STCU continued its tradition of year-end giving with surprise gifts of $10,000 each to Columbia Basin College and WSU Tri-Cities, to assist students with financial needs. The credit union’s philanthropic arm, the STCU Here for Good Foundation, also made donations to Benton-Franklin schools, Forge Youth Mentoring, B5, and Grace Kitchen.
 
The donations, totaling $70,000, are part of STCU’s annual Season of Giving tradition. In addition to the Tri-Cities gifts, donations are being made to non-profit organizations across Eastern Washington, the Columbia Basin, and North Idaho, with a particular emphasis on education and workforce development.
 
“STCU members like to know that their credit union is helping organizations that are committed to the success and growth of their communities,” said Ezra Eckhardt, STCU President and CEO. “And with costs remaining high for so many, we know that these donations will be appreciated.”

STCU Here for Good Foundation
Early in 2023, STCU partnered with the Innovia Foundation to launch the STCU Here for Good Foundation, cementing the credit union’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to education, arts and culture, and economic development. The foundation has set a goal of reaching a $10 million endowment within 10 years.

STCU donations:

• $10,000 to Columbia Basin College.
• $10,000 to WSU Tri-Cities.

 
STCU Here for Good Foundation donations:

• $20,000 to B5, which delivers education and cultural integration programs to the Tri-Cities refugee community.
• $10,000 to Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin, to support their mission of student success.
• $10,000 to Forge Youth Mentoring, which facilitates 1:1 mentoring programs between generations.
• $10,000 to Grace Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers job training, employment, and empowerment to marginalized women in the community.

 
In addition, STCU employees who served at least 12 volunteer hours at a single organization were invited to apply for a Volunteers Count grant on behalf of that organization. As a result, STCU is delivering $75,000 in total donations this year, on behalf of nearly 450 employees who logged more than 12,000 volunteer hours in 2023.
 
STCU’s Volunteers Count program offers employees 16 hours of paid time each year for volunteerism. The credit union encourages further volunteer activity by providing flexible schedules, leadership training at all levels, and other support to help them make a community impact.

The Richland City Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the sale of a 50-acre industrial site within the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park to Cenate, a Norwegian company specializing in silicon-containing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The resolution, dated November 7th, 2023, was officially signed into effect on November 29th.

Richland is one of two potential locations Cenate is currently evaluating for its first American factory. The second is Butte, MT. 
The proposed 40,000 sq ft production facility on the 50-acre site is a testament to Richland's dedication to sustainable energy solutions. If selected, this collaboration is expected to create 250 living-wage jobs, further enhancing the city's economic
landscape.

This project is the second to locate in the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park established by the City of Richland, Port of Benton, and Energy Northwest. The land was conveyed to the current ownership through TRIDEC from the Department of Energy in 2016 for industrial development and to create economic vitality for the community.
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The City of Richland expects an update on the decision from Cenate in mid-2024.

The Richland Arts Commission is accepting nominations in two categories for the 2023 Supporting The Arts in Richland, or STAR Awards. This honor recognizes two recipients, one individual and one organization/business for their outstanding contribution and support of the arts in Richland.

Nominations must be received digitally or postmarked by Thursday, January 11, 2024. The Richland Arts Commission will review and discuss all submittals during a workshop. The chosen recipients will be presented with the award during a televised Richland City Council meeting early in the year. 

For more information, visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/artrecognition or call Julie Piper, 509-942-7501 or email [email protected].

The Tri-Cities community and especially Washington State University alumni are invited to attend the annual WSU Tri-Cities Carson College of Business Point to Success Fundraising Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 3, to support WSU Tri-Cities Carson College of Business students, faculty and programs and hear from world-renowned inventor and WSU alumnus, Scott Crump.  
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“Supporting local Cougs doesn’t get any easier than brunch with friends at Anthony’s. This marks another year of great folks coming together to support strong business education, right here in the Tri-Cities. I’m looking forward to raising a toast, eating some toast, and making the most of this great event,” said Paul Carlisle, Entrepreneur in Residence and chair of the Carson College of Business advisory board.

The event is sponsored by and held at Anthony’s at Columbia Point in Richland and will feature games and a live auction with a variety of unique packages, which include: 

• Indy car shop tour with catered meal from Casa Mia restaurant for up to ten guests
• Dinner at a gorgeous river front home with Chef Frank Magaña for eight guests
• Seattle Kraken hockey tickets for four guests
• Golf at Canyon Lakes in Kennewick for four guests
• And more!

Doors open at 9:30 a.m., opening remarks begin at 10:30 a.m., and the event concludes at 1 p.m. Single tickets cost $150 or tables of 4 can be purchased for $500 at tricities.wsu.edu/2024PTS. Both options include brunch and champaign. 
 
WSU alumnus and inventor shares his story 
The featured speaker, Scott Crump, is a WSU mechanical engineering alumnus and an inventor and entrepreneur who is best known for inventing the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology and the first 3D printer with FDM. He co-founded Stratasys, a company specializing in manufacturing 3D printing systems. Crump’s invention revolutionized the manufacturing process by allowing for the creation of complex parts and prototypes using a layer-by-layer approach. He continues to be a prominent figure in the 3D printing industry and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.  
Gary Spanner, a member of the Carson College of Business advisory board and the event committee chair said, “Crump’s story of his entrepreneurial journey is fascinating, harrowing, and funny.” 

Local celebrities lead the ceremony 
Tracci Dial is a northwest native and award-winning journalist. She has worked in radio and TV news for nearly two decades and is currently the multimedia news director at Northwest Public Broadcasting. When Tracci isn’t digging through headlines she is outside hiking, paddle boarding, or running, or somewhere reading a good book. Her heart for public service goes beyond the paycheck; she is an avid volunteer sitting on the Pasco Taco Crawl committee, which benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties and serves in classrooms with Junior Achievement. 

Award-winning auctioneer, Chantel Booker-Kimball, will lead the live auction portion of the event. She comes from a long line of auctioneers and has made a name for herself as the 2022 Women’s International Auctioneer Champion. 

Support for Carson Cougs 
Proceeds from the Point to Success event will be dedicated to student support and faculty development to improve the Carson College of Business education program at WSU Tri-Cities. 

Anneke Rachinski, WSU Tri-Cities senior director of development appreciates the way the community comes together and shows their support for students. “We are so lucky to have a community that cares about investing in the future of our business leaders. With their support, we can keep providing exceptional resources and education to our students, setting them up for success for years to come,” she said.

For more information visit the event page on the WSU Tri-Cities website: tricities.wsu.edu/2024PTS

Local scientist Dr. Justin Teeguarden has been named a Distinguished Eagle Scout by the National Eagle Scout Association. The award was established to recognize Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years or longer of having received the Eagle Scout Award, have achieved extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation. In addition, these recipients have demonstrated a strong record of volunteer leadership service to their community.

Dr. Teeguarden earned his Eagle Scout Award in May 1985 where he was a member of Troop 146 in El Sobrante, California. He has distinguished himself through his career at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) where he is serving as Chief Science Officer of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Division and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) user program in Richland, WA. With over 20 years (at PNNL) of scientific leadership as a computational and experimental scientist, Teeguarden leads EMSL’s strategic science planning and internal research and development initiatives.
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Dr. Teeguarden has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career and during his leadership tenure in the Boy Scouts of America, including at the Blue Mountain Council, where he started volunteering as Cubmaster in 2010 with Pack 231. Most recently his volunteer role is as council vice-president (strategy) on the Executive Board and as Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 190. He has exemplified the meaning of continued service to God, country, and other people by following the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.

Justin says that working outside of his own professional expertise, across multiple, sometimes unfamiliar science and technology domains, and between the laboratory’s directorates, has been the most enjoyable part of his PNNL career. Because insights into trends, transformative ideas, intelligence on competitors and sponsor priorities come from all part of his laboratory team, he has learned that openness to ideas, advice and mentorship from sector, line and science and technology leadership and exceptional staff scientists are all essentials for developing strategies built on goals with broad strategic benefit.

The impact of Dr. Justin Teeguarden has been far-reaching, especially as one of the world’s leading scientists in his field, but as he would humbly argue, his numerous professional achievements and many accolades pale in comparative importance to his service and commitment as a mentor to youth along the Scouting trail, whose futures will be shaped and prepared for even greater things. Justin is a father of three Eagle Scouts and lives with his wife Katrina in Richland, WA. A formal recognition ceremony for this award will be held at a future time.

Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, in partnership with Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care, is proud to announce the hosting of a pet loss grief support group on December 13th, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. The event will offer a compassionate space for individuals in the community who have experienced the loss of a beloved pet.
 
Led by Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Director of Community Care, Cara Hernandez LICSW, CSW-G, the open forum support group aims to provide a supportive environment for attendees to share their experiences and emotions associated with pet loss. Cara will also offer valuable tools and coping strategies to help participants navigate the grieving process.
 
The holiday season can be a particularly challenging time for those mourning the loss of a pet. Tri-Cities Chaplaincy recognizes the importance of addressing grief during this time and is committed to providing the community with the necessary tools to cope and find support.
 
Laurie Jackson, CEO of Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, expressed her commitment to supporting the community: "Losing a pet is a deeply emotional experience, and the holidays can intensify those feelings. Our goal is to create a safe space for individuals to share their grief and provide them with practical tools to navigate through this challenging time."
 
The collaboration with Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care underscores the community's joint effort to address the emotional needs of pet owners during difficult seasons.
 
Details of the Event:
Date: December 13th
Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: 3315 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick 
 
For more information about the pet loss grief support group and registration, please contact Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care at [email protected].
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For more information about Tri-Cities Chaplaincy's support groups at TCCBestLife.org. 

The lights, music, and festivities continue every night through January 1 beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way in Richland. On Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through December 23, visitors will get an extra special treat with Santa and Mrs. Claus, costumed characters, and food vendors.

Children of all ages are encouraged to write a letter to Santa by December 20. A mailbox to the North Pole is located in the miniature historical village in the center of the park. Remember to include a return address as each each child will receive an extra touch of magic when opening their personalized reply from Santa or one of his elves.

Be sure to join one of the historic talks on the Alphabet homes that were built in support of World War II in the 1940’s and 1950s. The talks will be on Sunday, December 10 and 17 at 1:00 p.m. in the miniature village. 

You can drop into the nearby Richland Community Center for a little warmth and enjoy the holiday decorations or sign up for the Holiday Bingo on Saturday, December 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and enjoy hot cocoa and popcorn while you play. 
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For more information, follow Richland Parks and Recreation on Facebook or visit www.richlandparksandrec.com/winterwonderland.

Gesa, a community-focused credit union, announced its distinguished Scholarship Program will be accepting applications until February 29, 2024. Gesa encourages any students who have active student loans, are entering college for the first time, or are continuing to pursue higher education to apply by the deadline for the chance to receive some of the more than $100,000 available in scholarships.
 
“Gesa acknowledges the pivotal role that education plays in a person’s life, which is why every year we look forward to helping local students follow their academic dreams through our Scholarship Program,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “As a community-focused credit union, we are proud to offer resources like these that uplift and empower our community’s future leaders. By providing them with the support to overcome financial barriers, we can help them to thrive at any stage of their higher education journey.”
 
Of the available scholarships, $50,000 is offered to high school seniors who have participated in Gesa’s High School Credit Union program; $30,000 is provided for high school seniors who are entering their freshman year at college; $15,000 is available for members who are looking to continue their higher education; and $5,000 is offered to members who have active student loans from continuing higher education.
 
Scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 school year close February 29, 2024. Applicants must be Gesa members and submit their application through the online portal found on Gesa’s website. For more information on grant eligibility and to apply, visit https://www.gesa.com/category/scholarships/. 

​​Bechtel announced today that it has successfully completed the first set of test glass pours into a stainless-steel storage container designed to hold vitrified radioactive and chemical waste. This is a critical step in the Department of Energy’s mission to treat waste in southeastern Washington state.  

The Bechtel-designed Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant is a one-of-a-kind vitrification facility that will use two melters to treat low-level chemical and radioactive waste and protect the nearby Columbia River from waste dating back to World War II and the Cold War. Learn more about Bechtel’s role in the project here.  

Earlier this summer, the Bechtel team heated the first of the two 300-ton melters in the Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Once at that operating temperature, 30,000 lbs. of frit, or small glass beads sourced from a local business, were added to the melter to form a pool of molten test glass. Today, the Bechtel team celebrates the successful filling of the first container with clean test glass, marking a major milestone for the project.  

Project Director and Bechtel Senior Vice President Brian Hartman said: "The Bechtel team has made history by filling the first stainless-steel container with molten test glass from the world’s largest nuclear waste melter. This accomplishment stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to safety, excellence, and collaboration. Our team  has worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone. Their tenacity and dedication are truly inspiring.” 

The test glass is poured “clean,” which means it only includes the molten frit with no chemical simulants or radioactive waste. 
The first of the specially designed stainless-steel containers that will eventually hold vitrified low-activity chemical and radioactive tank waste has now completed its journey through the LAW Facility.  

President of Bechtel National, Inc. Dena Volovar said: “I am immensely proud of our team for the attention to detail and dedication to safety that has led them to this milestone. This sort of focus will be vital as the team begins the rigorous cold and hot commissioning processes, and applying lessons learned from the heatup of the first melter to the second. The mission to clean up waste and protect the local community and environment is one Bechtel is proud to support.” 

During the cold and hot commissioning process, tests will be conducted using non-radioactive simulants to ensure the LAW Facility is operating as expected.