Training, equipment make lake a safer place Beaste rätselt U o f 0 :.'V'J3p*iv L i b r i ry Litigone, Oil 9 7 4 ) 3 HEPPNER Local emergency personnel train at Willow Creek Lake in the use of water rescue gear and techniques. Here they use a sled with a rope attached to pull rescue swimmer and “victim" to shore unes VOL. 119 NO. 25 10 Pages Wednesday, June 21,2000 Three high school rodeoers to go to national finals Blake Knowles (left), Lacey Matteson and Ryan Matteson Three Heppner high school rodeo athletes have qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals to be held in Springfield, Illinois, July 22-30. Heppner's Ryan Matteson, Blake Knowles and Lacey Matteson have all qualified. Ryan and Blake will see action in the steer wrestling and team roping, while Lacey will compete in the barrel racing. Joining them will be Condon's Mame Wilkins in pole bending. Joe Irzyk will represent Sherman County in the steer wrestling. Another contingent will travel to Fallon, Nevada, for the Silver State Invitational to run July 1-4. These youth finished fifth through 10th in their events. Travis Camine, Condon, will compete in steer wrestling, while Arlington's Travis Yutzie will see bareback riding action. Chris Irzyk, Moro, qualified in the steer wrestling. Competing in breakaway roping will be Sybil Krebs, lone, and Mame Wilkins, Condon. Tracey Griffith, lone, qualified in pole bending, and Jerid Penturf, Heppner, made it in the bull riding. At the Oregon State High School Rodeo Finals, held June 15-17 at Redmond. Ryan Matteson. a senior at Heppner High School, took fifth place in the first go-round in steer wrestling and third in the second go-round. He placed third in the average in steer wrestling and took third in the state. He and Blake Knowles took fourth in the team roping second go-round. Knowles, also a senior at Heppner High School, won the first go, took second in the second go and won the average on three in steer wrestling He ended up second in the state in steer wrestling. He was fourth in the first go in cow cutting, won the second go and took second in the short go. Lacey Matteson, a 15-year-old sophomore at Heppner High School, won the state girls' Rookie of the Year award. She placed third in the first go-round in breakaway roping and second in the second go-round. She ended up seventh in the state in breakaway. She placed eighth in the first go-round of barrel racing and ended up fifth in average in barrels. She will attend the national finals because another girl was unable to attend. Health district contacts clinic billing service As of June 1,2000, the Morrow County Health District (MCHD) entered into a contract with Good Shepherd Medical Clinic to provide billing for the two MCHD medical clinics, Pioneer Memorial Clinic, located in Heppner, and the Imgon Medical Clinic. As part of the contract. Good Shepherd is providing one office staff person, Ida Vetter of lone, to work in the Heppner clinic. Vetter is the primary receptionist and will be responsible for entering the clinic’s charges into a sophisticated computer software system which transmits the information to a central billing department in Hermiston. Patients are being asked to bring their insurance cards with them so appropriate billing can be assured on this new system. The statement patients receive following a clinic visit will indicate they were seen at Pioneer Memorial Clinic. “It is becoming quite common for rural clinics to contract with larger offices for billing,” said Pioneer Memorial Hospital CEO. Victor Vander Does. Vander Does went on to say the district expects to save about $24,000 a year with this contract. Advertising Deadline 12 noon Tuesday Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Open house set for crops candidate The Morrow County Extension and the Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science invite everyone to a community open house on Tuesday, June 27, to meet a candidate for the dry land crops position in Morrow County. The reception will be held at the Morrow County Family Service Center (Morrow County Extension office' conference room from 6-7:30 p.m. "This is an opportunity to meet the candidate and make recommendations to the interview committee as to whom you think best fits the Morrow County dry land crops position," said William Broderick, OSU Morrow County Extension agent. The candidate will make a short presentation and one-on-one and group discussion times are scheduled. Those planning to attend are encouraged to let the interview committee members know whom you believe is the best qualified candidate, said Broderick. Thanks to the efforts of local firefighters, the Morrow County Search & Rescue and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers John Day Project, the Willow Creek Lake is now a safer place for boaters, fishermen and swimmers. Saturday, four representatives from the Corps spent the day training local firemen, rescue personnel and others in the techniques of water rescue. In all 14 local people were certified in water rescue. "We feel better prepared now in responding to emergencies at the lake," said Heppner fire chiet Rusty Estes when the training was finished. "This is something we have badly needed here." Estes couldn't say enough about the Corps of Engineers help in training and equipping local emergency personnel. The Corps earlier had donated water rescue equipment to the local fire department; and this time they brought more, including a Zodiac boat with trailer and motor, rescue nets, throw rings and throw bags as well as other equipment, Estes sr m tnt, Vint our wtb lit* at w!*w mcgg net a bright and early start on July 4 with the Dawn's Early Light Fun Run, beginning at 7 a.m. The horseshow tournament is planned at 9 a.m.; muffins and coffee in the park will be available starting at 10 a.m.. The Horses to Horsepower Parade, featuring grand marshals Dick and Jannie Allen and the Blues Cruise Classic Car Show, will get underway at 11 a.m. Rietmann says the "most ever" classic car clubs have signed up for what promises to be a huge parade. Parade chairmen are Loyal Bums and Nancy Snider. Beginning at noon on the Fourth, food vendors, pie and coffee, a frog jump contest, a straw money pile, dunk tank, go carts, kids' games and a beer garden will get underway. At 2 p.m.. the lone swimming pool opens and music in the park, featuring four blues bands, will play from 2 p.m. until the fireworks begins at dusk Music this year includes returning special guest Paul deLay; the Strat Daddies with Randy Lilya. Robby Laws, Jimmy Lloyd Rea and Kenny Blue Ray, with Jim Mesi on guitar; Sweet Juice; John Koonts and the Gas Hogs; and The Power Band, featuring Sunny Hess and Megan James. Paul deLay, known for his excellent harmonica playing, recorded his latest CD in Chicago. "It has been very well received," said Rietrhann. "I think the people will really enjoy the Chicago influence." rhe blues music is sponsored by the Morrow County Recreation District.