Seniors can apply for free farmers market vouchers

Seniors can enjoy more fresh veggies and fruits from area farmers markets when they sign up for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels’ voucher program.

Low-income seniors can apply to receive free vouchers to use at local certified farmers markets through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

The May Meals on Wheels newsletter noted that fewer cards will be available this year and encouraged seniors to complete their applications as soon as possible as the cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis in early June.

For applications, seniors can call the Meals on Wheels office at 509-735-1911 or stop by the office at 1824 Fowler St., Richland. Applications are available in a variety of languages.

Applications are also available online to download at gencare.org/resources/#farmersmarket. 

Vista Field’s first restaurant is now open

Japanese restaurant Kuki Izakaya is open at 697 Crosswind Blvd., Kennewick, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.   

The restaurant is run by Isabelle Yuri Na and her husband, BK Hong, who also operate Ara Sushi & Grill at 430 George Washington Way, Suite 201, and Chicken & Bowl at 530 Swift Blvd., both in Richland. 

Kuki Izakaya was the first project to break ground at Vista Field in November 2024. The 3,500-square-foot building cost a little over $700,000 to build, according to building permits issued by the city of Kennewick. 

In early February, Kuki Izakaya’s neighbor, Blueberry Bridal Boutique, was the first business to open its doors at Vista Field.  

Washington Trust announces shred days

Washington Trust Bank has announced a series of community shred days for 2026, and one is at the bank’s Kennewick location. 

Community members can use the shred days to properly dispose of sensitive documents, free of charge. Documents to shred can include old bills or invoices, bank statements, legal documents, voided or canceled checks, junk mail, pre-approved credit card offers, tax documents, or other documents containing personal information.

Washington Trust Bank’s Kennewick branch shred day will be held 9 a.m. to noon June 5 at 3250 W. Clearwater Ave.

Go to: watrust.com/shred.

Pedal for a purpose at annual Kiwanis bike bide

Cyclists will hit the road May 9 in Kennewick for the Inland Empire Century Bike Ride, a fundraiser supporting Kiwanis youth programs across the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla. 

The event is organized by the Tri-Cities Industry Kiwanis, Walla Walla Kiwanis and Bike Tri-Cities. It is a key fundraiser for area Kiwanis-supported youth programs. 

The Bike Expo, which takes place concurrently, is supported by local bike shops eager to show their products and talk about bike safety.

The ride features routes in a range of lengths. The shortest route, a 25-mile ride, is ideal for families.

Cyclists also can sign up for 50-, 75- or 100-mile rides. These longer routes attract serious cyclists from around the Northwest. 

The ride is free for ages 12 and under, and $15 for those ages 13-17. Registration is $45 for the 25-mile ride; and $70 for the 50-, 75- and 100-mile rides. Cyclists must be 18 years or older for the longer rides. 

Register for the ride online at inlandempirecentury.org.

Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer to move

The Pasco location of the Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer is moving to a more visible location.

Green2Go recently announced it was relocating its store on Road 90 to 4525 Road 68, near the southern gateway into the growing commercial district just off Interstate 182. 

The retailer is awaiting final licensing approval and expects to open the new store by early May.

WA hunting, fishing licenses moving toward digital

Outdoor enthusiasts may need to have their smartphones on them while sitting in their blind or casting lines beginning later this year. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will no longer issue hunting and fishing licenses or similar permits on waterproof, tear-resistant paper beginning July 8. Instead, hunters and anglers will be encouraged to have access to their license via the agency’s smartphone app, MyWDFW, or the Fish Washington app. 

Paper license products, including catch record cards, will remain available but licenses will look different than in the past as they will only be printed on standard copy paper, either at home or at a WDFW office or license dealer.  

Anglers can begin using electronic catch record cards (eCRCs) through the MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps to record and report salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut catch.

Owner of Trios, Lourdes is acquiring another hospital

The for-profit company that runs two of the Tri-Cities’ three acute-care hospitals will soon add another Pacific Northwest hospital to its portfolio.

Lifepoint Health, which is based in Tennessee, will acquire St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, as part of a deal with ScionHealth for eight of its facilities, according to a release. The companies are currently moving through the regulatory process to finalize the sale, which is expected to be completed by early June.

“Lifepoint knows these hospitals and their communities well and looks forward to helping them continue to serve their patients, create new opportunities for their teams, and partner with others to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live across their regions,” said David Dill, chairman and chief executive officer of Lifepoint Health, in a statement. “We believe we have great opportunities to grow together with these facilities and advance our mission of making communities healthier – both today and for generations to come.”

Lifepoint took over Kennewick’s Trios Health and Pasco’s Lourdes Health in 2018 when the care provider merged with RCCH Healthcare. Combined, both hospitals have 146 beds, more than 1,000 employees and had more than 6,600 admissions in 2024, according to the latest edition of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ Book of Lists.

Lifepoint has nearly 55,000 employees working at 60 community hospital campuses, more than 70 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 300 additional sites of care throughout the country, most of them in the Sun Belt region.