Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 1956)
U OF 0 E U Q E , ORE. Campaign Developing to Get Heppner-Spray Highway Improved; More Bad Reports Are Received Since last week's stories appeared telling of the nearly impassable condition of the Heppner Spray highway, this newspaper has received dozens of additional reports concerning the road from residents who are directly effected by its condition. These reports, some of which we will relate below, all tell the same story. They all add materially to the case the residents of this area have to present to the state highway com mission that the road must be included in some program of improvement. Some of the reports we received during the past week told of: One car being stuck In the road for over four hours. From Monument comes this: "The mill here is being overhauled but t here are the roads to HAUL the lumber over. It seems the roads are a lot worse in the past 10 days since you took those pictures. In fact some traffic has gone around by way of Condon t0 get t0 Heppner." One user of the highway said he barely made it through one section of the road north of the old Blue Mountain ranch on Monday and by last Friday it would have been entirely Impassable by car had state highway crews not dumped a few loads of big rock in the worst places. Other reports told the same story, only the words used to describe the condition varied and many of those words aren't printable. In addition to complaints, other facts have come to light during the past few days which give added proof of our statement that' Heppner business is being hurt by the bad condition of the highway. No lumber has been hauled over the road for three weeks, and it is reported that the load limit now in effect will be continued until May 1. This will mean that lumber normally hauled from the mill at Monument to the Heppner Pine Mills for processing either will not reach here or it will have to be trucked many mile's extra by way of Fossil and Condon. Should that lumber supply be shut off for any length of time a sub sequent reduction in employment at Heppner Pine Mills would result. Local fuel dealers who service customers in the Spray and Kimberly areas are forced to either ignore users' needs or violate load re strictions to take heavy trucks into the John Day river country. No dealer who has spent considerable time and money to develop ac counts wants to sit back and let them be lost to the future because he can't serve them now. Neither can he afford to drive half -empty trucks the necessary distance, nor add many miles to his route by taking a round-about road if that is available. . Regarding lumber, another unpleasant pros pect shows itself. It is entirely conceivable that a continued load limitation on the highway and Harry E. Yarnell Passes Monday Harry E, Yarnell, 69 years of age, passed away April 2 at the Pioneer Memorial hospital. Death was the result of a stroke suffered February 14. Harry Ellsworth Yarnell was born April 6, 1886 at Drewsey, Oregon and came to lone in 1925 from Bickleton, Washington. He had farmed south of lone since coming to this county. He was Carried February 22, 1912 to Kathryn Walsh at Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Yarnell was a member of Willows Grange and was an ar dent hunter and fisherman. He was well known in Morrow county for his ability to locate water wells having located many during the past years. Surviving are his widow, two sons, Alton H Yarnell, lone; and Clifford S. Yarnell of Vancouver, Wash.; one brother, Glenn W. of Yakima; a sister, Gladys Cri der, Bickleton, Wash.; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Rosary was held Tuesday even ing and funeral services Wednes day morning, both at St Williams Catholic church in lone with Rev. Patrick" J. Gaire officiating. Interment was in the lone ceme. tery with Creswick Mortuary in charge. t SIXTY-SIX DOLLARS worth of coyote pups, all from one litter, were photographed last weekend after they had been turned in to the county clerk Bruce Linds:y for $6.00 per head bounty. They were caught along with the mother by Charlie Daly and Al Fetsch last Friday on the bombing range. The pups, less than nine days old were put to death shortly after the picture was taken. During the past week an additional 24 pups and four older coyotes have been brought in for bounty. (GT Photo) (AN EDITORIAL) lack of any future improvement plans by the stat? highway department, could result in lum ber from Monument being sold into the Prine ville area. This haul is longer but the road is better and as a result hauling costs could be less. We don't say that such a thing will happen, but it could, and the loss of such a lumber supply to Heppner would most certainly be felt in a sub sequent reduction in payroll. The state highway department has ignored repeated requests over past years from residents in this area saying that not enough traffic was carried on the road to warrant any improvement. Three years ago we were told by a member of the highway commission that only 17 cars a day used the highway, a figure so low as to be nearly ridiculous. Last fall county judge Garnet Bar ratt wrote a sizzling letter to the highway com mission stating that the road was in worse con dition than any county road in Morrow county, and asking among other things if any recent traflic count had been made on the road and flatly stated that, "Morrow County's patience re garding action on this highway has ended." ' In answer to judge Barratt's letter, state high way engineer R. H. Baldock replied, in part, that the" last traffic count was taken in 1952 but that one would be taken soon. Less than two months later a count was taken with these results: Two miles south of Hardman, 100 cars a day; at the Morrow-Wheeler county line 90 cars a day; 0.1 mile north of the John Day highway 140 cars a day. This is not heavy traffic compared with some other state highways, but it is a far cry from the 17 cars previously reported by the com mission, and practically double a 1952 count finally'admitted by the state of 70, 50 and 60 cars for the same counting locations. Traffic had doubled, or more, in three years, yet no improve ment of any kind had been done on the road. This week, letters will go out from the Hepp-ncr-Morrow County Chamber of Commerce to every member of the state highway commission, pointing out the condition of the highway, ask ing that some maintenance be done on it im mediately and that steps be taken to place the road on a state program for improving and hard surfacing. The Morrow county court has joined the fight too, and the commission will shortly hear from it. Several Interested and effected in dividuals and businessmen have told us that they are writing letters and copies of these edi tions of the Gazette Times are going to all mem bers of the state highway commission. More facts and more letters are needed if residents of Morrow, Grant and Wheeler counties are to get a decent connecting highway over the mountains. If you have legitimate complaints about the road or can show that you are being hurt business-wise because of its condition, your letter to the State Highway Commission, Salem, will help. Farmers Warned Against Farm Truck License Plan Change Oregon state Farm Bureau rep resentative Howard Fujul warn ed, at the Morrow county Farm Bureau meeting March 27 at the Garland Swanson home, that far. mers should be aware of a movement afoot by other organi zations in the state to remove farmers' truck license privilege which would make it necessary for farmers to buy PUC licenses. He said the cost of these would be prohibitive to farmers due to the small amount of use their trucks get. The group passed resolutions favoring the limiting of the term of advisors to the state board of agriculture to one 4-year term, anrl favoring" a nrice Droeram for cattle at such a time as the price falls to 10 percent below parity, o Voter Registration Deadline Nears Deadline for registering to vote in the May primary elec tion is April 17, voters are re minded. If any change In resi dence has occurred since the last election a new registra tion i3 required. -o- Mrs, Evonne Gammell of Pen dleton was a Heppner visitor over the Easter weekend. J I Mountain Snowpack Getting Deeper; Ample Water Seen Water content of the Arbuckle mountain snowpack averages 43 percent above the 27 year aver age and 9 percent more than last year at this time, according to snow measurements taken on Thursday, March 29, on the Ar buckle mountain snow course. Tom Wilson, Soil Conservation service, and Vic Kriemeyer, For est Service, reported 36 inches of heavy wet snow with a water content of 15.5 inches. Measure ments taken last year at this time showed a snow depth of 43 inches with 14.2 inches of water. Comparable measurements in 1954 re 23 inches of snow with 8.9 inches of water and In 1953 snow depth was 42 inches with 17.1 inches of water. A water content of 10.8 inches is the 27 year average for this time of year according to federal and state cooperative snow sur vey records. Soils are wet and unfrozen beneath the snow pack, Wilson reported. In addition to the water stored in the snow pack, considerable water has al ready left the watershed. Stream flow has been high in Willow creek during March, and water has been entering the Columbia river during the past four months. HHS Paper Named For Two Awards Word was received this week by staff members that the Hepp ner high school paper has been warded two recent honors. The paper was the recipient of a first class honor rating in the National Scholastic Press first semester contest and it won se cond place honors in the 32nd annual Columbia University scholastic press conference. The paper's catagory is for senior high schools with less than j 300 students and for a duplicated i newspaper. POMONA GRANGE MEET AT BOARDMAN APRIL 7 Pomona grange will be held at Boardman grange Saturday, April 7 starting at 10 a. m. Din ner will be served at noon and th program will start at 2 p, m. At 8 p. m. the fifth degree will be put on. Copies 10 Cents JlKlXli .1 1,1, 1." IV 8lW!lIWWIIlH MORROW COUNTY Water Resources Committee members who met planning program In he county. Shown front row, left to right, Dick Wilkinson, secretary; Newt O'Harra, chairman; Allen Tom. state representative from this district; standing: Garland Swan sen, chairman of domestic ond municipal water committee; P W. Mahoney, flood control; Dr. L. D. Tibbies, polution; R. B. Rands, Boardman, executive committee member. Back row, Don Lane, executive secretary of state water resources board and Bill Barratt, irrigation committee chairman. (GT Photo) CC Told State Losing Business Due to High Income Tax Structure Oregon's tax structure is running business out of the state, Mrs. Louise Humphrey, executive as sociate with Oregon Tax Re search, told guests at the Hepp-ner-Morrow county Chamber of Commerce annual banquet last night at the Legion hall. In elaborating on her state ment, Mrs. Humphrey said that representatives of Eastern busi nesses who come to this area in quest of plant locations, check both Oregon and Washington. The decision to locate in Wash ington is frequently made on a personal, selfish asis-manage- ment prefers td live, in a state where they don't have to pay an income tax. She said that Ore gon has the highest income tax rate in the nation. Mrs. Humphrey pointed out that the state's high budget which made necessary this year's 45 percent surtax on incomes was brought on by the people them selves. Between 60 and 70 per cent of the total budget was voted by the people. She also said Oregon is the only state where the emergency clause can. not be put on a tax bill by the legislature enabling it to de velop a more sound tax structure for the state. She added that 22 percent of the people in the state paid 66 percent of the tax, before surtax, and that 100,000 returns had no tax at all to pay. Mrs. Humphrey was introduced by state representative Allen Tom. Chamber president Phil Blak ney gave the welcome and intro duced Rev. George R. S. Little, master of ceremonies. The in vocation was given by Rev. Pat rick J. Gaire. The report on the chamber's activities for the year was given by secretary Bradley Fancher. Awards Given Certificates of recognition for special activities or accomplish ments during the past year were Heppner Honor Roll Students Listed The sophomore class had the highest representation orr the Heppner high school high honor roll for the third nine weeks. They are Joann Brosnan, Tom Currin, Helen Graham, Peggy Applegate, and Jim Morris. Jun iors were next with Janet Wright, Jay Sumner, Mary Jo Stewart, and Alice Fa ye Stewart. Nancy Anderson, Karon Prock and Lance Tibbies were high for the seniors, and Janice Martin, Renn Harris, and Steve Flug for the fresh men. Those making the low honor roll with a 3.00 or better were Carolyn McDaniel, Susan Mc Quarrie, Bob Huffman, Shirley Kononen, Francine Francis, Lau rel Allstott, Jesse Smallwood, Meredith Thomson, Eddie Gros- hens, Phyllis Quackenbush, Jan ice Beamer, Len Ray Schwarz, Judy Collins. The senior class had 'the largest number of stu dents on this honor roll, and they are Shirley Palmer, Sharon Bry ant, Skip Ruhl, Lowell Turner, Edith Morris, Bob Hare, Judy Wright, Nelson Connor, Bob Stev ens, end Darrell Blake. Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, April 5, 1956 s , I i : t s i s i , 4 4. ,s 'fW V ft ... - ... awarded to six persons by Blak ney. Recipients were James Far ley, for construction of new show room and shop; Paul Koenig, for the remodeling of Heppner Tine Mills; Jack Angel accepted for the hospital board, an award for their part in completing the new hos pital wing; W .C. Roswall, for his part in developing the television cable system; Mrs. Mary Stevens and the council for their develop, ment of the city park and city planning; Lowell Gribble, P-TA president, accepted for the school board, for their efforts in plan ning and building the new grade school. Bonds Redeemed $1,000 was raised during the pttst year for redemption of the rodeo field lighting bonds and 20 names of bond holders were drawn. Those whose bonds were redeemed were Heppner Elks Lodge, -6 bonds; Fair board, two; one each by Conle'y Lanham, Terrel Benge, E. E. Gonty, James Thomson, Ed Thorpe, C. N. Jones, Harry O'Donnell, James Farley, Gilliam & Bisbee, W. C. Rosewall, and American Legion baseball. 4-H Clubs Plan Fun Night April 14 Local 4-H clubs and leaders are sponsoring a 4-II fun night April 14 from 8 to 12 at the lone Legion hall, it was announced this week. Entertainment will include old time and modern dancing, a cake walk, card games and games for the kids. Refreshments will be served by parents and leaders of 4-H members. Donations will be taken for the International Farm Youth Exchange fund, sponsored by the 4-H. Granddaughter of Local Woman Killed Janey Schaffeld, 4 year old daughter of Mr and Mrs. Ted Schaffeld (the former Betty Adams) of Ontario was killed Tuesday when she was run over by a tractor on which she had been riding. The little girl's urandmother, Mrs. Floyd Adams, Heppner, left Tuesday night for Ontario. o Legi ion Planning Anniversary Party The Heppner American Legion announced thfs week that it is planning an anniversary party Saturday evening, April 14 which will be open to the public. A card party, dancing and other entertainment is planned and the public is invited to take part in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Legion building. Admission will be 75 cents per person and funds will be used to beautify the grounds. BROTHER DIES Frank Davidson was called to Baker by the death of his bro ther, Dow Davidson. Funeral ser vices will be held Friday. Mrs. Lee Palmer and Mrs. James Green were Pendleton visi' tors Saturday. f.. ft , X 'V f V x last week to lay groundwork for Water Resources Group Seeking Stream Flow Data Nearly 30 persons attended the first meeting of the newly form ed county water resources plan ning committee last Wednesday at the court house. Newt O'Harra is chairman of the committee. Various reports were given by committee chairmen and Don Lane, executive secretary of the state water resources board spoke briefly and aided the organiza tion in the formation of water resources plans in the county. The group voted to seek aid in determining more accurately the amount of flow in streams in the county as one of the first steps it should take. The feel ing was that without such in formation,, very little actual planning could be done. At the present time only one stream measuring station is located in the county it is on Willow creek in Heppner. More accurate Information on flow in this and other streams is needed, it was felt. O'Harra named a committee, consisting of all other commit tee heads, to formulate a plan to obtain this information. Reports were given by chair men of the several committeec including Garland Swanson, do mestic and municipal water use; Dr. L. D. Tibbies, polution; Bill Barratt, Irrigation and P. W. Ma honey, flood control. Another meeting is planned in about 30 days. Band Club Sets Saturday Carnival The second band parents club carnival is all set to open its doors to the public Saturday night at 7:30 at the fair pavilion, it was reported today by Bill Cox and LeRoy Gardner, general chairmen for the event. The carnival which promises to be as good or better than last year's very successful fun night, is planned largely.as repeat of the previous performance, it was said. There will be games of all kinds for both young and older kids, fish ponds, shuffle- board contests, and all the other booths normally expected at such an event. One of the most popular booths at last year's show, the dunking tank, is again scheduled with several well known persons due to hit the water as a result of well aimed baseballs. There will also be a movie show for the small children, The carnival is being spon sored by the Heppner band par ents club with the chamber of commerce having charge of one booth. Funds derived from this event will be used to complete the band uniform purchases started last year and possibly provide additional needed instru ments for the school band. Mrs. Oliver Creswick is president of the club. o IONE P-TA CHANGED . The lone P-TA will meet at 8 p. m. Tuesday rather than on Wednesday evening due to a con flict with the scheduled band concert. 73rd Year, Number 4 New Motel Here Seen Possibility Heppner may get a new 16 unit motel if plans of a local resident materialize, it was re vealed Monday night when the city council received an appli cation for a building permit for the structure from Rufus Piper. The council rejected the ap plication because plans called for frame construction with stucco exterior which does not in all re spects conform with the city fire code which calls for fireproof outer walls on all building con structed within the fire zone. Mr. Piper was not available at the time of this writing, but the Ga zette Times was informed that changes in the plans could pro bably be made so the building will meet code requirements. The motel, which is planned as a "U". shaped structure con taining 16 units, is to be built on the corner of Main and Balti more streets on property now oc cupied by the Piper residence. If details can be worked out, con struction may start within three months. Cost is estimated at $25,000. Permit Granted The council granted another building permit to William C. Turner for the construction of a residence on south Court .street just south of Willow creek. Cost was set at $15,000. The council went on record as favoring the formation of an active ground observer corps In Heppner following a talk by Lt. Rose from the Air Force filter center in Bend and Sgt. Robert Coleman of Hermiston. The two explained that there is no active observer post In this area and that the Air Force and civilian defense organization is trying to get one formed here. Lt. Rose said a campaign for volunteer obser vers will be conducted soon. Annexation Ordinance Passed An ordinance calling: for the annexation to the city of a strip of property adjacent to the south city limits was given final pas sage and the date for a hearing was set for Mry 7 at the city hall. The property is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bert Kane, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Quackenbush and Helen Cox. Two applications from George Terrill and Walter Farrens for permits to keep chickens were refused because of complaints from nearby residents. The council was asked by Ro bert Penland, a member of the Heppner fire department, to set up a sinking fund for the future purchase of replacement fire equipment for the city, He stated that one truck was a 1937 model which would In a few years have to be replaced. He asked that the fund be started in next year's budget and be added to each year. The re quest will be referred to the bud get committee. Park Plan Received The council spent considerable time reviewing preliminary plans for the landscaping and de velopment of the city park which were received from the landscape architect. Several changes were recommended by the members and the plans were referred back to the architect for revision, o Shirley Kononen Wins FBLA Trophy Miss Shirley Kononen, Hepp ner high school senior, will re ceive the Future Business Lead ers of America trophy at the next student body meeting at the school, it was revealed in the current issue of the Hehisch, the school paper. Dr. E. K. Schaffltz, one of the sponsors of the club, is the donor of the trophy which is given for outstanding club activity during the year. Receiving honorable mention were Edith Morris and Meredith Thomson. Participants in activities was the basis of the selection and club members named the winner at a recent election. o BARRATTS RETURN FROM ARIZONA County judge and Mrs. Garnet Barratt returned early this week from a three-months trip to Ari zona. The trip was planned as a vacation trip, but judge Barratt took sick in Phoenix and spent over a month in the hospital there. He is now back at his desk in the courthouse.
