Articles by Kristina Lord
Cancer warrior encourages women to trust their bodies
When you join a cancer support group, you inevitably have to say goodbye to friends. Over the years, this has been the hardest part of serving on the board of Warrior Sisterhood, a program offered through Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center. I recently added another name to my ever-growing list of those cancer took too soon: Libby Boothe, 44, of Kennewick. She died in hospice care on July 23. Her death hit hardest as…
Community First renovates building for new branch after busy pandemic year
Community First Bank couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy a vacant bank property at the intersection of Swift Boulevard and Jadwin Avenue in Richland. It wasn’t looking to move but when its lease came due for renewal at 1060 Jadwin Ave., where it’s been located for 15 years, it made sense to buy instead…
Numerica plans to open new Court Street branch in coming year
Numerica Credit Union recently bought property on busy Court Street in Pasco with plans open a new branch. The Spokane Valley-based credit union paid $940,000 in May for the 1,400-square-foot building at 2307 W. Court St. that serves as home to Baskin-Robbins. Numerica plans to demolish the ice cream shop and build a new branch…
Leggari Products builds DIY juggernaut fueled by the power of social media
With up to 100 orders leaving their Big Pasco warehouse daily, record revenue last year and plans to break ground on a new building later this year, Leggari Products’ owners are ready to take on the big boys in the epoxy coating industry. The scrappy Pasco-based startup, co-founded by Tri-City natives Tim Krumland and Tylor…
Pasco Machine prepares next-generation workforce for next 100 years
A 100-year-old Pasco company is charting a course to ensure it can navigate another century by making a significant investment in its future workforce as manufacturers nationwide struggle to find qualified workers. Pasco Machine launched an on-site apprenticeship program this year to train its next generation of craftsmen. Jason Story bought the business, in downtown…
Homegrown delivery service a force to be reckoned with
Tracy LaMarr sketched out the plan to launch a restaurant delivery service on a plane homebound from a business conference in March 2020, as restaurants and other companies were shutting down to stem coronavirus infections. The Tri-City restaurant owner knew she’d face fierce competition from bigger, well-known companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, but…
Local companies work to make national impact on hiring process
Two Tri-City-based organizations have teamed up with a westside nonprofit to spearhead an effort to upend the job search process on a nationwide scale – and for a chance to win up to $2 million. On the line isn’t just the pot of prize money but also what leaders of the companies hope will be…
Air pollution improves but region still has highest levels in state
The Tri-Cities’ ozone levels, the highest in the state, have landed the region on national and state watch lists for the past five years. Since then, levels have improved but officials can’t pinpoint why. Concerns remain about them increasing again, which could prompt sanctions from the Environmental Protection Agency. “We’ve definitely been keeping an eye…
Hearing clinic adds house calls to its menu of services
George Perkins doesn’t have to worry about navigating his wheelchair into the offices of Columbia Basin Hearing Center to see his audiologist. Since February, the 83-year-old meets with Neil Aiello from the comfort of his Kennewick home. “Dr. Neil has been here every month checking on the quality – and he just left here by…
Senior-focused agency breaks ground on $1.6M building
Senior Life Resources Northwest is adding a new building to its Richland campus. The $1.6 million, 6,100-square-foot building will be a replica of the existing administration building and should be move-in ready in about six months, said Grant Baynes, executive director of the senior-focused nonprofit best known for operating Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels. Senior Life…
