BESSIE WET2ELL
U OF ORE
NEWSPAPER LIB
JCNE OR 97403
Tlae IHIepptmeir
High Low Preci.
VOL. 102 NO. 4
Abrams announces candidacy
for circuit court judge
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l 17
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Bob Abrams ,
Long time Heppner and
Morrow County Attorney Bob
Abrams has announced his
candidacy for Circuit Court
Judge of Morrow and Umatil
la count ies.
Abrams. whose career in
cludes 27 years of private
practice in Heppner, will be
seeking the position now held
by Judge William W, Wells.
Wells has announced he will
not seek re-election to another
term.
Abrams, 59, was born in
Bellingham, Wash. Jan. 18.
1925. He graduated from Bel
lingham High before going on
the Stanford University where
he received a B.A. degree in
1948
In 1952 he was awarded his
law degree from the Univer
sity of Oregon and from there
Morrow County Court plans several new projects
By MARY AN ( KKl IXO
Wednesday, Jan. 18, was a
day for planning new projects
for Morrow County Court.
P.M.H. nurse
A nurse who had worked at
Pioneer Memorial Hospital in
Heppner from September
until December last years was
arraigned in Morrow County
Circuit Court on charge of
alleged Second Degree Theft
and Possession of a Controlled
Substance, reports Morrow
County District Attorney
Richard McNerney.
Christine Harding, 29, of
Juvenile Services Comm.
to hold public meeting
The Morrow Co. Juvenile
Services Commission will hold
a public meeting on Feb. 1st at
7 p.m. at the Town Square
Building in Boardman.
AH members of the com
munity are invited to attend
and make recommendations
regarding programs to be
THURSDAY, JANUARY II, lM
went on to become district
attorney for Wheeler County
from 1953 to 1957. He also
served as D A. for Morrow
County from 1057 to 1961.
He has run a successful law
practice In Heppner from 1957
to the present.
During his career, Abrams
has argued cases before the
U.S. Court for District of
Oregon (1957); U.S. Ninth Cir
cuit Court of Appeals (1966);
and the U.S. Supreme Court
(1967).
His memberships include:
Oregon State Bar, Sixth Jud
icial Bar, American Bar As
sociation, American College of
Probate Counsel and the
American Judicature Society.
He has also served on var
ious committees of the State
Bar. including: Minor Courts,
Economics of Law Practice
Connecting Eighth Street in
Irriguti to Highway 730; the
Wilson Road overpass on In
terstate 84 at Boardman ; and a
arraigned
Hermiston, who worked as a
registered nurse at the hos
pital, is charged with taking
Demerol between December
19 and 20, McNerney said. The
incident was reported by the
hospital to the Heppner City
Police Department.
Hospital administrator
Byron Smith said Harding's
employment at the hospital
ended in December.
funded by the J.S.C. in the
next fiscal year, said a group
spokesperson.
The meeting will also pro
vide an opportunity for inter
ested persons to ask any ques
tions they might have regard
ing the programs currently
being sponsored by the J.S.C.
11
Morrow County's
8 PAGES.
Committee, Local Govern
ment. Public Attorneys
(chairman). Judicial Admin
istration, Environmental Law
(chairman). Trust Legisla
tion. Administrative Law, Es
tate Planning Section and Ex
ecutive Committee.
Abrams has also been active
in community affairs such as
Chancellor for Episcopal Dio
cese of Eastern Oregon, past
president of the Hcppner-Mor-row
County Chamber of Com
merce, member of the Hep
pner Economic Development
Corporation (Board of Direct
ors 1983-84). and member of
the board of directors for Blue
Mountain Community College
1962-74. (chairman 1972-73).
He married his wife.
Marion, in 1949. and they have
five children.
Abrams says he is seeking
the judgeship because, "I feel
strongly that our legal system
works and I can contribute to
its effectiveness. More than 30
- years experience In public and
private practice qualify me to
be an effective judge. I would
like to utilize my experience in
law on the bench and serve
this area."
The circuit court covers
Umatilla and Morrow counties
and handles civil cases involv
ing over $3,000 as well as
felony and some misdemeanor
cases. The judge's term is for
six years.
A manager for Abram's
campaign has not been an
nounced; however, anyone
wishing to help circulate peti
tions to gather the necessary
500 signatures to have his
name placed on the ballot is
urged to contact Bill Kuhn or
Ann Spicer at 676-9141 or
676-5033.
Filing deadline for the posi
tion is March 6, and the
election will be held May 1.
new runway and lighting
system at the Lexington Air
port were among the plans
discussed.
In connecting Eighth Street
to Highway 730. the court felt
there would be better access to
the Port of Morrow. At the
same time, the court discussed
drawing up a bid proposal for
the Wilson Road overpass pro
ject. The overpass is to provide
a more direct route to Board
man from South Morrow
County. This also would bene
fit the Port of Morrow, the
court felt.
County Court officials in
dicated that they were expect
ing some economic growth in
the north end of the county
within the next few years,
making some of their new
plans necessary.
"It's (the Port of Morrow)
the second most active port in
the state of Oregon and we're
going to need some more
access to it," stated Judge Don
McElligott in response to the
court's new plans.
Also discussed was the final
construction of the new 4,355 ft.
runway at the Lexington Air
port. To accompany this new
project, the court began mak
ing plans for a new runway
lighting system for night landings.
Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
25"
Kahl, Holloman elected to economic dev.
Two new board members
were elected to the Heppner
Economic Development Cor
poration during the group's
second annual meeting held
last Wednesday night at the
Heppner Elks Lodge. Bob Kahl
and Joyce Hollomon will both
serve three-year terms on the
board. Outgoing board mem
bers were Bob Abrams and
Joan McDonald.
President Jim Hayes told the
members and others interest
ed in economic development
about the corporation's
activities during the past year.
Two of the group's activities
included supporting two
candidates from south Morrow
County. Leroy Gardner and
Larry Linsay for the Port of
Morrow Commission: and
helping Terry Voltz get started
in T.J.'s Camera.
Presently. Hayes said, the
corporation is sponsoring a
telephone survey which is be
ing conducted by high school
students to determine if the
area needs additional medical
. services. The group is also
studying the need for a jail
facility: is studying the Lex
ington airport and commercial
property surrounding the air
port: is working to promote
tourism, trying to locate a
retail outlet or building in the
burned out area on Main St.:
and is working to develop a
recreational site at the Willow
Creek Dam Site.
Hayes showed the group an
artist's conception of the rec
reational area which includes
campsites, picnic area and a
softball field, which could
possibly be changed to a hard
ball field, he said. He explain
ed that the Army Corps of
Engineers and the community
would share the costs to
develop the site, which in
volves about nine acres includ
ing the ball field. He said the
corporation became involved
in developing the area to keep
According to the judge, the
proposed lighting system, cal
led Radio Control Lighting
would save the county from
having to keep runway lights
burning 24 hours a day. The
new system would kick on
when contacted by radio from
an approaching plane. The
system is reportedly the same
one used by the Pendleton
Airport.
By the end of the morning,
the court approved a Federal
Assistance Pre-application for
Morrow County Airport Im
provement, an Airport Light
ing Operation Agreement, an
Airport Statement applicable
to the lighting project, and a
Department of Transportation
relocation of Real Property
Acquisition Assurance for the
Eighth Street project.
In other business. Morrow
County Court:
- discussed forming a weed
control district in Morrow
County with Dick McElligott.
- reported that Rene Siminoe
of Heppner has been appointed
to the Pioneer Memorial
Hospital Board, filling Ed
Dick's position.
- reported that Cecil Jones of
Lexington and John Bristow of
lone have been reappointed to
the County Planning Commission.
HEPPNER. OREGON
local control.
Hayes said the recreational
area would require a mini
mum of maintenance, and the
installation of an underground
sprinkler system is being con
sidered. Water at the site,
which will come from the
city's water supply, will be
available at one centralized
location, he explained.
"We feel this will benefit the
entire community." Hayes
, said.
The tourism area the cor
poration is trying to promote
ranges from the Columbia
, River to the Blue Mountains,
Hayes told the group. Glen
Ward. Heppner wildlife biolog
ist with the Oregon Departm-
ment of Fish and Wildlife,
gave a slide presentation of
outdoor recreation places in
Exploratory well to be drilled
Natural gas co. getsgo-ahead.from
County Planning Commission
At a January 16 meeting of
the Morrow County Planning
Commission, the commission
approved two conditional use
permits to allow the first
exploratory gas and oil well to
be drilled ir the county, an
nounced County Planner
Deane Seeger.
Voters to elect school district directors,
committee members Mar. 27
An election of directors to fill
vacancies on the Morrow
County School District Board
and advisory committees will
be held March 27 from 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m. at the regular polling
places, the school district has
announced.
Vacancies on the district
board are Zone II, Irrigon, a
four-year term ; Zone V, Hep
pner, a four-year term; Zone
IV, at large, a four-year term.
Robert Byrd is the current
director from Zone II, Jean
Bennett is the Zone V director
and Pauline Winter is the at
large director. Jean Bennett
has indicated she does not
intend to run for re-election,
said a district spokesperson.
Advisory committee vacan
cies to be filled for the Hep-pner-Lexington
committee is
Position No. 1, currently filled
by Dean Robinson by appoint
ment to replace Karen Stack;
Position No. 2. currently filled
by George Koffler, and Posi
tion No. 7. presently filled by
Ed Struthers. These are all
three-year terms.
Open for the lone-Lexington
Advisory Committee is Posi
tion No. 4. currently filled by
Joan Doherty. This is a three
year term.
Open for the Boardman-Ir-rigon
Advisory Committee is
Position No 1, currently filled
by Jack Strege; Position No. 6,
currently filled by John Wen
holz, appointed to complete the
term of Lovella Conboy. Both
are three-year terms. Also to
be filled is Position No. 4.
currently filled bv George
Weather
by the City of
that area, including the Willow
Creek Dam, Cutsforth Park,
Penland Lake, Bull Prairie
Reservoir, the John Day
River, the Baker Valley min
ing area. Anthony Lakes and
other areas offering camping,
hiking, hunting, fishing, ski
ing, snowmobiling, and other
outdoor sports and recreation.
In other business during the
meeting. Charles Hutchinson
gave the treasurer's report. He
stated that the corporation
presently has 28 members and
each had paid a $100 member
ship fee. Costs for printing
stationary and envelopes, ad
vertising costs for promoting
the Port Commission candi
dates and other expenses total
ed about $300, but with added
interest, the treasury's
The drilling site, located on
the Jerry Dougherty ranch
north east of Heppner, will
occupy one and one-fourth
acres of land. The drilling will
operate on a 24-hour a day
basis with a crew of five to six
men, Seeger said. The well
depth is scheduled at 10,000 ft.
Kenney by appointment. This
is for a one-year term to
complete the term of Burrel
Cooley.
Filing deadline for petitions
is 5 p.m.. February 16. Peti
tions may be obtained at
school offices or the district
office in Lexington. The peti
tions must be filed with the
County Clerk along with the
Eastern Oregon Wheat
Seminar to be held in lone
By BOB COSTA
OSU Extension Agent
Morrow County
The popular Eastern Oregon
Wheat Seminar will make it's
annual journey to Morrow
County on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
The program will be held at
the Willows Grange Hall in
lone from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Coffee and doughnuts will be
available at 9 a.m. and a
no-host lunch will be served by
the ladies of the grange.
The program will include a
discussion of wheat diseases
by Paul Koepsell. OSU Exten
sion Service plant pathologist.
Russ Karow, OSU cereal crops
specialist will talk about wheat
variety-disease resistance re
lationships and grain storage
and aerating stored grain.
Paul Rasmussen, A.R.S. soil
scientist from the Pendleton
Experiment Station, will dis
cuss feritlizer placement and
other fertilizer research. Tom
Tues.,Jan. 17 27 8
Wed, Jan. 18 24 14
Thurs.,Jan. 19 23 13
Fri., Jan. 20 22 17
Sat., Jan. 21 46 22
Sun., Jan. 22 SO 39
. Mon.,Jan.23 53 43
Heppner
Bob Kahl
balance is $2,617.
Anyone interested in joining
the economic development
corporation may contact Jim
Hayes. Hutchinson, Kent
Charles Stenson, engineer
for Oregon Natural Gas Devel
opment Corporation, a sub
sidiary of Northwest Natural
Gas Co., stated that in all
likelihood, four members of
the crew would probably be
housed in Heppner.
acceptance of candidacy.
Signers of petitions for dis
trict board candidates must
reside in the district and be
registered voters. Signers of
petitions for advisory board
candidates must reside in the
attendance area served by the
position and be registered vot
ers. District board petitions
Whitson, OSU weed control
specialist, will discuss the
identification and control of
wheat field weeds. OSU exten
sion economists Jim Cornelius
and Tim Cross will talk about
computer applications and in
formation management for
wheat producers., Bruce An
, . , ," t. f
V, - -4 5
"'MIS' f
Reservoir at dam to be
raised in February
Depending on progress
made on grouting the Willow
Creek Dam structure, the flow
gates may be closed as soon as
February 9, allowing the
reservoir to fill to an elevation
of 2,063 ft , a spokesperson for
the Corps of Engineers an
nounced Tuesday.
Doug Dugger, public affairs
officer of the Corps Walla
Walla District, said the Corps
trace
trace
.11
.02
.03
board
Joyce Holloman
Goodyear, Fred Toombs, Hol
lomon, Kahl or Ralph Liman
en. The $100 membership fee is
a one-time fee, and is tax
deductible, Hutchinson said.
Seeger said the drilling op
eration will be under the reg
ulatory control of the Oregon
Department of Geology and
Minig and the Morrow County
Planning Department.
No start up date or drilling
time has been announced yet,
Seeger said.
require 25 valid signatures and
advisory committee petitions
require 10 valid signatures.
Anyone interested in obtain
ing a petition should contact
the school office in their area
or the district office in Lexing
ton, the spokesperson conclud
ed. drews, of the O.W.G.L., will
talk about international mar
ket development.
Everyone is invited. The
program is sponsored by the
OSU Extension Service and the
Morrow County Wheat Grow
ers Association.
would like to try to maintain
an elevation of 2,047 ft at the
lake, depending on rainfall,
evaporation, ground seepage
and other factors.
The water level will be
raised to an elevation of 2,063
ft., he said, so that some of the
backed up water can be re
leased later for irrigation use
and other purposes. .
MA