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Hey Tri Cities, hope your week’s off to a good start! Gold and silver surge, farm-to-bottle vodka wins big, a craft brew and bacon festival, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Community development gains momentum: Tri-Cities groups received $8.4 million from the state to expand affordable housing, supporting 56 new or rehabbed units. One local project captured a major share toward its total cost — get all the details.
Pioneering potato-based spirits: Pasco farmers James and Karis Alford launched Block One Distillery, producing farm-to-bottle vodka and earning Best of the Northwest. Road 100 tasting room will open later this year — see what’s planned next.
Bid to unlock federal investment: Rep. Stephanie Barnard of Pasco introduced the MATCHED bill to help Washington compete for innovation funds, modernize development, and coordinate Commerce support for grants focused on job creation and growth — see what’s in the bill.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New era for aquatics: Pasco will open the Memorial Pool Dome for year-round swimming on January 28 with a ribbon cutting. The $2 million project adds winter coverage to the outdoor pool, expanding swim lessons, school use, and community recreation for Tri Cities families. Get all the details.
Craving a clear head: Whether you’re sober-curious, on DD duty, or just dialing it back, Kindred Spirits stocks non-alcoholic, guilt-free beverages that taste great. Bring one to your next Tri-Cities hang, and your group chat (and tomorrow you) will thank you.
High-flying sanity saver: Max Air Tri-Cities packs wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball, a giant air bag/foam pit, and a kids zone for the littles, perfect when the couch can’t take another backflip. It turns screen time into jump time… sanity saved.
Brokers are accessing your data: I didn’t realize how much of my personal info was floating around online until I Googled myself and saw how many data broker sites I’m on. Deleting yourself manually is a pain — hundreds of brokers, constant opt-outs, and they often add your info again after it’s been removed. I use Incogni to fight back. It finds all the brokers that have your data, submits removal requests for you, and keeps checking so you never have to worry about popping up again.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🏊 Memorial Pool Dome Opening & Community Swim @ Memorial Aquatic Park | Wednesday (1/28) at 1:30 PM – Cold snaps call for warm laps, and Pasco just opened the Memorial Pool dome to make winter swimming a thing. Swing by for the ribbon cutting and a free community swim, then bask in the joy of saying you exercised, indoors, in January.
🧑 Fresh Ravioli Class @ Layered Cake Artistry | Wednesday (1/28) at 5:00 PM – Grab your apron and head to Layered Studio for a hands-on ravioli class with the Layered ladies. You’ll knead, fill, and seal like a pro, then brag about it for weeks. It’s carbs, conversation, and a glass-of-wine vibe, no culinary school attitude.
🐻 Mama Bear and Cubs Paint & Sip @ Magill’s Restaurant & Catering | Wednesday (1/28) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’re a stick-figure lifer or a closet Picasso, Magill’s has your back with a guided acrylic paint-and-sip to create Mama Bear and Cubs, supplies included. It’s family-friendly, color-flexible, and conveniently on half-off wine Wednesday, so your brushstrokes, patience, and budget all look better.
This weekend
📚 Bookfair Benefitting the DAR @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (1/31) at 10:00 AM – Barnes & Noble is hosting a bookfair for the Kennewick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, with storytimes and a friendly info table. Buy a book, call it charity, and enjoy that Founding Father glow, plus coffee makes you feel extra patriotic, somehow.
🌷 Valentine Planter @ Pibble Street Designs & Creative Craft Bar | Saturday (1/31) at 11:00 AM – Skip the prix fixe and paint a Valentine door hanger your way, then tuck in a real or faux succulent for a pop. Low-pressure class on a wood sign, and you leave with decor. Go solo or bring a craft buddy, $36, $61.20 for two.
👨 Father Daughter Ball @ HAPO Center | Sunday (2/1) at 1:00 PM – The Father Daughter Ball is waltzing in as a Sunday matinee for dads, grandpas, and father figures with daughters of all ages. Expect twirls, corsages, and a mercifully early bedtime, plus a safe, joyful space to make memories, build her confidence, and cement a tradition.
☕ Special Valentine’s Tea @ Victorian Connection | Sunday (2/1) at 1:00 PM – Think roses and candlelight are overrated? Trade the crowded prix fixe for the annual Valentine’s Tea, with proper loose-leaf pours, dainty treats, and actual conversation. Reserve a spot, bring a friend or your favorite human, and linger like you mean it.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Tri Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 38°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 4%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Cloudy, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 9%
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. South wind around 3 mph. Later: A chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
Panoramic views of Tri-Cities, the Columbia, and Blue Mountains frame this 5,028 sq ft two-story across from the Badger Mountain Trailhead. A portico entry opens to a view-soaked great room, covered patios, and a wraparound balcony. The gourmet kitchen brings a built-in fridge and freezer, a gas cooktop with pot filler, and ample prep space. Park and playground access sit just steps away.
Upstairs flex rooms with a covered deck create near two-home versatility. All four bedrooms are en suite, and the primary adds dedicated systems, dual toilets, a pass-through triple-head shower, and a hot tub patio. Hardwired ethernet, a cigar lounge, a 23×17 shop, and enclosed RV parking complete the setup.
Take a peek inside →
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