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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2016)
Page 8A OFF PAGE ONE East Oregonian ADAN: Plans to study computer technology at BMCC Continued from 1A “These kids are really special,” Rouska said. “It’s important to me to at least say goodbye to them.” Jodi Garberg, a physical therapist with the InterMountain Education Service District, had babied the old chair with duct tape and baling wire when it failed. She replaced bad parts with those cannibalized from an assortment of other chairs. Garberg was on hand to see Adan react as his pristine new chair rolled into the cafeteria. “It was the highlight of my year,” she said. “I don’t have words. It was phenomenal.” Three Nu Motion representa- tives were on hand to adjust the chair and get Adan rolling. “He was thrilled,” said Cheri Snodgrass, Adan’s educational assistant. “He was all smiles the rest of the day.” Since receiving the chair, Adan has expanded his horizons. For the irst time, he headed down- town all on his own, cruising to a local gas station just because. “He’s able to go out and explore his community,” Garberg said. “That’s huge for him. His world has opened up. He can go out and live life.” Adan plans to study computer technology next year at Blue Mountain Community College. In a letter he wrote to supporters, he said the technology has opened the door to his adult life. “This new chair will help with my life, my job and school,” he said. “I can go to places and feel safe in my new wheelchair and I can be more independent.” Rouska radiated optimism about Adan’s future. “It’s going to give Adan a really big chance to show what he can do,” Rouska said. ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810. HERMISTON: Project will be completed by summer 2017 Continued from 1A had included everyone’s wish list, but budget constraints made it impossible to pay for everything on the list. “We all have big dreams, but we also have pocketbooks those dreams have to answer to,” Mayor David Drotzmann said. Previously, there had been some debate about whether it was worth spending $550,000 to add a daylight basement. Councilor John Kirwan said he heard from several constituents that they hoped the city would build the basement because it had been a long time since the city had made a major investment downtown. Contractually, the seniors will always have priority use of the building. But after ive years the building can also be used by the community for events ranging from yoga classes to private wedding rentals. “Bringing people downtown is hard to put a price tag on, but I do believe a basement makes this more marketable,” Fetter said. The city’s next step is to reine the approved loor plans into architectural blueprints and put the project out to bid, starting construction in October and inishing sometime in summer 2017. The seniors will have to leave their current center in May 2017, when Hermiston School District begins demolition of the fair and rodeo grounds where the center is located. City manager Byron Smith said the city could pull the $550,000 from the general fund reserve and still maintain the reserve levels required by city council. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4536. BANK: Company also auctioning off former PGG retail store in Athena Continued from 1A Realty Marketing/Northwest suggests the space could be used for a professional ofice, brew pub, indoor market, artist studios or live/work arrangement. Wells Fargo wasn’t the irst major bank to leave Main Street. Kitty-corner to the old Wells Fargo branch, the building at 301 S. Main St. was left vacant for two years after Bank of America moved out. Old West Federal Credit Union took over in 2014. Councilor Chuck Wood, chairman of the Pendleton Devel- opment Commission, said selling and illing the old bank would be a boon to the downtown area. “It’s a great facility, it’s a great building, it’s just underutilized,” he said. Wood said he went to a St. Anthony Hospital fundraiser in the building four years ago and was surprised that it was still in good condition. He said the recent price reduc- tion could move the needle and ill the property, especially if the prospective owner has local ties. The old bank isn’t the only high-proile building in Eastern Oregon that Realty Marketing/ Northwest could auction off. The company is also marketing the former Pendleton Grain Growers retail store in Athena, which closed in 2014. The minimum bid for the 116-year-old, 9,000-square-foot building is $95,000 and will also take place Saturday. Highlighting the building’s proximity to the Gem Theatre and Star Saloon restorations, the ad states that a new owner could restore the PGG façade and add windows and a store front that would be suitable for an ofice, art studio or retail store. Both the Pendleton and Athena properties will be open for inspec- tion May 11, Athena from 10 a.m. to noon and Pendleton from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both auctions will be held at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel May 14 at noon. ——— Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 BRIEFLY Irrigators reminded not to spray water on roadways With irrigation season well underway, Umatilla County Code Enforcement is reminding homes and farms that it’s against the law to spray water from their sprinklers onto roadways. State law prohibits landowners or residents to allow any water to seep, overlow or otherwise discharge onto public roads. The primary concern is for safety, though complaints commonly include issues with nuisance and wasting water, according to the county. Effective immediately, code enforcement oficers will place warning tags on any irrigation equipment found in violation of the law. Failure to comply could result in a citation to circuit court. For more information, contact the Umatilla County Planning Department at 541-278-6252. Youth ishing event at McNary Ponds Saturday UMATILLA — The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a free youth ishing event Saturday at McNary Channel Ponds just east of Umatilla. ODFW will provide loaner rods and reels, and volunteers will be on hand to help kids get started. Fishing is open to youth ages 14 and younger from 10 a.m. to noon, with ishing for the whole family after noon. State law allows kids ages 12 and younger to ish for free, while those 13-17 will need a $10 juvenile angling license. Licenses will not be sold on site the day of the event. The McNary Channel Ponds are located within the McNary Wildlife Nature Area near Umatilla, between Interstate 82 and McNary Dam. From Highway 730, turn north onto Brownell Boulevard and then right onto Third Street, going through the I-82 underpass. For more information call Duke at 541-276-2344. Win CASH Every Saturday in May! Drawings every 30 minutes, 10am – 8pm Grand Prize Drawing May 28 Grand Prize Drawings are: 1pm, 4pm, 8pm. Cash prizes are based on card level. CASINO • HOTEL • GOLF • CINEPLEX • RV • MUSEUM • DINING • TRAVEL PLAZA 800.654.9453 • PENDLETON, OR • I-84, EXIT 216, wildhorseresort.com. Owned and operated by CTUIR Management reserves all rights to alter, suspend or withdraw promotions/ofers at any time. 650.6871.BA.4.13
