After an extensive nationwide search, Washington Policy Center (WPC) has named Sean O’Brien as its new Eastern Washington Director. Mr. O’Brien is the former Executive Director for the Congressional Western Caucus, a coalition of 80 Members of Congress whose mission is to represent the voices of rural communities from across the country in Washington, D.C. He also previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04).
 
“Sean’s experience and connections are the perfect fit for this important role,” remarked Michael Gallagher, WPC’s President and CEO. “Sean’s career has been spent learning the issues that concern Eastern Washington and rural communities. His commitment to the region is indisputable and we are delighted to have him on our team.”
 
"Sean has been a trusted advisor throughout my time in Congress and I am delighted he is joining Washington Policy Center,” Congressman Dan Newhouse explained. “His knowledge, legislative experience, and service as Executive Director of the Congressional Western Caucus will be critical assets to ensure the voices of communities east of the Cascades are heard in Olympia. He has been a steadfast advocate for sound public policy solutions impacting these communities for years – they are lucky to continue having Sean working on their behalf as WPC's Eastern Washington Director. I know we will continue to count on him in the years to come."
 
WPC’s Eastern Washington Director position is a dedicated and unique voice for Eastern Washington policy priorities. The Washington Policy Center is committed to all of Washington, and the position is one component of WPC’s effort to promote the critical importance of the powerful contribution Eastern Washington families and businesses add to our great state.    
 
“I am humbled to join Washington Policy Center's team and thrilled to continue working on behalf of Eastern Washington,” explained O’Brien. “As the region faces both challenges and opportunities, WPC's work advocating for sound policy solutions is more important than ever. My career has been rooted in working on behalf of these local communities, so I am looking forward to putting my skills and legislative experience to work as Eastern Washington Director.”
 
This is O’Brien’s second experience with WPC, having served as a Janet and Doug True Research intern with WPC a decade ago. His first foray into public policy was in the office of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
 
"Sean began his career in public policy in my office and I am delighted he'll now be bringing his expertise to Washington Policy Center's team,” related Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. “We have counted on his legislative acumen on issues critical to Eastern Washington, including energy, natural resources, and the fight to save the Snake River dams. It has been a pleasure witnessing Sean's growth over the years, from his time in my office to working for Congressman Newhouse and most recently in leading the Congressional Western Caucus. We know he will serve WPC and the people of Eastern Washington well and I look forward to continuing to work with Sean in his new role."
 
O’Brien will begin his tenure as Eastern Washington Director on December 1.

Don’t miss the 7th annual Winter Wonderland and HAPO Festival of Lights. Join us as we countdown to the lighting of John Dam Plaza and the HAPO Community Stage. Celebrate the magic of the season with live musical performances, a lighted vehicle parade, and a guest appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The festivities kick off Friday, December 2, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. The official countdown will take place at 6:00 p.m. when thousands of lights will be lit and dance to holiday music every evening in December. 

Attendees will enjoy music performed by the Hanford High School Choir and the Richland High School Marching Band and Drumline. Enjoy free cocoa and KC Kettle Corn (while supplies last). 

Take a peek into Santa’s House and the recently added replica of a two-bedroom prefab home located in the Richland Alphabet House Village. The “Letters to the North Pole” mailbox will also be available. Children of all ages can drop their letters (don’t forget to include a return address) in the mailbox to the North Pole (the deadline is December 20, 2022). Participants will receive a response from Santa and his helpers. Witness the new lighted vehicle parade with a dozen decorated vehicles on display in a procession around the park that starts at approximately 5:40 p.m. 

After the lighting, stay in John Dam Plaza and enjoy the entire playlist of holiday music until 9:00 p.m. Or, you can head down to Howard Amon Park from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. and hop on the J&S Express Train at the Richland Community Center. The train will take riders on a journey through the park to enjoy the magic of over 20 inflatable light displays. Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as the many holiday characters that will be present. Food vendors will also be available at Howard Amon Park. 

In addition, the Gallery at the Park will be giving away cocoa and hosting crafts from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the Richland Community Center will be hosting live holiday music, craft projects, and Bingo from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

While at Howard Amon Park, don’t miss out on the very popular lighted boat parade. This is always a crowd-pleaser sponsored by the Clover Island Yacht Club. The boats will come by Howard Amon Park at approximately 7:15 – 8:00 p.m.

But wait, there is more! Enjoy the amazing fireworks display at Howard Amon Park after the boats have safely cleared the area. Fireworks will light up the sky at approximately 8:00 p.m. 

The fun then continues on Saturday, December 3rd, with another lighted vehicle parade, fireworks, and activities at John Dam Plaza, Richland Community Center, and Howard Amon Park. 
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There are many more activities to enjoy with Winter Wonderland and Festival of Lights lasting throughout the month of December. View the full schedule of activities at www.ci.richland.wa.us/winterwonderland.

Following certification of the November 2022 General Election, the Richland City Council is accepting applications from citizens interested in serving on the Richland City Council. Position No. 7, currently held by Michael Alvarez, is expected to be officially vacated on January 3, 2023. 

The candidate appointed by City Council will serve in Position No. 7 until the person elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term takes office after the November 2023 General Election (approximately one year). 

The election/appointment and service of councilmembers on the Richland City Council is governed by the Richland City Charter. 

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be a registered elector (voter). Applicants must be a resident of the City of Richland for a continuous period of at least two years prior to their election or appointment. Applicants cannot hold another public office except in the National Guard, organized reserves, or as a Notary Public. In addition, candidates must be a citizen of the United States and cannot be employed by the City of Richland. 

Interested individuals may submit a completed application and resume to the City Clerk’s Office through the City’s website beginning Wednesday, November 30, 2022, through Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Late submittals will not be accepted. More details are available on the City’s website at ci.richland.wa.us or by calling the City Clerk at 509-942-7389. 

Richland City Council holds regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Boulevard. Workshops are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All meetings are televised. 

Interviews will be scheduled after the review of completed applications and resumes. Applications are available at www.ci.richland.wa.us/councilvacancy. 
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The City does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, presence of disability, or any other protected class status.

A draft proposal to connect Little Badger Mountain Trail to Badger Mountain is now available for public review. The 5.5-mile trail system was developed by City staff and its consultant team at Michael Terrell Landscape Architecture, LLC. 

The draft plan will be presented in three ways; a public open house, via zoom, and an online survey. 

There will be two opportunities to meet with staff: 

• Thursday, January 12, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall, 625 Swift Boulevard
• Saturday, January 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive 
  
  

The Zoom meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19 from noon to 1:00 p.m. 

Those that would like to review and comment online can visit the project page and review the project map at www.ci.richland.wa.us/littlebadgertrail.

Benton PUD offices in Kennewick and Prosser will open late on Wednesday, November 30 to enable employees to participate in a PUD-wide training.  Offices in Kennewick will open to the public at 10:00 a.m.  Offices in Prosser will open to the public at Noon.

Crews are available if you experience an outage.  To report an outage, please give our outage line a call at 1-888-582-2176 or report through the SmartHub app.

Benton PUD has office locations at 2721 W. 10th in Kennewick and 250 N. Gap Road in Prosser.

Prosser Memorial Health has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH), and the City of Prosser, to move forward on the $112 million new hospital project and will break ground at 11 am on November 29, 2022. The new hospital site is located on the northeast corner of North Gap Road and I-82.

Financing for this project was made possible with a $73.5 million guaranteed loan from the USDA, a $1 million USDA grant, $27 million in cash from Prosser Memorial Health, and $3 million from the Prosser Memorial Health Foundation. The hospital will not bring a levy or bond to taxpayers to help fund this project. All financing will come from the USDA loan, Prosser Memorial Health, and the Prosser Memorial Health Foundation.

The new hospital complex will be located on 33 acres north of Interstate 82. The USDA loan will offset much of the cost and Prosser Memorial Health Foundation will continue its capital campaign to raise $3 million for the new hospital project.

Prosser Memorial Health is celebrating 75 years of providing compassionate, high-quality care to its patients and the communities served. Prosser Memorial Health grew out of a need for the immediate availability of local medical care for veterans returning from World War II. In December 1947, Prosser Memorial Hospital opened. As our community has grown, so have the needs for more local, exceptional healthcare.

The current facility is aging, and the location leaves no room for expansion. Building a new hospital is both a more efficient and cost-effective option. Some of the new hospital features will include more needed space, state-of-the-art surgical suites, an expanded cardiology department, new birthing suites, and all inpatient rooms will be private.

Media representatives are invited to the groundbreaking ceremony at 11:00am on Tuesday, November 29th in Prosser. A reception will immediately follow at Desert Wind Winery. To learn more about the new hospital or groundbreaking ceremony, call Prosser Memorial Health Community Relations and Foundation Director Shannon Hitchcock at 509.786.6601. Donations for the project are being accepted online at www.prosserhealth.foundation.

Generous donors of food and funds make the annual Second Harvest Turkey Drive serving the Mid-Columbia and Yakima Valley possible. Lamb Weston is again the Presenting Sponsor and U-Pull-It Auto Parts is the Matching Sponsor, helping to make sure thousands of our neighbors have a healthy and hearty Thanksgiving dinner during these challenging times.

“When we talk with other food banks across the country, most are envious because we are located in some of the nation’s best bread-and-fruit baskets,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “Especially at this time of year, we are so appreciative that the bounty produced by our region’s ag community is surpassed only by their generosity. They provide the foundation of our ability to help feed those in need.”

“The holidays highlight the comfort and joy that good food brings to us all, and this program makes that accessible to more people,” said Shelby Stoolman, senior director of communication and Lamb Weston Foundation president. “Lamb Weston is proud to partner with Second Harvest in our mission to end hunger. We are thankful for the work they do in the community.”

U-Pull-It Auto Parts will match the first $15,000 in donations to the Second Harvest Turkey Drive again this year. Mark Forcum spoke about their commitment to helping others. “It’s important for us to give back to the communities we serve. It’s rewarding to provide matching funds that will make a bigger impact for struggling families.”

A $30 donation will provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need. Donate at 2-harvest.org/turkey or mail to Second Harvest, 5825 Burlington Loop, Pasco WA 99301.

Second Harvest will provide 2,500 Thanksgiving meal boxes that include the ingredients for a holiday meal with all the trimmings, including a turkey, to families in need at the following distributions:

Monday, Nov. 21

Sunnyside – 9-11 a.m. (or while supplies last)
Sunnyview Park, 31211 Yakima Valley Hwy, Sunnyside, 98944
DRIVE-THRU distribution, up to 700 families. Free holiday meal box with a turkey and all the fixings for those in need.
Distribución de comida gratis, de auto-servicio para 700 familias o hasta se acaba. Gratis distribucion – cajas de comida para los dias de festivos con pavo y adornos.

Yakima – 2-4 p.m. (or while supplies last)
State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Gate (15), Yakima, 98901
DRIVE-THRU distribution, up to 700 families. Free holiday meal box with a turkey and all the fixings for those in need.
Distribución de comida gratis, de auto-servicio para 700 familias o hasta se acaba. Gratis distribucion – cajas de comida para los dias de festivos con pavo y adornos.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

Kennewick – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last)
Benton County Fairgrounds, 1500 S. Oak St. Kennewick, 99336
DRIVE-THRU distribution, up to 1,000 families. Free holiday meal box with a turkey and all the fixings for those in need.
Distribución de comida gratis, de auto-servicio para 1,000 familias o hasta se acaba. Gratis distribucion – cajas de comida para los dias de festivos con pavo y adornos.

In addition, a partnership with Ben Franklin Transit has connected 100 Thanksgiving meal boxes to some other local families in need.

A huge thank you to Lamb Weston and U-Pull-It Auto Parts and all the sponsors and volunteers who make this event possible.

November is National Healthy Skin Month, and Prosser Memorial Health is proud to welcome Karmina Bowen to their Dermatology Center located at 701 Dale Avenue Suite B in Benton City. Karmina is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with previous experience in dermatology. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Maryville University in May of 2021, after which she transitioned into dermatology working in Richland, WA. Prior to her career in dermatology, Karmina worked as a Registered Nurse at Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Karmina has nine years of emergency medicine experience. She is very excited to be joining Dr. Nylander at the Dermatology Center and is grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside a highly experienced dermatologist.

Karmina is a lower valley native who grew up in Prosser and completed her higher education locally. After working in the Tri-Cities for several years, she has come full-circle and is excited to join Prosser Memorial Health. She is happy to have this opportunity to provide dermatology services in Benton City, expanding appointment availability, and offering access to care to rural and underserved communities. When she is not working, Karmina and her husband can be found at their rural Burbank residence, with their dogs, and herd of alpacas. Karmina enjoys gardening, reading, wakesurfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work at Prosser Memorial Health’s Dermatology Center where I provide both medical and cosmetic dermatology services. As a dermatology Nurse Practitioner my practice is patient centered and I aim to establish and maintain trusting relationships. I collaborate with my patients to create an individualized skin care regimen with the goal of improving skin health,” says Karmina Bowen, ARNP.

Karmina is now accepting new patients and offers a variety of medical and cosmetic dermatology services including BOTOX, fillers, cosmetic laser treatments, treatment of various skin disorders, and skin cancer treatment and detection. The Dermatology Center accepts all insurances. To learn more about the Dermatology Center, services offered, or to make an appointment, call 509.588.4555 or visit prosserhealth.org. PMH will also be holding an Open House on Friday, November 18, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, at the Dermatology Center; more information can be found online at prosserhealth.org. 

3 Rivers Community Foundation (3RCF) is pleased to announce its inaugural Celebration of Philanthropy reception on December 8th, 2022, from 5:00-7:30 PM at the Red Lion Columbia Center. The highlight of the evening will be the distribution of almost $270,000 in grant award checks to nonprofits serving Benton and Franklin counties.

“We are thrilled to invite the community to celebrate with us,” says Abbey Cameron, CEO. “These grants are made possible by both legacy donors who are part of our endowment in addition to one-time donations. Our generous donors understand the powerful impact of pooling resources and their kindness is amazing.”

3RCF has a record breaking 59 grant awards to distribute. These grants are made through an application-based process open to any 501c3 serving Benton and Franklin counties. The 3RCF Board of Directors spends many hours reviewing applications, interviewing organizations, and ensuring the available funding goes as far as possible.

The evening will begin with refreshments and an appetizer buffet at 5:00 PM followed by the grant award ceremony program at 5:45 PM. The evening concludes at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 per person and are available for purchase at www.3rcf.org/philanthropy-celebration/.
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To learn more about philanthropy in our communities visit www.3rcf.org or contact us at [email protected] or 509-735-5559.

Lourdes Health is pleased to share that Lourdes Urgent Care will now be open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The urgent care clinic will now serve patients seven days per week.

“Pre-COVID, our urgent care clinic was always open on Sundays, so this is the first time we’re opening on Sundays since the pandemic began,” said Lourdes Medical Director Kevin Taylor, MD. “We are pleased to open our doors again on Sundays to be able to serve our patients and meet their urgent needs.”

Lourdes Urgent Care serves patients for allergies, colds, flu, infections, minor illnesses, sprains, wounds, burns, and more. On-site x-ray is also available. Additionally, Lourdes Urgent Care offers sports physicals year-round for junior high and high school sports for $30 (no insurance needed).

Lourdes Urgent Care also offers online scheduling. Patients can select a time to be seen up to 24 hours in advance through the online scheduling link and come in at their scheduled time to be seen by a provider. Walk-in visits are still allowed, though patients who come in to be seen on a walk-in basis may encounter longer wait times.

“Our online scheduling system is a fantastic tool for our patients to be able to use to conveniently schedule their needed service in their day, especially if their primary care provider is unavailable, and we encourage our patients to utilize this tool,” Dr. Taylor said. “If there are no appointment times available, we are still happy to see you on a walk-in basis.”

Lourdes Urgent Care is located at 5304 N. Road 68 in Pasco. The clinic can be reached at 509.543.9300, and online scheduling is available at YourLourdes.com/Online-Scheduling. Services are now available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Patients in need of emergent medical care should either call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The Lourdes Health emergency room is located at 520 N. 4th Avenue in Pasco. Learn more about where to go for care at YourLourdes.com/Get-Care-Now.