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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2016)
REGION Tuesday, July 19, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A Pendleton floats new boat launch idea East Oregonian The Pendleton Develop- ment Commission is looking into a grant that could bring a boat launch to the Umatilla River. Robb Corbett, Pendle- ton’s city manager and the executive director of the commission, said the launch could provide river access to swimmers, tubers, kayaks and small ishing boats. Corbett said river access from the levy was one of the top priorities of the 2013 Pendleton River Parkway Master Plan. The plan identiied the area near Southeast Byers Avenue, the Union Paciic shelter, the Eighth Street Bridge, Roy Raley Park, Stillman Park and Trailhead Park. Corbett said the city used to have a launch on a section of the river near Rudy Rada Skate Park, but the structure has since been removed. With a boat launch east of town near the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife ofices, Corbett said boaters could loat west into Pendleton and leave the river from the in-town launch. Former Umatilla Basin Watershed Council executive director Greg Silbernagel was an early champion of seeking a grant from the Oregon State Marine Board to help fund a launch, and when he left the council to become a watermaster with the Oregon Water Resources Department, Corbett and the commission continued that cause. After two rounds of funding, the marine board has $3.2 million left in state and federal funds to cover boating facility improve- ments in the 2015-2017 biennium. Local projects that the marine board funded recently include a pumpout replace- ment fort he McNary Yacht Club and work on the docks, vault toilet and parking lot at McKay Reservoir. Corbett said a marine board representative would need to come to Pendleton to see if a boat launch would be feasible before the commis- sion could secure a grant. A marine board spokes- woman did not return requests for comment EO ile photo This boat ramp east of Pendleton is one of few developed ramps on the Umatilla River. The Pendleton Develop- ment Commission is looking into a grant that could bring a new boat launch to the Umatilla River BRIEFLY Hermiston man charged with rape HERMISTON — A Hermiston man was arrested Friday on rape charges. Ricardo Villarreal Rodriguez, 33, was arrested by the Hermiston Police Department after what Captain Darryl Johnson called an “extensive investigation.” The 27-year-old female victim reported the rape to authorities. She and Rodriguez were reportedly friends and the alleged assault took place at the Rodriguez victim’s residence in Hermiston. Rodriguez has been charged with one count of rape in the irst degree (forcible), a class A felony. He is currently lodged in the Umatilla County Jail with bail set at $50,000. Head-on collision on I-82 sets semi, median ablaze on Sunday UMATILLA — Two people were hurt in a wreck that backed up trafic and scorched the median a few miles northwest of the Columbia River bridge in Umatilla on Sunday. The collision happened when Lourdes Lopez, 43, of Kennewick, was heading west in a white Ford pickup, crossed into the median and into oncoming eastbound Interstate 82 trafic. She hit a semi-truck and trailer head-on about 5 p.m., said the Washington State Patrol. Witnesses said the semi was engulfed in lames and the pickup had heavy front-end damage. Trafic was backed up near the Oregon/Washington border but began lowing again by 6:15 p.m. The semi driver, Clifford A. Dunbar, 50, Dixie, was injured and taken to Trios Southridge Hospital. Lopez’s passenger, Armando Perez, 57, of Kennewick, was hurt but refused treatment, said the WSP. — Tri-City Herald No lead detected in Morrow Co. schools Chinook salmon ishing season to close on Wallowa River ENTERPRISE — Chinook salmon ishing season will close Sunday, July 24 on the Wallowa River. Jeff Yanke, district ish biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife in Enterprise, said water temperatures are beginning to rise in the river, which can have an impact on salmon and limit catch rates. Angler participation has also been very low for the ishery, Yanke said. “We talked with anglers and they said they had switched to trout ishing or were pursuing other summer activities,” Yanke said. ODFW did not expect to offer chinook ishing on the Wallowa River this year based on estimated returns. However, the ishery was opened on short notice July 2 based on updated forecasts. Meet and greet set for seniors PENDLETON — People are invited to meet the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services, learn about their work and share thoughts on issues related to seniors. The special luncheon event is Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St. Lunch is provided, but reservations are required. People can sign up at the senior center. The commission is made up of volunteers appointed by the governor and two legislators. It’s dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all older Oregonians. For more information, contact Rebecca Arce at rebescca.e.arce@state.or.us, 503-947-5029 or visit www. oregon.gov/dhs/seniors-disabilities/advisory/gcss/pages/ index.aspx. Community choir to perform Thursday HERMISTON — More than 70 local vocalists, young and old, will present a free performance for the public. The Summer Community Choir, directed by Hermiston High School teacher Josh Rist, will present a concert Thursday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St. For more information, call Hermiston Parks & Recreation at 541-667-5018. Vendors fair beneits The Arc HERMISTON — People can shop for items and help raise money for The Arc Umatilla County during Christmas in July. The vendor’s fair event is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Arc, 215 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. Home- based businesses will be on hand offering a variety of items. Admission is $3 at the door. The event will include refreshments, prize drawings and giveaways. The Arc advocates for the rights of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about programs, services and activities, call 541-567-7615 or visit www.facebook.com/ arcofumatillacounty. For more information about the vendor’s fair, call Lynne Hamblin at 541-571-5691. Robotics workshop returns to fair HERMISTON — Youths can learn about technology by participating in a robotics workshop during the Umatilla County Fair. Participants will build, design and program working robots and will showcase their robots at the fair. InterMountain Education Service District and the Umatilla School District have partnered to provide the opportunity for students entering sixth through ninth grades. The workshop is Thursday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Hoeft Hall on the fairgrounds, 515 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. In addition, a special demonstration day is set for Saturday Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. on the fair’s Coke Stage. Space is limited and it costs $20 per student. Registration is required by Friday, July 29. Forms are available at the Umatilla School District Ofice, 1001 Sixth St., Umatilla; the fairgrounds ofice or at www.umatillacounty.net/fair. For more information, contact 541-567-6121 or fair@ umatillacounty.net. HEPPNER — The Morrow County School District has announced the results of lead testing in the district’s drinking water. The testing occurred in June and indicated all sources of drinking water either had “no lead detected” or levels were below the EPA limit of .020 milligrams per liter. In May, the Oregon Department of Education created a plan with the Oregon Health Authority in regards to lead in school water. The plan requests all school districts that get drinking water from public water systems test for lead. However, there is currently no state or federal requirements for testing. Public water systems regularly test water for lead, however, lead may be present in pipes and ixtures within a building’s plumbing system that can enter tap water. “The Morrow County School District is pleased to report that water at our schools is safe for drinking. We will continue to monitor this and will keep communicating to parents and our community,” said Dirk Dirksen, superintendent. Fri. Aug 12 • Starts at 8pm Also Featuring: Tormenta De Durango Domador De La Sierra