The Tri-Cities Morning News

Interested in learning more about life at Hawthorne Court in Kennewick? Fitness instructor Joel Shepherd chats with Jenna about just some of the ways staff at the retirement community help to enrich the lives of residents-- even in the age of COVID-19.

RICHLAND, Wash.-- From the start of the initial shut downs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and homeowners in Washington were allowed to make needed repairs. In those cases where repairs require a permit, most also require an inspection to ensure that the work is done properly. The City of Richland's Planning Department now conducts many of those inspections are now done remotely in order to promote social distancing. Jenna and Glenn spoke with Michael Boring about how it all works.

Adding sidewalks and bike lines and burying utilities are just a few of the items on the list of things to do as the City of Richland makes some upgrades to Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

New legislation in 2018 expanded the emergency powers of Washington's governor, making it more difficult for cities in the state to exercise autonomy over executive orders related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Kennewick Mayor Don Britain chats with Jenna Kochenauer about those challenges, and what the City of Kennewick is doing to try helping local businesses overcome the challenges of the governor's mandates.

The Legislature has tasked the Washington State Department of Commerce with providing an assessment of the unmet health care needs of Hanford workers in order to develop recommendations for meeting those needs. The Hanford Healthy Energy Workers Board has put together an online survey to collect information directly from workers. Jenna Kochenauer talks with Nick Bumpaous, President of the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Council and member of the Hanford Healthy Energy Workers Board about the survey and the next steps. You can access the survey HERE through midnight on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Colorado-based Scout Clean Energy wants to build a clean energy facility in the Horse Heaven Hills area south of Kennewick, which would consist of 244 wind turbines, along with solar panels and batter storage facilities. Javon Smith with Scout Clean Energy joined Jenna and Glenn on the Tri-Cities Morning News to talk about the project ahead of a virtual open house scheduled to take part Wednesday.

In 73% of cases where items were stolen from cars in Kennewick, the vehicle had been left unlocked with valuables inside. Moreover, in 26 of those cases where items were stolen from an unlocked car, the thief was able to walk away with a firearm. Jenna and Glenn chat with Lt. Aaron Clem with the Kennewick Police Department about the importance of keeping vehicles locked, and removing firearms from vehicles that are left unattended.

Starting Tuesday, January 5, 2020, the COVID-19 testing site operated by the National Guard has relocated from Pasco to Kennewick, at 1709 S. Ely St., next to the Kennewick Fire Department Training Center. There will be no changes to the testing operations at the CBC West location on Argent Rd. in Pasco. Erin Hackaday with the Benton Franklin Health District highlights the reasons for changes during a press conference on December 31, 2020.

Rep. Brad Klippert from Benton County has pre-filed legislation that would curb the emergency powers of Washington's governor-- whoever that might be. If approved, House Bill 1023 would allow the governor to exercise emergency powers for just thirty days without legislative oversight. Rep. Klippert was a guest on Newsradio 610 KONA's The Bottom Line on Wednesday, explaining why the legislation is needed.

The ski was cut short because of COVID-19 restrictions. But folks at Bluewood ski resort took advantage of the extra down time to turn some wish-list items into reality. Bluewood General Manager Kim Clark joined Jenna and Glenn on the Tri-Cities Morning News to discuss the new season, new buildings and procedures, and the excitement of heading into the new season.

With Gov. Jay Inslee announcing on Wednesday that Phase 1 COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for at least another three weeks, many businesses throughout the Tri-Cities are fighting to stay open. With indoor dining banned under the current guidelines, restaurants have been putting up tents and canopies to establish outdoor dining areas. Those temporary structures must still meet local fire and building codes, and Cpt. Brian Ellis with the Kennewick Fire Department encourages business owners to consult with local agencies before setting up an outdoor space that may not comply with fire safety regulations.

Decking the halls with candles? Captain Brian Ellis with the Kennewick Fire Marshal's Office has some recommendations and reminders on how to stay fire safe during the holidays: Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. Keep lit candles away from decorations and things that can burn. More than 1 out of 3 home decoration fires are started by candles. Consider using flameless candles, they look very similar and are safe. Blow out lit candles and turn off all strings of lights and other powered decorations when leaving the room or going to bed. Make sure your decorations do not block windows and doors.

City of Richland marketing specialist Mandy Wallner discusses ways the city is working with restaurant owners to help them establish outdoor eating spaces do to new COVID-19 restrictions.

"We are writing with a unified voice to express our strong disagreement in the adding of new restrictions to or closure of businesses and implore you to reconsider these mandates." Thus begins the letter that Mayors Don Britain from Kennewick, Ryan Lukson from Richland, Saul Martinez from Pasco, and Brent Gerry from West Richland singed and sent to Gov. Jay Inslee this week. Mayor Britain spoke with Jenna Kochenauer about the letter, what prompted him to ask City Manager Marie Mosley to draft it, and why even though he was sickened by COVID-19 early on in the pandemic, he wants to see local businesses back open.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties has noticed an uptick in the need for their services since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zac Shileika with DVSBF says the organization has continued to provide shelter, counseling, referral, and other services for domestic abuse victims, even in the midst of the pandemic. If you or someone you know is living with abuse, there is help available. Call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for a confidential consultation.

Last summer, the City of Richland started a pop-up play day program, providing interactive activities at local parks. With social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19, the play days turned into an online activity with some outdoor elements. Becky Burghart with the National Parks Service talks with Jenna and Glenn about the play days, and how kids can earn a patch or pin for completing all six projects.

October is National Fire Safety Month. Captain Brian Ellis with the Kennewick Fire Department reminds us of some important fire safety measures, such as paying close attention to items in the oven and on the stove top when we're cooking, putting smoking materials out in appropriate containers (not flower pots!), and the important role automatic sprinklers can play in preventing extensive property damage.

The Port of Kennewick is asking for community input as it considers what development projects to consider along the Historic Waterfront District between Clover Island and the Cable Bridge. Port of Kennewick Deputy CEO Tana Bader Inglima explains how you can get involved.

Every year, around the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, fire agencies across the United States make an effort to promote fire prevention activities. On today's Tri-Cities Morning News, Ben Shearer with the Pasco Fire Department chats with Jenna and Glenn about some simple steps you can take to prevent some of the most common types of home fires.

After a string of recent apartment fires, the Kennewick Fire Department plans to focus on education apartment residents about the importance of fire safety. New Kennewick Fire Department Chief Chad Michael talks with Jenna Kochenauer about some of the recent fires in Kennewick, the cause of those fires, and the agency's plans to work with apartment complex owners and landlords to provide life-saving information to tenants.

Richland Public Library manager, Leslie Campbell Hime chats with Jenna Kochenauer about the new curbside book delivery service that begins Wednesday, August 12th.

Are you itching to get a good book-- a REAL book-- in your hands? It's not possible to check out books at your local library quite yet, but Richland Public Library Manager Leslie Campbell Hime talks to Jenna and Glenn about the changes the library is making to prepare for Phase 2 drive up check out options.

Remember a couple of years ago when a little roadside wildfire turned into hundreds of acres scorched and several homes leveled? It's amazing what a little wind can do to multiply a small flame. But there are ways you can protect your home before a wildfire ever starts. Also- are you one of those people who sees smoke in the sky and thinks you need a closer look? Please don't. Jenna is talking wildfire prep and safety with Cpt. Mike Emerick with the Richland Fire Department.

Doctors offices and emergency rooms aren't as busy these days... and that has healthcare providers concerned. James Seay is Director of Emergency Services at Trios in Kennewick. He talks to Newsradio 610 KONA's Jenna Kochenauer about the importance of seeking medical attention before illnesses reach critical stages.

The city of West Richland purchased more than 50 acres of land that includes the old Tri-Cities Raceway, and will build a new police station on a portion of the property. Now a group of community leaders are working with the city to turn the rest of the property into a multi-purpose event center. Eric Van Winkle talks with Jenna Kochenauer about the plans, that include some limited auto racing.

On July 2, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidelines that allowed Benton and Franklin Counties to move partially toward reopening. In those guidelines, businesses such as restaurants were given the go-ahead to reopen-- but for outdoor dining service only. The Kennewick City Council last week approved a temporary ordinance that allows restaurants and retail businesses to move tables and chairs and other merchandise into their parking lots, but there are some restrictions. Evelyn Lusignan, spokesperson for the City of Kennewick, talks with Jenna and Glenn about what businesses in Kennewick need to do in order to advantage of the modifications.