REGION Saturday, February 27, 2021           ­      €   ­  ‚‚ š ‘ Ž‘’’’’’‘‘ ‘’“‰  ­  “ ” ‘’“‰  ­  “  ” ‡ € €‡ ‡   •–ƒ‘ƒ—•‰˜ –‡•„„‰€‚‡  —ƒ…‰‚ — ƒ‹ ™ ” — ­‚ ™ƒ‹   ” — ­‚ ™ƒ‹  ”       ˆ  ­  ˜ ­ ‰Š Œ Š‹ŒŠ‡  ­€„ Œ… … €… Œ† „  Œƒ „ ­€‚ƒŒƒ „ ­€‚ƒ  ƒˆ Œ Ž ‡  ƒ†‡ Œ† „ ­€„  €… ƒ†‡ ˆ‡ ‰Š ƒˆ ­‚ A3 ‰Š Œ ˆ‰ € €… Œ† ‡ ›œƒœ•‚‡ž•œ‡•–ƒ†ƒ—•‰˜– ‚‰‡ ƒ‡‹ƒ—ƒ†‰—‡ƒ˜     ‹   •– „         East Oregonian ƒ‹ Hermiston residents recognized at Distinguished Citizens Awards By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian HERMISTON — As Cindy Middleton accepted Hermiston’s Woman of the Year award on Wednesday, Feb. 24, she thought back to the day in 1992 that her father called her while she was away at college to tell her that her own mother, Judy Bracher, was Woman of the Year. “I was deeply touched by the way that Dad described what Mom was being recog- nized for,” she remembered. Middleton was one of several people recog- nized during the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Distinguished Citi- zens Awards banquet, along with Ken Huber as Man of the Year. The event, which usually hosts several hundred people in the Hermiston Community Center, was limited to award winners and their families this year and was held in a greenhouse at Bennett Botanical Gardens. Lou Ann Wolfe presented the Woman of the Year award to Middleton, whom Wolfe described as a leader constantly serving others. She said Middleton exem- plifies Mother Theresa’s admonishment to “give your hands to serve and your heart to love.” Middleton has been heavily involved in Special Olympics, including serv- ing on the state advisory board for the organization, and started Hermiston and Tri-Cities versions of iCan Bike, which teaches special needs children how to ride a bicycle. She had volunteered with 4-H and FFA, sat on a number of organizations’ Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Ken Huber, owner of Burns Mortuary, delivers his acceptance speech for Man of the Year at the Hermiston Distinguished Citizens Awards at Bennett Botanical Gardens in Hermiston on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian Cindy Middleton delivers her acceptance speech after winning Woman of the Year at the an- nual Hermiston Distinguished Citizens Awards on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. committees and serves as an offi cer on the boards of the Greater Hermiston Commu- nity Foundation and the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation. Middleton said she was deeply honored by the award, although she joked she didn’t know how she felt about being the person chosen to represent 2020 specifi cally. Man of the Year Hermiston’s 2020 Man of the Year was Ken Huber, owner and operator of Burns Mortuary. Huber’s son, Andrew Huber, presented the award. He said his father has been helping families through the most trying times of their lives for more than 25 years now in Hermiston, often going above and beyond to do so. He said people often stop him around town to tell him what his father’s kind- ness has meant to them when they lost a loved one. As Ken accepted the award, he said he hates to be in the spotlight, but felt honored to be recognized. “I had no idea over 25 years ago when I came to Hermiston what a special community this is,” he said. “This is a community that everyone pitches in when there’s a need. If they’re asked, they’re right there, and more importantly when they’re not asked, they’re right there.” Business of the Year The Bob Severson Rotary Business of the Year award was presented to M&M Potato, Inc. of Hermiston. Presenter Dennis Barnett said owner Jake Malmberg started the business as a side gig in 1980 as he worked a second day job. “No employees, just himself and little sleep,” Barnett said. In accepting the award, Malmberg said he lives by two rules: It’s better to give than receive, and treat other people the way you want to be treated. “I’ve tried to model that way in my life,” he said. Merit of Honor The Merit of Honor award, given to honor service and leadership in the commu- nity, went to Doug Alvarez. Alvarez, who was not present, was recognized via video by family members who expressed how proud they were of Alvarez, along with photos of an earlier presentation of the award. Alvarez volunteers as operations director for the Agape House and East- ern Oregon Mission, and helps coordinate the back- pack program for schools to send extra food home with students in need on week- ends. Educator of the Year Her m iston School District’s educators of the year were also recognized via video in order to reduce the number of attendees at this year’s banquet due to COVID-19 restrictions. The districtwide 2020 Educator of the Year was Roger Berger, a career tech- nical education teacher for Hermiston School District. Superintendent Tricia Mooney said Berger has been a fierce advocate for students and tries hard to fi nd new ways to get students involved. “You have almost single- handedly grown all of our CTE programs with your passion for our kids and for opportunities for kids,” she said in a video where she surprised Berger in his class- room with a basket of candy. DEAR WINTER, WE’RE NOT SCARED OF YOU. SEE YOU IN THE SNOW, CAMRY AWD XSE NEW 2021 RAV4 LE $ 239 36 $ 2,999 LOCAL BRIEFING Umatilla County reports one new COVID-19 death PEN DLETON — Umatilla County Public Health announced one new COVID-19-related death on Friday, Feb. 26, according to a press release. Umatilla County’s 82nd death with COVID-19 is a 55-year-old male who tested positive on Jan. 28 and died on Feb. 23 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, according to the press release. from the elementary school schedule. Students living in the walk zone will attend in person from 8:25 a.m. to 11:20 a.m., and students living in the bus zone will attend in person from 12:30 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. On Fridays, students will work on school work from home. “With case counts continu- ing to decline, we are excited to open our middle schools and see our students face to face,” Superintendent Tricia Mooney said in a statement. “This wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support and everyone doing their part to help reduce Herm- iston ZIP code case counts.” HSD announces dates for return of secondary students COVID-19 testing starts Feb. 27 at HERMISTON — Herm- iston School District’s middle new locations school students are expected to return to the classroom part time on March 22, with high school students starting hybrid instruction on April 12 if COVID-19 numbers stay down. The district announced the new schedule on Thurs- day, Feb. 25, adding to previ- ously announced dates for second and third graders to start hybrid learning on March 1 and fourth and fi fth graders on March 8. The scheduled start to hybrid learning for each level depends on how well the Hermiston ZIP code’s COVID-19 case counts stay in line with Oregon Health Authority guidelines. While secondary students will also attend in person for half days, times will differ HERMISTON — Free COVID-19 testing will be available every weekend through the end of August, starting Saturday, Feb. 27. Testing will be available at Umatilla Electric Coopera- tive’s Hermiston offi ce at 750 W. Elm St. in Hermiston on Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at UEC’s Boardman offi ce on 400 N.E. Eldridge Drive from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28, according to a news release from UEC. Tests will continue to be available at UEC’s offi ces the second and fourth weekend of each month. Tests are also available the fi rst and third Saturday of each month at Umatilla High School, 1400 Seventh St. in Umatilla, from 10 a.m. PER MO. MOS. DUE AT SIGNING, PLUS TAXES AND FEES to 1 p.m., and Atkinson Staff- ing, 80796 N. Highway 395 in Hermiston, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Testing is free and open to everyone. Council could pave way for dockless, electric scooters PENDLETON — If approved by the city council, the city of Pendleton could soon open the door for a new way to get about town: dock- less electric scooters. At a Tuesday, March 2, Pendleton City Council meet- ing, members will hold two fi rst readings for ordinances that would create rules around the scooters for use on public roads and in parks. According to a staff report from City Attorney Nancy Kerns, the city has been approached by an “interna- tional company” about apply- ing for a business license to locate dockless electric scoot- ers in Pendleton. “These vehicles are rented by riders via a cellphone app,” she wrote. “The rider rents a vehicle where the rider fi nds it, and leaves the vehicle at the location of rider’s desti- nation.” The first reading at the March 2 meeting would set up the council to vote on the two ordinances on March 16. The council meeting will be held at council chambers in city hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave. The meeting can also be viewed online via Zoom. — EO Media Group AFTER $500 LEASE BONUS CASH APPLIED TO AMOUNT DUE AT SIGNING NEW 2021 VENZA LE $ 279 36 $ 2,999 PER MO. MOS. DUE AT SIGNING, PLUS TAXES AND FEES NEW 2021 TACOMA $ 1,000 CUSTOMER CASH TOYOTA.COM See Your Local Toyota Dealer * Prototypes shown with options. Extra-cost color shown. Excludes TRD Pro models. Customer cash from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Must be applied to the transaction. No cash payment will be made to consumer. Lease a new 2021 RAV4 LE for $239 a month for 36 months with $3,499 due at signing on approved credit through Toyota Financial Services. $500 Subvention Cash applied to amount due at signing. TFS lease due at signing of $3,499 includes $2,610 Cap. Cost Reduction, $650 acq. Fee which totals $3,260 down, and 1st month’s payment. Base MSRP excl. freight is $27,450. Cap cost $27,651. Lease-end purchase option $19,070. $350 disposition fee due at lease end. Total lease cost is $11,864. Lease a new 2021 Venza LE for $279 a month for 36 months with $2,999 due at signing on approved credit through Toyota Financial Services. TFS lease due at signing of $3,499 includes $2,070 Cap. Cost Reduction, $650 acq. fee which totals $2,720 down, and 1st month’s payment. Base MSRP excl. freight is $32,470 Cap cost $32,414. Lease-end purchase option $21,869. $350 disposition fee due at lease end. Total lease cost is $12,764. Call 1-800-79-Toyota for details. Does not include taxes, license, title/registration fees, dealer fees and Oregon tax (.05%). Down payment may be required. Does not include College Grad or Military Rebate. Varies by region. See dealer for details. †$350 disposition fee due at lease end unless customer purchases vehicle or decides to re-finance through Toyota Financial Services. Customer responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear and $0.15 per mile over 12,000 miles per year. Lease does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance, regionally required equipment and other dealers’ charges are extra and not included in the amounts shown. Closed-end lease. Payment may vary depending upon final transaction price. Subject to availability. Offers may vary by region. See participating dealer for details. *ToyotaCare Covers normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. See Toyota dealer for details and exclusions. Valid only in the continental U.S. and Alaska. Offers end 3/1/21.