The annual Back to School Bash is back and bigger than ever! On Monday, August 18 from 4–6 PM, families across the Tri-Cities are invited to the HAPO Center in Pasco for a free, family-friendly event designed to prepare students for a successful school year.

This one-stop-shop event is expected to serve 2,000 local students, offering free backpacks, school supplies, sports physicals, vaccines, haircuts, and access to a wide range of community resources — all at no cost to families.

“All of these organizations and vendors share the common goal of reducing barriers for students and families,” says Amy Marinoni, Advancement Manager for the Tri-Cities Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). “We want every child to feel confident and ready to start the school year.”

There are no income, residency, or insurance requirements to attend the August 18 event. Children must be present to receive supplies. Otherwise, adults attending without children may receive up to two backpacks.  Additionally, health and wellness services will be on site, and families can take advantage of free sports physicals, flu shots, and haircuts — no appointments needed.

After selecting a backpack, students will be guided by volunteer shoppers to select age-appropriate school supplies. While students gear up for school, families can enjoy music from Platinum Entertainment, popcorn from Fairchild Cinema, activities with the Benton Franklin Master Gardeners, and booths offering valuable community resources and services.

This free event is open to the public, with doors opening at 4:00 PM.  For more information, please contact LCSNW Communications Specialist Molly Curtiss at [email protected].

The 2025 Back to School Bash is co-hosted by LCSNW, Hapo Community Credit Union, Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Sozo Church, with support from dozens of local organizations and businesses.

The Pasco Fire Department is hosting a free water safety event at Memorial Aquatic Park on Saturday, August 2, starting at 5:00 PM.

Families are invited to stop by for free personal flotation devices (PFDs), hands-only CPR training, and water safety education from the Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team.

The life jackets were generously donated by the Washington State Parks Boating and Water Safety Program to help keep Pasco residents safe on local waterways. Washington law requires all boats and paddleboards to carry enough PFDs for everyone on board. Children younger than 12 are required to wear life jackets as long as they are on the water in a vessel under 19 feet long.

Wearing a properly fitted PFD is key to staying safe. Pasco firefighters will be on hand to help make sure everyone gets the right size and knows how to wear it correctly.

August 2nd is also Free Family Swim Night at Memorial Aquatic Park from 6:15-8:15, sponsored by the Pasco Economic Development Project and Secure Court Solutions, followed by a free showing of A Minecraft Movie in the park at dusk, sponsored by the Pasco Economic Development Project and Amazon.
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Members of the media are invited to attend a preview with the Pasco Fire Department at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 31. Please contact [email protected] or (509) 975-9377 if you would like to attend.

The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia (CRFMC) is proud to announce Edison Valerio as the new Board President for the 2025–2026 term.

A longtime Tri-Cities resident and passionate community advocate, Edison brings over 18 years of leadership experience in banking, finance, and small business development. He is the owner of State Farm, Edison Valerio Insurance Agency Inc. in Pasco and an active civic leader currently serving on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce Board and as Chairman of the Latin Business Association Foundation.

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised by a single mother in the Bronx, Edison’s personal journey is rooted in the transformative power of education and literacy. His commitment to ensuring all children have access to quality reading resources aligns closely with CRFMC’s mission to help every child learn to read and succeed in school and life.

“I believe in the transformative power of literacy to open doors and create opportunities for all.” Said Edison Valerio. “I look forward to leading our community in fostering a lifelong love of reading, expanding access to resources, and enhancing programs that support literacy development across the Mid-Columbia region.”

“Edison has been a longtime supporter of our mission,” said Leanne Purcell, Executive Director of CRFMC. “His energy, vision, and lived experience are exactly what we need as we expand our programs and deepen our impact in the Mid-Columbia region.”

In addition, the CRFMC welcomes five new Board Members to their Board of Directors: Mark Blankenship; Bechtel, Beth Booth; Insight Accounting, Dawn Sileo; Energy Northwest, Cheryl Piersall; Bectel, and Jason Vitali; Amentum.
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For more information about The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia and its initiatives, visit www.read20minutes.com.

On July 26th, 2025, 360 Automotive & Repair will hold a special fundraising event to help support the ongoing medical treatment of Trevin Hansen, a young man severely injured in a tragic fire on July 4th.

Trevin suffered burns covering 65% of his body after falling through the roof of a storage unit while trying to extinguish the blaze. He was initially treated at Kadlec Hospital and later transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remains in intensive care.

In response, 360 Automotive & Repair will donate 100% of the proceeds from all oil changes and oil change cards purchased on July 26th directly to Trevin’s family. The fundraiser will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at their shop, located at:

3320 Kennedy Road, West Richland, WA
Cost: $100 per oil change

“This community means everything to us, and when someone is in need, we want to do whatever we can to help,” said a spokesperson for 360 Automotive & Repair. “We invite everyone to come by, get their oil changed, and show support for Trevin and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

For more information, please contact:
📞 Phone: 509-572-2769 ext. 2
​📧 Email: [email protected]

The City of Richland has launched TheDowntownLoop.com, a dedicated website designed to keep residents and businesses informed about the Downtown Loop project — a construction effort aimed at improving access and safety in the downtown area.

The Downtown Loop will reconfigure George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue into a one-way couplet between the intersections of Jadwin Avenue and Symons Street. The new configuration will feature barrier-separated, two-way bike lanes, wider sidewalks, on-street parking, upgraded lighting and improved pedestrian crossings, all designed to enhance the downtown experience for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The project is a result of years of planning, technical studies and community conversations. From design recommendations and engineering analysis to extensive stakeholder input, this project offers a comprehensive and data-driven approach that meets the long-term goals for economic vitality and transportation safety.

As part of the implementation process, the City has begun the right-of-way acquisition process. This may involve temporary construction easements or partial land acquisitions. Informational letters and materials have been sent to impacted property owners outlining the process and their rights. 

“This project will bring lasting improvements to safety, mobility and economic development in our downtown area,” said Richland City Manager Jon Amundson. “We’re committed to transparency and easy access to information throughout the construction process. This website is one of the key ways we’re delivering on that promise.” 

As the project moves forward, TheDowntownLoop.com will serve as the community’s official source of information, and will be updated regularly with new construction updates, project details and community engagement opportunities. Residents, visitors and business owners can visit the site to stay informed, explore project documents, sign up for email notifications and more. 

The Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, in concert with the National Park Service, has officially listed the Farmers Exchange building at 215 W. Canal Drive in downtown Kennewick on the National Register of Historic Places. This recognition secures its place as the first nationally recognized historic property in downtown Kennewick.

View listing at: https://dahp.wa.gov/kennewick-fruit-produce-co-building
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Constructed in 1912 and serving as the city's agricultural supply hub for over a century, the Farmers Exchange ceased operations in 2024. Its inclusion on the National Register may unlock access to preservation grants and historic tax incentives, making it an appealing opportunity for investment with heritage value. The property was acquired by Banner Bank through foreclosure after the previous owner defaulted on their loan. Banner Bank now holds title and is offering the property for sale.
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To contact for purchase or inquiry call Rob Ellsworth, Commercial Agent with SVN Retter & Company at 509‑430‑2378 .

Starting on Monday, July 14, 2025, the western section of the parking lot at Columbia Park West will be temporarily closed to support the deconstruction of the Columbia Park Marina.

In addition, a portion of the multi-use trail will be closed from the parking lot heading west toward Wye Park (see image for details). A detour will be in place using the adjacent trail along Columbia Park Trail to maintain access for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project is anticipated to be completed in approximately two months. Please follow posted signs and detour routes during this project. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

For project updates, please visit www.ci.richland.wa.us.

On October 8, 2024, the City of Richland received a petition to amend the Richland City Charter to move from at-large to district-based elections for members of Richland City Council.

On October 17, 2024, the Richland City Clerk issued a Certificate of Sufficiency confirming that the petition to amend the Richland City Charter to establish five (5) district-based council seats contained the requisite number of valid signatures to advance to a vote per RCW 35.22.120. The proposed amendment to the City Charter will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, General Election ballot.

If approved by the voters, the amendment would modify Section 2.01 to the City Charter to allow election by district for some members of the Richland City Council. 

As part of the ballot measure process, Washington State law (RCW 29A.32.280) allows cities to seek residents to be appointed to serve on either the Pro or Con Committee for each ballot measure. 

To be eligible for appointment, individuals must reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of Richland.  Committee member names must be approved by City Council and submitted to the Benton County Elections Office by August 5, 2025.

Once appointed, both committees work independently of the City to prepare a written statement advocating either approval or rejection of the ballot measure to appear in the Benton County Voter’s Pamphlet. Committee members’ names will be included with the statement. The committees will also have an opportunity to prepare and submit a rebuttal in response to the statement prepared by the opposition.

• Initial pro/con committee statements are due by August 15, 2025.
• Rebuttal pro/con committee statements are due by August 20, 2025.
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Interested residents can apply for either the Pro or Con Committee by completing the on-line application located here by Thursday, July 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. City Council will appointment members at a special meeting held on July 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

The City of Richland will begin its 2025 Pavement Preservation Projects on Tuesday, July 8, with work expected to continue through Thursday, July 17. This year’s efforts will focus on residential streets in the north Richland area and include both Slurry Seal and Microsurfacing treatments.
These surface treatments are part of Richland’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe and efficient roadways. They serve as proactive maintenance methods that help extend the life of existing pavement while providing a fresh new surface.

• Slurry Seal is a blend of fine aggregate and emulsified asphalt, ideal for low-traffic residential roads.
• Microsurfacing is a more robust treatment consisting of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, aggregate, mineral filler, and additives designed to set quickly.

Both methods are cost-effective and environmentally responsible, typically adding five to ten years of life to the road while sealing it from the damaging effects of water and UV rays.
Residents should be aware of temporary traffic impacts:

• Slurry Seal usually requires a full-day road closure.
• Microsurfacing generally involves partial lane closures.

Advance notice will be provided by the City's contractors — Doolittle Construction, LLC (Microsurfacing) and VSS International, Inc. (Slurry Seal). “No Parking” signs will be posted in affected areas a few days prior to work beginning.
To help ensure the success of these treatments and to prevent damage or tracking, residents are asked to follow all posted signage and avoid driving, walking, or biking on treated streets until they are fully reopened.
For more details and a project area map, please visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/ppp.

​Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) recently hosted two youth listening sessions in Kennewick as part of a Community Needs Assessment for Benton and Franklin Counties. Held on May 20 and June 26, the sessions welcomed 26 youth ages 16–21 to share their experiences, concerns, and dreams for their future and their community.
 
These conversations marked the launch of the NextGen Leaders of Benton and Franklin Counties, a new initiative aimed at empowering youth voices and fostering youth-led solutions for a safer, healthier community. Participants engaged in group discussions and activities to explore what they value, where they feel supported, and what changes they hope to see. Each participant received a $50 gift card and dinner as a thank-you for their time and insights. Program Director Andrea Peyton is responsible for spearheading this new initiative.
 
“It is our belief that young people have practical and creative solutions to solve community challenges,” Andrea says. “Often, adults think we have the answers, and we take up decision making space on behalf of young people. These listening sessions have allowed youth to highlight what they believe are the most pressing issues they are facing along with what they love about our community.”
 
Many participants from the May and June sessions expressed strong interest in continuing their involvement to help shape this work, and their first council meeting is scheduled for July 31st. In partnership with local organizations and community leaders, the goal is to allow young people to steer this work, encourage their peers to discover available resources, and ensure they have a voice in shaping the programs and services that affect their futures.
 
For more information, contact Molly Curtiss at [email protected] or visit lcsnw.org/program/nextgen.