Kadlec opens outpatient clinic for hospital discharges

The region’s biggest health care system has established an outpatient clinic to ensure patients discharged from its emergency room and hospital continue to receive care.

Kadlec Clinic Bridge Care, located in the Corrado Building on Kadlec’s main Richland campus, will see patients by referral from the hospital or ER providers until they can establish care with a primary care provider, according to a release. 

“The first 30 days after discharge is a very vulnerable and important time,” said Racheal Inman, manager of the Kadlec Clinic Bridge Care and Population Health, in a statement. “There are discharge orders and often new medications and referrals.” 

A 2024 study published in the medical Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many patients do not receive follow-up care following hospitalization. Nearly half of Medicare patients did not receive follow-up care from a primary care provider a month after discharge, with 1 in 4 patients covered by commercial insurance failing to meet with any health care provider during that same period. 

Inman said patients experiencing high stress after discharge are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, and those facing care gaps also may repeatedly return to emergency departments and urgent care clinics. 

“With this clinic, we want to make sure  that patients have time with a provider and staff who can help them connect with resources and navigate their care to get everything they need,” she said. 

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until noon Friday. Appointments are required, and both virtual and in-person appointments are available.

IHOP franchise owner breaks record with another award

The franchise owner for Kennewick and Pasco locations of a popular national breakfast restaurant chain is once again being lauded by the company for the success of her restaurants and leadership. 

Susan Mendenhall received the 2024 Franchisee of the Year award at IHOP’s recent global franchisee conference in California, according to a release. She’s the first franchisee to win the award three times, having previously won in 2018 and 2022.  

“This award celebrates more than just business performance – it honors the spirit of IHOP, and Susan Mendenhall exemplifies the very best of our franchise system,” said Lawrence Kim, IHOP president, in a statement. “I visited her restaurants and personally witnessed Susan’s dedication to excellence and the inviting atmosphere she creates for her team and guests. I even met one family who shared that they dine at her IHOP nearly every day – 320 times a year.” 

Mendenhall started operating the Kennewick IHOP in 2001 after it was purchased by her brother. They opened the Pasco location and then she bought the business from him in 2010, becoming a full franchise owner.  

“In order to be successful as an IHOP franchisee, you have to be tenacious and love the brand,” Mendenhall said in a statement. “The brand’s mission of serving joy inspires me to lead with my heart and make sure that any guests who dine with us feel at home. Seeing the joy that comes across their faces will always be the best part of my day.”

Biz orgs: Federal shutdown costs nation up to $15 billion per week

A coalition of national business associations and trade groups have urged Congress to end the currently monthlong federal government shutdown to avoid continued harm to the nation’s economy. 

The group of 16 organizations, covering sectors ranging from banking and hospitality to manufacturing and retail, said rough estimates of the shutdown’s “real escalating costs” are between $10 billion to $15 billion per week. And the longer the shutdown persists, the larger the economic damage will be, and some of it may not be recoverable. 

“Among many other impacts, each day the government remains closed increases the permitting backlog for major infrastructure projects,” read a version of the coalition’s statement published by the National Retail Federation. “The nation’s air traffic control system and its workforce are also showing signs of stress.” 

The business organizations said Congress needs to “swiftly pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the federal government. Immediately reopening the government would avert further economic disruption and give Congress and the administration time to negotiate a longer-term funding package and address other pressing issues.”

As of Nov. 10, the Senate had advanced a continuing resolution that would reopen the government, though it still must pass through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the House.

Community asked to share naming ideas for Pasco aquatics facility

Got a possible name for Pasco’s aquatics facility currently under construction? Now’s your opportunity. 

A Tri-City branding team working with the city of Pasco and Pasco Public Facilities District to develop branding and a name for the aquatics facility has released a survey seeking feedback on how the facility can best appeal to residents. 

The survey asks about two dozen questions and is open to all Tri-City residents. Participants may also choose to enter a drawing for free passes to the aquatic facility once it opens in spring 2026. 

The $40 million project is funded by a 0.2% sales tax increase approved by voters in April 2022.

The survey is available at bit.ly/pasco-survey.

Popular Kennewick food truck closes

A popular downtown Kennewick food truck serving up burgers and fries appears to be closed.

After dealing with equipment failure earlier this year, according to updates on the food truck’s Facebook page, Hot Mess Burgers & Fries is now listed as “permanently closed” on Google and their food truck is up for sale.

Allyson Nokes, one of the food truck’s owners, has listed the food truck on Facebook Marketplace for $35,000, and Hot Mess’ Facebook page is no longer accessible.

A GoFundMe launched Sept. 24 on behalf of Hot Mess raised $13,315 to “help the Hot Mess crew bounce back.”

“This GoFundMe isn’t just about fixing equipment – it’s about giving the Hot Mess crew the freedom to take their next step, whatever that looks like,” the fundraiser reads. “Maybe it’s repairing the truck, maybe it’s a brand new rig, maybe it’s finally putting down roots in a brick-and-mortar.”

Hot Mess’ owners could not be reached for comment. Their last Facebook update was dated Sept. 28.

Banner Corp. continues streak of climbing revenue

The parent company of Walla Walla-based Banner Bank has reported another quarter of strong growth. 

Banner Corp. reported net income of $53.5 million for the third quarter of 2025, a roughly $8 million increase compared to the second quarter as well as the third quarter of the prior year. 

“Banner’s third quarter performance reflects the continued strength of our super community bank strategy, which focuses on building client relationships, preserving a strong funding base and delivering exceptional service while sustaining a moderate risk profile,” said Mark Grescovich, president and CEO, in a statement.  

As of Sept. 30, Banner had $16.56 billion in assets, $11.54 billion in net loans and $14.02 billion in deposits. 

Banner operates 135 bank branches across four Western states, with four branches in the Tri-Cities.

Pasco councilman resigns seat

The Pasco City Council will need to appoint its second new member in two months with an at-large member resigning after moving out of the city.

Councilman Peter Harpster, who joined the council in January 2024, resigned his seat Oct. 26. A release from the city said that he and his family have bought a home outside the city limits, making him ineligible to remain on the council.

“Ever since I was a young child growing up in Pasco, I wanted to be on city council,” Harpster said in a statement. “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.”

The council has 90 days from Harpster’s resignation to fill his seat for the remainder of his term, which ends Dec. 31, 2027. Details about the application process will be posted on the city’s website at pasco-wa.gov once available.

In August, then Mayor Pete Serrano resigned his position with the council after being appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington in anticipation of him being confirmed by the U.S. Senate to fill the role permanently. Joe Cotta was appointed in September to fill Serrano’s seat.

State grant to bring apple processor to lower Yakima Valley

A $250,000 state grant to upgrade a former apple processing facility in Sunnyside will help preserve dozens of jobs while also providing a new buyer for the region’s orchards. 

The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) will use the money from the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund to upgrade a 275,895-square-foot facility, formerly Seneca Foods, so that Manzana Products Co. can move its entire operation to the lower Yakima Valley. 

“This expansion is a huge win for the Yakima Valley and Washington,” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyen in a statement. “It brings good jobs and investment to a rural area, strengthens our agricultural and food processing industries, and supports Manzana’s growth using Washington apples.” 

The recruitment process for Manzana took several years with support from the YCDA and the Port of Sunnyside. The effort will preserve $43 million in projected investment and at least 50 jobs. Manzana will add equipment for an applesauce line and vinegar production to the facility. 

The average entry-level salary at the new facility will exceed local wages and include benefits. State officials said it will also benefit local apple producers by providing a stable buyer, further boosting Washington’s agricultural economy.

Hanford contractors donate $25.5K to food bank

The six primary companies cleaning up the Hanford site came together to donate to the Tri-Cities Food Bank at a time when food assistance nonprofits are struggling to meet demands. 

The federal contractors presented their joint $25,500 donation on Nov. 5, according to the food bank.  

They include Bechtel National Inc.; Central Plateau Cleanup Company, or CPCCo; Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, or HMIS; Hanford Tank Waste Operations and Closure, or H2C; Inomedic Health Applications and Navarro-ATL. 

“We recognize the great need in our community right now and, as part of that community, we want to be sure our neighbors and friends continue to get the support they need,” said Bob Wilkinson, CPCCo president and project manager, in a statement. “Our Hanford contractors are proud to partner with the Tri-Cities Food Bank to support their important mission to help get us through this challenging time.” 

The food bank serves 40,000 families each year, distributing 22 tons of food a week via its distribution centers in Kennewick, Richland and Finley. 

“We need the community’s support now more than ever,” said VJ Meadows, the food bank’s executive director, in a statement. “It’s amazing to see our Hanford partners stepping up in a big way that will allow us to fill our shelves for the coming winter and make a real difference in the lives of area families.” 

In late October, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced the state would give food banks $2.2 million per week as they deal with the potential end of food stamp benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.  

In May, the most recent month for which federal data is available, over 905,000 Washingtonians received a total of $167 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, according to the Washington State Standard. 

Food banks are already seeing heightened demand and preparing for broader Republican-backed cuts to SNAP that are still to come.

Worker protections to be applied to more WA businesses in 2026

2026 is just around the corner and that means more small businesses will soon be required to follow the state’s paid family and medical leave job protections for their employees. 

The Legislature expanded the requirements for which businesses are subject to job protections during the 2025 session. That means any business with 25 or more employees will be required to restore employees to their prior roles, compensation and working conditions if they return from paid leave on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and had started working at least 180 days before taking paid leave.

Employers will also have to maintain those workers’ health insurance as if they were working and notify them of when job protections will expire. 

The state also announced that premium rate for the Paid Family and Medical Leave program will increase to 1.13% of each employee’s gross wages, with employers paying 28.57% of the total premium and employees paying 71.43%. For comparison, the current premium rate is 0.92% with employers paying 28.48% of the total premium and employees paying 71.52%. 

Businesses classified by the state as having fewer than 50 employees will not have to pay the employer portion of the premium. However, those employers must still collect the employee premium or pay employees’ premiums on their behalf. 

More information on how smaller businesses could be affected by the new law are expected in coming months, including how to manage job protections when an employee is using benefits connected to the Family Medical Leave Act and small business assistance grants that can help with costs related to these law changes.

Japanese beetle infestation worsens in Tri-Cities and Yakima Valley

State agriculture officials say they need more property owners to allow their land to be treated for an invasive and destructive beetle species if they are going to reverse its rise in Eastern Washington. 

More than 72,000 Japanese beetles were caught by Washington State Department of Agriculture trappers as part of the agency’s annual survey of pests. The tally was a threefold increase from 2024 and the area where the beetles were detected also has grown. 

Japanese beetles feed on more than 300 plants, including roses, grapes, apples, hops and grass, stripping their foliage but also feeding on plant buds, flowers and fruit. 

More than 90% of the beetles were trapped in Grandview, Sunnyside, Outlook, Mabton and Prosser. However, the Tri-Cities recorded 2,407 trapped specimens, nearly all found in Pasco, up from the 410 found last year. 

On the west side, hundreds more of the beetles were found in the city of SeaTac in 2025, up from just a couple dozen last year. 

Officials attribute part of the increase in trapped beetles to improvements in how traps are managed. However, lack of consent from property owners to treat their land for the invasive species likely also contributed to the rise in numbers. 

In 2024, 44% of property owners gave consent to have their property treated. In 2025, that number fell to 38%. 

“If we are going to protect Washington from this invasive beetle, more properties must be treated. That starts with those in the treatment area giving consent for these free treatments. We can’t do it without you,” said Sven Spichiger, WSDA Pest Program manager, in a statement.

WA prepaid college tuition plan accepting new enrollments

Families wanting to begin saving for their children’s post-secondary education – and do so at a discount – now have that opportunity. 

The state’s Guaranteed Education Tuition plan, better known as GET, has opened for enrollment.  

GET is a 529 prepaid tuition program that carries a state-backed guarantee, ensuring that units purchased today will always keep pace with in-state college tuition costs. Students can use GET for practically any type of post-high school education and career training, within and outside the state, as well as for needs such as student housing and meals, books, technology and other supplies. 

And for the first time in the program’s history, the unit purchase price is $123.76, which is the same price paid in 2024-25, but less than the current value of GET units at $127.85 each, based on University of Washington tuition.  

“This is a rare opportunity for Washington families,” said Luke Minor, senior director of Washington Education Savings Plans. “It’s the perfect time to open a new GET account or grow an existing account. This year, you’ll pay about $4 less per unit than the current payout value, giving your savings growth a head start, while locking in peace of mind.” 

GET is one of two education savings options offered by Washington Education Savings Plans (WA529).  

WA529’s other plan, WA529 Invest (formerly DreamAhead), launched in 2018 to complement GET and help Washingtonians save toward the full cost of college. 

Washington residents who want to help a student save for future education costs can open a GET or WA529 Invest account online at 529.wa.gov with no enrollment fee.

Alaska launches Hollywood Burbank route at PSC

Just months before the first airline to establish air service between Pasco and Burbank, California, ceased operations at the Tri-Cities Airport, another has started offering its own flights to the Southern California destination.

Alaska Airlines’ first nonstop flight between Pasco and Hollywood Burbank Airport took off the evening of Oct. 26, according to a release. The now daily year-round route is currently the airport’s only connection to Burbank after Avelo Airlines pulled out of offering flights at West Coast airports.

“Hollywood Burbank is a proven destination and the addition of daily service on Alaska Airlines will provide our travelers with even more flexibility when heading to Southern California, whether for work, vacation, or to visit loved ones. We’re thrilled to see this route take off,” said Buck Taft, the airport’s director, in a statement.

Beginning in March, Breeze Airlines will also begin offering flights between Pasco and Burbank.   

The Hollywood Burbank Airport is about 12 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Construction on a replacement passenger terminal at the California airport is currently underway with the scheduled opening planned in 2026.

Trios adopts new care model for birthing, maternity care

Frequent communication and collaboration between expectant mothers and their families with care providers will be the heart of Trios Health’s new approach to the birthing experience.

The Kennewick hospital began implementing the TeamBirth initiative in its birthing unit at the end of October, according to a release. Developed by Ariadne Labs and supported by the Washington State Hospital Association, the program is designed to ensure every voice is heard and decision shared throughout the stay of each mother and newborn.

“Partnering with TeamBirth is an important step forward in ensuring that our patients and their families are fully informed and engaged throughout their birth experience,” said David Elgarico, market president and CEO of Trios Health, in a statement. “This initiative reflects our deep commitment to safe, respectful and collaborative care, where decisions are shared, voices are valued, and outcomes are improved.”

The hallmark of TeamBirth is structured “huddles,” brief meetings that occur at key moments during a patient’s hospital stay, including upon admission, during any significant changes in the patient’s or baby’s condition, when delivery decisions are made and at any request from a patient or team member. The huddles include hospital staff, the expectant mother and their chosen support team, such as a partner, doula or family member.  

Trios is in the fifth and final cohort of hospitals of the statewide rollout of TeamBirth.

Credit unions unite to support Tri-Cities Chaplaincy

Five local credit unions – Gesa, HAPO, ICCU, Numerica and STCU – rolled up their sleeves to help Tri-Cities Chaplaincy assemble grief support kits for children and families in need.

The credit unions also pooled resources to provide a combined donation of $22,000, ensuring the program can reach even more families across the Tri-Cities. The effort was part of the 77th annual International Credit Union Day on Oct. 16.

Cork’s Place, Chaplaincy’s children’s grief program, provides the grief support kits as a resource for families who may not be able to attend its physical center. Each kit includes age-appropriate items to help guardians guide children through loss – from journals and memorization tools to books tailored to the type of grief, whether that be from the loss of a parent, sibling or pet.

Local schools also rely on the kits to support classrooms impacted by tragedy. In 2025, Cork’s Place has distributed more than 400 kits.

In addition to building the kits, volunteers helped set up a series of activity rooms at Cork’s Place designed to help children process grief in safe, accessible, and age-appropriate ways.

“At the heart of credit unions is the belief that we make the greatest difference for our communities when we come together.” said Amber Merrill, community relations manager at Gesa Credit Union. “By working with our fellow credit unions to support Tri-Cities Chaplaincy and uplift local families facing hardship, we’re living out the philosophy of ‘people helping people’ in its truest form.”