July 2018
Volume 6 • Issue 6
Trios Health to emerge from bankruptcy BY SENIOR TIMES
Brookdale Canyon Lakes honored
Page 3
New dessert shop open in Prosser
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Medicare cards to arrive soon Page 13
save the date
Art in the Park July 27 - 28 9 a.m. Howard Amon Park, Richland
The Kennewick Public Hospital District announced June 20 that it would emerge from bankruptcy. The news comes after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern Division of Washington confirmed the hospital district’s Chapter 9 plan for adjustment of debts. The hospital district had more than 3,000 creditors holding about $221 million in claims, according to court documents. These creditors included bondholders, real and personal property lessors and lenders, current or former employees and retirees, political subdivisions or state or federal agencies and others. This confirmation comes less than a year after the hospital district filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. Chapter 9 specifically provides for the reorganization of municipalities, providing a grace period within which to propose a plan for the adjustment of the municipality’s debts to third parties. Trios Health’s restructuring reduces the company’s pre-bankruptcy debt by about $350 million. “These financial commitments made by creditors demonstrate the interest and support in restructuring Trios Health’s financial affairs, servicing supplier contracts and enabling us to continue caring for the community well into the future. I am pleased and appreciative of our employees and patients who have supported us throughout this challenging process,” said Marv Kinney, president of the hospital district’s Board of Commissioners, in a statement. After clearing bankruptcy, Trios Health will continue to provide patient care and expand its services in the Tri-Cities. uTRIOS, Page 14
Leonard Sevigny, 84, of Richland, shakes hands with Lee Hyung-jong, the Seattle consul general of the Republic of Korea, after receiving the Ambassador for Peace Medal on June 8 in Kennewick. Sevigny served in Korea from 1952-53 in the 1st Marine Division as a radio operator. (Courtesy Washington Department of Veterans Affairs)
Forgotten War vets remembered at peace medal ceremony BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz
Sixty-eight years after serving their country during the Korean War, 70 local veterans and their families received special recognition and appreciation for their role stopping the spread of communism in east Asia. The consul general of the Republic of Korea and state director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs director presented 63 medals
to veterans and seven to family members of veterans who had died or were too ill to travel during a June 8 ceremony in Kennewick. “We have all heard the Korean War referred to as the Forgotten War so it is wonderful when we have opportunities to remember these heroes and express our gratitude and appreciation,” said Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. uVETERANS, Page 2
Hill’s Restaurant and Lounge plans to reopen this fall BY LAURA KOSTAD for Senior Times
Less than a year and a half since a kitchen fire closed Hill’s Restaurant and Lounge in Kennewick, the diner is making a comeback. A majority of the original building has been demolished, but when the restaurant reopens in November, TriCitians will once again be able to enjoy their favorite homestyle meals at 24 Vista Way. “We’re trying to keep it as close as possible (to the original),” said Nancy Galstad, who operates Hill’s with the help of her life partner, Roger Pearson. Project manager Jared Wendlandt of
G2 Construction of Kennewick, the general contractor on the project, said, “If we do it right, it will still maintain the old homey café feeling.” Stripped down to its original foundation and some concrete masonry unit walls, a near total rebuild was necessary after extensive smoke damage was discovered by previous contractors who had gutted the building earlier this year. The project budget remains a moving target, Wendlandt said, who estimated the total cost likely will be in the $500,000 to $600,000 range for building owner, CHM Development, a company based in Ketchum, Idaho. uHILL’S, Page 15
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