The City of Richland is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our community members. Recently, Wye Park and Columbia Park West in Richland have experienced a significant increase in incidents of vandalism, damage to public facilities, and illegal activities. These issues raise concerns regarding public health and safety. 

“We take the stewardship of our parks seriously,” said Joe Schiessl, Deputy City Manager, “and we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all residents. Unfortunately, the recent actions have made it imperative to take immediate action.

These activities have not only harmed publicly owned property but have also negatively impacted the natural resources managed by the Army Corp of Engineers”. 

As recent activities have escalated, the City of Richland is announcing a temporary closure of portions of Wye Park and Columbia Park West, effective immediately. This closure will temporarily reduce the pressure on the parks and natural resources, ensuring the City has time to perform necessary maintenance and restore the integrity of this community resource.
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The City’s commitment to community wellbeing includes those experiencing homelessness. The City and their partners understand that many individuals wish to help those in need, and we appreciate the compassion shown by community members. However, unpermitted activities that are not coordinated with the county, City or the local health district can lead to unintended consequences. Our decision to close parts of the parks is not made lightly, as we prioritize the safety and well-being of all park users and the preservation of our natural resources.

“Our parks are meant to be welcoming spaces for everyone, and we are committed to addressing the needs of our community compassionately,” said Joe Schiessl. “This closure is a necessary step to protect the park environment and ensure the safety of all visitors.”

The City recognizes the vital role that many community organizations play in supporting those in need. We encourage local partners to gather to discuss how we can all work together to continue providing essential services to those who rely on them. Our staff are here to listen and collaborate in a way that respects the dignity of all individuals.

Further updates will be shared at www.ci.richland.wa.us.

The City of Kennewick will host a dedication ceremony for a new flagpole at the Vietnam War Memorial, located southeast of the Cable Bridge, on Tuesday, October 29th at 11:00 AM. This memorial stands as a tribute to the 62 men from the Tri-Cities area who gave their lives in Vietnam, with their names etched on the black granite monument.

The memorial was originally installed in 1985, thanks to a dedicated group of local Vietnam veterans who rallied the community to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice would not be forgotten. After the monument was damaged in 2004 by a vehicle accident, more than $10,000 was raised by veterans and community members to repair and restore the memorial. It continues to be a symbol of respect and remembrance for the Tri-Cities community.

In more recent years, the memorial and flagpole have undergone several transitions. Most notably, local veteran Kevin Veleke, along with the Port of Kennewick, Combat Veterans International Pasco Chapter, Greg Ford, and the City of Kennewick, have worked to refurbish and replace the flagpole that now stands proudly once again. These efforts, supported by local organizations, have ensured that the memorial remains a steadfast tribute to the brave soldiers who never returned home.

Parking for the event will be available at the Lampson and Water Follies lots, and all are invited to join this dedication, commemorating the sacrifices made by our local heroes and reaffirming our commitment to remembering their legacy.
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The Vietnam Memorial is just one of several veteran memorials scattered across Kennewick, serving as a constant reminder of the importance of honoring those who have served in our armed forces. The City of Kennewick is proud to help maintain these sites, ensuring that the memory of our veterans is preserved for generations to come.

Starting Monday, October 28, overnight closures will affect eastbound I-182 and the off-ramp to southbound Broadmoor Boulevard (Road 100) near the Broadmoor interchange. These closures are necessary to install a new sign bridge safely and efficiently and will be done at night to minimize the disruption of the traveling public. The work will be completed over several nights, requiring partial and complete lane closures on eastbound I-182.

Closures are also tentatively scheduled for the week of November 4 to ensure all work is completed safely and efficiently. Construction crews are making every effort to minimize impacts and complete the project as quickly as possible. The City will provide further updates if these additional November dates are needed.

The initial installation schedule is as follows:

Monday Night, October 28

• 7:00 PM: Single-lane closure of the eastbound I-182 right lane and a full closure of the off-ramp to Broadmoor Boulevard.
• 4:00 AM: Off-ramp reopens to traffic, but shoulder closure remains.
  
  

Tuesday Night, October 29

• 7:00 PM: Single-lane closure of eastbound I-182’s right lane and full off-ramp closure.
• 10:00 PM: Full closure of eastbound I-182 begins.
• 11:00 PM - 4:30 AM: Crane in place to mount structure.
• 5:00 AM: Roadway reopens to traffic.
  
  

Wednesday Night, October 30

• 7:00 PM: Single-lane closure of the eastbound I-182 right lane and full closure of the off-ramp to Broadmoor Boulevard.
• 10:00 PM: Full closure of eastbound I-182 begins.
• 11:00 PM - 4:30 AM: Final sign mounting.
• 5:00 AM: Full reopening of eastbound I-182.
  
  

Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes. Traffic control measures will be in place, and crews will work diligently to minimize the duration of closures.
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The City of Pasco appreciates residents’ patience as we complete this essential infrastructure project to improve roadway safety and navigation in the Broadmoor area.

Mid-Columbia Libraries’ invites the community to our Hardly Haunted Library event, a celebration of the season’s most popular stories and books. This event will be held on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Kennewick library located at 1620 S. Union St.

Library staff and community partners will provide tons of activities, games, costumed character, music, candy walks, and family portraits free of charge. Additional snacks will be available for purchase from local vendors.

Author Jolie Taylor and Goosebumps illustrator Brandon Dorman will also be in attendance for book signings and meet and greets. They will promote their new book, “The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings.”

More details can be found at midcolumbialibraries.org and on Facebook.

As the air turns crisp and the leaves fall, Pasco City Hall transforms into "Spooky Hall," inviting families to experience a magical and safe Halloween adventure. On Thursday, October 31, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., children and families can explore the festive halls, collect treats, watch a free movie, and show off their costumes in a fun-filled environment.
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The entrance to Spooky Hall will be located at Sylvester Street and 3rd Avenue, where attendees can pick up event maps to guide them through City Hall.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 31
• Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Movie: 4:15 p.m., “Monsters, Inc.”, City Hall Gym
• Location: Pasco City Hall, Sylvester Street and 3rd Avenue
• Additional Information: Maps will be provided at the entrance, and stroller storage will be provided.

Children are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes—whether they are superheroes, princesses, police officers, or firefighters—all are welcome to join the festivities!

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
We want to thank our generous sponsors: Franklin PUD, Bank of Idaho, Fairchild Cinemas Pasco, McCurley Honda, Renewal by Andersen, Red Lion Pasco, Little Caesars, Yokes Fresh Markets, and the Mid-Columbia Libraries. Their support and City employees' donations of decor ensure the City can offer a welcoming environment for all to enjoy without spending tax dollars.

For more information on this and other City of Pasco events, visit www.pasco-wa.gov.

Amazon (Nasdaq; AMZN) and Energy Northwest, a public power agency leading in the development of next-generation nuclear technologies, today announced an agreement to fund efforts to move toward development and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technology in Washington state to advance reliable energy across the Northwest.

As the demand for energy resources continue to rise, Energy Northwest and Amazon recognize the urgent need to develop advanced technologies in the Pacific Northwest that provide reliable, carbon-free and sustainable energy generation. SMRs offer a promising solution to that need through scalable and flexible energy output.

Through the agreement, Amazon will fund the initial feasibility phase of an SMR project, which is planned to be sited near Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station nuclear energy facility in Richland, Washington.

“As a member of Washington's business community, Amazon is committed to investing in new nuclear energy technologies that can help power our operations and provide net-new, safe sources of carbon-free energy to the grid," said Kevin Miller, Amazon's Vice President of Global Data Centers. “We're proud to be working with Energy Northwest, a utility company that's also thinking big about meeting society's growing energy demands while addressing climate change. This new SMR project is a significant step toward Amazon's Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040, and signifies our continued dedication to becoming a more sustainable company."

“We are excited about this collaboration with Amazon and are impressed with their vision for helping develop new nuclear technologies and their desire to also make this resource available to utilities in the future," said Greg Cullen, Vice President for Energy Services & Development at Energy Northwest. “We've been working for years to develop this project at the urging of our members, and have found that taking this first, bold step is difficult for utilities, especially those that provide electricity to ratepayers at the cost of production. We applaud Amazon for being willing to use their financial strength, need for power and know-how to lead the way to a reliable, carbon-free power future for the region."

The SMRs will be the Xe-100 design, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor developed by X-energy, a global leader in advanced nuclear reactor and fuel technology. Each Xe-100 module can provide 80 megawatts of full-time electricity. Energy Northwest and X-energy have engaged extensively on plans for an Xe-100 facility since 2020.

Under the agreement, Amazon will have the right to purchase electricity from the first project (four modules), which is expected to generate 320 megawatts (MW) of energy capacity. Energy Northwest has the option to further build out the site by adding up to eight additional modules (640 MWs) resulting in a total project generating capacity of up to 960 MWs. This additional power will be available to Amazon and northwest utilities to power homes and businesses.

As the owner and operator of Columbia Generating Station, the Pacifi​c Northwest's only nuclear generating facility, and as a developer and operator of additional clean energy and storage resources, Energy Northwest is well-equipped to develop this project.
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This collaboration between Energy Northwest and Amazon demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and accelerating the progression of sustainable energy solutions. It also paves the way for public power entities to develop and build future SMRs to help meet the region's growing energy demands.

​Port of Benton is teaming up with tenant Tirriddis Sparkling Wines to celebrate the grand opening of the newest tasting room in Prosser.
What: Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Where: 2140B Wine Country Road, Prosser
When: Friday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m.
Tirriddis Sparkling Wines will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will offer $5 glass pour specials and 20% off all to-go bottles.
Tirriddis is a sparkling wine company working to pioneer and curate Washington’s sparkling identity. The owners, Gabriel Crowell, Matthew Doutney and Andrew Gerow, are all Washington State University Tri-Cities Viticulture & Enology program graduates.
This is Tirriddis’ second Prosser location. The other tasting room opened in 2022 at the Port’s Prosser Wine & Food Park.
For additional information, please call 509-375-3060 or visit Tirriddis.com.

Several road construction projects will be starting on Monday, October 14. Residents should expect road closures, traffic detours, and delays in the following areas:
 
South Cedar Avenue
From Monday, October 14 to Friday, October 18, South Cedar Avenue, from East Alton Street to East Lewis Street, will be closed for roadway reconstruction. Detours will be in place, and drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible.
 
West Octave Street
On Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15, West Octave Street from North Road 24th Avenue to North Road 26th Avenue will be closed for roadway restoration. Traffic will be detoured, and motorists should anticipate delays or choose alternative routes.
 
Three Rivers Drive and Road 76
On Monday, October 14, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Three Rivers Drive from Road 76 to Road 68 and Road 76 from Three Rivers Drive to approximately 300 feet south of the intersection will be closed for roadway restoration. Detours will be in effect, and drivers should plan accordingly.
 
The City of Pasco appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as these necessary improvements are made. Please see the attached maps for these closures.
 
As a reminder, two other closures are continuing:

Burns Road Closure
Burns Road between Dent Road and Broadmoor Boulevard is closed until Friday, October 18, for roadway reconstruction. Detours are in place, and drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.

West Court Street Closure
From the I-182 underpass to Harris Road, West Court Street is closed until Friday, October 25, for utility installation and roadway restoration. This section is restricted to local access only.
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Keep up to date on road closures via the City’s Road Closures and Detours site at www.pasco-wa.gov/roadclosures

Austin Regimbal, the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing & Communications Director, has graduated from the Institute for Organization Management and has received the recognition of IOM. Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
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Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the premier non-profit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) serves as a reminder of the valuable contributions that workers with disabilities make to America’s workplaces and economy. This year's theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All," emphasizes our commitment to ensuring that workers with disabilities have equitable access to meaningful employment opportunities year-round. 

While progress has been made, significant gaps remain in the employment landscape for individuals with disabilities. In 2023, the average annual employment rate of working-age adults without disabilities stood at 75% percent, compared to roughly 37% percent for people with disabilities. These figures highlight the importance of continued advocacy and action to close the employment gap for this underutilized workforce. 

In honor of NDEAM, Columbia Ability Alliance (CAA) invites local businesses to join us in promoting inclusivity within the workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce is a strong workforce, and we provide employers with the tools and resources they need to create an inclusive environment for all. 

Our dedicated team works with businesses across various industries to find innovative staffing solutions that foster workplace diversity and inclusion. 

David Haldeman, Divisional Programs Manager at Columbia Ability Alliance, stated, “Hiring individuals with disabilities is not just about fulfilling a need; it’s about enriching our workplaces with diverse perspectives and talents. When we embrace inclusivity, we create a stronger community and a more dynamic workforce.” 

By becoming inclusive employers, local businesses can tap into a largely underutilized workforce and help create a more equitable and inclusive community for all. 
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For more information on how to get involved, contact Columbia Ability Alliance at 509-582-4142.