Tri-Cities, Washington
57632
225974116
2008-07-16T07:51:41Z
Matt Yeager
281303
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 222584791 by [[Special:Contributions/72.87.13.96|72.87.13.96]] ([[User talk:72.87.13.96|talk]]) WTF, mate?
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Tri-Cities
|nickname = TC, Wine Country,
|website = [http://www.visittri-cites.com]
|subdivision_type = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[County (United States)|County]]
|subdivision_name = [[Washington]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Benton County, Washington|Benton]], [[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin]]
|population_as_of = April 1, 2007 (as estimated by the State of Washington)
|population_total = 168,650
|population_urban
|population_metro = 234,486
|timezone = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset = -8
|timezone_DST = PDT
|utc_offset_DST = -7
|elevation_ft = 550
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 99301, 99323, 99336, 99337, 99338, 99352, 99353, 99354|area_code = [[Area code 509]]
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1891
|footnotes =
}}
[[Image:P1150033.JPG|thumb|right|370px|Central [[Richland, Washington|Richland]] as seen from the Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve. The large building is the Federal Building and Federal Courthouse.]]
The '''Tri-Cities''' is an area of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington]] that is made up of three neighboring cities: [[Kennewick, Washington|Kennewick]], [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]], and [[Richland, Washington|Richland]], and is ranked as the 188th most populous [[List of United States metropolitan areas|metropolitan area]] of the U.S with over 230,000 people in the metro-area. The cities are located at the confluence of the [[Yakima River|Yakima]], [[Snake River|Snake]], and [[Columbia River|Columbia]] rivers in the semi-arid region of [[Eastern Washington|Southeastern Washington]]. A fourth neighboring city, [[West Richland, Washington|West Richland]], is generally included as part of the Tri-City area and region.
When viewed as a whole (a common practice due to the fact that all four cities border either each other, or one of the area rivers), the Tri-Cities is the fourth largest city in the state of Washington, behind [[Seattle]], [[Spokane]], and [[Tacoma]].
The [[Tri-Cities Airport, Washington|Tri-Cities Airport]] located in Pasco provides the region with commercial and private air service. Pasco is the seat of [[Franklin County, Washington|Franklin County]], while the other cities are located in [[Benton County, Washington|Benton County]].
==History==
===Founding===
Pasco was the first of the Tri-Cities to be incorporated, in 1891. Kennewick was incorporated in 1904, and Richland followed in 1910. West Richland was founded by dissatisfied residents of Richland, who wished to be home owners rather than renters of government-owned houses, after the arrival of [[Hanford Site|Hanford]]. Despite attempts by Richland to annex the community, they remained separate and eventually became incorporated in 1955.
[[Image:RichlandWaBadgerTrail-d.jpg|thumb|left|337px|Central Richland as seen from the Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve.]]
===Early history===
Pasco was the largest city in the Tri-Cities until the founding of Hanford, mostly due to its [[railroad]] station. It also had the most land for easy irrigation and [[farming]].
Farming was the basis of virtually every sector of the economy in the early years.
===1940s - 1970s===
After the founding of the Hanford Site in 1943, Richland became the largest city of the three overnight. [[Richland High School (Washington)|Richland High School]] adopted "Bombers" as its mascot (complete with mushroom cloud logo). In 1970, [[Kamiakin High School]] was founded in response to the continued influx of people. The economy continued to grow, but not without some turbulence. Every time the federal government cut funding at Hanford, thousands of talented, credentialed people would suddenly become jobless and quickly leave for other jobs. During this time, other employers slowly made their way into the area, but they too would often be forced to cut back jobs in the bad times. During the 1970s, Kennewick overtook Richland as the biggest city of the three and has not surrendered the title since. The [[Columbia Center Mall]] was built on land newly incorporated into Kennewick, drawing growth to western Kennewick and south Richland.
[[Image:RichlandWaEMSL.jpg|thumb|right|284px|The Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory at PNNL, a major national [[laboratory]] in Richland.]]
===1980s - present===
Completion of the [[Interstate 182 Bridge]] in 1984 made Pasco much more accessible, fueling the growth of that city.<ref> {{cite news |first=Joel |last=Connelly |title=We have to live with our transit decisions |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/244857_joel17.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |date=2005-10-17 |accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref> With the end of the Cold War, many in the area feared a shutdown of Hanford, followed by the Tri-Cities quickly becoming a [[ghost town]]. These fears were allayed after the [[United States Department of Energy]] switched the facility's purpose from the creation of nuclear weapons to the effective sealing and disposal of [[radioactive waste]]. During the 1990s, several major corporations entered the Tri-Cities, which helped to begin diversifying the [[economy]] apart from the Hanford sector. In 1995, a sixth public high school, [[Southridge High School (Kennewick)|Southridge High School]], was founded. The 2000s saw continued rapid growth as the Hanford site hired hundreds of workers to help with the cleanup effort. Additionally, the Tri-Cities saw a large influx of retirees from various areas of the Northwest. During this time, and the corresponding nationwide housing boom, all three cities flourished and grew significantly. Pasco became the fastest growing city in Washington State (in terms of both percent increase and number of new residents). In 2005, the [[Census Bureau]] reported that Pasco's population had surpassed Richland's for the first time since pre-Hanford days.
==Climate and geography==
[[Image:RichlandWaRattlesnakeYakima.jpg|thumb|right|320px|The view of [[Rattlesnake Mountain, Benton County, Washington|Rattlesnake Mountain]], a windswept treeless sub-alpine ridge 1,060 meters high, from the Horn Rapids Golf Course in Richland.]]
The Tri-Cities are in a [[semi-arid climate]]<ref>{{cite web
| title = Columbia Plateau Ecoregion: Biodiversity
| publisher = Washington Biodiversity Project
| url = http://www.biodiversity.wa.gov/ecoregions/columbia_plateau/columbia_plateau.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>, receiving an average of 7 to 8 inches (175 to 200 mm) of rain every year. Winds periodically exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) when [[Chinook wind]] conditions exist. There are 300 days of sunshine every year. Temperatures range from as low as 10 °F (-12 °C) in the winter to as high as 110 (43 °C) in the summer, and even reached 115 °F in July 2006. The region receives occasional [[snow]] most years. Due to the semi-arid climate and subsequent large amounts of sand, a perpetual annoyance to residents is the amount of dust blown about by the frequent winds. Thanks to the aforementioned rivers, a large amount of cheap [[irrigation]] is available.
Washington is the most northwest of the [[lower 48]] [[U.S. state|state]]s—subsequently, the area is in the [[Pacific Standard Time Zone]]. The Tri-Cities makes up the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern quadrant of Washington. The large [[Cascade Range|Cascade Mountain Range]] to the west contributes to the semi-arid climate, which is far drier than the famously wet [[Western Washington|western side]] of the state. See [[rain shadow]] for more information on this phenomenon. The region's climate results in a [[shrub-steppe]] ecosystem <ref>{{cite web
| title = Shrub Steppe Ecology
| publisher = Washington State University Tri-Cities
| url = http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/shrub_steppe/index.htm
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}} </ref> which has 18 endemic plant species <ref>{{cite web
| title = Columbia Plateau Ecoregion: Biodiversity
| publisher = Washington Biodiversity Project
| url = http://www.biodiversity.wa.gov/ecoregions/columbia_plateau/columbia_plateau.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>. Just west of Richland, the [[Arid Lands Ecology Reserve| Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve]] was established to study the unique plants and animals found in the local shrub steppe ecosystem. It is the largest tract of of shrub-steppe ecosystem remaining in the U.S. state of Washington <ref>{{cite web
| title = Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Fact Sheet
| publisher = U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hanford Reach National Monument
| date = August 2002
| url = http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach/documents/alefactsheet.pdf
| format = pdf
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>.
Some localities near the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington enjoy the warmest overall climate for anywhere in North America north of the 45th parallel.
==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
Current higher education opportunities in the Tri-Cities include:
*[[Washington State University Tri-Cities]], a four-year [[branch campus]] of [[Washington State University]] located in Richland (2000 students).
*[[Columbia Basin College]], a large two-year [[community college]] (6000 students). The main campus is located in Pasco while a branch campus and a large nursing school are located in Richland.
*[[Tri-Tech Skills Center]], a smaller [[vocational school]] run by the Kennewick School District and located in Kennewick. FM radio station, 88.1 The Alternative, is located at the Tri-Tech Skills Center.
In 2005, the State of Washington approved the transition of the existing [[Washington State University]] branch campus in Richland from a two-year to a four-year campus. In the fall of 2007 the campus admitted its first undergraduate students. Offering a wide range of programs, the campus focuses heavily on [[biotechnology]], [[computer science]], and [[engineering]], due to the nearby [[Pacific Northwest National Laboratory]] and [[Hanford site]]. The university is starting to develop a significant amount of quality teachers for the area and a fairly broad range of majors are offered including [[English studies|English]], [[history]], and many [[liberal sciences]].
Columbia Basin College also offers higher education opportunities for residents of the Tri-Cities, as well as the [[Columbia Basin]] from {{cy|Mattawa|Washington}} (50 miles away) to {{ci|Umatilla|Oregon}} (30 miles away).
===Secondary schools===
Each city provides its own schooling services through their respective school districts—[[Kennewick School District|Kennewick]]'s, [[Pasco School District|Pasco]]'s, and [[Richland School District (Washington)|Richland]]'s. There are seven public high schools in the area (and few private school options): [[Kennewick High School]], [[Kamiakin High School]], and [[Southridge High School (Washington)|Southridge High School]] in Kennewick; Richland High School, [[River's Edge High School]], and [[Hanford High School]] in Richland; and [[Pasco High School]] in Pasco. An eighth high school, [[Chiawana High School]], will open in Pasco in fall 2009, due to the recent rapid growth of the city of Pasco.
==Industry==
===Agriculture===
The Tri-Cities economy has historically been based on farming and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. From Pasco's [[incorporation (municipal government)|incorporation]] in 1891 on, the Tri-Cities have had a large degree of farming thanks to the excellent soil. Irrigation is made easy by the three nearby rivers. [[Wheat]] is the most commonly grown product; however, large amounts of [[apple]]s, [[maize|corn]], and [[grape]]s are also grown, along with [[potato]]es and other products.
===Hanford===
Since the 1940s, the Hanford site has been the area's number one employer. The [[United States government]] built a top-secret facility to produce and separate plutonium for [[nuclear weapon]]s, and decided on an area just north of then-tiny Richland. The government built temporary quarters for the more than 45,000 workers and built permanent homes and infrastructure for other personnel in Richland. The city had an overnight population explosion, yet virtually no one knew what the purpose of Hanford was until the destruction of [[Nagasaki, Nagasaki|Nagasaki]] on [[August 9]], [[1945]] by an atomic weapon containing Hanford-produced plutonium. After the attack on Nagasaki, Japan immediately surrendered, ending [[World War II]]. After the war, however, Hanford continued work on creating material for nuclear weapons. This work was vital for national security in the years following—known as the [[Cold War]]. After the fall of the [[USSR]] in 1991, Hanford's mission changed from plutonium production to environmental cleanup and restoration<ref>{{cite web
| title = Richland Operations Office Cleanup Progress
| publisher = United States Department of Energy
| url = http://www.hanford.gov/rl/?page=44&parent=0
| accessdate = 2008-7-10}}</ref>.
===Wine===
Recent years have seen the region's booming [[wine]] industry (second in size only to California's [[Napa Valley AVA|Napa Valley]]) create jobs as well as tourism, though the Tri-Cities has not yet capitalized on this in the same way that neighboring cities [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]], [[Prosser, Washington|Prosser]], and [[Yakima, Washington|Yakima]] have.
===Slurpee Capital of the United States===
Kennewick's only 7-11 store boasts 12 slurpee flavors (soon to be 18) and sells the highest volume of slurpees in the nation.
===Misc===
Other major corporations that have facilities in (or are based in) the Tri-Cities include:
*[[Amazon.com]]
*Apollo
*[[Areva]]
*[[Battelle Memorial Institute]] (operates Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the [[U.S. Department of Energy]] Office of Science)
*[[ConAgra Foods]]
*[[Fluor]]
*[[Lampson]]
*[[Lockheed Martin]]
*[[Reser's Fine Foods]]
*[[Sony]]
*[[Twin City Foods]]
*[[Tyson Foods]]
==Infrastructure==
===Health systems===
Hospitals
*Kadlec Medical Center (Richland)
*[[Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital|Lourdes Medical Center]] (Downtown Pasco, Richland, West Pasco)
*Kennewick General Hospital (Downtown Kennewick and West Kennewick)
===Libraries===
*Kennewick Mid-Columbia Library (Kennewick)
*Richland Public Library (Richland)
*Pasco Mid-Columbia Library (Downtown Pasco)
*Consolidated Information Center (North Richland)
*Downtown Kennwick Mid-Columbia Library (Downtown Kennewick)
*Columbia Basin College Library (Pasco)
*Columbia Basin Regional Medical Library (Richland)
*Benton Franklin County Law Library (Pasco)
===Transportation===
====Airports====
*[[Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)|Tri-Cities Airport]] in Pasco. {{Airport codes|PSC|KPSC}}
*[[Richland Airport (Washington)|Richland Airport]] (General Aviation) in Richland. {{Airport codes|RLD|KRLD}}
*[[Vista Field]] (General Aviation) in Kennewick. {{Airport codes|S98}}
====Interstates and major highways====
*[[Interstate 82 (Washington)|Interstate 82]] runs along the southern edge of Kennewick.
*[[Interstate 182 (Washington)|Interstate 182]] follows the Yakima River through Richland, crosses the Columbia River on the [[Interstate 182 Bridge]], and continues through Pasco to its terminus with [[U.S. Route 395 (Washington)|U.S. Route 395]]
*[[US 395 (WA)|US 395]] runs south through Pasco, crosses the Columbia River on the [[Blue Bridge (Washington)|Blue Bridge]] and continues through Kennewick where it joins Interstate 82
*[[SR 397 (WA)|SR 397]] runs from [[Finley, Washington|Finley]] up to Pasco, crossing the Columbia River through the [[Cable Bridge]]
*[[US 12 (WA)|US 12]] is cosigned with Interstate 182 through the Tri-Cities and continues past [[U.S. Route 395 (Washington)|U.S. Route 395]] across the Snake River towards [[Burbank, Washington|Burbank]], Walla Walla, and [[Lewiston, Idaho]].
*[[SR 240 (WA)|SR 240]] runs through Kennewick and Richland, around the [[Hanford Nuclear Reservation]] then north to [[Interstate 90 (Washington)|Interstate 90]] at [[Vantage, Washington|Vantage]]. It has a major junction with [[Washington State Route 24|SR 24]], which leads west to Yakima, Washington.
====Local transit====
*[http://www.bft.org/ The Ben Franklin Transit] provides public [[bus]] service throughout the Tri-Cities.
====Passenger rail====
*[[Amtrak]] provides connection to the daily [[Empire Builder]] serving [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] and [[Chicago]].
===Utilities===
*Benton County P.U.D.
*Franklin County P.U.D.
*City of Richland
*City of Pasco
*City of Kennewick
*City of West Richland
*[[Charter Communications]]
*[[Qwest]]
*[[Verizon]]
==Recreation and leisure==
The Columbia River provides much of the Tri-Cities' recreational opportunities as do the Snake and Yakima rivers. All three cities offer a number of free boat launch sites, and the size of the river itself creates ample space for [[fishing]], [[surface water sports]], and [[sailing]].
===Wineries===
Amid the booming and increasing popular regional wine scene, many [[winery|wineries]] are located within or near the Tri-Cities, offering tours and tasting. These wineries are within the [[Columbia Valley]] [[American Viticultural Area]]. The highly acclaimed [[Red Mountain, Washington|Red Mountain]] appellation is in the nearby [[Yakima Valley]] AVA. Several restaurants boasting the region's top wines have opened in recent years, highlighting the variety and quality available.
====Tri-Cities wine tasting rooms====
*[http://www.badgermtnvineyard.com Badger Mountain (organic) Vineyard], Kennewick
*[http://www.barnardgriffin.com Barnard Griffin Winery], Richland
*[http://www.bookwalterwines.com Bookwalter Winery], Richland
*[http://www.gooseridge.com Goose Ridge Vineyards], Richland
*[http://www.gordonwines.com Gordon Brothers Cellars], Pasco
*[http://www.kamiakwines.com Kamiak Vineyards], Pasco
*[http://www.badgermtnvineyard.com Powers Winery], Kennewick
*[http://www.prestonwines.com Preston Premium Wines], Pasco
*[http://www.tagariswines.com Tagaris Winery and Taverna], Richland
*[http://www.robustcoffeeandwine.com Robust Coffeehouse & Wine Bar], Kennewick
===Walking, biking, hiking===
====Sacagawea Heritage Trail====
Situated along the Columbia River shoreline, the [[Sacagawea Heritage Trail]] is a {{convert|23|mi|km|sing=on}} recreational and educational trail that travels through parks, golf course communities, wetlands, historic neighborhoods, and across beautiful bridges <ref>{{cite web
| last = O'Neal
| first = Sally
| title = On The Trail Of Sacagawea: Part 1
| publisher = The Sportsman's Guide
| url = http://www.sportsmansguide.com/article/article_read.asp?aid=160968&sid=74&htl=%2Fcolumn%2Fcolumn_feature.asp%3Fsid%3D74
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}} </ref>.
====Badger Mountain====
Badger Mountain dominates the Tri-Cities skyline, rising 800 feet above ground level<ref>{{cite web
| title = Pictures of Badger
| publisher = Friends of Badger Mountain
| url = http://www.friendsofbadger.org/pictures.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}} </ref>. It has been designated as [[Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve]], a 574-acre natural preserve <ref> {{cite web
| title = Trailhead Park
| publisher = City of Richland
| url = http://www.ci.richland.wa.us/RICHLAND/Parks/index.cfm?pagenum=107
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}} </ref> containing 3.5 miles of designated trails <ref>
{{cite web
| title = Access and Trails
| publisher = Friends of Badger Mountain
| url = http://www.friendsofbadger.org/access.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}
</ref>. It is common to see jack rabbits, coyotes, rattlesnakes, ring-necked pheasants, and deer on the mountain.
====Yakima River Delta====
Located in South Richland, the Yakima River Delta is full of walking trails thorugh wetlands and forests. It is fairly common to see blue herons, deer, various ducks and other waterfowl, coyotes, otters, beaver, jack rabbits, and bull frogs and other amphibians in the Delta.
===Golf===
The Tri-Cities also boasts several quality [[golf course]]s can be played almost year-round due to the relatively mild climate. Area golf courses include:
*West Richland Golf Course
*Canyon Lakes
*Meadow Springs Country Club
*Columbia Park
*Columbia Point
*Horn Rapids
*Tri-City Country Club
*Buckskin
*Pasco Golf Land
*The Golf Club
===Museums, interpretive centers, and tours===
There are many fun and educational museums and tours besides wine tours, in the area. There are many local museums that chronicle area history from Native Americans to Hanford to Wineries. They include:
*Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and Technology
*East Benton County Historical Museum
*Benton County Historical Museum
*Franklin County Historical Museum
*[[LIGO Hanford Observatory]]
*Sacajawea Interpretive Center
*Three Rivers Children Museum
*Washington State Historical Museum
Within one hour driving distance are the following:
*[[Whitman Mission National Historic Site]]
*[[Maryhill Museum of Art]]
*Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
*[[Fort Walla Walla]] Museum
*[[Kirkman House Museum]]
*[[Carnegie Art Center]]
Sightseeing tours include:
*Columbia River Journeys
*Tri-City River Cruises
*Red Mountain Country Carriages
===Theater and Performing Arts===
The Tri-Cities is growing as a community of perfroming arts, the following is a list of notables.
*Mid-Columbia Symphony
*Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities
*Academy of Children's Theater
*Battelle Film Club
*Camerata Musica
*Mid-Columbia Regional Ballet
*Ballet Arts
*Diamond Ridge Cloggers
===Hunting and fishing===
With the area's three large rivers and many lakes and ponds, fishing is very popular in the Tri-Cities for anglers of every age and experience level. There is also an annual national bass fishing tournament that is hosted every year on the Columbia River. It has been featured on [[ESPN]].
The Tri-Cities is surrounded by an abundance of public and private hunting lands ranging from waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, and big game (including bear, deer, elk, and cougar). The largest and most popular public lands being Big Flats [[Habitat Management Unit|HMU]] (upland birds and deer), Three Rivers HMU (upland birds, waterfowl), and the Wallula HMU (waterfowl, deer, and upland birds).
===Shopping and dining===
Shopping and dining opportunities in the Tri-Cities have expanded in recent years; though the increase has primarily centered around Kennewick's Columbia Center Mall and Pasco's Road 68, there has also been a recent boom of commercial businesses in other parts of the Tri-Cities.
The area has now become a large shopping destination for not only the three cities themselves, but also for the many smaller communities and towns located in the region ranging from [[Yakima]] to [[Umatilla, Oregon]] to [[Walla Walla]]. The Tri-Cities now provides the largest concentration of retail and shopping offerings within a {{convert|140|mi|km|sing=on}} radius.
The two main shopping complexes are Kennewick's [[Columbia Center Mall]], a more traditional, large-scale mall and Richland's Uptown Shopping Center, a 1950's style outdoor-style mall. The Columbia Center Mall is a modern mall with trendy stores such as [[Abercrombie and Fitch]] and [[Hot Topic]] as well as a large food court and an 8-plex movie theater. It is anchored by [[Macy's]], [[JC Penney]], [[Sears]], and [[Barnes & Noble]]. The mall also has restaurants such as [[P.F. Chang's]], [[Olive Garden]], [[Tony Roma's]], [[Red Lobster]], [[Red Robin]], [[Famous Dave's BBQ]], [[Dairy Queen]], [[Arby's]], [[Shari's]], [[Old Country Buffet]], [[Sonic Drive-in]], and [[Sbarro Pizza]] on or near its property.
The Uptown Shopping Center (commonly known as "the Uptown") has many locally owned shops and many local favorite bars that are extremely busy every weekend. Popular stores include the [[Spudnut Shop]], [[Neilsen's Video Games]], and [[Adventures Underground]].
The third mall in the Tri-Cities is the Broadmoor Outlet Mall in West Pasco, but due to its lack of popular stores and its location have kept this mall fairly empty of customers and stores. Its most popular stores include The Paper Factory and Van Heusen.
Newer and developing shopping areas include Road 68 in West Pasco, 27th Avenue in Kennewick, Queensgate in West Richland, and Meadow Springs in South Richland.
===Nightlife===
The area has many popular bars, several dance clubs, music venues, and casinos.
===Professional sports===
====Tri-Cities Fever====
The [[Tri-Cities Fever]] is an arena football team of the [[af2]] that plays in the Three Rivers [[Toyota Center (WA)|Toyota Center]].
====Tri-City Dust Devils====
The [[Tri-City Dust Devils]], an affiliate of the [[Colorado Rockies]] in the short-season class A [[Northwest League]] baseball. The Dust Devils play in Pasco at [[GESA Stadium]].
====Tri-City Americans====
The [[Tri-City Americans]] of the [[Western Hockey League]] bring top level junior hockey to the region. The Tri-City Americans have a huge fan base in the Tri-Cities and play in the Three Rivers [[Toyota Center (WA)|Toyota Center]].
====Former Tri-Cities Area Professional Sports Teams====
*Tri-City Chinook ([[Continental Basketball Association]] Basketball 1991-1995<ref>{{cite web
| last = Bradley
| first = Robert
| coauthors = Chris Anderson, Mark Astolfi, Robert Bradley, Marc Foster, John Grasso and John Z. Smith
| title = History of the Continental Basketball Association
| publisher = The Association for Professional Basketball Research
| url = http://www.apbr.org/cba7801.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>)
*Tri-Cities Braves ([[Western International League| Western International]] and [[Northwest League]] Baseball 1950-60, 1962)
*Tri-Cities Angels (Northwest League Baseball 1961, 1963-64)
*Tri-Cities Atoms (Northwest League Baseball 1965-68)
*Tri-Cities A's (Northwest League Baseball 1969)
*Tri-Cities Padres (Northwest League Baseball 1970-72)
*Tri-Cities Triplets (Northwest League Baseball 1973)
*Tri-Cities Ports (Northwest League Baseball 1974)
*Tri-Cities Triplets (Northwest League Baseball 1983-1986)
*[[Tri-City Posse]] ([[Western Baseball League]] Baseball 1995-2000)
===Parks===
There is an abundance of parks in all three cities as well as the surrounding cities. The biggest parks are located along the Columbia River and have well maintained docks and boat launches, while many smaller parks lie inside the cities.
<!--MAJOR PARKS ONLY.
THAT MEANS:
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====Kennewick====
*'''Columbia Park''' is located along the Columbia River between Columbia Center Blvd. and the Blue Bridge. The park hosts the hydroplane races, the area's largest independence day fireworks show, and many other various event. It contains a golf course, campground, frisbee golf, marina, fishing pond, duck pond, stage, multiple docks, boat racing pits, tennis courts, mulitple boat launches, two restaurants, aquatic center, mulitple playgrounds, skate park, nature trails, playground of dreams, picnic areas, and a walking trail. The park is the future site of a small amusement park, hotel, a third restaurant, and amplitheater. Columbia Park is also partly in Richland.
*'''Keewaydin Park''' boasts a downtown location, museum, library, softball fields, baseball field, swimming pool, skate park, community center, playground, aquatic center.
*'''Lawrence Scott Park''' contains softball fields, playground, tennis courts, roller hockey court, and picnic areas.
====Pasco====
*'''Chiawana Park''' is across the river from Columbia park and is a popular spot for watching the hydroplane races. It contains a playground, boat launch, dock, picnic areas, walking trail, and marina.
====Richland====
*'''Howard Amon Park''' is one of the most popular parks in the area. It is the site for various activities from boat races to car shows to art shows. It contains multiple docks, boat launch, stage, swimming pool, museum, art gallery, playground, community center, tennis courts, picnic areas, walking trail.
*'''Columbia Point Park''' is an affluent area of Richland and is surrounded by high price condos and a golf course. It contains a marina, hotel, restaurant, boat launch, dock, playground, picnic areas, hiking trails, and walking trail.
*'''Leslie Groves Park''' is hidden in North Richland along the Columbia River. It boasts a boat launch, beach vollyball, dock, playground, picnic areas, walking trail, and sports fields.
====West Richland====
*'''Flat Top Park''' is the location for the annual Hogs 'n' Dogs which is part of the Cool Desert Nights car show. The park has a playground and picnic areas.
==Events==
The Tri-Cities has many diverse events throughout the year ranging from sports events to car shows to art shows. The area also has many facilities to host these events. They include:
* Three Rivers Toyota Center (Kennewick)
* TRAC (Pasco)
* [[Three Rivers Convention Center]] (Kennewick)
* GESA Stadium (Pasco)
* Benton-Franklin County Fairgrounds (Kennewick)
* Lampson Stadium (Kennewick)
* Gjerde Center at [[Columbia Basin College]] (Pasco)
* Columbia Park (Kennewick and Richland)
* Howard Amon Park (Richland)
===Benton-Franklin County Fair===
The Benton-Franklin County Fair is the area's largest event. The Fair includes a rodeo, carnival, parade, and concerts. It is usually held in the last week of August. There are annually over 100,000 visitors and it has attracted musicians such as [[Styx]], [[Chicago]], [[Smashmouth]], [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]], [[Diamond Rio]], [[Three Dog Night]], and [[Willy Nelson]].
===Tri-Cities Waterfollies===
The Tri-Cities Waterfollies is the most nationally visible event. The Waterfollies host the national circuit of [[American Boat Racing Association]] Unlimited [[Hydroplane]] races that attract tourists from all over the western part of the United States and Canada. The Waterfollies are usually held in Kennewick's [[Columbia Park]] in late July. The races are typically shown on ESPN. The festivities include an air show and several other activities.
===Cool Desert Nights===
Cool Desert Nights is an annual [[car show]] that is the largest of many car shows held in the Tri-Cities over the summer. CDN is held during the last week and weekend of June at Richland's retro [[Uptown Shopping Center]] and Jefferson Park. It is open to all makes and models as well as trucks and motorcycles but it usually consists of classic and muscle cars. There are cross-city cruises, strip cruises on George Washington Way (one of Richland's busiest street), show and shines, street dances, live music, contests, slow drags, and vendors. There are typically over 400 cars every year. The event is open and free to the public.
===Allied Arts Sidewalk Show===
The Allied Arts Sidewalk Show is traditionally held the same weekend as the waterfollies (late July) and is one of the Pacific Northwest's largets art shows. Hundreds of art vendors fill Richland's Howard Amon Park along the Columbia River. The Allied Arts Sidewalk Show is a relaxing alternative to the robust Waterfollies. The event is open and free to the public.
===IT Day Convention===
IT Day is the largest IT ([[Information Technology]]) convention in Eastern Washington. It features vendors from the computer industry, health technology, education technology, mobile phone industry, video game industry, various area laboratories, universities, and others. It is held in the Tri-Cities due to its foundations in science and technology (e.g. [[Hanford Nuclear Reservation]], [[Pacific Northwest National Laboratory]], the [[Fast Flux Test Facility]], [[Washington State University]], and [[Lockheed Martin]]). The convention is traditionally held in mid-May at the [[Three Rivers Convention Center]] in Kennewick. 2008's Convention featured guest speakers [[Adam Savage]] and [[Jamie Hyneman]] from Discovery Channel's [[Mythbusters]], over 50 vendors, and various lectures and presentations. The event is open and free to the public.
===Sausagefest===
The Sausagefest is held annually in mid-September at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland for over 30 years. It is the area's largest [[Oktoberfest]]-like celebration with live entertainment, a carnival, and various German foods and beer gardens. Although it is only a two-day event, it attracts tens of thousands of people every year. It's signature "parachute dining area" has been a Richland staple for years. The event is open and free to the public.
===RadCon===
RadCon is a [[science-fiction]] and [[fantasy]] convention at Pasco's Red Lion Hotel. This three-day, non-stop event has [[anime]] viewing, gaming, an art show, card gaming, LAN parties, [[cosplay]], raves and more. Region 5 summit of Starfleet International is also held during the event. It is traditionally held in February during President's Day weekend at Pasco's Red Lion Inn.
===Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire===
Traditionally held in mid to late June at Richland's Howard Amon Park, the Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire is a [[Renaissance Fair]] that features the Greenwood Gypsie Dancers and Gypsie Musicians, the Greenwood Company of Musicians, the English Country Dancers, the Renaissance Dancers and Singers, the Madrigal Singers, and other performances.
===Classy Chassis Car Show===
This annual car show takes place in downtown Kennewick in what is commonally called "The Parkade" (The most eastern par tof Kennewick Avenue). It typically draws nearly 200 cars and is the second largest car show in the metro area behind Cool Desert Nights. The event takes place in late spring. The event is open and free to the public.
===Safety Expo===
Currently held at the TRAC facility in late spring, this event gives people the chance to learn about area companies' approach to workplace and community safety. Local emergency services put on several demonstrations also. It annually attracts over 50,000 visitors. The event is open and free to the public.
===Classic Mustang and Car Show===
This car show is for Mustangs only and is put on by the Pacific Northwest Mustang Club and has been an annual event since 1980. It traditionally takes place on Memorial Day weekend in Howard Amon Park.
===Chalk Art Festival===
The Chalk Art Festival is held at Richland's Uptown Shopping Center and allows anyone, from children to professional artists, to make a sidewalk square into a piece of art. It is typically held in mid-June (usually a weekend before Cool Desert Nights Car Show).
===Holiday Events===
====First Night====
First Night is the Tri-Cities most popular New Years' event. Its family orientated events are a calmer alternative to events put on by local bars and night clubs. Many locals attend the event which changes locations every year.
====Irish Games====
Held around St. Patrick's Day by St. Patrick's School, the event hosts live entertainment, a kid’s zone, a beer garden, a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and food. It is held at TRAC in Pasco.
====Firework Shows====
The Tri-Cities plays host to three fireworks shows on Independence Day, two in Pasco (GESA Stadium and Edgar Brown Stadium) and one on the Columbia River between the I-182 Bridge and the Blue Bridge. All three can be seen from various hills surrounding the Tri-Cities.
====Christmas Lighted Boat Parade====
The Christmas Lighted Boat Parade is a parade of holiday themed boats that takes place in mid-December on the Columbia River stretching from Clover Island in Downtown Kennewick and Howard Amon Park in Richland. The event is open and free to the public.
==Culture and demographics==
===Religion===
Although the Tri-Cities is in the middle of the least religious part of the [[United States]], the [[Pacific Northwest]], it has a strong religious presence with nearly 200 churches in the area representing nearly every sect of [[Christianity]] and in languages ranging from English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Russian.
There is a sizeable [[LDS]] (Mormon) population in the area, with four large [[LDS Stake]]s in the Tri-Cities proper. The [[Columbia River Washington Temple]] is also located on Gage Boulevard in Richland.
There is an Islamic Center and a handful of synagogues. Eastern religions such as Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism are also represented in the area.
===Politics===
Although in a [[blue state]], the Tri-Cities (and most of Eastern Washington) is fairly conservative in its values and regularly votes [[Republican (US)|Republican]] in national elections; locally the Republicans are also dominant, although not quite as much.
Most areas in the Tri-Cities are right center, with the exception of North Richland and Downtown Pasco which tend to be more liberal.
===Landmarks===
====Cable Bridge====
The [[Cable Bridge]], formally known as the Ed Hendler Memorial Bridge (named after a former mayor of Pasco) is one of the most identifiable landmarks in Eastern Washington. It spans the Columbia River connecting East Kennewick and East Pasco. It is unofficially the most photograhed landmark in the area.
====B-Reactor====
[[B-Reactor]] is the world's first industrial-scale nuclear reactor <ref>{{cite web
| title = B Reactor Museum Association
| date = April 2008
| url = http://www.b-reactor.org/
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>. It is located on the [[Hanford Site]], a former nuclear production complex northwest of Richland.
====Blue Bridge====
The [[Blue Bridge (Washington)|Blue Bridge]] is less than a mile upstream from the Cable Bridge and is the second most notable bridge in the area.
====Moore Mansion====
Built in Pasco along the Columbia River in 1908, the mansion was abandoned after the suicide of one of the owner's children in an upper room of the house. The mansion was later converted into an extremely upscale restaurant. It was eventually burned down by its owners in attempted [[insurance fraud]] <ref>{{cite web
| last = O'Neal
| first = Sally
| title = On The Trail Of Sacagawea: Part 1
| publisher = The Sportsman's Guide
| url = http://www.sportsmansguide.com/article/article_read.asp?aid=160968&sid=74&htl=%2Fcolumn%2Fcolumn_feature.asp%3Fsid%3D74
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>. However, the mansion has since been reconstructed.
====Rattlesnake Mountain====
West of the Tri-Cities, Rattlesnake Mountain is the tallest peak in the area at 3527 ft (1060 m), and the highest "treeless" mountain in the United
States<ref>{{cite web
| title = Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Fact Sheet
| publisher = U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Hanford Reach National Monument
| date = August 2002
| url = http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach/documents/alefactsheet.pdf
| format = pdf
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>. Rattlesnake mountain and the neighboring Hanford Site is home to a large herd of elk, numbering approximately 670 head <ref>{{cite web
| title = Elk on the Monument
| publisher = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Pacific Region
| url = http://www.fws.gov/hanfordreach/elk.html
| accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>.
====Fingernail====
A soundstage in Richland's Howard Amon Park, its shape resembles a [[fingernail]]. It hosts many concerts throughout the spring and summer. It was salvaged from a rock quarry in the 1970s and relocated in the park
====Grain Elevator====
A historic [[grain elevator]] remains on Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick. It has not been in use for several years and development has proceeded around it. It is now serving as a cell phone tower.
===Demographics===
====Kennewick====
As of the census of 2000, there were 54,693 people, 20,786 households, and 14,176 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,384.9 people per square mile (920.9/km²). There were 22,043 housing units at an average density of 961.2/sq mi (371.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.93% White, 1.14% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 2.12% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 9.4% from other races, and 3.37% from two or more races. 15.55% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 20,786 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,213, and the median income for a family was $50,011. Males had a median income of $41,589 versus $26,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,152. About 9.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
====Pasco====
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,066 people, 9,619 households, and 7,262 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,141.9 people per square mile (440.9/km²). There were 10,341 housing units at an average density of 368.2/sq mi (142.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.76% White, 3.22% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 37.44% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 56.26% of the population.
There were 9,619 households out of which 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.30 and the average family size was 3.79.
In the city the population was spread out with 35.5% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,540, and the median income for a family was $37,342. Males had a median income of $29,016 versus $22,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,404. About 19.5% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.
====Richland====
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,708 people, 15,549 households, and 10,682 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,111.8 people per square mile (429.2/km²). There were 16,458 housing units at an average density of 472.7/sq mi (182.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.55% White, 1.37% African American, 0.76% Native American, 4.06% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.85% from other races, and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.72% of the population.
There were 15,549 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,092, and the median income for a family was $61,482. Males had a median income of $52,648 versus $30,472 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,494. About 5.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Richland ranks 83rd of 522 areas ranked in the state of Washington--the highest rank achieved in Benton County.
==Media==
{{Cleanup-section|date=May 2008}}
===Print media===
*[[Tri-City Herald]]
*[http://www.mid-columbian.com/ The Mid-Columbian]
*[http://lavozhispanicnews.com/ La Voz]
*[[Tri-City Citizen]]
*[http://tudecidesmedia.com/ Tu Decides]
===Television===
<!--NOTE: Please don't change channel numbers; we have to give their BROADCAST numbers, not the basically arbitrary ones that Charter Cable assigns. -->
*[[KWSU-TV|KTNW]] - 10 - ([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]])
*[[KFFX]] - 11 - ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]])
*[[KEPR]] - 19 - ([[CBS]])
*[[KNDU]] - 25 - ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]])
*[[KVEW]] - 42 - ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]])
*[[KCWK]] - 9 - ([[The CW]]) ''(ceased operations)''
*[[ISATP]] - cable 17 - ([[ION Television]]), formerly [[PAX Network]] and [[i (TV network)|i]]
===Radio AM===
*610AM KONA - Newstalk
*870AM KFLD - Newstalk
*960AM ESPN Radio
*1340AM KTCR - Newstalk
===Radio FM===
*106.5 - Eagle - Classic Rock
*105.3 - Mix - Adult Hits
*104.3 - KMBI (Spokane) - Moody Broadcasting
*102.7 - KORD - Country
*101.9 - KUJJ - Smooth Jazz
*99.1 - Power 99 - Top 40
*98.3 - The Key - Hits of the 80's, 90's, and Today
*97.1 - 97 Rock - Rock
*97.5 - Kool - Superhits of the 60's and 70's
*95.7 - KNLT - Bob FM - Classic Hits
*94.9 - The Wolf - Country
*93.3 - KRKL - KLove - Contemporary Christian Radio
*90.1 - KOLU - Christian Family Radio
*91.7 - KBLD - CSN Religious
*91.3 - KGTS - "Positive Life Radio" - Contemporary Christian
*89.1 - Northwest Public Radio - NPR - Classical Music
*89.7 - Northwest Public Radio - NPR - News and Talk
*88.7 - "The Effect" - Christian Rock
*88.1 - The Alternative (Student Run Radio)
==Controversies==
===Consolidation vs. staying "The Tri-Cities"===
Over the years, the four cities have had difficulty establishing and projecting an identity that would attract and sustain business, tourism, and growth beyond the Hanford-related business sector. Much of this stems from the fact that the three individual cities each have populations less than 75,000, and do not have much of a presence on their own. Additionally, the cities must compete independently to draw business, tourism, and establish an identity. In an effort to address this concern, there have been repeated efforts to consolidate all four cities into one united incorporated area. The idea driving this movement is that one larger city would create the presence needed to draw increased attention and focus to the region. As noted above, if the Tri-Cities were to consolidate into one city, it would become the fourth largest in the state, behind Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma. To date, motions to consolidate have repeatedly failed.
Residents of West Richland and newcomers to the area often suggest that the area rename itself, since there are obviously four cities in the Tri-Cities. This suggestion is usually shunned by residents of the other cities, for the simple reason that "Quad-Cities" doesn't sound as good (as well as the fact that West Richland has a much smaller presence compared to the three major cities). The name "Three Rivers" has recently come to be used more for the area (from the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers), yet is rarely mentioned beyond professional settings.
West Richland is particularly struggling with a regional identity: it had recently considered renaming itself "Red Mountain" in an attempt to distinguish itself from Richland, as well as considering consolidating with the city of Richland. Additionally, the western half of the city of Pasco (locally referred to as West Pasco) has considered secession, in order to distinguish itself from the older, poorer part of town to the East. These considerations provide further complications with respect to consolidation and the "Tri-Cities" name.
===Small town vs. big city===
One of the current debates in the Tri-City area is whether to try to maintain a small-town-feel or to embrace its growth and become a larger metropolitan area. One of the biggest parts of this debate is to allow the surrounding Horse Heaven Hills to be subdivided into residential areas or to leave them alone. Although many of the mid to older generations would like to maintain the hills natural beauty, housing is already starting to cover the hills.
==Cities in the metro area==
The Tri-Cities Metro Area boasts a population of over 230,000 people.
===10,000+ people===
*[[Kennewick, WA]] (62,520)
*[[Pasco, WA]] (50,210)
*[[Richland, WA]] (45,070)
*[[Hermiston, OR]] (15,030)
*[[West Richland, WA]] (10,850)
===1,000 - 9,999 people===
*[[Umatilla, OR]] (6,385)
*[[Finley, WA]] (5,770)
*[[Prosser, WA]] (4,838)
*[[West Pasco, WA]] (4,629)
*[[Highland, WA]] (3,388)
*[[Burbank, WA]] (3,303)
*[[Connell, WA]] (2,956)
*[[Boardman, OR]] (2,855)
*[[Benton City, WA]] (2,624)
*[[Mattawa, WA]] (2,609)
*[[Stanfield, OR]] (1,979)
*[[Irrigon, OR]] (1,702)
*[[Desert Aire, WA]] (1,124)
===999- people===
*[[Basin City, WA]] (968)
*[[Echo, OR]] (650)
*[[Mesa, WA]] (425)
*[[Kahlotus, WA]] (214)
*[[Wallula, WA]] (197)
==Famous residents==
*[[James (Jim) F. Albaugh]] - Executive Vice President, [[The Boeing Company]],
*[[Jeremy Bonderman]], [[Detroit Tigers]] [[pitcher]]
*[[Travis Buck]] - [[Oakland Athletics]] outfielder
*[[Rush Campbell]], dog breeder
*[[Orson Scott Card]] - Science fiction writer
*[[Gene Conley]] - Major League Basketball and Baseball player, RHS
*[[Larry Coryell]] - Jazz guitarist, RHS class of 1961
*[[Westley Allan Dodd]] - Serial killer and child molester, hanged January 5, 1993
*[[Jim Fitzpatrick (musician)|Jim Fitzpatrick]] - Rock/Blues guitarist, PHS Class of 1979
*[[James Wong Howe]], [[Academy Award]] winning [[cinematographer]].
*[[Michael Jackson (linebacker)|Michael Jackson]], [[Seattle Seahawks]] [[linebacker]]
*[[Bruce Kison]], [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] [[World Series]] [[pitcher]]
*[[Dina Washburn Kruger]] - [[Nobel Peace Prize]] participant 2007, member of the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]], director of the [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency| U.S. EPA]] climate change division, Hanford High class of 1980
*[[Damon Lusk]], [[NASCAR]] driver
*[[Ray Mansfield]], [[National Football League]] player, center, [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
*[[James Mattis|James N. Mattis]] - Lieutenant General, [[United States Marine Corps]]
*[[Nate Mendel]] - [[Foo Fighters]] bassist
*[[Shauna O'Brien]], actress/model
*[[Kevin T. O'Connor]], musician, [[Talkdemonic]]
*[[Chuck Palahniuk]], novelist - [[Fight Club]]
*[[Jason Repko]] - [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] outfielder
*[[Joseph Santos]], artist/painter
*[[Ron Silliman]], poet
*[[Hope Solo]] - [[United States women's national soccer team]] goalkeeper
*[[Danica Stewart (actress)|Danica Stewart]], Actress, ''Passions''
*[[Sharon Tate]] - Actress, victim of the [[Manson Family]] murders, Miss Richland, 1959
*[[Brian Urlacher]], [[Chicago Bears]] [[Pro Bowl]] [[linebacker]]
*[[Ray Washburn]], ex-[[Major League Baseball]] [[pitcher]].
*[[Kristine W]], (Weitz) singer/songwriter, former Miss Washington
==See also==
*[[Kennewick, Washington]]
*[[Pasco, Washington]]
*[[Richland, Washington]]
*[[West Richland, Washington]]
*[[Burbank, Washington]]
*[[Finley, Washington]]
*[[Benton County, Washington]]
*[[Franklin County, Washington]]
*[[List of cities in Washington]]
==References and footnotes==
<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.ci.kennewick.wa.us Kennewick web site]
*[http://www.ci.richland.wa.us Richland web site]
*[http://www.ci.pasco.wa.us Pasco web site]
*[http://www.ksd.org Kennewick School District web site]
*[http://www.rsd.edu Richland School District web site]
*[http://www.pasco.wednet.edu/psd2/index.php?pgid=3 Pasco School District web site]
*[http://www.pascochamber.org Pasco Chamber of Commerce site]
*[http://www.visittri-cities.com Tri-Cities Visitors and Convention Bureau web site]
*[http://www.portofpasco.org Tri-Cities Airport web site]
*[http://www.tricity.wsu.edu WSU Tri-Cities web site]
*[http://www.hanford.gov Hanford web site]
*[http://www.pnl.gov/ Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) web site]
*[http://www.tridec.org/ Tri-City Development Council]
{{Washington}}
[[Category:Columbia River]]
[[Category:Tri-Cities, Washington| ]]
[[ca:Tri-Cities]]
[[es:Tri-Cities (Washington)]]
[[fr:Tri-Cities (Washington)]]
[[pl:Tri-Cities (Waszyngton)]]