Tri-Cities Animal Services (TCAS) is teaming up with local firefighters for the return of Felines & Firefighters, a community adoption event bringing together two things we can all get behind: finding homes for pets and the firefighters helping them do it. 
 
Saturday, September 26 
10:00AM–2:00PM 
Tri-Cities Animal Shelter 
1311 S. 18th Avenue, Pasco 
 
Stop by to meet adoptable cats and kittens, plus plenty of dogs looking for homes too, and visit with local firefighters while learning more about the work happening every day at TCAS. 
 
The event is free to attend, and if you meet your perfect match, you can adopt on the spot. Adoption fees are just $50 per pet, and all TCAS pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before heading home. 
 
Not ready to adopt? You can still make a difference. TCAS staff will be available to share information about volunteer and foster opportunities that help give shelter pets the care, attention and time they need while waiting for their new families. 
 
Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 26, for Felines & Firefighters and help us find loving homes for animals across the Tri-Cities. 
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Lourdes Health and Trios Health announced today that Jason Stanek has been named Market Assistant Chief Financial Officer, effective August 31, 2026.

“Jason brings a strong foundation in healthcare finance, accounting, budgeting and operational analysis to this role,” said Charlie Pearce, Market Chief Financial Officer. “His experience leading monthly close processes, audits, budget development, variance analysis and financial reporting will be a valuable asset as Lourdes Health and Trios Health continue working to support efficient operations and make communities healthier.”

Stanek is a well-trained business professional with more than 13 years of experience in accounting and finance, including healthcare finance leadership, budgeting, financial modeling, forecasting, audit preparation, cost reporting, variance analysis and financial statement preparation.

In his role as Market Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Stanek will work closely with leaders across Lourdes Health and Trios Health to strengthen financial planning, support strategic growth and help ensure both organizations are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of patients, employees and the community.

Stanek holds a Master of Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Portland State University.
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“I am honored to join Lourdes Health and Trios Health and contribute to organizations with such a strong commitment to serving the Tri-Cities community,” said Stanek. “I look forward to using my experience in finance, budgeting and operational analysis to support thoughtful decision-making and help strengthen the systems that allow our teams to continue providing high-quality care.”

Lourdes Health and Trios Health are pleased to announce that Costina Papatheodorou, DO, will join their medical teams to provide family medicine care for patients and families throughout the Tri-Cities region.

Dr. Papatheodorou provides care for patients of all ages, with services that include preventive health, annual, school and sports physicals, chronic and acute illness care, minor conditions and injuries, hypertension and diabetes care. Her clinical interests include obesity medicine, women’s health and mental health care.

Dr. Papatheodorou completed her family medicine residency with the Trios Health Family Medicine Residency Program in Kennewick, where she also served as Chief Resident. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Chapman University in Orange, California, where she graduated cum laude.

A member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Dr. Papatheodorou is committed to patient-centered care and building long-term relationships with patients and families.

As Chief Resident, Dr. Papatheodorou helped coordinate resident schedules, educational conferences and clinical rotations; served as a liaison between residents and faculty; mentored junior residents; and supported quality improvement and residency program development initiatives.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Papatheodorou to Lourdes Health and Trios Health,” said Emilia Keener, Senior Market Director, Medical Group Services, Lourdes Health and Trios Health. “Through her time in the Trios Family Medicine Residency Program and her service as Chief Resident, she has demonstrated strong leadership, clinical skill and a genuine commitment to patient-centered care. Her interest in family medicine, women’s health, mental health care and obesity medicine will help support the evolving needs of patients and families across our community.”
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Dr. Papatheodorou will serve patients at both Lourdes Family Medicine, located at 7425 Wrigley Drive, Suite 101, Pasco, WA 99301, and Trios Care Center Chavallo, located at 7211 W. Deschutes Ave., Suite B, Kennewick, WA 99336. To schedule an appointment at Lourdes Family Medicine, call 509.416.8888 or visit yourlourdes.com. To schedule an appointment at Trios Care Center Chavallo, call 509.221.6930 or visit TriosHealth.org.

HAPO Community Credit Union is deepening its investment in the future of our region by championing higher education through its annual scholarship program and continued partnership with Columbia Basin College (CBC). This year, HAPO awarded $70,000 in scholarships to outstanding students recognized for their academic achievement, community involvement, and dedication to personal growth. These scholarships reflect HAPO’s belief that when students succeed, communities thrive.

Beyond scholarships, HAPO is proud to continue its partnership with Columbia Basin College as a key supporter of the First-Year Introduction (FYI) Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The FYI course is designed to help first-year students confidently transition into college life by equipping them with essential tools for success, including critical financial education skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Through HAPO’s support, the FYI program reached more than 2,100 incoming students this year, expanding access to vital coursework and helping students build a strong academic and personal foundation from day one.

“At HAPO, investing in local students means investing in the future of our entire community,” said Crystal Contreras, VP of Community Engagement for HAPO Community Credit Union. “Our partnership with Columbia Basin College allows us to walk alongside students as they begin their college journey, providing real-world financial knowledge and meaningful support at a pivotal time in their lives.”
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These initiatives reflect HAPO’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities, strengthening local connections, and helping remove barriers to higher education. Through strategic scholarships and hands-on educational partnerships, HAPO continues to champion the next generation of leaders and professionals in our community.

​Port Commissioners Skip Novakovich and Raul Contreras Gonzalez will appoint a replacement by the end of November to fill the District 1 position, which was vacated on Sept. 1 by the retirement of Commissioner Ken Hohenberg.
 
The candidate appointed to replace Commissioner Hohenberg will serve in that capacity until certification of the 2027 election (and may choose to run in that election). Interested candidates must:
 

• Be a registered voter who resides within Port of Kennewick’s District 1, as required by state law (confirm with Benton County Auditor’s office)
• Submit a completed application, a consent to background review form and a resume

 
District boundary maps, application materials, important dates and more details are available on Port of Kennewick’s website at portofkennewick.org/commission-candidates. Application packets may also be picked up at the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island located at 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
 
There are two opportunities to apply as a candidate (only submit one application):
 

1. First Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
2. Second Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than Oct. 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific

 
The final deadline for all applications is Oct. 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
 
Qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by Sept. 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. will be announced during the commission’s regular meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. Additional qualified candidates who submit a complete application package after the first-invitation deadline will be announced at the meeting on Oct.13, 2026.
 
Submit applications to the Clerk of the Board via email at [email protected]. If email is not possible, candidates may drop off completed applications on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island located at 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick.
 
During the November 2027 election, voters in District 1 will elect an individual to serve as their representative on the Port of Kennewick Board of Commissioners for a full six-year term.
 
Commissioners are responsible for representing public interests, setting policies, determining program direction, setting short- and long-term goals, approving the annual budget and assisting with leadership development for the organization.
 
Port of Kennewick’s District 1 is in Benton County and includes the area generally North of Interstate 82 and State Route 397; East of Leslie Road; South of Gage Boulevard; and West of Olympia Street; and generally encompassing the Southeast Richland/Meadow Springs; Central and West Kennewick; and Southridge/Canyon Lakes neighborhoods.