Drug death of Pasco 18-year-old hits too close to home for Tri-Cities teen | Opinion 

Teen’s drug death deeply unsettling

In regard to the recent story about narcotics being given to Pasco teen:

Being a teenager myself and finding out this happened so close to home, makes me feel scared. It can happen to anyone, especially younger children. Being close to the age of the victim, it shocked me to know that he was a young father.

The 18-year-old is not the only victim in this tragedy; he has left behind a child, along with his family and friends. In 2024, it is concerning to know there have been 15 drug-related deaths in Franklin County alone. I can only imagine how many more deaths are in Benton County.

While doing research on how many deaths in Benton County, I have found there was a death of a 4-year-old in January due to the similar circumstance. Having younger relatives living in Franklin County and seeing there are children involved, has left me with an uneasy feeling.

Ain Gutierrez, Kennewick

Many families need diaper aid

Diaper need is a growing concern in the U.S. A 2023 study shows one in two families can’t afford enough diapers to keep their children clean, dry and healthy.

Diaper need affects families of all incomes and impacts daily life, forcing cutbacks on essentials, including food. It results in 25% of parents missing work, causing stress over lost wages.

That’s why Soroptimist International of Three Rivers (SI3R) has given to outreach programs that support families in the growing Mid-Columbia for 10 years and counting. SI3R is part of a global volunteer organization that provides opportunities locally for women and their families so they are empowered to shape their future.

In addition to financial donations, SI3R leveled up support in 2023, collecting over 10,000 diapers and distributing them in one day as part of a Diaper Rally event. In 2024, with support from Legends Casino, Community First Bank & HFG Trust, Costco and the community at large, SI3R is able to distribute over 15,000 diapers to local moms and their kids during the Diaper Rally on Oct. 18.

To learn more about SI3R, visit https://www.si3r.org/.

Janet Muniz, Soroptimist International of Three Rivers

Trump, Putin and their ‘Bromance’

This month the mayor of New York City was indicted for serving as a foreign agent for the Turkish government.

An editor’s letter in the Oct. 11 issue of The Week stated that sometimes foreign governments make more successful bets. In 1987, the Russian government began cultivating Donald Trump, inviting him to Moscow to discuss business opportunities.

Two months later, Trump spent $100,000 on a full page ad in the New York Times urging the U.S. to ‘stop paying to defend other countries that can afford to defend themselves.’ It was the first public attack on U.S. allies and NATO, but not his last.

In the 1990s, Trump went bankrupt, losing almost $1 billion on his Atlantic City casinos.

Russian oligarchs and mobsters rescued him by buying hundreds of Trump condos in the U.S. and abroad at inflated prices, laundering millions in the process.

Recently, Trump bragged of his “very good relationship” with Russian dictator Putin and said that if Ukraine had “given up a little bit” of territory instead of resisting Russia’s invasion, hundreds of thousands of people would not have died. Trump vowed that if he wins the election, he will “work out” a fair deal for all.

William Petrie, Richland

5th District needs Baumgartner

Regarding 5th Congressional District, I met Baumgartner meeting with locals recently and here’s what I learned - he is as down to earth as his upbringing in Colton, Wash. He brings 8 years legislative/governing experience, all successful. As treasurer in Spokane Valley, he keeps the bottom line lean and profitable to bring a needed medical school to Spokane.

He has a master’s degree in International Public Development from Harvard with a teaching Fellow, and served as a U.S. State Department officer which lead to counter-narcotics work in Afghanistan. He has a beautiful family and wonderfully dedicated wife. There’s politicians and there’s statesmen and Michael is a statesman of homegrown character raised by educators with experience on key committees for Washington state that have prepared him for Congress.

I have done my homework and looked and listened to his opposition, but they lack the crucial experience of governing and legislating which Michael has — Legislator of the Year is also an accomplishment earning him affirmation by his peers. It’s one thing to read voter information but to meet and ask hard questions and get straight detailed answers, not concepts or ideals makes Baumgartner the right choice for Washington.

Michelle Andres, Pasco

Isaacson has passion, experience to lead

It is time for Eastern Washington to have a strong, experienced and collaborative leadership voice in Olympia so I join the very impressive group of local and state leaders who endorse Kari Isaacson for state senator Legislative District 16.

I worked very closely with Kari while CEO of Blue Mountain Action Council and have first-hand knowledge of her qualifications, skills, and the genuine care for community she exhibited as CEO of Blue Mountain Community Foundation. She will bring these attributes to represent us in Olympia.

Kari has 45 years of management experience, managing large budgets and complex organizations. As vice president of a Fortune 20 company and the executive of two major foundations, her legacy is one of forging partnerships and collaborating with diverse interests across a wide spectrum of colleagues and constituents.

Kari’s vast knowledge, experience, and deep passion for helping people improve the quality of their lives is what we need in state Senator. I believe Kari will be the best voice for the Eastern Washington perspective we need in Olympia. Please join me in voting for Kari Isaacson.

Kathy Covey, Walla Walla

Sessler for America

Dan Newhouse, and his supporters are and have told some of the most outlandish lies about Jerrod Sessler, I just could not let them stand. Especially since Dan Newhouse doesn’t know the difference between fraud (Russian Dossier) which Dan Newhouse accepted as fact, with his fatally flawed judgment, to convict President Donald Trump and voted to impeach an innocent man.

Dan Newhouse is a fraud. I have contacted his office on numerous occasions about the southern border.

I do not now or will I ever trust Dan Newhouse to protect “We the People” from our enemies within, or defend our Constitutional bill of rights. If we want representation Dan Newhouse has to be replaced, no more lies no more voting to destroy the best president of our lifetime. A vote for Jerrod Sessler is a vote for America.

Arth Day, Kennewick

Upthegrove for Lands Commissioner

I appreciate the Tri-Cities Herald’s endorsement of Dave Upthegrove as the best choice for the Commissioner of Public Lands. This complex job involves management, regulation and leasing of agricultural lands, forests and aquatic lands.

It plays a key role in fighting wildfire and in expanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Conservation organizations endorse Upthegrove including the Washington Firefighters, the Washington Education Association, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity among others. Dave Upthegrove is interested in seeing the Department of Natural Resources play a stronger role in community clean energy projects.

Upthegrove’s scientific background and his success in the public sector on complex environmental issues make him uniquely qualified for this position. Dave is not taking money from the timber industry which are major backers of his opponent.

This opponent repeatedly voted to weaken clean air and water protections, supports the repeal of the Climate Commitment Act, and opposed the Paris Climate Accords.

Dave wants to manage the public lands to benefit all the people. Vote Upthegrove!

Tanya Lusk, Kennewick