REGION
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
HERMISTON
Airport
Road
will
keep its name for now,
but the Umatilla County
Commission hasn’t ruled
out changing the name some
time in the future.
The city of Hermiston
petitioned the county to
change the road’s name
after hearing complaints
that drivers looking for the
Eastern Oregon Trade and
Event Center were ending up
on the neighboring Airport
Way by mistake and having
to turn around in the Herm-
iston Municipal Airport’s
parking lot.
During their May 22
meeting, county commis-
sioners tabled discussion on
the name change indefinitely
after commissioner George
Murdock expressed concerns
that changing the name of the
road could derail efforts to
get state funding to pave Ott
Road and improve Airport
Road around EOTEC.
Murdock
said
state
Senator Bill Hansell told
him there was a good chance
that funding for the roads
could be found during the
current legislative session.
Murdock said he understood
the EOTEC board and
city’s frustration with the
confusing road names, but
he worried about changing
the name of a road they were
seeking funding for before
the county had money in
hand.
“I’m very uncomfortable
messing with it right now,”
he said.
Commissioner
Larry
Givens, who also sits on the
EOTEC board, said he saw
Murdock’s point, since the
legislature can be “fickle”
about things like that. All
three commissioners voted
unanimously to table the
city’s application for a name
change indefinitely.
Residents and business
owners along Airport Road
had voiced their opposition
to the name change with
testimony against it and a
petition signed by 34 people
representing 17 addresses.
They said they would be
negatively impacted by lost
mail, expenses to update
legal documents and confu-
sion caused by having their
address changed.
One of those neighbors,
Chris Waine, said in an email
to the East Oregonian over
the weekend that the group
was expecting to have the
issue resolved at the May 22
meeting and he felt it was
disrespectful to leave them
hanging without a final deci-
sion. He also said he did not
feel it was right for Givens
to be voting as a county
commissioner on issues
affecting EOTEC when
he also sits on the EOTEC
board.
Givens sits on the EOTEC
board as a representative
of the county, which is a
50/50 partner on the EOTEC
project with the city of
Hermiston.
———
Contact Jade McDowell
at jmcdowell@eastorego-
nian.com or 541-564-4536.
Page 3A
HERMISTON
Airport Road name
change tabled indefinitely
By JADE MCDOWELL
East Oregonian
East Oregonian
Staff photo by Jayati Ramakrishnan
Blaze near cemetery likely
an unattended cooking fire
Umatilla County Fire District 1 tackled a fire that started in a brushy area
near Cemetery Road in Hermiston Tuesday afternoon.
Smoke from the fire was visible from as far into town as Highland Avenue
and Highway 395 as plumes billowed toward the highway. Several ODOT work-
ers on the Highway 395 bridge adjacent to the fire said a homeless man was
living in the brush and it appeared the fire started from his camp.
Several shopping carts with some items in them were clustered in the brush,
and burned as well. Fire Marshal Tom Bohm said the flames were likely started
by someone cooking, or leaving an unattended campfire.
ARLINGTON
Seasonal campfire restrictions
The early bird gets the worm ...
begin Thursday in national forests and free goodie bags and lunch
East Oregonian
Seasonal
campfire
restrictions are slated to begin
Thursday on the Umatilla,
Wallowa-Whitman
and
Malheur national forests.
The restrictions, which go
into effect annually between
June 1 and Oct. 31, require
visitors to build campfires in
pits surrounded by dirt, rock
or commercial rings, away
from low-hanging branches
and clear of all flammable
material within a three-foot
radius.
A shovel and one gallon of
water are also required while
building or tending camp-
fires — including fires using
charcoal briquettes.
“The intent is to allow
campfire use while promoting
safe campfire building tech-
niques that, in the long run,
will protect lives, property
and our natural landscape,”
said Brett Thomas, fire
management officer on the
Umatilla National Forest.
As fire danger increases
throughout the summer, the
forests may implement addi-
tional public use restrictions
Walapalooza
celebrates final
weeks of spring
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Photo contributed by U.S. Forest Service
Seasonal campfire restrictions will go into effect be-
ginning Thursday on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman
and Malheur national forests.
on campfires, chainsaws,
smoking and off-road vehicle
travel.
Ron Simpson, deputy
fire staff officer on the
Malheur National Forest, said
lightning-caused fires keep
firefighters busy enough, and
they hope to prevent as much
as possible the additional
burden of human-caused fires.
“Even with the wet spring,
we are experiencing a drier
forecast in the coming weeks,
which will increase the
potential for human-caused
fires in the tri-forest region,”
Simpson said.
Forest officials recom-
mend campers always make
sure their fires are dead out
before leaving, and to never
leave a campfire unattended.
For more information on
campfire safety, visit www.
smokeybear.com.
With summer just around
the corner, the Arlington
Community Chamber of
Commerce is celebrating
the final weeks of spring
with a family-friendly event
and fishing derby.
Held in conjunction with
Oregon’s Free Fishing Day,
the Spring Walapalooza and
Fishing Derby is Saturday
beginning with registration
from 8-11 a.m. in the parking
lot at Earl Snell Park. The
park is located at the base
of Exit 137 off Interstate 84
along the Columbia River.
The cost is $3 per
fisherman and the first 50
participants will receive a
goodie bag. Weigh-in will
start at 10 a.m. and closes at
noon. Prizes for the biggest
fish will be awarded in five
age groups, including 4-
and-under, ages 5-8, 9-12,
13-17 years and adults. All
children under the age of
12 must be accompanied
by an adult. In addition, all
Oregon Sport Fishing Regu-
lations apply — although, no
fishing license is required as
part of the state’s designated
“Free Fishing Weekend.”
“This annual event is
held specifically with the
kids and community in
mind,” said Marta Mikkalo,
chamber president.
A bouncy house and a
kids’ casting contest will add
to the fun for the younger
crowd. In addition to a
chance of winning prizes,
participants can enjoy a
wonderful day of fishing
and family fun on the river,
Mikkalo said. The event
continues with lunch and
entertainment at midday.
For some toe-tappin’
music, be sure to catch
the Blue Mountain Old
Time Fiddlers, who will be
playing from 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. in the park’s gazebo.
Performances by the asso-
ciation are as varied as the
members — who hail from
all across the region. While
most of the musicians reside
in Eastern Oregon, some of
the members are scattered
throughout the Pacific
Northwest.
The first 200 attendees
will enjoy a free lunch.
Provided by the Arlington
Masonic Lodge, serving
begins at noon.
The Arlington chamber
encourages people to visit
their little slice of paradise
on the Columbia River. The
park — which was named
in memory of Earl Snell,
Oregon’s 23rd governor
— surrounds a sheltered
lagoon with a sandy beach
and swimming area.
For more information
about the Spring Walapa-
looza, call chamber admin-
istrator Leslee Hammer at
541-626-3426, go to www.
VisitArlingtonOregon.com
or search Facebook.
———
Contact
Community
Editor Tammy Malgesini at
tmalgesini@eastoregonian.
com or 541-564-4539
BRIEFLY
Bicyclist hospitalized after crash during
Century Ride of the Centuries
PENDLETON — A bicyclist participating in the Century
Ride of the Centuries was hospitalized Monday after
crashing on Old Emigrant Hill Road during the Cabbage Hill
Challenge.
The victim, identified as Steven Baranski, was initially
treated at St. Anthony Hospital before being flown by
helicopter ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University.
His condition was listed as serious as of Tuesday evening,
according to an OHSU spokesperson.
Fellow cyclist and Pendleton dentist Ed Dolan said he
came across Baranski while riding up Old Emigrant Hill
Road. According to Dolan, Baranski was heading downhill
several miles outside of Mission when he hit a pothole in the
road that was obscured by a tree shadow.
Dolan said Baranski was sitting on the ground in pain and
unable to move his right shoulder. He had road rash on his
knees, fingers, hands and arms, but was conscious and alert.
Baranski was wearing a helmet, Dolan said.
Umatilla Tribal Ambulance responded to the scene and
took Baranski to St. Anthony. Dolan said he did not know
the extent of Baranski’s injuries, though hospital spokesman
Larry Blanc said Baranski was in stable condition when he
was sent to OHSU.
Pendleton man gets five years probation
for domestic violence crimes
PENDLETON — A Pendleton man who faced kidnapping
and attempted murder charges pleaded guilty Friday to lesser
charges.
John Paul Glidewell, 39, was in the Umatilla County Jail,
Pendleton, pending the outcome of the case since his arrest
Dec. 9.
He faced 17 counts for harming and trying to harm his
significant other, including of attempted murder and attempted
rape.
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The case came to a close Friday when Glidewell pleaded
guilty in Umatilla County Circuit Court to the following:
three counts of coercion and one each of unlawful use of a
weapon, menacing, strangulation and fourth-degree assault.
Coercion and the weapons charges are felonies, the others are
misdemeanors.
The district attorney’s office dropped the remaining charges.
Circuit Judge Christopher Brauer sentenced Glidewell to
five years probation based on the deal Glidewell made with the
district attorney’s office. His probation includes completing a
mental health evaluation and subsequent treatment, as well as
treatment for domestic violence and alcohol abuse.
Pendleton Woolen Mills reorganizes
as company president retires
PORTLAND — Pendleton Woolen Mills announced
Tuesday that company president Mort Bishop III will retire
June 30.
Bishop has been the Pendleton Woolen Mills’ president
since 1999. He joined the company in 1977 as a women’s
product merchandiser, was promoted to women’s sales
manager and 11 years later to women’s division manager.
“I believe this is the right time for me to transition and
assist in the reorganization of the company, helping to insure
“Celebrating Small Town Heritage in a Big Way”
that it is operationally sound and positioned for growth and
success,” Bishop said in the statement. “We have a new
generation of leaders willing and capable to assume greater
responsibility.”
Upon Bishop’s retirement, the company reported the
following appointments in the reorganization of its leadership
team:
John Bishop takes on the roles of chief executive officer
and president. Peter Bishop, executive vice president of
design and merchandising, will oversee all product functions.
Robert Christnacht, executive vice president of sales, will
oversee all sales, marketing, retail, catalog/web, and trade
responsibilities. Annetta Young steps into the position of
executive vice president of operations and planning. Dennis
Simmonds continues as chief financial officer.
———
Briefs are compiled from staff and wire reports, and press
releases. Email press releases to news@eastoregonian.com
STUDENT
OF THE
WEEK
Kellie Zepeda
Senior - Hermiston High School
125th ANNIVERSARY
UMATILLA COUNTY PIONEER DAYS PICNIC
HISTORIC WESTON, OR
June 2nd & 3rd 2017
FRIDAY JUNE 2ND
6:30 P.M. - Memorial Hall
• Queen’s Coronation
• Grand Marshall Introduction
10:00 A.M. on Water St
• Main Parade
11:00 A.M. at Elliott Park
• BBQ Beef Lunch
6:30 P.M. Memorial Hall
• Alumni Dinner
ELLIOTT PARK EVENTS
؏Served until 1:30 P.M. or sold out) 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
SATURDAY JUNE 3RD • Queen & Grand Marshall
5:30-9:30 A.M.
Presentation
at Elliott Park
(At the park pavilion)
• Fireman’s Breakfast
11:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
9:45 A.M. on Water St
• Car Show
• Kid’s Parade
(On Water St. in front of the park)
•
•
•
•
Vendors & Concessions
Live Entertainment on stage
BBQ Cook Off
Kid’s Games & Activities
It has been an honor to have Kellie is my AP U.S.
Government course this year. She has excelled in
every way from achieving high scores on assessments
to participating in class discussions that challenge the
class. Kellie leaves Hermiston High School as one of
the brightest and highest achieving students in recent
memory. She has been an integral part of many clubs at
Hermiston High School that have benefited the school
and local community. We are going to miss Kellie here
in Hermiston but are also so excited to see her move
onto college and achieve amazing things.
Proudly Sponsored By:
ELMER’S
IRRIGATION, INC.
“Proudly serving and investing in the future of our communities”
HWY 395 • HERMISTON
541-567-5572 • FAX: 541-567-8721
“Honor the past • Celebrate the present • Embrace the future”
EMERGENCY SERVICE ALSO AVAILABLE