Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1998)
IHS holds commencement exercises NATIJ RE D IT U a i l M E HEPPNER School board chairman John Rietmann (center) and Senator Gordon Smith congratulate lone graduate Kara Miller at the lone High School commencement exercises held May 29. imes VOL. 117 NO. 22 12 Pages Wednesday, June 3,1998 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon CEO candidate visits PMH The Morrow County Health District has announced that a candidate for CEO of the district and administrator for Pioneer Memorial Hospital would visit the hospital and clinic on Tuesday, June 2. The CEO position became vacant after previous administrator Ken Schmidt resigned, saying he wanted to "pursue other interests". Dan Grant, chief financial officer, will serve as CEO until Adventist Health, which provides administrative, computer and other services for the district, hires a new administrator In other business, the board voted to approve raises for non union employees. The employees will receive a two percent cost of living increase for 1999; a two percent increase for 2000; and a three percent for 2001. The employees will also see increases in their medical/dental premiums from $276 for a single to $290 in 1999, $304 in 2000 and $320 in 2001. Family premiums will go up from $380 to $399 in 1999, $419 in 2000 and $440 in 2001. Shift premiums will increase from 50 cents to 55 cents for evenings and from around 70 cents to 90 cents nights. Call time rates will also increase, from $1.30 an hour to $1.50 an hour in 1999, $1.65 in 2000 and $1.80 in 2001. Paid time off for employees with 20 or more years of seniority will be raised from 20 days to 25. The board read aloud a letter from they received from MCHD Budget Committee member Gene Allen, who protested the district's budget. He said, in the letter, that the board had a "siege mentality" concerning the board's inability to come to a contract agreement with Dr. Robert Boss of Boardman. Dr. Boss was previously paid by the district to provide medical care in Boardman. When he and the district could not come to a contract agreement, he built a new clinic next door to the district-owned clinic where he had previously worked. Allen said that the board, through its "destructive competition" was forcing the closure of Boss' Boardman Health Care Center. The board received and read aloud a letter from John Prag, also of Boardman, who said he was disturbed by the district's position concerning the budget and the district's clinic in Boardman. He said that the north end of the county provides 2/3 to 3/4 of the district's tax base, but the district is contemplating reducing a physician to 1/2 time in Boardman. Grant, however, says that the district is in the process of recruiting physicians and dentists. A possible reduction in medical provider hours for the district's Boardman clinic, that is being considered, would be temporary to provide coverage for the new medical clinic in Irrigon until additional providers can be hired. The Irrigon clinic has received its certificate of occupancy. The district agreed to pursue an agreement with Good Shepherd obstetncian/gynecologist to have office hours a the Boardman Clinic at least once a week, and possibly a dermatologist. Grant said that a dentist has indicated interest in either the Heppner or Boardman dental offices. Dr. Paul Marshall, dentist for Heppner Dental, will leave the district at the end of July. Dr. Blair Smith, dentist at the Boardman dental clinic will leave the district in November. Pioneer Memorial Hospital has hired a new director of nursing services, Tammy Henderson. The board approved a request from Gaylin Fickel, director of x- ray services at PMH. to purchase a new image intensifier for the x- ray department at Pioneer Memorial Hospital and x-ray equipment for the Imgon clinic. Fickel said that the department is examining tele-radiology, which would allow them to have x-rays read by radiologists via computers rather than sending patients away from home. The board also heard a report concerning a proposed assisted living facility in Heppner. Willow Creek Road construction update The U.S. Dept, of Transportation lists its planned construction activities on Willow Creek Road for the week of Monday, June 1. Tidewater will continue the clearing, grubbing, burning of debris and hauling of logs operations, working ahead on line from the beginning of the project, which is near the south limits of Cutsforth Park and continue towards the top of Coal Mine Grade and the end of the project. Willow Creek Road (Coal Mine Grade) is closed to through traffic from the south entrance to Cutsforth Park to the intersection of Forest Service Roads 53, main line, and 21, Penland Lake Road. This intersection will remain open, for the present time, until construction activities close it sometime in late June. Willow Creek Road will remain open to local traffic only to the south entrance to Cutsforth Park. Cutsforth Park will remain open during the construction season. The road closure will continue through the length of the contract, which has a completion date of October 9. The detour route through the Shaw Creek Road will be the main travel route through the four comers to Penland Lake and Ukiah. The road closure has been accomplished by placing barricades with Hashing lights across the Willow Creek Road at both ends of the construction zone. Drivers are asked to please observe the warning signs prior to the detour route and barricades at both ends of the construction zone. Have a safe summer and remember that the barricade road closure is for public safety. Federal Highways asks the public for their patience, consideration and cooperation during this construction season and hopes that the work will be completed with a minimum of delays. For more information, contact Robert G. Toops, project engineer, at 676-5904 in Heppner for additional information. HES academic awards set June 4 The Academic Awards Assembly for Heppner Elementary School will be held in the gymnasium Thursday, June 4, at 7 p.m. Students will be recognized for participation and achievement in special academic activities and contests. The evening will conclude with the presentation of the Presidential Academic Excellence Award to qualifying sixth graders. Refreshments will follow in the school cafeteria. The public is invited to attend. New city manager should be on job by Oct. The Heppner city council is in the processes of picking a new city manager, and the job should be done by October, acting City Manager Renee Devin predicted. Devin said the city now has 34 resumes for the managers job. She said there is a June 12 deadline for resumes, and then by July 9 the council will select five applicants for background checks by the League of Oregon Cities. By the end of August the city will be bringing in applicants for interviews, and the new manager should be on the job by October 1 or the 15 she said. The lone High School Class of 1998 held their commencement exercises Friday, May 29, at the lone High School gymnasium. U.S. Senator Gordon Smith was guest speaker. Jenny Sullivan delivered the valedictory address and Kara Miller, the salutatory address. The lone Fifth and Sixth Grade Band performed "Pomp and Circumstance" and Kate Garrett sang "The Wind Beneath My Wings. The senior class made special presentations and Morrow County School Superintendent Chuck Staff and school board chairman John Rietmann presented diplomas. The class of 1998 included Brenda Lee Burright, Kathryn Joyce Garrett, Tiffani Mae Jones, Jacob Lee McElligott, Kara Brooke Miller, Marc Thomas Orem, Leonard John Rietmann, Nathan Robert Rietmann and Jennifer Nicole Sullivan. The following students received scholarships and awards: -Brenda Burright: Class of 1968-S250; Lion's Club Scholarship-S200; Ken Snider Memorial Scholarship^ 1,000; Blue Mountain Community College tuition waiver. -Kate Garrett: Blue Mountain Community College tuition waiver. -Jake McElligott: South Morrow County Trust-$500; Mike Matthews Memorial Scholarship-$ 1,000; Carl Troedson Scholarship^ 1,000; lone Youth Group Scholarship- Si 50; Cargill Scholarship-$200; DUSSAULT Scholar (Gonzaga University)-$ 10,000; Jason Halvorsen Memorial Scholarship-$500; Elk's Scholarship-$700; Cardinal Club Scholarship-$300; Outstanding Senior Athlete. - Kara Miller: South Morrow County Trust-$500; Ken Snider Memorial Scholarship-$ 1,000; Carl Troedson Scholarship- S i,000; Linfield Scholarship- $5,000; Elk’s Scholarship-$700; Photo by Theresa Hamms lone Volunteer Fire Department- $200; 4-H Leadership Council- $300; Outstanding Senior Athlete. -Marc Orem: lone Youth Group Scholarship-$ 150; Bank of Eastern Oregon-$500; Jason Halvorsen Memorial Scholarship-$500. -Len Rietmann: Blue Mountain Community College tuition waiver; American Legion Post- $200; Carl Troedson Scholarship-$ 1,000. -Nathan Rietmann: South Morrow County Trust-$500; Carl Troedson Scholarship^ 1,000; Willamette University Academic Grant-$9,000; Jason Halvorsen Memorial Scholarship-$500; Lion's Club Scholarship-$200; Oregon Wheat League Scholarship-$500. -Jenny Sullivan: South Morrow County Trust-$500; Carl Troedson Scholarship^ 1,000; lone Youth Group Scholarship- Si 50; Jason Halvorsen Memorial Scholarship-$500. HHS holds graduation ceremony The Heppner High School Class of 1998 held its graduation ceremony Saturday, May 30, at the HHS gym. Honor speakers were Petra Elguezabal, Travis Wilhelm, Maci Childers, Jayme Hansen and Josh Roy. Jessica Van Winkle and Katie Nichols presented honored guests, Valery Campbell, Dave Gunderson, Stub Lewis, Les Payne and Walter Pilgrim. Petra Elguezabal, Lexi Matteson, Katie Nichols and Jessica Van Winkle presented the slide show. Principal Ron Anthony presented scholarships and awards and Morrow County School Superintendent Chuck Starr affirmed the graduation. Anthony and school board member Russ Morgan presented diplomas. The Heppner High School Band played "Pomp and Circumstance". Grand marshals were Jill Barber and Derek Gunderson. Ushers were Tim Dickenson, Jared Eckman, Bias Elguezabal, Casey Evans, Brian Knowles and Shane Matheny. Kathleen Greenup and Jaci Hughes were in charge of programs and Janelle Healy and Amber Peck, gifts. Graduating seniors were: Christopher Anthony, Sarah Baker, Mindy Binschus, Brian Bumside, Maci Childers, Jarrod Clark, Melissa Cutsforth. Adam Doherty, Petra Elguezabal, Emmet Evans, Jayme Hansen, Jonas Healy, Miles Hill, Annie Hisler, Kathryn Kenny, Lexi Matteson, Caleb McDaniel. Kan Mohni, Katie Nichols, Jaylene Papineau, Judy Peck, Josie Proctor, Linsey Ropp, Joshua Roy, Keith Scott, Genny Sneddon, Timothy Sumner, Cameron Sweeney, Andrew Sykes, Christopher Taloney, Jessica VanWinkle and Travis Wilhelm. Those students receiving HHS seniors Brian Burnside and Mindy Binschus proceed into the gymnasium prior to graduation ceremonies. graduation awards are as follows: Sarah Baker: American Legion Auxiliary-$200. Mindy Binschus: Kinzua Resources-$500; Carl Troedson Scholarship-$ 1.000. Maci Childers: Blue Mountain Community College academic tuition waiver-$2,100; Oregon School Employees Association- $200; Pioneer Memorial Hospital-$350; Lions Club-$500: Troedson Scholarship-S 1,000. Melissa Cutsforth: Oregon School Employees Association- $ 200 . Adam Doherty: Booster Club- $300; Doherty Family-$2,500; Elk's Scholarship-$200. Petra Elguezabal: Booster Club- $200; Diversity Scholarship Western Oregon University tuition for four years-$12,612; Lightfoot Scholarship-$2,500; Eastern Oregon University Enrichment Scholarship for four years-$ 12,636 (declined). Jayme Hansen: Elk's Scholarship-$250; Troedson Scholarship^ 1,000. Annie Hisler: Booster Club- $300; Mike Currin Memorial Scholarship-$800; Hilda Yocom Scholarship-$200; Columbia Basin Conference Scholarship- S200; Jim Barratt Memorial Award trophy; letter of intent to play volleyball at Mt. Hood Community College. Katie Kenny: Pioneer Memorial Hospital-$350. Lexi Matteson: National High School Rodeo-$500; Walla Walla Community College Rodeo-$500. Katie Nichols: BMCC tuition waiver-$2,100. Josie Proctor: BMCC academic tuition waiver-$2,100; Morrow County 4-H Leaders Council-$300; Elk's Scholarship- $250; Masonic Lodge-$250; continued page two BIG SAVINGS! Ju n e 4 th -1 3 th M orrow C o u n t y G r a in G row ers Lexington 9 8 9 -8 2 2 1 * 1 -8 0 0 -4 5 2 -7 3 9 6 For farm equipment, visit our web nte at www mcgg.ntt % • i * _ - „ ■ L ». , - " *>*•*■ . 1 » " «. : • A .*1 w - 1
