Articles by Robin Wojtanik

Robin Wojtanik spent most of her career in broadcast journalism, working at television stations around the country. She spent nearly a decade managing newsrooms in the Tri-Cities and Yakima. She enjoys volunteering for Junior Achievement and Christ the King School and serves on the board for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Northwest chapter. She lives in Richland with her husband and children.
Spring blossom background. Beautiful nature scene with blooming

Consumers crave their fresh fruit

The 2021 cherry crop is shaping up to be larger than last year’s but with the usual caveat for the sweet, fragile fruit: A single weekend of wind or rain…

Courtesy Washington State Apple Commission

Fewer apples heading to market

Fewer apples are going to market in 2021, but this isn’t really a complaint. “This has proven to be very advantageous as far as Covid and trade issues go,” said…

Courtesy Double R Ranch

Hop output lower with changes
in beer demand, distribution

After a chaotic year, Washington’s hop industry is looking for a win. “Things are starting to get rocking and rolling again,” said Jaki Brophy, communications director for the Washington Hop…

Aaron Brink got into beekeeping when a hive made its home on his property. Today, Brink’s Bees manages 45 million bees in 200 Tri-Cities hives and provides pollination services as well as honey. (Courtesy Brink’s Bees)

Beekeeper pollinates Northwest crops, sells varietal honey

In just a few short years, Aaron Brink went from an annoyed homeowner, frequently stung by bees while mowing, to a commercial beekeeper who laughs off daily stings while tending…

Jamie and Loren Wikstrand stand behind a newly remodeled checkout counter inside David’s Shoes, 201 W. Kennewick Ave., the store they recently bought and updated with a modern look with new shoe lines and clothes from White Bluffs Boutique, an online-only clothing store. (Photo  by Robin Wojtanik)

New owners reboot longtime downtown Kennewick shoe store

A fashion enthusiast followed her dream of owning not just one – but two – businesses, now located under one roof in downtown Kennewick. Jamie and Loren Wikstrand bought the…

Brandon Andersen, owner of Bonsai Audio, perhaps had the most unique business pivot in 2020, from DJ and audiovisual services to bonsai tree sales. (Courtesy Brandon Andersen)

Pandemic doesn’t stunt Kennewick entrepreneur’s growth

“We do weddings. We do bonsai trees.” Not the typical services you might see offered together, but Brandon Andersen, owner of Bonsai Audio, has found a way to marry the…

Christ the King Montessori Preschool teachers Debbie Cleveland, from left, Kelly Buchanan and Aliana Kincaid operate three independent classrooms inside the new building on the Christ the King campus in Richland. (Courtesy Kelly Buchanan)

New building welcomes youngest learners

A new building aims to meet the demand for high-quality preschool education in the Tri-Cities by adding three classrooms dedicated to Montessori learners at the new Ferguson Education Center in…

Duportail Bridge, Richland. (Photo by Scott Butner Photography)

City of Richland: Major construction projects span city limits

A global pandemic hasn’t slowed progress across the city of Richland as major construction projects wrap up and new ones prepare to break ground. The $43 million Duportail Bridge opened…

Belmont Business District, Belmont Boulevard. (Photo by Scott Butner Photography)

City of West Richland: City may hold key to Tri-City home shortage

As a city that doesn’t rely on sales tax revenue to fuel much of its budget, West Richland had an unexpected boost from the Covid-19 pandemic: more people began ordering…

Winemaker Ron Bunnell started The Mask Man, a small business offering doorstop deliveries of personal protective equipment to Tri-City and lower Yakima Valley customers. The business provides disposable masks and other PPE to commercial and residential customers through contactless delivery, typically within 24 hours. (Courtesy Ron Bunnell)

Who is that Mask Man? Prosser winemaker pivots to PPE sales

From award-winning winemaker to N95 mask supplier, Ron Bunnell took a circuitous route to his new business venture, The Mask Man. Bunnell, co-owner of Prosser’s Wine O’Clock and The Bunnell…

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