Good morning, Richland.

The American flag is back on the Blue Bridge this morning after nearly two weeks away due to mounting hardware issues—WSDOT said crews installed custom parts for a safe reinstallation.

Yesterday, Kennewick police arrested Heriberto Villaruel when SWAT officers responded after he barricaded himself in a residence on West Entiat Avenue while committing a felony order violation due to protected persons being present—he now faces charges including resisting arrest and obstructing a public servant and has two prior convictions.

Pasco Police arrested a driver for a hit-and-run on I-182 on May 21 at around 2 a.m. after he caused a two-car collision that flipped one car and fled before being found at 5:30 a.m. sleeping in a backyard—while a driver in the flipped car received minor injuries and westbound lanes were closed for two hours.

A welcome sight returned today when crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation reinstalled the large American flag atop the Blue Bridge in the Tri-Cities—using custom mounting hardware that arrived earlier this week after a nearly two-week absence.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a law that will require state residents to get a permit—by applying, paying a fee, and finishing safety training including live-fire shooting—before buying a gun, and the law will take effect in May 2027.

A study presented May 21 shows that new lung donation guidelines have lowered waitlist deaths from 11% to 4% by prioritizing patients' medical needs—this change benefited the sickest patients.

Researchers will further analyze the scoring system to determine which factors improve transplant outcomes—ongoing research may guide future adjustments.

Sip & Silent Reading Experience

2-4 p.m. — Barnard Griffin Winery — Free entry — Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with fellow book lovers while sipping wine and diving into your favorite reads.

Trivia Night at Barnard Griffin Winery

6-8 p.m. — Barnard Griffin Winery — Free entry — Test your trivia skills with friends while enjoying wine and food in a cozy atmosphere.

Hike Wine Dine at Kitzke Cellars

4-7 p.m. — Kitzke Cellars — $47 per person — Enjoy a delightful evening of hiking, wine tasting, and dining catered by Pacific Pasta and Grill.

Alumni Bowling Night

5-7 p.m. — Atomic Bowl — 2 FREE games and shoe rental — Enjoy a casual evening of bowling and reconnect with fellow alumni.

Spring Gala - Lights, Camera, IMPACT!

3-8 p.m. — At Michele's — Ticket pricing available online — Celebrate with a Hollywood-themed evening of dinner, auctions, and stories to support local seniors.

Abilities Uncorked

6-10 p.m. — J. Bookwalter Winery & Richland Tasting Room — Cost undisclosed — Experience a strolling dinner adventure with gourmet food and wines benefiting Columbia Ability Alliance.