Benton County News

A fire in Benton County that burned 50 acres likely started from fireworks. Benton County Fire District 1 Division Chief Mike Harris said the fire was reported at Olympia Street and County Route 397 just before dark on Saturday Night.

A proposed gravel and sand pit on Bureau of Land Management-owned land south of Benton City could be mined for 20 to 30 years, yield about 16 million tons of material and create about 100 jobs.

The Benton County Mosquito Control District plans to do ground spraying for mosquitoes in the following areas tonight, starting about 9 p.m. - Benton City and surrounding rural areas - Leslie Groves and Howard Amon parks, Richland - Columbia Park, Kennewick and Richland - Horn Rapids Athletic Complex, Richland - Prosser - Grandview The goal is to ...

A Benton City woman, still on state supervision after serving about 15 months in prison for the accidental shooting death of her boyfriend three years ago, is facing a new charge.

Two men are accused of steering a massive check-printing ring in which more than $15,000 was taken from Tri-City businesses with a cut of the profits going to a dozen operatives.

Fireworks sales begin Sunday in some areas of the Mid-Columbia, and firefighters in the region will be on alert because of high danger of wildfires and inconsistent laws in area cities and counties.

New developments in the state's case against Ella Stewart, the Kennewick woman accused of mistreating dogs.

A section of State Route 24 east of Yakima was closed for a time early today when a car-semi collision blocked the road, the Washington State Patrol said.

A Benton City teen who helped kill his mother and sister has entered guilty pleas.

Since he was booked into the Franklin County jail almost two years ago, Vicente Ruiz has been anxious to face jurors and deny any involvement in the killing of five men in a Pasco auto body shop.

A fire apparently started by a train Saturday night burned 250 acres along the tracks running parallel to Canal Drive and Highway 240 in Kennewick, said Chris Hutsell, acting captain for Kennewick Fire Station 2. The fire started about 8:30 p.m. as a result of sparks from a passing train, officials said.

A fire that started with sparks from a passing train along the tracks running parallel to Canal Drive was reportedly under control late Saturday night, according to AJ Hill, fire coordinator with Benton County Fire District 4. No injuries were reported and the only structure damage was apparently to a shed, he said.

West Richland, Washington - June 19, 2009- Benton County Mosquito Control will be ground spraying areas of Richland, Kennewick, West Richland, and Mabton on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather permitting.

A 32-year-old Benton City man who had just gotten out of jail yesterday morning ended up back behind bars last night after he sped down a dark country road with his headlights off and crashed into a truck backing out of a driveway, authorities said.

A lunchtime toke break landed a Kennewick man in court for allegedly setting fire to his car's interior when he left a hot marijuana bowl in the center console.

Benton County will not appeal a court ruling allowing a former judge to continue gathering signatures to put the issue of moving the county seat up for vote next year.

A Benton County Superior Court jury has awarded $3 million to a developer who alleged the city of Kennewick reneged on an agreement to allow him to expand a golf course.

Retired judge Fred Staples was in court Friday. He's been collecting signatures for years to try and get the Benton County seat moved from Prosser to Kennewick.

Police are looking for two men suspected in recent gang shootings. Grandview Police detectives are seeking Adam Leyva, 19, who they believe injured a rival gang member in a Wednesday night drive-by shooting.

A deaf man who was jailed in Benton County in late 2005 and early 2006 is suing the county for allegedly failing to accommodate his needs under provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.