A compromise is being worked on for two different family leave bills in Olympia.A Democratic bill is sailing through the Washington House, mainly because the Democrats are the majority party there.However, the Senate Republicans put their own family leave bill on hold, not even voting it out of a committee...

The 2016 Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year share a passion for bettering the community they live in and both have devoted countless hours to improve it.Dave Retter, 62, owner of Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty, was named Kennewick Man of the Year on Feb. 28. Joyce Kerr,...

Three years ago, Perla Zepeda’s family lost a beloved family member. Their dog, Sandy, had swallowed an unknown object, causing internal damage. She was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital in Yakima, but doctors couldn’t save her.“We grieved for about three months,” Zepeda said.They also faced more than $1,000 in...

By Sean BassingerBelongings stashed inside self-storage units may not be covered by homeowner or renter insurance policies if anything gets stolen or damaged.Policies that cover items at off-site storage units may have limits in place as well, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.It’s good information to find...

Ten percent of all insurance claims are fraudulent. And 10 percent of the cost of all premiums is due to fraud.This number is likely to increase as insurance fraud cases continue to grow, said Mark Couey, director of the Criminal Investigations Unit at the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.[blockquote...

Bill would reclassify studios as separate from larger fitness centersThe tax sort of snuck in there.A retail sales tax on small martial arts studios went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. But martial arts studio owners statewide — including in the Tri-Cities — didn’t know about the new tax on...

Red Mountain has changed significantly in the past several decades, most notably with the number of wineries calling it home.Perhaps it’s the southwest slope that provides the vineyards with more hours of sunlight, or the proximity to the river providing a constant and natural cool air stream to stave off...

Fuse SPC co-working space in Richland is known for being a launch pad for new startups and an incubator for entrepreneurial activity. Even before it was founded, its members have played matchmaking to help fast-growing local startups, such as Sola Spirits Distillery and Dragon The Game.[blockquote quote="We’re dedicated to turning...

By Wine News ServiceDouble Canyon plans to move into its new facility near Red Mountain in time for the 2017 harvest, and Kate Michaud will lead winemaking for the brand focused on Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington’s acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills. Kate MichaudMichaud, 43, takes over the position previously held by...