Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2017)
REGION Saturday, July 29, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON PENDLETON Championship swim meet makes big splash at Aquatic Center Lybrand sentenced to four years in prison Swimmers travel as far as Spokane, Moses Lake By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian Like the rest of the natural world, the ecosystem of a swim meet revolves around the water. More than 350 children and their families from across the inland Northwest gathered Friday at the Pendleton Aquatic Center, the pool teeming with youth competing in the breast- stroke, butterfl y and freestyle as a part of the 2017 Inland Empire Long Course Cham- pionship. Kids in swimsuits walked to and fro as parents and coaches shouted words of encouragement to the young competitors in the main pool. A smaller pool provided a space for practice laps. In the grassy area surrounding the pool, partic- ipants and their families lounged under canopies and camping tents, biding their time between events. Further out still, vendors sold food, screen-printed t-shirts and swimsuits. This is a typical swim meet championship in an atypical location. Fred Robinson, the meet director and the president of the Pendleton Swim Asso- ciation, said this is the fi rst time Pendleton has hosted the Inland Empire championship. Although Pendleton hosts swim meets every year, it took four years to secure the winning Inland Empire bid for the Round-Up City. Teams from across Oregon, Washington and Idaho converged on Pend- leton for the championship, with the event winners qualifying for the sectional competition. Teams from as close as Walla Walla, La Grande and Tri-Cities went up against swimmers that traveled as far as Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Moses Lake, Wash. Tony Nelson coaches the 29-person strong Pendleton Swim Association team and spent the day with a variety of duties, ranging from critiquing his swimmers performances to making sure they were staying hydrated on another bright summer day. Staff photo by Kathy Aney A lifeguard watches swimmers race Friday afternoon during a preliminary heat of the Inland Empire Long Course Championships at the Pendleton Aquatic Center. The swim meet continues through Sunday. Staff photo by Kathy Aney Ian Walsh, left, and Charles Cutter play cards during downtime at the Inland Empire Long Course Championships at the Pendleton Aquatic Center. The swimmers came from Wenatchee Valley to compete in the meet, which continues through Sunday. Sixteen-year-old swimmer Landry Huth was competing in several events and has spent the past fi ve years as a member of the Pendleton swim club. Although she’s unsure if she wants to keep swimming competitively after high school, she plans to keep using the skills she was taught in the association well after graduation. “You can do it anytime,” she said. Nelson echoed Huth’s sentiments, calling it a “life- long sport” that both promotes individual achievement and team work, and helps keep you healthy and in shape. Nelson, who is a lieutenant for the Pendleton Police Department in his day job, said Friday’s poolside scene was characteristic of the family atmosphere most events take on. “It defi nitely becomes a tent city,” he said. Mike Kitsler was one of seven family members who rolled into Pendleton from Spokane to support his two children who were competing. Although Pendleton lies on the outer edge of Inland Empire’s radius, Kitsler said he likes Pendleton’s restau- rants and amenities. “I don’t like to pump my own gas though,” he said. While Pendleton Swim Association members may have worked for years to host a championship, their work isn’t over. Time is running out on the Blue Mountain Community College pool, which has more maintenance issues than the college is willing to pay for but is also the only indoor facility the swim association is able to use year-round. Robinson, the swim association president, said he’s currently working with Mayor John Turner to fi gure out a proposal to build a cover over the aquatic center. In addition to giving young swimmers the option of swimming throughout the year, Robinson said it would open up more competition options when Pendleton hosts meets. ——— Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836. Pleads guilty to drug charges was already on probation for separate drug convictions at the time the latest offenses were committed. The possession charges East Oregonian also carried six-month DOC Downtown Pendleton sentences, though they are business owner Jason to run concurrent. As per a plea agreement, Lybrand has been sentenced to more than four years in prosecutors agreed to drop prison after admitting to all other pending charges against Lybrand, possession and which included delivery of meth- multiple sex amphetamine crimes, witness Friday in Umatilla tampering and County Circuit using a minor to Court. help commit a Lybrand, 46, drug crime. pleaded guilty Lybrand, who to two counts of owns Wicked possessing meth Kitty Tattoo and and two counts of Piercing on South delivering meth Lybrand Main Street, had for consideration, charges that stemmed from previously avoided jail two different episodes in time earlier this year after pleading guilty to separate May. Circuit Court Judge charges of meth possession Jon Lieuallen sentenced and marijuana delivery, Lybrand to 25 months with instead receiving three the Oregon Department years probation and $3,200 of Corrections on each of in fi nes. His latest legal the delivery charges, to troubles arose following be served consecutively. raids by the Blue Mountain Narcotics Umatilla County District Enforcement Attorney Dan Primus said it Team on March 17. A jury trial scheduled was an enhanced sentence, based on Lybrand’s to begin Friday against persistent criminal involve- Lybrand was canceled after ment and the fact that he he changed his pleas. BRIEFLY Harvest Town Produce open for season BOARDMAN — With watermelon season in full swing, Harvest Town Produce is now open for business in Boardman. People can shop for a variety of produce, including locally grown watermelons from Hermiston Melon Company. The produce stand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Boardman’s Front Street next to the Splash Pad. Chamber includes all entities report HEPPNER — To help people catch up on area happenings, the Heppner Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming meeting features an all entities report. The no-host luncheon is Thursday, Aug. 3 at noon at Heppner City Hall, 111 N. Main St. The cost is $10. The meal, which is catered by Willow Creek Diner, features a chicken rice wrap, broccoli salad and a maple bar. To ensure there’s enough space and food, those planing to attend are asked to RSVP by Tuesday by contacting 541-676-5536 or heppnerchamber@centurytel.net. Attention Attention!! WE ARE CALLING ALL NURSES Nurse Openings at Umatilla County Health Department SUBMIT COMMUNITY NEWS JOB TITLE: HOME VISITING NURSE Submit information to: community@eastorego- nian.com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966- 0818 with questions. JOB TITLE: NURSING SUPERVISOR SIGN ON BONUSES ARE AVAILABLE!! “ Making a difference with first time moms from preg- nancy until the child reaches two years of age.” The solar eclipse is coming August 21 Contact Umatilla County HR for more information 541-278-6207 Full Job description and applications available at http:// www.umatillacounty.net/hr/index.html Introducing Silk hearing aids from Signia Come get the coolest eclipse glasses in town at your nearest East Oregonian office, or come visit us at our Umatilla County Fair booth, Aug. 8-12. D L SO T U O $1 EACH Best deal in town! Pick some up for your friends and family while supplies last. East Oregonian 1-800-522-0255 211 SE Byers Ave. Pendleton 333 East Main St. Hermiston Nearly N earl invisible! Easy on the ears, easy on the eyes • The world’s most powerful small hearing aid • Same-day fi tting and delivery for the ultamate convinience • Gel sleeves ensure snug and comfortable fi t • Clinnically proven* Better than normal hearing in noisy situations 2237 Southwest Court Place Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-5053 *An independent clinical study in the US has shown that primax provided a signifi cant improvement in ease of listening in demanding listening environments. A newly developed methodology using objective brain behavior measures (Electroencephalographic data), showed a signifi cant reduction in listening eff ort for mild to moderate hearing impaired subjects using primax hearing aids in speech-in-noise situations applying advanced features such as Narrow Focus and EchoShield. Copyright © 2016 Signia GmbH. All rights reserved. Sivantos, Inc. is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG. 12/16 SI/17245D-17
