Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 1996)
. f . .• ' ■ -H t-r Blue Star Memorial dedicated to Veterans U OF .» * r v * • w* ;. •• r:- . * * Y ' I * v t ■ - • ■ • A :< Olii NEWSPAPER LID EUGENE & 7 4 0 3 Ok . • • : ... • -r'.i. Mt;V, . V. * *** TS. * . Vv*,‘ I ' • V-.' *.*< • * ; «vW. *•. ■ * * v ' * . * V-V.- V * r . ‘ * a *.*,*•» • * •* •• . '. L-R: Sharon Hamner, District 10 Garden Club chairman, Linda Nelson, State Garden Club president, Jan Iseli, State Garden Club Vice President, Nan Jean Roller, State Blue Star Marker chairman, Jane Rawlins, District 10 secretary and Heppner Garden Club charter member. New sign installed at Masonic Cemetery * V ifc w s r ì Marie Rudisill displays new sign The Morrow County Jail dilemma By Don McElligott Morrow County courthouse was constructed with a jail annex which lasted until the early 1970s when it was declared inade quate under the new jail standards. Since that time we have relied on boarding our prisoners with other jurisdictions. During this time we have boarded our prisoners in Columbia, Deschutes, Umatilla City, Umatilla County, Wasco and Benton or Klickitat Counties, Washington, wherever we could find a bed. Since each of these jurisdictions have experienced their own problems most of these spaces are no longer available. The problem has been further complicated by the new state laws which require that the counties lodge those prisoners sentenced to a year or less and also that our counties handle parole and probations and other prisoner programs. In 1984 we were faced with much of the same problems, a prisoner load that varied from nine to 17 and using space wherever we could find it. A projection of future requirements by the sheriffs department and State Corrections felt that we should plan for 24 male bed spaces plus room for women and juvenile detention. This would require almost doubling the sheriff's staff. A county citizens committee studied the problem and decided that construction and staffing a jail would be too expensive at this time. Shortly after that Sheriff Drago contracted with Benton County, Washington for space which solved our problem until the last few years. Now Benton County needs the space for their own prisoners. Presently we contract with Umatilla County for six spaces and any others found guilty and sentenced are simply released. There has been some criticism of our law enforcement and prosecutors because some people recently found guilty of serious crimes have been released by the judges. It is as simple as this. There is no space and if we try to stack them in we'll be sued for violation of their rights. Morrow County has been searching for a solution to this pro blem for the last two years. Five of our neighboring counties, Gilliam, Wheeler, Wasco, Sherman and Hood River have exact ly the same problems. Now our problem is to see if we can ar rive at a joint solution that will be fair to everyone and possibly be within our financial capabilities. Commissioner French has been exploring the possibility of a joint solution through NOR CO, the mid-Columbia group of counties. Since both Commis sioner French and we fellow commissioners feel that all the citizens of Morrow County should be involved in these decisions we have decided to appoint a county wide committee to study and make recommendations. The commissioners urge anyone who feels deeply about community corrections and wishes to volunteer to call Judge Carlsons' office as soon as possible. The Heppner Masonic Ceme tery has a brand new sign, thanks to the efforts of care taker Marie Rudisill and her husband Jim and others in the area who donated time or materials. Kinzua Resources donated lumber for the sign; Miller and Sons, donated the braces and welding; and the Rudisills designed, constructed, routed, painted and watersealed the sign. They also donated railroad ties and created a flower bed around the sign. Marie said that the old round sign at the cemetery that had been hanging on the fence had completely fallen apart. “ It (the new sign) really cheers things u p," said Marie. “ It (the cemetery) should look nice. And if people want to have flowers planted, we can utilize the flower beds.” She said that previously, potted flowers placed at the graves had to be gathered up for mow ing and maintenance. But now, she can plant them in the flower bed. She also has plans for another flower bed. The Rudisills have made several signs for cemeteries in the outlying areas and plan to make one for the old cemetery out Rhea Creek. HCC to meet The Heppner Coordinating Council will meet on Tuesday, July 9, at 7:30 a.m. in the Hepp ner Ranger District Conference Room. The topic for discussion will be a review and update of the Heppner Strategic Plan. The public is welcome to at tend the meetings of the council. The Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication, sponsored by the National Federation of Garden Clubs, the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs and the Heppner Garden Club, was held at the mini park on Highway 74 in Heppner on Thursday, June 21. The marker was dedicated as a tribute to the men and women in the armed forces. “We hope this marker honor ing all veterans will be seen by many and that we do not forget them,” said a Heppner Garden Club spokesperson. A capsule inside the marker listed the names of those who gave their lives in service in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. City manager Gary Marks read each name, followed by a moment of silence in their honor. The list included: Ernest Forbes, Nalbro Cox, David A. Clark, Kay Ferguson, Jarry Set tles and Elbert M. Gibson, Jr., all Heppner; Stanley A. Way, Clyde Edwards, and Kenneth E. Warner, Lexington; Tench B. Aldrich, Clarence T. Harris, Paul V. Rietmann, Herbert R. Davidson, Alfred Emert, and Bobbie Morgan, lone; James A. Stevens, Golder Collins, and Arthur Chapel, Hardman; Eldon L. Allen and Raymond Allen, Irrigon; and Dow Worden and Donald R. Myles, Boardman. The marker is part of a na tionwide highway beautifica tion project of the National Federation of Garden Clubs. “ The name was taken from the Blue Star in the Service Flag, in honor of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces," said Sharon Hamner, director of the Blue Mountain District 10 of the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs. Heppner Mayor Bob Jepsen, on hand for the ceremonies said that as a little boy during World War II, he remembers seeing windows around town with gold stars in them, which meant that their serviceman wasn't coming back. A blue star in the window meant the safe return of a loved one, he said. Heppner World War II veteran Arnie Hedman said that the marker was an honor to veterans, especially in the later wars and for Vietnam veterans. “ Some guys had to sneak in the back door after their return, and it was 30 to 40 years before they could speak of their experience," said Hed man. "That's why this is so im portant." Marks said that he intends to have a flag pole erected direct ly behind the marker. The dedication got underway with the invocation by the Rev. A1 Trachsel, Heppner United . a •• •-.? •■••Æv-'- r . : ,# * f ** . V -.. . i f ' '• . Y f . ••*■**•* \M * , - *i • / •V •’ W H .* « . . •' V «- \ ^ v . t m i 4 Blue Star Memorial Methodist Church. The Ad vancement of Colors was by the Heppner American Legion Post 87. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Dorothy Jackson, Heppner Garden Club president. The Rev Tim Van Cleave, Christian Life Center, sang the National Anthem. Hamner delivered the wel come and Verna Brinda, Blue Mountain chairman, Blue Mountain District 10, in troduced out-of town guests: Oregon Federation of Garden Club Members, Linda Nelson, state president; Jan Iseli, state vice president; Nan Jean Roller, Blue Star Marker chairman; Robert and Martha Fariss, Portland, Roadside Scenic America; Bill Lowe, World War I veteran, and other local veterans. • ' • Roller gave a history of the Blue Star Marker, which was started by a Garden Club in New Jersey in 1944 and is now nationwide. Jane Rawlins, charter member of the Heppner Garden Club, gave the response. Nelson unveiled the marker and Mayor Jepsen and Marks accepted it on behalf of the city. The Rev. Trachsell delivered the benediction. “Taps was beautifully played by young Darren Van C leave," said Brinda. Refreshments were served at the St. Patrick's Senior Center following the ceremony. Bebe Munkers served cake which was decorated with a blue star, and Dorothy Jackson served coffee and punch. * » . . t .*•♦,*, - ■ *. V 4 *v * ‘ # . ‘ - - %, * j ■.*-. ; x- - . V» > . • • . v .. 1 - - . * City council to extend curfew A proposed city of Heppner ordinance which intends to get teenagers off city streets earlier, will be considered at the regular council meeting Mon day, July 8. The ordinance proposes to: -extend curfew for children 14 and under who have not yet entered high school from 9:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day of the week. Previously, the curfew for children 14 and under was 9:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. school nights and 10:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekends or when school is not in session. -extend the curfew for high school students 14 and over from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. school nights and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekends or when school is not in session. Previously high school-age students had an 11 p.m. curfew on school nights and a mid night curfew on weekends. Heppner city manager Gary Marks said that the proposed action is because of "loitering" in the downtown area and in creased vandalism. >• -. »-»• ; ». > ' ; ; -v Potluck revival planned for Fourth A Fourth of July "Potluck and Revival Meeting”, spon sored by the Christian Life Center, will be held at the Grange hall in lone from 5 p.m. until the fireworks display gets underway. The potluck dinner will begin at 5 p.m., with special music at 7 p.m.; the speaker at 8 p.m.; and worship at 8:30 p.m. The evening will feature music specials by local Chris tians and local evangelist Roger Britt as speaker. Those planning to attend should bring a hot dish, salad or dessert and a lawn chair or blanket for the fireworks display. Children and adults are in vited to participate in the musical performance. Anyone wishing to perform a music special or interested in acting during a musical performance should call Samarra, 676-5581, or Nancy, 676-9835. For more information, call Kelly, 422- 7571, or Myma, 676-5448. For potluck information, call Lola Humphreys, 676-5409. A freewill offering will be taken to help offset the cost of the fireworks display. • • » . *. '?*;■( ; * if * *" ; r .. '*.* :.k , ï < Y.Y ,v. Is I* ' •VV.'A.ViiJV -W v 4 **'-*'-> Ì Ì* * v V ri- B a r m Weekdays H n 7 a.m.-6 S m p.m. M qnmy Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Morrow County Grain Growers Lexington 989-8221 1 -»00-452-7396_________
