Local News
Professionals-in-training practice poise under pressure
They worked the room like a boss. They extended their hands and gave a firm shake. They smiled and made eye contact as they introduced themselves. They asked thoughtful questions — and listened to the responses. When another person asked, “Do you mind if I join your conversation?” They replied, “Not at all. We were…
$1.9M land sale pending for packaging plant
A Midwest paper processing giant is preparing to build a large manufacturing plant in the Horn Rapids area of Richland, bringing with it about 150 family-wage jobs. Packaging Corporation of America, based in Illinois, is set to close on 42 acres in the Horn Rapids Industrial Park. The sale of the city-owned 3003 Kingsgate Way…
New owners of Kennewick apartments to invest $19.8M to overhaul 455 units
A massive remodel totaling $19.8 million in improvements is underway at the Heatherstone Apartments in Kennewick, where work will continue through late spring 2020. All 38 residential buildings will receive interior and exterior renovations, including new roofs, siding, parking lots, garage space and landscaping. For the individual units, tenants will benefit from an overhaul to…
‘Weirdo’ publication gets new owners, publishers as it enters third year
The Tri-Cities’ self-proclaimed “local liberal rag” has new owners and publishers dedicated to keeping the scrappy two-year-old independent paper in print. Adam Brault, owner of &yet, and Sarah Bray, &yet’s chief of strategy, bought Tumbleweird — an eclectic alternative community zine (that’s short for “magazine”) in October. The 10-year-old Richland-based &yet is a design and…
Les Schwab stores become Tire Centers in Benton City, Wapato
The Benton City Les Schwab store has joined the Tire Centers Inc. family, which has been servicing the Yakima Valley for more than 60 years. Phil Winterholler operates the Benton City store at 744 Ninth St. He became an independent owner of a Wapato store in 1998. The 403 W. First St. store in Wapato…
Longtime Pasco eye doctor sees missions, fun for retirement
After almost 50 years in the same location, Pasco Vision Clinic is moving to a building with better visibility. The business will remain in Pasco but will transition to 2715 W. Court St. around the first of the year, once the inside of a former furniture store is remodeled. Dr. Cory Manley is excited for…
He’s just living the dream at Just Joel’s in Kennewick
By Annie Fowler Tucked away in a small building at 1505 W. Kennewick Ave. is one man’s dream. Just Joel’s, a small diner that features homemade breakfast and lunch, had a banner first year, which nearly brings owner Joel Watson to tears when he talks about it. “When you come here, the food is made…
Red Mountain pioneers collaborate on Cabernet for a cause
Two Red Mountain wineries are collaborating on a special vintage this year in honor of their 40th anniversary. In 1978, Barnard Griffin’s founder Rob Griffin produced the first Red Mountain commercial wine using grapes grown by John Williams and Jim Holmes at their Kiona Estate vineyard outside Benton City. Forty years later, their kids and…
Tri-City entrepreneurship, labor market show mixed signals
By D. Patrick Jones It’s human nature to keep score. Look at all the stats in the sports pages. Or the various top 10 rankings of U.S. cities. So, too, with economic development. An overriding goal of nearly all communities is to create jobs. Chambers of commerce, local government and economic development organizations often keep score with jobs. At…
Restaurant in heart of wine country on the market for less than $1M
A historic Prosser home converted into an established restaurant is on the market for an eager entrepreneur. Jeremy’s 1896 Public House, an eatery and pub at 1232 Wine Country Road, once was home to the first Prosser mayor, E.W. Taylor. It’s been Sue and Dick Poteet’s restaurant for the past four years. It’s known for…
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