Toppenish, WA Education and More

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Sunnyside schools secured due to unknown person near campus

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. – Two schools in Sunnyside were temporarily secured in the morning of November 5 after an unknown person was spotted near the campuses.

Sunnyside, WA · 21h

Reasoncom

Accusing University Lecturer Who Called Police of "Blatant Racial Profiling" Leads to $37,500 Defamation Verdict

You can see the verdict form, from Thursday, here. The jury had asked whether they could suggest additional remedies besides the money: But the court referred the jury to Instruction No. 10, which focused solely on monetary damages. The backstory, from the opinion this April Judge Rebecca Pennell (E.D. Wash.) in Riera v. Central Wash.…

Ellensburg, WA · 3d

Apple Valley News Now

Kamiakin volleyball wins sixth straight Mid-Columbia Conference Title

The Brief

Kennewick, WA · 3d

Tri-City Herald

Kennewick to ask voters for $107M to rebuild 2 aging middle schools

Kennewick will replace two of its oldest middle schools, and upgrade old infrastructure and facilities across the district, if voters approve a $107 million bond measure set for the Feb. 9 special election ballot. The Kennewick School Board voted unanimously, 4-0, Wednesday night to submit the ballot resolution that will come before voters. Board member Brittany Gledhill was absent from the meeting. The funding would capture $61 million in expiring state match dollars, and allow the district to rebuild both Horse Heaven Hills Middle School and Highlands Middle School at half the burden to local taxpayers. Virtually every building in Kennewick School District would benefit from the bond’s passage, said assistant superintendent of operations Thomas Brillhart. The long-term borrowing would improve student health and safety, restrooms, technology, career and technical education, aging playgrounds and several other projects. Upgrades could also be made to Hawthorne Elementary and Washington Elementary, two schools built in the 1950s that are in need of major investment. “At the end of the day, districts can ask for a lot more. We’re only asking for what we could afford,” said Kennewick School Board President Gabe Galbraith. “We can’t pass up $61 million from the state that everyone

Kennewick, WA · 17h

Tri-City Herald

Teachers, parents ask Kennewick schools to investigate Fuerza leadership

Parents and teachers are asking Kennewick School District to investigate leadership at Fuerza Elementary School amid concerns of changes to its two-way dual language programs. Earlier this month, the Kennewick Education Association teacher’s union rallied at the school to demand “better working conditions and a more respectful and supportive environment.” Allegations have surfaced online that teachers are being intimidated, and their concerns are being dismissed by building leaders. The accusations, while unspecific at the moment, add tension to a school serving 610 K-5 students living in southwest Kennewick and home to the district’s first fully dual language program . Concerned parents also created a Facebook page, and have so far gathered hundreds of signatures in support of district intervention and removing Principal Dora Johns, who has led the school for four years . That group, Fuerza Unidos, plans to speak more about their issues publicly at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Kennewick School Board . In a statement, Kennewick School District administration said they were “aware of concerns on social media about the school.” “District leadership is listening, taking these concerns seriously and actively working through the district’s established processes to address them,” it read. “While we cannot discuss

Kennewick, WA · 8d

elkhornmediagroup.com

Walla Walla Public Schools backs Head Start amid federal delay

WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Public Schools will keep its Head Start program running through June 4, 2027, district officials announced Wednesday, pledging local reserves if federal grant extensions stall. Superintendent Ben Gauyan proposed the measure during Tuesday’s school board study session, drawing unanimous support from board members seeking...

Walla Walla, WA · 1d

Apple Valley News Now

Voters asked to weigh Richland bond for upgrades to Chief Joseph Middle School and River's Edge High School

The Brief

Richland, WA · 3d

whitmanwire.com

Whitman Patents Heat-Seeking Sprinkler

The biggest question on every Whitman student and staff member’s mind, in the wake of the midterm season holiday travel confusion and as the autumnal chill in the air that is becoming less aesthetic and more burdensome, is: how can I possibly get hit with even more sprinkler water as I walk to class?

Walla Walla, WA · 7d

swxlocalsports.com

Columbia-Hunters vs Cusick | High School Football Highlights 10/30/26

CUSICK, Wash. — Cusick closed out the regular season undefeated in league play Friday night, rolling past Columbia 66-26 in a foggy matchup at home. The Panthers finished 7-0 in league games and now turn their attention to the postseason. Columbia got on the scoreboard first in the highlights...

Cusick, WA · 6d

Tri-City Herald

partner publisher · 20.2K followers

‘Needs to be addressed.' Inside Kennewick's oldest, cramped middle school

Highlands Middle School band and orchestra teacher Fiona Estrellado says her student performances are like a “big family, community event.” She teaches about a third of the students who attend the Kennewick middle school, or more than 200 students in 6th-8th grades. Families turn out in droves to see their kids perform, and students often say their siblings took a class with her. While music programs at Highlands Middle School are growing, Estrellado says her band room hasn’t. The school was built in 1959 , way before the school even had an orchestra program. Finding space for instruments —and students — can be a challenge. It’s a prime example of the problems teachers at the district’s oldest schools are facing, and why Kennewick is considering asking the community to support replacing the aging schools. “There’s just so much history in this classroom, which is really cool in a way, but we get a little squished,” she said Wednesday evening as students filed in and out before a performance to the visiting school board. “Every year, I have more students that sign up, and I never want to reach a point where I can’t accept more kids because I don’t have

Kennewick, WA · 12d

102.7 KORD

77,000 Votes! Hanford High Makes a Big Run at $1 Million Prize

Hanford High's athletics program is getting a major boost with thirty-one grand from a nationwide T-Mobile contest. Not the top prize, but the community showed up big.

Richland, WA · 6d

bigcountrynewsconnection.com

partner publisher · 4.8K followers

WWCC Board Votes To Pursue Healthcare Consortium To Sustain WWCC Nursing Program In Clarkston

WALLA WALLA— The Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) Board of Trustees has unanimously voted on the motion to authorize the college to participate in a regional healthcare consortium aimed at sustaining the nursing program at its Clarkston campus direct the president to engage in the development and formalization of the Lewis-Clark Valley Regional Healthcare Consortium . This authorization, if the consortium unites, provides resources which could include advocacy, financial, and educational support. The decision marks a significant step toward maintaining the healthcare workforce in the region.

Clarkston, WA · 7d

105.3 KISS FM

77,000 Votes! Hanford High Makes a Big Run at $1 Million Prize

Hanford High's athletics program is getting a major boost with thirty-one grand from a nationwide T-Mobile contest. Not the top prize, but the community showed up big.

Richland, WA · 6d

elkhornmediagroup.com

Walla Walla elementary students link up to spread kindness

WALLA WALLA — Five local elementary schools have joined forces this month to demonstrate how small acts of goodwill can spark meaningful change across the community. Parent-teacher groups at Berney, Edison, Green Park, Prospect Point and Sharpstein elementary schools launched the Kindness Is Contagious campaign. Designed to foster connections and celebrate positive behavior, the initiative is centered on a guiding theme: One Small Act of Kindness Can Spread Through the Entire School.

Walla Walla, WA · 8d

Tri-City Herald

Richland to ask voters for $94M to improve Chief Joseph, River's Edge

Richland voters will be asked to approve a $94 million bond on the Feb. 9 special election ballot to modernize Chief Joseph Middle School, replace River’s Edge High School with a permanent modular building, and make districtwide safety and security improvements. The school board on Tuesday unanimously approved the ballot resolution that will come before voters. The decision comes two years after voters overwhelmingly rejected a bond package three-times larger that would have funded construction of West Richland’s first comprehensive high school. This new ask was informed by a voluntary “community facilities task force” that helped charter the future of Richland School District’s long-term facilities planning. Board Vice President Jill Oldson called these projects the “most pressing needs” for the district right now. “The whole goal and objective of this is to make sure that we are only asking the community for what we absolutely need,” she said. Board member Rick Jansons gave kudos to the community facilities task force, saying they spent half a year having “really thoughtful discussions” and researching the facility and needs. “I am confident that we are going to the community with what is needed in the district,” he said. Bond measures are different from

Richland, WA · 8d

tricitiesbusinessnews.com

partner publisher · 316 followers

WSU Tri-Cities grad named head of WSU College of Nursing

A two-time WSU Tri-Cities alumna who has led the WSU system’s College of Nursing on an interim basis for the past year now has the job permanently. Anne Mason will be the permanent dean of nursing beginning Nov. 1 after internal reviews and meetings with external stakeholders, according to a release.

Pullman, WA · 8d

NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima

Heritage University in Toppenish receives $2.5 million to grow nursing pipeline

TOPPENISH, Wash. — Heritage University announced it received a $2.5 million federal grant to build a nursing pathway for rural students in the Lower Yakima Valley. The university said the four-year grant runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2030 to help rural, first-generation and low-income students from 11 area high schools move into Heritage’s nursing program and local health care jobs. President Christopher Gilmer said the funding will connect local students with education and employers close to home. “This grant allows Heritage University to build a stronger bridge between our rural high schools, higher education and the health care organizations that serve our communities,” Gilmer said. “We want students to see a clear path from their own communities to a college degree, a nursing career and an opportunity to serve the people and communities they know best.” Heritage said the project is called “A Case-Managed Pathway from Rural High Schools to Local Hospitals.” The effort is being led by nursing chair Dr. Shelby Clark and includes local schools, health care providers and workforce groups. The university said students will get advising in school, bilingual family outreach, campus visits, pre-nursing preparation and HESI A2 exam help. Once on campus,

Toppenish, WA · 10d

tricitiesbusinessnews.com

Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education

Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural high school students to pursue four-year nursing degrees. The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant will support “a case-managed pathway from rural high schools to local hospitals,” according to a release from...

Toppenish, WA · 10d

tricitiesbusinessnews.com

Pasco High grad named top teacher in Nevada

A Pasco High School graduate will compete to be the nation’s best teacher after being named 2027 Teacher of the Year in Nevada. Brooke Wheatley, who graduated as a Bulldog in 1998, is the second Pasco High graduate in the past two years to earn a state Teacher of the Year honor, according to a Pasco School District release. Fellow PHS graduate Gabriela Whitemarsh was named Washington State’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Pasco, WA · 16d

Apple Valley News Now