The Port of Kennewick’s 2020 financial statement audit, was clean, complete and accurate – with no findings, according to both the independent CPA firm CliftonLarsenAllen (CLA) and the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO).

The Washington State Auditor’s Office issued notice November 3, 2022, officially closing the 2020 financial statement audit which covered detailed financial statements and statistical data related to the port’s operations.  The goal of such independent audits is to provide reasonable assurance that financial statements are accurate and presented in a transparent manner which includes all disclosures necessary to provide a reasonable understanding of the port’s financial affairs.

The 2020 Financial Statement Audit was conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), an independent CPA firm.  The CPA’s Financial Audit Report was thereafter reviewed by the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) which concurred with the CLA report.

The areas examined were Accounting Policies (internal controls, basis of accounting and reporting); Accounting Estimates [assets and depreciation, pension liabilities, related expenses, other post-employment benefits (OPEB]; Financial Statement Disclosures (found no sensitive disclosures, and determined statements were neutral, consistent, and clear, with no corrected misstatements). Indeed, the audit did not identify any material inconsistencies between other port information and the audited financial statements.

In all areas, the audit determined that Port of Kennewick operations complied with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources.
 
According to Nick Kooiker, the port’s chief financial officer, this marks 26 years where the Port of Kennewick received an independent Financial Statement Audit with no audit findings (a finding would indicate material deficiencies within the organization).

Stated Kooiker, "These audits are important because people don’t always trust government. These SAO audits and reviews assure the public that that their tax dollars are being spent properly.  In fact, the Port of Kennewick prides itself on transparency, and twenty-six years of clean audits is strong proof that our port has both high standards, and tight internal controls to safeguard the public’s funds."

The State Auditor’s office regularly reviews the Port of Kennewick’s financial records and procedures to ensure complete and accurate reporting; there is no misuse of public funds; and that the organization follows state, local, and federal laws, along with its own policies and procedures. In addition, the SAO will often use external contractors such as CliftonLarsonAllen, a nationally recognized public accounting firm, to ensure both timely and comprehensive financial audits. According to the SAO Report on Accountability, “Independent audits provide essential accountability and transparency for port operations.  This information is valuable to management, the governing body and public stakeholders when assessing the government’s stewardship of public resources.”

“Here at Port of Kennewick we recognize that we are stewards of the public’s trust and resources, and we strive to uphold the highest level of integrity in all of our operations,” stated President, Skip Novakovich, Port of Kennewick Board of Commissioners.  “A clean audit is key to assuring our taxpayers that we take our fiduciary duties seriously, and that we are using taxpayers’ funds to benefit the community.”

The SAO’s full report is available online at the Washington State Auditor’s Office:
https://sao.wa.gov/reports-data/audit-reports/ . 

Tis the Season!  The much-loved Yakima Holiday Lighted Parade is back and better than ever. We invite you to help fill the hearts of all ages with the spirit of the holidays.  The 23rd Annual Yakima Holiday Lighted Parade is scheduled Sunday, December 4th, at 6 p.m.  This year's Holiday Parade is sponsored by Santa’s elves at Yakima Federal Savings and Loan and Ron’s Coin and Collectables.
 
The parade will begin at the Salvation Army located at the corner of 6th Ave. and Yakima Ave. and proceed down Yakima Ave to 3rd St. where it will join the annual tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Plaza. Judging will take place in the parade staging area from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 
The entire community is invited to join the parade.  Participation is free, but participants are asked to pre-register at YakimaParades.com.  Participants and spectators are encouraged to wear festive clothing, but are asked not to dress as Santa Claus as SANTA will be making his official arrival known at the end of the parade. 
 
Deadline for entry is Midnight, Friday December 2nd, 2022. Those with questions about the parade may e-mail them to: [email protected]  Walk-up participants are allowed, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

​To minimize the spread of influenza this fall and winter, Lourdes Health and Trios Health are encouraging all employees, medical personnel and community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with any age-appropriate flu vaccine. If you are considering a nasal spray flu vaccine, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, ages two through 49, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions.
 
“With the potential for flu and COVID-19 to be circulating simultaneously in the fall and winter, being up to date on your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters is as important as ever,” said Kena Chase, Chief Nursing Officer at Lourdes Health. “Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent disease and help you stay healthy this fall and winter.”
 
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination or booster is also encouraged.
 
“We highly recommend that every person receive a flu vaccination – and a COVID-19 vaccination or up-to-date booster – if you have not already done so,” said Dena-Putnam Gilchrist, Chief Nursing Officer at Trios Health. “It is one of the smartest decisions you can make to prioritize your health. Being vaccinated will also help give you valuable peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to guard against these illnesses and protect yourself, your family and your community.”
 
The best ways to protect against the flu and COVID-19 are to:

• Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and family to do the same, especially those at greater risk for serious flu-related complications (children younger than five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and more).
• Practice good health habits. Avoid close contact with others and stay home when you are sick; practice good hand hygiene; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If prescribed by a physician, take antiviral drugs to treat flu and COVID-19.

 
Lourdes Health and Trios Health are committed to their mission of making communities healthier by protecting our patients, our employees and our volunteers, and limiting the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses in our community. For more information about the flu and effective prevention methods, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

Visit Tri-Cities celebrated a year of tourism successes and honored Kathy Powell, Executive Director of the Tri-City Water Follies, with the 2022 Kris Watkins Tourism Champion of the Year award during Visit Tri-Cities 53rd Annual Meeting held Nov. 1 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

The Kris Watkins Tourism Champion of the Year award is the organization’s most prestigious honor and recipients are carefully chosen based on their dedication to the tourism industry and supporting the efforts of Visit Tri-Cities to continually elevate the region as a premier tourism destination in the Pacific Northwest.

“The Tri-City Water Follies is a Tri-Cities iconic event which brings thousands of visitors and millions of dollars into the community each year,” said Kim Shugart, Senior Vice President of Visit Tri-Cities. “Kathy’s abilities as a leader and community-minded partner truly embody the spirit of a Tourism Champion of the Tri-Cities.”

Visit Tri-Cities also announced the 2022 Excellence in Service award during the program. Tumbleweeds Mexican Flair, owned by Keith Moon, was recognized with more than 20 nominations for providing outstanding customer service along with tasty food. Nominees were judged on the ability to serve as an example to others, provide exemplary customer service and create a memorable visitor experience. Tumbleweeds was one of 32 nominees who were recognized by the community for exceptional hospitality.
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For more information about Visit Tri-Cities, or for tourism businesses looking to become a member, check out VisitTri-Cities.com.

Trios Health is pleased to announce that Jennifer Follwell, DO, has joined Trios as a family medicine physician.

Dr. Follwell will practice at the Trios Care Center at deBit, located at 320 W. 10th Avenue in Kennewick. She will treat patients for comprehensive medical care, preventive care, annual and sports physicals, immunizations, minor procedures, and child and adult acute and chronic illnesses.

“We are excited to have Dr. Follwell join our team and expand our primary care base,” said Emilia Keener, Market Director of Physician Practices. “She is an excellent physician with a broad range of experience that will serve our patients and community well.”

Dr. Follwell has 20 years of clinical experience providing broad spectrum of family practice care in outpatient settings. She comes to Trios from Anderson Medical Group in Illinois. She has practiced in Illinois, Florida, and Missouri. She completed medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine – now AT Still University – in Kirksville, Missouri, and then went on to a family practice internship at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and then a general internship at Deaconess West Hospital – now Des Peres Hospital – in St. Louis. Her family practice residency was completed at Des Peres Hospital.
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Dr. Follwell is board certified in family medicine. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling 509.221.5910 or online at TriosHealth.org.