Kanye West wears Kamiakin Braves letterman jacket!

Feb 22, 2009 Kennewick Schools

Check it out, this is pretty cool: Rap star Kanye West was on BET this past Thursday night, and he showed up wearing a Kamiakin Braves letterman jacket! Here are a couple photos from the Dress Like Kanye West blog:

How on earth did he get that? What’s the connection between Kanye West and Kamiakin High School? I have no idea. And it seems that the current and former Braves who have commented on that blog post don’t know either. Nice advertising in any case!

(Thx to @junsten on Twitter for the tip!)

Blue Bridge construction project starts tomorrow

Feb 22, 2009 Kennewick News

Ready for eight months of construction on the south end (Kennewick side) of the Blue Bridge? Hope so, because it starts tomorrow. The project will add a new lane and basically redo the entire existing interchange between Hwy. 395 and SR 240.

The WSDOT says this interchange is the most accident-prone of all the state highways in the Tri-Cities area. The problem usually involves the right southbound lane, where drivers wanting to stay on 395 often have to cram together to not miss the overpass exit. This construction project is going to turn that into a two-lane path for drivers staying on 395.

WSDOT expects the project to be complete by November. For more information, keep an eye on the WSDOT’s project web page.

[where: 99336]

Columbia Center Mall closed after robbery

Feb 17, 2009 Kennewick News

12:38 pm Update: KNDU-TV is reporting that the mall opened back up around noon, and that the 3rd suspect wasn’t caught.

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The Columbia Center Mall is currently closed while police search for a 3rd suspect from a morning robbery attempt at the JC Penney store. Police have cleared employees and shoppers out of the mall, and blocked all entrances so no one can get in.

According to the Tri-City Herald, two suspects were arrested earlier after an attempted robbery at 2:50 am. Then, while reviewing security camera footage this morning, police saw that a third suspect was involved. That’s when they put the mall into a lockdown status. According to KNDU’s web site, there are close to two dozen officers in the mall looking for the remaining suspect.

By the way, we were tipped about this by Michelle, a friend on Twitter:

There are a lot of Tri-Citians on Twitter. You should join us! Let me know if you’re looking for local people to follow and chat with.

[where: 1321 N Columbia Ctr Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336]
Columbia Center Mall

Kennewick Business News Roundup

Feb 14, 2009 Kennewick Business

Here’s another quick look at what’s going on in the Kennewick business community:

• Meadow Hills Veterinary Clinic has broken ground on what will become its second facility — this one in the Southridge Village development. The clinic should be open by the fall. MHVC already has a location on Gage Blvd. just west of Columbia Center Mall.
• AVA Wine Rooms, a new tasting room, just opened last week — also in the Southridge Village development. They feature local wines, and are open from Wednesday through Sunday. The address is 3617 Plaza Way, Suite A.
• Printer Tech, a printer repair business, has moved from its downtown Kennewick location. The shop is now located on Terminal Drive in Richland.

If you have business news to share (free promotion!) with us, please use the contact form. Thanks!

Kennewick School Bond Meeting on Monday

Feb 6, 2009 Kennewick Schools

Gotta give the Kennewick School District points for effort as they try to get the Kennewick school bond measure passed next month. Just last month they hosted a bus tour to show the schools in need of repair and other aspects of the bond measure.

Next week they’re hosting an information meeting for anyone who wants to learn more about the issues, costs, etc. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday in the library at Desert Hills Middle School, 6011 W. 10th Place, Kennewick.

The $68 million bond measure will go to a vote on March 10th.

[where: 6011 W. 10th Place, Kennewick, WA 99336]