Articles by Jessica Hoefer

Jessica Hoefer is a freelance writer based in Prosser and a contributor to numerous print and online publications. When she’s not working on a news story, she can be found on the soccer field, at her local library or holed up in her office working on her next Young Adult novel.
Wine O Clock

Wine O’Clock celebrates 10 years

For the first five years of business, Bunnell Family Cellar operated out of the Susan and Ron Bunnell’s home. Located in the country, people visited by invitation, traveling down a…

Planting agriculture

Winter’s snow adds strain to agriculture industry

Mid-Columbia farmers facing Yakima basin drought declaration on top of delay in planting, harvest This year’s growing season may be challenging for farmers with possible drought conditions and delayed plantings…

Kennewick’s Hawthorne Court plans $1 million in renovations to its common areas, such as dining rooms and lobbies, to better serve more than 100 residents. Common areas are used for eating, visiting, as well as social activities. (Courtesy Hawthorne Court)

Kennewick retirement community to undergo $1M in renovations

As long as Mother Nature cooperates, renovations will begin in April at Hawthorne Court, a senior living facility in Kennewick. The retirement community at 524 N. Ely St. is home…

Nash, from left, Garry and Tracie Lamberson are celebrating 40 years of serving the Tri-Cities with their carpet cleaning business Guarantee System Carpet Cleaning & Dye Co. Garry and Tracie started the company in 1979 and now work with their son, Nash.

Small business keeps Tri-City carpets clean for 40 years

Guarantee System Carpet Cleaning & Dye Co. is celebrating 40 years of serving the Tri-Cities. Owners Garry and Tracie Lamberson said though they moved to Kennewick before the economic downturn…

A new ice plant at the Three Rivers campus in Kennewick will replace a 30-year-old system, helping improve the quality of ice. Hockey players say poor ice can make it difficult to skate or move the puck. (Courtesy Toyota Center)

Construction begins on Kennewick’s new $3.4M ice plant

Mother Nature recently shared her wintry mix with the Tri-Cities, but the Three Rivers campus wants to be able to create its own ice year-round. Construction of a new $3.4…

An architectural rendering of the Gesa branch at 4824 Broadmoor Blvd. off Road 100 in Pasco. It is expected to open this summer. (Courtesy Gesa)

Gesa to open new Pasco branch, improve Richland headquarters

Road 100 branch to feature 7,000 square feet; $645,000 in improvements planned at headquarters Gesa Credit Union will open its 18th branch this summer in Pasco. Construction on the $2…

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Manufacturing jobs on the rise in Benton, Franklin counties

Regional manufacturing jobs to grow 1.84 percent this year Manufacturing jobs in Benton and Franklin counties are expected to grow at a faster rate than the state average as food…

Franklin County Assessor Peter McEnderfer reviews levy calculations. He’s optimistic taxpayers will feel relief in their tax bill this year.

Assessor anticipates decrease in property tax bills

Despite a higher state school tax levy in 2018, families in Eastern Washington may see some relief on their property tax bill this year. That’s because the state collected more…

Chris Porter, a partner at Richland’s PorterKinney PC, said thanks to this year’s tax code overhaul “almost all of us will pay less in taxes in 2018. … It’s not political, it’s math.” Overall, most of the tax adjustments have been beneficial to business owners, according to two local certified public accountants. (Courtesy PorterKinney PC)

Local CPAs optimistic most business owners will pay fewer taxes in 2018

Although business owners were anxious to see how the tax code overhaul affected their bottom line in 2018, many are scratching their heads as regulations fall into place. “I’ve put…

Customer Rusty Arnn looks on as Dustin Chesley, assistant manager of the Benton City Tire Center, balances his tire. The store transitioned from Les Schwab to Tire Centers Inc. on Dec. 1.

Les Schwab stores become Tire Centers in Benton City, Wapato

The Benton City Les Schwab store has joined the Tire Centers Inc. family, which has been servicing the Yakima Valley for more than 60 years. Phil Winterholler operates the Benton…

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