
Businesses in downtown Kennewick are offering an all-ages adventure for shoppers to come and explore everything they have to offer this summer.
The Downtown Charm Trail includes 20 businesses that will provide a bracelet charm to those visiting their locations through Labor Day who present a specially-provided starter bracelet and passport map, according to a release. The effort is aimed at helping shoppers discover hidden gems around downtown.
“This campaign is all about creating a memorable experience for locals and visitors alike,” said Stephanie Button, Downtown Kennewick Partnership director, in a statement. “It’s a fun way to support small businesses and experience all the charm our downtown has to offer.”
Starter bracelets and passports, which include a map of participating businesses, cost $15 and are available at nine businesses: Stellamoon, 316 W. Kennewick Ave.; Lady Bug Shoppe, 321 W. Kennewick Ave.; Rise & Shine Bake Shop, 308 W. Kennewick Ave.; Creations Crystal, 222 W. Kennewick Ave.; Dragonfire Goblinsmith, 219 W. Kennewick Ave.; Blackthorne Neighborhood Pub, 201 W. Kennewick Ave.; Earth Spirit, 113 W. Kennewick Ave.; Discount Vac & Sew, 22 W. Kennewick Ave.; and Blossom Coffee Roasters, 20 N. Benton St.
Other participating businesses are located along Kennewick Avenue, as well as on Columbia Drive and on Clover Island.
A new $6.2 million treatment device at Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center is expected to expand cancer and non-cancer health care options in the region and offer more efficient and individualized care.
The new Varian TrueBeam Hypersight Linear Accelerator combines computer tomography (CT) scanning with radiation treatment technology, according to a release. The new device is part of an investment by Providence, Kadlec’s owner, that also included the cost of construction to house it at the cancer center, as well as an update to another radiation treatment machine.
Among the machine’s multiple benefits for patients, it offers more precise targeting of tumors, even to the point that the machine will stop and reposition during treatment if a patient moves slightly and shorter treatment times, even for patients with multiple tumors. The machine also will be able to treat non-cancerous conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels has received a $10,000 grant from Battelle, which operates the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.
The grant will support the Sustainable Kitchen Project, which focuses on improving equipment, processes and food sourcing methods that promote long-term sustainability. The initiative is part of Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels’ commitment to reducing food insecurity and providing reliable, nutritious meals to seniors, and it aims to enhance long-term food preparation infrastructure and efficiency.
Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels is a Senior Life Resources Northwest program.
Every year, scammers steal billions from the Medicare program – money meant to support the health and well-being of older adults. These scams don’t just impact the system; they can harm your health, increase the cost of care and insurance and lead to denied coverage when it’s needed the most, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Scammers start by gaining trust. This might come in the form of a phone call, a text message, a knock at the door or even a pop-up ad online. They may pretend to be from Medicare, a medical provider or a trusted organization. Common tactics include offering “free” medical equipment, genetic testing or new Medicare cards.
This is a red flag because Medicare will never call you out of the blue to ask for your personal information.
Once they have your attention, the scammer will ask for your Medicare number. They might say they need it to verify your identity or to send you a benefit or device. Some will try to rush or pressure you into sharing information before you have time to think it through.
This is also a red flag. If it feels urgent or too good to be true, it probably is.
With your Medicare number in hand, scammers can bill Medicare for services or supplies you never received or never ordered. You may not even notice unless you carefully read your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits.
That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for charges for equipment, tests or services you don’t recognize.
When in doubt, hang up and call 1-800-562-6900.
Residents across the Tri-Cities are being warned about a highly sophisticated scam in which fraudsters pose as FBI agents and local law enforcement officers.
Gesa Credit Union’s fraud prevention team has been tracking the emerging scheme and is working to raise public awareness.
The scam begins with a phone call from someone claiming to be a federal or local law enforcement official. The caller informs the victim that their bank is under investigation. Using fear and urgency, the scammers then pressure individuals to withdraw money and convert it into untraceable forms, such as Bitcoin, gift cards or wire transfers.
In some cases, victims are instructed to lie to their bank’s staff about the purpose of their withdrawal, further isolating them and preventing timely intervention.
The credit union stresses that law enforcement would never require cash withdrawals, the use of Bitcoin ATMs or the purchase of gift cards.
If you receive a call like this, the safest action is to hang up immediately, contact your bank directly using a verified phone number and report the incident to local authorities.
Can’t find an open pickleball court in the Tri-Cities? Head to Hermiston to get your fix.
Officials celebrated the grand opening of the new Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex in June at Theater Sports Park, 1800 NW Sixth St.
The $1.2 million facility, built via donations and in-kind labor, has 10 individually-fenced courts with LED lighting, spectator seating and a championship court. Officials say it will also have the only fully accessible wheelchair courts in the Pacific Northwest.
Open play will be available daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Craft retailer Michaels is looking to woo the customers of former rival Joann, purchasing the bankrupt competitor’s brands and intellectual property.
Michaels announced its acquisition on June 5, noting that it will add more than 600 products to its offerings, particularly in expanding its fabric, sewing and yarn assortment, according to a release.
Michaels, which has a store in Kennewick, has wasted no time reaching out to Joann’s former customers. All traffic to joann.com now redirects to a dedicated landing page on Michaels’ website with a banner reading “Welcome JOANN Customers. We’ve got your go-to essentials & so much more!”
The company said that searches for “fabric” and “sewing” on its website have increased 77% and 39%, respectively, over the past year. That’s led to decisions such as increasing fabric assortments in 680 stores in the coming months, with plans to do the same in 280 more stores.
The retailer also will introduce new Brother and SINGER sewing machines and other specialty sewing products as well as bringing the beloved Big Twist yarn brands from Joann to its shelves.
Michaels’ acquisition appears to not have included any of the roughly 800 Joann stores spread across the country, including its space at Columbia Center. All Joann stores have closed in recent months, including the Kennewick shop, which renovated space at the Columbia Center mall about two years ago.
Its closure resulted from Joann’s most recent bankruptcy filing, which was a year after the company first filed for bankruptcy protection and became a private company owned by some of its creditors.