Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2001)
Heppner loses population in latest census The population of Heppner is now down to 1.395, according to data released by the 2000 Census. The current population is down from 1,465 in 1994, 1,412 in 1990, 1,498 in 1980, 1.429 in 1970 and 1661 in 1960, accordihg to inform ation obtained from the 1995-96 Oregon Blue Book. July 2000 Census figures list Boardman as having 2.910 residents. According to the 1995- 96 Blue Book. Boardman had 2.145 residents in 1994. 1,387 in 1990. 1,261 in 1980. 192 in 1970 and 153 in 1960. Irrigon now has alm ost doubled, with 1,740 residents, according to the Census. In 1994 it had 890 residents, in 1990-737. in 1980- 700. in 1970-261 and in 1960-232. lone currently has 325 residents, up from 250 in 1994. In 1990 it had 255 residents, 345 in 1980, 355 in 1970 and 350 in 1960. Lexington currently nas 265 residents, compared to285 in 1994, 286 in 1990, 307 in 1980, 230 in 1970 and 240 in 1960. M orrow County has grown in num bers, with 11,100 people as o f July 1, 2000; 8,600 Bosilo Setzoll U o f O M c n a papar Library E ugene, OU 9 /1 4 3 in 1994, 7,625 in 1990, 7,519 in 1980,4,465 in 1970 and 4,871 in 1960. APR 1 8 2001 autographed photos o f Smith and the group was recognized during the game. lone Youth Group m em bers attending the game were Adrienne Swanson, Allison Halvorsen, RichardCampbell. Korey Morgan, Ashley Carmack, Adam McCabe, Derek Cam pbell, Adam Neiffer, Salli M cElligott. Tracy Griffith, Karl Morgan. Diana M cElligott, Jaysi Bennetto, Natalie McElligott. Jeff Hunt, Tim Doherty, Paul Neiffer, Billy G ates and Johnny Collin. Others making the trip were Becky Hunt. Virgil Morgan, Frank Halvorsen, Cathy Halvorsen. Jim Swanson. Jen McElligott and Jason Snow. School bond ballots to be mailed April 27 Ballots for the upcoming special M orrow County School District election will be mailed by the Morrow County Clerk's Office on Friday, April 27. Ballots must be received by Tuesday, May 15, at 8 p.m. Ballot boxes will be located at the clerk's office in Heppner; the M orrow County Public W orks Office in Lexington; at the Bank o f Eastern Oregon in lone until 4 p.m. and then at the lone City Hall from 4-8 p.m.; at the Morrow County Annex Building in Im gon; and the Docken Building in Boardman. The last day to register to vote in the May 15 election is Tuesday, April 24. In the special election. M orrow County voters will decide the fate o f a $22 million school district bond issue. The monies will be used to: -construct, equip and furnish two new elementary schools in Boardman and Im gon with classrooms for 200 students each and infrastructure to accom m odate 500 students in each school; -replace aging elementary facilities, renovate existing facilities to improve energy c o n s e rv a tio n , u p g ra d e technology capabilities and "protect the community's investment in existing facilities"; The improvem ents will: -upgrade electrical wiring and connect schools with a high speed network to improve student access to technology and Ryan, 5, and Coby, 9 months, Dougherty meet the Easter Bunny during the annual Heppner Easter egg hunt Saturday at the city park. Judge reports on Salem meetings lone youth group attends Blazer game lone Youth Group leader Cathy Halvorsen obtained free tickets to a Portland TrailBlazer game for the youth group for the second year in arow. The tickets, donated by player Steve Smith, were given to the group in recognition o f their community involvem ent for the past year. The group attended the Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game on April 1. They each received Easter Bunny makes annual visit expanded learning opportunities; -replace outdated heating cooling, ventilation and plum bing sysems and make health and safety improvements; -rep lace elem entary building in lone and the elem entary gym and band room in Heppner; -replace unserviceable roofing on identified facilities; -improve athletic fields and parking at Columbia Middle School to accom m odate grades seven-12. To be passed, the measure must have at least a 50 percent voter turnout The bonds will mature in 20 years or less from the date o f issuance. The tax rate is $1.38 per thousand. A hom eowner with an $85,000 home, for example, will pay about $117.30 per year or $9.78 per month. Wheat Foundation golf tournament The fifth Annual Oregon Wheat Foundation G olf Tournament has been set for Wednesday. May 23. at the Willow Creek G olf Course in Heppner. Last year's event drew 72 golfers to play. Everyone is invited to attend this year's event. Individuals without teams o f four will be matched up with other individuals to form teams. Non-golfers are also welcome to attend. Those who would like to attend, but do not golf are welcome to come and help out. Registration m aterials are available from the OWGL office. 276-7330, and are also available on the OW GL website at http://w w w .ow gl.org. Fhe tournament is an annual fund raising event for the Oregon Wheat Foundation's many programs. Anson Wright opens April 28, Cutsforth delayed Morrow County Public Works has announced that Anson Wright Park will open Saturday. April 28. The park is available for overnight camping as well as day- use picnicking and fishing. Eight new camping spots were added at the end o f last year's camping season, all o f which are ADA accessible Anson Wnght Park is located 2ft miles south o f Heppner on Highway 207. The opening o f Cutsforth Park will be delayed this year until Saturday, May 12, due to park maintenance and weather conditions. Cutsforth Park is also available for overnight camping as well as day-use picnicking and fishing Cutsforth Park is 28 miles south o f Heppner on the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, going toward Ukiah For additional information about these parks, contact Morrow County Public W orks at 989-9500. By Doris Brosnan At the April 11 meeting o f the Morrow County Court, Judge Terry Tallman reported on m eetings he had attended on the previous day in Salem. Leadership ofboth houses, Tallman said, are in favor o f channel deepening in the Columbia River, but the National M arine Fishery’ Service and Corps o f Engineers need to approve the plan. Tallman said that this would only impact about a 50-mile stretch o f the river and that Governor Kitzhaber is supportive. While in Salem, Tallman attended a telecommunications meeting and learned that three entities are requesting another state study be completed. Brosnan reported that the Morrow County School District is m oving ahead with their new system, planning to have it in by June 30. Also. Tallm an spoke to Representative Greg Smith, to Senator Ben Westland and to Katie Coba o f the Governor's Office about the "Ione-Boardm an Road," and reiterated the court's request for m itigation from the governor's office. He reported to the court that the Governor has requested another m eeting o f the buyer and the environmental groups to address the issue o f a road easement in the land-sale agreem ent now under consideration. Com m issioner Dan Brosnan reported that at the Heppner Coordinating Council meeting the previous day, the Oregon director o f the Nature Conservancy committed to putting in writing their agreem ent to keeping the PGE- aecess road open. In a related matter. Judge Tallman noted that the county will have to purchase from the Nature Conservancy about two or three acres in order to straighten out the Juniper Canyon Road. County Counsel Bill Hanlon reported to the court that he has reviewed one party's attorney’s written explanation o f legal issues involved in the land sale and "Ione- Boardman Road" relationship. He * and County Planning Director Tamra Mabbott both voiced some concerns and observations and agreed with Judge Tallman that a meeting for them with the governor's representative would be helpful. Tallman will try to set up such a meeting. Hanlon also reported further developm ents in the issue o f an Estregaard Road closure, which remains in question. Following his recommendation, the court approved a public hearing to consider the status o f the public access and will send notices to the property owners along Estregaard. M abbott reported that she is requesting an impact analysis related to the raceway plan, and is requesting assistance from the Oregon Departm ent of Transportation for the engineering. Public Health Director Laura McElligott gave budget information to the court and explained some funding changes by the state. She also introduced to the court the possibility of administering a Nurse- Family Partnership program for Baker County. The court requested further discussion on both topics. Sheriff Verlin Denton advised the court that LEDS no longer financially supports the LEDS computer-system upgrades, though it does make the necessary upgrades available. Denton reported that an upgrade will allow five terminals, which will help with training and usage, and suggested that the cost could be covered through the departm ent'sending fund balance. The court approved the upgrade. Public Works Director Burke O'Brien reported to the court: the crew finished removing asphalt on Columbia, are working on Second Street, and paving is now scheduled, to be completed in three or four weeks. They have extended a culvert, cleaned culverts and installed a culvert, finished the Morter-Bridge guardrail, patched Kunze and Frontage roads and chipped at Cutsforth Park. They bladed Clark's Canyon. Fuller Canyon, Stock Drive Road. Kenny Road, Sunflower Flats and Hinton Creek. Fifteen employees attended a training in Hermiston. O'Brien said that Cutsforth Park w ill open May 12. Park hosts will be Judy and Willard Horton. Host at Anson Wright Park will be Gary Richard. O'Brien reported that no bid came in on the courthouse clock tower paintm gjob. The final draft o f the airport layout plan has been received. A representative of the Education Service District addressed a problem with installation o f the CSEPP video-conferencing system. He explained the costs o f putting in a T -l line for the Irrigon and Boardman annexes, with a connection to the respective fire halls or o f putting in a microwave connection Director o f Emergency Services Casey Beard has explained to ESI) that FF.MA would require the county to share the costs because lines would also be used for non- em ergency county business. Fhe court will contact Beard BARENBRUG GRASS SEED STOCKMASTER Specifically formulated for cattle and sheep nowat ITie court heard a supplemental- insurance presentation by representatives from AF l .AC ITiey of fered some health-related and medical statistics, explained some features of AFLAC's plan and quoted a premium price. Other action o f the court: - approval o f three approach permits onto Bombing Range Road: - renewal o f the contract w ith Debbie W hite for grounds maintenance at the Irrigon Annex: - approval o f the contract w ith Maben Logging to remove dangerous trees at Cutsforth Park: - approval o f the contract for asphalt with Blue Mountain Asphalt: - appointment o f Marx’ Arbogasl to the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee; - approval of additional resources and corresponding appropriations in the Behavioral Health funds. Small school funding bill passes Senate A state-wide small school funding bill, which would give Heppner and lone schools additional monies, has passed the Oregon Senate, according to Bruce Anderson, Morrow County School District superintendent. Anderson said that if the bill also passes the Oregon House o f Representatives, high schools with 350 or fewer students would receive an additional $200 per student per year. Qualifying districts could also apply for an additional SI .5 m illion to provide enough funds to hire additional teaching staff. Heppner High School currently has 121 students and lone High School. 60. Anderson said that the smallest districts could receive S4.5 million per year for the next two years. He added that the Oregon Departm ent of Education is planning to conduct a study on size, costs and program needs in small high schools in order to make recommendations for permanent changes so that the schools will be able to maintain program s over a long period o f time. Anderson said that citizens are urged to contact Representatives Fed F em o li and Greg Smith to indicate their support for the bill. V>*»**UG — ~ HORSEMASTER Specifically formulated for horse pastures llo r r o w C ounty Crain G row ers non Q O 0 1 i ‘ o r\r\ a ' r co '' 71QC ^ * ------------------------
