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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2018)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 28 2018 -SIX February weather report According to pre- liminary data received by NOAA’s National Weath- er Service in Pendleton Oregon, temperatures at Heppner averaged slightly colder than normal during the month of February. The average temperature was 37.1 degrees which was 0.7 degrees below nor- mal. High temperatures averaged 46.6 degrees, which was 0.8 degrees be- low normal. The highest was 64 degrees on the 9th. Low temperatures averaged 27.5 degrees, which was 0.7 degrees below normal. The lowest was 7 degrees, on the 19th. There were 17 days with the low temperature below 32 degrees. There were 2 days when the high temperature stayed below 32 degrees. Precipitation totaled 0.74 inches during Febru- ary, which was 0.38 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation -at least .01 inch- was received on 11 days with the heaviest, 0.15 inches reported on the 19th. Precipitation this year has reached 2.05 inches, which is 0.54 inches below normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Heppner has been 5.81 inches, which is 0.84 inches below normal. Snowfall totaled 5.5 inches with at least 1 inch of snow reported on 4 days. The heaviest snowfall was 2.0 inches reported on the 21st. The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 2 inches on the 21th. The highest wind gust was 63 mph which occurred on the 17th. The outlook for March from NOAA’s Climate Pre- diction Center calls for below normal temperatures and above normal precipita- tion. Normal highs for Hep- pner rise from 51.0 degrees at the start of March to 58.0 degrees at the end of March. Normal lows rise from 30.0 degrees to 36.0 degrees. The 30 year normal precipi- tation is 1.52 inches. The National Weather Service is an office of the National Oceanic and At- mospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Com- merce Department. Sheriff’s Report January 28: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report on I 84 E, Pendleton that there is a white SUV with hazards on. Re- ferred to OSP. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that every night he sees a white Cadillac with black vinyl top that comes down Utah towards Division and blows the stop sign at Seventh the following morning. -MCSO received a report at Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store that RP is con- cerned about two persons. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that there are three Pugs in his yard from a residence off Seventh. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that his house just got egged. -MCSO received a report on I 84 W, Boardman that a dark colored sedan, WA plate is blocking people from pass- ing and varying speeds of 50- 87. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- quest on Hwy 74, Ione to check on her 14 year old daughter. Father is refusing to let the daughter have contact with her mother. Mother is custodial parent. Concerned because she hasn’t been al- lowed to talk to her daughter in over a week. -MCSO received a re- port at Mustang Diner on NE Chase St, Heppner that 3-4 kids are running on the roof of the old bowling alley. -MCSO received a report on I 84 E, Boardman that there is something in the middle of the right lane, possibly a deer. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a report on NE Court St, Heppner that a young boy came into the house and pointed a gun at subject that lives at the house. -MCSO received a report on I 84 E, Boardman that his daughter was abducted from alongside the freeway and he is following the vehicle. RP did not think she had gone willingly. Daughter called to report her father following her on the freeway. She advised she is with her boyfriend and was with him willingly. -MCSO received a report at Boardman Chevron on Main St N, Boardman that a side by side has rolled over and hit her head. Heading to Chevron in Boardman to meet the ambu- lance. Transported to GSH. did not see vehicle pass. -MCSO received a report at McNab Ln/Zinter Rd, Ione that a red flatbed pickup is parked on the east shoulder partially in the lane. Advised vehicle is hard to see due to the fog. -MCSO received a report on I 84 W, Boardman that a semi he is behind is all over the road. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a report on Kunze Ln, Boardman that there is a suspicious vehicle driving down various drive- ways in the area and would like it checked out. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a report at Alpine Ln/Bombing Range Rd, Lexington that there is a standard poodle and yellow lab. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that there is an all-white pit bull that gets out numerous times. RP advised the dog tries to jump inside his Jeep that doesn’t have doors. -MCSO received a report at Wilson Ln/Bombing Range Rd, Boardman that a truck and trailer are stopped in the lane and they walked away, blocking the eastbound lane of travel on Wilson. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a report at Depot Ln/Division Rd, Ir- rigon that a little red car was swerving all over the road. -MCSO received a report that Nicholas Garza was ar- rested by UCSO on MCSO warrant. Lodged at UCJ. -MCSO received a re- port at US Post Office on NE Main Ave, Irrigon that there is a woman with red hair and purple jacket and male in camo sweatshirt sitting outside. They have had problems with them taking mail from garbage bins. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a report on W Idaho Ave, Irrigon that a dog is coming onto their property. -MCSO received a report on SW Nevada Ave, Irrigon that there is a dog at large. Warned for dog at large. -MCSO received a report on N First St, Irrigon that mom passed out. 47 year old female, unknown breathing. Transported to GSH. -MCSO received a report at N First St/NE Washington Ave, Irrigon that 4-5 shots were heard. White van leaving the area. Unable to locate. January 29: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report on I 84 W, Boardman that white food ser- vice van was swerving, going about 50 mph. OSP advised vehicle stopped at Space Age. Deputy set up in Boardman, January 30: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report on I 84 E, Boardman that a semi was heading west in the eastbound lane. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that every night he sees a white Cadillac with black vinyl top coming down Utah towards Division and blows the stop sign at Seventh the following morning. Deputy left business card on vehicle. -MCSO received a report on Piper Canyon Rd, Heppner regarding phone scams he and his wife just received. -MCSO received a report on Locust Rd, Irrigon that his dog has been sick lately and he found raw hamburger in his yard last night. Concerned the neighbor might be poison- ing him. -MCSO received a report at Ridge Crest Ln/Parkside Rd, Boardman that an Eddie Bauer black bike with red let- tering is in the ditch, believes it could be stolen. Unable to locate. CCS BUILDING LEASE -Continued from PAGE ONE site and needed an agree- ment with the new owners hired to study the county’s to keep it there, and be able inadequate office and build- to crush additional rock if ing space in Boardman and Irrigon and come up with needed for road repairs. Under the five-year solutions to those needs. deal the county will extract Goal Seven caused concern rock from the site and pay and quite a bit of discussion Arcus 25 cents per solid among the commission yard of rock taken. The and members of the public county will pay an addi- when it addressed the lo- tional $200 per year to cation of the county seat. Goal Seven said: “Pro- store rock on the site. Pay- vide Morrow County with ments under the contract a plan to build a new fully can be made either in cash, functional and aestheti- in kind (crushed material) cally appealing facility or a combination of both. that will allow for a north At a previous meeting county presence to serve on February 7 the commis- its public majority who sion approved submitting reside in Boardman and an application to upgrade Irrigon, while retaining electrical hookups at the county’s Off Highway Ve- its seat in Heppner.” “I hicle (OHV) park. If re- would recommend taking ceived, the grant from the out any reference to moving Oregon Parks and Recre- the county seat,” Heppner ation Department would resident Kim Cutsforth pay for a line extension told the commissioners. to certain campsites by “That raises all kinds of Columbia Basin Electric red flags. Improving ser- ($38,641), installing 400 vice in the north end yes, amp service to 25 camp- but not moving services.” sites in sections D and E by Commissioner Don Russell Wight’s Electric ($46,162) responded. “I am not inter- and if needed drilling and ested in moving the county blasting a trench by 4R seat or moving services out equipment LLC ($11,500). of Heppner. However, as The county’s $20,000 the county grows we need match for the state grant to look at the future.” He will be through in-kind also reminded everyone labor and equipment usage. that “seventy six percent In other business Human of county population now Resources Director Karen lives in Boardman. It’s Wolff asked the commis- important we have county sion for directions on what services available to all to do with a manufactured county residents.” Commis- home in Irrigon the county sioner Jim Doherty pointed received through foreclo- out that the Port of Morrow sure. Wolff was told to con- will continue to grow but tact any agency including “we are not thinking of the city of Irrigon, that may moving any services from have a use for the property, Heppner to the north end. Former Commissioner located at 285 SE Fourth St, Leann Rea suggested that and if no interest then send the county build a couple the property to auction. of extra offices in the north In other action the end including a satellite commission decided to office for the administrator change a statement in the recently completed goals and others to use. Heppner laying out the building of Mayor Cody High said new facilities in the north his issue was in building end of the county. The goals another big administration were compiled by Crow building in the north end, Engineering, which was “when we already have one here (in Heppner).” Com- missioner Melissa Lindsay said she is concerned that the original plan to improve offices in the north end has grown bigger. “I understand we were replacing exist- ing buildings and existing services, not growing,” she said. “I get nervous when I sit in on some of the Crow meetings. Our administra- tion working half time here (and half time in the north end) concerns me.” She said the cost for the project “is getting big.” Russell pointed out that his prefer- ence from the beginning was to buy the empty Blue Mountain Community Col- lege building in Boardman and convert it to county of- fices, thus saving costs, “but that (opportunity to buy) apparently is gone,” he said. Lindsay questioned the size and cost of the plans. “This (building plans) went from a reasonable, amount to a huge amount and that concerns me,” she told the other commissioners and the public. Heppner resident John Murray said he understands the growth of the county, but also the fear with the public of mov- ing he county seat, and wanted to know “why is that even in the conversa- tion. I think you should alleviate those fears now,” he urged the commission- ers. Cutsforth agreed and said talking about it at all triggers emotional feelings with the public. Doherty agreed. “We should change the Crow statement,” add- ing “We are not going to move the county seat.” “I understand the sensitivity of the question of moving the county seat,” Russell told the public. “I am not in favor of moving the county seat.” The commissioners all agreed and voted unani- mously to strike out the last sentence of Crow Engineer- ing’s goal seven with any reference to the location of the county seat. Street games featured at St. Pats Celebration Everyone is invited to enjoy a few “Street Relay games” while you wait for the Great Green Parade to begin, says Heppner Cham- ber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryll Bates. There will be two “Relay games” on Main Street while we wait for the parade to begin. “Whether you are a participant or au- dience, you are guaranteed to enjoy yourself,” she says. Brought “back from the past” this year is the “Bed Race Team Relay” Competition: This event will start at 11 a.m. Teams consist of four participants, three pushing and one rid- ing.Teams will start at the Shamrock and race to the end crosswalk in front of Les Schwab and the event will be timed. Beds will be furnished. All teams must report to the shamrock by 11:00 a.m. to get assigned schedule. All team mem- bers have to cross the finish line for the time to stop. It is strongly sug- gested that the participants wear a helmet, knee pads, shoulder pads or any other protective gear. The rider has to remain on the bed at all times in a laying down position. All teams must conduct themselves appropriately and no abusive language or gestures will be tolerated. All teams are encouraged to dress up and the teams dressed up will be judged with first and second placed receiving prizes. Winners will be announced during the parade at 1 p.m. and first and second place will be awarded prizes, and partici- pation prizes for all teams. You will need to fill out an entry form (and all participants must sign a waiver) and turn it into the Chamber office no later than March 9. There is no cost to participate. Forms can be picked up at the Cham- ber or city hall. Contact the Chamber at 541-676-5536 or heppnerchamber@cen- turytel.net. For the second year, the O’Planky Team Relay Race Competition returns to offer a challenge: This event will start at 11:30 a.m. and go the other direction of the Bed Races. Teams consist of four par- ticipants. Teams will start at the Shamrock and race to the end of May Street, turn around and return back to the shamrock to complete the race. All teams must report to the shamrock by 2017 O’Plankey Races 11:30 a.m. to get assigned relay schedule. The team must end up with the same number of team members that they started with. It is strongly suggested that the participants where a helmet, knee pads, shoulder pads or any other protective gear. It is permissible for all players to step off of the “plank” to turn around and return to the Shamrock. Winners will be an- nounced during the parade at 1 p.m. and will have their team name on the trophy. You will need to fill out an entry form (and all participants must sign a waiver) and turn it into the Chamber office no later than March 9. There is no cost to participate. Forms can be picked up at the Chamber or city hall. Contact the Chamber at 541-676-5536 or heppnerchamber@cen- turytel.net. The “Welly Toss” continues to be a popu- lar event which is held on Saturday on Willow Street between Murray’s and Quilter’s Roundup: There are competition lev- els for all ages, so stop by and try your luck at tossing a “Wellington Boot”. There is no cost to participate (in the past there was a team charge). Team competi- tion will be held from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children and individual competition will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, two highest finish- ers in the Individual Men and Women’s category and children will receive a gold coin for participating. Pick up a team registration form at the Chamber Office or city hall. “So come out, check out the schedule and plan on “becoming a little more Irish”, the Heppner way as we celebrate our 36th Wee Bit O’ Ireland Celebration,” said Bates.
