Pasco News

News from Pasco: city council, Franklin County, schools, the Tri-Cities Airport, development and community events.

Bagged leaves stacked at the curb next to a waste cart on a residential Tri-Cities street in fall

Home & Yard

Kennewick's free leaf pickup ends Friday; here's the Tri-Cities yard-waste rundown

Kennewick's free bagged-leaf collection runs through Friday, Nov. 6, while Richland's gray-and-green can system works differently. Here's what to know.

November 5, 2026

Pasco City Council chambers during a public hearing on the city's property tax increase and budget

Local News

Pasco approves 1% property tax increase as budget debate grows

Pasco City Council unanimously raised its property tax levy 1% on Nov. 3, adding $152,053 as the city faces a projected $12 million shortfall.

November 3, 2026

A residential backflow preventer assembly above an irrigation valve box in a suburban yard with frost on the lawn

Home & Yard

The backflow test homeowners miss — and why West Richland can shut off your water over it

Kennewick, Pasco and West Richland all require annual tests on irrigation backflow preventers under state law. In West Richland, skipping the test can get your household water shut off, not just your sprinklers.

November 1, 2026

Police crime scene tape and patrol car lights on a city street at night

Local News

Pasco police investigate homicide at Halloween party near Don Rubio's

One person died and several were hurt in gunfire and stabbings at a Pasco Halloween party early Saturday, the third major shooting in the city this month.

October 31, 2026

Police tape and patrol car lights on a residential street at dawn in Pasco

Local News

Richland detective identified in fatal Pasco traffic stop shooting

A Richland police detective shot and killed a man during an Oct. 21 traffic stop in Pasco, and new details this week point to federal investigators joining the case.

October 24, 2026

Residents fill a city council meeting room during a budget discussion in Pasco

Local News

Pasco council weighs new budget options that spare jobs but gut parks

Pasco council reviewed two new budget options Oct. 22 that restore most police and fire jobs but still cut Memorial Aquatic Park and youth sports.

October 23, 2026

A residential sprinkler backflow device on a frosty lawn in autumn, ready for winter shutoff

Home & Yard

Not on Kennewick Irrigation District? Here's who to call for your sprinkler shutoff this fall

Columbia Irrigation District, Pasco, Richland, West Richland and Badger Mountain all run separate fall shutoff schedules — here's who to call before freezing temperatures hit.

October 19, 2026

A homeowner building a wood fence in a suburban backyard on a sunny fall day

Home & Yard

Before you build that fall fence or shed, check these Tri-Cities permit rules first

Dry weather this week is a good window for finishing fall fence, shed and deck projects. Here's what Pasco, Kennewick and Richland actually require — and what West Richland homeowners should check before they start.

October 18, 2026

A rural fire station with an engine and ambulance parked outside, representing Franklin County Fire District 3's coverage area

Local News

Franklin County Fire District 3 asks voters to raise levy rate on Nov. 3 ballot

Franklin County Fire District 3, which covers 205 square miles outside Pasco, wants voters to restore its levy rate to $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed value.

October 17, 2026

A homeowner trims a street tree along a sidewalk in a Tri-Cities neighborhood during fall

Home & Yard

Tri-Cities homeowners: know the rules before pruning street trees this fall

Kennewick, Pasco and Richland homeowners face different permit rules for street trees this fall, plus a WSU-backed deadline for watering trees before winter.

October 15, 2026

A residential water meter next to utility bills on a kitchen counter

Home & Yard

Pasco, Kennewick utility bills set to rise as gas rate case looms

Pasco and Kennewick residents face higher water and sewer bills next year, and a Cascade Natural Gas rate case could raise heating costs across the Tri-Cities.

October 15, 2026

A Pasco fire station and police vehicle outside a municipal building, representing proposed budget cuts to public safety services

Local News

Fire union head warns proposed Pasco cuts could put public safety at risk

Pasco firefighters and police union leaders warn proposed budget cuts would close a fire station and two police substations ahead of tonight's council workshop.

October 13, 2026

A home security camera mounted on a porch overlooking a residential street

Local News

Why Pasco is asking residents, businesses to share security camera info

Pasco police want residents and businesses to register private security cameras, but city council is pushing for clearer privacy and audit rules first.

October 12, 2026

Police tape stretched across a residential alleyway at dusk with a patrol car's lights visible in the background

Local News

Pasco police say 15-year-old boy killed in gang shootout

A 15-year-old boy died and another teen was grazed by gunfire in a Pasco alley shootout Saturday; a 22-year-old faces murder and assault charges.

October 11, 2026

Exterior of a municipal government building representing Pasco city hall amid budget cuts

Local News

Pasco considers cutting 55 city jobs, including a fifth of police force, to close $14.4M gap

Pasco officials are weighing roughly $14.4 million in cuts that could eliminate 55 jobs, including a fifth of the police department, to close a widening budget gap.

October 9, 2026

Vendor tents and produce stands at the Pasco Farmers Market in Peanuts Park

Local News

Pasco council delays farmers market, Specialty Kitchen operator decision

Pasco City Council put off picking an operator for the farmers market and Specialty Kitchen, waiting on budget talks over a projected $12.5 million gap.

October 6, 2026

Construction equipment at a municipal water and road infrastructure project site

Local News

Ballfields, water plants and road work: Pasco lays out $695M plan

Pasco's city council got its first look at a $695 million, six-year plan for water, road and park projects that still needs funding.

October 5, 2026

One of the Lower Snake River dams with rail lines and highway traffic along the riverbank

Local News

WSDOT to preview Snake River dam-breaching freight study at Pasco meeting

WSDOT is holding a Pasco meeting on its study of how breaching the four Lower Snake River dams would shift freight onto local roads and rail.

October 2, 2026

Exterior of a small local cardroom casino at dusk, representing the uncertain future of Tri-City casinos

Business

Future uncertain for Pasco's Crazy Moose, Kennewick's Coyote Bob's casinos

Maverick Gaming's bankruptcy has put Pasco's Crazy Moose Casino on notice to close or find new ownership by Nov. 30, with Coyote Bob's status in Kennewick unclear.

September 30, 2026

A homeowner shovels snow from a sidewalk in front of a suburban home

Home & Yard

Who clears the sidewalk? Snow rules differ across Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland

Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland all put sidewalk snow duty on homeowners — here's each city's rule, plow priority list and parking advice before winter hits.

September 30, 2026

A street crossing with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon sign, similar to the safety upgrades planned for four Pasco intersections

Local News

Pasco lands $1.78 million in federal funds to fix four dangerous crossings

Pasco will use $1.78 million in federal highway safety money to add flashing lights and a pedestrian beacon at four crossings, with construction set for 2029.

September 24, 2026

Empty kennels inside a community animal shelter

Local News

Pasco City Council weighs hybrid animal shelter model after public comment

Pasco City Council heard hours of public comment on Tri-Cities Animal Services and asked staff to keep studying a nonprofit-run hybrid shelter model.

September 22, 2026

A pile of fall leaves being raked toward a curbside yard-waste cart outside a suburban home

Home & Yard

Kennewick leaf pickup resumes as new recycling carts roll out this month

Kennewick's fall leaf pickup weeks and new recycling cart rollout both start this November — here's what residents need to do and by when.

September 22, 2026

An empty courtroom with stacks of case files, illustrating a strained prosecutor's office

Local News

Franklin County prosecutors face 'dire' staffing shortage as caseloads quadruple

Franklin County's prosecutor's office says it's stretched thin as trial caseloads quadruple since 2011, even as commissioners cut funding for a new deputy prosecutor in Pasco.

September 22, 2026