The City of Pasco welcomes food trucks and mobile vendors to bring their creativity and flavor to the community as part of a citywide effort to activate public spaces, foster economic growth, and support local entrepreneurs.

Pasco’s updated Municipal Code simplifies permitting and expands opportunities for mobile vending in parks, designated parking spaces, and newly created food truck parks. These changes are designed to reduce barriers for small businesses while maintaining safety and accessibility.

“Mobile vending is a natural fit for Pasco,” said Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager. “It enhances our vibrant community spaces, supports local entrepreneurs, and adds a new layer of energy to our downtown and beyond.”

Highlights of the updated regulations include:

• Streamlined Licensing: A single Mobile Vending License for all vendors.
• Flexible Locations: Permits for sidewalks, parking spaces, parks, and approved food truck parks.
• Business-Friendly Policies: Vendors are no longer required to be affiliated with a brick-and-mortar business, enabling the use of vacant lots with property owner approval.
• Public Space Activation: Expanded use of parklets and public space cafés adjacent to businesses.
  
  

Food trucks and mobile vendors are critical to Pasco’s vision for creating vibrant, safe, and engaging public spaces that attract residents and visitors alike. They also provide an accessible entry point for entrepreneurs, fostering economic growth and creating local jobs.
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For more information, visit www.pasco-wa.gov/mobilevending or contact the Community and Economic Development Department at (509) 545-3441.

Lourdes Health is pleased to announce that Pablo Lopez, a Registered Nurse at Lourdes Health, has been named as a recent recipient for The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses at Lourdes Health.
 
“Pablo is an advocate for patients and staff,” said Kena Chase, Lourdes Chief Nursing Officer. “He is an exemplary nurse who demonstrates compassion to all.”
 
Pablo was nominated by two separate families who had a family member on the med surg unit, who noticed how he continuously goes above and beyond for patients and staff.
 
One family member said, “Pablo went above and beyond to make my mom comfortable. He was friendly, funny, welcoming, and treated her like family! He was quick to answer the call button for help as she had many needs while there for 3 days. He had a positive attitude, and you could tell valued his patients and their families.”
 
Another family who nominated Pablo wrote, "My son was really struggling with pain following an extensive back surgery. Pablo came on shift and quickly turned things around in a calm confident way. He made sure that the instructions carried over to the night shift in a way that hadn’t been done. So much appreciated!!"
 
Aimee Dilger, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Acute Care Services at Lourdes Health, said, “Pablo embodies everything this award stands for. His commitment to providing exceptional patient care and fostering a positive and supportive environment makes a profound impact on both our patients and team. We are truly fortunate to have Pablo as part of our team, and this recognition is well-deserved.”
 
The DAISY Award® is an international program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, whose family experienced first-hand the difference his nurses made in his care through clinical excellence and compassionate care. The family created The DAISY Award® to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families, and staff to thank and honor their special nurses.

​The City of Pasco is considering adjustments to its irrigation utility rates and introducing a new connection fee to maintain reliable service and support system upgrades. The irrigation system, serving over 9,000 residents, operates separately from the City's drinking water system and sources water from the Columbia River and 11 wells. Since 2017, the customer base has grown by 25%, necessitating system expansion to meet increasing demand.
 
The City is seeking feedback on the options to:

• Ensure Reliable Service: Address aging infrastructure and ensure consistent water pressure for all customers.
• Accommodate Growth: Expand capacity to serve the city's growing population and future developments.
• Fund Improvements: Generate necessary revenue for ongoing maintenance and capital projects.

 
Potential adjustments include:
 

• Monthly Rate Increases: Incremental fee increases to support operations, repairs, and enhancements.
• New Connection Fee: A one-time charge for new customers to fund system expansion and capacity improvements.

 
In conjunction with FCS Group, the City studied the irrigation system's financial needs. Preliminary recommendations suggest a connection fee of up to $1,468 per new customer. Implementing this fee would ensure that new users share the costs associated with growth rather than solely existing customers.
 
Community input is vital to this process. Residents can share their feedback through the City's online comment form on the Irrigation Rate Update page. An online stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, at 3 p.m., and a community listening session will be scheduled soon.
 
The timeline for the proposed changes is as follows:
 

• Current: Collection of feedback through meetings and online comments.
• January 2025: Compilation and presentation of feedback to the City Council.
• February 2025: City Council review and decision-making.
• March 2025: Implementation of new rates and fees, if approved.

 
Please visit the City's Irrigation Utility Rate Updates page for more information, including FAQs, a detailed cost breakdown, meeting schedules, and the online feedback form.
 
The City of Pasco remains committed to providing affordable and reliable irrigation services, ensuring the system is well-prepared for future growth and community needs.

Don’t miss out on the 9th annual “Richland’s Winter Wonderland”. Join us as we countdown to the lighting of John Dam Plaza and the HAPO Community Stage. Celebrate the magic of the season with holiday music, the “Lighted Vehicle Parade”, and a guest appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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The festivities kick off Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at John Dam Plaza, located in the heart of Richland. The official countdown to lighting up the park will take place at 6:30 p.m. where thousands of lights will dance to holiday music. Also in the Plaza, enjoy fun holiday characters, and live reindeer! 

• Guests can take a stroll through the Richland Alphabet Home Village and enjoy the small replicas of seven iconic floorplans and landmarks. 
• The “Letters to the North Pole” mailbox will be available for children of all ages to drop their letters (don’t forget to include a return address) to the North Pole (deadline is December 20, 2024). Each participant will receive a response from Santa and his helpers. 
• The popular “Lighted Vehicle Parade” with over a dozen decorated vehicles will be on display in a procession around the park that starts at approximately 5:45 p.m. 
• Please note the temporary road closures at Jadwin Avenue, Swift Boulevard, and George Washington Way to accommodate the “Lighted Vehicle Parade”. Police presence and traffic control will be on site assisting with this temporary traffic impact. In addition, Knight Street and the north end of the Parkway will be closed for the evening’s events with the Parkway parking lot opening back up at 8:00 p.m. 
• Food vendors will be on site at John Dam Plaza with food and drink options available for purchase. These include KC Brand Kettle Corn, Miss Tamale, and Sweet Snack Attack. 
  
  

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. for more fun activities. 

• Please note that Lee Blvd. will be closed from Amon Park Drive to Lee Landing. 
• 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 holiday fun. 
• Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as the many holiday characters. 
• Food vendors will also be available at Howard Amon Park with items for purchase including KC Brand Kettle Corn, Miss Tamale, Sweet Snack Attack, and Doggie Style Gourmet Hot Dogs.
• The Gallery at the Park (89 Lee Blvd.) will be giving away cocoa and hosting crafts from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• The Richland Community Center will host holiday movies, crafts, bingo, and free cocoa and popcorn (while supplies last) from 5:00-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a holiday choral performance by Tri-City Choral Fusion from 5:30-7:00 p.m. 
• Watch the very popular Clover Island Yacht Club’s “Lighted Boat Parade”. This is always a crowd-pleaser. The boats will come by Howard Amon Park at approximately 7:15 – 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. 
• Enjoy the amazing fireworks display at Howard Amon Park after the boats have safely cleared the area. Fireworks will light up the sky between at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The fireworks show will last for approximately eight minutes each night.  
  
  

The fun continues Saturday December 7th at John Dam Plaza from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. for dancing lights and then Sunday night every subsequent night through the new year from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

At the Richland Community Center on Saturday, December 7th, Thrive Performing Arts Tri-Cities will perform Frozen from 5:15-6:30 p.m., followed by games and a costume contest. Then, join Music Together Tri-Cities for a holiday sing-along from 6:30-7:00 p.m.

There are so many fun activities to experience. Be sure to check out the full schedule of events at www.ci.richland.wa.us/winterwonderland.