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.