​The Pasco City Council is inviting applications for the At-Large Council position recently vacated by Peter Harpster. The appointed Councilmember will serve through mid-November 2027.
 
This position is open to all registered voters who live within Pasco city limits, regardless of their Council district. Applications are being accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, at www.pasco-wa.gov/council. All application materials are public records and may be disclosed upon request.
 
City Council is expected to review applications on December 1 and interview finalists during a special meeting on December 8. The meeting will be open to the public.
 
For questions about the process or to learn more about serving on the City Council, please contact the City Manager’s Office at (509) 544-3060.

The Benton Franklin Fair Association is proud to announce a donation of $2,852 to Second Harvest Tri-Cities in support of the ongoing fight against hunger. This significant contribution is equivalent to providing 8,556 meals to those in need in the Tri-Cities area.

This donation comes from the Fair's initiative of donating a portion of proceeds from admission tickets sold on opening day, a program that reflects the Fair's commitment to community involvement and social responsibility.

"Our roots in agriculture make combating food insecurity a natural extension of our mission," stated Duane Howard, President of the Fair Board. "The Fair partners with charities and programs year-round that add value to our community, developing long-term relationships that make a difference."

"The Benton Franklin Fair represents the community-mindedness of the folks in this region, and we deeply appreciate the consistent, year-after-year donation that helps provide food to neighbors in need," said Carrie Perry, a senior leader at Second Harvest.
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Over the past 18 years, the Fair has contributed the equivalent of 177,969 pounds of food to Second Harvest. This longstanding partnership reflects the Fair's commitment to ensuring that the abundance celebrated at the region's premier agricultural event reaches those facing food insecurity.

Four local bands, along with area breweries and wineries, are uniting for a festive event to collect toys for children in need this holiday season.

DecemberFest: A Season of Beers and Cheers will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at the newly renovated Crown Ballroom (formerly The Seasons), 101 N. Naches Ave. in Yakima.

The concert, now in its third year, features local musicians performing holiday songs in their unique styles, alongside some of their original music. The evening's lineup includes alternative indie/folk band Crone, country artist James Beam, local favorite Englewood Heights, and is capped off by the multiple award-winning group, JayleighAnn and the Lost Boys.

Area breweries and wineries will also be on hand showing off their seasonal libations. Food options will be made available from local food trucks.

Yakima Federal Savings and Loan and The Seasons Music Project produce DecemberFest. The evenings host will be TIMMY! From 94.5 KATS FM.

“Decemberfest brings so much joy to people and provides so many toys for children, we are thrilled to be able to do it again,” said Paul Crawford, assistant vice president of Yakima Federal. “One hundred percent of the ticket sales proceeds will go to Toys for Tots.”

🎟️ Tickets and AdmissionTickets are available online for $15 or at the door for $20.

• 100% of the ticket price goes directly to Toys for Tots.
• Guests who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive $10 off the door admission price.
• Decemberfest is a 21+ event.

Tickets and more information are available now at decemberfest.org.
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Yakima Federal Savings and Loan is a Washington-chartered mutual savings bank with over $2 billion in assets and 130 employees. They serve more than 50,000 customers in Washington and Oregon, offering checking, savings, and home loan products. Yakima Federal is open to everyone residing in Washington and Oregon and is a member of the FDIC. Learn more at https://www.yakimafed.com/

​The City of Richland wants to remind residents they are invited to attend a community meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to learn more about the upcoming Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail Project. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Richland Community Center - Meeting Room, located at 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland, WA 99352.
 
As envisioned in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, the Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail project at Queensgate Drive will feature a natural interpretive loop, a trailhead parking area, and a future Gage Road extension.
 
During the meeting, project staff will provide a brief presentation outlining the project’s background and next steps, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and share feedback.
 
Community participation is encouraged as the City continues to expand its network of trails and open spaces that connect residents to Richland’s natural landscape.
 
For more information about the meeting or the Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail project, visit www.richandparksandrec.com or contact the Richland Community Center at 509-942-7529.

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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.