Over the last two weeks we have seen a sudden and sharp increase in COVID positive patients. 80% of COVID strains in the United States is reported to be the Delta Variant. We are not directly testing our positive cases for Delta Variant but based on how the behavior of COVID has changed, I suspect that the Delta Variant is prevalent in our community.
The Delta Variant spreads much easier than other strains of COVID, especially in unvaccinated populations. Over the last two weeks, the vast majority of COVID positive patients in our community have been unvaccinated. We used to believe that only older patients with medical comorbidities were at risk. This seems to be no longer true. We are seeing young, healthy patients in their 20s who need to be admitted for oxygen. A few of these young and healthy patients have required ICU level of care. We are seeing children with fever/upper respiratory symptoms test positive, but they have otherwise been doing well. We have not yet seen an increase in MISC, but a wave may follow 2-3 week after the initial COVID surge. We are beginning to see breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated patients. These fully vaccinated patients, however, tend to have mild symptoms and are generally not requiring hospital level of care. The vaccines still appear effective, but effectiveness may decrease if the virus continues to spread and mutate. I would encourage anyone who is unvaccinated to get vaccinated ASAP. The vaccine is free and readily available. The vaccine is safe and effective. We may not know that long term effects of the vaccine, but the benefit clearly outweighs any risk. We know the long-term side effects of COVID and know that anyone can be at risk for severe illness. If you are vaccinated, I would encourage continued mask wearing when out in the community. A simple mask, while otherwise enjoying normal day to day activities, should help to keep you and your family safe. The vaccine is available at our primary care clinics in Grandview, Prosser, and Benton City. Please call to schedule an appointment. Clinic locations, phone numbers, and community partner information is on our website at prosserhealth.org. For questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine, please email [email protected]. – Sincerely, Dr. Robert J. Wenger
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3 Rivers Community Foundation (3RCF) focuses its effort each year on an annual grant cycle, offering a funding opportunity to 501c3 nonprofit organizations across Benton and Franklin Counties. The application is now available at www.3rcf.org under “Nonprofits.” For the 2021 cycle, 3RCF estimates at least $160,000 in funding will be available. The application deadline is Friday, September 17th at 5pm.
“In addition to typical funding needs, our nonprofit community is still feeling the impacts of the pandemic, in many different ways,” says Abbey Cameron, Executive Director of 3RCF. “Some organizations are still seeing a spike in demand for their services or are having to adapt their programs to COVID restrictions, all of which comes with increased cost. Still others have been hindered by having to cancel or restructure their fundraising efforts. 3RCF purposefully offers a broad call for applications to try to put dollars where they are needed.” The funding for this grant program comes from a percentage of 3RCF’s $7M endowment in addition to direct donations. Donors may direct their dollars to be unrestricted which means they will go to the areas of greatest need, or to specific causes they are passionate about, such as food scarcity or housing. The 3RCF board reviews, evaluates, and interviews applicants to makes sure dollars will be effectively used to support our community. In 2020, just over $142,000 was distributed, in addition to 3RCF’s substantial COVID response efforts. Donations to the 3RCF Annual Grant Fund received by the end of September will be included in this grant cycle. To support this fund, visit www.3rcf.org and click “Make a Donation.” Benton PUD has extended their customer assistance program through the end of the year. Qualified past due residential and small business customers may receive a bill credit up to $200 and payment matching.
Governor Inslee has issued a final extension of the utility disconnect moratorium, which will now expire on September 30, 2021. While good intentioned, the Governor’s moratorium has resulted in many customers accumulating significant past due balances and a future financial burden. As a not for profit, locally controlled business, Benton PUD exists to meet the needs of our customers which we have proudly been doing for 75 years. In response to the financial hardships resulting from COVID-19, we offered the Customer Assistance Program beginning in May and are now extending the program through the end of the year. For qualifying customers, this is an opportunity to reduce or eliminate past due balances. As previously announced, the Port of Benton has received $600,854 through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to make improvements and construct additional hanger sites at Prosser Airport (George O. Beardsley Field).
The primary entrance gate to the Prosser Airport will be closed beginning on Monday, August 2, 2021 and will remain closed until at least August 27, 2021. During this time, the main entrance shall be closed to all general traffic and admittance at this gate will be reserved for construction traffic only. To provide ample access for pilots, lessees, and other users alternate gates will be manually opened as a detour, which will require visitors and tenants to carefully navigate active tie-down and aircraft parking areas. Authorized airport visitors and tenants should exercise extreme caution and observe a low-rate of speed while navigating these construction detours. All vehicles shall heed the right-of-way to aircraft when navigating shared transitory areas, and come to a safe and complete stop when encountering aircraft under power. Trios Health is pleased to announce that its $10 sports physical clinic is back on Aug. 14 from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Trios Care Center at Vista Field, located at 521 N. Young St.
The 23rd annual Trios Sports Physical Clinic will allow any middle or high school student participating in school sports the opportunity to receive their sports physical at a low cost, without the need for insurance. All proceeds from the clinic will also be donated back by Trios Health to students’ respective school sports programs to purchase athletic safety equipment. “We are very grateful to be able to conduct this sports physical clinic every year for our community and to have the opportunity to give back to our local schools through this program,” said Lorie Orozco, Trios Medical Group Director. “It is important to us to be able to provide affordability and access to this service for our community. We are also grateful to our physicians, nurses and other employees who volunteer their time to make this event happen every year.” The physicals, for all middle and high school students, will be completed by Trios medical residents and providers, and students may bring their completed physical form to the clinic or access a generic sports physical form online at TriosHealth.org/Sports-Physicals. Trios Health has also been offering $10 sports physicals this summer at the Trios Urgent Care and will continue to offer the physicals at this rate through Aug. 13. The Urgent Care is located at 7201 W. Grandridge Blvd. and is open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sid Morrison was recognized by Energy Northwest yesterday (July 27, 2021) for his lifelong record of public service to the citizens of Central Washington and his dedication to public power in the region. The Executive Board of Energy Northwest named a building in Morrison’s honor, now to be called the Morrison Energy Center.
Located on the campus of Energy Northwest in Richland, the Morrison Energy Center will be the hub for advanced nuclear reactor development in the United States, as well as Energy Northwest’s projects and services that power the clean air energy future of the Northwest. Morrison has served on the Energy Northwest Executive Board for 20 years, and has been the chair of the Executive board since 2006. This honor comes at his retirement from that board. “It’s a real honor to be recognized by Energy Northwest,” Morrison said. “To be involved in the growth in clean, renewable energy has been very rewarding and to see all the possibilities for our future is very exciting.” Energy Northwest is a Joint Action Agency of the State of Washington, created to do the building and operating of energy facilities for public power that is 100% carbon free utilizing nuclear, wind, solar and hydro. A former United States Representative for Washington’s 4th Congressional District from 1980 to 1992, Morrison has also served as a Washington State Senator (1976-80), a Washington State Representative (1967-74) and was Secretary of Transportation for Washington State from 1993 to 2001. Morrison, a retired Zillah orchardist, has served on a number of other boards with distinction, including on the Central Washington University Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2015. He also served for 23 years on the board of the Central Washington Fair Association, and was a board member of the Tri Cities Local Business Association, as well as Federal Builders and Constructors Inc. He continues to serve on the board as chairman of the Yakima Basin Storage Alliance. He has also served the local fruit industry as a member of the Washington Apple Commission, Peach Council, Cherry Institute, the Farm Bureau and others. Energy Northwest’s Executive Board today named Robert (Bob) Schuetz as the agency’s CEO, effective Aug. 7. Schuetz has been the site vice president since August 2018. “I am incredibly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead this talented organization,” Schuetz told the board today. “We have an amazing team that I’m proud of; and with their talent, our current carbon-free portfolio and strategic initiatives, I am excited for the bright future we have helping the Pacific Northwest meet its clean energy goals.” Schuetz joined EN in 2013. He was promoted to plant general manager for Columbia Generating Station in 2014 and became site vice president in 2018. Before joining EN, he served as a plant evaluation team leader for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), concluding his INPO tenure on a reverse-loan assignment to EN. Schuetz is a 28-year U.S. Navy veteran who retired from service as the deputy commander and chief of staff for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, where he oversaw more than 7,000 service members operating 36 ships from four bases. “Bob’s diverse leadership experience, combined with his nuclear background and time with Energy Northwest, provide continuity for the agency and a formula for continued success,” said Will Purser, executive board acting chair. “His talent and relentless pursuit of excellence contributed to earning the agency recognition as a top performing nuclear plant. His contributions have helped grow our carbon-free energy portfolio and paved the way for our leadership with advanced reactors.” As CEO, Schuetz will lead an organization of more than 1,000 employees who help power the region and he will provide oversight of the agency’s mix of carbon-free resources, including hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, wind and battery storage facilities. Schuetz holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University and a master’s in economics from the University of Oklahoma, as well as senior reactor operator management certificates from EN and Westinghouse. Hettel to continue as chief nuclear officer Grover Hettel will remain EN’s chief nuclear officer with responsibility for the overall performance of the Northwest’s only nuclear power plant, Columbia Generating Station, which provides approximately 10% of Washington’s electricity. “With Bob and Grover in our top leadership positions, we’re confident Energy Northwest will continue to provide the most reliable, cost-effective, carbon-free power and energy solutions to regional electric customers,” Purser said. During the last decade, EN’s Columbia Generating Station set numerous generation records and received industry recognition for performance. The agency has earned multiple safety awards, reduced costs and was named as a utility partner for two Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program awards. Retail
Arrowhead Travel Plaza – Every year, the staff at Arrowhead Travel Plaza take time to show special appreciation to their customers. This year, Arrowhead will reward loyal customers with points, prizes and discounts for a week from August 23 to 29. Arrowhead Rewards members will receive double points on all purchases throughout the celebration and special daily fuel discounts when they use their card. Customers can get a free hot dog, fountain drink and chips with a coupon from the Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) and while in the store, can sign up to win prizes like a Master Build Electric Smoker, Wildhorse Stay & Play package, Dometic power cooler, mountain bike, snowboard, and much more. Poker Great news for poker players! The poker room at Wildhorse Resort & Casino is scheduled to reopen on August 23. Put on your best poker face, bring your friends and play your favorite game, just like the old days (in 2019)! Featured games in the poker room are limit and no limit Hold ‘em and Omaha. Wildhorse Family FunPlex/Quaking Aspens Lanes All 24 lanes at Quaking Aspens Lanes are now open for use and weekend hours have been extended. Now, it’s easier than ever to reserve your spot on weekends. Whether it’s a date for two or a party of ten, you can get the lanes you want, when you want them. Every Monday through Thursday in August at Quaking Aspens Lanes, bowlers can take advantage of the Pins & Pizza package. The package includes 90 minutes of bowling and shoe rental for up to six people, a large 3-topping pizza and a pitcher of soda. Price for the entire package is $50 before 6pm and $55 after 6pm. This is a super deal! And remember to purchase an Arcade FunCard for the kids (and kids at heart)! To reserve lanes, go to wildhorseresort.com/resort/bowling or call 541-966-1690. Bowling center closing times are 10pm Sunday through Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday. Dining Plateau Fine Dining – Besides the outstanding wine and food, the best part about dining at Plateau at Wildhorse Resort & Casino is the beautiful view of the Blue Mountains and the best way to take it in is by dining on the patio. There’s always a comfortable breeze and evening shade to keep diners cool. Try out the favorite entrée of many returning customers, the Pendleton Whisky Steak – a tender New York strip steak with Pendleton Whisky demi-glace and shallot aioli. Open Wednesday through Sunday, dining hours are 4pm to close and reservations are required. To make your reservation, call 541-966-1610. Go to wildhorseresort.com to view or download Plateau’s menu. Traditions – Traditions mouth-watering Chef Experience family style dinners continue in August and they have garnered quite a following! Foodies love the ample portions and delicious entrees, sides and desserts included in the meal. Dinner themes are Thursday – Low Country Seafood Boil, Friday – Fish Fry, Saturday – Prime Rib, and Sunday – Down Home BBQ. These specialty dinners are available from 4pm to 9pm while supplies last. Guests can also order from the menu. Traditions is open for dine-in or takeout daily; breakfast, 7am-10:30am, dinner, 4pm-9pm. Lunch from the Traditions menu is currently served in the Sports Bar. Seating is limited. Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon – Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon is open at full capacity in August and continues to serve USDA Prime beef. That means every steak is the best quality! A recent 5-star review from Daniel said, “Always come to Hamley’s for dinner and drinks when we are in Pendleton. Love the atmosphere, food and drinks.” Mike’s 5-star review said, “Wonderful! Best meal of the trip! Bartender was amazing.” Dine in the historic surroundings of the restaurant or enjoy your meal outside in the lovely summer weather. Takeout is available. Go to Hamley.com and choose the Steakhouse option to order or view the menu. Current dining room hours are 5pm to 8pm, Tuesday through Saturday, with the Saloon opening at 4pm. Hamley Café – Hamley Café is open for indoor dining and takeout. Pick up your favorite breakfast burrito or pastry, then come back for a satisfying lunch. And remember to get a comforting coffee beverage to keep you going throughout the day. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 8am to 4pm. View the menu at hamley.com. Golf Golf Course at Birch Creek – The final session of Junior Golf Camp at the Golf Course at Birch Creek begins August 23 at 9am. This four-day session covers golf swing fundamentals, putting, chipping, sand shots, rules and etiquette. Kids will also get tips on nutrition and fitness. Instruction is by a PGA member and staff. At the end of the session, there’s a tournament and banquet to celebrate fun, friendly competition. Every Wednesday in August is Senior Day at the Golf Course at Birch Creek. Golfers 55 and over get a cart for $15 and pay only a $20 greens fee. Ever Monday in August is Military Monday at the Golf Course at Birch Creek. Active duty military and veterans get a cart for $15 and pay only a $20 greens fee. Every Monday through Thursday after 1pm, golfers can enjoy a special golf package that includes nine holes of golf, a cart, a burger and a brew for only $30 at the Golf Course at Birch Creek. What a fabulous way to spend an evening in August! Call 541-966-1655 for more information or go to birchcreekgolfcourse.com. Upcoming tournaments at the Golf Course at Birch Creek include the Oregon Golfers Association Junior Tournament, August 12 and Round 1 of the Pendleton Amateur, August 21. Wildhorse Golf Course – Ladies, you have one more chance to get into a summer golf clinic at Wildhorse Golf Course. The final session of the ever-popular Ladies Wednesday Night Golf Clinic begins August 18. The five-week session includes carts, refreshments, course challenges with prizes, free play, and a fabulous 19th-hole wine tasting experience. Bring a friend and enjoy this unique series of lessons and fun! The final session of Junior Golf Camp at Wildhorse Golf Course begins August 16 at 9am. This four-day session covers golf swing fundamentals, putting, chipping, sand shots, rules and etiquette. Kids will also get tips on nutrition and fitness. Instruction is by a PGA member and staff. At the end of the session, there’s a tournament and banquet to celebrate fun, friendly competition. Every Tuesday and Thursday in August is Senior Day at Wildhorse Golf Course. Golfers 55 and over get a cart for $15 and pay only a $25 greens fee. Ever Monday in August is Military Monday at Wildhorse Golf Course. Active duty military and veterans get a cart for $15 and pay only a $25 greens fee. Every Monday through Thursday after 1pm, golfers can enjoy a special golf package that includes nine holes of golf, a cart, a burger and a brew for only $35 at Wildhorse Golf Course. What a marvelous way to spend an evening in August! For more information go to wildhorseresort.com/resort/golf/ or call 541-276-5588. Upcoming tournaments at Wildhorse Golf Course include the Wildhorse Golf Club Championship, August 7-8, the Pacific NW Golf Association Master-40, August 9-13, and Round 2 of the Pendleton Amateur, August 22. Prosser Memorial Health is always working to provide more services in the communities we serve, and we are excited to welcome Licensed Mental Health Therapist Steve Peters to the Benton City Clinic. Steve received his MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Forensic Counseling Specialization from Walden University, and his BBS in Applied Psychology from Regent University. He is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Steve began his career at an inpatient state hospital in Oregon, eventually moving on to outpatient and school-based work. He made his way to the Tri-Cities in 2000 after taking a position as a mental health case manager. Steve enjoys living in our region because of all it has to offer and the relationships he has built. In his free time, he likes going on hikes, writing music, being creative and traveling. After 25 years as a therapist, Steve’s love for helping people continues to grow. His goal is to help others feel better, thrive, and become the best version of themselves. He is excited to be starting at Prosser Memorial Health’s Benton City Clinic and meet the needs of the community. His services include Individual Counseling and Therapy, Screenings, Group Facilitating, Crisis Intervention and more. The need for mental health services in has been growing in our communities. PMH strives to care for all your primary care needs, including your mental health. For more information about our mental health services or to schedule an appointment with Steve Peters, call 509.588.4075 or visit prosserhealth.org. As we gear up for the back to school season, HAPO, Starbucks, and Communities In Schools Benton Franklin are proud to continue their partnership to be #Allinforkids.
Last year, HAPO partnered with Communities In Schools Benton Franklin to host a Back To School Event where we were able (amidst a pandemic and wildfires) to distribute food, essential items, backpacks, and schools supplies to 250 children in need in our area. This year HAPO will be hosting the same event, which will also include a community resource fair for families to attend to learn about what resources are available to them. The community resource fair will include free haircuts, free sports physicals, and opportunities for local organizations to set up tables in one of the four categories: health, nutrition, and wellness, family resources, education/professional resources, and children’s resources. HAPO and Starbucks have also teamed up to accept donations to help provide school supplies, backpacks, and essential items. Donations will be matched up to $5,000 by HAPO and $5,000 from community partners including: Bechtel, Pivot Financial, Molina Healthcare, Total Care Clinics, Heather Rill Farmers Insurance, PEAK IT, and Homebridge Mortgage. Starting July 19th and running through August 19th, monetary donations can be made at any Tri-Cities HAPO location and any Tri-Cities or Prosser Starbucks location. If you are interested in making a donation or participating in our community resource fair at the Back To School Bash, please contact Meaghan Brooks at [email protected]. |
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July 2024
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