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
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