Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 2017)
OFF PAGE ONE MARIJUANA: Oregon passed several laws earlier this year aimed at preventing product leakage Page 8A East Oregonian Continued from 1A Sessions wrote almost identical letters to the governors of Washington and Colorado, according to a report by Slate Monday, Aug. 7. Oregon, Washington and Colorado represent only three of the eight states that have legalized pot for recreational use, raising the question whether the federal govern- ment plans to prioritize its resources toward cracking down on the industry in those three states. Only about 30 percent of marijuana market activity in Oregon complies with state regulation, according the OSP report. “There is ‘pervasive illicit cannabis cultivation in the state … (and) a strong indi- cation that surplus cannabis is not discarded, but is in fact traffi cked out-of-state and sold for a huge profi t margin,’” Sessions wrote, quoting the report. The cost and rate of burn victims from marijuana oil extraction labs and marijua- na-related emergency room visits have spiked since legalization, he stated. Meanwhile, under-age users represent a majority of cannabis impairment cases on Oregon roadways, according to drug recognition data from 2013 to 2015, he wrote. About 63 percent of Oregon adults don’t know whether it’s legal to drive after using pot, he added. A federal task force convened to devise a legal strategy to enforce the federal ban on cannabis concluded that DOJ should continue the policy of the Obama administration, according to an Aug. 3 report by The Associated Press. The Oregon Legislature earlier this year passed several laws aimed at preventing product leakage into the illegal market and fortifying the industry against federal backlash. For instance, one new law requires medical cannabis producers undergo the same stringent seed-to- sale tracking of products that the recreational industry has been subject to since legal recreational sales began in 2015. Another law orders the creation of a state hotline where authorities can verify whether a grow site is regis- tered or licensed with the local and state government. “Anything we can do to cut off leakage … would put us in a stronger position” with the federal government, Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, co-chairwoman of the legis- lative marijuana regulation committee, said in May. Oregon’s legal marijuana industry sustains 12,500 jobs and yields a projected $105 million in annual recreational marijuana tax revenue, used to support public education and services, according to a white paper by Rep. Ann Lininger, D-Lake Oswego, who served on the marijuana regulation committee until July. Lininger has resigned from the Legislature, effec- tive Aug. 15, and is set to be sworn in as a Clackamas County Circuit Court judge Aug. 28. Twenty-nine states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico allow cannabis use for medical conditions. Another 17 states permit limited use of cannabidiol, or CBD, the non-psychoac- tive element in marijuana. FAIR: Law enforcement has increased staff presence Continued from 1A McDonald’s, and the Herm- iston High School parking lot near Weber Field. The shuttle will run from 2 to 10 p.m. In the animal barns, many said they were getting used to the space. “Once all the kinks are worked out, it’s going to be absolutely wonderful,” said Alice Dyer, the superinten- dent of small animals for the fair. Dyer said the students show their animals on Wednesday and Thursday, but the fi rst couple of days are busy for another reason. “We individually vet-check every single animal,” Dyer said. Leah Smith, the Future Farmers of America advisor at Hermiston High School, said her students have had to make some adjustments to the new venue. “They’re mostly positive adjustments,” she said. “We don’t have to pen our animals together as much anymore.” She said the students don’t have as much space Staff photo E.J. Harris Umatilla County Sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Gregory walks through one of the animal barns while working Tues- day at the Umatilla County Fair in Hermiston. to store their own things, which is a challenge. “We’re defi nitely at a loss for tack space,” she said. “We will need to adjust that next year. And parking, there’s maybe been some frustration. But the facilities are beautiful, and next year, it’s going to be spot-on.” Law enforcement will have their hands full this year as well. “It’s just so much bigger,” said Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan. “We need to be very fl uid this week. As the week progresses, we will likely fi nd some wrinkles that we need to iron out.” Rowan said they have increased their staff pres- ence at the fair by about 40 percent, and will also have a dispatcher stationed at the fairgrounds during peak hours on Friday and Saturday. The sheriff’s staff and emergency medical personnel also have a small building where they can get cold water and out of the heat for a moment, Rowan said. Rowan said deputies will be on the lookout for trespassers and shoplifters, as well as confl icts, verbal or physical, between people. On Tuesday, Rowan cautiously said so far things have been quiet. “We don’t like to use the ‘Q’ word,” he said. Some fair attractions, like the vendor booths and 4-H projects, will be on display throughout the fair. Rides will start at 2 p.m. every day and operate until 11. There will be a concert on the Wildhorse Main Stage Tuesday through Saturday night, starting at 9 p.m. Various other shows, contests and activities will happen throughout the day. Check your fair schedule for all event start times and places. ——— Contact Jayati Ramakrishnan at jramakrishnan@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4534 MORE WINNERS. MORE OFTEN. Continued from 1A The siblings kept the routine a secret from their mother, learning the move- ments in three-hour-long classes with Kishpaugh and practicing together for months. Wendy Chris- tensen saw her children perform the routine for the fi rst time at the Junior Jam dance recital in April. Wendy cried. “It sent chills through my body and tears to my eyes,” she said. “It was emotional. It was over- whelming.” The siblings performed together in several other competitions, improving a little each time, Terika said. In late July, they headed for the Tremaine Dance Convention and Competition in Las Vegas. The young dancers spent each day in a series of master classes with professional dancers and choreographers. The teens showcased their talents in a competition against young dancers from all around the country, competing in the senior open duet category. This was heady stuff for Remington and Terika, who both started dancing at the age of three. They hope to continue dancing in college and beyond. Before their Las Vegas performance, they prepared in their usual manner. “I stay to myself and get focused,” Remington said. “I don’t talk much.” “We go off somewhere quiet and get into our zone,” said Terika, who admitted anxiety at having professionals from Los Angeles and New York as judges. Afterwards, both teens felt good about their performance, but neither thought they would get the trophy, considering the stiff competition. When the announcement came that they had won, they looked at each other in astonish- ment. “I was in shock,” Remington said. “I wasn’t prepared.” The brother/sister duo will share the trophy and split the $100 prize. Remington also received one of fi ve scholarships awarded at the convention to attend next year’s event. Remington also took second place in the senior jazz competition. The brother and sister don’t plan to quit dancing any time soon, as both say they fi nd fulfi llment and escape through dance. “It lets you express everything,” Terika said. “You don’t have to think about anything when you’re dancing,” Remington said. “You let everything go.” Kishpaugh praised her protégées and said their accomplishment came after hard work and the embracing of an unorth- odox routine, one that required acting skills and emotion as well as pure dancing skill. They spent a year honing the perfor- mance. “They didn’t necessarily have the life experience to understand all those emotions, but they kept digging and digging until they found them,” Kish- paugh said. Both dancers have unique talents, according to their coach. “Terika has no fear,” Kishpaugh said. “She dives in and puts her whole being into it. Her work ethic is outstanding.” She said Remington’s ability has skyrocketed of late. “This year, he’s not just a great dancer, he’s a performer,” she said. Wendy thanked Kish- paugh and her children for the joy the routine gave her. “This is a gift that can never be taken away from me,” she said. As for her father, she’s sure he would have approved. “My dad would have loved it,” she said. “He would have been glowing.” ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810. better CONCERT LINE UP TICKETS ON SALE NOW! for Oregon’s environment wattsmart is registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Our entertainment line up is Wild! © 2017 Pacific Power DOKKEN AUGUST 31 TONY! TONI! TONE! SEPTEMBER 21 SAWYER BROWN OCTOBER 7 TRAVIS TRITT (ACOUSTIC SHOW) NOVEMBER 17 and for your energy bill. We can all make Oregon better. Efficiency can help make that a reality, star ting with energy efficiency at home. With a few wattsmart ® upgrades, like using a smart thermostat or installing LED lights, you can save energy and money, while also making Oregon a cleaner and healthier place to live. Learn how Pacific Power teams up with Energy Trust of Oregon to help you make a difference and save at bewattsmart.com. Tickets available at wildhorseresort.com or in person at the Wildhorse Gift Shop ® 800.654.9453 • PENDLETON, OR • I-84, EXIT 216, wildhorseresort.com. Owned and operated by CTUIR DANCE: Neither thought they would get the trophy Being wattsmart is WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO CASINO • HOTEL • GOLF • CINEPLEX • RV • MUSEUM • DINING • TRAVEL PLAZA Wednesday, August 9, 2017
