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:

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.