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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2016)
REGION Friday, April 22, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A Staff Photo by Jennifer Colton Staff Photo by Jennifer Colton First-graders take a walk Thursday at McNary Dam. Lynn Tompkins, of Blue Mountain Wildlife, holds up an owl pellet for kindergarteners to see during a presentation Thursday at McNary Dam. Students embrace Earth Day at McNary Dam By JENNIFER COLTON East Oregonian Children in tie-dyed T-shirts walked the trails below the McNary Dam on Thursday as Earth Day came to life for almost 700 students. All classes from McNary Heights Elementary, clad in color-coded T-shirts, trekked down to the dam for a full day of hands-on experiments and exploring nature trails, all designed to give young students a fun and interesting way to look at the world around them. Students from the advanced biology class at Umatilla High School led eight different stations scat- tered around the property, teaching younger students about everything from peacock plumage to pollu- tion. Elijah Pine and Ethan Holiday, for example, taught about snakes through puzzles, lessons, and the opportunity to pet Alfred, a boa constrictor. “I was worried, but it’s going pretty good so far,” Pine said. “They (the younger students) thought it was awesome. I was really Staff Photo by Jennifer Colton Umatilla High School junior Elijah Pine introduces a class of second-graders to Alfred the snake Thursday at McNary Dam. Staff Photo by Jennifer Colton Second-grader Kendra Chaves meets Alfred the snake Thursday at McNary Dam. More than 600 students participated in Earth Day activities at the McNary Dam. impressed they enjoyed it as much as they did.” On the other side of the ponds, juniors Arely Ortiz and Yesenia Flores taught about pollution and recycling. “It’s a big topic in the world, and it’s effecting everybody in their daily lives,” Ortiz said, adding it is important to introduce the topic to elementary students. “I hope that they understand that cleaning up after themselves is going to make a huge difference in our world. It may not seem like much with one person, but if everyone does it, it will change everything.” Professional organiza- tions, such as Blue Mountain Wildlife rehabilitation and education, also participated in the event, which was open to all students at McNary Heights Elementary. Staff Photo by Jennifer Colton Umatilla High School junior Arely Ortiz helps students plant seeds in containers made from used water bottles Thursday at McNary Dam. IRRIGON BRIEFLY Three cleared in investigation of teacher/student relationship but the case was forwarded to the TSPC for investigation in September 2014. Four individuals were The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices FRQ¿UPHG XQGHU LQYHVWLJD- Commission is still consid- tion in the case: McElligott; ering the fate of a local Dirk Dirksen, superintendent educator accused of a sexual of the Morrow County School relationship with a student, District; Craig Bensen, but recently dismissed the former Irrigon Junior/Senior cases of three administrators High School principal; and that were part of the investi- Blaine Ganvoa, athletic director at Hermiston School gation. A former student reported District and former athletic she had a sexual relationship director in Irrigon. This month, the commis- with Jake McElligott, a former math teacher and sion cleared the cases coach at Irrigon High School, against Dirksen, Bensen that began the day of her high DQG *DQYRD 763& RI¿FLDOV school graduation in 2013. stated they can release names The student was an adult of anyone cleared of charges. at the time, according to a However, information on Morrow County Sheriff’s any educators still in the 2I¿FH UHSRUW 7KH VKHULII¶V disciplinary process cannot investigation was closed be released until the process because there were no alle- is complete. McElligott gations of criminal conduct, was not included in the list By JENNIFER COLTON East Oregonian released by TSPC of regional educators cleared. The TSPC is a 17-member board of educators appointed by the governor and approved by the state legis- lature. The commission’s mission is uphold profes- sional standards for Oregon educators and is known for handling investigations of misconduct against teachers and administrators. By law, every complaint DJDLQVW DQ HGXFDWRU ¿OHG with TSPC must be inves- tigated, and complaints can come from almost anyone, including school districts, parents, law enforcement or community members. TSPC sees between 250 and 300 cases a year. ——— Contact Jennifer Colton at jcolton@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4534 80-year-old Chicago man dies in motorcycle crash PENDLETON — Oregon State Police LGHQWL¿HGWKHPRWRUF\FOLVWZKRGLHG Tuesday in a crash near Pendleton as Richard R. Hutchins, 80, of Chicago. Troopers and emergency personnel Tuesday at about 3:30 p.m. responded to the report of a motorcycle crashing into a guardrail on Interstate 84 near milepost 219, according to a written statement from state police. The preliminary investigation indicated the rider was traveling eastbound on Interstate 84, drifted out of the lane and struck a guardrail. State police, though, do not know why he crashed. An air ambulance took Hutchins to Providence St. Mary Medical Center, Walla Walla, where he died from his injuries. State police worked with the Walla Walla County coroner to identify the driver. Umatilla County search DQGUHVFXH¿QGVORVWKLNHU PENDLETON — Members of the 8PDWLOOD&RXQW\6KHULII¶V2I¿FH6HDUFK and Rescue Team found a lost hiker early Monday. The team responded to call Sunday around 9 p.m. for a hiker missing in “Pike’s Peak” area, just south of the Washington border and east of Milton-Freewater, according to a written statement from the VKHULII¶VRI¿FH A couple from Walla Walla was hiking in the area when they separated near nightfall. The woman returned to their vehicle while her 63-year-old husband did not. She called his employer, who alerted the Umatilla County communications center. Dispatch located a signal from the man’s FHOOSKRQHWKHVKHULII¶VRI¿FHUHSRUWHG and search and rescue members Travis Lundquist and Josh English responded to the area. They hiked up a steep slope in the dark, DFFRUGLQJWRWKHVKHULII¶VRI¿FHDQGDURXQG 2:40 a.m. Monday found the lost man. He was in shorts and sweatshirt and was uninjured. They escorted him back to his wife and vehicle. “Both the hiker and his wife were very DSSUHFLDWLYH´WKHVKHULII¶VRI¿FHUHSRUWHG The mostly volunteer search and rescue WHDPKHOSV¿QGORVWDQGPLVVLQJSHRSOH overdue hunters, stranded motorist and others, according to the statement. The team also provides aid in medical emergencies and even assists sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement agencies at major crime scenes. COMMUNITY CALENDAR SATURDAY, APRIL 23 SUNDAY, APRIL 24 MONDAY, APRIL 25 MEN’S BREAKFAST, 8 am., Bethel Assembly of God Church, 1109 Airport Road, Pendleton. RETIRED UMATILLA ARMY DEPOT WOMEN’S CLUB, 9 a.m. no-host breakfast, Pheasant Cafe, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston. UMATILLA COUNTY POMO- NA GRANGE, 12:30 p.m. lunch with meeting to follow, Columbia Grange Hall, Diagonal Road, Hermiston. PENDLETON EAGLES STEAK AND LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m. dinner, music 8 p.m. to mid- night, Pendleton Eagles Lodge #28, 428 S. Main St., Pendleton. Open to members and guests. (541-278-2828). HERMISTON EAGLES BREAKFAST, 8-11 a.m., 160 N.W. Second St. Members and guests welcome. PENDLETON EAGLES BREAKFAST, 9 a.m. to noon, Pendleton Eagles Lodge #28, 428 S. Main St., Pendleton. Open to members and guests. (541- 278-2828). UNION PACIFIC EMPLOY- EES CLUB, 1:30 p.m., Hermiston VFW Hall, 45 W. Cherry Ave., Hermiston. All UP employees, working or retired, are invited to attend. Bring a main dish or des- sert and table service. (541-567- 5260). NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RE- TIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OF HERMISTON, 12 noon no- host lunch, Desert Lanes Bowl- ing Alley. All federal employees, retirees and their spouses are welcome. IRRIGON MOOSE LODGE TACOS AND BINGO, 6-9 p.m. tacos; 6:30-9 p.m. bingo. Bingo open to the public, 220 N.E. Third St. (541-922-1802 from noon-8 p.m.) WESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall, 210 E. Main St. V.F.W. POST NO. 922 SO- CIAL, 6:30 p.m., VFW Hall, 1221 S.E. Court Place, Pendleton. Tonya’s House Annual Flower Sale Friday, April 22nd, from 5-7pm and Saturday, April 23rd, 8-11am in front of the Pendleton WalMart. Beautiful potted arrangements make a lovely Mother’s Day gift , or spruce up your summer space! May 8th Let your mother know how much she is appreciated & loved! Publishes in the Hermiston Herald May 4th Publishes in the East Oregonian May 7th SAMPLE Happy Mother’s Day For a very special mother! Your Name Turn in a photo & short message for your mom. Runs in EO & the HH for only $25 per spot Contact: Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com Your choice of a 10” diameter hanging planter or 11x7” cedar toolbox-style planter, fi lled with a variety of colorful summer blooms, for $17 each. You can also call in your order to Tonya’s House, Pendleton, OR, 541-276-2900. Orders will be ready for pick up at Tonya’s House on May 6th. Home delivery available in Pendleton for an extra $3. **All purchases enter buyer in a drawing for a Wildhorse Cineplex family movie night package!** ALL PROCEEDS GO TO FUNDING A SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR TONYA’S HOUSE RESIDENTS Th ank you so much for your support! Your Name: Phone Number: Mother’s Name: Message: Send in, or drop by your photo and information to: 211 SE Byers, Pendleton, OR 97801 333 E. Main, Hermiston, OR 97838 or email snewsom@eastoregonian.com