For the first time ever, the Tri-Cities will host the Light the World Giving Machine, a unique “reverse vending machine” that invites the community to experience giving in a whole new way. The Giving Machine will be available beginning November 21 through December 10 at the Queensgate Fairchild Cinemas in Richland.

The Giving Machine allows visitors to purchase items for those in need, both locally and globally. The following local nonprofits were selected as recipients for the Giving Machine’s Tri-Cities debut: Lutheran Community Services Northwest, the Boys & Girls Club, Grace Clinic, Grace Collective, and Safe Harbor. A variety of items are available to purchase for donation to each nonprofit, including meals, toys, mental health support, and more. This innovative approach to charitable giving has inspired thousands across the globe, and now it’s making its debut in the Tri-Cities.

“This is a milestone moment for our community,” says Amy Marinoni, Regional Advancement Manager for LCSNW. “We’re honored to be part of the first-ever Tri-Cities Giving Machine and excited to see how it brings people together through generosity.”
​
The machine will be open daily at the Queensgate theater and accessible to all ages. Donations start at just $5, making it easy for individuals and families to participate in meaningful giving this holiday season. For more information, visit www.givingmachinetricities.org, or contact LCSNW Communications Specialist Molly Curtiss at [email protected].

​The City of Richland is pleased to share an update on the Dallas Road Roundabouts Project. During the week of October 27, 2025, the contractor will complete paving work between Trowbridge Boulevard and Ava Way, marking a major milestone in the project’s progress. This phase will complete three of the four legs of both the Dallas Rd. & Trowbridge Blvd. and Dallas Rd. & Ava Way roundabouts.
 
Following the paving and striping work, crews will begin constructing a splitter island along Ava Way between Dallas Road and Gateway Avenue. During this time, Ava Way will be closed between Dallas Rd. and Gateway Ave. for approximately two to three weeks, with traffic detoured via Trowbridge Blvd. Both intersections will continue to operate as active roundabouts during this phase.
 
Once the Ava Way work is complete, construction will pause for the winter months due to anticipated cold temperatures. During this time, Dallas Road and both intersections will remain open to traffic under new roundabout conditions. Construction activities within the roadway are expected to resume in early spring 2026, weather permitting.
 
The City reminds drivers to travel carefully through the area and to anticipate minor delays during ongoing work. Project schedules remain subject to change based on weather and site conditions.
 
The Dallas Road Roundabouts Project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance traffic flow in one of Richland’s key transportation corridors. The City appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as crews work to complete these significant roadway improvements.  For more information, visit richlandwa.gov/DallasRoad.

At-Large Pasco City Councilmember Peter Harpster announced his resignation from the City Council effective October 26, 2025. Harpster shared that his family recently purchased a home outside city limits, making him ineligible to continue serving on the Council.

“Ever since I was a young child growing up in Pasco, I wanted to be on City Council,” said Harpster. “Over time the ‘why’ changed, but the goal always remained — mainly because I love this city so much, the people in it, and the people who work for it. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning from City staff and appreciate their dedication to our residents. While this decision is bittersweet, I look forward to continuing to serve Pasco in other ways.”

Mayor David Milne expressed his gratitude for Harpster’s contributions, saying:

“Peter’s passion for Pasco and his deep roots in the community were evident in every conversation and decision he made. His energy, thoughtfulness, and commitment to collaboration have been an asset to the Council and to our residents. We thank him for his service and wish him and his family the very best.”

Councilmember Harpster began his term in January 2024, bringing experience in military planning, land development, and community engagement.
​
Filling the Vacancy
The Pasco City Council will have 90 days from the effective date of Harpster’s resignation to appoint a qualified individual to fill the At-Large position for the remainder of the current term, which expires December 31, 2027. Details about the application process will be posted on the City’s website at www.pasco-wa.gov once available.

 When the school bell rings this week, students across Benton and Franklin counties won't just be learning math and science: They'll be discovering how to stand up to bullies from someone who knows how to handle charging bulls for a living. The Benton Franklin Fair and Horse Heaven Round-Up are bringing rodeo clown JJ Harrison back to area schools for his wildly popular "Don't Be a Bull-Y" assemblies, a program that's been turning serious conversations about bullying into unforgettable experiences for more than a decade.

Harrison isn't your average performer in face paint and oversized clothes. The Walla Walla native spent years as a middle school science teacher before trading his classroom for the rodeo arena, and he brings that educator's heart to every assembly. His mission? Help kids become confident, compassionate adults - which happens to align perfectly with the Fair's core values of youth development.

During the high-energy 45-minute assemblies, Harrison tackles tough topics with humor and heart. Students learn to spot the difference between harmless teasing and harmful bullying, understand when to speak up versus tattle, and master the "Stop, Walk and Talk" method for handling bullies like pros.

Over the past ten years, Harrison has reached more than 20,000 students with his anti-bullying message, proving that sometimes the best way to address serious issues is with a smile and a story from the rodeo circuit. The blue ribbon moment? Every student walks away with a free ticket to the 2026 Fair and a voucher to ride the GESA Carousel of Dreams - because learning important life lessons deserves a celebration.

Catch JJ in Action: See Harrison in his element at the 78th Benton Franklin Fair and Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo, August 25-29, 2026. But this week, he's bringing the rodeo spirit - minus the bulls - straight to your students.

​Bechtel today announced the start of nuclear vitrification operations at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford Site in Washington state, where the first batch of radioactive and chemical waste from the Manhattan Project and Cold War has been successfully converted into stable glass. This milestone marks an important step forward in reducing the long-term environmental risks of legacy tank waste in the Hanford area.

As the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment facility, the plant’s successful startup represents a crucial achievement at this scale, demonstrating the ability to stabilize nuclear waste for safe, long-term disposal.

“This milestone represents the realization of a vision shared by many,” said Dena Volovar, President of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental business. “It reflects decades of teamwork, innovation, and partnership with our customer to solve one of the nation’s most complex environmental challenges—safely and permanently. Together with the Department of Energy, the state of Washington, our labor partners, local suppliers, subcontractors, and world-class scientific experts, we’ve turned vitrification into a reality at Hanford. It’s an important step forward in protecting the Columbia River, surrounding communities, and future generations.”

Bechtel designed, built, and commissioned the WTP for the U.S. Department of Energy. In the vitrification process, tank waste is blended with glass-forming materials and heated to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit inside one of two 300-ton melters before being poured into stainless-steel containers for safe, long-term disposal.

In the coming months, Bechtel’s project team will continue feeding waste and glass-forming materials into the melters, filling stainless-steel containers, and transporting them to the Hanford Site’s Integrated Disposal Facility. During operations, the plant will process an average of 5,300 gallons of tank waste per day.
​
Learn more about how Bechtel is securing a cleaner and safer world at bechtel.com.

​As part of our Future in Focus initiative, the City of Richland is inviting community members to participate in an online survey that will help guide the update of its Comprehensive Plan, the city’s long-range roadmap for growth, development, and quality of life over the next 20 years.
 
The Comprehensive Plan is more than just a document; it’s our shared vision for Richland’s future. It serves as a blueprint for how we grow, move, build, and thrive together. From housing and transportation to economic opportunity, sustainability, and community spaces, this plan influences nearly every aspect of daily life in Richland.
 
Every decade, Washington State law requires cities to update their comprehensive plans. But more importantly, this update reflects the values, priorities, and ideas of the community. Whether you care about affordable housing, green spaces, economic vitality, or opportunities for innovation, your feedback will help shape a more inclusive and thriving Richland.
This is our moment to dream big and build boldly. Picture a city where opportunity is abundant, neighborhoods are vibrant, and every resident can live well, work with purpose, and play without limits.
 
The survey is active as of October 10, 2025. Take the survey today and join the conversation!

Visit richlandwa.gov/CompPlan to learn more and share your ideas. Together, we can shape a future where Richland isn’t just a place to live, it’s a place to thrive.

The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council (BFWDC) is proud to announce the release of its Program Year 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of impactful progress, strategic investment, and strengthened partnerships that have shaped workforce development across the Benton-Franklin region.

This comprehensive report offers a detailed look into BFWDC’s services, performance outcomes, and the positive return on investment driven by our workforce programs. From success stories that reflect real lives changed, to data-backed results and forward-looking goals, the PY24 Annual Report reflects our continued commitment to economic growth and opportunity.

“This year’s report reflects the hard work of our staff, partners, and community stakeholders,” said Cynthia N. Garcia, Executive Director of BFWDC. “We are proud of the measurable impact we’ve had on individuals, families, and employers in our region—and we are excited to build on that success in the years ahead.”

The BFWDC Annual Report is available to the public and can be accessed at:  PY24 Annual Impact Report | Benton-Franklin WDC
​
We invite community members, partners, and stakeholders to explore the report and join us in continuing to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the Benton-Franklin region.

Washington State University Tri-Cities’ Cougar Tracks professional development program is introducing a new four-part series designed to equip managers with the tools needed to strengthen organizational performance and leadership capacity.
 
The “Manager Coaching Series: The Essential Blueprint for High-Impact Leaders” was developed with input from Cougar Tracks industry ambassadors Wade Larson of Optimal Talent Dynamics and Garth Reed of ExperienceBetter LLC. The program targets the management skills employers say they value most, including coaching and feedback, accountability, communication, prioritization, engagement, retention, and leading change.
 
“Strong managers are the backbone of thriving organizations,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities. “This program delivers actionable strategies managers can use immediately to build trust, lead performance, retain top talent and influence with confidence. For employers, it’s an investment in stronger teams and measurable results. For individuals, it’s a pathway to greater leadership impact and career growth.”

The series is tailored for new and mid-level managers as well as seasoned leaders seeking a refresher. Each half-day workshop addresses a critical dimension of effective management:

• Manager Essentials (Oct. 23) – Building trust, setting expectations and coaching performance.
• Leading Performance and Change (Nov. 6) – Prioritizing effectively, navigating tough conversations and guiding teams through transitions.
• Building the Team (Nov. 20) – Attracting, onboarding and developing top talent to strengthen retention.
• Communicating with Influence (Dec. 4) – Delivering clear updates, running effective meetings and influencing outcomes without authority.
  
  

Workshops will be held from 8:30–11:30 a.m. at the WSU Tri-Cities Consolidated Information Center, Career Center Room 120. Participants may register for the full series or individual sessions.
 
The cost is $349 per workshop or $1,050 for the complete series.
 
“This program supports our regional mission of developing a strong, future-ready workforce,” Nassif said. “When managers are equipped with the right skills, the entire organization benefits.”
 
For more information about WSU Tri-Cities' Cougar Tracks continuing education and professional development courses visit the website or to register for upcoming courses, visit the registration website.