50¢
HEPPNER
G T
azette
imes
VOL. 139
NO. 14 8 Pages
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
Morrow County gives update
on positive case of COVID-19
According to Morrow
County Emergency Man-
agement, the patient pre-
viously reported with a
positive case of COVID-19
is now out of the hospi-
tal and is recovering. The
press release stated, “Any
persons that were deemed
at risk, have been contact-
ed, following the Oregon
Health Authority (OHA)
investigative guidelines.”
On Friday, March 27
Morrow County Public
Health Department con-
firmed that one individu-
al had tested positive for
COVID-19 and was hos-
pitalized out of state. Ac-
cording to the March 27
press release, “We believe
this to a possible domestic
travel related exposure.
The individual was in Mor-
row County for a limited
amount of time.” No other
information was released
regarding which part of the
county the patient was from
Jaylene Papineau seeks
treasurer position
Jaylene Papineau is one
of four candidates seeking
the Morrow County treasur-
er position on the primary
ballot in May. She told the
Gazette that she is seeking
the position to be a benefi-
cial part of the community
and for her family.
Papineau is current-
ly serving as the Morrow
County Assessment and
Tax Clerk, where she has
worked for the past three
and a half years. In addition,
she has also been working
for Patriot Building and
Grounds Maintenance for
the past 18 months.
As the tax clerk, she
says she is well versed in
how the property tax money
is distributed to districts as
well as knowledgeable in
accounts payable, receiv-
able and payroll. She works
closely with the current
treasurer which she feels
would make the transi-
tion seamless. She said, “I
will use all my experience
and knowledge to serve
or whether they frequented
any public areas. It was
reported that all precautions
have been taken and there
are no other confirmed cas-
es in Morrow County.
Morrow County Public
Health is stressing the best
way to protect yourself and
your loved ones, is to wash
your hands frequently, stay
home, and reduce travel.
Pioneer Memorial Hos-
The tagline currently being pital in Heppner, and all
used says, “Stay Home, Morrow County Health
Save Lives.”
District (MCHD) clinics
across the county, have
instituted additional visitor
restrictions following rec-
ommendations from the Or-
egon Health Authority and
litical party is April 28 and Center for Disease Control
can be done online with a and Prevention (CDC).
valid Oregon driver’s li- Access to the hospital and
cense, ID card or learner’s clinics will be limited to one
permit. Go to oregonvotes. designated entrance.
No visitors will be
gov and click on Register to
permitted
at the hospital,
Vote to register or MyVote
except
for
minors needing
to update a registration.
adult
help
or
someone vis-
Those having questions
or concerns are asked to call
the clerk’s office at 541-
676-5601 for assistance.
The Morrow County
elections team plans to mail
ballots on time on April 29
(earlier for military/over-
seas and absentee voters).
This year ballots may be
returned via mail at no
charge. Voters are asked
to mail early as a higher
volume of mailed ballots is
expected.
The last day to register
to vote or change your po-
Group continues helping
people in need
The Morrow Coun-
ty- People Helping Peo-
ple group is keeping busy
helping residents all over
Morrow County in this
time of need. Volunteers
are busy making grocery
deliveries, cooking meals
for others and setting up
funds to purchase diapers or
other necessities. Others are
even going to the stores and
purchasing items to donate.
They recently helped a
family in Umatilla where
the dad had been laid off
by providing food and es-
sentials for their two young
children. Theresa Crawford
has been delivering gro-
ceries to high-risk individ-
uals who do not want to
leave their homes and Sandi
Richardson is providing
meals for five individuals
each week. Ann and Emma
Rietmann have set up a
weekly grocery run in Ione
and others have offered to
deliver groceries from the
Heppner Market if needed.
Cody High, one orga-
nizer of the group, said,
“The Morrow County com-
munity has really stepped
up and shown why we are
such a great place to live.
In helping the young fam-
ily in Umatilla, we had
people from all corners
of our county step up and
offer food and diapers.
Individuals went to the
store and purchased items.
One lady in Heppner made
them some homemade pas-
ta meals and drove them up
to Irrigon where all items
At the direction of
Governor Kate Brown, the
Oregon Department of Rev-
enue announced an exten-
sion for Oregon tax filing
and payment deadlines for
personal income taxes and
some other taxes closely
following the IRS extension
declaration. This move was
a result of the governor’s
priority to keep Oregonians
safe and healthy, while also
providing relief and consis-
tency for Oregon taxpayers
affected by the federal and
state COVID-19 emergen-
cy.
“The governor’s clearly
stated goal is for Oregon
families to stay home, save
lives,” said Oregon Depart-
ment of Revenue Director
Nia Ray. “After consulta-
tion with the state treasurer
and state budget officials,
the Department of Reve-
nue will extend personal
and corporate income tax
deadlines during this chal-
lenging period.”
Under the authority of
ORS 305.157, the director
of the Department of Rev-
enue has determined that
the governor’s state-de-
clared emergency due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and
the action of the IRS will
impair the ability of Oregon
taxpayers to take certain
actions within the time pre-
scribed by law. Therefore,
the director has ordered an
automatic extension of the
2019 tax year filing and
payment due dates.
For personal income
taxpayers the Oregon re-
turn filing due date for tax
Jaylene Papineau
“Morrow County is
my home, where my heart
has always been and will
forever be. I am excited
and grateful to have this
new opportunity to serve
the communities of Mor-
row County. I will listen to
your concerns, collaborate
with all other government
entities and the people of
Morrow County and serve
you with integrity and hu-
mility,” she noted.
Health District tightens visitor
restrictions
Oregon primary election still
on schedule
The Oregon prima-
ry election will be held
May 19, 2020 despite
COVID-19. National news
is reporting that primary
elections are being post-
poned but Oregon’s election
will continue as scheduled
due to Oregon being a vote
by mail state. In a vote by
mail state, voters can vote
from the comfort of their
own home.
Morrow County with the
upmost respect, dedication
and heart.” Papineau said
she is a team player who ex-
cels at working with others.
Jaylene was born in
Heppner and graduated
from Heppner High School.
She grew up in a house built
by her grandparents and is
a third generation Morrow
County resident. She lived
in Clackamas County for 10
years after getting married
and starting her family,
where she worked as the
office manager for Mo-
lalla River Academy. She
worked with many diverse
groups of people and loved
working with the children
and parents.
She has two children
and enjoys watching them
play basketball, baseball,
soccer, dance and football
as well as encouraging them
in their musical endeavors.
She enjoys hunting, fishing,
camping, riding horses and
going to church.
were being gathered.”
The Boardman Bap-
tist Church has set up a
food pantry for the Board-
man area. Bucknum’s has
been offering free pancake
breakfasts Friday-Sunday
from 8-9:30 a.m. with the
help of some very gener-
ous anonymous donations
and the Heppner Christian
Church.
“We are here to help all
citizens of Morrow county
with anything that can help
them stay healthy and safe,”
High added.
Anyone who is interest-
ed in joining the group or
helping in any way can find
additional information on
the Facebook page, Morrow
County- People Helping
People.
iting a patient in care and
comfort that is not related
to COVID 19. All patients
will be screened outside the
emergency room doors in a
designated triage area. Visi-
tors are asked to follow the
signs indicating where to
park before being screened.
All MCHD Clinic sites will
also be following the same
screening protocols.
MCHD understands
this is a particularly difficult
time for members of the
community. Just as every-
one has made changes to
their daily lives, MCHD has
made adjustments to their
clinic and hospital opera-
tions to respond the novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please know that these new
measures are in place to fur-
ther protect the health and
safety of patients, public
and caregiver teams.
MCHD would like to
remind the community to
continue to avoid close con-
tact and keep their distance
from others, wash their
hands regularly, disinfect
frequently touched surfaces
and most importantly; Stay
Home, Save Lives.
Heppner man charged with
attempted rape
B ret Wad e Hu t t o n
Thompson, 53, of Hep-
pner has been charged with
felony sex crimes after he
allegedly tried to rape a
woman who allowed him
into her home to take a
shower.
Apparently the two
were acquainted, and the
man asked to use the show-
er because he was homeless
and had showered at the
home previously.
Charges against
Thompson include attempt-
ed rape in the first degree,
attempted sodomy in the
first degree and first-degree
sexual abuse. The alleged
assault occurred Tuesday,
March 24 and the victim
filed a report with the lo-
cal hospital. The Morrow
County Sheriff’s Office is Bret Wade Hutton Thompson
investigating the case.
Child abuse suspect in custody
Cody Hendron, 28, of the abuse of the infant, who
Irrigon has been arrested suffered life threatening
and lodged at the Umatilla and/or altering injuries, de-
County Jail after the Mor- termined that Hendron was
row County Sheriff’s Office responsible for the inju-
received a report from the ries. Investigators arrested
Spokane Police Department Hendron Sunday afternoon
of a two-month old infant and charged him with two
who was being treated for counts of assault in the first
severe injuries. The crime, degree and three counts
which occurred in Morrow of criminal mistreatment
County, was reported to in the first degree. Total
MCSO on Saturday, March bail is $530,000. MCSO Cody Hendron
reported the investigation
28.
is ongoing.
The
investigation
into
year 2019 is automatically
extended from April 15,
2020 to July 15, 2020. The
Oregon tax payment dead-
line for payments due with
the 2019 tax year return is
automatically extended to
July 15, 2020.
Because of the exten-
sion of the due dates for
MORROW COUNTY GRAIN GROWERS
filing returns and mak-
350 MAIN STREET, LEXINGTON, OR 97839
CONTACT: JUSTIN BAILEY 541-256-0229, 541-989-8221 EXT
ing payments, any interest
204
and penalties with respect
to Oregon tax filings and
payments extended by this
order begin accruing on
July 16, 2020.
Taxpayers can find re-
sources such as forms and
publications, information
regarding filing as an in-
dividual or business, and
helpful tools on the Depart-
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
ment of Revenue webpage.
Oregon tax filing extended
*Offers vary by model. Rebate and financing offers valid on select 2016-2020 new and unregistered Polaris ® RZR ® ,
RANGER ® , Sportsman ® , GENERAL ® , and ACE ® models purchased between 1/1/20-2/29/20. **Rates as low as
3.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 3.99% APR rate:
$29.52 per $1,000 financed; and with a 60-month term at a 6.99% APR rate: $19.80 per $1,000 financed. An
example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 3.99% APR for 36 months at an MSRP of
$12,699 is $374.87/mo. total cost of borrowing of $796.27 with a total obligation of $13,495.27. Down payment
may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount
Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing
promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed.
Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris' sole discretion. WARNING: Polaris ®
off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16
years old with a valid driver's license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders
should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors
(as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and
alcohol/drugs don't mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional
information. Check local laws before riding on trails. © 2020 Inc.
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.