Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 2014)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 29, 2014 VETS HONORED -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE but, “Don’t worry,’ they said,” A1 Riney also was low er on the list, but due to cancellation and schedul ing conflicts, both veterans found themselves in the final list of 25 Eastern Or egon vets for the September flight. Krebs, Riney and Reid and their “guardians” be gan their journey on Sept. 17 when they arrived in Portland and were greeted with a welcome party at the Shiloh Inn that night. The group of 50 veterans plus guardians—25 veterans from Western Oregon and 25 from Eastern Oregon— left early the next morning on their flight to D.C. The veterans knew they would be visiting the World War II memorial and other monuments in D.C. What they were not prepared for was the adulation that greet ed them at every turn, from the party in Portland and down every concourse and runway during the trip. The veterans seemed stunned and were very emotional at the greeting they received in Denver, Chicago, Wash ington D.C., and upon their return to Portland. This very “private” generation was in awe when airport terminals, tourists and employees took the time to thank them for their service and shake their hands. “On the concourse in the restaurants, in the ho tels, in the monuments, people com ing up and thanking them for their service,” said Linda Riney. “People would be lining the concourse, clapping, salut ing them, thanking them for their service. You couldn't get off that plane without shedding tears.” For many of the vet erans, it was the first time in 70 years they had heard “Thank you for helping to keep America free.” Their first full day in D.C., veterans were treated to a reception at the Capi tol, where Oregon State senators and representatives greeted them and spoke of their military service with appreciation and gratitude. After their time at the Capi tol, veterans were taken to the World War 11 memo rial for a flag presentation ceremony. The trip also included visits to monu ments like the Lincoln Me morial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where veterans were able to watch the changing of the guard, and some even participated in the laying of wreaths. “Every effort is made for their comfort, care, and accessibility to all the sights in Washington,” said Robin Krebs. “Every effort is made to make travel pos sible no matter the physical limitations of the veteran.” “It’s a wonderful thing for veterans. I so admire some of these guys; we had people in their 90s who were in wheelchairs,” add ed Linda Riney, who said the group had two buses, each with an attending doc tor and several volunteers. “(We had) 30 wheelchairs on the buses and they’re all lined up waiting when the veterans get off. They did everything you could imagine to make things as easy as possible for these Outdoor club roughs it at Penland Lake Al and Linda Kiney at the flag presentation at the World War 11 Memorial in D.C. -Contributedphoto people.” “The fellow that led it.. .he’s wonderful,” Linda said. “He has the connec tions with the airlines, the hotels, he’s on the phone all the time making sure things get done. He even makes sure that, if possible, they don’t have to switch planes.” After two full days in D.C., the veterans returned home on Sunday to more fanfare. When the plane touched down in Portland, they said, fire trucks were lined up on the runway in honor; local and state police lined the way from the plane to the concourse, saluting the veterans. Vet erans were then asked to return to their hotel before returning home, where they received more gifts, includ ing individualized hand made quilts. “It was a fabulous trip for them. For all the veter ans. There was nothing they didn’t do for them,” said Linda Riney. “It was just overwhelming, how they honored them. I don’t know anything (else) where they would do so much to honor these people.” A ccording to HFN, time is of the essence for our World War II veterans. Most of the veterans on the tour were between 88 and 95 years old, with the average age of World War II veterans being in their late 80s; we have already lost 90 percent of World War II veterans, and close to a thousand die each day. “Their stories and dedi cation to their country touch the heart. Hie Honor Flight has made it possible for them to feel the gratitude of our nation,” said Robin Krebs. “I cannot describe it. It was so emotional. I have never been honored like that,” Henry Krebs said. “It was just unreal. Those Honor Flight people did a terrific job of doing the whole trip and seeing that we were honored and taken care of. It brings tears to my eyes even now to talk about it.” Visit http://honorfiigh- tofeasternoregon.org/ for more information on the program, or visit them on Facebook at “Bend Heroes Foundation, Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon & Port land.” HEALTH DISTRICT -Continuedfrom PAGE ONE Grigg said that esti mates are based on the projection that 30 percent of the lone population will use the clinic one and a half times a year. MCHD’s costs, in ad dition to taxes, insurance, equipment, medical sup plies and normal start-up and operating costs, include an office assistant at $ 18 per hour for 17 hours per week; a nurse practitioner at $45 per hour for 12 hours per week; and a $600 per month building lease. Grigg said that the fa cility will be required to be open at least three days a week and a mid-level prac titioner will be on site at least 10 hours a week. Betty Hickerson, direc tor of the Pioneer Memo rial Hospital laboratory and imaging and radiology departments, presented an overview of those depart ments. She and Molly Rhea, MCHD’s director of nurs ing, also provided an update on the facility’s infection prevention plan, with an emphasis on their Ebola preparedness plan. A table-top exercise was planned for Oct. 28 to consolidate the hospital’s response in the event that such an infection presents itself at PMH. Grigg said that “The Centers for Dis ease Control and Preven tion (CDC) strengthened its guidelines regarding hospital workers treating Eboloa patients.” He said, “The guide lines now include recom mendations on appropriate ‘Personal Protective Equip ment,’ as well as specific instructions on the ‘donning and doffing’—or putting on and taking off—of the gar ments used to shield staff working direction contact with Ebola or suspected Ebola patients.” He said the exercise will “ensure that the plan is well under stood and functional for our staff.” While the presentation of an Ebola patient at PMH is unlikely, Rhea said that the exercise will hone the hospital’s response to fight ing infectious disease. The board also ap proved a contract extension for Physician’s Assistant Sheridan Tamasky, effec tive Aug. 1 of this year for a period ending Oct. 31 and an additional extension un til Jan. 15,2015. Grigg said that Tamasky has indicated that she would like to move to a part-time position. Also at the meeting, the board: -approved reappoint ment to the staff for Dr. Jacob Cambier, M.D. a radiologist who has worked with the district for many years. -voted to move the Nov. 24 meeting in Hep pner to Dec. 1 and the Dec. 29 meeting in Irrigon to Jan. 5 to better accommodate the holidays. -received notice of the board strategic planning follow up meeting set for this Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8-10 a m. at Heppner City Hall. -held an executive ses sion concerning the risk management/quality report and the county annex build ing adjacent to Pioneer Me morial Clinic, which will be vacated by the county Chamber Chatter Friday, Oct. 31 - Hep pner Haunt - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - at downtown businesses: Get your costume and trick- or-treat at the local busi nesses. Some businesses will have judging of the best costume. Businesses, contact Heppner City Hall if you would like to par ticipate and get a poster for your business. Sunday, Nov. 2 - Day light Savings Time Ends - Change clocks back an hour: Remember to turn back your clock an hour before going to bed and take advantage of an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget - SEVEN following the completion of the new county building. -learned that the district lost $53,923 in September, with $653,285 in gross pa tient revenue, less $12,765 in bad debts and $86,810 in contractual and other adjustments for $553,710 in net patient revenue, plus $122,740 in tax revenue and $16,996 in other oper ating revenue for $693,446 in total operating revenue. Operating expenses came to $753,293, plus $5,924 in a non-operating gain for the $53,923 loss. -heard from Grigg that the cardiac monitoring system approved by the board in September is in the process of being imple mented. He said training was scheduled for Tuesday of this week with go live on Wednesday. -learned from a True North and patient satisfac tion survey that 83.5 per cent of people for the first quarter of the year would recommend the health dis trict; 77.9 percent would recommend the district in the second quarter; and 83.3 would recommend the district in the third quarter. The district’s goal is for 84 percent. -learned from Grigg that the district has been involved in a partnership that makes information on patients’ emergency depart ment visits available to care providers from anywhere in the state. -learned that PMH re cently received a trophy and $2,500 from a national collaborative to reduce pa tient harm. -heard from Grigg that the district anticipates re ceiving $24,000 from East ern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization as an incentive for meeting im provement goals for Med icaid members. -learned that the dis trict will implement an online policy management system over the next sev eral months with 1,000 policies, currently stored in each manager’s department, soon available to allow staff instant access. -received the following report: Pioneer Memorial Clinic had 382 patient vis its with 18 new patients, 43 seen by a nurse and 12 no-shows; Irrigon Medical Clinic had 265 patient visits with 38 new patients, 51 seen by a nurse and 16 no- shows; Pioneer Memorial Hospital had five admis sions in September, three swing bed admissions, nine admitted for observation, one admitted for hospital respite, 437 total outpa tients, 68 emergency room encounters, 1,436 lab tests, 89 x-ray procedures, 28 CT scans, 19 EKG tests, two colonoscopy procedures, one endoscopy procedure, two colon/endoscopy pro cedures, 12 respiratory therapy procedures; Home Health had 138 patient vis its; Hospice had one admis sion; Heppner Ambulance had 24 page-outs with 19 transports for $23,179 in revenue; Boardman Ambu lance had 44 page-outs with 22 transports for $33,258 in revenue; Irrigon Ambu lance had 30 page-outs with 16 transports for $22,090 in revenue; there were five flights out. to “fall back.” Saturday, Nov. 22 & Nov. 23 - Lexington Grange Craft Sale - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Lexington Grange will be sponsoring this craft sale; the entry fee will be $2 or canned food items. If you are interested in being a vendor, please email Iex.grange726@gmail.com to be sent an application form (deadline is Nov. 1). Monday, Nov. 24 - Thursday, Dec. 18 - Col lection of “Rewards Cards” for shopping local: Start collecting your “rewards cards" as part of our Cel ebrate Christmas event on December 18. Make sure you put your name on them and bring them to the event for a Len Havermeier, Daichi Walters, Bryan Fowler, Justus Schoen- born, kai Arbogast. Tim Jaca and Cade Arbogast, all members of the Heppner High School Outdoor Club, participated in a camping trip to Penland Lake recently. Amidst the rain show ers, students cooked over the campfire, climbed trees, made pine-pitch torches, fished and boated on the lake thanks to John and Ann M urray’s loan of their canoe and boat. Planned trips include ice skating, skiing and snow boarding with an overnight ski trip to Anthony Lakes Ski Area. -Contributedphoto Record number of stu dents, schools gaining Academic Momentum LA GRANDE, Ore - Michelle Jensen devel Preparing younger students oped the unique curriculum for higher education is be being used now, but it was coming more of a focus originally modeled after a for elementary schools in program implemented in 20 area districts, including Minnesota schools. It in Morrow County, thanks to cludes eight to 12 weeks of a program called Academic post-secondary and career Momentum. related study. New data shows an Fifth-graders also visit estimated 3,550 students Eastern Oregon University and 150 educators from 42 or another four-year college schools are participating in their area to get a sense of this year from Gilliam to what it is like to be a student Wallowa counties. there. In the seventh-grade, “ We’re in practically they visit Blue Mountain every school district in and Treasure Valley com eastern Oregon,” said Dan munity colleges. All three Mielke, executive direc institutions—along with tor o f Eastern Promise, the InterM ountain and the parent organization for Malheur education service Academic Momentum. districts—are partners in Schools in Grant, Har Eastern Promise. ney, Malheur, Morrow, As the curriculum pro Umatilla and Union coun gresses through sixth, sev ties are also participating. enth and eighth grades, Tailored for grades five students and parents be through eight, the program come more acquainted with begins by asking students, navigating the college ap parents and their schools to plication process, acquir sign a “compact” asserting ing financial aid and other students will work toward aspects of higher education. developing academic habits Other programs avail to prepare them for post able through Eastern Prom secondary education or ise create a continuum for training. students once they enter This is the first step in high school, enabling them shaping a 10-year strategy to begin earning college known as the Academic credits. Momentum Personal De “It’s about creating ear velopment Plan that helps ly awareness of the oppor clarify students’ projected tunities students will have educational and career fu later in life and helping ture. them be better prepared to The Pendleton School make decisions about their District piloted the pro future,” Mielke said. gram during the 2012-13 Another way Academic school year. Last year, 17 Momentum sets up students additional districts signed for success is by breaking on with 1,809 students and down potential barriers 63 educators at 32 different to education for under schools. represented populations, Additional outreach including those at risk due began in earnest last spring to poverty. when Vickie Read, Aca As program coordina demic Momentum program tor, Read sees many partici coordinator, visited or con pating school districts with tacted all of the schools in 50-percent or more of their the region to let them know students taking advantage about the various train of free or reduced lunch ing opportunities available programs. through Eastern Promise. “A child from poverty “We’re growing more has an even tougher path to quickly than expected, as college and post-secondary schools are communicat preparation for many rea ing with each other and sons,” Read said. “Our spreading the excitement,” teachers need to be alert Read said. and prepared to help them The flexible syllabus is overcome those additional one reason schools are so obstacles.” enthusiastic about getting For more information, involved. including how schools can “We hand them a cur get involved with Academic riculum they can implement Momentum, visit www. in a way that works best for eastern-promise.org/pro- them and their students,” grams/academic-momen- Mielke explained. tum or call 541-962-3941. chance to win some great prizes that have been do nated. Thursday, Dec. 4 - Lo cal Merchants Customer Appreciation Day with ex tended evening hours for early Christmas Shopping and participate in our com munity activities to kick off the upcoming Christmas Season: Check out the activi ties being coordinated by local merchants including Christmas tree decorations placed on the city tree by Heppner Day Care and HES Students; bring you camera and take a picture with Santa. More information soon. Put the day on your calen dar and plan on joining us.
