NEWS
MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Grant County reports 17th COVID-19 death
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — COVID-19 has
claimed another Grant County life.
A 91-year-old man passed away at
the Blue Mountain Hospital on Saturday,
Dec. 4, the Grant County Health Depart-
ment announced Wednesday, Dec. 8.
The press release said it is the 17th
COVID-related death for Grant County.
As of Dec. 8, according to the Ore-
gon Health Authority, the county had
recorded 1,092 cases of the virus since
the beginning of the pandemic in early
2020.
Oregon has had 398,262 cases and
5,318 deaths from COVID-19, OHA
data show.
The country as a whole has seen a
total of 793,188 COVID-related deaths
and a little over 49 million cases,
according to data from Johns Hopkins
University.
The Health Department’s press
release asked residents to be respectful
as a Grant County family grieves.
Grant County Health Department
Administrator Kimberly Lindsay said
she could not share the deceased per-
son’s vaccination status.
Nonetheless, Lindsay said the virus
tends to be — but not always — more
drawn-out for those who have not been
immunized.
She said there is still a signifi cant
presence of COVID-19 in the area, and
it’s still something she encourages peo-
ple to take seriously and be thoughtful
about in their day-to-day lives.
Lindsay emphasized that she is happy
children are back in school and that the
lockdowns were lifted, which she attri-
butes to the available vaccine.
Yet, Lindsay said, 17 COVID-related
deaths in 18 months is a lot.
While she understands the vac-
cines are not necessarily well-received
by some in Grant County, the Health
Department strongly supports the use of
vaccines and encourages people to get
immunized.
“There are just still a lot of people
who are struggling with COVID-19,”
Lindsay said. “The bulk of them are
unvaccinated.”
Grant Union classroom gets 3D printers
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — Grant
Union students created key-
chains, pencil holders, rings,
jack-o-lanterns and even
Christmas ornaments last
month after the school’s com-
puters class received a pair of
3D printers.
Stacy Durych, computer
technology education and
business teacher, said the 3D
printers came to the school
through the state’s secondary
careers pathways program,
which covered the $2,800 cost
of the equipment.
Durych told the Eagle
that the Oregon Depart-
ment of Education’s regional
CTE program coordina-
tor, Jerry Peacock, hand-de-
livered the printers last
month.
Then the students got a
four-hour training from Vale’s
specialist in education tech-
nology and STEM, Melodie
Wilson.
“They encourage as many
students as possible to be pres-
ent for the training,” Durych
said, “as they are like sponges
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
Grant Union seventh-graders Shreya Vyas, left, and Allyson
Moore pose with a classmate’s 3D-printed “Hunger Games” em-
blem.
and absorb all the new infor-
mation quickly.”
What is a 3D printer?
Sometimes called addi-
tive manufacturing, 3D print-
ing is essentially a process of
making an object by deposit-
ing material one thin layer at
a time.
Invented in the 1980s
by engineer and physicist
Chuck Hull, the technol-
ogy has exploded in the last
decade.
Once the user creates a
three-dimensional blueprint
using computer-aided design
software, the 3D printer is
fi lled with raw materials such
as plastic, powders and bind-
ing solutions. Most 3D print-
ers use polylactic acid, a bio-
degradable
thermoplastic
polymer.
Durych’s class has gone
A student’s fi nal product is displayed in Grant Union’s comput-
ers class. Students have been learning to use the two 3D printers
the school received in November.
through quite a bit in the last
month.
“Between all of my classes
loving the 3D printing, we
have used many rolls of the
3D (PLA) material,” Durych
said.
The 3D printers, not
unlike a home inkjet printer,
use a two-dimensional lay-
ering method to create the
desired object. With informa-
tion from the digital fi le, the
3D printer knows precisely
where to put the material.
“They (students) love to
watch the printer print layer by
layer,” Durych said, “and are
mesmerized by the design on
their computer screen coming
to life inside of the 3D printer.”
3D printing, Durych said,
has been an exciting addi-
tion to the school’s CTE
curriculum.
“The joy that has been
added to the classroom is
priceless,” Durych said.
A3
Hines logging
outfi t wins E.
Oregon award
Blue Mountain Eagle
HINES – H Timber Con-
tracting of Hines has been
named Eastern Oregon
Regional Operator of the
Year by the Oregon Depart-
ment of Forestry.
Every
year, ODF
selects an
outstanding
logger from
each of the
state’s three
regions.
H Tim-
Tony
ber
Con-
Hauth
t r a c t -
ing’s work has consistently
exceeded the Forest Prac-
tices Act and forest practice
rules, the department said in
a news release announcing
the award.
The Regional Forest
Practices Act Committee
reviewed a logging job done
by H Timber Contracting in
the Laycock Creek drain-
age in Grant County. The job
was particularly challeng-
ing because of a fi sh-bearing
stream that fl owed through
the site, but H Timber Con-
tracting used some unique
logging techniques to remove
the timber while protecting
the riparian area, according to
the news release.
The award will be for-
mally presented to company
owner Tony Hauth at a cere-
mony in Salem on Jan. 5.
Showing Movies Since 1940!
1809 1st Street • Baker City
December 17-23
SPIDERMAN:
Annual bird count seeks volunteers
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY – The Grant County Bird Club
invites birdwatchers of all ages and skill levels
to help with the 2021 Audubon Christmas Bird
Count on Saturday, Dec. 18.
Sponsored by the National Audubon Society,
the annual event is the longest-running commu-
nity science survey in the country, dating from
1900. It provides ornithologists with a snap-
shot of native bird populations throughout North
America during the winter months
Each individual count is performed in a count
circle with a diameter of 15 miles. The volunteers
break up into small parties to cover diff erent sec-
tions of the count area, counting every bird they
see. Some people also watch feeders instead of
following routes and submit their sightings to the
compiler. Interested birders should meet at the
Outpost Restaurant in John Day before 7 a.m.
Compiler Tom Winters will designate teams and
assign territories. Due to the risk of transmitting
COVID-19, teams will be comprised of persons
that share space continually, are fully vaccinated
and willing to share space, or are driving sepa-
rate vehicles.
Those counting birds at feeders should contact
the compiler to help reduce duplications of sight-
ings from fi eld participants. If you have any ques-
tions or concerns, contact Tom Winters at home
at 541-542- 2006, by cell at 541-620-2922 or by
email at tjwinters1951@gmail.com.
The compilation of the day’s eff orts will
take place at 5 p.m. at the 1188 Brewery. Feeder
watchers and anyone interested in the day’s
results are welcome.
This year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count
will mobilize nearly 80,000 volunteer bird count-
ers in more than 2,600 locations across the United
States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin Amer-
ica. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes
the power of volunteers to track the health of bird
populations at a scale that scientists could never
accomplish alone.
Data compiled on the John Day count will
try to record every individual bird and bird spe-
cies seen in a specifi ed area, contributing to a vast
community science network that continues a tra-
dition stretching back 120 years. When combined
with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Sur-
vey, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count provides
a picture of how the continent’s bird populations
have changed in time and space over the past
hundred years.
NO WAY HOME
WHAT’S HAPPENING
SUNDAY, DEC. 19
Deck the House 2021
• 6 to 8 p.m., Canyon City
Annual holiday lighting
contest sponsored and judged
by the Whiskey Gulch Gang.
First place wins $500 and a
trophy, and second place wins
$250. To enter, call or text
Jenna at 541-620-1673 with
your address. Entries will be
accepted until Dec. 18. Be
sure to have your lights on
the evening of Dec. 19.
W HAT’S
HAPPENING
Friday
Sat & Sun
Mon - Thurs
ENCANTO
Friday
Sat & Sun
Mon & Tues
(PG-13)
4:00, 7:10
12:45, 4:00, 7:10
4:00 7:10
(PG)
4:20, 7:20
1:10, 4:20, 7:20
4:20, 7:20
GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE (PG-13)
Do you have a commu-
nity event in Grant County
you’d like to publicize?
Email information to edi-
tor@bmeagle.com. The
deadline is noon Friday for
publication the following
Wednesday.
Friday
4:10, 7:30
Sat & Sun
1:00, 4:10, 7:30
Mon & Tues
4:10, 7:30
OPENING WEDNESDAY 12/22
“THE MATRIX: RESURRECTIONS” (R) &
“SING 2” (PG)
**SHOWTIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. VISIT
OUR WEBSITE OR CALL AHEAD TO VERIFY**
www.eltrym.com
S270931-1
(541) 523-2522
THE JUNIPER ARTS COUNCIL / GRANT
COUNTY CULTURAL COALITION IS SEEKING
GRANT PROPOSALS FOR OREGON
CULTURAL TRUST GRANT AWARDS
The coalition has $12,000 from the Oregon Cultural
Trust to distribute in Grant County to organizations
for projects relating to culture and / or heritage.
Applications are available from Karin Barntish,
131 W. Main Street, John Day, Oregon, or call
Kris Beal at (541)932-4892 for more information
or an application.
Thank you to the health care workers that
have been vaccinated and wear masks. Thank
you to the business owners and their employ-
ers who have been vaccinated and wear masks.
Thank you to family, friends and neighbors
who are vaccinated and wear masks. By doing
your part you make it safer for yourself and
others, and I for one appreciate it!
Applications are due by 5:00pm on
Wednesday, February 2, 2022.
S273310-1
S273136-1
Alena Smith, Canyon City, OR
Grant-Harney County CASA is hiring!
Grant County Program Manager
Status: Part-Time (20 hours), Non-exempt
Salary Range: Starting $17-19/hour, dependent on experience
Position Summary: The Program Manager provides supervision
and case management support to CASA Volunteers. CASA Volun-
teers are trained citizen volunteers appointed by the court to advo-
cate for the best interests of children during their time in the juvenile
dependency system, with a goal of finding a safe and permanent
home as expeditiously as possible. The Program Manager ensures
that children in Grant County who have experienced neglect or
abuse receive strong and effective advocacy and strict confidenti-
ality.
Visit www.grantharneycasa.org for a job description and application
instructions.
S273165-1
S271608-1