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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2019)
REGION Thursday, January 3, 2019 East Oregonian A3 Merkley stalls Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. acquires Australian potato processor 2020 presidential run decision until March By BRAD CARLSON EO Media Group Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. recently acquired Aus- tralia-based Marvel Pack- ers Pty Ltd., which oper- ates potato processing and storage facilities in Hallam, Victoria. The acquisition enables Eagle, Idaho-based Lamb Weston to boost global pro- duction capacity, increase its presence in the sizable Australian market by add- ing in-country production, and create new opportunities to serve customers, Pres- ident and CEO Tom Wer- ner said in a news release. Transaction details were not disclosed. Lamb Weston is a major supplier of frozen potato, sweet potato, appetizer and vegetable products to restau- rants and retailers world- wide. The company now owns and operates 16 pro- cessing facilities worldwide and has nine others with joint-venture partners. Zacks Equity Research that would require an all- out effort. And so it’s bal- ancing that effort against Oregon Sen. Jeff Merk- putting all my efforts in ley said Wednesday that through the Senate.” He noted that at least the high cost of campaign- ing for president three of his poten- tial rivals are bil- is one of the big lionaires and that factors that could several others have keep him out of built national fol- the Democratic pri- mary field in 2020. lowings allowing Merkley last them to raise large year made several sums of money on Merkley the internet. visits to early pri- mary states and Contenders indicated at one point that have to build large staffs to he would decide before compete at the grassroots 2018 ended. But in his first level in Iowa and New public appearance after Hampshire. And Califor- the holidays, Merkley said nia has moved its primary he is now looking toward to March 3, requiring can- the end of March for a didates to mount expen- sive advertising and get- decision. In an interview with out-the-vote efforts in the OPB before holding a town nation’s largest state early hall in east Portland, Merk- in the primary season. Also complicating ley said he’s still weigh- ing several concerns. Per- Merkley’s decision is the haps chief among them is fact he is up for re-elec- the high cost of mounting tion in 2020. He could test a presidential challenge — his appeal in a presidential something he said could race in the early primaries cost tens of millions of and still file for re-election by March 10. dollars. But spending so much “You would really have to build a vast operation to time out of state on the be competitive given the campaign trail could affect design of our primary sys- his political standing in tem,” Merkley said, “and Oregon. Oregon Public Broadcasting EO Media Group Photo/Capital Press, File Lamb Weston, based in Eagle, Idaho, has announced the purchase of an Australian processor. reported that Lamb Weston expects to offset current challenges — such as a poor potato crop at European joint venture Lamb Weston/ Meijer — with solid pricing, cost-saving initiatives, and opportunities in its North American and export ven- tures. The company contin- ues to invest in innovation, and in enhancing capacity and customer service. Lamb Weston stock closed at $73.56 Dec. 31, down 5 cents, compared to a one-year range from $52.92 to $83.86. The company plans to report fiscal sec- ond-quarter financial results Jan. 4. It recently announced it would raise its stock’s quarterly dividend and start a share-repurchase program. Three stranded women rescued near Indian Lake East Oregonian Staff photo by E.J. Harris Then-Hermiston Chamber of Commerce director Debbie Pedro, right, and Kelly Schwirse take phone calls Tuesday in the office at the Hermiston Conference Center on April 4, 2017. Former Hermiston chamber director hired as economic director for CDA By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian Debbie Pedro, former executive director of the Greater Hermiston Area Chamber of Commerce, will continue her work in economic development in a new position with the Columbia Development Authority. Pedro will serve as direc- tor of economic coordina- tion as the agency prepares to take control of most of the former Umatilla Chemi- cal Depot outside of Herm- iston. She starts Jan. 3, working under the CDA’s executive director Greg Smith. “People will still be see- ing me in Hermiston,” she said, noting that her pre- vious job at the cham- ber helped her get to know a wide variety of people in Umatilla and Morrow counties. “I think it’s great I already have those con- nections with folks. I still have the opportunity to sup- port our businesses and the growth of our region.” Pedro worked for the chamber of commerce for 18 years, including 10 as director. She said in a news release that the chamber’s membership grew from 240 to 440 during her time as director and had reached new levels of financial stability. “I have enjoyed my time with the chamber and it was tough deciding to leave,” she said in between the CDA associated with the Uma- a statement released and Gregory Smith tilla Depot. Debbie is some- Wednesday. “I saw & Company, said in one who will jump into the some things I could a statement he was job immediately.” To fill the vacancy left do on a regional pleased to be able to by Pedro at the Greater basis with the new hire Pedro. position and with “The Colum- Hermiston Area Chamber Pedro bia Development of Commerce, the cham- the chamber being Authority and I are ber plans to have market- in good hands, I decided it was time to make lucky to have Debbie join ing director Kelly Schwirse the team,” he said in a state- and board chair Paul Keeler a change.” Her new role will take ment. “She brings to the oversee operations while her to the Columbia Devel- job a wealth of knowledge the chamber searches for a opment Authority’s offices of the area and the people new executive director. at the Port of Morrow in Boardman. The CDA is a partnership between Umatilla County, Morrow County, the Port of Umatilla, the Port of Morrow and the Confed- erated Tribes of the Uma- tilla Indian Reservation. About 7,500 of the 19,700 & acres of the former Umatilla Chemical Depot were trans- Up ferred to the Oregon Mili- To tary Department for a train- ing facility, but the CDA’s board has been working Men/Women’s with the U.S. Army to trans- Women’s apparel! Shoes ! fer the remaining acres to local control. Some will be used for a Boots, fl ats, casuals, booties, clogs, wildlife refuge, while other athletic, trail shoes and boots, sections have an industrial zoning, and a strip of land dress shoes, performance comfort, along Interstate 82 will hiking boots and more! also be available for com- mercial development. The Huge selection of the fi nest CDA plans to recruit busi- comfort brands and top nesses to the property once rated performance footwear. the land is transferred, and Pedro will play a part in that in her new role. Mon - Sat: 8 AM - 6 PM • Sun: 12 PM - 4 PM Greg Smith, who serves 613 N. Main St., Milton-Freewater, OR as the CDA’s executive www.saagershoeshop.com • 541-938-5162 director as part of a contract Three women were res- cued New Year’s Day after the vehicle they were riding in got stuck in the snow on Indian Lake Road, the Uma- tilla County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Lynette Minthorn, of Pendleton, was driving her Jeep Liberty about 1.5 miles west of Indian Lake when it became stuck in the middle of the road. Minthorn called 911 to report the incident about 3:50 p.m. Minthorn said that nei- ther she or her two passen- gers — Chelsea Hallam and Cecilia Hoffman — were dressed for the cold weather, although the Jeep had plenty of gas. Umatilla County Search and Rescue volunteers Bob English and Eric Skaggs responded to the scene after a local tow company declined the job because of poor road conditions, the sheriff’s office said. English and Skaggs were able to reach the stranded Jeep at about 6:20 p.m. with a Utility Task Vehicle (side by side) that the pair towed to the area with a search and rescue vehicle. The side by side is equipped with snow tracks. The women were trans- ported from the scene via the side by side. 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At St. Anthony Hospital, you can volunteer as little as an hour a week or as often as you'd like. Your service is greatly appreciated, so we are thankful for any time you off er. We attempt to fi nd just the right fi t for your talents and skills and our hospital needs. Frequent volunteer opportunities include: • Customer service/cashier in the gift shop, Inspirations. •Customer service at the information desk. • Patient services. • Day Surgery If you’d like to discuss how you can join the St. Anthony Hospital family, please call the number below. Emily Smith • 541-278-2627 • emilysmith@chiwest.com 2801 St. Anthony Way, Pendleton, OR 97801 www.sahpendleton.org