A ripple of the recession. Banks holding tight to money unwilling to offer loans. KEPR learned this is the problem faced by a local small business owner who hoped to expand his restaurant and put local folks to work.

The KEPR Action News Crime Tracker is staying on top of burglaries in Benton County. We've uncovered another spike in burglaries: 53 burglaries in the last 6 months.

Stolen, stripped and dumped. KEPR Action News found cars ending up at chop shops in Benton County.

There's more growth in the Horn Rapids area. A new brewery opens this month. White Bluffs Brewery has half-a-dozen beers on tap at a time.

Kids of all ages got to learn about "birds of prey" at the McNary Environmental Education Center. "Blue Mountain Wildlife" brought five birds for kids to see including an eagle, hawk and owl.

A Richland family is packing shoe boxes to send oversees for operation Christmas child. But to two girls, it's their way to give back, because they received these gifts when they were in an orphanage, and it touched their lives.

A woman has found an unusual way to put a roof over her head in Richland. Peggy Hamilton says she's the first to have a recycled rubber roof installed locally, and she loves it.

There was a spike in business in the Tri-Cities this weekend with the state cross country meet held in Pasco on Saturday. About 1,500 runners from all over the state, not to mention parents, fans, and coaches filled hotels and restaurants.

Good news in Walla Walla! A new store is doing its part to help the environment. Owners of the Walla Walla Bead Company says they used almost all recycled and re-used items to open up their store.

The Walla Walla School District has a new plan to tackle the growing problem of school zone speeders. Half-a-dozen kids have been hit by cars just since the start of the school year.

KEPR is continuing to cover an issue with signs in Walla Walla that some felt had led to problems finding businesses. KEPR discovered the right sign is now up pointing to the "Old Highway 12."

The KEPR Action News Crime Tracker is looking at gang crime in Walla Walla. We found crime is getting worse as the months go on, and while the summer wasn't as violent as expected the numbers are still up year to year.

Action News has learned methamphetamine use is making a comeback. In fact, as KEPR Action News uncovered, it's the biggest drug problem in the Tri-Cities even if fewer people are cooking it.

Hundreds of kids in costumes swarmed the streets of downtown Kennewick for a safe alternative to going door-to-door in neighborhoods.

Vendors at the Pasco Farmers' Market tried to sell the last of their crops before closing on Sunday for the season. KEPR Action News checked in to see how they did considering some new competition.