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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2019)
REGION Thursday, June 27, 2019 East Oregonian A3 BMCC ‘cautiously optimistic’ on state funding for $13 million project By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian SALEM — Blue Moun- tain Community College looks to receive millions in state money to complete its regional training center project. Republican Rep. Greg Smith of Heppner announced three bills from the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Cap- ital Construction are head- ing this week to floor votes in the Oregon Legislature to fund more than $20 million in projects in Umatilla, Mor- row, Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco counties. Umatilla County is on the receiving end of the lion’s share of the allocations, with $6.5 million alone to BMCC for FARM II, the regional training center for animal science programs and more. BMCC public rela- tions vice president Casey White-Zollman said the col- lege is “cautiously optimis- tic” lawmakers would vote for the expenditure. The 2017 Legislature approved $5 million for the project. White-Zollman said the college sought reauthori- zation of the funds, and the capital construction subcom- mittee bumped it to $6.5 mil- lion. That funding requires a dollar-for-dollar match, she said, and that is coming in $6.5 million from Oregon Lottery funds, covering the full $13 million. FARM II would help the college enhance its exist- ing animal science pro- grams, White-Zollman said, and establish new ones, such as a veterinarian technician program. Umatilla County, the city of Pendleton and the Port of Umatilla are partners with the college on the project and con- tributed $150,000 each. The Pendleton Round-Up Associ- ation is providing the college with land, and the InterMoun- tain Education Service Dis- trict is another partner. The facility includes an indoor arena for the college’s rodeo team. White-Zollman Contributed by Blue Mountain Community College An architectural drawing of Blue Mountain Community Col- lege’s proposed FARM II, a regional training center for ani- mal science programs. BMCC public relations vice president Casey White-Zollman said the college is “cautiously optimis- tic” lawmakers would vote for the expenditure. said that space could serve to hold competitions and other events. The college also is in talks to provide possible train- ing space for the Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems Range. “We’re trying to firm all that up,” she said, and stressed the focus would remain on education. Smith also reported the subcommittee approved $7 million for a surface water-pumping project to benefit agriculture in Uma- tilla County and $1.6 million to renovate the county jail in Pendleton to accommodate inmates suffering from men- tal health or addiction cri- sis. Smith sits on the sub- committee and called the jail expansion his top priority this session. He also reported the sub- committee voted for $2.6 million to renovate the run- way at the Condon Airpot in Gilliam County. Stormy wheat field EO File Photo The Pendleton Whisky Music Fest will fund the 2019 Fourth of July fireworks show. Fourth of July fireworks still on for 2019 Pendleton Whisky Music Fest contributes $15,000 toward this year’s fireworks show East Oregonian PENDLETON — A press release is remind- ing Pendletonians that the Fourth of July fireworks show is back and has a new source of funding. Andy McAnally and Doug Corey of Sta- dium Entertainment — the company that orga- nizes Pendleton Whisky Music Fest each year — announced in Jan- uary that the company would contribute $15,000 toward this year’s fire- works show. For a show that hasn’t always had a definitive sponsor, it’s a big step. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Dark clouds roll over the wheat fields along Highway 334 near Athena late Wednesday afternoon. BRIEFLY Umatilla County burn ban starts July 1 PENDLETON — Uma- tilla County announced Wednesday that its annual non-agricultural burn ban would go into effect July 1. According to a county press release, the burn ban applies to all unincorpo- rated areas of Umatilla County, excluding land owned by the Confeder- ated Tribes of the Uma- tilla Indian Reservation, the state of Oregon, and the fed- eral government. Prohibited activities include burn barrels, yard and garden debris piles, and small scale residential burning. Agricultural burning is still allowed, but smoke management permit hold- ers are required to check for burn day status by calling 541-278-6397 or by visiting the Umatilla County website or its smoke management Facebook page. Athena among series of Walden town halls ATHENA — Oregon’s U.S. Rep. Greg Walden announced he would hold town halls in 13 counties, including Sunday at the Athena Elementary School, Athena. The local town hall starts at noon in the cafete- ria of the school at 375 S. Fifth St. Walden during these pub- lic events typically gives a rundown of his recent activ- ity in Washington, D.C., then opens the floor to ques- tions from the audience. His recent work involved legis- lation to end annoying rob- ocalls and combat opioid addiction. Walden starts his latest town hall tour on Friday in Grants Pass, then Sunday holds the Athena event and heads to Wallowa for a town hall at 3:45 p.m. Monday he heads to Elgin, Durkee and Vale; Tuesday to Mount Vernon, Mitchell and Pow- ell Butte; and concludes the tour Wednesday with town halls in Redmond, Culver and Cascade Locks. Free workshop coming to Pendleton PENDLETON — Ore- gon Care Partners is hosting a free workshop on Monday, July 8, at Pendleton’s Wild- horse Resort and Casino titled “Sexuality and Capac- ity to Consent in the Non-De- mentia Adult Population.” The instructor-led work- shop, which will run from 12:30-5 p.m., is meant for any person caring for “an aging Oregonian” to assist in developing a better under- standing of topics, such as sexuality and capacity to consent for those in long- term care situations. The class is free due to funding from the state of Oregon and will feature a professional instructor who will explain a person’s rights and how to “implement fair and specific guidelines for your care setting.” Those interested in attending the workshop should visit Oregon Care Partners website, Oregon- CarePartners.com, or call 1-800-930-6851 to register and sign up. Merkley holding town hall in Morrow County County on Saturday, July 6. The first town hall is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the theater at SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, in Boardman. Merkley will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., and answer questions and invite suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. Since joining the Senate in 2009, Merkley has held a town hall in each of Ore- gon’s 36 counties every year. 6/27 $5 Classic Movie Showing Wednesday 12PM GHOSTBUSTERS 1984 Annabelle Comes Home (R) 4:40p 7:20p 9:50p Toy Story 4 (PG) 2D 4:50p 7:10p 9:30p Men in Black: International (PG13) 4:20p 7:00p 9:40p UP TO 50% OFF! 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The show had been handled for years by a series of service clubs and nonprofits, but when the Fraternal Order of Eagles declined to raise money for the 2017 edition, Pend- leton’s Independence Day went without a commu- nity fireworks show. Pendleton teenager Devan Driskell teamed up with the Pendleton Rotary Club to raise the requisite $10,000 for a 2018 show. Stadium Entertain- ment’s $15,000 pledge ups the usual budget for the fireworks show and com- pliments a $2,000 schol- arship awarded to a local high school senior. Whisky Fest has grown since its inception in 2016 and will aim for another sellout crowd at the Pend- leton Round-Up Grounds for its July 13 concert, which will feature hip- hop artists Post Malone and 50 Cent. SAVE $50 off initial pest service with annual contract* *Offer expires 06/30/2019. Offer available to residential customers who purchase a new pestfree365 plan on or after 02/15/2019 This offer does not apply to commercial pest plans. 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