TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 2, 2020
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
U.S.P.S. 240-420
Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper
SEARCH OLD COPIES OF THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES ON-LINE:
http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/
Published weekly by Sykes Publishing and entered as periodical matter at the Post
Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid
at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 188 W. Willow Street. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax
(541) 676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or david@rapidserve.net. Web site:
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P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: $31 in Morrow County; $25
senior rate (in Morrow County only; 65 years or older); $37 elsewhere; $31 student
subscriptions.
David Sykes ..............................................................................................Publisher
Bobbi Gordon................................................................................................ Editor
Giselle Moses.........................................................................................Advertising
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NEW BOARD
MEMBER
-Continued from PAGE ONE
Silver Creek Construc-
tion for replacement of the
Pioneer Memorial Clinic
retaining wall for $22,000.
The budgeted amount was
$16,732.
-received a report from
Houck, who was out of
town for a family emer-
gency, that two RNs, Doris
Harper and Brandy Bom-
mersback, and CNA Sage
Ferguson will join the staff
as per diem nurses for Pi-
oneer Memorial Hospital.
Houck reported that RN
Sacha Pogue has resigned
to relocate to New Mexico
with her family.
-learned from Houck
that per new regulations, a
Personal Protective Equip-
ment Safety Committee has
been created at the hospital
to “ensure PPE transparen-
cy.” Houck reported that
he total number of PPE, as
well as the burn rate, must
be sent to all staff once a
week. “If there is ever an
issue with PPE, the PPE
safety committee will help
with resolution,” she said.
Houck reported the district
“currently has more than a
30-day supply of all PPE
required to treat COVID-19
patients.” “We will contin-
ue to monitor our supply
closely,” she said.
-received the following
profit and loss statement for
July: $1,389,722 in gross
patient revenue, $6,927 in
total revenue deductions,
$185,460 in tax revenue,
$7,958 in other operating
revenue for $1,576,212 in
total operating revenue:
$1,356,528 in total operat-
ing expenses, and $52,122
in a non-operating gain for
a $271,806 gain.
-received the following
reports: Pioneer Memorial
Hospital had seven acute
admissions for July, one
swing bed (skilled) admis-
sion, 14 admissions for
observation, one hospital
respite admission, 892 total
outpatient admissions with
ER, 84 emergency room
encounters, 2,127 lab tests,
109 x-ray/ultrasound tests,
55 CT scans, one MRI scan
49 EKG tests, three lower
endoscopy procedures, 17
respiratory therapy proce-
dures; Home Health had
166 patient visits; Hospice
had two admissions and two
deaths; pharmacy had 3,041
drug doses for $115,087 in
revenue; Pioneer Memorial
Clinic had 382 patient visits
with eight new patients,
30 seen by a nurse and 13
no shows; Irrigon Medical
Clinic had 530 patient visits
with 29 new patients, 376
seen by a nurse and 53 no
shows; Ione Community
Clinic had 46 patient visits,
12 seen by a nurse and zero
no-shows; Heppner Ambu-
lance had 40 page-outs with
30 transports for $47,267 in
revenue; Boardman Ambu-
lance had 52 page outs with
26 transports for $51,483
in revenue; Irrigon Ambu-
lance had 36 page-outs with
16 transports for $26,487 in
revenue; Ione Ambulance
had two page outs, but no
transports; there were 13
life flights.
-held an executive ses-
sion to discuss the employ-
ment of public officers,
employees and agents.
The next meeting will
be held September 28 at the
Port of Morrow Sand Hol-
low Room, Boardman, with
other options of meeting
places being Irrigon City
Hall or the Pioneer Memo-
rial Clinic conference room.
Death Notices
Tricia “T.J.” Jeannine
(Hunt) Robinson – Tricia
“T.J.” Jeannine (Hunt) Rob-
inson was born on January
9, 1952 in The Dalles, OR.
She died on August 29,
2020 at her home in Pend-
leton at the age of 68 years.
A private family burial
will be at the Lexington
Cemetery in Lexington.
Please share memories
Obituaries
Guest Editorial
Encouraging employees
to return to work
Constance G.
“Connie”
(Papineau) Jones
Constance G. “Connie” ington, OR; brothers, Curtis
(Papineau) Jones was born Papineau, Lexington, OR
on August 14, 1952 in
and Calvin Papin-
Heppner to parents,
eau, Pasco, WA;
Ray and Gloria (Or-
sisters, Candace
wick) Papineau. She
Gates, Lexing-
died on August 28,
ton, OR, Carmen
2020 at her home in
Wilson, Lexing-
Lexington at the age
ton, OR, Crystal
of 68 years. Connie Connie Jones Dale, Hamilton,
was raised and lived
MT and Cammie
her entire life in Lexington. Jones, Hamilton, MT; 12
She was united in mar- grandchildren; four great
riage to Kenneth “Kenny” grandchildren; numerous
Jones on September 5, 1992 aunts, uncles, nieces, neph-
in Lexington. Connie was ews and cousins.
a member of the Heppner
Connie was preceded in
Elks Lodge. In her younger death by her first husband,
years she was a jockey at Louie “Tic” Eng and sons,
the race track. She enjoyed Louie Eng Jr and Shad D.
golfing, traveling, playing Eng.
cards, hunting, camping
A graveside funeral
and most of all cherished service will be held on
time spent with her family. Friday, September 4, 2020
Connie enjoyed watching at 11 a.m. at the Lexington
her sons and daughters-in- Cemetery, following state
law rodeo and grandchil- guidelines.
dren junior rodeo as well as
The family asks those
watch their sporting events. who wish to please make
She is survived by her contributions in Connie’s
husband, Kenny Jones, memory to Pioneer Me-
Lexington, OR; children, morial Hospice, c/o Burns
Shawn (Chandra) Eng, Mortuary of Hermiston,
Stanfield, OR, Shane (Re- P.O. Box 289, Hermiston,
becca) Eng, Benton City, OR 97838.
WA, Bruce (Barbara) Eng,
Please share memories
Pennsylvania, Michael of Connie with her family
C. Jones, Pasco, WA and at burnsmortuaryhermis-
Christopher Jones, Red- ton.com. Burns Mortuary
mond, OR; parents, Ray of Hermiston is in care of
and Gloria Papineau, Lex- arrangements.
2020 Chronicles
released
Doris Brosnan (left), Morrow County Chronicles Editor, and
Kay Proctor, Historical Society President, discuss the 2020
Chronicles while keeping a safe COVID distance apart. -Photo
by David Sykes.
By Kay Proctor
The Morrow County
Historical Society has re-
cently released the 37 th edi-
tion of the Morrow County
Chronicles and editor Doris
Brosnan shares, “It is a
good one.”
With COVID affecting
everyone’s daily lives, Ione
resident, Bill Monagle,
contributed an article about
how Morrow County fared
during the 1918/19 Spanish
Flu Pandemic. An article to
go with the cover photo of
Lott’s Electric recently un-
covered storefront explains
how the 1884 building sur-
vived Heppner’s infamous
flood in 1903.
There are 11 articles al-
together, many with photos,
ranging from local people
or places from the 19 th to
the 21 st century. This year’s
of Jeannine with her family
at burnsmortuaryhermiston.
com. Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston is in care of
arrangements.
edition is dedicated to the
late Anna Schwarzin, past
Historical Society member.
The Chronicles are
available for purchase at
Murray Drugs, Heppner,
and the Bank of Eastern
Oregon’s Morrow County
branches (Heppner, Ione,
Boardman and Irrigon) for
the cost of $7.
The 2020 edition is
also listed on eBay for
$9.90, which includes
shipping costs. Search for
“Booklet Morrow County
Oregon History.” Future
plans include selling pre-
vious year’s editions of the
Chronicles online.
By Greg Smith
One of the biggest challenges many
employers are facing is getting their
workforce back on the job during the
continuing COVID environment. There
are many obstacles including the fact
those collecting unemployment benefits
received an additional $600 per week, Greg Smith
which in many cases amounted to more
than their salaries. This benefit expired on July 31 and
workers are beginning to return to their jobs. There are dis-
cussions about a lesser weekly benefit being introduced,
but so far that has not been implemented.
A major issue is the fact schools in Oregon may not
be open for much of the school year and parents have
found themselves as teachers.
Others are sincerely frightened about the prospect
of returning to work, questioning the safety precautions
employers may or may not have put in place. This is
especially true in cases where social distancing may be
difficult in such workplaces as manufacturing or food
processing plants.
Some people may have children or elderly relatives
living with them with severely compromised health due
to underlying conditions.
All of these are legitimate issues and concerns. So,
what can employers do as they endeavor to resume op-
erations?
-Some parents are finding individuals willing to
supervise online learning while parents work, helping to
ensure their children are on task and that a regular school
schedule is established and maintained.
-Employers should provide detailed information
about all the precautions being implemented, including
exactly what the employee’s responsibilities are. The Cen-
ter for Disease Control’s website, www.cdc.gov, outlines
safety precautions and recommendations.
-Offering additional training and professional devel-
opment opportunities is something attractive to employees
and some employers are offering monetary incentives.
-On a recent webinar, an economic development spe-
cialist noted many employers are networking and finding
qualified, enthusiastic employees from those companies
which are having to downsize.
-Some companies are expanding the option for
working remotely which is very appealing to many as
they balance family and work. Clear communication
and expectations must be given along with deadlines for
projects to be completed. Establishing video platforms so
employees do not feel isolated is proving to be beneficial
for those transitioning to this model.
-Businesses may simply have to find ways to attract
new employees. Join other employers in hosting a virtual
job fair. There are many individuals whose former em-
ployers have closed their business. They may not have
all the skills needed for a particular position, but with
the right attitude and ample training, may be the perfect
fit for the job.
Finding enough qualified employees wanting to work
is something businesses will have to find creative and
unique ways to address. Post your jobs to a variety of plat-
forms and utilize the Employment Department’s database
of job seekers. Employers may post a job themselves by
clicking the employer tab “hiring an employee” at www.
workinginoregon.org and by the old fashioned, low-tech
way—by word of mouth.
In closing, utilize those entities which serve business-
es including your local chamber of commerce, downtown
and other business associations, economic development
professionals and small business development centers.
Greg Smith is the director of the Eastern Oregon
University Small Business Development Center located
at 1607 Gekeler Lane, Room 148 in La Grande, OR.
If you are seeking free, confidential business advising,
please call 541-962-1532 or email eousbdc@gmail.com.
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We want to share your life events!
Stop in the Heppner Gazette office or email us with
details and photos.
All birth, engagement and wedding announcements are always free!
188 W Willow Street, Heppner, OR
editor@rapidserve.net
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