West Richland News

News from West Richland: city government, irrigation, growth along Van Giesen and the Yakima River, schools and events.

Open rural land north of Ruppert Road in West Richland where Amazon plans a data center campus

Local News

Amazon confirmed as buyer of West Richland land, eyes up to 21 data center buildings

West Richland confirmed Amazon bought land for a possible 21-building data center campus, with a council vote on interim rules set for Nov. 3.

November 2, 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

West Richland city hall building, representing the city's new budget plan with fees and tax increases

Local News

West Richland plan to avoid budget crunch adds car tab fee, sales tax and more

West Richland's 2027-2028 budget plan raises utility taxes, adds a $20 car tab fee and taps a new sales tax to close a growing funding gap.

October 29, 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 rural highway nearly obscured by blowing dust during a Columbia Basin dust storm

Home & Yard

What killed a West Richland couple on SR 397 — and how to survive the next dust storm

After a fatal 12-vehicle pileup on SR 397, here's how Tri-Cities drivers and homeowners can prepare for the dust storms that peak each October.

October 14, 2026

Open farmland in West Richland near the Lewis and Clark Ranch where a large data center has been proposed

Local News

West Richland residents fight fast-track zoning for 1,000-acre data center

West Richland already changed its zoning to allow data centers, and a new proposal could shift approval power from elected council members to an appointed hearing examiner, as residents raise water and process concerns over a possible 1,000-acre Trammell Crow project.

October 4, 2026

Exterior of a small-city police department building under a cloudy sky

Local News

West Richland must pay sergeant fired after 'flawed and biased' investigations

A state arbitrator found West Richland wrongly fired Sgt. Athena Clark and ordered 19 months of back pay, adding a new cost to a city already facing budget strain.

October 3, 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 highway on an exposed ridge obscured by a wall of blowing dust, similar to conditions on SR 397 south of Kennewick

Local News

Dust storm triggers fatal 12-vehicle pileup on SR 397, kills West Richland couple

A wind-driven dust storm caused a 12-vehicle pileup on SR 397 south of Kennewick Friday, killing a West Richland couple and shutting the highway for hours.

September 27, 2026

A pop-up sprinkler head spraying water across a suburban lawn in fall

Home & Yard

Irrigation shutoff nears: KID ends full deliveries Oct. 12, blowout season follows

Kennewick Irrigation District ends full water deliveries Oct. 12, 2026, giving Tri-Cities homeowners about three weeks to finish watering and book a sprinkler blowout.

September 22, 2026