A2
FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Firefi ghters attend academy
Deadlines for individual
income tax fi ling, payment
extended to May 17
Blue Mountain Eagle
Eight fi refi ghters from
Grant and Harney coun-
ties spent three months to
improve their skills and
fi re knowledge at the fi re
academy.
The fi refi ghters spent one
long weekend a month for
the last three months attend-
ing classes that began on
Friday evening and contin-
ued during the day on Sat-
urdays and Sundays at the
John Day Fire Station. The
annual academy is sponsored
by the Grant-Harney Training
Association.
The fi refi ghters partici-
pated in a variety of training
classes that taught fi refi ght-
ers safety and survival, fi re
behavior, personal protective
equipment and self-contained
breathing apparatus use.
Most classes included a class-
room segment followed by
hands on training. They also
trained in search and rescue,
salvage and overhaul, com-
munications, ladders, ropes
and knots and forcible entry.
For the forcible entry
class, the fi refi ghters trained
with a new prop that elimi-
nated the need to fi nd doors
Blue Mountain Eagle
Both state and federal
income tax fi ling due dates
for individuals in the 2020
tax year have been extended
from April 15 to May 17.
A press release from the
IRS states that individual
taxpayers will also be able
to postpone their federal
income tax payments for the
2020 tax year due on April
15 to May 17 without penal-
ties and interest, regardless
of the amount owed.
The IRS announced
this change on March 17
to help taxpayers navigate
the unusual circumstances
related to the COVID-19
pandemic while working on
important tax administration
responsibilities
“Even with the new dead-
line, we urge taxpayers to
consider fi ling as soon as pos-
sible, especially those who
are owed refunds,” said IRS
Commissioner Chuck Rettig.
Contributed photo
Local fi refi ghters recently attended a fi re academy: front row, from left, Shane Johnson, Can-
yon City; Gerald Russell, Mt. Vernon; and instructor Ron Phillips, John Day; back row, from left,
Ryan Coalwell and Trevyn Coalwell, Mt. Vernon; Trent Ireland, Hines; Tim Briggs and Brian Smith,
Dayville; Jake Little, John Day; instructor Don Porter and instructor Denise Porter, Long Creek.
Instructors not pictured were Hayden Jones from the Department of Public Safety Standards
and Training, Hines Assistant Chief Dave Reiss, Hines senior fi refi ghter Bjorn Petersen and Joy
Brown from the John Day Fire Department.
and windows on which to
practice. A year ago the
Grant-Harney
Training
Association received a grant
from the Department of Pub-
lic Safety Standards and
Training. The grant money
was used to purchase a forc-
ible entry prop.
Instructors for the acad-
emy were Hayden Jones from
the Department of Public
Safety Standards and Train-
ing, Hines Assistant Chief
Dave Reiss, Hines fi refi ghter
Bjorn Petersen, Chief Don
Porter and Denise Porter from
the Long Creek Fire Depart-
ment and Joy Brown and Ron
Phillips from the John Day
Fire Department.
The IRS stated in their
press release that individual
taxpayers will not have to fi le
any forms or call the IRS to
qualify for the automatic fed-
eral tax fi ling and payment
relief.
The Oregon Department
of Revenue announced in a
press release on March 17
that they will join the IRS
with the extensions and auto-
matically extend the income
tax fi ling due date for indi-
viduals to May 17 with-
out penalties and interest,
regardless of the amount
owed.
No forms or calls to the
Department of Revenue are
needed to qualify for the
automatic tax fi ling and pay-
ment relief.
Individual
taxpayers
who need additional time
to fi le their state or fed-
eral taxes beyond the May
17 deadline can request
a fi ling extension until
Oct. 15.
OBITUARIES
Barbara R. Morgan
April 14, 1935 – Feb. 23, 2021
Barbara Morgan, 85, of Prairie City, Oregon, passed away
on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. Barbara was the only child born to
Ray and Genevieve Morgan on April 14, 1935, in Prairie City,
Oregon. Graduating from Grant Union High School in 1953,
Barbara studied economics at Willamette University and, after
obtaining her teaching credentials, taught high school busi-
ness courses in Roseburg for three years. Additionally, Barbara
received a Masters of Education and went on to teach the visu-
ally handicapped at Portland State University.
After her father’s death in 1969, Barbara returned to Prairie
City to assist her mother in the management of the Morgan fam-
ily cattle ranch and to continue in her father’s footsteps. Bar-
bara is best known for her tenacious and independent spirit, cou-
rageously continuing to manage her family ranch in the face of
prolonged health challenges. Her long-time friends credit her
with a great internal strength. She was always a straightforward
and direct force of nature that will long be remembered in the
valley.
Honoring Barbara’s wishes, there will be no public service.
She will be laid to rest next to her parents in the Prairie City
Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope 4
Paws, P.O. Box 912, John Day, OR 97845.
Oregon relaxes school safety guidelines ... again
Only 3 feet of physical
distancing required ‘under
certain conditions’
By Teresa Carson
Oregon Capital Bureau
In yet another about face, the state
announced Monday that it would
drastically reduce the amount of spac-
ing required for students going back
to school, to align with new guidance
from the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Oregon schools are now allowed,
on a voluntary basis, to provide 3 feet
of physical distancing between stu-
dents “under certain conditions.”
Just a week ago, on Monday, March
15, the state announced the safety
rules for reopening would be relaxed,
but left the 6-feet-spacing requirement
unchanged.
School districts have been strug-
gling with planning for returning stu-
dents to schools amid rapidly chang-
ing mandates and guidelines from the
state. Some have struck deals with staff
unions based on earlier guidelines and
would have to reopen union negotia-
tions if the district wants to reduce the
spacing requirement.
The 6 feet of distance and 35 square
feet per person that had been required
meant that only about half of a student
body could fi t in a school at once when
they reopened. Schools announced
arrangements for students to be in
buildings in shifts in a model called
hybrid education. Students would con-
tinue remote learning when they were
not in school buildings.
But the Oregon Department of Edu-
cation said the new distancing guide-
lines announced Monday are voluntary.
“This new physical distancing
allowance is a local decision. Schools
may maintain 6 feet and, under certain
conditions, must maintain 6 feet —
such as when students from different
classrooms are passing in hallways
between periods, or when students are
eating,” the announcement reads.
Other pandemic safety precau-
tions such as wearing masks were not
changed.
The state’s largest district, Port-
land Public Schools, will maintain 6
feet of distancing as they reopen after
spring break, said district spokes-
woman Karen Werstein. The dis-
trict struck a deal with the teacher’s
union based on that fi gure and reduc-
ing it would require another round of
negotiations.
The ODE announcement reads,
“These changes may take place over
the next several weeks in some of our
schools as every school district will
need time to plan and adjust to these
new requirements.”
Indirectly acknowledging the fast
pace of changes districts have been
facing, state Education Department
Director Colt Gill said, “This shift
will take time to digest, partner with
staff, and integrate in many schools
and districts. I know our educators
have spent countless hours over the
last year stretching to implement dif-
ferent learning models and safety
protocols.”
Nonetheless, Gill said some dis-
tricts may want to rejigger their hybrid
plans or even consider going back to
completely on-site instruction.
Under the new plans, elementary
schools must maintain the 3 feet of
distancing and staff and students must
be at least 6 feet apart “to the maxi-
mum extent possible.”
Middle and high schools have
to keep the 3 feet of distance unless
COVID-19 case rates reach certain
levels in the county.
Gov. Kate Brown said in the
announcement, “With the new rec-
ommendations for physical distancing
from the CDC, I know I join students,
parents and educators across Oregon
in welcoming the news that months
of scientific research clearly demon-
strates the risk of COVID-19 trans-
mission is low in schools.”
Mike Hendricks
Mike Hendricks, Gold Hill, passed away Thursday, March
18, in John Day at the age of 69. Services will be held Friday,
March 26, in the Medford area. He was born Nov. 23, 1951, in
John Day.
He was raised in Seneca and Canyon City, graduating from
Grant Union in 1970.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa, of Gold Hill; daughters,
Megan (Shawn) Shanahan of Vancouver, Washington, and Syl-
via (Sheridan) Pyeatt of Medford; son, John, of Medford; and
sister, Karla (Dan) Averett, of John Day.
He was preceded in death by his father, Herman; mother,
Joyce; and sister, Colleen.
Doherty, Northway earn degrees
Haven House
Blue Mountain Eagle
Retirement Center
Two John Day residents
earned master’s degrees
from Western Governor’s
University.
Brittany Doherty of John
Day received a Master of Sci-
ence in special education.
Apartments
available!
Arlene Mae Schoorl
Shanna Northway of John
Day received a Master of Sci-
ence in special education.
WGU has recognized
14,146 undergraduate and
15,640 graduate degree
recipients, who have com-
pleted their degrees since
July 2.
The family of Arlene Mae Schoorl, 71, of Unity, who passed
away on Dec. 16, 2020, would like to announce a public celebra-
tion of life potluck to be held on Saturday, April 24, at the Unity
Community Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To off er online
condolences to the family, visit grayswestco.com.
About Obituaries
541 763-4651
havenhouse3@wix.com
S235819-1
Mtn. View Mini-Mart 211 Front St., Prairie City 541-820-4477
Weekly Specials
Sunday - Family Style Joy’s Choice | Thursday - Asian | Saturday - Sushi
S234723-1
714 Main St.
PO Box 386
Fossil, OR 97830
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain
Eagle. The paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information
submitted is subject to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect
information may be corrected and republished as paid memorials. Obituaries
longer than 300 words may be published as paid memorials. Send obituaries by
email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail, 195 N. Canyon Blvd.,
John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about a paid memorial,
call 541-575-0710.
Shawna Clark, DNP, FNP
S234537-1
Accepting new Patients! Go to:
www.canyoncreekclinic.com
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 44/29
Wednesday ..................................................... 56/28
Thursday .......................................................... 62/42
Friday ............................................................... 48/33
Saturday .......................................................... 49/32
Sunday ............................................................. 49/32
Monday............................................................ 44/32
24/7 F ORECAST
A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM
NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY
162.500 MHz
S234725-1
235 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, Oregon 97845
Men’s/Women’s/Children’s
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm • Sat 9am-5pm
234 NW Front St., Prairie City • 541-820-3675
S232614-1
541-575-1263
New Spring Apparel & Footwear
137 E. Main St., John Day • 541-575-1637
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF M ARCH 24 - 30
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Chance
of rain
Mostly
cloudy
Sunny
Sunny
Sunny
Mostly
sunny
Mostly
cloudy
47
44
55
63
62
53
64
29
24
31
35
32
22
32