Tri-City Herald week in review

By This digest was produced using AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division.

December 18, 2025 10:18 AM

Wyatt Eller, 24, is followed by his brother, Isaac, 19, as they ride four-wheelers through Yakima River floodwater covering the driveway to their house off West Van Giesen Street near Buckskin Lane Monday morning in Richland. They said their home, situated on high ground, stayed dry over the weekend when the river crested. They hopped into a pickup, parked on nearby high ground before the flood peaked, to get cleaned up at a relatives home because their septic system is impacted by the floodwaters. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Tri-Cities neighbors unite during Yakima River flooding

When the Yakima River began rising, residents and business owners across the Tri-Cities rallied to help each other as floodwaters threatened homes and businesses. Justin and Sheena Marshall, co-owners of Badger Canyon RV, worked late at night moving fifth-wheel trailers from Beach RV Park to safety around Benton City. The river crested at more than 16 feet at the Kiona-Benton City marker, the highest level in 30 years, affecting an estimated 160 homes and RV lots. Wood’s Nursery on Van Giesen Street reopened Dec. 15 after floodwaters forced through sandbags over the weekend, causing the business to miss a busy Christmas shopping weekend.

Reported by Cameron Probert, published Dec. 16

Transit employees protest workplace conditions

More than 100 people packed Ben Franklin Transit’s monthly meeting Dec. 11, with dozens of employees picketing outside the Richland headquarters to raise concerns about Chief Executive Officer Thomas Drozt, who has been with the agency since September 2024. The agency’s legal counsel told the crowd that the board was aware of allegations and that he was overseeing an investigation. Employees questioned why Drozt was not placed on leave during the investigation and raised concerns about alleged financial mismanagement, inappropriate behavior, and retaliatory firings. The Washington state Auditor’s Office said they have received notification of these concerns and are assessing the situation. Union steward Chase Keeney said employees are frustrated about alleged money mishandling while being told the agency lacks funds to properly pay workers.

Reported by Cory McCoy, published Dec. 13

Port of Pasco ends deal with Osprey Pointe developer

The Port of Pasco voted 3-0 to terminate its agreement with JMS Development LLC after six years without progress on the 55-acre Osprey Pointe waterfront project. Developer James Sexton had pledged to invest hundreds of millions to create a mixed-use district with nearly 1,000 homes, restaurants, hotels, a marketplace, and theater between Ainsworth and the Columbia River. Progress stalled due to design changes, procedural delays, and the pandemic. Commissioners cited frustration with delays and excessive involvement in minor details, noting the latest schedule overemphasized residential development contrary to the port’s economic development mission.

Reported by Wendy Culverwell, published Dec. 14

Richland schools face major cuts without levy, officials say

Richland School District is warning voters that failure to pass a four-year, $203 million operations levy on Feb. 10 would force elimination of about 150 teaching positions and 160 paraeducator and classified staff positions. Class sizes would grow by five students on average, with elementary classrooms seeing even larger increases. District-funded athletics and extracurricular activities would be eliminated, field trips canceled, and student electives reduced. The district serving 14,500 students has already trimmed millions from its budget in recent years and is operating in the black for the first time in a while. District officials are holding town halls starting next month to educate voters, with fewer than one-third of registered voters participating in the last levy vote in 2022.

Reported by Eric Rosane, published Dec. 14

New judge takes over Pasco municipal court

The Pasco City Council has confirmed Carlos Villarreal as the new municipal court judge for a four-year term starting in January 2026. Villarreal will replace Judge Craig Stilwill, who served from 2018 to 2025 and applied for reappointment. Pasco City Manager Harold Stewart recommended Villarreal from eight candidates who applied across the region, with five people interviewed. Villarreal has served as a judge pro tem since 2011 and currently operates his own law practice focused on criminal defense and family-based immigration matters.

Reported by Larissa Babiak, published Dec. 16

Richland clears debris at Pullen Street property

Richland crews began removing junked vehicles, appliances and debris from the sidewalk and street outside 2100 Pullen Street after a year-plus of complaints and legal action, focusing on items on public property, city officials said. The city sued owners Taylor and Jacqueline Knipp and unnamed users in September in Benton County Superior Court, seeking a nuisance finding after missed cleanup deadlines, according to court filings. The case was referred to the city prosecutor for potential criminal charges, the city said. Jacqueline Knipp said the couple is divorcing and she is moving to remove her name from the title and suit. Cleanup costs will be recovered through a lien on the property, city documents state.

Reported by Wendy Culverwell, published Dec. 17

This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Tri-City Herald week in review."