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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 2019)
NEWS Blue Mountain Eagle Hamsher Continued from Page A1 Local officials addressed the need for better cooperation in the objections they sub- mitted to the Blue Moun- tains Forest Plan Revision, which has been scrapped by Survey Continued from Page A1 reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days, while 13 percent said they binge drank over the past 30 days. While self-reported cig- arette use by 11th grad- ers over the past 30 days trended downward for both the state and county since 2012, use reported by Grant County students in 2018 was double the state at 11.6 percent. The perceived risk of marijuana use by older Grant County students fell significantly from 2016 to 2018, in contrast to the state. The perceived risk by eighth graders in 2018 fell from 83.7 percent to 69, and the perceived risk by 11th graders fell from 53.6 per- cent to 33.3 percent. Students who perceive cigarette, alcohol or mar- ijuana use as risky are less likely to engage in use, the survey states. Self-reporting by eighth and 11th graders on the availability of marijuana hasn’t changed signifi- cantly from 2014 to 2018, but while 16.7 percent of Grant County eighth grad- ers reported marijuana was easy to get in 2018, nearly twice as many students statewide reported mari- juana was easy to obtain. The number of Grant County 11th graders report- ing marijuana was easy to get in 2018, however, was 60 percent, closer to the statewide 65.1 percent. Self-reporting by Grant County eighth graders about harassment on social media sites increased at a faster pace than by eighth graders statewide, doubling from 17 percent in 2012 to 35 percent in 2018. The number of eighth graders reporting harass- ment on social media sites was significantly higher than by 11th graders for both the county and the the Forest Service. “That was one reason why they want to reset this whole thing,” Hamsher said. Hamsher noted that in French’s March 14 letter to Region 6 Forester Glenn Casamassa, French said that “I expect you to engage with local, state and tribal gov- state in 2018. The percentage of Grant County 11th graders say- ing they received unwanted sexual comments has been lower than the state figures for three of the past four reporting years and was 6.7 percent in 2018 compared to 11.3 percent statewide. In other school board news: • The board gave its consensus to include new bleachers in the bid pack- age for this year’s seismic upgrade project at the Grant Union gymnasium. Superintendent Bret Uptmor said the district had set aside about $120,000 for replacing the bleach- ers, which could cost about $180,000. The wood and metal roll- out bleachers pose safety hazards for people moving up and down the narrow steps and have reached the end of their useful life, with higher preventative main- tenance costs, Uptmor told the Eagle. The new plastic and metal bleachers would be ready to use by next fall, he said. The complete seismic upgrade bid package will be presented to the board in April. • More than 200 students in grades K-6 at Humbolt Elementary School received free dental screenings, and 73 received sealant treat- ment Oct. 8-10. • Thanks to the efforts of Marci Judd and Shanna Northway, special educa- tion teachers at Humbolt Elementary School, a cof- fee cart staffed by special ed students was scheduled to begin in March. Special ed students will employ their social, work and math skills to produce lattes, smoothies and other drinks for Humbolt staff and students. The coffee cart received funding from the Primary Practice grant program of the Oregon Edu- cation Association, North- way said. The Eagle/Richard Hanners With about 12 percent of Grant County workers employed by the federal government, including the Forest Service, the partial government shutdown in December and January increased the unemployment rate. Shutdown Continued from Page A1 employees were classi- fied as employed, however, under establishment survey definitions used to calculate total nonfarm and industry level employment.” Grant County was at the high end among five East- ern Oregon counties over the past year for an increase in the raw unemployment rate at 3.6 percent and for an increase in the season- ally adjusted unemploy- ment rate at 1.7 percent. The number of nonfarm workers in Grant County fell from 2,180 in Janu- ary 2018 to 2,140 in Jan- uary 2019. Declines were seen in the financial, infor- mation, manufacturing, education and health ser- vice sectors, and in local and federal governments. There was an increase of 10 workers in state government. ernments, elected officials, the public and other inter- ested stakeholders.” “People are hopeful,” Hamsher said. “The public’s voices are being heard.” The Eastern Ore- gon Counties Association responded right away to French’s instructions to the Wednesday, March 27, 2019 regional forester about with- drawing the record of deci- sion for the forest plan. “It had become clear for our association that the pro- posed plans were not work- able for our communities,” the EOCA said in a press release. “In the develop- ment of the plan revisions, the Forest Service had not heard or understood how the custom and culture and economies of our communi- ties are intertwined with our forests.” The EOCA credited French for hearing their objections and taking action. The EOCA also said it sup- ported leadership changes from the regional office on down. “With the rebuilding of trust, we can work together for our common goal of for- ests that support our local communities’ social, eco- nomic and ecological val- ues,” the EOCA said. Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant Union science student Cade Blood looks over Jacob Smith’s research project during Thursday’s science fair, pointing out the results of Smith’s statistical analysis. From left: Blood, Smith, Donavan Smith and Cody Combs at the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School library. Fair Continued from Page A1 piano students and one uku- lele student learn and retain knowledge of music theory. A helpful part of her con- clusion was that with more knowledge comes less vari- ation between perceived and actual results. She also discovered that “images of items did not trigger mem- ories as was thought.” Blood’s question was “How Does Armarilla Fungi Impact Forest Vegetation Growth and Composition?” He said the project gave him a better understand- ing of statistical analysis, and he found “the fungi impedes the growth of coniferous trees and basal area per hectare.” “I thought it was pretty interesting that we live adjacent to one of the larg- est living organisms in the world,” he said of the Armarilla Fungi which is located in the Blue Mountains. Silver winners were Ellie Justice and Cody Combs, and bronze win- ners were Drew Lusco and Jacob Smith. Judges for the event were Amy Stiner of the South Fork Watershed Council; Dr. Anthony Tol- var, an Eastern Oregon University physics pro- fessor; Brent Smith, assis- tant John Day District fish biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Neil Bauer, a retired Grant School Dis- trict 3 science teacher. Hennen, who has taught at Grant Union since 1998, said he noticed more stu- dents interacting and shar- ing their projects this year. “The key to a good proj- ect is having a good ques- tion,” he said. Grant Union science fair participants, including Taylor Allen, center, chat while judges tally their marks. Science fair judges and Grant Union science teacher Randy Hennen sit together during the event. Hennen is in the red shirt, and clockwise are Neil Bauer, Brent Smith, Amy Stiner and Dr. Anthony Torval. A man wakes up in the morning after sleeping on an ADVERTISED BED, in ADVERTISED PAJAMAS. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. eomediagroup.com 108830 He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR, have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE. Then it’s too late. Attention Grant County Veterans: Did you know Grant County Veterans Services Officer is available to assist YOU in applying for all VA benefits you may be entitled to? AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK? DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it! Blue Mountain Eagle MyEagleNews.com 111551 A16 Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710 Katee Hoffman See your Grant County Veteran Services Officer today for more information. 10am-4pm Monday-Friday • 541-620-8057 530 E. Main, Ste. 5, John Day, OR 97688
