Daily editionFriday, May 16th, 2025
Good morning, Kennewick.
The Daily Kennewick Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of May.
Business
John Bookwalter is opening Non-Fiction, a new casual eatery in Pasco this fall located near a college & the airport where independent dining options are few.
The shop will serve craft sandwiches, coffee, beer, wine and prepackaged meats from local partners while planning to hire about 10 employees starting in late summer.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
XOS Inc. is nearly finished with the 12,000-square-foot Southridge Plaza at 2403 S. Quillan Place in Kennewick — the building will have up to eight units with designated outdoor areas and two units ideal for restaurant use.
Game Inc. is the general contractor and Draftco Designs the architect as the project is set to complete mid-June.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
Culture
Today, tequila enthusiasts gather at the Benton County Fairgrounds for Tequila Fest with VIP entry at 5:00 p.m. and general admission at 6:00 p.m. Attendees will sip tequilas, mezcal, sotols and pechuga — enjoy music and a Mexican dance performance — and sample food from Dog Haus and other vendors to benefit the Washington Wine Guild.
NBC Tri-CitiesRead more
Cirque Italia’s Paranormal Cirque will perform in Kennewick at the Columbia Center Mall starting today until May 19—featuring theater, circus and cabaret for mature audiences; in Yakima, the show will run from May 30 to June 2 with tickets available from $20 and minors admitted only with a parent or guardian.
FOX 41 YakimaRead more
Country band Old Dominion will perform at Toyota Center in Kennewick on Thursday, September 25th with rising acts ERNEST and Redferrin joining them.
Tickets go on sale to the public on May 22nd at 10:00 a.m. and a radio presale is set for May 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (code HOTELKEY).
KONARead more
Economy
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for May 20 at 3:00 p.m. outside the expanded Three Rivers Convention Center at 7016 Grandridge Blvd.—The new AC Hotels Marriott with 162 rooms will boost the local economy by attracting nearly 200,000 visitors annually—and the Kennewick City Council will attend the event.
FOX 41 YakimaRead more
Education
Several Mid-Columbia school districts received low financial health scores from OSPI with Columbia-Burbank, Kennewick and North Franklin maintaining near-average marks while Pasco, Richland, Prosser, Finley and Kiona-Benton City scored below average.
Kiona-Benton City and Richland had received financial warnings due to low cash reserves—issues that OSPI continues to monitor closely.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
Accidents
Kennewick police investigated a school bus crash that occurred on May 14th at the intersection of Clearwater Avenue and 10th Avenue (just east of the Badger Road roundabout) which left children uninjured while a truck driver was hospitalized; paramedics checked the children before they continued home and a commercial vehicle inspector arrived due to the bus’s commercial status.
KEPR TVRead more
Kennewick Events
Safari Themed Photoshoot at JCPenney Portraits
Saturday, May 17th, 2025 · 4 PM — Santiago Sunset Estates — Special pricing — Capture the wild spirit with a fun safari-themed photoshoot featuring lions, tigers, and giggles.
Sunday Funday Music Bingo
Sunday, May 18th, 2025 · 3-6 p.m. — Sports Page Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an all-ages music bingo event filled with hits and good vibes.
Sunday Funday Music Bingo
Sunday, May 25th, 2025 · 3-6 p.m. — Sports Page Bar & Grill — Free to play — Enjoy an all-ages music bingo event filled with fun, laughter, and sing-along hits.
Mini Golf FUNdraiser
Saturday, May 31st, 2025 · Kick-off summer with one of our community's most spirited events and the most FUN you'll have in FUNdraising. Supporting the Children's Reading Foundation, join us for 18 holes of fun, prizes, awards, and more! (21 and over)
Sunday Funday Music Bingo
Sunday, June 1st, 2025 · 3-6 p.m. — Sports Page Bar & Grill — Free to play — Enjoy an all-ages Music Bingo event filled with sing-along hits and good vibes.
Sunday Funday Music Bingo
Sunday, June 8th, 2025 · 3-6 p.m. — Sports Page Bar & Grill — Free to play — Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with music bingo and sing-along hits to end your weekend on a high note.
Midsommer Festival
Saturday, June 14th, 2025 · 10 AM – 9 PM — Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo — Cost info not provided — A family-friendly celebration filled with various attractions and activities.