repayment
  • Aliyanda Kayla Harris Cobbinah – Seattle
  • Celia Lizbeth Balderas – Pasco
  • Hector E Ledezma Jr – Moses Lake
  • Rosalie Anne Dora – Cheney
  • Tania Perez Hernandez – Yakima

 

• High School Credit Union Program
  • Tristan Harker – Richland
  • Doc Holloway – West Richland
  • Madaline Cappellen – West Richland
  • Cesar Arechiga – Kennewick
  • Ellie Saunders – Kennewick
  • Katie Barreto – Kennewick
  • Zachary Landon – Kennewick
  • Alyssa Roettger-Richey – Kennewick
  • Valeria Quiroz-Torres – Kennewick
  • Delaney Rothwell – Pasco
  • Esthelia Santillian – Pasco
  • Carson Cameron – Spokane Valley
  • Merelin Perez – Walla Walla

 
A complete list of award categories and scholarship winners can be found at https://www.gesa.com/community/scholarships. Applications for the 2024-2025 scholarships will open in December 2023. To learn more about Gesa Credit Union and its scholarship program, visit www.gesa.com. 

Helping people save money and live better is at the core of everything we do at Walmart, and Walmart+ is that mission supercharged. Since launching Walmart+ in 2020, we have worked hard to curate a membership offering that partners benefits with savings, providing unrivalled access to life’s everyday needs at an affordable price.

We at Walmart+ believe that everyone should be able to enjoy all the ways a Walmart+ membership helps them save time and money, with benefits like free shipping and grocery delivery, nationwide gas discounts, and video streaming with Paramount+ at no extra cost. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Walmart+ Assist, a program that offers customers on government assistance 50% off a monthly or annual Walmart+ paid membership plan. 

Walmart+ Assist was designed to do exactly what’s in the name: assist those who need it most. We’re making it easier and more accessible for government-assisted customers to become members and take advantage of the full suite of savings that Walmart+ has to offer them.

The program is available to all eligible new and existing members. Existing members who qualify and sign up will receive a prorated refund and the new price will start immediately. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Visit Walmart.com/Plus/Assist to verify your eligibility through SheerID. 
2. Sign up for a Walmart+ Assist membership at the new price of $6.47/month or $49/year.
3. Start enjoying all the benefits of your new Walmart+ membership.
   
   

This is not the first time Walmart has innovated to support customers who use government assistance. In 2019, Walmart was one of the first retailers to begin taking part in the USDA’s SNAP Online Purchase pilot. The multi-year rollout allows customers to pay with their SNAP benefits online, giving them access to conveniences like pickup and delivery. With the recent addition of Alaska into the program, Walmart is now the first retailer to accept SNAP benefits online in all 50 states.
​
Walmart+ Assist is another huge step forward in helping those who need it most experience all the benefits at the heart of our membership. To learn more about Walmart+ Assist or to sign up, visit walmart.com/plus/assist.