Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 28, 2016)
REGION Wednesday, September 28, 2016 PENDLETON East Oregonian Page 3A HERMISTON City makes its case to keep EAS subsidy By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian In a inal attempt to hold onto its essential air service subsidy, the city of Pend- leton sent a waiver petition Tuesday to the U.S. Depart- ment of Transportation on why the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport will do better in the future. As the DOT works toward inding a replace- ment to provide air service through the end of the year for the now-defunct SeaPort Airlines, the city still has to convince the federal agency why it should continue to receive the subsidy despite violating the department’s policy by exceeding the $200 per passenger subsidy cap. In his letter to the DOT, Pendleton Airport Manager Steve Chrisman laid much of the blame at the feet of SeaPort, which declared bankruptcy Sept. 20 and grounded its lights the next day. Chrisman wrote that SeaPort’s tenure started well enough in 2008, utilizing a snappy slogan, stocking its leet with sleek Pilatus PC-12s and briely incorporating a bulk ticket sale program. But Chrisman was unimpressed with SeaPort’s early marketing efforts and began to notice its quality of service deteriorate as its time in Pendleton wore on. “SeaPort became enam- ored with the idea of being more like a big commercial airline, and, in so doing, lost touch with its (Pendleton airport) customer base and why it was they were choosing to ly SeaPort,” he wrote. SeaPort moved its gate to Portland Interna- tional Airport, requiring passengers go through Transportation Security Administration screenings on their way back to Pend- leton, introduced hidden fees into its ticket prices EO Media Group ile photo EO ile photo This November 2008 ile photo shows the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton. and exchanged its Pilatus aircraft for the slower, cheaper Cessna Caravan. “In the end, the customer only saw added costs, greater inconveniences, and increased travel time,” he wrote. “Combined, this was a recipe for failure.” Chrisman said the solution to the Pendleton airport’s problems could be found in Boutique Air, the San Francisco airline the Pendleton City Council recommended to provide air service in 2017-2018. Chrisman called Boutique an “impressive company” with “sharp businessmen” and “glowing reviews” from other airport administrators. Chrisman wrote Boutique would reintroduce the Pilatus to Pendleton, should put together a more tech-savvy advertising campaign and would operate out of a non-TSA hangar in Portland that would allow Pendleton passengers to skip security. Port of Portland repre- sentatives said last week, however, that was not the case. Executive director Curtis Robinhold said there is no way passengers would be able to board planes anywhere on PDX property without going through security. Boutique estimates it will ly 11,500 passengers between Portland and Pend- leton annually at a subsidy cost of $2,252,285. Dividing the number of passengers by the total subsidy means Boutique expects the per passenger subsidy to be $195.85, a signiicant decrease from the $213 per passenger cost SeaPort accrued. The city also included several letters of support, including letters from Port of Portland, Eastern Oregon’s congressional delegation (Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Greg Walden) SOAR Oregon, Round-Up City Development Corp. and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Port of Portland Chief Commercial Oficer Keith Leavitt, whose organization owns Portland International Airport, wrote that the port is committing $50,000 to market the Pendleton-Port- land route. The DOT will now consider Pendleton’s arguments, although it has already stated that the city should retain its air service through at least the end of the year. As for Pendleton’s lack of current air service, the DOT has promised to ind a new service “expeditiously” after the Oct. 12 bid dead- line. ——— Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@eastoregonian. com or 541-966-0836. ATHENA Boy hospitalized after being hit by car By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian A young Athena boy remains hospitalized after a car ran him over him as he walked to school Monday morning. Payton Throne was in fair condition at Doernbe- cher Children’s Hospital, Portland, as of Tuesday at 3 p.m., according to hospital oficials. Umatilla County under- sheriff Jim Littleield said Payton was on his way to Athena Elementary School, 375 S. Fifth St. The driver of a Suzuki station wagon was facing the sun on the way to drop off her child at the school when Payton entered Fifth Street from the driver’s side of the car. “She struck him and actually ran over him,” Littleield said. Payton suffered a cracked skull and fractures to his ribs, collarbone, pelvis and other bones, according to multiple sources. Littleield called the boy’s injuries serious, which was a change from the initial information he provided Monday after- noon when he described the injuries as minor. “The lady of course is heartbroken that it happened,” he said. He noted Tuesday she would probably receive a driving citation. Littleield did not identify the driver nor the child. Friends of the boy’s family, though, identiied him on social media and in calls and messages to the East Oregonian. COMING EVENTS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 FRIENDS OF THE UMATIL- LA LIBRARY BOOK SALE, all day, 700 Sixth St., Umatilla. All you can stuff in a bag for $1. Runs through Oct. 15. (541-922-5704). ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Cen- ter, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave. Half- court basketball. (541-276-8100). BABY BOOGIE & TAPPIN’ TODDLERS, 10-10:45 a.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. (541-567- 2882). STORY TIME, 11:15 a.m. to noon, Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave. (541-567- 2882). PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 noon, Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puz- zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541-276-1926. (541-276-7101). STANFIELD SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 noon, Stanield Community Center, 225 W. Roo- sevelt. Costs $3.50 for seniors, $6 for others. ADULT BEGINNING COM- PUTER COURSE, 3 p.m., Pendleton Public Library meet- ing room, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave. Free, but registration required. (541-966-0380). M I LT O N - F R E E WAT E R FARMERS’ MARKET, 4-7 p.m., Orchard Park, South Main Street (bottom of Milton Hill), 1224 Or- egon-Washington Highway, Mil- ton-Freewater. Food and craft vendors. (541-938-5563). CLEANER AIR OREGON REGULATORY REFORM PUB- LIC MEETING, 6-8 p.m., Pend- leton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate. The DEQ and Oregon Health Authority receive input to be forwarded to the Cleaner Air Oregon Regulatory Reform Ad- visory Committee. (http://www. oregon.gov/deq/RulesandReg- ulations/Pages/2017/Rcleane- rair2017.aspx) V E G A N / S U S TA I N A B L E LIVING POTLUCK SUPPER, 7 p.m., call 541-969-3057 to RSVP and for driving directions. Bring a vegan dish and recipe. Glu- ten-free friendly group. THURSDAY, SEPT. 29 FRIENDS OF THE UMA- TILLA LIBRARY BOOK SALE, all day, 700 Sixth St., Umatilla. All you can stuff in a bag for $1. Runs through Oct. 15. (541-922- 5704). ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Cen- ter, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave. Half- court basketball. (541-276-8100). PRESCHOOL STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 10:30 a.m., Mil- ton-Freewater Public Library, 8 S.W. Eighth Ave. (Lili Schmidt 541-938-8247). BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 noon, Boardman Senior Center, 100 Tatone St. Costs $4 for seniors or $5 for adults. (541-481-3257). HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 noon, Hermiston Senior Center, 435 W. Orchard Ave. Costs $4 or free for children under 10. Extra 50 cents for utensils/dishes. Meals on Wheels available. Transportation arranged by donation. (541-567- 3582). PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 noon, Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puz- zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541-276-1926. (541-276-7101). SENSORY STORY TIME, 12:30 p.m., Boardman Public Library, 200 S. Main St. Special story time for children from birth to age 4. Free. (541-481-2665). RURAL VETERANS RE- SOURCE FAIR, 12 noon to 8 p.m., Port of Morrow conference center, 2 Marine Drive, Board- man. VA and non-VA service providers available to answer questions and provide informa- tion. Luncheon at 12 noon open to all women with prior military service, followed by a beneits and listening session; women and LGBT speakers Elizabeth Estabrooks (3 p.m.) and Nathani- al Boehme (3:30 p.m.); Vietnam Veterans’ 50th anniversary com- memoration ceremony at 5 p.m.; Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs update and town hall from 6:30-8 p.m. Free, but RSVP requested. (mcvets@co.morrow.or.us or 541-922-6420). SKILLS FOR LIFE, 3-5 p.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave. Includes gym activities and life skills for middle and high school students. Free, but registration requested. (Danny Bane 541-379-4250). PICKLEBALL OPEN GYM, 5:15-7 p.m., Pendleton Recre- ation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave. Combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. Ages 18 and up only. (541-276-8100). ATHENA-WESTON COM- MUNITY MEETING, 6 p.m., Weston Public Library, 108 E. Main St. Investors are looking into purchasing the former Ath- ena PGG building to create a commerce space for a hardware store, brewery, bakery, school- based industry, farmer’s market or other community uses. (devel- opathenadowntown@gmail.com) Members of Girl Scout Troop 50117 ride on a loat during a past Umatilla Landing Days parade. Those interested in learning more about Girl Scouts are invited to a barbecue event Saturday at McKenzie Park in Hermiston. Barbecue event provides introduction to Girl Scouts East Oregonian Girl Scouts can participate in activities that range from STEM exploration (science, technology, engineering and math), art, travel and everything between. The program opens the door to a whole world of adventure and learning. In addition, adult volun- teers help introduce girls to new experiences that show them they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. Serving as cheerleaders, guides and mentors, volun- teers help girls in developing skills and conidence that can last a lifetime. Girls in kindergarten through 12th grade, their families and interested volun- teers are invited to a gathering to introduce them to what Girl Scouts has to offer. An evening of games and a barbecue is planned Saturday 4-6 p.m. at McKenzie Park, 320 S. First St., Hermiston. Hosted by the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, the free event kicks off the group’s new membership year. Those who attend can learn more about the organization — both for girls to participate and how adult volunteers can get involved with Girl Scouts. For more information about the event or how to join Girl Scouts, call Susan Re, service unit recruiter, at 541-561-7087. Additional information is available at www.girlscoutsosw.org. BRIEFLY Pendleton sets new high temperature PENDLETON — Fall began Thursday, but you could not tell from Monday’s high temperature in Pendleton. The National Weather Service reported Pendleton reached a high of 91 for Sept. 27, 2 degrees higher than the previous record, which stood since 2003. Bend also set a new high at 90, topping the old record of 89 from 1994. And the 86 in Satus Pass, Washington, north of Goldendale, tied the record from 1991. Pendleton’s temperatures have been recorded since 1889. Tuesday’s high dropped down into the 80s in Pendleton, and the city’s average temperature this month has been 70, according to the National Weather Service, 10 degrees above normal. The weather service has forecast temperatures in the low 80s and high 70s through Thursday, then possible showers Friday and Saturday. Community breakfast serves Belgian wafles STANFIELD — Belgian wafles with strawberries and whipped cream are the featured entrée during this weekend’s community breakfast in Stanield. The event is Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at the Stanield Community Center, 225 W. Roosevelt. The cost is $5 for a full breakfast or $3 for a light meal. In addition, there will be a bake sale put on by the ladies of the community center. For more information, call 541-449-1332. Church holds basement sale HERMISTON — A huge sale is planned at Trinity Lutheran Church. Shoppers can browse in both the basement and yard during the event, which is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 485 W. Locust Ave., Hermiston. For more information, call the church at 541-567-6471. Pianist to perform weekend concerts Due to a scheduling conlict, the John Nilsen concert in Milton-Freewater will start an hour earlier than irst planned. The award-winning pianist will perform at several local venues this weekend: •Saturday at noon, Wesley United Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St., Milton- Freewater. •Saturday at 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 191 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. •Sunday at 2 p.m., United Methodist Church, 175 Church St., Heppner. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted to help with travel expenses. In addition, some of Nilsen’s albums will be available for purchase. For more information about Nilsen, visit www. johnnilsen.com. Oldies Night features folk music MILTON-FREEWATER — A hodgepodge of music from the likes of Joan Baez, the Chad Mitchell Trio, the Brothers Four, Bob Dylan, the New Christy Minstrels and Simon and Garfunkel will be featured during Oldies Night in Milton- Freewater. BJ the DJ will spin folk music Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 816 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. Oldies Night is free and The Frogs will offer snacks. For more information, contact Bob Jones at 541-938-7028 or dubuquer@ charter.net. Country Showdown brings top acts to Wildhorse MISSION — For a chance to see the most promising country music talent in the nation, head to the Oregon Regional Finals of the Country Showdown. Acts are competing for a $1,000 prize, the regional title and the opportunity to advance to one of ive semiinal events. It’s the last step before the prestigious National Final. To be part of the audience to cheer on the acts, head to Wildhorse Resort & Casino Sunday from 7-9 p.m. in the Rivers Events Center. Six contestants from the region, backed by Taylors Crossing, will perform two songs in a bid to win a place in the semiinals in New Mexico. Admission is by donation, which will help raise money for Altrusa International of Pendleton’s Feed the Children program. For more information, visit www. countryshowdown.com. Booster club hosts steak feed, auction HEPPNER — A hearty meal and a chance to walk away with great items are featured during the Heppner Booster Club Steak Feed and Auction. The event is Saturday, Oct. 8 with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Heppner Elks Lodge, 142 N. Main St. The auction starts at 7 p.m. The event features a live auction, silent auction and rafle items. Dinner tickets are $15. Also, some VIP tables are still available for $300, which includes seating for six and two bottles of wine. For more information, call Melissa Lindsay at 541-256- 0366. STUDENT OF THE WEEK Steven Ebker U MATILLA H IGH S CHOOL Steven is the ASB president, a member of the National Honor Society and a Key Club member. Proudly Sponsored by 1411 6th Street, Umatilla, OR • 541-922-3001
