NEWS
Wallowa.com
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
A3
Now is the time to test homes for radon gas
Homes on the
moraines, around
Wallowa Lake
and along the
Lostine River may
be at higher risk.
By Curtis Cude
Oregon Radon Awareness
Program
(Editor’s note: Radon
is generated in abundance
from granitic rocks and sed-
iments that contain abun-
dant “granite” fragments
— including the moraines
and river sediments around
Wallowa Lake and the Los-
tine River. If you live in these
areas, you might wish to pay
close attention to the follow-
ing article.)
Many parts of Oregon
remain at risk of high radon
— an odorless, tasteless and
invisible gas. It is a natu-
rally occurring, radioactive
gas that comes up from the
ground and is drawn into
buildings, where it can build
up to dangerous levels.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency estimates
that radon is responsible for
more than 20,000 lung can-
cer deaths per year in the
United States. Radon is the
second leading cause of lung
cancer in the U.S. after ciga-
rette smoking, and the lead-
ing cause of lung cancer
among nonsmokers.
“Every
homeowner
should test their home for
radon every two to fi ve
years,” says Curtis Cude,
Radon Awareness Pro-
gram manager at the Ore-
gon Health Authority. “The
best time to test is during
FOR THE RECORD
JANUARY 6
1:56 p.m. – Theft report in
Enterprise.
2:34 p.m. – Theft report in
rural Enterprise.
3:36 p.m. – Theft call in
Enterprise.
Gary Stolz/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Western diamondback rattlesnake, New Mexico.
How rattlesnakes sip
water off their backs
By Akshay Phadnis
American Chemical Society
During storms in the
southwestern U.S., some
rattlesnakes drink rain
droplets from scales on
their backs.This unusual
behavior could help them
survive in a desert environ-
ment with infrequent rain.
Now, researchers have
fi gured out how the nano-
texture of scales from these
snakes helps them use their
bodies to harvest rain. They
report their results in in
ACS Omega.
The western diamond-
back rattlesnake (Crota-
lus atrox) from southern
Arizona and other areas
of the U.S. Southwest has
been seen emerging from
its den to harvest rain, sleet
and even snow. The snake
fl attens its body and often
forms a tight coil, presum-
ably to maximize the area
for water-gathering. As
rain droplets coalesce on
its back, the slithery reptile
sucks water from the scales.
Gordon Schuett, Kon-
rad Rykaczewski and col-
leagues wanted to take
a closer look at rattle-
snake scales to determine
what makes these ser-
pents so adept at harvesting
precipitation.
The researchers com-
pared the surface wetta-
bility and nanotexture of
scales from the western dia-
mondback rattlesnake and
two other species of des-
ert-dwelling snakes that
do not show rain-harvest-
ing behavior: the desert
kingsnake and the Sonoran
gopher snake.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
National Nothing Day
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 5:15 a.m. The Vault in
Enterprise. Hurricane Point
Fitness. No experience nec-
essary. Certifi ed instructors.
541-398-2131.
PILATES IN WALLOWA:
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wallowa
Senior Center. Sponsored by
Community Connection.
LIBRARY STORY TIMES:
10:30 a.m. Enterprise City
Library. Parents and children
0-5. Circle time, story-time and
activity at the Library.
ROTARY CLUB OF WAL-
LOWA COUNTY: Noon, St.
Katherine Catholic Church,
301 E. Garfi eld St., Enterprise.
Public is invited.
ADULT CERAMICS CLASS:
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Josephy Cen-
ter. $20 includes materials.
WALLOWA
MOUNTAIN
CRUISE
COMMITTEE/VOL-
UNTEER MEETING: 5:30 p.m.
Kokanee Inn, 700 S. Main St.,
Joseph.
OPEN MIC NIGHT: 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. Josephy Center, Joseph.
Free admission.
OK THEATRE PRESENTS:
BART BUDWIG & O’CONNOR
LEE: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. OK The-
atre, Enterprise. Tickets are
$15 and available at Dollar
Stretcher, Joseph Hardware,
M. Crow and eventbrite.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
National Hot Buttered
Rum Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
PARENT/CHILD
PLAY-
GROUP: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Building Healthy Families,
Enterprise. Songs, stories,
snacks and activities focusing
on developing kindergarten
readiness skills. For parents
and children 0-5.
RESTORATIVE
YOGA:
9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Above
the Lostine Tavern in Lostine.
A gentle style of yoga. Instruc-
tor: Esther Petrocine. saluta-
tionsstudio.com
FOOD
GIVEAWAY:
11:30 a.m. Wallowa Senior
Center in Wallowa, 11 a.m.
Enterprise Senior Center and
noon at The Place in Joseph.
Sponsored by Wallowa Fresh
Food Alliance. Perishable food
available.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
National Use Your
Gift Card Day
ZUMBA GOLD: 9 a.m. 30
minute seated class; 9:30 a.m.
standing class. Enterprise
Senior Center. A fi tness class
for seniors that combines
Latin dance music with fi t-
ness moves. A doctor’s note
JANUARY 7
7:48 a.m. – Traffi c com-
plaint called in for EPD.
10:11 a.m. – Entered a
Parole Violation warrant on
Gerritt James Johnson, 27, of
Enterprise. Original charge
Deliver Meth. No bail.
4:32 p.m. – Entered a Pro-
bation Violation Warrant on
David Wayne Franklin, 29, of
Clarkston, WA. Original charge
DUII.
7:10 p.m.
–
Counter-
feit $1.00 bill reported in
Enterprise.
the heating season, when
the windows and doors are
closed up tight.”
Many test kits are priced
between $15 and $25 and
can be found in most hard-
ware stores. Radon prob-
lems can be fi xed by qual-
ifi ed contractors for a cost
similar to that of common
home repairs, such as paint-
ing or having a new water
heater installed.
The Radon Awareness
Program collects radon test
data from test kit manufac-
turers in an effort to under-
stand which areas of the
state have the potential for
high radon levels and to
identify areas where edu-
cational outreach efforts
need to be focused. The pro-
gram is offering a free radon
test kit to residents whose
homes are in ZIP codes
with fewer than 20 radon
test results. Residents can
send an email to radon.pro-
gram@dhsoha.state.or.us to
receive instructions on how
to get a free test kit, which
will be provided while sup-
plies last.
There will be an opportu-
nity to attend a free educa-
tional event to learn about
radon, areas of concern,
health effects and commu-
nity resources. For details
about the event visit the
Northwest Radon Coalition
website.
For more information on
which areas of the state are at
moderate to high risk of hav-
ing elevated radon levels,
radon testing and mitigation,
or to order a test kit online
contact the Radon Aware-
ness Program at radon.pro-
gram@dhsoha.state.or.us or
visit http://www.healthore-
gon.org/radon.
JANUARY 8
1:07 p.m. – Follow-up
investigation in Enterprise.
1:13 p.m. – Welfare check
requested in Enterprise.
3:44 p.m. – 911 possible
fl ue fi re in Enterprise.
4:11 p.m. – Sex abuse case
in Enterprise.
11:21 p.m. – 911 call
for domestic incident in
Enterprise.
issued by Lebanon PD. Orig-
inal charge Theft III. She was
cited and released.
4:20 p.m. – Civil dispute
reported in Enterprise.
6:03 p.m. – Traffi c com-
plaint on Hwy 82 in rural
Enterprise.
ing a two vehicle MVA in rural
Joseph.
JANUARY 9
2:16 p.m.
–
Wallowa
County
Sheriff ’s
Offi ce
arrested Gerritt J. Johnson, 27,
of Enterprise for Felony Parole
Violation Warrant issued by
Wallowa County Sheriff ’s
Offi ce Community Correc-
tions. Original charge Deliv-
ery of Meth. He was trans-
ported to Umatilla County
Jail. WCSO also arrested Bob-
bie I. Buchholz, 43, of Wallowa
for a Statewide Municipal
Contempt of Court Warrant
JANUARY 11
10:19 a.m. – 911 report of
a single vehicle, non-injury
rollover in Enterprise.
11:24 a.m. – 911 call
reporting a single vehicle
accident in rural Joseph.
11:45 a.m. – Report of bur-
glary in Wallowa.
12:26 p.m. – 911 call
reporting dog running at
large in Enterprise.
1:41 p.m. – 911 call report-
3:24 p.m. – Welfare check
requested in Enterprise.
5:16 p.m. – Road hazard
reported on Hwy 82 in rural
Enterprise.
JANUARY 12
10:57 a.m.
Wallowa.
–
Theft
in
4:43 p.m. – Search and
Rescue activated for fi ve
snowmobiles stuck in the
Bone Spring Warming Shel-
ter area.
6:43 p.m. – 911 domestic
reported in rural Wallowa.
7:53 p.m. – Report of sin-
gle vehicle MVA on Hwy 82 in
rural Lostine.
CIVIC MEETING SCHEDULE
CORRECTIONS
In the Jan. 8 Chief-
tain’s story about wres-
tling (page A17, Jo-Hi
Invitational wresting
tourney rocks Joseph
gym), Joseph wrestler
Ronny Morello’s fi rst
name was spelled incor-
rectly. The Chieftain
apologizes for the error.
JANUARY 10
10:49 a.m. – Report of
Menacing in rural Wallowa.
3:26 p.m. – Domestic
reported in Wallowa.
2:42 p.m. – Telephonic
harassment reported.
City, county, and other
public civic meetings
Wallowa County Commission
Meetings 9 a.m. fi rst and
third Mondays. Next meeting:
Jan. 20
City Councils
• Joseph: 7 p.m. fi rst Thurs-
day, in the Joseph Community
Center. Next meeting Feb. 6.
• Enterprise: 6:30 p.m. sec-
ond Monday, in City Hall. Next
meeting: Jan 13
• Lostine: 7:30 p.m. fi rst
Wednesday, in City Hall. Next
meeting: Jan. 8
• Wallowa: 7 p.m. third Tues-
day. In City Hall. Next meeting:
Jan. 21
School boards
• Joseph: 5:30 p.m. second
Monday. Next meeting: Jan. 13
• Enterprise: 7:30 p.m. fi rst
Monday. Next meeting: Feb. 3
• Wallowa: 7 p.m. usually
the second Monday. Next
meeting: Jan. 13
Planning commissions
• Wallowa County: 7 p.m.
last Tuesday. Next meeting:
7 p.m. Jan. 28, courthouse
• Enterprise: 7 p.m. fi rst
Tuesday. Next meeting: Feb. 4
SEE THE EXPANDED ONLINE CALENDAR AT
EASTERNOREGONEVENTS.COM
releasing you to participate
in Zumba Gold is required.
Call Becky McAuliff e for info at
541-263-0224.
SNOWMOBILE
CLUB’S
ANNUAL POKER RUN: 9 a.m.
to noon. Salt Creek Summit.
5:30 p.m. Dinner & raffl e at
Joseph Community Center. 30
mile loop on groomed trails,
followed by a dinner and raf-
fl e in the evening. Non-mem-
bers welcome. Call 541-426-
3491 for info.
OLD-TIME
COMMUNITY
DANCE: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Enterprise Odd Fellows Hall,
above Soroptimist Thrift
Shop (107 NE 1st St., Enter-
prise). $5 per person, under
12 free. Beginners welcome,
no partner or special cloth-
ing required, all dances taught
and called. Call Laura for info
541-398-0800.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
National Popcorn Day
BINGO: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
VFW Hall, Enterprise.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20
National Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
WALLOWA COUNTY COM-
MISSIONERS MEETING: 9 a.m.
®
Wallowa County Courthouse,
Enterprise.
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 6:15 p.m. Oddfellows
Hall in Enterprise. No expe-
rience necessary. Certifi ed
instructors. 541-398-2131.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
National Squirrel
Appreciation Day
PILATES IN WALLOWA:
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wallowa
Senior Center.
FREE LEGAL CONSULTA-
TIONS: Starting at 9 a.m. Enter-
prise Senior Center. For low
income people and senior cit-
izens. Call for appointment:
1-800-843-1115,
extension
202.
QUILTING IN WALLOWA:
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wallowa
Senior Center, 204 E. 2nd St.,
Wallowa. Sponsored by Com-
munity Connection.
WECARE CAREGIVERS SUP-
PORT GROUP: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wallowa Memorial Hospital,
Enterprise.
ADULT CERAMICS CLASS:
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Josephy Cen-
ter. $20 includes materials.
GENTLE YOGA: 4:15 p.m. to
5:45 p.m. Ideal for beginners,
people with injuries, pregnant
women, new mothers or any-
one seeking a calming, ther-
apeutic practice. The Place,
Joseph. Esther Petrocine.
ATTENTION
DEER
HUNTERS
The Wallowa County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has a
W. Blue Mountain (#649B) LOP tag on Hancock lands.
It will be auctioned off Saturday, Feb 8th at the annual
banquet and auction in Enterprise. For complete bidding
information, contact Gene at 541-828-7795
prior to the event or plan to attend.
Register on-line at Ducks Unlimited Wallowa County for
a three meat buffet including Stangel buffalo, plus raffles, games,
auctions, decoy painting for the kids and more.
WALLOWA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING: 7 p.m. Wallowa city
hall.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
National Blonde Brownie Day
ZUMBA: 6:30 a.m. The
Place, Joseph. No experience
needed. Instructor: Tammi
Chapman.
EAGLE CAP EXTREME —
VET CHECKS: 9 a.m. Main
Street, Enterprise; 1p.m. Main
Street, Joseph.
LIBRARY STORY TIME:
10:30 a.m. Wallowa Public
Library. Circle time, story-time
and activity for parents and
children 0-5.
FOOD
GIVEAWAY:
11:30 a.m. Wallowa Senior
Center in Wallowa, 11 a.m.
Enterprise Senior Center and
noon at The Place in Joseph.
Sponsored by Wallowa Fresh
Food Alliance. Perishable food
available.
VFW TACO NIGHT: 5 p.m. to
8 p.m. VFW Hall, Enterprise. $8.
KICKBOXING
FITNESS
CLASS: 6:15 p.m. Oddfellows
Hall in Enterprise. Hurricane
Point Fitness. No experience
necessary. Certifi ed instruc-
tors. 541-398-2131.
EAGLE CAP EXTREME –
MUSHER POTLUCK & PRO-
GRAM: 6:30 p.m. Cloverleaf
Hall, Enterprise. Meet & greet
with mushers; mushers will
draw for their bib numbers.
Bring a dish to share.
Births
A son, Mason Jesse
Schnetzky, was born
October 25, 2019 in Walla
Walla to Wade & Alicia
Schnetzky of Flora.
Grandparents are
Candace & Karl Seely and
Lorelei Cannon Burch &
Allen Schnetzky. Great
Grand Parents are
Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Maxted,
Art & Nancy Cannon,
Larry & Jan Schnetzky,
and Koni Schnetzky.
301 W. Main, Enterprise • 541.426.3177