Good morning, Pasco.

Ben Franklin Transit is offering free rides to the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo starting on August 19 with six pickup locations including Kamiakin High School, HAPO Center, and Queensgate Park and Ride — rides run from about 9 a.m. until midnight with more frequent trips after 4 p.m. BFT ambassadors will be available at each stop to guide riders and answer trivia questions.

A new local coffee shop, Sip and Co, serves iced coffee and matcha drinks in fresh, sealed cans that prevent spills in a 700 square-foot drive-thru on Sandifur Parkway; it opened on June 11 (soft opening June 8) and offers rotating snacks while planning to add hot beverages and doughnuts soon. The business, owned by Emilio Avila and Veronica Gonzalez, employs eight people and aims to expand its food options in the near future.

A local roof coating business, Impervious Roof Coatings, has provided a cost-effective option for businesses to extend the life of commercial roofs with its patented fiber seal since launching in May 2024—its service covers cleaning, repairs, and multiple coating layers that save clients about 40% to 60% compared to replacing roofs. The company has worked with local clients like the Port of Benton and Kennewick School District, offering warranties of up to 20 years.

Sageview High School in the Pasco School District will open this fall at 6091 Burns Road for grades 9, 10 and 11 and serve 2,000 students—helping to ease crowding at other high schools.

The 299,413-square-foot campus will include career and technical education programs such as agriculture with Fowler General Construction as contractor and MMEC Architecture & Interiors and DLR Group Design as designers.

Pacific Health Coalition opened a new primary care clinic in Kennewick on June 4 to lower costs and expand access for union members.

Members of Local 598, SMART Local 55, and IBEW Local Union 112 can get care—such as exams, lab work and prescriptions—with appointments available within two days.

Dollar General is recalling three lots of Clover Valley Instant Coffee sold in Washington state after a customer reported glass fragments that could cause cuts to the mouth and throat—no injuries have been reported, and shoppers are advised to check their pantries and return affected products for a refund.

A Tri-Cities businessman through his company BWR Holdings bought 13 parcels in the Richland Wye area for about $3 million, with most properties in the block at the west corner of Columbia Center Boulevard and Columbia Park Trail—no development plans have been announced.

Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con 2025

10 AM - 5 PM — Red Lion Hotel Pasco Airport & Conference Center — Tickets available — The ultimate multi-genre pop culture and comic convention uniting all fandoms in Tri-Cities.

Benton Franklin County Fair

Aug 18 - Aug 23 — Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo — Entry fee varies — Celebrate agriculture with rides, exhibits, and family-friendly activities at this local fair.

Columbia Crossing Swim

4-6 p.m. — Columbia River — Registration fee required — Compete in a thrilling 1.5 mile open water swim across the scenic Columbia River.