Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2015)
HEPPNER G T 50¢ azette imes VOL. 134 NO. 20 8 Pages Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Irrigon teen drowns in Columbia River Despite efforts of lo- cal law enforcement and civilians, an Irrigon teen drowned while swimming in the Columbia River Sun- day. Sunday around 3:30 p.m., Morrow County Sher- iff’s Office reports that a marine deputy was loading the department’s patrol boat at the Irrigon Marina when the deputy was notified there was a swimmer in distress in the area. The deputy checked the swim area but was unable to locate 18-year-old Dylan Jones of Irrigon. Additional MCSO dep- uties responded to assist in the search for Jones. MCSO also reported that they launched a patrol boat and, aided by sev- eral fishermen in the area, checked the area several times. Less than an hour later, after their search turned up no sign of Jones, Columbia Dive Rescue arrived on the scene and put a diver in the water at 4:16 p.m. At that point, officials say, Jones was quickly re- covered and CPR immedi- ately started. Jones was then trans- ported to Good Shepherd medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. “Morrow County Ma- rine Patrol would like to remind everyone enjoying the Columbia River during this hot weather to use ex- treme caution,” and MCSO release stated, adding that “the water temperature is still in the low 60s on the surface.” Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Free at last... It was with a sense of exhilaration that Heppner and Ione Class of 2015 graduates flipped tassles and tossed caps during their respective graduation ceremonies over the weekend. Ione Community School celebrated its graduation Friday, June 5, while Heppner High School seniors received their dipolmas the following day. -Contributed photos Heppner DMV to switch to Thursday hours in July After June 30, the Hep- pner DMV (Driver and Mo- tor Vehicles) office will be open on Thursdays rather than Tuesdays. June 30 will be the last Tuesday of operation at the Heppner office, says DMV representative David House. The office will be closed the following week and will reopen July 9 to begin the new Thursday schedule. Hours of operation will remain the same, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with closure for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. House says the change is similar to changes DMV has made in other offices with a one-day-a-week schedule, and is intended to increase convenience for customers. He says other offices that have made the change have experi- enced noticeably shorter wait times when moved to Thursday hours of opera- tion. When asked about ru- mors that the Heppner of- fice will no longer offer the drive test, House says DMV Out with the old, in with the new… had considered cutting the test from Heppner’s offer- ings but decided against it. For now, the Heppner DMV will still offer drive tests by appointment for Class C driver’s licenses. Heppner DMV is lo- cated at 54173 Hwy 74, Heppner (the old Kinzua Mill office). Phone number is 541-676-5165. Ione gets ready to sizzle this Fourth of July The Fourth of July is less than a month away, and the City of Ione is in high gear with a full schedule of events for the weekend. First, the fireworks be- gin with the 2015 Red, White and Blues Texas Hold’em Poker and Crib- bage tournament on Sat- urday, June 20, at the Ione Legion Hall. The event begins with a barbecue chicken meal by donation at 5 p.m., drinks available from Route 74. Tournament sign-up begin at 6 p.m. with play at 6:30. Poker buy-ins are $40, with a $20 cribbage buy-in. No late buy-ins al- lowed. Cash prizes will be awarded. For more poker infor- mation, contact Arlynda Gates at 541-422-7534 or American Legion members proudly bear the colors during 2014 Fourth of July parade. Ione is gearing up for an- gatesarlynda@hotmail. the other celebration next month. -File photo by Megan Futter com. For more on the crib- Celebrate Heppner Event Schedule June 12, 2015 9am–4pm: Merchant Sidewalk Sale – make sure to check inside for special sales. Murray’s: 9am-4pm Artisan Village: 9am-3pm Peterson’s Jewelers: 9am-4pm 10am–2pm: Farmer’s Market – Heppner City Park 11am-3pm: Mini Carnival for kids and a prize wheel for adults – Community Bank 11:30am–1pm: Community barbecue sponsored by Bank of Eastern Oregon – area between Heppner Branch and Administrative Offices Vendors: Community Flea Market/Craft Fair/Fundraisers: 8:30am–2pm: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will be having a baked goods fundraiser in front of Hair I Am. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. bage tournament, call Betty Gray at 541-422-7335. Next, kick off the Fourth of July celebration on July 3 at Willow Creek Country Club in Heppner with the annual golf tour- nament. Play begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $50 per player, which includes lunch, bev- erages, snacks while play- ing, and prizes. Sign up by contact- ing Russ Seewald at Bank of Eastern Oregon Ione Branch, 541-422-7466, or Craig Holland at 509-330- 0297. Players may sign up individually or as a team. All of the proceeds go to scholarships for seniors at Ione Community School. Watch the Gazette for more information on Ione Fourth of July celebration. Morrow County’s Lexington Airport has been the successful recipient of Dept. of Transportation ConnectOregon V funds. ConnectOregon was created in 2005 by the Oregon Legislature to invest the proceeds of lottery-backed bonds in grants and loans to non-highway transportation projects that promote economic development in Oregon. With this fifth infusion, ConnectOregon V, the legislature has provided a total of $382 million in ConnectOregon funding that has paid to construct dozens of projects across the state. Lexington Airport has received the funds to help purchase and install a new 35-foot tipdown pole and beacon light. –Contributed photo Boardman adopts 2015-2016 city, URA budgets During their June 2 meetings, the Boardman City Council adopted the 2015-2016 city budget of $16,330,515 and the Urban City property taxes will Renewal Agency adopted be levied at a rate of $4.2114 its 2015-2016 budget of -See BOARDMAN BUD- $2,732,100. GETS/PAGE EIGHT SUMMER IS HERE SALE! ALL ANNUALS, 30 % BEDDING PLANTS AND GARDEN SEEDS OFF Morrow County Grain Growers Green Feed & Seed 242 W. Linden Way, Heppner • 676-9422 • 989-8221 (MCGG main office)