Benton County News

A retired judge who has tried for 25 years to move the Benton County seat from Prosser to the more populated Kennewick says he has enough signatures to put the matter before voters in November 2010.

A 24-year-old man is being held on $100,000 bail on charges he fired four shots from a car, then forced his way into a home while trying to hide from police.

At least four positions -- three currently vacant -- are casualties of Benton County's pared-down budget, which could be approved Monday.

All three Franklin County commissioners and one Benton County commissioner are attending a state conference this week at their counties' expense.

Republican party icon Sarah Palin is just days away from coming to the Tri-Cities. The Palin family will spend thanksgiving in Richland.

Benton County Sheriff's Deputies and Crime Stoppers are searching for a wanted man.

Kennewick, Pasco and Richland city officials are still on a merry-go-round when it comes to determining what kind of regional facility to build -- such as an aquatic or performing arts center -- and how to pay for it.

A Prosser man accused of being intoxicated when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 82 and killed another motorist posted $100,000 bail Thursday and was released from the Benton County jail.

A 29-year-old Kennewick man who was scheduled to appear in court Thursday on a third-degree assault charge was found dead Sunday.

A Prosser man had reportedly been drinking beer before he got behind the wheel of his truck early Saturday and drove the wrong way on Interstate 82, slamming head-on into a sedan and killing the driver.

Voters spoke loud and clear in Tuesday's general election. Across the State of Washington, Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 is failing and Referendum 71, which extends rights of domestic partners, was passing.

A Grandview woman died early today after her car was hit head-on by another vehicle going the wrong way on Interstate 82 in Benton County near the Yakima County line, the Washington State Patrol reported.

A 30-year-old Kennewick man is in jail on $200,000 bail on charges he sexually assaulted a grade-school girl numerous times over 21/2 years.

There is no animal control center run by Benton County at this time. Local leaders have been talking for years to try and set one up.

Republican leaders will begin this week working to replace Bobbie Gagner as Benton County auditor.

The mail-in ballot takes some of the fun out of election day. Going to your polling place, chatting with poll workers and neighbors, and, best of all, getting the "I voted" sticker to proudly wear for the rest of the day -- the mail-in ballot just doesn't give you any of that.

Benton County Auditor Bobbie Gagner Announces she's retiring early. Gagner has been with the county for 34 years, and she's been the auditor since 1987.

Richland Housing Authority board members voted unanimously Thursday to turn its rental assistance voucher program over to the Kennewick Housing Authority starting in November.

A 5-month-old Pasco boy is the first confirmed child in the state to die from the swine flu, health officials said.

Deputy Prosecutor Scott Johnson is feeling a bit sentimental about what he's leaving behind but also looking forward to what's ahead.