Articles by Kristina Lord
Longtime health officer resigns to take state job
Dr. Amy Person, the longtime health officer of the Benton-Franklin Health District, has stepped down to serve as a regional medical officer for the state Department of Health. Jason Zaccaria, district administrator for the health district, said Person was “a shining example” of how public health can change the lives of people, from easing those…
Please meet our 2022 Young Professionals
Welcome to one of our favorite issues of the year – the one where we honor and celebrate our community’s up and coming leaders. This year marks our 15th annual Young Professionals contest and we’re pleased to introduce you to the 10 winners who are excelling in their careers and efforts to better our hometowns.…
‘Perfect growing season’ is on potato farmers’ wish lists
So many variables can send farmers’ careful preparations sideways. It’s been a common refrain this spring among leaders at many of the state’s commodity groups. Shipping delays affecting the export market. Inflation gobbling up profitability. The war in Ukraine creating market instability. Unpredictable and unseasonable weather. Despite the challenges, potato growers are ready to produce…
Colonoscopy or end-of-life planning? Many would pick physical exam
Most people don’t look forward to a colonoscopy. And most would rather not have a conversation about end-of-life care. Home Instead Inc., a national company with offices in Kennewick, has launched a new program called Elderoscopy with these two ideas in mind. Elderoscopy is a critical conversation, complete with “probing” questions, between older adults and…
New data offers homebuyers details about wildfire risk
Most homes listed for sale in Benton County are at “major risk” for wildfires. That’s according to a new metric on Realtor.com that allows homebuyers to assess a home’s wildfire risk, along with nearby home values, noise levels from traffic or airports, and the usual amenities like whether the property has a pool, or enough…
Demand for self-storage soars with more projects on horizon
Several million dollars’ worth of self-storage projects will be under construction this year in the Tri-Cities as demand for places to stash stuff soars. “This industry is just going crazy. The secret’s out,” said Ryan Daley, president of ABC Mini Storage. He’s building a new mini-storage facility on Richland’s Wellsian Way, on a strip of…
Company transforms garbage bins from dirty to disinfected
Hector Rodriguez smelled an opportunity while pressure washing garbage cans to earn extra money. He realized he could launch a business offering the service, as he knew just how stinky and filthy garbage bins could be. They also can be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, especially on hot days. He launched Teto…
Creating a café experience is on entrepreneur’s new menu
A determined Tri-City entrepreneur has changed her business model and business name and signed a three-year lease in a new place to launch it. Nena Cosic of Pasco has operated European Desserts & Appetizers by Nena out of the Red Mountain Kitchen in downtown Kennewick for the past four years. It will reopen as Café…
Women take helm at the Richland waterfront
The women overseeing two popular waterfront restaurants in Richland didn’t intend for their jobs to become their careers. Kassandra Bell of Anthony’s at Columbia Point, earned a degree in psychology (which comes in handy interacting with staff and guests), and Cara McDonald of Budd’s Broiler spent two decades in real estate (making her savvy in…
Prosser Memorial to break ground on $78 million hospital complex
Prosser Memorial Health plans to break ground this spring on a $78 million hospital complex on 33 acres north of Interstate 82 and to begin seeing patients there in 2024. Its aging hospital at 723 Memorial St. in Prosser will close when the new one opens and eventually will be demolished. A $57.5 million U.S.…
