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Page I, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, OR, Thursday. Dee. 39. 197$
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Summary, 1976 phofos T
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by wn rnmney
Att January
te a mobile banking service in Heppner. JJf
in getting to area (see page 1 story). '
BDoints Delores Gribble as justice of peace -r
The first month of 1976 didn't produce the excitement that
will stand 1976 out as a good year for many and a bad year to
some. January was kind of a dull month.
The top story had to be that the city of Heppner banned
committees. In an effort to expedite local government
affairs. Mayor Jerry Sweeney disbanded small council
committees and suggested that all matters be brought before
all members of the common council for its approval.
Other stories: Larry Mills install! as Heppner-Morrow
County Chamber of Commerce president. Keppner TV upped
their rates $1 per month. The first baby of 1976 was Anna Lea
Loiland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Loiland, Condon.
Ida May Gravill celebrated her 94th birthday. Kimee
Haguewood was the Soroptimist Youth Award scholarship
winner. The city water system was completed. And Portland
General Electric awarded its construction contract to Peter
Kiewit & Sons.
Febuary
The police were put to work in February. Three youths
were arrested for cow killing, numerous marijuana and drug
related incidents produced arrests and convictions.
Disorderly conduct and harassment yielded to a prescription
tampering charge and kept police busy.
' Also: Bill Weatherford filed for judge in the county.
Oregon's oldest twins, Maggie Reynolds and Mary Bailey,
celebrated their 88th birthday. The county fair theme "We've
Come A Long Way" was chosen by Gladys Van Winkle. Craig
Cooley was hired as a respiratory therapist at Pioneer
Memorial.
Terry McEUigott and Tim Skow were Elks scholarship
winners. Voters pounded the city council doors with concern
over dog problems.
March
Top high school athletes Jim Lankford and Dave
McLachlan were honored in the city's basketball awards
banquet. The first works concerning justice court and city
police cases were discussed.
Heppner High School's Future Farmers of America
honored Bill Van Schoiack and Ken Grieb as top award
winners PGE began housing projects in Boardman.
Pioneer Memorial Hospital received new equipment
Beetles infest Blue Mountains. Craig Hams, an 11-year-old
lone boy, designed the Morrow County Historical Society
decal and won a check. ,
The Willow Creek dam proposal was bounced again in a
heated meeting with city officials and the Corps of
Engineers.
Apr
The Gazette-Times got a new owner in April to highlight a
rather dull news month. Jerry Reed, Hermiston Herald
publisher, bought the Heppner paper from Ernest Joiner.
Also in April an Agri-Rama, sponsored by the Extension
Service Homemakers, drew a large attendance. PGE offered
space for windmill studies in Boardman.
Ken Rogers was assaulted and three men arrested in
Heppner for it. A Hermiston man, Steve Kemp, escaped
serious injury when his late model car went out of control on
Gale Street. Citizens participated in a March of Dimes
Walkathon that Upped the $5,600 mark.
May
A city budget defeat and the death of a popular and
prominent Heppner man shocked Heppner in May.
Kenneth Dean Belcher, 37. was killed in an airplane crash
in early May. Belcher was spraying a field for local farmers.
The first Heppner city budget was balked at by voters by a
2' to 1 margin. Primary elections were also made (see page
1 story).
Also, thieves looted Morrow County Grain Growers, taking
tools and a chain saw. Lyle Lowe was named new branch
manager of First National Bank, succeeding Belcher.
Morrow County court of Queen Patricia Van Schoiack,
Kate Evans, Kimmee Haguewood, Bonnie Schiller and Jan
Spaulding made first appearance in Arlington.
Seniors priming for June graduation. Otheo Crawford,
former G-T editor, dies in Lincoln City at 90.
June
Farming, the governor's visit, and a junior rodeo topped
June news.
Roy and Tommy Martin were named Conservationists of
the Year at the same time aphids were found in area wheat
crops.
Gov. Bob Straub spent a complete day in Heppner, visiting
local citizens, officials, and the Kinzua Corporation mill.
Also in June, the lone American Legion raised the flag at
Wells Springs. Laurie McCabe was seriously injured in a one
car accident near Ruggs. The common council revived
parking meters in the city. Janice Healy and Dawn Peterson
tied for all around senior girl in the Morrow County Junior
rodeo.
Voters say yes to second budget of $32,138. County royalty
being seen more and more as summer's fair draws closer.
G-T names Wil Phinney, Hermiston Herald Sports Editor,
to head news desk. The city upped water, sewer rates. County
gains $23,000 from Land Conservation and Development
Commission to upgrade comprehensive plans for cities.
July
Tops for July had to be the city's Bicentennial birthday
party (story on patfe I).
Council stopped First Federal Savings and Loan initial
attempt to locate
Harvest is slow
Gov. Straub aDDoints Delores Gribble as justice of peace
for county. First Federal oked after three meetings. Grain
quality listed as good, but market bad. lone blaze guts
Stefani building.
Teresa (Peck) Thurmond was a victim of a wierd car
accident that put her in the hospital. Accident involved
backing over an embankment.
Henry Heppner's great nephew visited Heppner for the
first time, bringing greetings from Abraham Beame, Mayor
of New York City.
August
Big news month. Senator Hatfield visits, Boardman man
killed in wreck, baby dies in crash, community readying for
county fair at end of August. Bigfoot and late rainy harvest
(stories on page 1) also made headlines.
Larry Fetsch named sheriff, replacing resigning John
Mollahan. Pinball owners in businesses stop amusement tax
proposed by city.
Kinzua adds new man when Darl Hagey resigns, Larry
McGillivary takes over personal manager post. Eight-month-old
baby dies in one car accident on highway 207.
Ferguson heads all-star cast of cowboys for county rodeo.
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September
RCA cowboys, cowgirls ride away with more than $12,000.
Jerry Gentry wins county all-around and Kinzua donated
saddle. Gov. Straub appoints Al Nistad to Energy Facility
Siting Council in early September.
Flag napping escapades produce two arrests: Ed
Schwarzin and James Richardson, 19-year-old Heppner men.
County fair featured with parade, court, carnival, horse
show, rodeo, 4-H and FFA plus numerous exhibits and
programs.
Grid season starts. First day of school for many
youngsters. Jana Steagall, Lexington cowgirl, wins Western
State Junior Rodeo Association all-around title for second
straight year.
lone arsonists arrested (see page 1). Sisters, brother meet
after 26 years of separation in Graves, Gates families. lone
hanggliders featured.
First talk of swine flu vaccination hits papers. Ron Ward
nabs Eagle Scout award. Bad curves at lone set for
improvement. Candidate for attorney general, Jim Durham,
slams legislature here.
October
A candidates' fair and the talk of closing the child
development center, along with a new restaurant in Heppner
opened eyes.
16 candidates were part of a candidates' fair for the benefit
of voters in Heppner and Morrow County, sponsored by the
American Association of University Women.
$1,200 was needed to keep the Heppner Child Development
doors open for the next month. Donations and contributions
kept the doors open.
Poor jail facilities riddle sheriffs' department and district
attorney. A 26-year-old Boardman man, Leoplado Espain,
died in a one car accident near Boardman.
Mustangs lead Columbia Basin Conference with 4-0 mark.
Jim Rogers opens West of Willow restaurant, giaces city
with new look and style. Races for cour.ty, state, city
elections begin to culminate.
Lowell Cribble's Heppner based Ultrasonic Predictable
Maintenance gains worldwide recognition, contracts. lone
residents have mixed reactions to Judge's statement
concerning road to tie PGE plant and lone.
November
A $100,000 suit that could involve county overshadows
county's number one potato growing status, antirecessionary
checks, Artifactory work and football all-stars.
A suit that still could involve the city concerns the death of
Logan Ledbetter and who was at fault when a power line
electrocuted Ledbetter.
County named number one potato processing county in
state, taking lead from Malheur. City, county receives
antirecessionary checks to spend as they like.
Ron Palmer, Heppner businessman, injured in one car
accident, sustains reported broken back and severely
lacerated ear.
Artifactory priming for early December show. Queen
Mary Ann Proctor named to head county fair in 1977. Chris
Rauch, Carl Christman, John Schiller named to CBC first
team.
Christman, Rauch, Darla Cooper top athletes at fall sports
dessert.
December
Gary Grieb and family named Cattlemen of Year and later
honored at Farm-City Banquet. Mustangs lose six of first
seven conterts in pre-season basketball clashes.
J977 princesses: Krynn Robinson, Dcbora Palmer, Donna
palmer, and Teresa Proctor named. Blow to head kills
three-year-old Irrigon boy, still being investigated by Oregon
Slate Police.
Artifactory termed success. Child center faced with move
from church building. Tad Miller elected Oregon Wheat
Growers League president for state. Drouth continues to
baffle farmers.
lone parents upset over doubled up classrooms in
elementary school. Dentist says OK to Heppner. Portland
dentist, Lee Hazen, is slated to start business here by March
' Ray Boyce elected president of Chamber of Commerce.
Gonty's shoes sells out. but Ed Gonty starts new business In
radio repair. Reed's Mobil station changes hands.
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