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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2017)
Page 2C YOUR EO NEWS East Oregonian Saturday, April 22, 2017 Hermiston man named OSP superintendent thanks Riverside students The “Exploration of ‘American Patriot’ Law Enforcement” class A World War II veteran from Hermiston was recently recognized as a 2017 American Patriot of the Year. Willard “Bill” Runion received the recognition March 21 from the Amer- icans for Constitutional Liberty, formerly known as The Conservative Caucus. The award recognizes Runion for his support for patriotic causes and pro-freedom activities. Founded in 1974, the political organization mobilizes conservative strength at the state and congressional district level to make a difference in Washington, D.C. It encourages its members and all citizens to call, visit or write their elected representatives. Runion said he lied about his age when he was 16 to join the military. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He has been a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Amer- ican Veterans and the American Legion. In addition, he has served on the honor guard in hundreds of veterans’ funerals. For more about the Americans for Constitu- tional Liberty, visit www. conservativeusa.org. Blood drive collects 36 units The American Red Cross blood drive held Feb. 20 at Good Shep- herd Medical Center in Hermiston collected 36 units. Volunteer Patti Perkins said the canteen was furnished by the Community Women’s Group of Irrigon. Service groups interested in canteen duties for June, July and/or December for blood drives in Hermiston are encouraged to call Perkins at 541-571-5372. Blood products are always in high demand, Perkins said, especially after the harsh weather this past winter brought. A donation of blood can help save the lives of up to three people, she said. For information about upcoming blood drives throughout the region, visit www.redcrossblood. org/give. While walk-ins are welcome, people are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 800-448-3543. THANK YOU Family of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren express thanks The outpouring of love, honor, and respect for Austin and his wife, Rachel, that we have received from the United States Air Force, Gov. Kate Brown, U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, the Umatilla Police Department, the Pasco Police Department, the Umatilla Fire Protection District and others this past week was amazing. The “Patriot Guard Riders” and their captains, Gary David and Rod Runyon, have our utmost gratitude for escorting Austin’s remains from the Pasco airport to Umatilla and for their honor guard at his service on Saturday. Words cannot express how much that meant to us. Their stated purpose is “to honor the veteran and family” and they certainly did that. To all the community that took time out of their Easter weekend to attend his service, the women and men who prepared and served the food for the attendees, and to Austin’s friends that came from as far away as Minot, North Dakota, a very special thank you to each of you. While some of you may not have had the opportunity to publicly say goodbye to Austin at the service, please be aware that Austin and his family know that you loved and respected him. Please keep his wife, Rachel, in your prayers that God continues to give her the strength, courage and grace to go forward down whatever path the Lord has chosen for her. Austin was proud to be a warrior from small town America and it was important to him to protect and serve this great country. This weekend the Umatilla community came together to honor one of their own fallen warriors. A reminder to all of us that our freedom is not free. Thank you, John and Amber Bieren Barbara Bieren Pam Bieren and the family of the late Brent Bieren Brenda (Bieren) Schlepp Jill (Bieren) Holt Patty (Bieren) Estes Lions thank sponsors for auction success Earlier this month the Pendleton Lions Club held our 65th annual Radio Auction on KUMA. The Lions wish to sincerely thank the many businesses whose generous donations made the auction possible, and the many people who bid on the items offered. The funds raised will be spent locally to help meet sight and hearing needs, provide emergency scholarships to BMCC students, help the Oregon National Guard’s Family Support Group, provide fl ags to Pendleton’s fi rst grade students, plant trees in parks and much more. We especially wish to thank Capps Broadcasting for donating four hours of air time every year for 65 years — a total of 260 hours to date — for this project. Looking ahead, 2017 marks the centennial of the founding of Lions International. On May 18-20, the Oregon Lions will hold their statewide convention in Pendleton, culminating with a spectacular parade down Main Street on the morning of Saturday, May 20. Please come and watch. With our sincere thanks and appreciation, at Riverside Jr./Sr. High School in Boardman recently received a visit from Travis Hampton of the Oregon State Police. The OSP superintendent made the March 13 visit to personally thank the high school students for the time and input they have given to the SafeOregon project, a new statewide safety tip line for all schools. The 15 students in the class have been involved with SafeOregon for several months, offering feedback about the name of the tip line, the website colors and functions, and how they think students can promote it in their schools. “I want to commend you all for a job well done on a statewide effort,” Hampton said. “You have been engaged in something in your young lives that has already made a difference for students, and that’s great.” Oregon State Police provided the students with T-shirts and water bottles, plus a donation of $250 from the Oregon State Police Offi cers’ Association. Dirk Dirksen, Morrow Photo contributed by Michele Madril Oregon State Police superintendent Travis Hampton (kneeling, center) visited Riverside Jr/Sr High School students March 13 in Boardman to thank them for their work on SafeOregon, the statewide safety tip line. County School District superintendent, was also in attendance and thanked the students. He applauded their efforts in helping SafeO- regon become a reality. He also expressed appreciation for offi cer George Shimer, Members of the Oregon Retired Educators Association – Unit 9 recently awarded grants to local teachers to enhance educational opportunities for students. In its fourth year of the program, the group awarded fi ve grants totaling $1,120. The money was disbursed for the following: •Schelle Bixler, $250 to help with lodging for the Pendleton High School marine biology trip to Newport. •Ken Jacobs, $250 to purchase new fi nish nail guns and assorted brads for the Sunridge Middle School wood shop program. •Jessica Su, $240 to buy pom poms for the new cheer squad at Sunridge. •Cindy Schimel, $180 to purchase art supplies for her third grade class at McKay Creek Elementary School. •Laura Byrnes, $200 to buy art supplies for her classroom at Pilot Rock Elementary School. Funding for the grant program comes from donations and the Holiday Bazaar sponsored each Photo contributed by Lona Odom Pendleton School District superintendent Andy Kovach, Schelle Bixler, Jes- sica Su, Ken Jacobs and Laura Byrnes are pictured with Oregon Retired Ed- ucators Association-Unit 9 president Bill Mayclin and treasurer Greg Hold- en. The retired educators group recently provided grants to area teachers. December by OREA-9. For more about the retired educa- tors group, contact president Bill Mayclin at wmayclin@eotnet.net. Photo contributed by Michele Madril InterMountain Education Service District employees Cheryl Palmateer and Linda Smith, accept donations for the Children’s Rodeo from Terri Spriet of Swire Coca-Cola and Shawna Nulf, Pendleton Wal-Mart store manager. Children’s Rodeo ropes in donations from businesses Each year kids with special needs participate in rodeo activities during the Chil- dren’s Rodeo as part of the Pendleton Round-Up. Area businesses help make this memorable event possible for these pint-sized cowboys and cowgirls by making donations to the InterMoun- tain Service District, which coordinates the event. Recent donations were presented to the Children’s Rodeo from Swire Coca- Cola and Pendleton Wal-Mart, totaling $2,159. Additionally, the Pendleton Round-Up Association and the Let ‘er Buck Room, Jaqzen Cedar Evans. SUBMIT YOUR EO NEWS Submit Your EO News infor- mation and high-resolution photos to: community@ea- storegonian.com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, or Renee Struthers-Hogge at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541- 966-0818 with questions. Photo contributed by Michele Madril Representatives from the Pendleton Round-Up Association and the Let ‘er Buck Room recently made a donation to the Children’s Rodeo. Pictured from back: Tim Smith, Pendleton Round-Up director, and his wife, Amy Smith; InterMountain Education Service District employees, Karen Parker, Char Surber, Michele Madril, Cheryl Palmateer; and Jill Ledbetter and Mike Ledbetter, Let ‘er Buck Room director. Front: IMESD employees Linda Smith and Jennifer Sweet. presented a check for $2,964. For more about the Children’s Rodeo, contact Michele Madril at 541-966- 3115 or michele.madril@ imesd.k12.or.us. Pet of the Week Little Mommy John Taylor, project chairman Pendleton Lions Club St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton APRIL 11, 2017 NORLAND — Samantha Norland and Brandon Norland of Weston: a girl, Teagan Louise Norland. WINELAND — Corrina S. Miura and Christopher J. Wineland of Pendleton: a girl, Hayden Lynn Wineland. APRIL 12, 2017 DUNN — Sarah Dunn of Pilot Rock: a girl, Leiya Lanae Dunn. staff or other members of the public to anonymously report and share confi dential information of a threat or a potential threat to student safety. For more informa- tion, visit www.safeoregon. com. Retired educators association helps current students BIRTHS Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston APRIL 13, 2017 EZELL — Elizabeth Dykkesten and Trent Ezell of Hermiston: a boy, Silas Milroy Ezell. POTTER — Curstin M. Potter and Blake M. Potter of Umatilla: a boy, Easton Alan Potter. APRIL 15, 2017 EDWARDS — Natalie Edwards and Jonathan Edwards of Hermiston: a boy, Jacob Lee Edwards. EVANS — Stephanie M. Bates and Johnny L. Evans Jr. of Hermiston: a boy, the district’s safety resource offi cer, for taking the lead with the class. SafeOregon is available to all kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in Oregon at no cost. It provides a way for students, Are you looking for a sweet and affectionate kitty to call your very own? Little Mommy is an adorable 5 year old domestic shorthair mix. She is very shy in new situations and will take time for her true colors to shine through. She’s good with other cats and just loves people. Come visit Little Mommy at PAWS and give her a forever home! Her adoption fee includes spay, tested negative for FELV/ FIV, current shots and de-worm. Visit Little Mommy at the Pioneer Humane Society/Paws Tues - Sat • Noon - 4pm • 517 SE 3rd ST, Pendleton 541-276-0181 Check out the PAWSABILITY Thrift Store 216 Pets Adopte d in 2017! Pupcakes Pet Grooming~Boarding Day Care 125 S. M ain St., Pendleton 541-276-9292 541-429-8787 for Pendleton 541-910-2727 for La Grande www.leterbark.com #OR.1015 Pendleton Take Off Pounds Sensibly Weekly Meetings For information call Sherry 541-429-2808 Heather 541-969-6997