Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 8, 1994)
Art Kegler joins commissioner race U Boardman businessman Art Kegler will vie for Morrow County Commissioner in the November general election. Nominated by the American Par ty at its county nonimating caucus on June 4, Kegler will face in cumbent Republican Ray French of Heppner and Democrat Jackie Bergstrom of lone. “ I hope to narrow the north- south county split,” Kegler said, “ and bring my long years o f business experience to the coun ty court.” Kegler recently established a real estate firm in Boardman. More than 10 years ago he established K egler’s Sentry Market, a family business in which Kegler, his wife Rose and their three sons, Dean, Mark and Matt are all involved. Kegler has served as Board- man’s mayor and was active in the Super-conducting Super Col lider siting effort and the area’s bid to locate a medium security prison between Boardman and Irrigon. Since the election of 1992 when the north part of the county lost its seat on the three-member county governing body, the rift between north and south has grown, Kegler said. If he is elected, he said he would “ work hard to heal that split and get the county back on track toward solv ing its problems rather than diver ting energy on internal bicker ing.” “ Any time all three members of the county court are from one area, you’re bound to have pro blems, even if it’s only percep tion,” Kegler said. He pledged to support the American Party’s principles which profess a belief in a “ responsive and represen tative government, equality of all people, a fiscally responsible government, support of the free enterprise system and the virtues of clean air, clear water and wide- open spaces.” Ed Glenn, county chair of the party said, “ we are delighted to have a candidate of Art’s calibre to carry the party’s banner into the November election. He’s knowledgeable, hard-working and effective, but most important he is a diplomat who can heal our county and lead us away from wasting our time fighting with each other.” Fishing derby June 12 at dam Conservation In celebration of National for the most and the biggest fish tour June 10 Flash flood warning system in operation The Heppner area has scored another first. The flash flood war ning system now serves as a model for other parts of the U.S. and China. The U.S. Corps of Engineers developed seven sophisticated weather stations in the drainage areas above Hepp ner to monitor precipitation. It’s doubtful that this develop ment will make national news headlines as was the case after the construction of the Willow Creek Dam 12 years ago. When this first-in -th e-n atio n . rollar- compacted dam was built, the down-stream dam face had con siderable leakage after the dam pool formed. Media reports said that the dam could dissolve and there could be a disaster such as the 1903 flood that ravaged the town and killed over 200 people. The Corps grouted the dam by drilling deep holes and filling them with cement. The natural healing process over time has been a major fac tor to stop leakage, according to Jam es W illiam s, operation superintendent of the U.S. Corps of Engineers of the Portland District. Mineral and calcium deposits have formed to seal leaks, especially evident in the maintenance tunnels inside the base of the dam. Although the primary purpose of the dam was for flood control, last year an additional 13 feet of water was stored behind the dam to provide irrigation water for farmers downstream on Willow Creek. Increased seepage occur red as more water was held behind the dam. But after a year, leakage from that uncured portion of dam surface decreased by 25 percent, Williams said. The current pool level is held at 277.10 above sea level, with a gradual drawdown during sum mer months. Flood waters coming down Willow Creek or Balm Fork can be held back by the dam. However Hinton Creek and Shobe Canyon have also been prone to dump flash flood water as they drain into the town's perimeters. Weather stations have been built in various locations to monitor any type of precipitation. These solar-powered stations automatically relay information into Heppner’s Emergency Command Center's computer systems. Software for the system was developed by the National Weather Service. However, the system had obstacles to overcome. It was Williams who designed insulated tipping cups that now automatically measure snow or ice precipitation regardless of freezing weather conditions. If flash flood warnings from Shobe Canyon or Hinton Creek are received, dam operators can reduce the amount of water nor mally being released from the dam to avoid compounding flooding conditions. Three flood warning sirens at different locations in Heppner are to be installed. If flood warnings occur, the Emergency Command center, in cooperation with city and county officials are planning evacuation centers. Sites such as H eppner High School and Pioneer Memorial Hospital, located on high points overlook ing the town, would be logical shelters, said Morrow County Emergency Management director Casey Beard. “ If stage three warning sirens go off, don’t take time to grab a sandwich or pack a bag ,” Williams said. Residents in known floodways could have about 20 minutes warning time depending on the origin of flooding, he added. There are other factors built in to the plan including warnings to residents downstream on Willow Creek. Also the Emergency Center and officials must be prepared to deal with the pro blems associated with the after- math of a flood. Beard said. Shobe Canyon has twice flood ed the city swimming pool, con tributing to the permanent closure of this facility. Presently farm ground in the Shobe Canyon is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program which has kept that ground out of produc tion. However this 10 year pro gram will soon expire and Beard said they are hoping to persuade the government to permanently take this ground out of production in a set-aside program. The good news is, the lake behind the dam now offers recreational opp o rtu n ities. Because of the success of this first-time venture, five more dams of this type have been built in the U.S. This type of construc tion lowers construction costs as opposed to the conventional solid cement structures. Foreign coun tries, including Japan, Korea. China and South America have also constructed similar types of dams. The largest one in the world is now in Argentina. Further enhancement of the Willow Creek lake is also plann ed according to Richard Hess, U.S. Corps of Engineers Park Manager. Wildlife enhancement at the upper end of the lake along with hiking trails are being designed. This year the Willow Creek Park District will complete the first stage of an overnight recreational vehicle campsite to accommodate users. Fishing Week, June 6-12, the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region, along with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have selected Saturday, June 11 as Free Fishing Day in the state of Oregon. Heppner Ranger District will hold its fifth annual fishing der by Sunday, June 12, at Willow Creek Reservoir, one mile east of Heppner. This event is sponsored by the Heppner Ranger District and the Heppner Lions Club. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the derby begins at 1 p.m. The derby is open to par ticipation for all kids up to the age of 13. All children must be ac companied by a parent or guar dian and should bring their own fishing poles and tackle. Special prizes will be presented in many categories. A special event which will be held during the derby is the Zebco Casting Contest. Hot dogs, chips and pop are provided to everyone who registers and participates in the derby. In conjunction with National Fishing Week, North Fork John Day is sponsoring a “ Hooked on Fishing Derby” , June 11 on the Umatilla National Forest. The derby is at Ukiah/Dale Wayside Park, Hwy. 395, two miles south of Ukiah. The derby will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and should bring fishing gear, rods and bait. For more in formation contact Renee Mullner at 676-2166 or 676-9187. Queen’s dance revived X A tradition is being revived in Morrow County this month for the Morrow County Fair and Oregon Trail Pro-Rodeo Queen and her court. June 17 queen Staci O ’Brien and her court will be honored at a family dance at the Morrow County Fairground in Heppner. The music is being provided by Dan Burns Produc tions of Pendleton who is very adaptable at playing what the dance crowd wants to hear. Also enlightening the evening’s ac tivities will be a limbo contest, food concessions and a spotlight dance for the queen and court members. Admission for the dance is $5 per person or SI5 for a family. Hours are from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Proceeds from the dance will go towards the local swimming pool fund. Members of the court include Queen Staci O ’Brien, Heppner; princesses Kim Bedortha, lone and Jossie Evans and Char Coe. both Heppner. The court is “ looking forward to the renew ed tradition of a court dance and hopes the public will be there to share in the fun.” Morrow County Wheat League Conservation Tour and Barbecue will be held Friday, June 10 beginning at 4 p.m. The tour will originate at the Frederickson Hay Compression Plant just east of the Port of Morrow, in Boardman. A barbecue dinner, hosted by the Wheat League and local business concerns will begin after the tour at approximately 6 p.m. also at the hay plant. Tour participants will see how the Fredericksons, Gary and Ver non, have used perseverance and ingenuity to manage highly erosive soils, deal with en vironmental restrictions and multiple agencies while con tinually improving soil produc tivity and tilth, said Doug Drake, president of Morrow County Wheat League. Steaks, French bread and beverages will be provided cour tesy of the Wheat League. Guests with last names beginning A-N are asked to provide salads or side dishes; O-Z should bring deserts. For more information call Drake, 676-9883 or Frderickson Farm ing 481-2818. To find Fredericksons hay plant, traveling on 1-84 take exit 165 the Port of Morrow inter change, turn to the north and go about 200 yards until you come to the T. Turn to the right (east) on the old highway 730. The plant is on the right side 1.5 miles from the T-intersection. The barbecue will be inside the plant so the weather will not be a factor. “ Bring your appetite and a friend to an interesting and in formative evening,” said Drake. New fire truck arrives in Heppner Greenup new district manager Janet Greenup Janet Greenup was named Morrow Soil and Water Conser vation District manager as of May 1. Greenup. 39. has worked with the district for the past 13 years, first as district clerk and then as office manager. Greenup has assumed the duties of the district manager, along with the office manager's duties. She said that the district has no plans to hire an office manager, but may hire clerical help sometime in the future. Greenup will be in charge of grant writing, assisting with the weed district, and overseeing district projects, including pro jects using the straw blower and the hydroseeder. She will also handle the correspondence for the board and keep them informed on natural resources issues. Her job also entails attending many meetings as a result of the district’s involvement with the Area 7 Association of Conserva tion Districts, comprised of Mor row. Gilliam, Umatilla, Wheeler and Grant counties, the Oregon Association of Conservation D istricts and the N ational Association of Conservation Districts. The MSWCD also cooperates with the Soil Conser vation Service, ASCS and Mor row County citizens. Greenup, the daughter of Bill and Pat Gentry, grew up in Hepp ner and graduated from Heppner High School. She and her hus band, Greg, have four daughters. Amy, 21. Sara. 17, Kathleen, 12, and Kelsey, 9. She is also circula tion manager of the East Orego nian for the Heppner area. She replaces fprmer district manager, Jerry Anderson, who moved to Colorado with his fami ly to operate a family farm. He was originally hired as a CRP technician. Jim VanW inkle preceded Anderson as district manager. Volunteer firemen show off new fire truck. The new fire engine for the ci ty of Heppner has arrived. Volunteer firemen Steve Rhea. Hal Bergstrom. Rusty Estes and Mike Jones and Fire Chief For- rie Burkenbine brought the vehi cle back from Portland on May 26. The 95 International holds 750 gallons of water and can pump 1250 gallons per minute. Rhea said that the fire engine has a remote control front nozzle and a deluge gun which mounts on the ground or on the truck for large structure fires. The fire engine has a 466 Detroit diesel engine and has the capacity for five people in the cab instead of two as in the previous fire engine. In three of the seats an oxygen pack is built right in for fire fighters to strap on. said Rhea. “ We’ll be equipped to fight any kind of fire,” said Rhea. “ It will improve our fire protection.” Summer Sale Going on now Through Sat. June 18th Horrow County Crain Growers Lexington, OR • 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396
