NEWS
MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
No pot in greenhouse, for now
By JUSTIN DAVIS
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — CYA Holdings head
Shawn McKay is relocating his family
to Grant County and looking to immerse
himself in the community.
McKay is the former owner of Burnt
River Farms in Ontario but has sold the
company in an eff ort to put some dis-
tance between himself and the cannabis
industry.
John Day City Manager Nick Green
said the City Council was aware of
McKay’s past association with the can-
nabis industry and that is the reason
why the subject didn’t get brought up in
the May 10 council meeting, when an
agreement for McKay to lease and pos-
sibly purchase the city-owned green-
house was approved. “He’s moving his
family to John Day and really doesn’t
want to be known as the pot guy,” Green
said.
Green stated that CYA Holdings
will not be growing cannabis in the
greenhouse for now but stressed that
he couldn’t say that would never hap-
pen because the greenhouse isn’t run
by the city anymore, and private oper-
ation of the facility allows the operator
to run the business as they would like.
McKay said that there are “no plans in
the immediate future” to grow cannabis
in the greenhouse.
McKay said he has various other
projects in the works but wasn’t ready
to provide details, adding that other
other investors and stakeholders are
involved. He said those plans will come
out in future press releases.
A longtime Eastern Oregon resident,
McKay said he loves living in the area
and enjoys the small-town feel. The
success of his business model in East-
ern Oregon has left him wanting to rein-
vest in communities in the region.
Green said entrepreneurs like
McKay are exactly the type of business
owners the city is looking to attract in
its attempts to promote business and
population growth. “He’s local to East-
ern Oregon and he’s been very success-
ful as a business owner,” Green said.
In addition to his business experi-
ence with Burnt River farms, McKay
has degrees from Treasure Valley Com-
munity College, Eastern Oregon Uni-
versity and Oregon State University.
McKay says he and his wife, Robyn,
are planning to become involved in their
new community. “We’re really look-
ing forward to being a part of the com-
munity. We have two young children,
a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old. We’re
actively involved in volunteer work
and community service and all of those
things.”
McKay, who currently lives in Hun-
tington, said he plans on maintain-
ing a sort of dual residency between
John Day and Huntington. “We’re
really partial to that town as well.
We plan on living in Eastern Oregon
for life.”
Wynonna cancels local concert
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — Wynonna Judd
won’t be playing the Grant County
Fair after all.
The country music superstar had
been scheduled to headline a double
bill with Eddie Gentry of Montgom-
ery Gentry at the fair on Aug. 12 but
decided to cancel the date after her
mother, Naomi Judd, died on April
30.
“We are putting out offers for
another headliner,” said Mindy Win-
egar, manager of the Grant County
Fairgrounds. “We are working with
an agency to find another outstand-
ing performer to join Eddie Gentry.”
In a statement released by the
Grant County Fairgrounds, Wyn-
onna Judd apologized to her fans for
canceling the local appearance:
“To the fans attending the Grant
County Fair Concert on August 12:
I am writing to you to share that I
am so sad to withdraw from the fair.
I am taking the time I need to pro-
cess the recent loss of my mother.
I appreciate your outpouring of
love and support, and we WILL
celebrate the music again soon.
I promise.”
Winegar said she hoped to be
able to announce a new headliner
by Wednesday, June 1. People who
have already purchased tickets can
hold onto them and use them to get
into the Aug. 12 concert or can turn
them in for a refund after June 1.
A3
Meeting violated state law
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
SALEM — Five members of
the Grant School Board will be
given letters of education by the
Oregon Government Ethics Com-
mission, which determined that
the school board held an improper
closed-door session last summer.
The letters are part of a nego-
tiated settlement, approved by the
ethics panel on Friday, May 20,
that ends a state investigation into
the matter.
The issue was whether the fi ve
school board members who par-
ticipated in the executive session
may have violated the state law
that governs how meetings of pub-
lic bodies should be conducted.
The ethics commission’s rul-
ing, which came in response to a
complaint fi led by the Blue Moun-
tain Eagle, found that the school
board members had broken the
law by exceeding the legal scope
of a legitimate executive session
on Aug. 19.
State law allows public bod-
ies such as the school board to go
into executive session — where
the public is barred and reporters
are instructed not to report on the
proceedings — only in certain nar-
rowly defi ned circumstances.
The board had initially sched-
uled a public meeting for that day
to discuss requirements for return-
ing to in-person schooling, includ-
ing Gov. Kate Brown’s order that
all educators, school staff and
volunteers be vaccinated against
COVID-19. That meeting was
canceled seven hours before its
scheduled start time and replaced
with an executive session “to dis-
cuss confi dential information.”
Based on a reporter’s observa-
tion of the proceedings, the Eagle
believed the school board’s dis-
cussion during the executive ses-
sion far exceeded the legal basis it
cited for the closed-door meeting.
When the newspaper informed
Grant School Superintendent Bret
Uptmor and School Board Chair
Haley Walker of this view, Upt-
mor defended the board’s actions
and demanded that the Eagle not
print any information from the
executive session.
The ethics commission found
that during the Grant School
Board’s executive session, the fi ve
members present discussed some
matters that were exempt from
public disclosure. However, the
discussion also included policy
matters that were not exempt.
The board members agreed
to written fi nal orders that stipu-
lated they had violated the open
meetings law by holding an
improper executive session.Grant
School Board Chair Haley Walker
declined to comment on the set-
tlement, saying she had not had a
chance to review the fi nal stipu-
lated order.
In addition to Walker, the
school board members covered by
the agreement are Aaron Lieual-
len, Colleen Robertson, Chris
Labhart and Jake Taylor. All fi ve
will receive letters of education
from the state. Board member
Kelly Stokes was not present at the
executive session and was not dis-
ciplined by the state.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
“Understanding Loved
Ones with Dementia”
• 10 a.m., fi rst fl oor con-
ference room, Blue Mountain
Hospital, 170 Ford Road, John
Day
Dr. Robyn Jennings, a
family physician at Straw-
berry Wilderness Community
Clinic, and Rod Harwood,
older adult behavioral health
coordinator at Greater Oregon
Behavioral Health Inc., will
lead this free 90-minute class.
They will present information
about dementia, provide train-
ing for family caregivers, and
discuss resources for Grant
County families aff ected by
dementia.
FRIDAY, MAY 27
John Day Street Fair
• 4 p.m. till dark, Grant
County Fairgrounds, 411 NW
Bridge St., John Day
Up to 20 local vendors
will be selling wares rang-
ing from handmade jewelry
to wild mushrooms and CBD
salves at this event sponsored
by Oregon RAIN. There is
no admission charge and no
charge for vendors. To partic-
ipate as a vendor or volunteer,
text or email Zach Denney at
541.589.5565 or zach@ore-
gonrain.org.
’62
Days
planning
meeting
• 7 p.m., Sel’s Brewery, 113
Washington St., Canyon City
W HAT’S
HAPPENING
Regular weekly meeting of
the Whiskey Gulch Gang to
plan this year’s ’62 Days fes-
tivities. Anyone who wants to
help is welcome.
For
more
informa-
tion, call Colby Farrell at
541-620-0874.
FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY,
MAY 27 & 28
John Day Bull Bash
• 6 p.m., Grant County
Fairgrounds, 411 NW Bridge
St., John Day
Bull riding, bull fi ghting,
kids’ steer riding and calf rid-
ing are all on tap at this event.
There will be live country
music both nights after the
bull riding, starting around
8 p.m. Beer and barbecue will
be available for purchase from
the Ugly Truth Bar & Grill
and Curbside Cravings. Tick-
ets are $15 general admission
or $50 for VIP seating, which
includes arena-side seats and
a barbecue dinner. Tickets
are available at Pioneer Feed
& Farm Supply in John Day,
Bar WB in Prairie City or at
the gate.
Eric Bush, Grant County
emergency management coor-
dinator, will speak. The public
is invited.
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
’62
Days
planning
meeting
• 7 p.m., Sel’s Brewery,
113 Washington St., Canyon
City
Regular weekly meeting of
the Whiskey Gulch Gang to
plan this year’s ’62 Days fes-
tivities. Anyone who wants to
help is welcome.
For
more
informa-
tion, call Colby Farrell at
541-620-0874.
Grant County Senior
Citizens Advisory Council
meeting
• 11 a.m., Prairie City Senior
Center, 204 N. McHaley St.
“Uncovering the History
of Chinese Mining in East-
ern Oregon”
Congratulations, Marcus!
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
• 7 p.m., Canyon City
Community Hall, 129 S.
Washington St.
Free presentation by Donn
Hann, William F. Willingham
and Katee Withee on the his-
tory of Chinese mining com-
panies in Eastern Oregon.
Sponsored by the Oregon His-
torical Society.
FRIDAY, JULY 8
Wheeler family benefi t
• 5 p.m., Trowbridge
Pavilion, Grant County Fair-
grounds, 411 NW Bridge St.,
John Day
A pulled pork dinner, live
and silent auction, and des-
sert auction to benefi t the
family of Adrian Wheeler,
who has a rare form of colon
cancer. The event will also
feature live music and an
Proud of you Masyn!
open bar. Auction donations
will be accepted through
June 25. Contact Winnie
Browning at 541-620-0748
about donating items for
the live or silent auction,
and contact Teri Bowden at
541-575-2112 about mak-
ing a donation for the dessert
auction.
Do you have a commu-
nity event you’d like to pub-
licize? Email information to
editor@bmeagle.com. The
deadline is noon Friday for
publication the following
Wednesday.
Showing Movies Since 1940!
1809 1st Street • Baker City
 MAY 27-JUNE 2 
TOP GUN
MAVERICK
Friday
Sat & Sun
Monday
Tues-Thurs
(PG-13)
4:00, 7:00
1:00, 4:00, 7:00
4:00, 7:00
7:00
DOWNTON ABBEY
A NEW ERA
Friday
Sat & Sun
Monday
Tues-Thurs
(PG)
4:10, 7:10
1:10, 4:10, 7:10
4:10, 7:10
7:10
DR. STRANGE
So proud of all your
accomplishments!
Love-Kris, Lydia, and Tamara
WE REMEMBER & HONOR
YOUR SACRIFICE
Can’t wait to see where your
creative mind takes you.
Love you tons
Mom & Dad
MEMORIAL DAY
We owe this freedom of choice and action
to those men and women in uniform who
have served this nation and its interests in
time of need. In particular, we are forever
indebted to those who have given their
lives that we might be free.
- Ronald Reagan
MEMORIAL DAY
2022
Grant County Veterans Services
Putting Our Energy To Work For You
www.otec.coop
530 E Main St., Suite 5
John Day, Oregon 97845
541-620-8057
MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (PG-13)
Friday
4:15, 7:15
Sat & Sun
1:15, 4:15, 7:15
Monday
4:15, 7:15
Tues-Thurs
7:15
**SHOWTIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. VISIT
OUR WEBSITE OR CALL AHEAD TO VERIFY**
www.eltrym.com
(541) 523-2522