Link Transit Announces New CEO, Free Fireworks Shuttles

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  Link Transit has named Don Billen as its new chief executive officer“The Link Transit Board of Directors has named Don Billen as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.”
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  Don Billen's new position is effective June 1, 2026“The Link Transit Board of Directors has named Don Billen as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.”
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  Don Billen succeeds Nick Covey“Billen succeeds Nick Covey, who is retiring after 32 years.”
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  Nick Covey is retiring after 32 years with the agency“Billen succeeds Nick Covey, who is retiring after 32 years.”
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  Don Billen has served as Link’s planning manager since May 2025“Billen, who has served as Link’s planning manager since May of 2025, was selected following a national search and brings 30 years’ experience in transit planning, capital project development, and regional coordination.”
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  Don Billen brings 30 years of experience in transit planning and regional coordination“Billen, who has served as Link’s planning manager since May of 2025, was selected following a national search and brings 30 years’ experience in transit planning, capital project development, and regional coordination.”
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  Link Transit will provide free shuttles for the Walla Walla 4th of July event on July 4“On July 4 th , free shuttles will be available from the JC Penney parking lot and the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee to Walla Walla Park every 15 minutes starting at 7PM until 9:15PM with fireworks at 10PM.”
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  Shuttles will run from the JC Penney parking lot and Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee to Walla Walla Park“On July 4th , free shuttles will be available from the JC Penney parking lot and the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee to Walla Walla Park every 15 minutes starting at 7PM until 9:15PM with fireworks at 10PM.”
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  Shuttles will run every 15 minutes starting at 7 p.m.“On July 4 th , free shuttles will be available from the JC Penney parking lot and the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee to Walla Walla Park every 15 minutes starting at 7PM until 9:15PM with fireworks at 10PM.”
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  Shuttles will run until 9:15 p.m.“On July 4 th , free shuttles will be available from the JC Penney parking lot and the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee to Walla Walla Park every 15 minutes starting at 7PM until 9:15PM with fireworks at 10PM.”
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  Fireworks will be at 10 p.m.“fireworks at 10PM.”
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  The transit agency urged residents to avoid fire hazards“One spark is all it takes to ignite a wildfire. Instead, take in a free, public fireworks display! ... Please respect the fireworks bans and don’t ignite a wildfire.”
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  Wildfires are often human-caused“The majority of wildfires are human caused.”
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  The agency also announced a Bus Barn Open House on June 25“Join us at Link Transit’s Bus Barn Open House — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:35:52 +0000 Have you ever wondered what an electric battery on a bus looks like? Or how they get charged at night? Come find out at Link Transit’s Open House on Thursday June 25 th from 5pm to 7pm . Take a tour through the maintenance shop and explore the new state-of-the-art Bus Barn where Link’s electric fleet gets charged and dispatched to transport you throughout Chelan and Douglas counties! Enjoy food, meet staff, and learn how transit staff keep the system running safely and efficiently every day.”
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  The Bus Barn Open House will be from 5 to 7 p.m.“Come find out at Link Transit's Open House on Thursday June 25th from 5pm to 7pm . Take a tour through the maintenance shop and explore the new state-of-the-art Bus Barn where Link's electric fleet gets charged and dispatched to transport you throughout Chelan and Douglas counties!”
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  The event will feature tours of the new electric bus maintenance facility“Take a tour through the maintenance shop and explore the new state-of-the-art Bus Barn where Link's electric fleet gets charged and dispatched to transport you throughout Chelan and Douglas counties!”
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  The event will feature charging infrastructure demonstrations“Electric bus displays and charging infrastructure demonstrations”
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  The event will feature a time capsule honoring Nick Covey’s retirementNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The time capsule will be opened on Link Transit’s 65th anniversary in 30 years“The time capsule will be stored at Link Transit’s Operations Base for 30 years and opened on the agency’s 65th anniversary.”