KOHU - KQFM LOCAL NEWS

by News Director Jennifer Colton
541.567.6500 or 541.289.NEWS or KOHUnews@gmail.com
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Primary election results
May 20, 2020
16,194 voters cast ballots in Umatilla County by yesterday’s deadline – a voter turnout of 35.8 percent; 47 percent in Morrow County before last night’s deadline. Statewide, turnout at about 42 percent.
At the end of the night, voters selected two candidates for Umatilla County Commissioner to go on the November ballot: Dan Dorran and HollyJo Beers. Dorran receiving 5,482 votes, landing him solidly on the ballot in November. HollyJo Beers had just under 4,000, followed by Pat Maier, Jonathan Lopez, and Mark Gomolski.
Dorran and Beers will be on the November ballot for the county position that will replace Commissioner Bill Elfering in 2021.
In Morrow County, Jim Doherty leading the race to retain his commissioner seat. The 12-hundred and 19 votes were 42 percent of the total ballots cast. Joel Peterson following with 38 percent of the vote.
A close race for Morrow County Treasurer with Sabrina Bailey Cave coming out on top last night, following by Jaylene Papineau.
Boardman’s water and wastewater General Obligation bonds appear to have passed with 63 percent of the ballots saying yes.
Many local races were uncontested, handing wins to Hermiston mayor Dave Drotzmann, municipal judge Tom Creasing and Pendleton mayor John Turner.
Speaking of Pendleton, the controversial gas tax failed 65 to 35 percent, and a narrow loss for the Pendleton School District’s request to continue its local option tax – that failed 52 percent to 48 percent.
One more bond: Echo Fire District’s 10 year bond request passed with about 60 percent of the votes in favor.
Voters approved dissolving the Helix Fire District and the East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District, and also approved the formation of the larger East Umatilla Fire & Rescue District.
In Umatilla county, About 300 ballots were received but have not yet been accepted – those will need additional verification because of things like the voter forgot to sign the envelope or two voters signed each others ballot envelopes by mistake.
Click here for Umatilla County's final unofficial results as of 11:47 p.m.

HSD budget committee meets tonight
May 18, 2020
Hermiston School District’s budget committee is meeting tonight in what they expect to be the final meeting. They have budget parameters set by the school board and will have up-to-date figures from the county on tax rates, but it’s still a challenge.
Mark Mulvihill, with the intermountain ESD, says districts are facing a challenge because of the whiplash after expecting record revenue in January and cuts now as well as the uncertainty of what those numbers will be from the state.
"It's difficult to develop a budget this year because what are you budgeting for? what is school going to look like next year?" he said.
As for Hermiston, that budget committee meeting is at 6:30 tonight and will be live streamed through Zoom.
Here is the Zoom information:
Virtual Location via Zoom Dial +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 924 5666 6253 Password: 960512
The budget committee is taking public comments. Anyone wishing to provide public comments is asked to submit those through email before noon today. You can email those to communications@hermistonsd.org.

New school name submissions being accepted
May 12, 2020
The Hermiston School District is accepting name submissions this month for the new elementary school to be constructed beginning in 2021 on Theater Lane.
The elementary school is one of several construction projects funded through the bond approved by voters in November. It will be the sixth Hermiston elementary school, joining Desert View, Highland Hills, Rocky Heights, Sunset, and West Park.
An online survey conducted through May will collect potential names for the Board of Education to review before selecting finalists. The public will then have an opportunity to vote on the final name for the school.
Hermiston School District board policy requires that the school be named for:
·    its location or community
·    a famous American
·    a local resident who has not been active with the community or schools for at least five years
Other names may be recommended along with supporting justification.
Click here for the survey.

Music in the Parks cancelled
May 12, 2020
The Boardman and Irrigon Music in the Parks Summer Concert Series has been cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns. The concert series, held each summer alternating between the Boardman and Irrigon Marina Parks, was set to run from June 8 through August 10.
They say it was not an easy decision We acknowledge that large gatherings are not in the best interest of public health and we want to do our part to help our communities through this pandemic

School Board virtual meeting tonight
May 11, 2020
A virtual meeting for the Hermiston School Board tonight. That is being broadcast over Zoom.
The agenda includes an enrollment report, financial report, and a collection of hires and resignations for the district. That meeting begins at 6:30 tonight.
Click here for the full agenda.
To access the Virtual Location via Zoom Dial +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 988 1751 1773 Password: 578162

UCo Health reports 2nd coronavirus death
May 11, 2020
A second Umatilla County resident dies with COVID-19.
Umatilla County’s second COVID-19 death is a 64 year-old male who tested positive April 29th and died May 9th at Providence St Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA. This individual had underlying health conditions. UCo Health saying yesterday Counseling and crisis support services can be accessed by calling Lifeways at 866-343-4473. Interpretation services are available.
As of Friday, UCo Health was reporting 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County residents – 51 people were listed as recovering, 31 cases active.
Morrow County reporting its 12th case of COVID-19 on Friday.

Union Pacific closes Wallula facility
May 11, 2020
News of a closure at Union Pacific’s Cold Connect facility in Wallula because of COVID-19. A Union Pacific spokesperson told the Malheur Enterprise on Saturday that COVID-19 was impacting volume and truck prices so it was no longer sustainable to continue operations at Wallula. She said employees were notified Friday that the closure is permanent.
Although Union Pacific is not releasing information about how many employees are losing their jobs, In 2018, Union Pacific said an expansion on the Cold Connect facility in Wallula would have more than 100 employees, a monthly payroll of more than $300,000, and annual shipments of 750 million pounds of produce, including onions, apples, wine, and potatoes.

Largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases in Umatilla County
April 29, 2020
The largest daily update for locally confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County. Eight new positive cases announced yesterday, bringing the county’s total to 45. UCo Health saying seven of the cases are close contacts of another confirmed case and all eight are self-isolating and recovering at home. Twenty-one people confirmed to have COVID-19 are now recovered. There are 24 active cases in the county, and three people hospitalized.
UCo Health also updating its county map of confirmed covid cases.
The Greater Hermiston Area now colored between 16 and 25 cases. Umatilla and the river at 10-15 cases and multiple regions, including Pendleton now shaded to indicate 5-9 cases. Click here to find the map, which is updated each Tuesday.

County Commissioners to vote on reopen plan
April 29, 2020
The Umatilla County Commissioners to vote today on a plan to reopen the economy after COVID-19 closures. The plan includes a phase one opening, including restaurants and personal service businesses like hair salons open May 15. The three-step plan must be approved by the governor before it can take effect and it does require social distancing measures. Phase 2 would likely begin sometime in June and would increase gathering sizes to 50 and allowing schools, gyms and playgrounds to open, and phase three, which would begin in late June or early July, the size of mass gatherings could be increased to 250.

Wallace selected for state office
April 28, 2020
Hermiston High School senior Jenna Wallace named a state officer for Oregon FFA. Wallace will serve as vice-president for the 2020-2021 year. Grace Adams, of Dayton, selected as Oregon FFA President , and the other officers are from Baker, Grant Union, Burns, and Roseburg.

HHS band nominated for Washington, DC
April 28, 2020
The Hermiston High School Marching Band nominated by Gov. Kate Brown to represent Oregon in the 2021 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC on July 4, 2021.
The governor’s recommendation has been sent to Oregon Congressman Greg Walden for official nomination and final selection.
The nomination helps with representation from across the country – The national selection committee strives to have at least one band or unit represent each of the 50 states.
Hermiston High School Principal Tom Spoo says, it is a unique opportunity and terrific distinction for Hermiston High School’s marching band. Following the parade, participants join the audience of the PBS Concert at the Capitol Building, which features the National Symphony Orchestra and one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays.

Council considers property, homeless
April 27, 2020
The Hermiston City Council looking at spending $95,000 on property during its regularly scheduled meeting tonight.
The two parcels of land will be for the re-alignment of Geer and Harper roads and had been assessed at $65,000, and the city offered to pay $85,000 for the property, but the property owner asked for $200,000. The city and the property owner agreed to $95,000 and waiver of attorney fees. Tonight, the council will vote on acquiring that property.
Also on the agenda, resolutions for a FAA Apron Design Grant and authorizing the city manager to apply for grants for the skateboard and teen adventure park, off-premise liquor licenses applications for The Pheasant and 7-Eleven, committee and commission appointments, and updates to the city’s charter.
The regular meeting begins at 7 tonight at at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center on Airport Road. The council is The work session at 6 p.m. focusing on Stepping Stones, a homeless shelter project.
Both the meeting and the work session will be livestreamed and a recording will be available after the meeting. There will be a limited amount of seating at EOTEC during the meeting, and the community is encouraged to call in to provide public comment.
External phone lines will be muted except during public comment periods.
Click here for the full agenda.
More details:
What: Hermiston City Council Meeting
When: Monday, April 27, 7 p.m. (work session at 6 p.m.)
Where: Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road
Phone: 1-206-462-5569, Meeting ID 322-962-8667
YouTube: https://bit.ly/HermistonYouTube.

Umatilla County awards small business grants
April 27, 2020
Grants have been awarded from the Umatilla County Economic Development Small Business Emergency Grant Program. The $1,000 grants were available to small businesses that employed 25 or fewer employees, and all applicants were included in a lottery drawing on April 22.
Twenty-two businesses in Hermiston received grants, 7 in Umatilla, 19 in Pendleton, and 10 in Milton-Freewater as well as seven for the smaller communities in the county.
Sixty-five grants were awarded – there were 137 applicants.
A press release from the county saying The City of Hermiston contributed additional funds to the grant program which allowed for an additional 16 grants to be awarded in Hermiston.

Online forecasting opens for HHS
April 24, 2020
Online forecasting for classes open Monday for Hermiston High School students. That’ll run through Friday, May 15. Students in grades 8-11 may begin making their course selections for the 2020-21 school year. The online site provides forecasting directions, videos, and a copy of the course catalog. Students can make changes to their requests any time during the forecasting window.
Most often, the students get the courses they request when forecasting. However, scheduling conflicts do arise, and an alternate
course chosen by the student may be substituted. High school counselors will review the student requests and will reach out to students and parents with any questions or concerns.

Morrow County forum is tonight - online
April 20, 2020
A reminder that the Morrow County chamber forum is tonight.
Hosted by the Boardman and Heppner chambers of commerce, the online candidates forum will include candidates for: Morrow County Commissioner, Position 1; Justice of the Peace and Morrow County Treasurer. That begins at 6 p.m. tonight over Zoom and Boardman Chamber Live. Click here for the links and more information.
There will be a City of Boardman “GO Bond”, immediately following the candidates’ forum. Questions will not be taken the night of the event.


BMCC plans Parade of Graduates
April 17, 2020
Blue Mountain Community College announcing its plans for a re-imagined commencement for the class of 2020. Rather than cancel, postpone or conduct a virtual ceremony, BMCC polled students and will be having a "Parade of Graduates" during the regularly scheduled commencement day of Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. There will be opportunities for faculty and staff to participate using safe social distancing measures.
Students interested in ordering Caps and gowns for the parade should contact the bookstore by April 27, and all students wishing to participate must RSVP by Friday, May 1.
You can find more information as it develops at www.bluecc.edu/graduation .

UCo Health updates, survey
April 17, 2020
Four new COVID-19 cases reported by UCo Health yesterday, bringing the county’s total to 22. They’re saying one case was a close contact of a previously confirmed case and two of the individuals reside in the same home. Three of the cases are self-isolating at home and one is currently hospitalized.
On the other side, the individual reported hospitalized earlier this week has been released and is recovering well. A total of 9 people who tested positive are now considered recovered in the county and there are 13 active cases.
UCo Health is also working on a community health assessment that will ultimately lead to a new Community Health Improvement Plan. They’re asking county residents to take a survey about the direction the community should take. The survey should only take 3 minutes and your responses are completely anonymous. Respondents who submit an email have the choice of entering a random drawing for a chance to receive a $20 gift card (5 chances to win).
Find the survey at this link.

OES hosts free, online concert
April 17, 2020
Tomorrow night, Oregon East Symphony is presenting its Spring Chamber Music Concert – online - and free. JD Kindle says each performance has been recorded, and the concert will begin at 6:30 tomorrow. Refreshments are typically provided around Oregon East Symphony performances, so they’ve also released a recipe cookbook of hors d'ouerves through the website –That includes wine and beer pairings as well.
Visit www.OregonEastSymphony.org for the recipe book, concert program, and performance link.

Morrow County online forum
April 17, 2020
On Monday, the Boardman and Heppner Chambers of Commerce hosting an online candidates forum, and anyone with questions for the candidates is asked to submit those through Sunday. The forum
Candidates’ Forum – Monday, April 20th – 6 p.m. - via Zoom and Boardman Chamber “Live”: Boardman and Heppner Chambers’ are working together to organize a candidates’ forum for the Morrow county positions: Morrow County Commissioner, Position 1; Justice of the Peace and Morrow County Treasurer. There will be a City of Boardman “GO Bond”, immediately following the candidates’ forum. Questions will not be taken the night of the event. You can submit questions through Sunday, April 19th.
If you are interested in submitting a question, please put “candidate’s forum” in the subject line and email to: torrie@boardmanchamber.org; or : heppnerchamber@centurytel.net; You can also submit questions by phone, calling either chamber.

UCo Health reports 2 new cases, 2 recoveries
April 16, 2020
Two newly confirmed positive COVID-19 cases for Umatilla County and two more people recovered. Uco Health saying the two newly identified cases have no connection to previously reported cases. One person is hospitalized, the other is self-isolating and recovering at home.
The total for Umatilla County as of yesterday afternoon, 18 total cases with 10 active and 8 people recovered.
The most recent COVID-19 update for the state of Oregon reporting 3 deaths, and 33 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. That includes one new case in Umatilla County. We can expect Umatilla County to be listed again today as Uco Health is listing two new cases. The totals for the state now at 16-hundred and sixty-three.
The total cases for the Benton-Franklin Health District in the Tri-Cities now 543, up 13 from yesterday. The includes both confirmed and probable cases. The district saying 32 people are currently hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 illness.

School board meets tonight
April 13, 2020
The Hermiston School Board meeting tonight in the commons at Armand Larive Middle School. The school board will be taking action on its financial planning parameters to draft the budget for next eyar, as well as the enrollment report and personnel changes. They’ll also be meeting in a closed door executive session to negotiate property transactions.
Click here for the full agenda.

Coronavirus confirmed cases jump
April 10, 2020
Jumps in COVID-19 confirmed cases in both Umatilla and Morrow counties yesterday. Uco Health announcing four new cases yesterday; Morrow County Public Health has confirmed two more individuals have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the Morrow County total to Five. During the Public Health Investigation both new cases had been identified and notified as being a contact from a previously reported, positive Morrow County COVID-19 case. Both individuals are self-isolating at home, and emergency management stressing Morrow County has reported positive cases in both North and South county.
The four new Umatilla County cases bring the total for the county to 13. Nine of those cases are active and self-isolating at home and four people have recovered. Statewide, six deaths and 86 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, including the two cases in Morrow County and three in Umatilla County.

Boardman council to have special meeting
April 10, 2020
In Boardman, announcement of a special meeting on Monday night. It will be available through Zoom. The special meeting will focus on the city of Boardman forming a new Enterprise Zone. That begins at 6 p.m. Monday.

HSD sells construction bonds
April 9, 2020
In some good school news, the Hermiston School District announcing today they were able to sell the capital construction bonds at a premium, which will allow an additional $1.7 million toward construction projects.
The district priced the bonds on March 31st with a closing date on April 9. The $82.7 million construction bond expected to replace Rocky Heights Elementary school, build a new 600 student elementary school on Theater lane, construct an annex to increase capacity at Hermiston High School and purchase property.

City Councils move remotely
April 7, 2020
City Councils are still meeting in the time of COVID-19, but those meetings look a little different.
The Stanfield City Council has a goal setting workshop tonight at 6 p.m. The council will be meeting at the Stanfield Public Library, which City Manager Benjamin Burgener says will allow the council to maintain more than six feet of separation from each other. Any members of the public who come for the meeting will be able to listen from the council chambers next door.
Stanfield's agenda can be found on the city's Facebook page.
In Umatilla, City Manager Dave Stockdale says tonight’s meeting will be 100 percent digital – over zoom. Stockdale and the city recorder will the only participants at City hall while council members and the public will participate remotely. They’ll have a link on the City’s Website so the public can follow along with the stream and a link where you can type in any public comments. They’ll also have a conference line open for public comments as well.
On the agenda for tonight’s meeting, a discussion about current activities related to COVID-19 and how to assist local businesses and regional solutions.
An ordinance granting a 20-year franchise to Umatilla Electrical Coop – the city’s current franchise agreement was up for re-negotiation in March, and this
The council will also vote on resolutions about an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Energy and applying for a grant to redevelop Nugent Park creating a picnic shelter, new playground, ADA access, and parking improvements.
Click here for the Umatilla agenda.
Boardman’s City Council meeting will also be taking place over Zoom tonight. That meeting begins at 7 and will include resolutions on the drug testing policy in the city of Boardman’s personnel policy, accepting a grant for the Boardman Police Department and approving an agreement with the Oregon Child Development Coalition to Co-build a migrant head start in Boardman.
Find the Boardman agenda here.

UCo Health updates coronavirus cases
April 6, 2020
Umatilla County Public Health (UCo Health) announcing three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County. UCo Health saying one of these individuals is a close contact of a confirmed case in Morrow County, the other two have no connection to each other or to the previously reported cases in Umatilla County. All three individuals are self-isolating and recovering at home. Close contacts of these individuals have been notified and are being assessed by UCo Health in accordance with the OHA investigative guidelines.

Council meeting available online, by phone
March 23, 2020
The Hermiston City Council meeting tonight – and asking the public to participate via live stream instead of attending the meeting in person.
The city saying in order to follow public gathering and social distancing guidelines, a limited number of chairs will be available during the meeting, an overflow room will be available with audio and video access to the meeting, but they're encouraging people to participate remotely. The meeting will be live streamed on the district's facebook page and then posted to the city's YouTube following the meeting.. Anyone who wants to call in an listen to the meeting – and to provide public comment – can call 1-206-462-5569 and use code 8252-77-4726 to access the meeting.
“We owe it to our residents to continue carrying out their important business regardless of international emergencies” City Manager Byron Smith. Smith also said they’re working with a partnership with Amazon Web Services to guarantee access and public input regardless of social distancing requirements.
That meeting begins tonight at 7, and it’ll be at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.
On the agenda, discussion and possible action related to COVID-19 response, including the potential of only having one council meeting a month during the outbreak. They’ll also have the February financial report and vote on ordinances relating to junkyards and secondhand dealers. Click here for the full agenda.

HSD adds third lunch bus route
March 20, 2020
A third bus has been added to deliver meals during school closure.
MEAL DELIVERY ROUTES-Effective March 23
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH DELIVERED BY MID COLUMBIA BUS
Bus # 1
7:20 am 10:45 am Stop Hilltop Manor (dirt lot on Punkin Center Rd)
7:25 am 10: 55 am Stop Sagebrush Rd y Joy Lane
7:25 am 10:55 am Stop Cactus y Joy Lane
7:35 am 11:05 am Stop Balboa Lane
7:45 am 11:15 am Stop Punkin Center Trailer Park
8:00 am 11:30 am Stop Joy Lane y Kik Rd
8:15 am 11:45 am Stop Vista Park
8:25 am 11:55 am Stop Country Squire
8:30 am 12:00 pm Stop Sandstone Middle School
8:35 am 12:05 pm Stop Aspen Apartments
8:45 am 12:10 am Stop Dogwood Apartments
8:50 am 12:15 pm Stop 420 SE 4th St

Bus # 2
7:20 am 10:40 am Stop Viewcrest Apartments
7:25 am 10:45 am Stop Hacienda West Apartments
7:30 am 10:50 am Stop NW 12th St y W Madrona Ave
7:35 am 10:55 am Stop 12th St y Ridgeway Ave
7:40 am 11:05 am Stop NW 12th St y Hartley Ave
7:45 am 11:15 am Stop Applewood Apartments
7:55 am 11:30 am Stop Ridgeway Apartments
8:05 am 11:40 am Stop Victory Square Park (Foxwood Apartments y Bliss Homes)
8:15 am 11:50 am Stop Chateaubri
8:25 am 12:00 am Stop Buttercreek
8:30 am 12:05 pm Stop Village Park
8:40 am 12:15 pm Stop Sunland Apartments
8:50 am 12:25 pm Stop Highland Manor Apartments
9:00 am 12:35 pm Stop Armand Larive Middle School

Bus # 3
7:15 am 10:45 am Stop 4th St (Tower Apartments behind Safeway)
7:25 am 10:55 am Stop Rocky Heights (Bus Lane)
7:35 am 11:05 am Stop NW Eucalyptus Dr y NW Prickly Pear Dr
7:45 am 11:15 am Stop NW Eucalyptus Dr y NW Dusk Dr
7:55 am 11:25 am Stop Punkin Center y Overlook Dr
8:05 am 11:35 am Stop NE 2nd St y E Oregon St (Gated Area)
8:15 am 11:45 am Stop Quail Ridge Apartments
8:25 am 11:55 am Stop Quail Court
8:35 am 12:05 pm Stop Skyview Ct y NE 6th St
8:45 am 12:15 pm Stop E Hurlburt Ave (Newport Park)
8:55 am 12:25 pm Stop Highland Hills Elementary (Bus Lane)
The District is providing breakfast and lunch at the following locations:
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sunset Elementary, 300 E Catherine Avenue
West Park Elementary, 555 SW 7th Street
Hermiston High School, 600 S 1st Street
The City of Hermiston in partnership with the Hermiston School District is providing lunch at the following parks, Monday-Friday:
11:00-Sunset Park
11:30-Victory Square Park

HPD makes drug bust
March 20, 2020
Despite many closures and cancellations for the coronavirus, the Hermiston Police Department is still up and running yesterday announcing an arrest and drug bust.
HPD officers on Wednesday arresting 22-year-old Steven Allan, of Stanfield, and charging him with possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school and a probation warrant.
A release from HPD saying officers had suspected Allan was involved in the drug trade and likely targeting area youth as his customer base. He was arrested during a targeted traffic stop at the Pilot Truck Stop where his car was searched. Search warrants served on Allan’s phone, and home carried out yesterday but members of the Blue Mountain Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston saying overall they seized $10,000 in cash, as well marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, Xanax, MDMA, suspected LSD multiple jars of unknown substances all believed to be controlled and illegal.
HPD appreciates the assistance we received from the Oregon State Police, Stanfield Police Department, and the BENT task force.
Allan is being held at the Umatilla County Jail. Bail is set at $600,000.

Good Shepherd goes NO visitation
March 19, 2020
Good Shepherd Health Care System updating to a no visitation policy effective immediately.
No visitation will be permitted at GSHCS with only the following exceptions:
· Minor children requiring care in the hospital or at a clinic/outpatient site will be permitted one parent/guardian per patient, one at a time throughout the day with no more than two parents per day
· Family Birth Center – one care partner during length of stay
· Patients receiving end-of-life care where death is imminent as identified by a physician or advance practice provider – no more than two visitors in our facility per every 12 hours
· Patients requiring a legal guardian to make medical decisions on their behalf – one care partner during length of stay
· Patients requiring a care partner for self-management – one care partner during length of stay
For these limited exceptions, visitors must be 18 years or older, and be free of fever, cold or flu-like symptoms. All visitors will be screened at entrances to enforce these restrictions.
In addition to restricted visitation, access into the hospital and clinics is limited to specific doors. All patients and vendors are to enter the campus via the Elm Street entrance and they will be subject to a brief screening in order to direct them appropriately for the services needed.

Hermiston closes library, to stream council meting
March 18, 2020
The following is a press release from the City of Hermiston:
The City of Hermiston on Tuesday announced several additional city policy changes in light of direction by federal and state authorities to limit gatherings and non-essential trips.
· The Hermiston Library will close to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18. Library staff will offer drive-up service until 6 p.m. each day and be available by phone at 541-567-2882. The library’s collection of digital and audiobooks can be found at https://hermistonlibrary.us/, and new library accounts can be issued over the phone.
·Libraries also being closed in Morrow County and likely across the libraries of eastern Oregon.
·The March 23 City Council meeting will be held as usual, but the public is encouraged to participate by viewing the meeting via livestream or joining a conference call. Details on how to participate will be provided this week. There will be no work session, and the City Council will vote on whether to temporarily change to monthly meetings.
· The Hermiston Municipal Court will be closed to the public for two weeks beginning Thursday, March 19. Court staff can be reached at 541-567-6610. All trials and court appearances will be reset and notices will be sent via mail. Online payment is still available at https://hermiston.or.us/municipal-court/home.
· Residents enrolled in the Senior/Disabled Taxi Ticket Program will be allowed to use ticket vouchers for food delivery for the duration of the statewide restaurant closure. This is to ensure some of the most vulnerable citizens can continue to access meals. The taxi program is operated by a private company, and the voucher covers the cost of transportation, not the food. Call 541-567-6055 to reserve a ride.

Boardman closes City Hall
March 18, 2020
From the city of Boardman:
The City of Boardman has decided to move to online and telephone services in all departments. We recognize that this could be an inconvenience and did not make the decision lightly. Effective immediately, and until further notice, City Hall is closed to walk-in customers. Use online for utility payments or call and pay by phone at 541-481-9252. The utilities department will discontinue non-payment shutoffs until further notice to ensure continued access to water for all residents. Bill payment and collection will continue as usual.
The City continues to urge all community members to take steps to protect themselves and those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19.
The City will continue to do its best to minimize any risks. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and will follow guidance from Umatilla County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to ensure community and employee safety.

Hermiston Schools update lunch options
March 17, 2020
The Hermiston School District updated its meal delivery routes during the mandated school closure. This is the list as of Tuesday afternoon:

Bus #1
7:20 am 10:45 am Stop Hilltop Manor (dirt lot on Punkin Center Rd)
7:25 am 10: 55 am Stop Sagebrush Rd & Joy Lane
7:35 am 11:05 am Stop Balboa Lane
7:45 am 11:15 am Stop Punkin Center Trailer Park
8:00 am 11:30 am Stop Joy Lane & Kik Rd
8:10 am 11:40 am Stop Punkin Center & Overlook Dr
8:20 am 11:50 am Stop Vista Park
8:25 am 11:55 am Stop Country Squire
8:30 am 12:00 pm Stop Sandstone Middle School
8:35 am 12:05 pm Stop Aspen Apartments
8:45 am 12:10 pm Stop Dogwood Apartments

Bus #2
7:20 am 10:40 am Stop Viewcrest Apartments
7:25 am 10:45 am Stop Hacienda West Apartments
7:30 am 10:50 am Stop NW 12th St & W Madrona Ave
7:35 am 10:55 am Stop 12th St & Ridgeway Ave
7:40 am 11:05 am Stop NW 12th St & Hartley Ave
7:45 am 11:15 am Stop Applewood Apartments
7:55 am 11:30 am Stop Ridgeway Apartments
8:05 am 11:40 am Stop Victory Square Park (Foxwood Apartments & Bliss Homes)
8:15 am 11:50 am Stop Chateaubri
8:25 am 12:00 pm Stop Buttercreek
8:40 am 12:15 pm Stop Sunland Apartments
8:50 am 12:25 pm Stop Highland Manor Apartments
9:00 am 12:35 pm Stop Armand Larive Middle School

The District will be providing breakfast and lunch at the following locations during the school closure (March 16-31):
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sunset Elementary, 300 E Catherine Avenue
West Park Elementary, 555 SW 7th Street
Hermiston High School, 600 S 1st Street
Starting Thursday, March 19, City of Hermiston in partnership with the Hermiston School District will be providing lunch at the following parks, Monday-Friday:
11:00-Sunset Park
11:30-Victory Square Park

Good Shepherd limits visitors, doors
March 17, 2020
Good Shepherd Health Care System limiting visitors because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Until further notice, GSHCS is strongly encouraging community members not to visit the hospital campus unless they require health
care services. Patient visitation will be limited to one person per patient. Children under the age of 13 should not visit unless they are visiting a single parent who is the patient. Additionally, if a patient is not seeking emergency care, and intends to come to GSHCS for essential medical services, they should call ahead to the medical care location prior to leaving their home.
In addition to these adjusted visitation guidelines, access into the hospital and clinics will be limited to specific doors. All
patients and vendors are to enter campus via the Elm Street entrance and they will be subject to a brief screening in order to direct them appropriately for the services needed.
Locations for entering our facilities will be limited to the following doors during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• Emergency Room Entrance

• Entrance A (Good Shepherd Medical Group Clinic Entrance)

• Entrance C (Pharmacy Entrance)

• Good Shepherd Medical Plaza Main Entrance

• Columbia Professional Plaza (Front Entrance Only)
  After hours (between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) the Emergency Room entrance is the only door open and will continue
  with 24 hour access. All other exterior doors, including the main Hospital Entrance, Day Surgery entrance, as well as
  Entrance B (near the Education Department) will be locked until further notice.
  Education Department scheduled activities are suspended and postponed through March 31, 2020. The pharmacy will have curb-side pickup of prescription and is able to provide free prescription delivery to patient households. Patients can call the pharmacy to request the service.

• Umatilla County remains on state of alert
  March 17, 2020
  Umatilla County remaining on a state of alert with regard to COVID-19.
  This week, acting on the advice of Umatilla County Medical Director Dr. Jon Hitzman and Director of Public Health Joe Fiumara, both Umatilla County and local cities agreeing to continue to operate on the same path based upon the original confirmation of two cases of COVID-19 among the County’s 80,000 residents.
  As of Monday afternoon, there are no known active cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla County, according to medical officials. The group meeting a second time yesterday following the Governor’s press conference. The group saying there is a delicate balance between protecting the health of our citizens and causing significant economic damage to our
  most fragile businesses and residents. These most fragile situations include the following:
        School children that receive meals from the local school districts
        Hourly workers that won’t receive pay for the time spent off work, and
        Small business owners impacted by government decisions.
  Umatilla County, which is still emerging from a flood disaster, is well aware of those who need food,
  shelter, and other support do not enjoy the luxury of long waiting periods while programs are put into
  place. Their needs are immediate.
  In order to assist small business owners who might find themselves in a position to file for emergency funding from the Small Business Administration or other emergency funding programs developed to deal with COVID-19 , Gail Nelson, Umatilla County Economic Development Director, will be in charge of
  providing assistance on behalf of the County.
  

HSD Board will have an emergency meeting this afternoon.
March 13, 2020
The Hermiston School Board will have an emergency meeting this afternoon in light of Governor Brown’s announcement of a statewide school closure.
School is in session today

City council talks annexation - again
March 9, 2020
Tonight Hermiston City Council again talks the annexation of a property slated for a 100 unit subdivision on NE Fourth and Punkin Center. The plan has been approved by the planning commission; however, when it went before the city council last month, local residents spoke against the new development because of a street connection that would continue through existing neighborhoods into the new development.
Hermiston Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan says the residents were concerned about the speed of drivers through the area when the new development opens.
Last month, the council voted 4 to 2 to approve the annexation; however, four votes is not the majority of the council because two council members were absent. The council expected to vote on that annexation again tonight. The council also has a goal setting report on the agenda and votes on ordinances adding a chapter that delineates the process for writing citations from the city code.
Although it is all new language, it reflects the current practices and brings us current with the state limitations for fines and fees. This provides a much clearer process for enforcing the city code
Click here for the full agenda.

Library gearing up for construction
March 9, 2020
The Hermiston City Council meeting tonight is at the Hermiston Public Library because of fire damage to Hermiston City Hall in December and plans to demolish and replace City Hall in an $8 million project. Some of that money will go toward modifications to the Hermiston Public Library as it houses city council meetings and some city functions over the next year. Librarian Mark Rose says it will be good for the library in the long run but will cause some headaches this summer.
"For this summer our ability to hold programs will be limited due to construction," Rose said. "While City Hall shares the basement, City Council and other city meetings will share a common space with Library programming. We will do our best to continue the many fun traditions and activities as we have for years, however, we may use another location for programs during this summers construction. We’ll be sure to let everyone know."
Rose saying the changes will eventually give them more space for more books as well as programming. The planned changes include re-aligning walls and hallways downstairs and changes to the rear entryway.


School Board meets
March 9, 2020
The Hermiston School Board also meeting tonight – on their agenda, recognition of the classified employees of the year as well as recognitions in High School wrestling and swimming, a presentation of the student investment account plan, and renewal of personnel contracts. They’ll also vote on the financial planning parameters for the next school year. That meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Hermiston School District offices. Click here for the agenda.

Umatilla Robotics takes chairman's award
March 8, 2020
Finally, Umatilla High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition team competing in Spokane this weekend and taking home the Chairman’s Award, qualifying the team for Pacificnorthwest district competitions in Cheney the weekend of April 4.
The most prestigious award at FIRST, the Chairman's Award honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. Find more about the team here.

Umatilla, Boardman meet tonight
March 3, 2020
Tonight, city council meetings in Boardman, and Umatilla
On the Umatilla agenda, community development block grant, a
They’ll also vote on renewing the lease with the with the Oregon Department of State Lands for permits of floating docks, pedestrian gangways, the fueling stations, etc. At the Umatilla Marina. The original lease is experiencing, and the city successfully applied to renew for another 15 years.
Two downtown revitalization grants as well, one for Loyal Restoration, and one for Alanis Auto Detailing.
Click here for the full agenda.
On the Boardman agenda, second reading and discussion on Adopting Building Code as well as multiple reports and an appointment.

Third coronavirus patient is Oregon is from Umatilla County
March 2, 2020
A third case of Corona Virus reported in Oregon – and this one from Umatilla County.
The Oregon Health Authority saying the person is an adult resident from Umatilla County who is hospitalized in Walla Walla. Local reports indicating the patient is a male who worked at Wildhorse Resort and Casino.
Joe Fiumara with Umatilla County Public Health says they are urging local residents not to overreact. Fiumara saying Uco public health is working to respond to all public inquiries in addition to the investigation but they are being overloaded by requests.
Preliminary reports indicate the Oregon resident attended a youth basketball game at a gymnasium at Weston Middle School, 205 E. Wallace St. in Weston, Ore., on Saturday, Feb. 29. Weston Middle School and at Wildhorse Resort and Casino for sanitation.
State and local health officials are moving quickly to contact people who may have been in close contact with the individual who tested as a presumptive positive case. Health officials will announce if there are any additional locations where people may been exposed, if they are determined.
Under federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, other spectators who may have been in a closed environment with the individual would be considered “low-risk” exposures.
State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger says the gym is in a separate building from the school and is being sterilized. Sidelinger saying the case is not linked with travel to a part of the world with known cases of COVID-19 and therefore is considered a case of community transmission.
Sidelinger says the vast majority of people infected with COVID-19 will have only mild symptoms. They continue to ask people to stay home when they are sick. If sick, call the provider beforehand and make arrangements to come in safely. Local hospitals following CDC and OHA guidelines for screening and infection control.

Scholarship deadlines, fundraiser, play this weekend
Feb. 28, 2020
This weekend, a deadline for medical scholarships from the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation. Foundation director Bob Green saying the deadline is midnight tomorrow – the last day in February.
The foundation offers scholarships in three separate program; one for high school seniors, one for medical students having successfully completed one year of college, and another for medical professionals currently working for Good Shepherd Health Care System
Find the application and information here.
The Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation has awarded more than 400 scholarships to local residents to start or continue education leading to a health-related career in recent years.
Find more details here.
In other scholarship deadlines, the Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend scholarship applications are due on Sunday. Scholarship winners must be or plan to be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate agricultural studies and be from Umatilla, Morrow, Grant, Baker, Wallowa or Union counties. Find the application at cattlebarons.net. Cattle Barons is always the weekend before mothers day.
Also happening this weekend, the monthly fundraiser breakfast at the Irrigon Senior Center, a fundraiser for Campus Life The Gathering second annual dinner and auction, and the final shows for CCT’s The Sound of Music at Pendleton’s BMCC campus. Buy tickets here.

UCFD#1 participating in Stairclimb next week
Feb. 28, 2020
Coming up next week, a team of local firefighters will don full turnout gear and each climb 69 stories of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is the 11th year the fire district has sent a team to the LLS Firefighter Stairclimb.
Fire Chief Scott Stanton says it’s a good cause the district is happy to support. Stanton will be on site but not as part of the team – he’ll be refilling oxygen bottles.
Stanton also raising about 12-hundred dollars for LLS through this year's Dancing with the Hermiston Stars.
As of yesterday afternoon, the team had raised $9,800 – 65 percent of its $15,000 goal.
Click here to donate or for more information.

High winds cause power outages
Feb. 24, 2020
Reports of winds more than 70 miles per hour through Umatilla County yesterday causing multiple power outages, downed trees, and car crashes across the region.
National Weather Service reporting gusts up to 63 mph in the lower Columbia basin, 55 at the Hermiston Municipal Airport and 44 in Boardman and 74 in Helix.
Umatilla Electric Cooperative reporting 800 people out of power in Hermiston yesterday and 300 in Irrigon with wind gusts up to 50 mph
Pacific Power dealing with more than 3,000 people out of power from Bend to Pendleton. Highway 11 between Pendleton and Milton-Freewater was closed for a time as was Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande because of downed trees and powerlines near Meacham.
Pacific Power still reporting a handful of outages this morning.

City Hall decision vote tonight
Feb. 24, 2020
Tonight, the Hermiston City Council expected to make a decision about moving forward with Hermiston City Hall. City staff is recommending demolishing the current city hall, damaged in a fire in December, and building a new city hall on the site, about a $9 million project. The council could decide on that option or on using insurance proceeds to complete the restoration of the current city hall.
Documents say that decision is after an online survey, public presentations and soliciting feedback from the community and also states the city council has periodically discussed the need for a new city hall over the past four years.
That decision is about halfway through the city council meeting tonight. Council members will meet for a tour of City Hall at 6 tonight, and then the regular meeting begins at 7. It will open with a presentation on the new capital improvement plan website, Hermistonprojects.com , a time for public comment, a public hearing on annexing 20 acres of property for a new subdivsion and a closed door executive session about property negotiations. The executive session expected to last about 20 minutes.
After the city hall decision, ratification of utility rate increases. The city says this is an automatic increase that will cost water and sewer users an average of $1.78 extra per month.
Click here for the full agenda

School Board starts budget
Feb. 24, 2020
The Hermiston School Board also meeting tonight. They’ll starting the budget process during a work session tonight at the district offices.
Board member Josh Gollar says once the board finalizes the framework for the budget, then the district’s budget committee will begin work in May to finalize the document.

Stanfield talks floods, Umatilla has full agenda
Feb. 18, 2020
Also happening tonight, flood updates from the Stanfield City Council. That presentation on the agenda during tonight’s city council meeting. They’ll also have committee reports, bills, and an update from the city manager. That meeting begins at 6 tonight in the Council chambers on Coe Avenue.
The Umatilla City Council is also meeting at 6 p.m., and they have a full agenda. They’ll have a public hearing about grant applications and the final design of the water and sewer extension projects to the Power City and Brownell areas. They’ll also have the audit review and a presentation from OpenGov as well as a vote on a resolution to amend an agreement about the city’s wastewater recycling project, a discussion city utility rates, and discussion on creating a new livestock residential zone.
Find the full agenda here.

City Hall forums today and tonight
Feb. 18, 2020
Today and Tonight the city of Hermiston’s public hearing and update presentation about the City Hall proposals.
The first session is at 12:30 today at the Harkenrider Senior Center. The second tonight at 6 p.m. in the Lanham Room in the basement of the library. The forums will include a presentation by City manager Byron Smith and information about the five researched options:
1.    Renovate/Expand the current City Hall.
2.    Rebuild a larger replacement building on the current City Hall site.
3.    Repurpose/expand on the current library.
4.    Sell the current City Hall and renovate the Hermiston Community Center.
5.    Sell the current City Hall and build a replacement building on vacant land.
A release saying the city has been working with architects since 2016, and that the design on the recommended plan – a $9 million new city hall project that would be building on the existing City Hall site – was presented to city council last Monday. Documents from the city say they expect to pay for the project through a combination of tenant lease revenue and dedicated fee payments from the Greater Hermiston Enterprise Zone. Anyone interested in the project or providing feedback can attend the informational sessions today. Those are, again, at 12:30 today at the Harkenrider Senior Center and a 6 tonight at the Hermiston Public Library.

Lyons, Meyers, Medelez and Made to Thrive honored at DCA
Feb. 13, 2020
Hundreds came out last night for the 50th annual Distinguished Citizen Awards banquet last night at the Hermiston Community Center.
Man of the year Lou Lyons, of Elmer's Irrigation, honored for his work with foster children and FFA students making a focus on young people in the community. When accepting the award, he began by saying it was about the kids and ending with thanking his employees and the community.
"We're not the out-of-towners," he said. "We are proud to support the community. It's what we intend to do, so thank you everyone."
The woman of the year, Cindy Meyers, recognized for her focus on nonprofits and as a longtime business woman in the community. Both received standing ovations, as did the Bob Severson Rotary business of the year, Medelez Incorporated and the Merit of Honor Award winner - Kriss Dammeyer and Made to Thrive.
"This is a community organization," she said. "I'm proud to be from here, born here, raised here, and to be able to give back here as well."
The organization has served more than 1500 kids since its creation.
Also recognized were Jessica Marcum, who received the Fire Service Award, and Tammy Fisher, who was named the Hermiston School District's 2020 educator of the year. Each educator from each school building was also recognized and Victor Vasquez was announced as this years distinguished alumnus.

County opens damage survey
Feb. 10, 2010
Search and rescue operations transitioning into assessment to determine the extend of the damage from last week’s flooding.
The county has set up a web survey for homeowners, renters and businesses to report damage to their property: https://tinyurl.com/w4838tq.
This information will be used by the county to capture impacts of the flood to request support from the state and federal government.

Emergency declaration for flood
Feb. 10, 2020
Oregon Governor Kate Brown declaring an emergency on Friday afternoon for Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties. The declaration means the Office of Emergency Management can coordinate deployment of state agencies, including the national guard, which did use a helicopter to rescue people trapped on the other side of the county. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days.
Multiple city councils and the Umatilla County Commissioners also declaring disasters.
On the west side of the county, evacuations in the Echo and Stanfield meadows areas, damage to property including Riverfront Park in Hermiston and the athletic fields and complex at Umatilla High School.
One fatality reported from the flooding. 62-year-old Janet Cooley first reported missing from the Bar M Ranch area near Adams. Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office saying her body was located over the weekend and she appeared to have been swept away by the flood waters.
More on the effect of flooding on the other side of the county later this hour.

Freeway re-opens, with restrictions
Feb. 10, 2020
From ODOT: One westbound and one eastbound lane of Interstate 84 reopened Sunday evening east of Interstate 82 after the route was closed because of high water and road damage. I-84 travelers can now continue on the freeway between Exits 182 and 188 (no detour off I-84).
All lanes were closed since early Friday between exits 182 and 188, with a detour around the damaged section. ODOT first reopened one westbound lane, then one eastbound lane. The speed limit is set at 45 mph because of remaining road damage and because crews continue to work on emergency repairs.
No time limit has been set for opening the second westbound and eastbound lanes. Motorists are reminded to slow down and watch for work crews.
Check TripCheck.com for updates or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.

Council has city hall report, school board has calendar on agenda
Feb. 10, 2020
Tonight, the Hermiston City Council has its update and City Hall Information Report. This report to cover costs and details for the proposals to both renovate and repair or to replace Hermiston City Hall after the fire late last year.
could appoint an additional municipal judge pro-tem, Documents from the city saying Due to conflicts of interest and availability the Hermiston Municipal Court needs an additional Municipal Court Judge Pro-tem to hear a particular case.
Samuel E. Tucker is available to hear this particular case and is qualified based on his 35 years of service on the Milton-Freewater Municipal Court bench.
Follow this link for the full agenda.
Also tonight, the Hermiston School Board looks at approving the 2020-2021 school calendar. If approved, the first day of school is Aug. 24, and the final day June 8. Also on the agenda, reports on enrollment and licensed staff employment timelines as well as financial reports. That meeting begins at 6:30 tonight at the Hermiston School District Offices.
Find the school board agenda here.

Floods hit Umatilla County
Feb. 7, 2020
Evacuations, flood warnings, flooding, and closures today across the region. The National Weather Service flood warning in effect until 5:45 p.m. Friday.
Interstate 84 is closed in both directions from Exit 182 to the Idaho border. The closures because of flooding high water and inspections of the highway after the water has receded. Highways 204 – that’s Tollgate – 11 and 244 all closed. ODOT saying other routes may be impacted by high water.
Closures in Hermiston at Riverfront Park, which is flooded, the Orchard Extension, Seymour Street, Hoosier Street, and 23rd Street. Echo Meadows, Stanfield Meadows, Reith Road and other roads heading to and from Echo currently closed because of the high water, that includes Highway 207.
Evacuations in Echo and Stanfield due to flooding from the Umatilla River, and a boil water notice for residents in Stanfield an d Echo who use private wells. City services are still clean and ok to use, but local wells may have been contaminated by the overflow of the Umatilla River. You can contact Stanfield Public Works at 561-4587 for more information or updates.
Displaced families meeting at the Fire Hall in Stanfield and the Echo schools campus.
The Echo City Council had a special meeting at 10 this morning and declared a state of emergency for the city.
Umatilla County Fire District #1 assisting with the evacuations in the area of Coe and Stanfield Meadows Roads as well as the rescue of stranded motorists, including an overturned semi.
Today the Umatilla Reservation River Residents evacuated, and Evacuations in Pendleton, Mission, and Weston last night as well. The Red Cross has opened a shelter in the Pendleton Convention Center. Shelters also available at the CTUIR Warming Station and the Mission Gym.
School cancelled today in Athena-Weston and Milton-Freewater and at BMCC’s Milton-Freewater campus Pendleton School District saying schools are open at regular times, but some areas will not have busing services because of area flooding. Students will be excused if they cannot attend school because of lack of transportation or conditions that are not safe for them to travel.

Umatilla, Stanfield, Boardman councils meet tonight
Feb. 4, 2020
Umatilla
The Umatilla City Council will vote on an agreements bringing in about $3 million during its council meeting tonight. The first agreement with the state of Oregon and ODOT to complete the Lind road and Union Street Improvement Project. The vote is on the formal agreement from ODOT for the project the city received a grant for half of the $1.9 million project.
Another resolutions authorizes the mayor to sign an agreement with Umatilla County for distribution of funds from Amazon Data Services. The city, the county, and Amazon have an agreement with the company pays about $4 million annually. Last month, city and county representatives finalized an agreement for distributing that money equally between the city and county, and they’ll be voting on the agreement tonight.
Also on the agenda, discussion of a parks and recreation logo and tagline discussion based on the community competition. The council has resolutions extending the contract with Barnett & Moro for audit services through June 30 of 2022 and accepting supplemental budget. .
The meeting begins at 7 tonight at Umatilla City Hall.
Click here for the full agenda.
Stanfield
The Stanfield City Council has the second reading of two ordinances on its agenda. One would vacate Lucy Street, and the other would regulate mobile food units and vendors. That meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Boardman
The Boardman City Council also meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at Boardman City Hall.
On the agenda, an ordinance adopting a building code and a resolution about the water and waste water general obligation bond.
The council also expected to elect a council president, approve the budget calendar and appoint residents to five city positions on the budget committee and planning commission.
Find the full agenda on the city's website.

City opens City Hall survey
Feb. 3, 2020
The Hermiston City Council is discussing demolishing and rebuilding Hermiston City Hall – and they’re ready for community input on the decision. The city launching a community survey Friday afternoon for feedback on whether the city should replace, repair, or renovate Hermiston City Hall, which was damaged by a fire in late 2019. Mark Morgan says the city has discussed replacing City Hall even before the fire
"It's been pretty obvious that probably sometime in the next five years we probably would move forward on a new city hall," Morgan said. "That's where the question comes in: Do we put $100,000 into an existing city hall that we know isn't going to be sufficient for us?"
The council will have cost estimates and facts during its next meeting, Feb. 10, and they hope to have a public information meeting later in February. The Hermiston City Council expected to vote on the issue of repairing or replacing city hall during its Feb. 24 meeting.
Click here for the survey.

Funland Fundraising hits halfway point
Feb. 3, 2020
Fundraising and planning continues for the rebuild of Funland Playground, destroyed by a fire last year. Hermiston Parks and Recreation Director Larry Fetter saying they’re planning fundraising events, continuing to recruit and recognize donors and selling fence pickets, and they've hit the halfway point in fundraising.
The 1.5 million playground concept incorporating multiple zones and fire resistant materials as well as new restroom facilities, concessions, and security systems. Fetter says they’re hoping to have it built and open Labor Day this year.
You can see the concept drawings of the the playground by clicking here.


Legislative videoconferences set
Jan. 31, 2020
Blue Mountain Community College and local chambers in Hermiston, Boardman, Heppner, and Pendleton working together for weekly videoconferences with Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena), Rep. Greg Smith, and Rep. Greg Barreto (R-Cove)
throughout the 2020 Oregon Legislative “short” Session that begins Monday.
BMCC is hosting the videoconferences, which will take place each
Tuesday from 7-8 a.m. from Feb. 4 through March 3 in the BMCC Boardroom in Pioneer Hall on the Pendleton campus, at the BMCC center locations in Baker City, Boardman, Hermiston and Milton-Freewater, and Morrow County Bartholomew Building Upper Conference Room.
The legislators will join the videoconference from Salem, where they’re representing the region in the Legislative Session. This is the fourth year that BMCC has hosted the videoconferences, which are open to the public and have opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions from the legislators.
The videoconferences are typically held weekly during the short sessions in even numbered years, which run for just 35 days, and bi-weekly during regular sessions in odd numbered years.

Hermiston opens education survey
Jan. 28, 2019
We’ve told you about a few surveys and opportunities to get involved, and here’s another one: The Hermiston School District is asking parents, students, staff, and the community to providing input on education priorities. The survey part of the Student Success Act for funding from the Oregon legislature.
Follow this link to take the Success Act Survey for the Hermiston School District.

Special meetings tonight in Boardman, Umatilla
Jan. 28, 2019
The Boardman City Council does also have a workshop tonight at 5:30 in the council chambers at Boardman City Hall. This is described as a Planning Session about council goals and direction. No deliberations planned and no decisions will be made regarding any specific subject. Because this is a workshop session, there may not be opportunity for public comment.
A special meeting of the Umatilla City Council tonight. That’s at 5:15 at Umatilla City Hall. The only item on the agenda is an executive session to consult with counsel concerning current or potential litigation.

Hermiston council eyes property, road change
Jan. 27, 2020
Hermiston City Council to consider taking over two pieces property for the re-alignment of Geer and Harper roads.
That resolution on the agenda for tonight’s Hermiston City Council meeting. The intersection of Geer and Harper, as well as the railroad tracks and stop sign at First Place/Old River Road has been in the city’s strategic plan for three years. The current recommendation would reformat that area so instead of having a Y-shape connecting the three roads, it would be closer to a triangle with traffic from Geer Road not having would not having to stop at Harper and would instead have its first stop sign at River Road.


A committee selected the reconfiguration recommendation for the intersection from multiple options.

To complete that realignment, however, the city could have to acquire about ¾ of an acre of property, and that’s the action the council will consider tonight. The land is valued at about $65,000.
The council to also consider a liquor license application for the new Hermiston Grocery Outlet and two ordinance changes to Hermiston city codes.
Click here for the full agenda.
A work session for the Hermiston School Board tonight. It begins at 6:30 tonight at Hermiston High School. A presentation from Hermiston High School principal Tom Spoo on the agenda as is a report on graduation rates. Board members are expected to meet in a closed-door executive session about personnel evaluation or review.
That full agenda is available here.

PIT count next week
January 24, 2020
Next week, an annual tally of homeless – and they’re looking for volunteers, especially in Hermiston. Glenda McDaniel, with CAPECO, says the Point-in-Time count is about figuring out how many people are homeless within a community – even those people don’t think about.
To be included in the point-in-time count, someone would be either sheltered or unsheltered homeless, which includes people who are camping or living outside, but also someone who is couch surfing, or someone living somewhere without access to heat and/or running water, such living out of a vehicle or in a garage or out-building where they must enter someone else’s home to use a bathroom or kitchen.
The PIT count this year will be Wednesday, January 29, and they need more volunteers, especially in Hermiston.
Anyone interested needs to sign up to volunteer at this link and then complete training. There is a training TODAY from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today in the Hermiston CAPECO Conference Room and another on Monday at the same time at the Pendleton CAPECO facility. They are offering drop-in trainings as well.
Last year’s point-in-time count recorded 422 homeless in Umatilla County – the bulk in Pendleton and Hermiston; although volunteers reported 39 homeless in Athena,14 in Milton-Freewater, and 4 in Stanfield. The Morrow County PIT count tallied 182 homeless including 129 in Boardman, 33 in Irrigon, and 19 in Heppner.
Organizers have said they believe the count in Hermiston is not bringing in an accurate number and, again, they’re looking for more volunteers, especially in Hermiston. Last year, they identified 77 people in Hermiston.
You can find more information by contacting CAPECO.

Healthy Communities talk census
Jan. 21, 2020
There’s a presentation about the 2020 census and its impact on health and community tomorrow during the Healthy Communities Coalition meeting at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Health Educator Jessica Reker says the census has a direct impact on health services.
"Depending on the results of the census is how we get money for healthcare and Medicaid per state. That's how they know how many homeless individuals we have so that we know how many resources we need. That's money for infrastructure, for state programs, for everything like that, so it is really important," she said.
Reker says there’s also a concern about skewing services toward or away from populations if they don’t get an accurate count.
The presentation will cover questions that will and will not be asked during the census and the impacts of the census on community and health programs.

Stanfield, Umatilla councils meet tonight
Jan. 21, 2020
Tonight the Stanfield City Council will have a presentation from Sanitary Disposal and discussion of new waste disposal rates during its regular city council meeting tonight at the council chambers on Coe Avenue. Also on the agenda, the first reading of ordinances regulating mobile food units and vendors, vacating Lucy street and designating an enterprise zone in Stanfield and Echo. That meeting begins at 6 tonight.
Also meeting tonight, and, strangely, also at 6 p.m., the Umatilla City Council has a meeting and workshop. They’ll be discussing an agreement with the Umatilla School District to partner on a program for disabled students to gain work-based learning experiences in the community. According to agenda documents, the Umatilla Library has partnered with the program in the past and would like to again. Also on the agenda, a resolution authorizing the city manager to accept and sign a bid forma nd sales agreement for a piece of property. The parcel is a remnant from the realignment of River Road and city staff say the property could be improved with landscaping and signage as part of the City's beautification effort. The city will also discussed city-owned property off Bud Draper Drive and the water management and conservation plan draft.
Find the full agenda here.

Hermiston council considers replacing City Hall
Jan. 15, 2019
The Hermiston City Council is considering replacing Hermiston City Hall.
Council members setting a self-imposed deadline of one month to make the decision on whether they will repair damages to city hall after a December fire or replace the building on the same site.
Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan saying the city has some repairs it must make – including cleaning records – but could leverage some insurance money into a new building instead of making repairs to the current facility.
Morgan says in question is about $100,000 that would be needed to replace of the HVAC system, carpets and equipment that was flooded or could be put toward a new building.
The current city hall building was built as a bank in 1965 and expanded when it became city hall in the mid 1980s.
Morgan saying replacing City Hall would allow to city to correct the city hall issues with mobility and ADA accessibility. They are looking for feedback from the community and Hermiston residents can contact city council members to provide input. The council will likely discuss the city hall issue during its next meeting on Jan 27 and could make a decision at that meeting or the first meeting in February.

Christianson wins Dancing with the Stars
Jan. 13, 2019
A cha cha, a tango, a bit of fundraising, and a mirror ball trophy was awarded Saturday night in Hermiston.
At the end of the night, a combination of judge scores, audience votes, and fundraising dollars crowned Bennett Christianson as the champion.
The event raising more than $10,000. Christianson’s portion of the fundraising for Campus Life. He says he did not expect to win – and that some of the other dancers deserved it more.
"I'm shocked. I'm literally shocked. I had no idea. My expectations were pretty low, and there are some awesome, awesome dancers," he said.
Christianson line danced a country two-step. Five points separating Christianson and the runner up for the event, Shawn Lockwood. Lockwood brought in the highest amount of fundraising for her charity, Made to Thrive. The event was organized by the Hermiston Education Foundation.

Garbage rates, food pod on tonight's agenda
Jan. 13, 2019
A proposed garbage rate increase on the agena tonight for the Hermiston City Council along with a work session covering the food pod review and a final decision on the Eastern Oregon Development Rezone Request. The city council will be voting on accepting the findings of fact.
Tonight’s meeting is in the Lanham room at the Hermiston Public Library because of ongoing clean up and repair work at Hermiston City Hall, the site of a fire late last month. Also on the agenda, update and possible action on City Hall Status.
The work session begins at 6 tonight, followed by the regular council meeting at 7.
Click here for the full agenda.

School board hosts award reception
Jan. 13, 2019
The Hermiston School Board is meeting tonight at 6:30 at the Hermiston School district Offices.
During the meeting, recognition of the educators of the year, the administrator of the year, and the board of education. As part of the recognition, the board will have a reception that lasts until 7:30. The board meeting will resume at 7:35 with time for public comment, reports, and discussion on Division 22 Assurances.
The school board will meet in a closed-door, exectuve session over property transactions
Find the full agenda here.

Umatilla annexes, Boardman council plans
Jan. 7, 2020
The City of Umatilla council could grow by another eight properties tonight. The Umatilla City Council voting on an ordinance to annex Union Street and 44 acres at the south east intersection of Highway 730 and Highway 394, west of Bud Draper Road. That ordinance one of only two on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
The second ordinance is the second reading of an ordinance update the city’s sewer and water code. Also on the agenda, a closed-door executive session to consult with counsel on legal matters.
Click here for the Umatilla Council agenda.
The Boardman City Council meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at Boardman City Hall.
On the agenda, the broadband strategic plan, temporary suspension of water and sewer system development charges, and amending the city fee schedule.
The full agenda available at the city's website.
Stanfield City Council will not be meeting tonight. Their next meeting is Jan. 21.

2020 Fair Court announced
Jan. 7, 2020
Yesterday, the 2020 Umatilla County Fair Court announced.
The princesses are juniors Keeva Hoston, and Kyleigh Supulveda, of Hermiston, sophomore Brielle Youncs, of Pendleton, and junior Baylee Marshall, also of Pendleton.
The new fair court chaperone is Rebecca Manning, of Pendleton.
Read more about the court here.

HHS student killed in crash
Jan. 6, 2019
Still limited details released in a fatal car crash New Year’s day.
A crisis support team will be at Hermiston High School today, the first day after the winter break, providing support for students and staff after the announcement over the weekend that 16-year-old Brett Jewett, a sophomore, was killed in a two-car crash on New Year’s Day on Buttercreek Highway.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office saying the motor vehicle crash happened on Highway 207 near milepost 21, south of Hermiston, at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day. The crash involved two vehicles, traveling in opposite directions.
Jewett was a passenger.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Port of Morrow gets $1.6 million
Jan. 6, 2019
On Friday, news the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $1,623,000 in federal funding to the Port of Morrow to assist with improving equipment and infrastructure in order to meet the needs of the Port’s marine terminals. The funding will help extend the Port’s barge service and lead to reduced transportation costs and decreased road and rail traffic.
The Port was able to apply for the grant due to DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) designating the Port of Morrow for Marine Highway Project Designation and thus expand additional funding opportunities for the Port and simultaneously increase economic opportunity for the region.
Ryan Neal, Port of Morrow Executive Director thanking Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Rep.Greg Walden for going above and beyond with their support at every step of the process. Neal says, the expanded barge service under this project will help create family wage jobs in the region, reduce transportation costs, and alleviate highway and rail congestion,

Deadline this week for Boardman nominations
Jan. 6, 2019
The deadline this week for nominations for the Boardman Distinguished Citizen Awards Banquet. The Boardman Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for citizen of the year, educator of the year, business person of the year, first responder, youth citizen, and Boardman Pioneer. The deadline for nominations is 2 p.m. on Friday. for The nomination form is available online. For more information, call the chamber at 541-481-3014 or email info@boardmanchamber.org.
The banquet is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14.

Fire District launches survey
Jan. 2, 2019
Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 is asking for feedback from the community. Fire chief Scott Stanton says it’s for people who live or work in the district boundary:
"It's going to ask questions: Do they have smoke alarms in their home? Do they have an escape plan? Demographic questions. Stuff like that to help us guide our future," he said.
That survey is live now and will be open for the next few weeks. The survey link posted on the fire district’s website and facebook pages. Stanton saying the stakeholder group and district board will meet at the end of this month to talk about strengths, weaknesses, and set goals for the next five years.
Speaking of the past year, Umatilla county Fire District 1 saying yesterday in their non-certified numbers, they responded to 4,868 calls for service in 2019 – that’s 115 more than in 2018.
Take the survey here.