Kennewick hoteliers add Texas property to portfolioA-1 Hospitality Group, a Kennewick-based hospitality firm, has acquired the management contract for Homewood Suites by Hilton in New Braunfels, Texas, near San Antonio.The 90-suite hotel is the third addition to the A-1 portfolio this year. It previously opened the Courtyard by Marriott in...

A material science pioneer at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is one of three to be named a 2020 distinguished scientist fellow by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.James “Jim” De Yoreo’s award includes $1 million in DOE funding over three years to pursue new research.De Yoreo is...

A $1 million Battelle donation aims to improve STEM education to better prepare the next generation of scientists in the greater Tri-City area.The grant will help launch a regional STEM Nexus that will develop and fund experiential learning programs for underrepresented, underserved students in rural communities.A science, technology, engineering and...

A global slowdown in demand for french fries took a financial toll on Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., a major Mid-Columbia employer as well as buyer of Washington-grown potatoes.Lamb Weston, based in Eagle, Idaho, reported 2020 highlights on July 28 for the fiscal year that ended July 20. The Covid-19 pandemic...

Three Tri-City public school districts won’t be throwing open their actual doors to welcome back students in the fall because of high coronavirus rates in Benton and Franklin counties.But they will be ready to greet them online when school starts Sept. 1.The Kennewick, Richland and Pasco school districts are offering...

Brian McDermottColumbia IndustriesPresident & chief executive officerNumber of employees you oversee: We have about 200 team members at CI.Tell us about your organization and its commercial ventures:Columbia Industries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company that operates solely for the benefit of our community (the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas). We work with...

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels continues to offer weekly frozen meals to all seniors and vouchers for fresh produce at area farmers markets to low-income seniors.The frozen meal service is available for all Benton and Franklin county seniors ages 60 and over. All senior meals are provided on a donation-only basis.Homebound...

Retirements Julie Richardson, the city of West Richland’s city clerk, retired in July after 19 years of service. She began her career with the city as an administrative assistant in the police department and was promoted to city clerk in 2006. She plans to spend time with her family and...

As blue bridge traffic speeds by overhead, workers beneath are cleaning and painting the metal surfaces.It’s been 25 years since the steel arch-through bridge connecting Pasco to Kennewick received a fresh coat.But don’t worry — the paint colors will remain the same — blue and gray.The 66-year-old bridge spanning the...