HAPO sponsors summer
HAPO Community Credit Union will be the title sponsor of numerous community events this summer, including Live@5, Cool Desert Nights, River of Fire Festival, the Allied Art Show and the Water Follies Air Show.
DOE to extend Hanford contract
The Department of Energy plans to extend CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company’s contract for environmental cleanup at the Hanford Site for another five years. Following a competitive bid in 2008, DOE awarded CH2M HILL a cost-plus, award-fee contract worth approximately $4.5 billion over 10 years, including a five-year based period with an option to extend the contract for another five years. CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company employees approximately 1,800 workers and is responsible for demolishing former plutonium facilities, cleaning up contaminated soil, managing solid radioactive waste, and monitoring and cleaning up contaminated groundwater at the 586-sq.-mile Hanford site.
Economic impact of wine industry soars
A new economic impact study of Washington’s wine industry values it at $8.6 billion annually within the state and at $14.9 billion annually in the U.S. The study, commissioned by the Washington State Wine Commission, was conducted by Stonebridge Research of California and is considered to be the most comprehensive report produced. The findings represent a substantial increase from a similar study done in 2007 that valued the industry at $3 billion in-state and $4.7 billion nationally. Since 2005, the number of licensed wineries in the state has more than doubled from 360 to more than 700. The state also added more than 13,000 acres of vineyards during that time. The student determined that the industry supports nearly 30,000 jobs in the state and more than 70,000 jobs nationally.
Battelle makes donation to KSD
The Science Resource Center operated by the Kennewick School District recently received a $50,000 donation from Battelle to upgrade and refurbish classroom science modules used by teachers and students throughout the Mid-Columbia. The Science Resource Center was launched in 2000 to enhance K-8 science education.
Ecology, Double H settle
Double H Farms LP in Yakima has agreed to pay $90,000 to the Washington Department of Ecology to settle all penalties and legal disputes related to alleged violations of Ecology’s dangerous waste regulations on the farm near Grandview. This summer, with Ecology oversight, the farm will investigate four other Double H-owned properties where waste material may have been buried and will clean up the sites if dangerous waste is found. In March 2009, used oil and pesticide containers were found buried in shallow pits at the farm on Bethany Road north of Grandview. Double H excavated and disposed of the containers along with other waste items including car batteries found at the site. Contaminated soil from the original site has been removed.
Lourdes Classic planned
The Lourdes Foundation will have its 21st Annual Lourdes Classic July 13 at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick. The four-person scrambler begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. The event, sponsored by Pacific Crest Benefits and The Loomis Company, includes prizes and games followed by a barbecue steak and salmon dinner and auction. For more information or to be a sponsor, contact the Lourdes Foundation at 543-2412.
Kreidler denies requests
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has denied requests from Premera Blue Cross to strip some of its health plans of vital prescription drug coverage. Premera filed a request to remove all prescription drug coverage from its small employer plans. These plans are sold to employers with 50 or fewer workers. It also filed rates for adding several benefits to its individual plans but did not file the required contract language. Its company Lifewise filed a request to remove prescription drugs from all of its catastrophic plans and wanted to require a health screen of any enrollee who wanted to switch to a more comprehensive plan with drug coverage. Kreidler disapproved all of Premera’s and Lifewise’s requests.
Lourdes offers obesity prevention
Lourdes Health Network is offering a free obesity prevention program for children, teens and their families, to help them improve eating and exercise habits. BodyWorks is an obesity prevention program developed by the Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program includes a series of eight classes that will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday from May 15 to July 3 at Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco. To register call 542-3052.
Toyota partners with KPD for Special Olympics
Toyota of Tri-Cities has created a “Like” Drive to help the Kennewick Police Department raise money for Special Olympics through its Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign. From May 1 – May 31, Facebook users are encouraged to visit Toyota of Tri-Cities Facebook page, “Like” the page and then share the page with their friends. For every new “Like” Toyota of Tri-Cities receives during May, the company will donate $1 (up to $5,000) to the KPD’s Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign in support of Special Olympics Washington.
BOMA plans fundraiser
BOMA Tri-Cities will have its Annual Golf Outing fundraiser July 12 to support Operation Thank You. The event begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by the golf tournament. At 6 p.m. there will be a dinner with a raffle and a live auction. For information, call 528-5699 or go to www.bomatc.com.
Curves offers free month
Curves of Richland will give a free 30-day membership to any non-member who visits the club during regular operating hours throughout National Women’s Health Week May 13-19. Curves of Richland will have a week-long open house event during National Women’s Health Week to encourage interested women to check out the club, pick up free health information from Curves, ask questions, get a free fitness assessment and take advantage of the “one-million free 30-day memberships” offer. Curves of Richland is at 1364 Jadwin Ave. in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland. For information, call 943-2077.
Benton PUD receives award
Benton PUD received the Tree Line USA Award for the 13th consecutive year. Benton PUD provided annual worker training in best tree-care practices; sponsor a tree-planting and public education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration. Benton PUD’s tree program was developed to ensure Benton PUD provided quality tree care practices and help customers plant the appropriate trees near utility lines.
REACH seeks local, historical stories
The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is inviting elderly resident throughout the region to share stories of living in the community during W.W. II, specifically 1941 – 1947, for “The REACH Remembers: An Oral History Project to Tell our Community’s WWII Stories.” The REACH is seeking those who can share what it was like to grow up, live and work in the community that played a key role in ending the war. REACH organizers are particularly interested in anecdotes and experiences that were unique to the times. The stories will be used for an educational project that is underway and will be introduced to the community in June. To schedule an interview or for more information, contact Davin Diaz at 943-4100 or email davind@visitthereach.org.
Fat Man Bi-Athalon planned
The Red Mountain Lions Club of West Richland will have its Fourth Annual Fat Man Bi-Athalon May 18th at the West Richland Golf Course. The event includes a nine-hole scramble, dinner and a Texas Hold’em Poker tournament. Cost is $75 for singles or $300 for a 4-person team. Corporate sponsorships are available for $600. Registration begins at 2:15 p.m. and the golf tournament starts at 3 p.m. Dinner is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and is followed by the poker tournament. For information or to enter call Darrell Toombs at 967-8000 or Calvin Dudney at 948-5593.
White Bluffs plans Dammit Doll Ball
The White Bluffs Center for Quilting and Fiber Arts will have its inaugural Dammit Doll Ball June 7 at the Sandberg Event Center in Wet Richland. Money raised from the event will help the center establish a permanent Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum in the Tri-Cities. The event will include dinner, wine and a Dammit Doll Auction.
Regents approve tuition increase
Tuition rates at Washington State University will increase by about $1,500 per year for resident undergraduate and graduate students starting this fall. The WSU Board of Regents approved a proposal to implement the 16 percent tuition increase built in the 2011-13 state biennial budget adopted by the state legislature. Even with the proposed tuition increase, WSU will face a budgeted shortfall of $40 million for the biennium.
MSA donates books
Mission Support Alliance has joined forces with the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia for the first MSA Hanford Book Drive. MSA and its partner companies have been collecting gently-used and new children’s books across the Hanford Site since April 23. MSA is donating the books to the Children’s Reading Foundation, which will distribute 50 books to first-time teachers for use in their classrooms and replenish community reading baskets in doctors’ offices and other community locations where children accompany parents on outings. In addition to providing books to the Children’s Reading Foundation, MSA’s President Frank Armijo and Chief Operations Officer Dave Ruscitto presented MSA with a sponsorship check for the nonprofit’s Books for Babies Program that ensures each baby born in the community is welcomed with a new book. MSA provides $10,000 annually to support the Books for Babies literacy program.
Northwest Farm Credit Services reports earnings
Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Northwest’s largest agricultural lending cooperative, announces 2012 first quarter earnings of $44.9 million, a 6.5 percent increase over first quarter 2011 earnings. Total capital increased 7.2 percent to $1.47 billion for the same period.
Long-term care awareness tour stops in Tri-Cities
The Tri-Cities leg of a nation-wide long-term care awareness is coming to Kennewick May 16. The nonprofit group 3in4 Association’s spokesman, Dr. Marion Somers, an eldercare expert, will give a free 30-minute educational presentation on long-term care planning at 2 p.m. May 16 at the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick. For more information, go to www.3in4needmore.com.
Polio awareness race planned
Six Tri-Cities Rotary clubs have teamed up to offer “Stomp Out Polio – a Community in Motion. The race/walk is being organized to raise funds and awareness for the eradication of polio. The June 9 event will be held in conjunction with Rotary International’s District 5080 Annual Conference at the Three Rivers Convention Center. All event proceeds will be donated to Rotary International’s PolioPlus Fund. The race will take place at Howard Amon Park in Richland. It begins at 8 a.m. with a 1-mile, 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer distance chip-timed events for participants. For more information or to register, call Mark Showalter at 737-1166.
McKenna to speak
State Attorney General Rob McKenna, who is also seeking the Governor’s office, will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Friends of Scouting & Exploring Leadership Breakfast. The event, being held by the Boy Scouts of America Blue Mountain Council, will be from 7:05 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. May 23 at TRAC in Pasco. McKenna, who was an eagle scout, will speak and Bill Lampson will be the inaugural North Star honoree. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. For information or to RSVP contact Lori Miller at 735-7306.
Earth Month Contest Winners
Triplets from Liberty Christian School earned the $250 grand prize in the “Kids Growing Greener” Mid-Columbia Earth Month contest. Aarti, Arjun and Aksut Sahai won for their instructional and educational video, “The 3 Musketeers Go Green.” Tanvi Tandon of White Bluffs Elementary School won the $100 first place price for the kindergarten through fifth-grade individual essay category. Cottonwood Elementary School’s Mojo Marimba Band won $150 for first place in the kindergarten through fifth-grade video category for their music video, “Pick up the Trash,” which was also voted as the top pick of all entries from an online vote for the People’s Choice Award. Milla Roberts, a home-schooled student from Kennewick earned $100 and first place in the sixth- through eighth-grade video category. Meg Nelson, Kali Sauressig and Logan Jackson won the group award in the same category and will share the $150 prize. Youth from the Three River’s Homelink received an Honorable Mention for the artistic and musical talents of The Water Conservation song. Entries can be viewed online at www.earthmonthmc.org.
HealthSource raises money to support troops
HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab™is offering Community Health Screenings for $10, which will then be donated Washington Operation Thank You. The 19-point health screenings can pinpoint the source of pain and x-rays are included if necessary. Donations are accepted at the office at 1211 N. 20th Avenue in Pasco through May, but contributors are encouraged to make an appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 547-1759.
New Tradition Homes earn housing award
New Tradition Homes has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for energy-efficient construction and environmental protection with the 2012 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award. The award recognizes the contribution New Tradition Homes made by building 136 Energy Star-certified homes in 2011. Collectively, the homes will save customers approximately $60,000 on utility bills each year. New Tradition Homes committed to building to Energy Star standards seven years ago and since then has completed 748 Energy Star homes.
CBC teams with City Intros
The Columbia Basin College Foundation will receive donations through City Intros through July 24. The Foundation has partnered with City Intros Charity Deals where participants can received discounts at area businesses like P.F. Changs, West Richland Golf Course, Grand Central Coffee Station, Advanced Auto Glass, Myers Massage, El Chapala Mexican Restaurant, Smasne Cellars, Atomic Bowl and Chapala Express. Participants can log onto www.cideals.com to obtain discount vouchers.
DOC settles with contract workers
The State of Washington Department of Corrections has agreed to a $350,000 settlement with four contract employees who were exposed to toxic chemicals at the Coyote Ridge Correctional Facility in Connell. In 2008, the DOC remodeled the bathrooms at Coyote Ridge using unsupervised inmates to rip out the shower stalls. The project involved grinding and cutting concrete, ceramic tile and spraying epoxy sealants and painting. Four employees of CiviGenics, who were contracted to provide drug and alcohol counseling for the inmates, were exposed to excessive dust and toxic chemicals for more the 12 weeks during the project. The employees, who are all over 60 years old, suffered lung problems of varying degrees from the exposure. Many of the inmates also suffered lung problems and filed claims against the state. However, all the inmate claims were denied.
Fisher receives grant
Dr. Darrell Fisher of Battelle at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories received a $148,880 grant from the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, a state agency that makes grant investments in innovative life sciences research to benefit Washington and its residents. Fisher and his team are developing an radio-gel that can be injected to provide a controlled, high-dose delivery of yttrium-90 to solid cancerous tumors that cannot be removed surgically. The product consists of a suspension of yttrium-90 phosphate microspheres in a sterile solution, which is a liquid at the time of injection but solidifies at body temperature to capture the microspheres at the site of injection and limit radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissue. The commercialization partner, Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation of Kennewick, has an exclusive option from Battelle to the associated intellectual property. If the proposed work is successful, AMIC intends to raise capital for additional testing, regulatory approval, seed manufacturing and marketing.
Sweet Onion Festival planned for July
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival will sprout in Downtown Walla Walla July 14-15 and will be centered around the Walla Walla Valley Farmer’s Market. The event will include a Walla Walla Sweet Onion eating competition, food competitions, a sidewalk coloring contest and an onion beauty pageant pitting local growers against each other. For information, go to www.sweetonions.org.
AMIC seals contract with KGH
Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation has finalized a sole-source contract with Kennewick General Hospital for a supply of short-lived radioisotopes primarily used in Positron emission tomography (PET), as we as for other medical isotopes used for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications. PET scans use radiation emitted from a patient to develop three dimensional images that assist diagnosis with great clarity than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along and with computed tomography (CT) provides exceptionally detailed images for various types of cancers, cardiac disease and brain function.
Pasco adds online payments
Those with municipal court fines in Pasco can now pay them online. Internet users can pay their City of Pasco municipal court fines by visiting the city’s website at www.pasco-wa.gov and clicking the online bill pay link and following it to the municipal court payment site. To pay fines, users will need the citation number found on the ticket. There will be a processing fee for online fine payments. For more information, visit the website or call the Pasco Municipal Court at 545-3491. Residents needing traffic accident reports can also download those free via the city’s website, which is updated daily. The report number is needed to locate the correct document. For more information on accident reports, contact the Pasco Police Department at 545-3421.
Tri-Cities named fastest growing area
A population report released by the U.S. Census Bureau showed the Tri-Cities metro area was the fastest growing metro area in the nation 2010-2011, with Franklin County the fifth-fastest growing county. The Census 2011 population estimate showed 264,133 residents for the Tri-Cities metro area, which includes Kennewick, Richland and Pasco — a 4.3 percent increase from 2010. Franklin County, which includes Pasco, grew 6.8 percent over 2010, for an estimated population of 83,455.
Curves donates to food bank
Curves of Richland raised more than $740 in March to benefit the Tri-Cities Food Bank. Curves members also collected 2,000 pounds in food donations for the food bank.
Second harvest breaks ground
Second Harvest started construction of its new 14,000-sq.-ft. distribution center at 5825 Burlington St. in Pasco in April. The new warehouse will be nearly triple the side of Second Harvest’s current building and provide storage capacity for distribution of more than 7 million pounds of food annually by 2018, up from 5.5 million pounds last year and 75 percent more than two years ago. In-kind donations represent about one-third of the $1.7 million capital project and Second Harvest is reaching out to the community for the support to keep in moving forward. For information about how to donate or for updates on the project, go to www.feedingourcommunity.org. For more information about Second Harvest, contact Kathye Kilgore at 585-3924.
RAF receives nonprofit certification
The Richland Arts Foundation, a nonprofit corporation focused on funding local art, as received its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Individual memberships are $10 and corporate memberships are also available. The RAF supports the Richland Arts Commission, Rivers of Ink – Readers and Writers Connect, and many other Tri-Cities arts events. The organization also needs board members. Those interested in promoting art are encouraged to apply and support art through RAF. For information, contact Ellen Tomaszewski at RAF@riversofink.org.
by Mary Hopkin
Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
