Articles by Kristina Lord
West Richland: More bedrooms to bring more commercial development
West Richland often is called the Tri-Cities’ bedroom community. Plenty more bedrooms were built in the past year and more are coming with the buildout of the Heights at Red Mountain Ranch. The west end of the city saw a boom of new home construction in 2021. In 2020, the city recorded a total of…
Cemetery Tim keeps memories alive in stone at the graveyard
The proprietor of Headstones by Cemetery Tim makes death look cool. That’s what some of his clients have told him over the years. But Tim Morris isn’t trying to look cool. He’s going for approachable. His headstone company is based in Yakima but he recently opened a showroom in downtown Pasco. His front door at…
Franklin County Historical Museum expansion coming – maybe by 2022?
Pieces of the Franklin County Historical Museum’s collection are scattered throughout the county. Some are stored in the basement of the Pasco police station. Some are tucked into the Kahlotus Grange Hall. The Port of Pasco is storing some items for the museum. Past museum board members opened up their barn space. Only about 10%…
Kennewick warrior wanted more late-stage research
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…
New nonprofit wants to employ more workers on the spectrum
The 2021 pandemic prompted plenty of Tri-City businesses to reassess and regroup. For Jim and Karen Pridemore, the pause allowed them to double down on the mission close to their heart: to help young adults on the autism spectrum. Their son Tyler is on the spectrum. “It allowed us to say, ‘What now?’ ” Jim…
Golf simulator chain swings into Richland
Triple-digit weather. Frigid temperatures. Notorious Tri-City winds. Smoke-filled summer skies. These will no longer be reasons to cancel tee time, thanks to the arrival of Divots Golf in Richland later this month. The Walla Walla-based Divots Golf specializes in the growing sport of virtual golf, offering competitive virtual games to casual and experienced golfers alike.…
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…
