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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 2018)
EASTERN OREGON marketplace FR EE ! Place classified ads online at www.eastoregonmarketplace.com or call 1-800-962-2819 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, leave a voicemail and we’ll confirm your ad the next business day. Email us at classifieds@ east oregonian.com or fax: 541-278-2680 East Oregonian Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication 211 S.E. Byers Ave. 333 E. Main St. We accept: Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838 See www.eastoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN Postal Customer Local TUESDAY January 30, 2018 104 Special Notices Need to Protect Your Patio? We can help! PaƟo Covers Pergolas · Sunrooms Retractable Awnings Screen Rooms Sun/Solar Shades & More! r Sale! e t n i W ff 10% h o ade! any s 110 Announcements PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. While we are happy to make any necessary corrections, we can not be responsible for errors appearing for mul- tiple days. Thank you! 541-720-0772 FREE estimates! 184 Personals CLASSIFIED LINE AD DEADLINES www.mybackyardbydesign.com PERMIT #73 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PENDLETON, OR 97801 Flower/Candy Bouquets • Stuff ed Animals • Balloons • Jewelry • Purses & More! Put a smile on the heart with the power of flowers. HWY 395, HERMISTON 541-567-4305 License #188965 Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 12pm-5am Contact Dayle or Grace at www.cottagefl owersonline.com classifieds@eastoregonian.com East Oregonian 3pm the day prior to publication STANDARD PRE-SORT 1-800-962-2819 to place your classified ad! 487 Bargain Bin Hermiston Herald 10am Tuesday 1-800-962-2819 classifieds@eastoregonian.com You can find your dream home 502 Real Estate Attention Sellers, Winter can be a great time to sell as you avoid the Spring Time surplus of com- petition. Call Matt Vogler for a free Market Analysis. John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 Check out our Real Estate Listings in the Classifieds 3 bed 2 bath? No problem! Rentals? No problem! Free market analysis to value your home? No problem! Call Kerry! Turn Here Realty & Travel 541-377-6855 Looking for a new place to live? The classified ads offer a complete section of homes, apartments, and mobile homes to fit your needs. Check daily for new listings! Attention Sellers, Winter can be a great time to sell as you avoid the Spring Time surplus of com- petition. Call Matt Vogler for a free Market Analysis. John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 ACCESS all information and properties with one agent for your new home. Call 541-377- 6855 today and explore all the possibilities. Turn Here Realty & Travel 541-377-6855 for Reliable Representation FINDING the Home for You! There is something to suit ev- eryone!? Multiple listed homes allows your agent to find the property to suit you. Call Kerry. Turn Here Realty & Travel 305 SW Court 541-377-6855 If you don’t subscribe, here’s what you missed: GET READY AT TO LAUGH SE WILDHOR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN END COMES TO Prisons r face worke shortages /2A OREGON PENDLETON DEFEATS LA GRANDE VANDALS STRIKE IN PENDLETON /3A WORLD/5A WILD TURKEYS TROT THROUGH DOWNTOWN EUGENE McMAHON RESURRECTS THE XFL Trump plan offer citizenship path s 1.8M immigrant to s SPORTS/2B WEEKEND EDITION NATION/6A REGION 51/33 PENDLETON PERFECT IN BOYS STAY CRC SPORTS/1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 ARY 24, 2018 WEDNESDAY, JANU 23, 2018 One dollar 2017 ONPA 142nd Year, No. 70 HERMISTON L EXCELLENCE 2017 ONPA GENERA One dollar 142nd Year, No. 71 By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian Measure 101 Oregon voters passed state lawmakers on Tuesday, saving back to the drawing from having to go measure passed with board. The ballot ballots in favor 61 percent of statewide according to and 39 percent opposed, unoffi cial results. the measure In Umatilla County, percent to 44 56 of Harris E.J. by a margin Staff photo by of the county’s of failed Department — percent. Only 12,346 Umatilla County ballot total 42,156 voters — or 29 percent Dan Lonai, Services director, verifi es a County, Umatilla County turned in ballots. In Morrow Administrative Tuesday at the ballots while counting Pendleton. Courthouse in Data center delays lease again package during the ally approved the 60 percent to 40 last legislative session. Large hospitals the measure failed tax and health also 29 percent. pay a 0.7 percent and certain percent. Turnout was fought a would care insurance companies Supporters and opponents during the months other providers would pay 1.5 percent. fi erce war of words representatives but the public leading to the election, blasé, maybe Three Republican Hayden, R-Cottage — Rep. Cedric Linn, and remained relatively ballot measure. Only a Grove, Julie Parrish, R-West launched confused, by the — voters cast R-Medford Oregon of Esquivel, Sal bill. 32.4 percent drive to repeal the data Tuesday night. ballot according to item in January’s a referendum spokeswoman for the Patty Wentz, was in The lone ballot to voters campaign, asked Yes for Health Care special election a plan to cover an ebullient mood on election night. approve or disprove defi cit in Medicare a billion-dollar of tax and fee See MEASURE 101/2A coverage with a package lawmakers had actu- increases. Oregon A IO SIERR By ANTON ian East Oregon Applications open for review Tillis, Suzy Bogguss • & Pam Terri Clark at Wildhorse ArtWorkz Junior Art • Show opening exhibit Melonville Comedy • Festival in Hermiston For times and places see Coming Events, 3A FRIDAY, JANUARY 2017 ONPA GENERA L EXCELLENCE committee 26, 2018 AWARD One dollar charter review goal of appointing seven citizens to By PHIL WRIGHT the review committee foundation to restructure by March 1. The county is working East Oregonian county They would have until July 1, 2019, government.” The charter requires to remedy that. to deliver a Olsen Umatilla County of a least fi ve county a committee mendations for report and any recom- commission and Murdock said changes to the charter. ers would not serve citizens to review of its home is past due for a conduct the review on “They can the committee so rule charter, the it would be free document that establishes The last review was every four years. of the charter change any terms of their infl uence. Four locals in 2008. or introduce some- the form and functions of county so government. the County counsel Doug Olsen said thing different,” Olsen said, while far applied to serve on the review board of commission Commissioner George committee: former ers have a said county fair the committee “can Murdock lay the See CHARTER/8A Catch a movie 142nd Year, A TRIP TO IND IA LIFESTYLES/1C DESPITE PERMIT NO TURKEYS , KILLED 3A No. 73 WINNER OF THE 2017 ONPA JANUARY GENERAL EXCELLEN CE AWARD 27-28, 201 8 $1.50 PENDLETON AP Photo/Ric Robert “LaVo k Bowmer, y” Finicu file m Finicum family sues U.S., FBI, OSP Staff photo by E.J. Harris Sophomore Alejandro Gutierrez, right, gets counseling for his class schedule from graduation coordinator Omar Medina on Wednesday at Hermiston High School. TABS ON GRADS L By JADE MCDOWEL East Oregonian lor city counci te Pendleton citizen advoca y by the city and senior A water reuse project Umatilla died Monda inspired He John Brenne of Hermiston has cardiac arrest. to use water morning of to imagine new ways data centers. was 73. ’s wife, Patricia, by E.J. Harris exiting the region’s manager Russ Staff photo r Brenne as “a Umatilla city Event Cente his death details of the Trade and described declined to make Pelleberg shared city hopes to n Oregon shock,” but ent. of the Easter project, which the n on later this gement constructio further statem r veteran of the the mana begin in Water Coali- A 40-yea Brenne had to part ways year, at the Oregon l, decided p meeting ork to city counci County have tion’s annual membershi morning. led paperw Umatilla already fi 11th term in the in Hermiston on Tuesday ston and would osal: of Hermi run for an municipal elec- The $3 million project The city ston. EOTEC prop ton takes on commercial 1 upcoming in Hermi separate Umatilla’s its domestic nted Ward y Hermis • City of ship of and liabilit tion. He represe wastewater from the city to send l, which covers full owner in spring 2018 on the counci of central and fl ows, allowing over EOTEC takes Amazon data s swath for ton current wide a Air- Hermis water from ton that include MCDOWELL of Umatilla, • City of s of Ott Road and By JADE east Pendle wn area, South ian centers at the Port Lind the portion surrounding EOTEC East Oregon data center off to the downto ide. planned a Road agrees port data centers Hermiston es, offi ce Hill and Rivers statement on ston will Road and any future • City of of Hermi for agricultural e faciliti ed A city for The city sole owner of the to irrigation canals would include plan for storag death describ te ence area la ’s confer Event the phases Brenne use. Future become space and use by the Umatil “fi erce advoca treatment n Trade and him as a and low-income if everything an industrial wastewater exclusive at EOTEC Eastern Orego storage ponds March 1 — for seniors a reputation he plant at the port and County Fair County continues Center on ing to plan. lla water during the citizens,” since he was fi rst • Umatilla annual contribution for keeping reuse not needed for goes accord council and Umati cultivated 1978 at the age of each voted paying its through 2022 The city winter when it is ission in to 00 Comm elected night of $75,0 County pays irrigation. County Monday the 2013 centers use 33. • Umatilla of construction of Pelleberg said data capacity” for e executive unanimously a dissolution The longtim ton’s Foster ent that $105,000 ns “a ton of hydraulic but the water negotiate Pendle r- ental agreem cost overru County pays director of program, cooling purposes, end and into intergovernm C as a 50/50 partne to capi- • Umatilla toward proposed Grandparents ted creating e coming out the other formed EOTE r full ownership r- system is still $595,000 for equipment, storag Brenne suppor the city’s sewer ship and transfe public transpo . by E.J. Harris tal outlay needed investments but this Staff photo a low-cost for seniors “very, very clean.” sense to treat g the the city. little scary, and other County pays ts of movin l joint tation system ns Brenne “It didn’t make “This is a never backed down 99 the benefi specia has • Umatilla 2018 and $75,3 David ann lists EOTEC during a lla County Other positio his campaign in clean water,” he said. community ge,” Mayor for better $85,175 help cover initial Dave Drotzm site at access the Umati took during As the city looked from a challen was ston Mayor to the new Council and increasing s in 2019 to ted by VenuWorks in d by Fair Hermi said. y Hermiston ted ann City include solutions, lla Count Hermiston lease Drotzm a proposal presen d citizen ston. losses predic program with County Fair for disable es, establishing Murdock, Umati ay in Hermi Under ng of the pioneering a reuse District. Water It would also • Umatilla from $10,000 to r George ship meeti issioners on Mond more years. public faciliti and creating 5 in 2018 West Irrigation Commissione take full owner increases per year s recycled l for fi ve on Comm nal $85,17 ay an a youth center coming from Hermiston’ honor severa to pay an additio in 2019 based on the city would y for EOTEC on $100,000 ton River Parkw built in 2014 9 made the Pendle years before the county would to taking water treatment plant of and liabilit and $75,39 that the s it has already state’s standards in addition — seven the river walk was C/8A was well within the was too warm March 1, and Airport Road city commitment See EOTE continue fi rst leg of for cleanliness, but Ott Road EOTEC. While the hook the facility. about county would operations the dedicated. nd on The spread be surrou toward 0 iately ’s such As news See WATER/3A would immed cipated costs m, paying $75,00 Monday, Brenne proble his death and contempo- for any unanti maintenance colleagues bered the city as a major raries remem rt. PENDLETON council stalwa served with with coincided Phillip Houk years, fi rst as The march anniversary of 23 ar Brenne for er of the city Y MALGESINI the one-ye inauguration and By TAMM ian a fellow memb then as mayor Trump’s marches that were East Oregon council and women’s world last NE/8A ed down held around the ng one in See BREN stream las Tears y — includi of Lisa Ganue of Januar ton. About 400 people the face ton for the start the Pendle March Pendle while waiting met outside ibrary complex. Women’s Saturday’s Hall/L speeches, by City several on Pendleton. d to Overwhelmed las said it’s After pants marche where partici ouse steps The emotion, Ganue that all people the courth imperative that women are several others spoke. continued then recognize and women are group the corner d. important ng around to Heritage include f marchi strong. Hersel n woman is a up Main Street where The Missio mom who has Museum, with a Station proud single to raise her the event concluded worked hard serving for 17 group singalong. who helped coor- children. After Vickie Read, Pendleton legislative years as the the Confederated organize the were many dinator for Umatilla Indian march, said there pated Tribes of the she now works reasons people partici event. tisan Reservation, in the nonpar construction. this president,” H/8A “I watch See MARC g to Donald Aney by Kathy she said, referrin ed.” Staff photo Saturday Trump. “I’m asham City Hall Hermiston grad rates lag behind as neighbors improve their rates rch 1 tnership Ma ly to end par e unanimous mission vot Council, com r change es voice fo march shar Women’s WINNER OF THE County begins ove rdue By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian PILOT ROCK UMATILLA Longtime Pendleton councilor dies at 73 142nd Year, No. 72 Your Weekend PENDLETON City hopes to reuse data center water for agriculture e John Brenn B One dollar WINNER OF THE 2017 ONPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD AWARD sses Measure 101 pa WINNER OF THE CE AWARD EXCELLEN GENERAL TEC ke over EO City to ta OF THE WINNER No. 69 SCIENTISTS CLONE MONKEYS REGION/3A A COMMUNITY/5 , JANUARY TUESDAY 142nd Year, TEEN TRASHES CONVENTION CENTER GIRLS BASKETBALL/1B NATION/6A 46/42 45/34 NORTHWEST/2A News, features, sports, crime reports, public notices, entertainment, comics, puzzles, classified ads, bargains and more ... By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian Staff photo by their Pilot Rock lost Sara Hebard of Scott Hinkle and with a fl esh-eating bacteria. eight-day battle son, Liam Flanagan, 8, pictured in the cell phone photo, Graduation Dropout E.J. Harris on Saturday after an The Oregon Department of Education released its annual graduation rates Thursday and Hermiston fell well below the state average. Hermiston School District’s graduation rate of 65.8 percent — a slight uptick from the previous year — is more than 10 points below the statewide graduation rate of 76.6 percent. The fi gure is derived from the percentage of students who receive a diploma four years after they begin high school. Hermiston’s rates have been lower than the state average for the last few years, and the rate this year was the lowest of all districts in Umatilla County. Hermiston administrators acknowledged that the rates are not where they had hoped. “I would love to at least hit the state average next year,” said Hermiston High School Principal Tom Spoo. “And that would be a huge jump. The state average has been steadily climbing.” One factor in the low rates, Spoo said, was the 2016 dissolution of the Innovative Learning Center, Hermiston’s alternative school. Those students were absorbed back into the high school. “We’re still seeing the ramifi cations of the y other ‘We don’t want an ugh this’ parents to go thro -eating dies from rare flesh Boy bike crash bacteria days after By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR “Almost his whole right side was gone. They kept cutting and hoping. Cutting and hoping.” a typical Liam Flanagan seemed eight-year-old boy. second grader The Pilot Rock scarfed down rode his bike, after school molasses cookies with his three and roughhoused loved to wear step-brothers. He animals on his camo and feed the Liam’s family’s farm. — Sara Hebard, stay goes, can saying trying to But life, as the mother on doctors infection turn on a dime. last, Liam ahead of the deadly Saturday before rode down as he stepfather, wrecked his bike Spring Creek Liam’s mom and Hinkle, a hill on his family’s seeped from a Sara Hebard and Scott right property. Blood the end of something wasn’t Liam thigh wound where through his realized Wednesday when in his pain the handlebar sliced room doctor on of intense jeans. An emergency the incident complained took a look and groin area. Scott he saw. stitched him up and to fade from reacted with alarm at what gangre- seemed destined and foible in “It was purplish-red “We threw memory as just another young boy. looking,” he said. the life of an active, later, however, nous the rig and went like hell.” him in Several days St. Anthony fi ghting for his After surgery at Liam found himself infected tissue, remove to Hospital air life. which his mother fl ew by Flesh-eating bacteria, from the Liam and to Doernbecher Chil- wound ambulance early likely entered his soft tissue. Hospital in Portland soil, attacked the boy’s he would dren’s In the days to come to remove See FLANAGAN/3A Contributed photo four surgeries battle with endure tissue. bed during his infected lays in his hospital Liam Flanagan Helix 93.3% Pendleton high nears 95 percent graduation, other schools vary By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian 0% ILC dissolving,” Spoo said. The graduation rate for Hermiston High School this year, including alternative school students, was 72.5 percent. Last year, with those students in a separate category, the high school graduation rate was 87.6 percent. However, the district-wide graduation For the second straight year, the Pendleton School District’s graduation rate signifi cantly exceed the state average. But the district’s relatively high graduation rate belies a growing disparity between Pendleton’s three high schools. Matt Yoshioka, the district’s director of curric- ulum, instruction and assessment, was excited about the 83 percent graduation rate for 2016-2017, only a point below the year before. “Obviously, we’re thrilled,” he said. Anchoring that overall statistic was the perfor- mance of Pendleton High School, which graduated 94.7 percent of its seniors. PHS’ success wasn’t limited to a single demographic. No race, gender, socioeconomic background or other subgroup graduated at a rate less than 85 percent. Pendleton High School’s dropout rate was a paltry 0.5 percent, much smaller than the 3.6-percent rate district-wide. Principal Dan Greenough said the key to Pend- leton High School’s success is the teachers and counselors who worked with the students along the way. Counselors were assigned to each subgroup to make sure students were doing what they needed to graduate on time. See HERMISTON/8A See PENDLETON/8A Ione 90.0% 0% Athena-Weston 86.8% 2.1% Stanfi eld 86.7% 4.5% Pilot Rock Pendleton Umatilla 85.2% 83.0% 81.7% 1.0% 3.7% 6.5% Echo 81.0% 3.5% Milton-Freewater 80.5% 4.0% Morrow County 77.8% State of Oregon 76.7% Ukiah 75.0% 0% Hermiston 65.8% 5.6% 3.5% 3.9% Twentieth Century While data centers have Fox In the third installment via AP turned into a legitimate of the YA dystopian series you industry on the west side of probably Umatilla County, Pendleton is going, forgot was still a group of teens still waiting for its fi rst. run around It’s not from lack of trying. in search a labyrinthine city In 2015, the city signed a Runner: of a cure in “Maze The Death Cure.” 30-year lease with Makad Corp. to open a new, $45 For showtime, Page 5A million data center on the For review, Weekend EO Airport Road extension. More than two years later, Weekend Weather the city is still without a data Fri Seeks $5M Sat Sun center or a rental payment for for the 12 acres it leased to the widow, 12 children Vancouver, Wash., company. At an October 2015 By STEVE N DUBOIS meeting, Makad offi cials told Associated Press the city council that the subsid- PORTLAND iary that was going to handle 46/38 51/44 58/44 — The family of an the project, CyDat Industries, Arizon a rancher who was needed a two-year grace during the killed by police period on $2,460-per-month of a nationa armed occupation rent while it conducted feasi- Inmate tutor in Oregon l wildlife refuge bility studies. Oregon Correc Fabian Solis alleged in lawsuit Friday a U.S. tional Institu helps fellow The rent deferments are “deliberately that he was tion in Pendl inmate Wayn supposed to deliver longterm e Woodruff executed eton. a preplan understand by benefi ts if the data center a math quest ambush.” ned government opens: 45 jobs and up to $8 ion during The a GED class Staff million in property tax revenue lawsuit filed wrongful-death on Thurs photo by E.J. Harris day at Easter over the life of the lease, in in Pendle Veterinarian Fiona on the second n ton addition to revenue from work to keep the Hillenbrand, center, checks Robert “LaVo anniversary of the dental health dog calm during y” Finicu the rent, which will increase a checkup Wednesda death seeks of Tucker as veterinary m’s y at the Pendleton assistant Erin Mills, annually. in damag at least $5 million Veterinary Clinic. left, and owner Staff photo by E.J. Harris L’Rissa Sohappy If Makad’s project came and each of es for his widow their 12 to fruition, the city would By ERICKA CRUZ The United children. GUEVARRA introduce its own set of incen- a defendant, States is listed as By KATHY Oregon Public Broadcastin ANEY FBI, Oregon along with the tives, including waived sewer g East Oregon State Police, fearful they ian Gov. Kate connection fees, free electrical Brown then it starts will fail again at Doreen Mattes After the ribbon and fi ber connections, a for 5 Oregon is not prepared FBI spokes and others. first, clicking and was a woman cut, my catastrophic on clinic gooseb Anne stationed themselves gosh staff often gets it’s ‘Oh, percent reduction of permit- Beth disaster, umps. Steele according to an in various parts of catch the — I can do this.’ They does not comm said the agency the building to explain The teache audit from ting fees per job with a the 50 Secretary vision that ent on pendin its features and the Easter r works deep inside succeed at this. litigation. of State’s offi ce how they are an improveme they can percent reduction ceiling released and g By ANTONIO SIERRA nt over the old Institution n Oregon Correctional That’s when It is attainable.” the govern Representatives for facility at 1901 S.W. assistance in qualifying for The Thursday. East Oregonian or and state Court Ave. the gooseb come. audit, which looked what they helping inmates did not immed police Veterinary assistant umps Pendleton’s enterprise zone, at state and local Amy Kline was their high need to know to learn Matteson messages seekin iately return standing in emergency With the help of a which would exempt the managemen data g comment. local grant, the Pend- where dogs the procedure room, the area students are school diplomas. get foot inside a had never steppe t efforts, found Finicum leton Veterinary Clinic and cats receive center from paying property Her the d prison before convicted the state failed who often check-ups, spokesman served as a job teachin dental work and other crimin to meet taking As a crowd fl owed has a fresh start. taxes for three to fi ve years. national baseline standards the streets have spent more time als second langua g English as group led for the armed Kline said the room standard procedures. clinic’s new facility out the door of the than a on the A $300,000 sewer emergency managemen for now Ryan Bundy by Ammon and eight other ge here. She and She regula in the classroom. Ave., owner Fiona at 625 S.W. Emigrant instead of one, allowing had four tables extension has already that been planning efforts t, and rly that teache staff EOCI Hillenbrand marve transfo to the occupi do work simultaneou Malhe teared ls at the actually work rs inside rmation she as she thanked her ed sly. Additionally, all more completed. all levels of the state’s lack on Mountain staff and the city up tables are inmates workin life Refuge ur National Wild- observ the their help at the ribbon emer- heated. From for Community for Blue in 2016 to gency managemen But most of those incen- g to earn es in which contra General cutting ceremony. federal contro oppose be able to peek into the tables, staff will College, t system. Members their Educa cts of the l of land in a windowed with tives aren’t close to being That’s due in to provid (GEDs). Away tion Diplom U.S. West the Commission then Pendleton Development care unit to check on recovering intensive e education the prison as The “inadequate” staffi part to activated yet. from alcohol, the ment of two and the imprison- pets. The clinic has ng state- oversized novelty handed Hillenbrand an men start to drugs and more program consistently services. ranchers. wide, including understaffi another check City manager Robb Corbett throug room for GEDs Investigators see school awards for h a differe commission’s contribution $96,488, the surgeries and more complex ng at the Offi ce of nt lens. education than any other prison determined said Tuesday that the begin- procedures. that state “A lot to the project Emergency through its Fresh Start program Manageme The in the state. and alcoho of these guys had ning of the lease payment had grant program. justified in troopers were nt. See VETERINARY/8A drug top state of Oregon ranks A cat stares Matteson l issues in high school three times shooting Finicum been pushed back to Jan. 1, five Staff ,” educat nationally in correc in the in Wednesday at out of a holding cage in photo by E.J. Harris he See DISASTER/8A heads clear said. “In here, 2019. the the Pendleton ion. exited his the back after tions their Veterinary Clinic. cat ward police out. They vehicle at This is the second time may be a roadblock, Inmate tutors hands in put his the city has agreed to change See PRISO the air and Ryan Huebn N/12A degrees. reached toward then and Burnh Huebner is study er and Eric Burnh See MAKAD/8A a handgun am is study ing for his in am both Staff photo by E.J. Harris See Audit fi nds state must do more to prepare for disaster Veterinary clinic gets new Fresh Start grant helps pay for new buildin g Scientists, Morrow County wheat farmers talk shop By JAYATI RAMAKRIS HERMISTON HART gives 2,723 free rides in fi rst year By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian necrotizing fasciitis. Staff photo by E.J. Harris The HART shuttle leaves the bus stop at Walmart on Wednesday in Hermiston. Ridership on Hermiston’s new bus system did not grow as quickly as anticipated during its fi rst year of service, but it still fulfi lled its purpose of providing free transporta- tion to residents. “Overall I’m really happy with it,” said Susan Johnson, manager of Kayak Public Transit. The HART began in January 2017 as a free public bus system run by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation under a contract with the city of Hermiston. Ridership numbers for its fi rst year of operation show an average of 11.1 riders per day for the fi rst nine months of 2017, which jumped to 11.8 riders per day after the city adjusted the route on Oct. 1 to make it more user-friendly. In all, it gave 2,723 rides in 2017. The system’s best month was November, when 283 rides were given over 19 service days. Assistant city See HART/8A OSU researcher roso (far right) s Larry Lutcher, Duncan Kroese, Staff photo dig up and examine Christina Hagerty by Jayati Ramakrishnan Myers’ fi elds. Myers is second from some wheat plants Thursday and Judit Bar- right. in one of Sam PRISON PUPILS BMCC ins tructors hel p inmates earn nearly 6,000 GEDs since 1985 digs HNAN varieties East Oregonian of wheat most effective at may be managing pests or A group of wheat farmers to deal disease, and how and scientists sat with weeds such down in a cheatgrass as barn Thursday morning and thistle. They also talk shop — discussing to chal- merits and discussed the lenges and potential drawbacks of to wheat farming solutions open variety seed. Open variety seeds Morrow County. issues in be saved and replanted, can The meeting and of “Shop Talk,” was part can potentially save farmers a recent money effort by the OSU Extension those in the long run. But Service to meet with seeds can also become to discuss how their farmers more susceptible to disease efforts align with research they don’t have the modifi if ca- application, said practical tions of newer seeds. “It’s Hagerty, a plant Christina pathologist seeds,” less expensive to save and assistant professor said Hagerty. “But at the older varieties OSU’s Columbia Basin where it’s Agri- legal to save cultural Research seeds also have Center. an older About 12 Morrow County may not set of genetics, and wheat growers gathered provide the disease at resistance packages a Heppner farm that Butter Creek Road off Little come along with modern to address topics that included which See FARMERS/8A Pendleton in front of e gathered 400 peopl ton. 350 and in Pendle Between n’s March for the Wome ing for his LAWSUIT/12 A have masters degree in advanced PhD in couns psychology eling. ‘Smart mete MISTON know how rs’ let residents their water flows “For those customers HER By JADE MCDO East Oregon WELL ian New meters installed by the city of sensitive to who are reall rate incre help residen Hermiston will y them the ases, this consumers ts be smarter ability to gives of water power. and do to decr track what they can While ease their beginning the city is just own bills. — Mark Morgan, electrical to install new water ” Assistant meters around usage more city manag town, installa careful others er water meters tion of new look may find it helpfu ly, the ability to track what is finished at where their l to can customers and do they to going. decrea For examp water is bills,” their water can now track did he said. se their own a test run of le, when he by the hour usage by the day, month Custom the s ago, he app a few to create ers will be minute increm or even in 15 experim was able a variety of able to ent Assistant ents. charts of how he with the timing and graphs after loggin city manag Mark Morga watered his their er and reduce lawn graph account, such as g into some custom n said while his bill. showing daily a line care about ers might not are “For those custom usage monitoring really sensiti ers who temper compared with water their increas ve to rate the ature for those es, this gives Hermiston days. them water usage residents can See down WATE via the load R/12A an app new “smar t meters” on their smart phone installed by the city. s to monitor their Staff photo by E.J. 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