REGION
Friday, December 30, 2016
East Oregonian
Golf ball hail, winter storm
and dry summer fires
National Weather
Service ranks region’s
top weather events
Staff members of the
National Weather Service in
Pendleton voted on what they
considered the region’s top
weather events in 2016. Here
are the results:
1. June supercell
On June 8, a thunderstorm
over
southern Wheeler
County rapidly developed
into a supercell with golf ball-
sized hail, damaging winds to
70 mph, and a brief tornado
as it tracked northeast to near
Monument and Ukiah.
2. December snow and
cold
Widespread heavy snow
was followed by arctic air
during
mid-December.
Snowfall averaged between
5 and 10 inches across the
Columbia Basin and eastern
mountains, but ranged up to
between 15 and 20 inches in
central Oregon. The arctic air
following the snow dropped
temperatures below zero in
many areas. By the end of
December, mountain snow-
pack had surged to 115 to 130
percent of normal.
3. Fire outbreak
Triple digit temperatures
and humidity in the 5 to 10
percent range helped to spread
an outbreak of fires at the end
of July. The Weigh Station fire
occurred east of Pendleton
and shut down Interstate
84. The Rail Fire near Unity
burned nearly 42,000 acres in
rugged terrain before being
contained in early September.
The Range 12 fire started on
the Yakima Training Center
and burned for a week on
176,000 acres of mostly grass
and sage on BLM, state and
private lands.
4. Wet October
Rainfall was 1 to 3 inches
above normal and ranked in
the top 5 wettest Octobers
across the region. It was the
EO file photo
Firefighters monitor a burnout fire off of the Old Emigrant Highway in July while
battling a fast-moving wildfire sparked by lightning east of Pendleton.
wettest October on record
in Washington at Bickleton,
Prosser, Selah, Mill Creek,
and Whitman Mission. Trout
Lake, Wash., at 14.58 inches,
beat their previous record by
3.62 inches.
5. TIE — Strong El Niño
to weak La Niña
One of the strongest El
Niño patterns on record last
winter was reversed in a
matter of months to a weak
La Niña by mid-summer.
5. TIE — Launch of
GOES R
The next generation of
weather satellites began with
the launch of GOES R on
Nov. 19. GOES R reached
geostationary orbit and was
re-named GOES 16 at the end
of the month. After sensor
deployment, calibration and
checkout, it promises to revo-
lutionize satellite imagery and
data collection. It has four
times the image resolution
and can take an image every
minute. It also has the capa-
bility to track thunderstorm
lightning.
7. Tri-Cities tornado
An intense but short-lived
thunderstorm brought a brief
EF0 tornado to Kennewick
on the late evening of May
21.
The
thunderstorm
also produced hail up to
three-quarters of an inch,
damaging winds that downed
trees and localized flash
flooding.
8. Warm, dry April
It was the warmest April on
record in Washington at Walla
Walla, Ellensburg, Yakima,
Cle Elum, Kennewick, Moxee
City and Richland. In Oregon,
it was the warmest April on
record at The Dalles, Herm-
iston, La Grande and Pelton
Dam. Ellensburg beat their
previous record warm April
by near 5 degrees. Couple the
unseasonable warmth with
a drier-than-normal month
and the mountain snowpack
virtually disappeared.
9. Tie — Snowless
January and February
Many stations in the
southern Columbia Basin
went through the entire
months of January and
February without measurable
snowfall. In Washington,
this included Dayton, Ice
Harbor Dam, Walla Walla
and Whitman Mission. In
Oregon, a snowless end
of winter was observed at
Heppner, Hermiston, Madras,
Milton-Freewater, Pendleton
and Pilot Rock. Snowpack in
the mountains also suffered
decreases.
9 Tie — Drought eased
Moderate
to
severe
drought was diminished in
March, made a comeback in
June, and finally eased to just
abnormally dry in December.
The mid-December rating
was the least drought
coverage for the area since
November 2013.
11. November warmth
Indian Summer continued
into November across eastern
Washington and Eastern
Oregon. In Washington, it
was the warmest November
on record statewide and
second warmest on record in
Oregon. Individual stations in
Washington that set records
for warmest November
include Walla Walla, Ellens-
burg, Pasco, Yakima, Easton
and Moxee City. In Oregon,
record warmth was set at The
Dalles, Hermiston, Pendleton,
Antelope, Grizzly, La Grande
and Monument. Precipitation
was below normal and moun-
tain snowpack well behind
normal.
COMING EVENTS
FRIDAY, DEC. 30
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half-
court basketball. Adults only. (541-
276-8100)
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
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 Library, 20 S. Bo-
nanza, Echo. (541-376-8411)
VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Hermis-
ton VFW, 45 W. Cherry St., Herm-
iston. Doors open at 6 p.m., games
begin at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.
(541-567-6219)
SATURDAY, DEC. 31
IMAC BREAKFAST, 7:30-
10:30 a.m., Stokes Landing Senior
Center, Irrigon. Fundraiser to create
the Irrigon Multicultural Arts Center.
(Peggy Price 541-567-3806)
L’IL BUCKS OPEN GYM, 8:30
a.m., Pendleton Recreation Cen-
ter, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pend-
leton. For students in first-third
grades.
FREE FOR ALL, 9:30-10:15
a.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Free art classes for children up to
age 12. Children under 8 should be
accompanied by an adult. (Roberta
Lavadour 541-278-9201)
FAMILY HISTORY WORK-
SHOPS, 10 a.m., Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850
S.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Work-
shops, photo scanning and more.
(Stephanie Blackburn 541-567-
6251)
HERMISTON RESOLUTION
RUN, 10-11 a.m., Riverfront Park,
Southwest 23rd Street, Hermiston.
Free run/ walk through Riverfront
Park and the Oxbox Trail. Families,
kids, strollers and pets welcome
to proceed at your own pace and
choose a distance that challenges
you. (Tim Beal 509-954-8778)
HIP & HANDMADE, 11 a.m.-
12 p.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Free drop-in project class for adults.
(Roberta Lavadour 541-278-9201)
SUNDAY, JAN. 1
FIRST DAY HIKE, 11 a.m.,
Emigrant Springs State Heritage
Park, 65068 Old Oregon Trail
Highway, Meacham. Moderate
two-mile snowshoe hike begins at
the Oregon Trail kiosk west of the
park entrance. Wear appropriate
clothing and bring water, a camera
or binoculars and your own snow-
shoeing gear; limited gear may be
available, register to reserve a pair
at 541-983-2277. Park should be
contacted in case of cancellation
due to inclement weather. Free
and suitable for ages 8 and up.
(Chris Havel 503-986-0722)
MONDAY, JAN. 2
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half-
court basketball. Adults only. (541-
276-8100)
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
PENDLETON
Second pot shop
looks to get start
East Oregonian
By National Weather Service
staff, Pendleton office
EO file photo
Diane Melton, left, volunteer and seasonal assistant at
Emigrant Springs State Park, chats with visitors during
the 2014 First Day Hike at Emigrant Springs State Her-
itage Area, located near Meacham. The Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department is offering free Jan. 1 hikes
at more than two dozen sites across the state.
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
TOT TIME, 10-11 a.m., Pend-
leton Recreation Center, 510 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. For chil-
dren ages 0-5. Costs $1 per child
per session. (541-276-8100)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:30 a.m., Athena Public Library,
418 E. Main St., Athena. For ages
birth to 6. (541-566-2470)
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, 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)
ART STUDIO, 4-5:30 p.m.,
Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214
N. Main St., Pendleton. Free class
for ages 7-12 to develop skills and
encourage art exploration. (Rober-
ta Lavadour 541-278-9201)
TUESDAY, JAN. 3
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6-7 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Half-
court basketball. Adults only. (541-
276-8100)
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
TERRIFICALLY FREE TUES-
DAY, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Children’s
Museum of Eastern Oregon, 400
S. Main St., Pendleton. Free ad-
mission all day. (541-276-1066)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:30-11 a.m., Stanfield Public Li-
brary, 180 W. Coe Ave., Stanfield.
(541-449-1254)
SENSORY EXPLORATION,
11 a.m., Children’s Museum of
Eastern Oregon, 400 S. Main St.,
Pendleton. For ages 0-3. Sensory
Bins provide endless ways for little
ones to experience new things with
all of their senses and boost essen-
tial skills. (541-276-1066)
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, 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)
HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12 p.m., Hermiston Se-
nior Center, 435 W. Orchard Ave.,
r snow nor rain nor hea
e
h
t
i
e
t
“N nor gloom of night. .”
I would like to thank our
US Postal Service carriers
for their continued diligence
delivering our mail even through the
recent bad weather.
Your service is truly appreciated!
Merry Christmas! - Ramona Draper
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)
CRAFTERNOONS, 4:15 p.m.,
Pendleton Public Library, 502 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Drop in for
a group or individual craft project.
All ages. (541-966-0380)
BINGO, 5 p.m., Hermiston Se-
nior Center, 435 W. Orchard Ave.,
Hermiston. Doors open at 5 p.m.,
games begin at 6:30 p.m. Every-
one welcome. (541-567-3582)
PENDLETON EAGLES TA-
COS AND BINGO, 6 p.m., Pend-
leton Eagles Lodge, 428 S. Main
St., Pendleton. Regular packet
$10, special packet $5. Proceeds
donated to local charities. Public
welcome. (541-278-2828)
Page 3A
A second business has
started the process of estab-
lishing itself in Pendleton’s
newly legalized marijuana
market.
According to the Jan.
5 Pendleton Planning
Commission
agenda,
the owners of Pendleton
Cannabis will ask the
commission for conditional
use to start a recreational
pot shop at 816 Southgate,
formerly Premium Lube.
Pendleton
Cannabis’
conditional use application
states that Shawn Pace and
Roalynn Pace of Pendleton
will be the business owners.
In a letter to the
commission, Shawn Pace
wrote that the store would
be 1,600 square feet with
1,400 square feet accessible
to customers. The rest of
the space would be used for
office space, a server room
and storage.
Pace wrote that any
marijuana shipments to
the store would be in
air-tight containers and
no consumption would be
allowed on the premises,
minimizing the odor.
The owners of Kind
Leaf Pendleton, who
announced that they would
open a recreational mari-
juana store at 1733 S.W.
Court Ave. a couple weeks
ago, will also request
conditional use from the
planning commission at the
same meeting.
The
commission
will determine whether
Pendleton Cannabis and
Kind Leaf Pendleton meet
the city’s land use laws
for marijuana businesses,
which is part of a larger
application process.
Both businesses will
have to receive approval
from the Oregon Liquor
Control Commission, pay a
$1,550 licensing fee to the
city and pass two separate
background checks with
the state and the city before
they can open for operation.
The commission will
meet Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the
council chambers in city
hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave.
BRIEFLY
Local historian to discuss Middle East
PENDLETON — Brigit Farley, associate professor
at Washington State University-Tri Cities, is the featured
guest speaker during the Jan. 6 meeting of AAUW.
A no-host luncheon at 11 a.m. at Prodigal Son Brewery
& Pub, 230 S.E. Court Ave., will be followed by Farley’s
presentation on the Middle East. A short business meeting
will follow the presentation.
AAUW is dedicated to advancing equity for women
and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and
research. For more information, contact Karen Allen at
karenallen1965@gmail.com
First Friday features student art
BAKER CITY — Art created by students of Baker
County High School, as well as art class students, will be
featured during the Jan. 6 First Friday event at Crossroads
Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave., Baker City.
An opening reception from 5:30-8 p.m. includes an
informal talk by Baker High School art instructor Kirsten
Anderson, who will present the work of her students
and that of students of Laurie Hueckman of Burnt River
School. In addition, artwork created by students of all ages
attending art classes and workshops at the center will be
on display. Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of
Friends of Crossroads.
The exhibition will be on display through Saturday,
Jan. 28. For more information, contact Cynthia Newman
at 541-523-5369 or cynthia@crossroads-arts.org, or visit
www.crossroads-arts.org
Foster care classes starting soon
HERMISTON — The Department of Human Services
Child Welfare Program will be holding Foundations classes
for individuals wishing to become foster or adoptive
providers for children in foster care. These classes are free
and are required as part of the homestudy process.
January Foundations classes will be held at the
Hermiston DHS office, 950 S.E. Columbia Drive, for four
Saturdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Umatilla and Morrow counties need foster providers for
children ages newborn to 18. Providers care for children
for a few days to several years at times depending on the
circumstances. Foster providers with a variety of lifestyles
are needed to meet the variety of children in DHS care.
Singles, working couples and retirees all have something to
offer these young children.
Future Foundations classes will be held in Pendleton
(March and October), Hermiston (June), and Boardman
(August). For more information, contact Marvin Hamilton
at 451-564-4484.
2016 DEMO
IN THE BLUES
SATURDAY, DEC. 31 • NOON-4:00PM
KELLY PRAIRIE, USFS RD. 53
Join MCGG Polaris and 4 Corner’s Snowmobile Club for their
annual Play Day and get your part of $3,000 in Polaris PG&A.
MCGG will have the 2017 AXYS RMK PRO 600 and 800 for
rider demonstration. All riders that register and demo will receive
a chance to win a piece of $1,500 worth of Polaris PG&A.
POKER RUN WILL BEGIN AT NOON
MCGG will have $1,500 in Polaris PG&A as an added
bonus to Poker Run participants.
Contact/Questions: Cliff Dougherty 541-676-5491 or Jason Hanna 541-989-8221 Ext. 204
H amley S teak H ouse
MIDN IGHT B ALLO ON DROP
DRINK & APPETIZER SPECIALS
live
music
no
ittle
cover
M c K ay
L
in the S
Creek
LICKFORK SALOON
starting at 9 PM
COURT & MAIN, PENDLETON
Large Party Dinner Reservations Available - Call 541-278-1100