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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2016)
REGION Tuesday, August 16, 2016 PENDLETON East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON Police catch New owners to reopen Kwong’s Cafe to add new menu two teens after Plan items, hot lunch bar backroads chase By WILL DENNER East Oregonian East Oregonian Police caught two teens who tried to elude on Stage Gulch Road near Pendleton. Oregon State Police reported a trooper at 2:37 a.m. heard radio chatter of Pendleton police in a pursuit and drove to Stage Gulch to intercept the leeing vehicle. The trooper saw a pickup speed through the stop sign at Daniel and Carter Stage Gulch roads and head into a dirt ield. The pickup turned back onto Stage Gulch and the trooper turned on his police car’s overhead lights. The pickup drove about half a mile more, according to state police, then cut into another ield and got stuck. The driver ran, and Pend- leton police chased him. The passenger, Brianna Renee Payne, 19, took the trooper to where she threw a bag of methamphetamine out the pickup window, state police reported, but police did not ind the gun she said she tossed. A n o t h e r trooper later that morning near the crash saw a male matching the driver’s descrip- tion. The trooper caught Dillon Scott Carter, 18, of La Grande, and found he had warrants for violating probation and failure to appear. He now is in the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton, and also faces charges of unauthorized use of vehicle, irst-degree theft, attempt to elude/lee, posses- sion of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a weapon. BRIEFLY UmCo holds second hearing on new health district PENDLETON — The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners will hold the second public hearing Tuesday on the formation of a new ambulance service district. The East Umatilla County Health District requested the new district to correspond to the area of the county its ambulance actually serves. The board held the irst hearing July 27. Tuesday’s hearing is another opportunity for the public to speak for or against the proposal. After the hearing, the board can vote on the request. If the board approves, the matter goes on the ballot for voters to decide in November. County commissioners also plan to consider approving a $10,000 grant to the city of Pendleton to help with the development of unmanned aerial systems for agriculture. The county board of commissioners’ meeting starts at 9 a.m. in room 130 at the Umatilla County Courthouse, 216 S.E. Fourth St., Pendleton. Pool vandalized HELIX — The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Ofice is looking for leads on a public pool vandalism case in Helix. The Helix pool manager reported Thursday that the park banner had been torn off the building, the padlock was broken, bottles and chemicals were dumped in the pool, pool noodles were ripped and the umbrellas and lifeguard chairs had been moved to the gazebo. Sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Gregory said they have no leads on who committed the vandalism and are urging anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s ofice. Ofice Max to close in Hermiston HERMISTON — The Hermiston Ofice Max has announced its plans to close its doors for good. According to Julianne Embry, a senior public relations manager for the company, the store will be shuttered though no speciic date has been given. Embry declined to comment further, citing competitive reasons. The store currently employs 18 people. Ofice Depot, the parent company of Ofice Max, has closed nearly 400 stores since 2014, and plans to close 25 more by the end of 2016 and an additional 300 stores over the next three years, according to its second quarter results report. Oregon gets B+ for new parent support The National Partnership for Women and Families gave Oregon a B+ in a recent study on policies regarding paid leave and other workplace rights for expecting and new parents. Oregon received recognition for its advances in providing workers access to job-protected family and medical leave, job-protected paid sick days, lexible use of sick time, and nursing mothers’ workplace rights. One hundred and eighty- three nations guarantee paid leave for new mothers and 79 of those nations guarantee paid leave for new fathers, according to the International Labor Organization. The United States is the only high- wealth country does not provide either. Only a few weeks after Kwong’s Cafe planned to close its doors for good, the restaurant will soon reopen under new ownership. Property owner Edward Ng recently agreed to terms with Ji Fon, a restaurant manager and owner from Columbia, South Carolina and most recently, Eastern Washington. Fon plans to have Kwong’s Cafe open later this week under the same name, according to his daughter, Angelina Fon. The new owners will have a similar menu with some minor additions. Fon wants to add some East Coast staples to the area, such as hibachi, seafood and vegetarian dishes. They also plan to add a hot lunch bar where “workers can come in and get their food quickly,” Angelina said. Angelina, who will assist her parents in translating and other things as needed, said the family isn’t sure what dishes are most popular in Pendleton, but hopes to hear from customers once the restaurant reopens. Ng’s parents built the irst restaurant on the 1003 S.W. Dorion Ave. property, then known as Gim’s Cafe, in the Staff photo by E.J. Harris Kwong’s Cafe closed July 24, but will reopen soon under new ownership. mid-1950s. The Ng family owned and operated the restaurant until 1978, when they began leasing the property to the Kwong family, and thus the name changed to Kwong’s Cafe. Michael Kwong closed the restaurant July 24 following his father’s stroke two years ago and his mother’s retirement. Around the time Kwong’s Cafe was closing, Ng advertised the soon-to-be vacant space online. He said he received a couple inquiries from people in the San Francisco area, but Fon, who heard from a friend that Pendleton was a good place to open a restaurant, was ultimately the most interested suitor. Ng said because the previous owners still had a couple years left on their lease, Fon will rent the property at the same price until that lease expires. Ng declined to say what that price is. “He’s a good negotiator,” Ng said, laughing. ——— Contact Will Denner at wdenner@ eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0809 HEPPNER Morrow County Fair kicks off Wednesday By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian With a focus on country living and supporting local youths, the Morrow County Fair kicks off Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Heppner. Country Scenes & Chil- dren’s Dreams is the theme for the fair, which is in its 103rd year. The gates open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Saturday. The fair- grounds are located at 74473 Highway 74, Heppner. Daily fair admission is $4 per person or $2 for children ages 6-12. Showcasing 4-H, FFA and open class projects, the fair offers viewing of animals as well as the creativity of Morrow County residents with displays of arts and crafts and hobbies. In addition, there will be plenty of talent on stage throughout the week. Live entertainment includes The Junebugs (Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.) and the Blue Mountain Old-Time Fiddlers (Thursday at 10 a.m.). Also, after the Friday and Saturday evening rodeo performances, the Jessie Leigh Band will kick things up a notch. People don’t have to have rodeo tickets to enjoy the music. Also, Fair Secretary Ann Jones encourages fair-goers to catch Dr. Solar’s Magic Medicine Show. Dr. Solar, aka Terry Robinson, brings his solar-powered gypsy wagon to Heppner for four days of fun. His act includes ventril- oquism, dazzling feats of mental prowess, magic and physical antics, which are sure to tickle the funny bone. The entertainer will roam the fairgrounds as well as stepping on stage for set show times throughout the week. “He has some puppets with his act,” Jones said. “Also, it’s 3234 S.W. Nye Pendleton, OR Join us at 5 pm on August 18 th for our for our annual ROUND-UP BBQ! ROUND-UP QUEEN & COURT HAPPY CANYON PRINCESSES MAIN STREET COWBOYS SIDE SADDLERS GOOD FOOD GREAT ENTERTAINMENT WITH VENUES INSIDE AND OUT. EO ile photo Zeleta Masterson holds her chihuahua, Bell, during the open class pet show at the 2015 Morrow County Fair. This year’s event opens Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Heppner. a variety show for all ages.” Jones said other highlights include Wednesday’s water- melon seed-spitting contest (1 p.m.), an open-class pet show (3 p.m.) the RDO Equipment Pedal Power Tractor Pull (5 p.m.) and the Pee Wee My Favorite Outit (6:30 p.m., followed by the 4-H Fashion Revue). People can get their ill of Tillamook Ice Cream during a free ice cream social Thursday at 3 p.m. In addition, Oregon State fans can visit Benny the Beaver from 1:30-7:30 p.m. And, for a chance to win cash prizes, people can enter the talent show at 3 p.m. In addition, one person from each division will be chosen to participate in the Oregon State Fair talent contest. To enter, people don’t have to be residents of Morrow County. Murray’s Beer & Wine Tasting is Thursday from 6-10 p.m. In its 20th year, the popular event includes family fun and non-alcoholic beverages. The evening also features the FFA Basket Auction and live enter- tainment by Nate Botsford. The Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo is Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each or $6 for ages 7-12. Also, the Morrow County Rodeo is Sunday at 1:15 p.m. The parade gets rolling Saturday at 10 a.m. in down- town Heppner. Also, the FFA Awards Program is at 1:15 p.m., followed by the Youth Livestock Auction at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Jones at 541-676- 9474, mcfair@co.morrow. or.us, visit www.morrow- countyoregon.com. I would like to thank the following people and businesses for all their support as I went through treatment for cancer - yesterday was my last day of radiation! Pendleton High School - Class of 2016 Pendleton High School - Staff and Students Th e community of Pendleton who encouraged and supported me at the rally and around town Big John’s Pizza Jennings Sign Co. Liberty Cleaners Kelsey Garton Tree Service Marin Kennedy Dean’s Athletic Landmark Taxes EOCI Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Pendleton Round-Up Foundation Athena-Weston High School Sunset Elementary West Park Elementary Echo School - Mrs. Owens Class First Christian Church Kick N’ Cancer Program Dr. McBee and Staff Relay for Life - Heather Mandella Dr. Pratt and Staff Youngman Strong Bracelets - Jackson Peterson Sunridge Middle School - Mrs. Sou and Students St. Anthony Hospital - Tough Enough to Wear Pink Th e Saddle Restaurant- Family and Crew Tum-A-Lum Lumber luLaroe- SaraJane Gutierrez and Kori Hibbard Yvonne Carnes Th e Primus Family Fun Run Pendleton Lions Club Seattle Seahawks Community Outreach Caden Anderson And all the other people who sent cards, brought dinners, and helped however they could. A very special thank you to my family who took me to appointments, stayed with me in the hospitals, taught for me and were always there for me. Dean and Marie Groshong David and Rebecca Barlow Mitch and Kate Montchalin Jim, Chris and Becky Youngman Th e Ellen Show was an amazing experience. I will never forget the eff ort and kindness of everyone who helped me get through this. Kathryn Youngman