Beginning August 26, several changes to Ben Franklin Transit bus routes in Pasco will take effect. The changes are intended to minimize redundancies between routes while increasing frequency and service hours in certain areas. The following summarizes these changes.

Route 65 – Tierra Vida: This route will combine with previous Demonstration Route 63D to serve East Pasco, from 22nd Avenue Transit Center to Tierra Vida. Route 65 follows a similar route to 63D but is modified to serve all the main locations from both of those routes. Route 65 will now benefit from 30-minute frequency and will run until 10 p.m.

Route 63D will discontinue at the end of service on Aug. 24, and its riders should begin to use Route 65 on Aug. 26.

Served by this route: East Pasco locations including Ochoa Middle School, Robinson Elementary, Emerson Elementary, St. Patrick’s School, Longfellow Elementary, Whittier Elementary, Edgar Brown Stadium, and the Pasco Library.

Route 66 – Sylvester: This route will be modified to serve Sylvester Street west of 22nd Avenue Transit Center, Court Street west of Road 68, and all of Road 84. Frequency will increase to every 30 minutes between 22nd Avenue and West Pasco. It will no longer serve Road 48; with this change, there will be no direct bus service along Road 48. These changes allow Routes 66 and 67 to serve one section of Pasco, while allowing Route 68 to continue serving Argent Street and Columbia Basin College.

Served by this route: Chess Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Livingston Elementary, Angelou Elementary, Stevens Middle School, McLoughlin Middle School, Chiawana High School, Delta High School, and Tri-City Prep.​

Route 68 – Argent: This is a weekday route that travels straight down Argent before turning onto Road 100, then Chapel Hill, and Road 84, and then returns the same way. Route 68 now takes riders directly to Columbia Basin College from 22nd Avenue Transit Center without any stops in between.

Served by this route: Frost Elementary, Livingston Elementary, Stevens Middle School, Tri-City Prep, New Horizons School, Chiawana High School, and Columbia Basin College.

The other two routes in Pasco, Routes 64 and 67, will not have any changes and will remain on their regular routes and schedules.

For more information about these changes, including route maps and schedules, visit www.bft.org/NewPlaces.

Columbia Park attractions continue to grow with the City of Kennewick’s announcement it is partnering with the well-established CG Public House and Catering operators to open a new concept at the Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex in late September.

Construction of the 2,600 square foot Columbia River Landing facility was completed in June, and will continue to host golf course operations in addition to the Bite at the Landing eatery. Replacing the original golf course clubhouse that was constructed in 1961, the new structure includes a full service kitchen and 1,200 square foot patio with river views.

The new building is intended to serve as a premier destination for an audience extending beyond golfers, said Terry Walsh, Executive Director of Employee and Community Relations for the City of Kennewick. “Partnering with veteran entrepreneurs that have a 40-year track record operating restaurants in Kennewick is a great fit,” Walsh said. Prior to serving patrons at its 9221 W Clearwater Ave. CG Public House location since 2006, owners operated the Country Gentleman and Wyatt’s Pancake Corral at Highway 395 and Vista Ave dating back to 1979.

Owned by Shirley and Steve Simmons and operated by son Kyle Simmons, expanding to a Columbia Park site with scenic views is an opportunity to attract a new audience, add menu items, and host more events and activities, Kyle Simmons explained.

“We’re developing a menu that appeals to golfers-on-the-go in addition to guests that want to relax on the patio with full service food and beverages,” said Kyle Simmons. An application to serve local wines, beers and craft cocktails has been submitted to the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
In addition to the restaurant, the rebranded Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex offers 18-holes of traditional golf on a 3-par course, foot golf and disc golf.

Prosser Memorial Health is excited to announce a partnership with Love on a Leash, a national non-profit agency committed to bringing comfort, happiness and healing to people through pet-provided therapy services. Prosser Memorial Health has finalized the policies required to allow approved pets in a hospital setting. ​

The program began in June under the direction of Acute Care Unit Director Marla Davis. “It’s important for all of us at Prosser Memorial Health to provide a new layer of care and healing in a patient’s recovery. For many of us pets are an important part of our lives and our family. To be able to offer pet therapy as part of their overall care plan is exciting,” said Davis. Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people with a range of health problems and reduce the stress and anxiety that can come from a hospital stay. And it's not only people with health problems who reap the benefits. Family members and friends who sit in on animal visits say they feel better, too. 

The local Love on a Leash chapter has designated Loki and Fritz as regular visitors to Prosser Memorial Health patients. Fritz is a lovable Boxer owned by our very own ER Nurse, Suzanne Merk. To learn more about Love on a Leash and pet therapy at Prosser Memorial Health, call the Prosser Memorial Health’s Community Relations Team at 509-786-6601.   

​Gesa Credit Union presented $155,087.05 to representatives from their school partners on Thursday, August 15. The funds from this donation are a part of an exclusive partnership agreement between Gesa and the Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Yakima, College Place, Moses Lake, Finley, and Columbia School Districts along with Delta High School and Liberty Christian School. 

This announcement was made at a reception held at Castle Event Center in Richland. Gesa’s High School Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program supports local schools by earning money for school districts to use toward student programs. The total awarded today was generated by Gesa members during the 2018-2019 school year. Gesa announced that beginning in September, supporters of Eisenhower and Davis High Schools in Yakima, Columbia High School in Burbank, and Liberty Christian School in Tri-Cities will be able to take part in this valuable program. Gesa’s donation to these schools today was in celebration of the announcement of the cards. Gesa currently offers 13 Affinity Debit Cards which to date have raised over $300,000 for Washington schools and youth sports. 

“This program is a way for our members to join us in making an impact in our community. Our members have embraced this program which is why we are able to make this contribution today,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “Our education programs and support for schools is at the heart of what Gesa stands for. We are proud to partner so closely with our schools, working together to provide valuable learning opportunities for local students.” 

With every swipe of a Gesa Co-Branded Affinity High School Debit Card, Gesa makes a small donation to the school or district represented on the front. High School Co-Branded Affinity Debit Cards are available exclusively at any of Gesa’s 18 branches. These cards are free to Gesa members with a checking account and there is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the High School designs. 

To learn more about Gesa Credit Union and the High School Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program, visit www.gesa.com. 

Inc. magazine today revealed that Gravis Law PLLC is No. 1 as the fastest growing law firm in the nation and No. 302 amongst other companies on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“It was only two years ago, we envisioned expanding our offices to better serve our clients regionally as well as on a national level, so we are honored by this prestigious ranking and are excited and remain focused on our continued expansion nationally.” says Brett Spooner, CEO at Gravis Law.

Not only have the companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 454 percent, and a median rate of 157 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $237.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 1,216,308 jobs over the past three years. Gravis Law was ranked #1 for law firms, #302 overall and #7 in the state of Washington with their 3-year growth of 1,488%. 

Chad Wold, COO at Gravis states, “This news feels like validation of our national growth plan and comes in the wake of many recent initiatives and accomplishments of Gravis Law.” Just this year Gravis has recently expanded their national footprint with new offices in Florida, Michigan, Washington, Idaho and Montana as well as hiring nearly 40 new employees.

Spooner attributes a lot of the firm’s success to the collaborative team approach of their organization. “Our entire team is proud of its growth and we couldn’t have done it without them.  We will remain focused on our national growth plan as we continue to find and attract top quality legal talent across the nation to join the Gravis Team.” says Spooner. 

On Thursday, September 19th, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation will host an exciting new culinary event at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center called DINE OUT. The inaugural event is part of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center’s Cancer Crushing Cuisine Program. At DINE OUT, local restaurants will compete for the title of Cancer Crushing Restaurant of the Year. Attendees will sample the best in healthy cuisine prepared with cancer fighting foods and vote for their favorite dish. The cost to attend is $75 per individual or $120 per couple and includes one Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook. Tickets are on sale through the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation office by calling (509) 737-3413 or online on Eventbrite.

Participating restaurants include CG Public House and Catering, Fiction at J. Bookwalter, Foodies Brick & Mortar, The Bradley, Wine O’Clock, The Kitchen at Barnard Griffin, Ice Harbor, Fat Olives, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar Mezzo Thai Fusion, and Henrys Restaurant and Catering. Beverages generously provided by: Mercer Estates, Chandler Reach Vineyards, Badger Mountain Winery, Ice Harbor Brewery and Naoi Cailini Óga Wines.

All funds raised stay local and provide valuable non-reimbursed cancer programs and services for patients, their families, and the community.

What: DINE OUT, a Cancer Crushing Cuisine Program
When: Thursday, September 19th, 6-9pm
Where: Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, 2140A Wine Country Rd, Prosser WA

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation continues to benefit from the generosity of corporations and individuals in our region whose desire to invest in world class cancer care has changed the availability and quality of services. These generous investments have allowed the Center to provide no-cost services like Nurse Navigation, supporting patients through their cancer journey, reducing emergency room visits through nurse consultation and providing practical support for side-effect management.

These investments have funded our community education, which focuses on a variety of topics all aimed at the prevention and early detection of cancer, which gives community members the tools to reduce their risk of cancer and to become more alert in detecting cancer early, when treatment options are plentiful and outcomes are significantly improved. Community investments allowed us to provide over 1,000 free screenings a year to our region, further emphasizing the lifesaving importance of early detection.
​
Community investment in our Foundation is the most critical element to ensuring that world-class cancer care will ALWAYS be available in our region.

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) will be providing shuttle service to the Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo, Aug. 20-24 in Kennewick. It's easy, a great value, and passengers will be dropped off at a special bus-only Fair entrance.

​WHERE TO CATCH SHUTTLES
Riders can catch the shuttle bus from one of six convenient pick-up locations throughout the Tri-Cities for the duration of Fair week:

• Kennewick: Kamiakin High School and Lampson Stadium
• Pasco: The HAPO Center (formerly TRAC) and 22nd Avenue Transit Center
• Richland: Knight Street Transit Center and Tulip Lane Park & Ride.

​SHUTTLE COST*

OPTION 1: FAIR/BUS COMBO TICKET
$14 Adult | $7 Kids Age 6-12 | $7 Senior 65+
Includes round-trip bus ride and Fair admission. Combo tickets are available for purchase at a variety of locations, including Albertson's, Safeway, Yoke's, Ranch & Home, Three Rivers Transit Center, the Fair Office, or online at bentonfranklinfair.com/p/tickets.

OPTION 2: BUS ONLY
$1.50 per person or $4 for a family up to five people, each way. Freedom passes also accepted.

*Kids 5 and under are FREE!

HOURS
Fair hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight. Buses will depart from pickup locations for the fairgrounds hourly starting around 9 a.m. and will leave every half-hour starting around 4 p.m. The Lampson Stadium shuttle departs every 30 minutes until 4 p.m. then switches to every 15 minutes. The last buses will leave the Fair at midnight.
BFT will have one return shuttle every day from the Fair to West Richland, Benton City, and Prosser that will leave the Fairgrounds at 10:30 p.m. Riders in those areas can take their normal bus routes to Knight Street Transit Center to catch a shuttle to the Fair, and then be returned to their origination points on this once-daily return shuttle. Normal bus fares still apply when using routes to connect to event service.

NEW DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE LOCATION
This year, the Dial-A-Ride paratransit service will be using the special bus-only entrance at the back of the Fair for drop-offs and pick-ups. In previous years, Dial-A-Ride used the front entrance. This service will be available to and from the Fair from 9 a.m. to midnight. Regular eligibility, fare, and reservations requirements apply. Eligible riders can make reservations by calling 509-735-0160; reservations must be made at least one day in advance of the requested ride.

SPONSORED PARKLET LOUNGE
Back for a second year, Fair attendees can visit BFT’s lounge at the Fair next to Old MacDonald’s Barn near the Kids’ Zone to charge devices, connect to free Wi-Fi, relax, and play games.

MORE INFO ABOUT FAIR SHUTTLE SERVICE: www.bft.org/Fair.

Gravis Law PLLC is pleased to announce Attorney Katherine Sierra-Kelly as their newest partner, effective July 2019. As a partner, Katherine will continue to further the firm’s mission to provide accessible and world-class legal services.

“Katherine joined us in 2017 and hit the ground running. She is consistently challenging our process helping us work toward improvement, delivering outstanding services for our clients, and working to increase the presence of Gravis Law in our community. Moreover, she has done this while maturing into a leader and manager of a fantastic team of practitioners. She embodies everything we stand for at Gravis, and we are proud to call her a Partner.” Says Brett Spooner, CEO at Gravis Law.

Katherine Sierra-Kelly has been with Gravis Law PLLC since 2017 with a practice focus on family law and mediation. She has represented clients with issues surrounding family law and worked extensively as a Guardian Ad Litem representing the interests of children in dissolution matters, as well as adults who may be incapacitated. Katherine Sierra-Kelly was born into a military family and settled in the Tri-City area in 1994. She is a graduate of Upper Columbia Academy, and Walla Walla University where she graduated cum laude in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She spent a year with Americorp where she helped needy families in Seattle before attending Seattle University’s School of Law where she graduated in 2007 with her Juris Doctorate.

Katherine is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section; Benton Franklin Bar Association; a Benton Franklin County Bar Trustee (2013-2015) (2019-current) and a member of the Guardian Ad Litem selection committee for Benton and Franklin Counties. She is also a member of the Benton Franklin Legal Aid Board, and a board member of the Benton & Franklin Domestic Services Organization.

She is currently living in Richland with her husband and three boys. Katherine is an avid Seattle Seahawks Season Ticket Holder and enjoys spending time working out in the gym to keep up with her three boys.

“We are so excited to welcome Katherine as a partner with Gravis Law. She has worked hard to build a strong reputation based on hard work and passionate advocacy for her clients and has brought that same passion to Gravis. Katherine’s passion is helping us grow and manage our amazing team of people.” says Asa LaMusga, partner and managing attorney at Gravis Law.

​As part of its ongoing growth and development of strategic
offerings, Wildland Labs, Inc., the Tri-Cities’ premier software development firm, in partnership with its subsidiary BrandCraft Marketing, today announced changes to its software development service offering and the enterprise leadership team, including:

• Torey Azure, formerly CMO of Wildland/BrandCraft, is promoted to CEO of Wildland/BrandCraft. Torey Azure founded BrandCraft Marketing in March of 2012 and merged with Wildland in summer of 2017 to combine Wildland’s software expertise with BrandCrafts’ premier design, marketing, video, and photography services.
  
• Ty Mulholland, formerly CEO of Wildland/BrandCraft, is departing for a position as Head of Operations of Managed Squared, Inc., which has been acquired by a leading legal services company based in California. Denovo, the flagship law practice management SaaS of Managed Squared, was developed by Wildland.
  
• Kellie Easley has been promoted to VP of Creative and Digital for Wildland/BrandCraft. Kellie has been with the enterprise since July of 2018. She previously worked for Columbia Hospitality in Seattle, WA as Director of Marketing.

The Wildland team members responsible for the development of Denovo have also been hired by Managed Squared, which will remain based out of Tri-Cities and continue to bolster the Tri-Cities startup ecosystem.

“This refinement of our team is in response to multiple factors including opportunities for the software development team to focus on a specific product, and concurrently allows
Wildland/BrandCraft to focus on continued development of our growth marketing services portfolio” new CEO Torey Azure said. “I look forward to working with our new leadership team to
deliver exemplary results for our clients, investors, and team members. I wish Ty and the Denovo software team the best in bringing new, top of class software to the legal community, and we welcome the opportunity to support new business and our prior software clients with our premier marketing services.”

“I am proud of everything we have accomplished since Wildland’s founding in 2014, from building amazing software applications to supporting our community in events such as TriConf, Digital Crush, and Tri-Cities Tech Summit.” Former CEO Ty Mullholland says, “We will continue to support building
a blossoming technology and creative community in the Tri-Cities. I am excited for the continued success of Wildland/BrandCraft and know Torey is the best person to lead it. We will miss our Wildland/BrandCraft family tremendously but are thrilled to remain in the same community as we
evolve the software ecosystem here.”

Nick Schmeck and Will Rencehausen have officially opened Great American Powder Coating and Eco-Blasting.  Their 6,000 sq. ft. facility boasts a 25’x8’x8’ oven and an environmentally safe mobile eco-blasting system.  This large scale operation is ideal for area agriculture, manufacturing, fencing and construction industries looking for a powder coat provider capable of handling oversize materials. Pasco’s newest business is also aiming to be an all-in-one service provider for local hobbyists with automotive restoration and DIY needs.  

With the recent close of a long time powder coater, Great American Powder Coating & Eco-Blasting saw the opportunity to bring the opportunity for complete color customization and specialty finishes to private party and commercial customers at approachable prices.  Powder coated surfaces are more durable; being chip, scratch and fade resistant.  The company has procedures in place to guarantee the cleanest finish for your products, even going so far as to warranty their coating for a period of one (1) year after service.  The entire powder coat process, from cleaning to cooling, can all be completed in house within 3-5 business days.

Before powder coating can occur the items must be properly prepped using an array of specialized cleaning processes; which can be completed at the Pasco facility or onsite at customer request using the environmentally friendly mobile eco-blasting system.  This self-contained trailer is capable of treating thinner metals without causing warping, uses water for less mess and jobsite disturbance, and utilizes a silica free crushed bottle glass compound that will not harm vegetation. 

Great American Powder Coating and Eco-Blasting was formed in partnership with Richard Bogert and Cathy Bogert, the corporate team of the Bogert Group of Companies and long-time business owners.  Nick Schmeck and Will Rencehausen, running day to day operations, received their certification from Powder-X, the company selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to be the powder coating consultant for the space shuttle project.