Walla Walla wine facility shuts down

Washington state’s largest wine producer is consolidating its southeast Washington operations as it focuses on strengthening the company’s long-term sustainability. 

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced in a letter to wine club members plans to close its Northstar winemaking facility and tasting room in Walla Walla on June 30, according to Northwest Wine Report.  

The company confirmed the closure to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and that the label’s production will be shifted to Columbia Crest winery in Paterson. It will continue to be available at a recently opened tasting room in Woodinville and through wine club and online channels. 

“The premium quality and style of Northstar wines will remain consistent, with continued sourcing from top vineyards and AVAs across the Columbia Valley,” Ste. Michelle said in a statement. “The brand remains a very important part of our leading Pacific Northwest portfolio.” 

How many staff were impacted by the closure was not provided, though the company confirmed that Northstar’s winemaker, David “Merf” Merfeld, will be departing for other opportunities. 

The consolidation of operations is the latest move by the Wyckoff family of Grandview to better position the wine producer after buying all of its brands, facilities and vineyards in December, making it the first Washington state-based owner of Ste. Michelle in 50 years. 

In May, David Richardson, a food and agriculture executive with four decades of experience, including time as a senior leader at Lamb Weston, was named the new CEO while Dan Heller, who has been with Ste. Michelle for 40 years, is taking on a new role as the winemaker’s chief commercial officer. 

At the same time, Court Wyckoff, CEO of Wyckoff Farms and Coventry Vale Winery, is assuming the position of executive chairman of Ste. Michelle’s board of directors to provide ongoing and enhanced collaboration with the winemaker’s senior leadership.

Prosser Memorial moves, expands services at old hospital facility

Prosser Memorial Health is making full use of its former hospital in the heart of Prosser after opening a new hospital in a new location more than a year ago. 

The healthcare provider, which is owned and operated by the Prosser Public Hospital District, recently announced the relocation and expansion of some of its specialty and therapy services to its old hospital at 723 Memorial St., now known as the South Campus location. 

Prosser Memorial’s Spine Center, Comprehensive Pain Management and Ear, Nose and Throat services are now on the upper level of the South Campus building. They are joined by offices for occupational, speech and pelvic floor therapies as well as pediatric physical and occupational therapy. 

The pediatric services have a new state-of-the-art pediatric therapy gym, designed to help students build strength, mobility and other skills related to needs such as motor and developmental delays, surgical recovery and more. 

South Campus’ lower level has been home to Prosser Memorial’s Digestive Health Endoscopy and Motility centers since the new main hospital alongside Interstate 82 opened in February 2025.  

And more is coming to the facility. A new Preoperative Assessment Clinic is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026. 

Prosser Memorial had a $18.6 million operating budget in 2025, according to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ 2026 Largest Hospitals & Medical Centers list. Its services have grown significantly in recent years as it draws more patients from the Tri-Cities. Of Prosser Memorial’s 825 employees, 231 are doctors.

Traffic safety improvements coming to Richland streets

The city of Richland this summer will add features aimed at slowing traffic on three sections of road throughout the city as part of its ongoing Neighborhood Traffic Safety program. 

Residents should expect lane restrictions, reduced speeds and short-term access adjustments near active work zones through Aug. 31, according to a city news release. The projects aim to support a city initiative to eliminate serious injury and fatal traffic crashes on city streets. 

“This program allows the city to make targeted improvements in neighborhoods where traffic safety concerns have been identified and evaluated,” said Public Works Director Carlo D’Alessandro in a statement. “These projects help create safer streets for everyone, including people walking, biking, driving and accessing neighborhood destinations.” 

The following stretches of roadway will be part of the summer projects: 

Forest Avenue north of McMurray Street: installation of speed humps. 

Long Avenue between Stevens Drive and Swift Boulevard: installation of speed humps. 

Queensgate Drive between Shockley Road and Summit Street: installation of choker curbs designed to narrow the roadway and encourage slower vehicle speeds. 

AllStar Construction Group is conducting the projects for the city.

Benton County launches new permit software

Heads up, developers and contractors: Benton County has launched a new permitting software system that will make much of the permitting process fully online. 

County officials said the new system, which is from Texas-based Tyler Technologies, will be part of a more integrated system that includes permits, code enforcement and more, according to a release. 

“As the county has expanded over the years, our previous software has had a hard time keeping up,” the county said in a statement. The county said the switch will streamline a lot of processes and help the county improve communication with customers.

The new system will allow customers to apply for permits, track the status of applications, and receive updates from any device. It will require anyone seeking to file a permit to create an account for the new portal. Payments will be able to be made online or via check.

Vista Field cleared of PFAS

Port of Kennewick’s Vista Field has received the OK from the state Department of Ecology to move forward with development after a small amount of soil contamination was removed. 

Trace amounts of a synthetic chemical, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, were found at one of Vista Field’s lots a year ago. The port halted development to pursue additional sampling, finding only one sample that was slightly above allowable limits.   

The port approved an action plan earlier this year to clean up the site, and in February, about two dump trucks of soil were removed. Samples taken following the excavation showed no PFAS concerns, and the hole was backfilled with clean soil.  

Following the cleanup efforts, the state issued a no further action letter, indicating that no additional cleanup or other actions are needed.  

The port, as well as private developers, can now move forward with work at Vista Field.  

“We will always prioritize the health and safety of our community,” said Tim Arntzen, port CEO, in a statement. “With the cleanup complete, we are restarting lot sales and preparing to construct several parking lots that will support community pavilions and businesses at Vista Field.”  

The port also has asked its contractor to prepare a new environmental report for Vista Field that includes the PFAS investigation and remediation report. Showing the report with no further PFAS concerns will be helpful for future land sales and development, according to a news release from the port.  

Vista Field’s first two businesses, Kuki Izakaya and Blueberry Bridal, both opened this spring.