Pasco port director announces plans to retire

Port of Pasco Executive Director Randy Hayden has announced plans to retire next year.

Hayden recently told the port commissioners that he will retire in March 2025.

Hayden, 59, has been at the port for 24 years and has served as its executive director for the past 10 years.

He said he wanted to give commissioners ample time to search for a successor. Port commissioners are expected to decide on a process for his replacement at upcoming meetings.

The announcement was bittersweet for Hayden, who said that it was hard to consider leaving a job he loves, but he knows that the port is in excellent hands. 

“From the commissioners to every level of staff, to our tenants and community partners, the port is on solid ground for continued success,” he said in a statement.

Port Commission President Jean Ryckman said Hayden has done an incredible job for the port and for the community. 

“He will be leaving the Port of Pasco in an even better position than when he took it over, healthy and thriving. We will miss not only his abilities as an executive director, but his interactions with all of us on a personal level. We congratulate him on his well-earned retirement,” she said in a statement.

WSU Tri-Cities bestows more than 280 degrees 

More than 280 students graduated from Washington State University Tri-Cities on May 4 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

The students included graduates from the fall 2023 and spring 2024 terms. 

Among them are 12 doctoral candidates, 24 master’s candidates and 250-plus bachelor’s candidates. They received degrees in everything from biology to viticulture and enology.

WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes gave the opening remarks, and retired Lockheed Martin vice president and community leader Frank Armijo gave the keynote address. 

An honorary doctorate degree was presented to Patricia Whitefoot, a member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and a leader in Native education.

Longtime restaurateur dies at age 63

Longtime restaurateur Lynnette Kay Dodson died April 30. She was 63.

She was born on March 31, 1961, in Kennewick, and has worked in the restaurant business for many years. 

Dodson started out at a young age, working at The Steak Out, then The Top Hat. In 1983, she waitressed and managed at Joey’s before eventually becoming the owner of Sneakers Pub.

According to her obituary, Dodson was an avid reader, especially Danielle Steele books. She enjoyed creative hobbies, such as cross-stitching and diamond art, and could be competitive when playing cribbage or Mexican train. 

A celebration of life is from noon to 3 p.m. May 19 at the American Legion, 1029 W. Sylvester St., Pasco, according to the Sneakers Pub Facebook page.

Learn how government procurement works at upcoming workshops 

Three free workshops to help local business owners better understand how government procurement works have been scheduled. 

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Washington APEX Accelerator are hosting the “Yes, You Can! Contracts with the Government” program. 

Here’s the schedule: 

• May 30: Introduction to government procurement 

• July 23: Proposal development and bidding process 

• Sept. 18: Compliance and contract management 

Two sessions will be held on each date – one in English and one in Spanish. The English session is scheduled from 3-4 p.m. and the Spanish session is scheduled from 5 – 6 p.m. Attendees are required to RSVP online for the workshops as space is limited. Go to: washingtonapex.ecenterdirect.com/events. 

For more information, contact Maria Alleman, Washington APEX Accelerator advisor, at 509-491-3231. 

Fred Meyer fined $100K by state insurance office 

The Washington state insurance commissioner has fined Fred Meyer Stores Inc. $100,000 for selling insurance without state authorization.  

The commissioner’s office determined that Fred Meyer didn’t have a license with the state to sell the Guard Protection Plan issued by Mack Camera & Video Service.

A customer filed a complaint about the contract. 

Oregon medical center to remodel urgent care clinic 

Good Shepherd Health Care System has announced plans to remodel its urgent care at 1050 W. Elm Ave., Hermiston, Oregon.  

Good Shepherd withdrew its previous plans to build a new urgent care on the hospital’s property at 1550 N. First St. 

The location is across from the hospital’s main campus allowing for improved coordination of patient care, officials said. Construction will begin in 2024. 

The remodeled space will house diagnostic imaging and laboratory support services.

Wheatland Bank prepares for growth after acquisition

Retention, training and employee integration are key focuses for Wheatland Bank during the first 100 days following Glacier Bancorp’s acquisition of the Spokane-based community bank, which has a branch in Pasco. 

“Wheatland Bank is doubling in size and moving forward on a very aggressive growth path,” CEO Susan Horton told the Spokane Journal of Business.

WSU’s president announces retirement

Washington State University President Kirk Schulz plans to retire in June 2025. He’s held the position since 2016. 

The university’s Board of Regents is forming a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to work with the WSU community and a national search firm to provide advice, identify potential candidates and review applications.