Good morning, Pasco.

The Tri-Cities Men's Expo returns at the HAPO Center in Pasco beginning Friday, March 14 at 11 a.m. and runs through Saturday, March 15 at 5 p.m. with a $7 entry fee for both days; visitors can enjoy archery tag, free golf simulators and an outdoor pub serving green beer and Irish cocktails—this event offers a festive start to St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Katee Smith and Olivia Pierce started BAGG Books, a mobile bookstore that sells romance novels and gift items from a converted trailer that visits eateries and bars in the Tri-Cities.

They plan to stop regularly at locations like Hot Mess and Novel Coffee—its pop-up events have quickly gained loyal customers.

Solar Spirits is moving its main tasting room from its north Richland facility to a larger 1,500 square foot venue at 702 The Parkway, a busy spot with restaurants & shops.

The new space, set to open around April 1, will replace the old 900 square foot room and add local food options while the distillery keeps its production at the original facility.

Pasco’s historic restaurant building now opens as Javi’s Chicken and Churros—serving south of border dishes like birria tacos, loaded carne asada fries, and fire-grilled chicken.

The Gonzalez family, who spent over $200,000 on renovations after buying the building for $700,000, plans to host local events and expand their offerings with a new food truck soon.

Columbia Basin College plans to offer a new bachelor’s of applied science degree in respiratory therapy in fall 2025 — approved by the state board and now pending accreditation to help hospitals address a local shortage of qualified therapists.

Hospital leaders welcome the program as local recruitment becomes more critical with many current providers nearing retirement.

The Tri-Cities area now has federal jobs making up 9% of the local workforce—down from 10.3% a decade ago—even as the overall job market grew much faster.

The wage bill for these federal roles increased 33% from 2014 to 2023, but its share of total wages fell from 24% to 19%, showing a gradual shrinkage of the federal presence.

Pasco Representative Stephanie Barnard's bill to upgrade Washington's electric grid was approved unanimously by the state House.

The legislation cuts red tape—while keeping environmental and tribal protections—and now moves to the Senate for further review.

City officials and partners will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on March 22 as the city starts a $180 million expansion of its water reuse facility and resource recovery center.

The upgrade will let the facility treat 1 billion gallons of wastewater a year—this project supports more food processors and creates renewable natural gas, soil additives and algae for irrigation.

Avonte Jackson, executive director of Grace Clinic, has led the nonprofit for nearly 10 years to provide free medical, dental and mental health care to uninsured adults with the help of 15 staff and over 300 volunteers while serving 8,700 patient visits in 2024—he also works with local residency programs to expand care and believes that humility is key for good leadership.

Custer's 26th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show in Pasco

The event features over 150 artisans from the Northwest presenting and selling fine art, handmade crafts, and specialty foods.

2025 Spring Carnival

The Pasco School District is hosting a fun-filled Spring Carnival featuring food trucks, games, performances, and opportunities to meet local partners.

Tri-City Dust Devils vs. Vancouver Canadians

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Gesa Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an exciting baseball matchup while supporting a cause of your choice.

Grupo Mesteno Live Concert

8 PM – 1 AM — Fraternal Order of Eagles — $30 — Experience the vibrant sounds of one of the fastest rising groups in the genre, Grupo Mesteno, from the Rio Grande Valley.