REGION Thursday, June 15, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON HERMISTON Wiener dogs rev up for Dogtona 400 Good Shepherd to acquire Gifford Medical East Oregonian Calling all winer dogs — the Chil- dren’s Museum of Eastern Oregon is barking up trees in search of dachshunds to participate in the 11th annual Wiener Dog Race. The event offers lots of dog-gone fun and a chance to win an entry to the North- west Championship Wiener Dog Race. A TV-covered event, the championship event attracts racers and spectators from throughout Oregon, Washington and Montana. The winner of the Northwest Championship Race will go on to repre- sent the region at the National Dachshund Races. The local race — The Dogtona 400 — is limited to 40 participants. Prize packages will be awarded to the top three racers. The entry fee is $20 if registered by Thursday, June 22. For those who enter on race day, the cost is $25. The event, which raises money for the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, is Friday, June 23 at 6 p.m. in downtown Pendleton. Held in conjunction with Pendleton Farmers’ Market, the event also has a hot dog eating contest. As a fundraiser for the children’s museum, the Wiener Dog Race also features other family-fun activities starting at 4 p.m., including children’s carnival games, food and drinks, and raffle prizes. The Children’s Museum of Eastern East Oregonian File photo Miss Fatty Patty, at left, jumps out to an early lead on her way to winning a past Wiener Dog Race. Registrations are being accepted for this year’s fundraising event for the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, which is Friday, June 23 in downtown Pendleton. Oregon began in 1996 with a mission to provide kids of all ages with opportunities for educational exploration and devel- opment through interactive exhibits and play. It’s open Tuesday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 400 S. Main St., Pendleton. For additional information, entry forms, race day volunteers or to inquire about event sponsorship, visit www. cmeo.org, call 541-276-1066 or stop by the children’s museum. ——— Contact community editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian. com or 541-564-4539. PENDLETON Council gives thought to overpass art East Oregonian Overpass décor could be the next public art project in the city of Pendleton. At a workshop Tuesday, Public Works Director Bob Patterson told the Pendleton City Council that the Oregon Department of Transpor- tation was interested in installing new fencing at the Interstate 84 overpass crossing Southgate. Patterson said the council had sought a new look for the fences several years ago, even going as far as to select a design for the project, but it was put on the back burner when funding fell through. Councilor McKennon McDonald said several other cities like Hood River, The Dalles and Woodburn along Oregon’s interstates have invested in overpass displays. “Those are the three that I can think of that have been majorly redone,” she said. “They’re not just the basic model. They’ve actually taken it and they’ve gone to the Cadillac version. They are things that people remember when they drive to those communities or are driving by them.” With the cattle run statues at the Exit 209 ramp and the Round-Up grounds framing the interstate for people trav- eling from the south, Mayor John Turner said there was already plenty of art. “Personally, I question the need for more artwork at this intersection,” he said. Some council members suggested putting art instead at the overpass at Exit 207, west of Pendleton. The council discussed referring the idea to the arts committee. The council also discussed some water and sewer projects the public works department will undertake this year. Thanks in part to a $14.9 million water loan from the state, Patterson said the city is planning $3.9 million in utility projects this year, not including in-house work. Spanning projects from both inside and outside the city’s utility master plans, Patterson said the council needs to approve $848,894 in professional engineering services from Murraysmith, an engineering firm. As a part of the projects, Murraysmith will be asked to pre-design two lift stations for the Airport Road indus- trial land and a future Pend- leton UAS Range industrial park. Councilor Neil Brown asked Patterson to compare the utility infrastructure situations between Pendleton and Hermiston. “There are no apples to apples comparisons,” he said. “Pendleton is Pendleton and we’re unique. Hermiston is Hermiston and they’re unique and they have their own issues. The question is who’s going to step up first and address it and be sustain- able.” Patterson said Pendleton needed to make these moves before they became more expensive. HERMISTON Participants, volunteers needed for bike camp East Oregonian A nonprofit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a bicycle is pedaling into Hermiston. The iCan Bike program is a five-day camp that features one 75-minute session per day. There are five session times to choose from, with the first session available at 8:30 a.m. and the last one at 3:35 p.m. It runs June 26-30 at Armand Larive Middle School, 1497 S.W. Ninth St., Hermiston. Hosted by Hermiston Kiwanis and supported by the Hermiston School District, InterMoun- tain Education Service District, numerous business and private donations, the cost is $99 for participants. Discounts may be available for returning riders or multiple participants from a family. Using adaptive equipment, trained professionals and File photo Abbi Feltner helps Kyle McCorkle-Hartwell ride a bicycle during a past iCan Bike event in Hermiston. Volunteers and participants are needed for the June 26-30 day camp. volunteers, more than 80 percent of the participants learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp. Riders must be at least 8 years old (teens and adults are also welcome), have a disability and be able to walk without an assistive device HERMISTON School prepares for move into WIAA East Oregonian The Hermiston School District held its final meeting before the end of the school year to take stock of a few upcoming changes. • Athletic Director Larry Usher spoke to the board about Hermiston’s recent entry into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). “There will be some changes to the athletic program,” Usher said. “The bar for academic eligibility is a little higher.” The Washington league requires student-athletes to be passing six out of seven classes, whereas the OSAA only requires them to be passing five of seven. He noted that there would be some other changes as well when the move takes affect in the 2018-19 school year, but that student partic- ipation fees should not be affected. He added that with the district regularly playing schools in Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities, families would have many more opportunities to watch and support their kids. “It’s going to forever change our community,” said Superintendent Fred Maiocco. • The board approved hiring Laura Jacobsma as the principal of Desert View Elementary School. Jacobsma has served most recently as an instructional coach in Oakridge, and has spent 11 years in the Oakridge School District in various roles, including as a teacher. She will assume her role July 1. • The district also adjusted and approved their budget for the 2017-2018 school year. The budget committee had met in May, but at the time had accounted for the passage of the bond measure. Since that measure failed, the budget had to be adjusted slightly. The new budget includes the removal of the capital construction bond fund and reducing the debt service requirements. The adjustments reduce the budget by $73,747,512 and brought the total adopted budget to $91,214,624. • The board thanked Don Rankin, who had served among them for the past 12 years. Monday was Rankin’s last meeting before he retires from the position. He will be replaced by Mark Gomolski, who won a write-in campaign for the seat. such as a walker or cane. Participants also must be able to side-step quickly, have an inseam measurement of at least 20 inches and weigh no more than 220 pounds. Volunteers who are age 16 years and older and able to help at the same time each of the five days are needed. Training will be provided. Volunteers will offer physical, emotional and motivational support as they walk and run alongside the riders. Volun- teers are asked to register online and will need to attend a 45-minute orientation session Sunday, June 25 in the commons at Armand Larive — the exact time will be announced. Volunteers and partici- pants can register at www. icanshine.org/hermiston-or. For questions, contact ican- bikehermiston@gmail.com or 541-667-6021. One of Hermiston’s largest employers will get even larger as Good Shepherd Medical Center will assume ownership of Gifford Medical on July 1. Gifford Medical, which is located across from Good Shepherd on West Elm Avenue, will retain its name and current services. Dr. Joseph Gifford will continue to see patients, but on a part-time basis. The other three doctors at the facility will also continue to work there. Gifford has been a doctor since 1974 and has been practicing in Herm- iston since 1990. When he started the practice, he was the only doctor there. Lisa Gifford, Dr. Gifford’s wife and the company’s spokesperson, said the hospital plans to retain all the company’s employees. “It happened pretty fast,” said Gifford. “We decided to sell because we’re wanting to retire.” Gifford said she hopes the change will be good for the practice and for patients. “We hope it will eventu- ally grow it and allow it to expand hours,” she said. A representative for Good Shepherd could not be reached by press time. Gifford Medical currently provides urgent care as well as private practice. BRIEFLY HSD hires new operations director HERMISTON — The Hermiston School District has hired Brad Wayland as its new director of operations. Wayland will start the job July 15, pending approval from the school board, replacing outgoing director Mike Kay. Kay is retiring from the district June 30. Wayland has a background in operations management. He is currently the president of his own company, Sentry Security Consultants in Hawthorne, Nevada. Among other jobs, he has served as the director of facilities and operations for Central Valley School District outside Spokane, Washington. Wayland is also a retired Air Force lieutenant and has a Masters of Science in Management Science from Ohio University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy. “Mr. Wayland will be a great addition to the administrative team,” said Tricia Mooney, assistant superintendent of human resources. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in many areas.” Hermiston signal project delayed HERMISTON — One of Hermiston’s main infrastructure projects has been delayed after it received no bids from contractors. The project, which planned to put a traffic signal at Highway 207 and West Elm Avenue and another at West 11th Street and Orchard Avenue, will likely be delayed at least six months according to Mark Morgan, assistant city manager. “We don’t have a plan nailed down,” Morgan said. “But we will probably re-bid in the fall once construction season is over.” Morgan said the city had hoped to start construction this fall, but now will likely not get to bid again until that time. “It’s not a minor project,” he said. “Really, the environment we’re in now is that construction folks are just so busy.” The projects at those two intersections included a left-turn lane on Highway 207 into Good Shepherd Medical Center. The cost for the traffic signals is about $1.6 million, with funds provided by an Oregon Department of Transportation grant, Good Shepherd Healthcare system and the city of Hermiston. Adult programs continue at library HERMISTON — Adults are invited to attend specialty groups that meet regularly at the Hermiston Public Library. •Yarn Club meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Lovers of needlecraft are invited to attend. •Writer’s Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month. The writing community offers support, encouragement and motivation. •Photography Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The group often participates in photo-taking field trips. Each of the groups are free and open to the public. For more information, call 541-567-2882 or stop by the library at 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Support group seeks senior input HERMISTON — An advocacy and support group for seniors is looking to meet in Hermiston. S.O.S. (Saving Our Seniors) is in the planning stages of when and where would be the best time to meet. For more information or to provide input, call 541-656-6979. ——— Briefs are compiled from staff and wire reports, and press releases. Email press releases to news@eastoregonian.com OPENINGS FOR OPERATORS OF NEW RETAIL LIQUOR LOCATIONS OLCC is recruiting applicants for new retail liquor locations. The open recruitment process is a market-driven effort to improve customer convenience by expanding retail liquor locations with a measured, but consistent amount of growth. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is accepting applications and aiming to add new retail liquor locations in the following counties: Baker County Crook County Deschutes County Gilliam County Grant County Hood River County Jefferson County Morrow County Sherman County Umatilla County Union County Wallowa County Wasco County Wheeler County Applicants are evaluated on background, knowledge and work experience in: • Retail business management • Inventory/cash management • Retail sales and operation • Customer service/public relations in a retail environment • Financial ability to open and operate a retail liquor location A detailed business plan will be required as part of the application process. For additional information on open recruitment for new retail liquor locations and application information, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OLCC/LIQUORSTORES/Pages/liquorsalesoutlets_openrecruitment.aspx Questions can be directed to OLCC.RetailServices@oregon.gov or call 503-872-5020 (toll-free 1-800-426- 2004, Dept # 62). Provide your name, email address and phone number. Applications can also be picked up at 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR 97222. An application with a business plan must be received at OLCC’s main office in Portland at the above address, by 5:00 PM, Monday, July 31st, 2017. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted. Additional open recruitments for these areas and others in the state may occur in the future.