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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2016)
REGION Thursday, December 8, 2016 BRIEFLY East Oregonian COMING EVENTS HERMISTON Employee injured at R.S. Davis Recycling HERMISTON — An employee at R.S. Davis Recycling in Hermiston was seriously injured on the job Wednesday after being momentarily pinned between a front-end loader and semi-truck. Jimmy Davis, battalion chief with Umatilla County Fire District 1, said the victim — a man in his mid-30s — was conscious and alert when first responders arrived just before 9 a.m. The victim was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston, and later flown to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Portland, with what Davis described as potentially life-threatening injuries. Davis did not release the victim’s name. R.S. Davis Recycling also declined comment when contacted Wednesday. Davis said it appeared workers were trying to use the front-end loader to jump start the semi-truck, and a miscommunication resulted in the victim being pinned between the two vehicles for roughly 10 seconds. The victim was complaining of back pain before he was taken to the hospital, Davis said. A spokesman for Oregon OSHA said the agency is taking a preliminary look at the incident. R.S. Davis Recycling is located north of Hermiston on Baggett Lane. Staircase stays closed while city looks at grants PENDLETON — Despite being closed to the public, the staircase on Southwest 13th Street in Pendleton will remain intact for the foreseeable future. Without the Pendleton City Council taking action, Mayor Phillip Houk said the council would hold off demolishing the stairs while city staff looked into grants to repair or replace the stairs. After a man reported that his child hurt himself on the crumbling stairs, the city closed the staircase and built an alternate gravel path to help kids navigate the bluff to and from a nearby bus stop. The council also unanimously voted to table amendments to the city’s manufactured home and vacation trailer standards. Some councilors were concerned that there was no age limit to the types of manufactured homes that could be placed in residen- tial areas and requested more information from staff. City council approves new development codes STANFIELD — New buildings and upgrades to current façades in Stanfield’s downtown district will be subject to new development codes. The city council approved the amendments to the code on Tuesday night. They will officially be implemented after a second reading of the ordinance during the next council meeting. “We wanted to eliminate things that make it harder for people to enjoy the down- town on foot,” city manager Blair Larsen said. The only change the council made to the planning commission’s proposed amendments was to eliminate the Historic Colors of America palette from the approved paint colors for downtown buildings, but Larsen said there were still plenty of color combinations to choose from. The approved paint list will be for all new coats of paint downtown, whether a current property owner is repainting or a new business is moving in and doing renovations. Other amendments, which can all be found at www.cityofstanfield.com or at city hall, include require- ments such as screening HVAC equipment from view, providing awnings to keep pedestrians dry and keeping new storefronts 60 percent windows/glass doors. THURSDAY, DEC. 8 Staff photo by Jade McDowell The Hermiston Holiday Inn Express opened for business Wednesday. Holiday Inn Express open for business Four-story hotel offers 93 rooms near Highway 395 East Oregonian Hermiston’s new Holiday Inn Express is officially open for business. General manager Steven Arrasmith said a portion of the hotel’s 93 rooms opened on Wednesday and the rest will open soon, leading to an official grand opening sometime in January or February. “We’re really excited to be a part of Hermiston,” he said. The four-story hotel on the corner of Highway 395 and Gladys Avenue is in the city’s urban renewal district and is expected to signifi- cantly increase the amount of revenue coming into the district through increased property values. Arrasmith said after spending their time cleaning and getting every- thing ready, the staff are looking forward to finally Staff photo by Jade McDowell The breakfast area of the Hermiston Holiday Inn Express sits waiting for its first guests after the new hotel opened Wednesday. getting to serve guests. Amenities at the new hotel include compli- mentary Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet, a 24-hour business center, an indoor pool and a fitness center. Rooms come in a variety of sizes and configurations, but include a microwave, mini fridge and safe. Page 3A The hotel is fully staffed right now but Arrasmith said people are always welcome to drop off an application in case a posi- tion opens up. Reservations can be made on Holiday Inn’s website, on the hotel’s mobile app or by calling 1-888-HOLIDAY. ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half-court basket- ball. Adults only. (541-276- 8100) WALKING FOR WELL- NESS, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Pend- leton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100) PRESCHOOL STORY TIME, 10:15-11 a.m., Pend- leton Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Sto- ries and activities for young children. (541-966-0380) PRESCHOOL STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 10:30 a.m., MIlton-Freewater Pub- lic Library, 8 S.W. Eighth Ave., Milton-Freewater. (Lili Schmidt 541-938-8247) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puzzles, 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) HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Hermiston Senior Center, 435 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. Costs $3.50 for seniors over 50, $4 for adults under 50, $1 for children 10 and over, $3 for Meals on Wheels. Extra 50 cents for utensils/dishes. Transportation arranged by donation. Thrift Store open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (541-567- 3582) BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Boardman Senior Center, 100 Tatone St., Boardman. Cost is $4 for seniors 55 and over or $5 for adults. (541-481-3257) SENSORY STORY TIME, 12:30 p.m., Boardman Pub- lic Library, 200 S. Main St., Boardman. For children from birth to age 4. (541-481-2665) SKILLS FOR LIFE, 3-5 p.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Gym activities and life skills for middle and high school students. Registration requested. (Danny Bane 541- 379-4250) THE ARC UMATILLA COUNTY BINGO, 6-10 p.m., The Arc Building, 215 W. Or- chard Ave., Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m., seats may be held until 6:30 p.m., then all seats first come, first served; games begin at 7 p.m. Pro- ceeds benefit Umatilla County citizens with developmental disabilities. 18 years or old- er, must have proof of age and photo I.D. Basic pot $20, prizes range from $20-$750. (541-567-7615) PAJAMA STORY TIME, 6 p.m., Pendleton Public Li- brary, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Wear your paja- mas, bring a favorite stuffed friends and enjoy a fun bed- time craft and story. Free; all ages. (541-966-0380) FIDDLERS NIGHT, 6:30- 8:30 p.m., Brookedale Assist- ed Living, 980 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston. Enjoy light refreshments, listen to some favorite oldies or join in the jam session. All ages wel- come. (541-567-3141) “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”, 6:30 p.m., Pend- leton High School auditori- um, 1800 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy performed in 1980s costume. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for students with ID. WILLIAMS AND REE (THE INDIAN AND THE WHITE GUY), 7 p.m., Wild- horse Resort & Casino, 46510 Wildhorse Blvd., Pendleton. Politically incorrect and proud of it, one of the longest-run- ning and successful come- dy-music duos will perform their signature act. Tickets on sale Nov. 18: premium “Stick A Fork In Me” seats $29, in- cludes barbecue gift, regular seating $19, all seats at round tables, reserved on purchase. 21 and older only, no-host bar available. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half-court basket- ball. Adults only. (541-276- 8100) WALKING FOR WELL- NESS, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Pend- leton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100) TODDLER STORY TIME, 10:15-11 a.m., Pendleton Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. (541- 966-0380) STORY TIME, 10:15 a.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-567-2882) STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 2 p.m., Echo Public Li- brary, 20 S. Bonanza, Echo. (541-376-8411) A VISIT FROM SAN- TA, 4-6 p.m., Weston Pub- lic Library, 108 E. Main St., Weston. Free books, candy canes and photos with San- ta (parents should bring a camera). Free. (Kathleen Schmidtgall 541-566-2378) CANDY LAND HOLIDAY PARTY, 4:30-6 p.m., Herm- iston Public Library, 235 E .Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Craft projects, cookie deco- rating (and eating), games, activity booths and a STEAM project. For kids in the fifth grade and younger. Free. (541-567-2882) VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Hermiston VFW, 45 W. Cherry St., Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome. (541- 567-6219) GAMER’S NIGHT, 7-10:30 p.m., Pendleton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Tournament gam- ing and activities for teens. (541-276-8100) UMATILLA McNary students keep Christmas gifts under wraps Little Angels shop lets kids pick presents “It’s so the kids themselves can shop for the par- ents, or for their siblings, without the parents there to tell them ‘No you can’t get that.’” By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian Students at McNary Heights Elementary School can get into the holiday spirit of giving at the Little Angels shop. The project, which has been going on for about 15 years, gives students the opportunity to bring money to buy three Christmas pres- ents for family members, particularly parents, without giving away the surprise. “It’s so the kids them- selves can shop for the parents, or for their siblings, without the parents there to tell them ‘No you can’t get that,’” said Mary Dedrick, who runs the little store out of the corner of the school library. The items for the Little Angels shop are all donated by staff and community members, so no amount of money is too small. On Wednesday one third- grader kept disbelievingly repeating that she only had — Mary Dedrick, runs the Little Angels shop Staff photo by Jade McDowell First graders at McNary Heights Elementary School shop for Christmas gifts at the Little Angels shop. one dollar as a volunteer tried to assure her that it would still be enough to afford three items. Dedrick said she always gives students change back, too. “Do you have $100?” she teasingly asked a first grader. “No? OK, well, this will work.” She took one of the three dollar bills clutched tightly in his fist and handed back the other two along with his three carefully chosen gifts. The money goes to various causes each year; this year’s cash will go toward an end-of-the-year 1100 Southgate Suite 6 541-215-1564 Come Give a friendly Eastern Oregon welcome to Harrison Family Medicine’s new PA-C ~ Erika Acuna! Please call for an appointment or stop by our NEW LOCATION! g ptin Acce atients p new party for students. The gifts on the tables in the library included scarves, socks, jewelry, books, puzzles and various knick knacks. Students roamed around picking up items and exclaiming “This will be perfect for my baby sister!” or “I’m getting this for my mom.” Dedrick said she thor- oughly enjoys interacting with the students as they pick out gifts for loved ones each year. “It’s just fun to watch them, because they think it’s so much fun,” she said. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. PROJECT EXPLORATION OPEN HOUSE HELP RESHAPE AND BE A PART OF PENDLETON’S FUTURE MONDAY, DEC. 12 • 5:30 - 8:30PM PENDLETON CONVENTION CENTER PUBLIC INPUT IS SOUGHT ON EFFORTS BEING CONSIDERED TO ENHANCE THE GATEWAY TO DOWNTOWN PENDLETON, DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE AND DEVELOPMENT OF A FOOD HUB.
