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Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 20, 2021 -- THREE Umatilla National Forest advises visitors be prepared for winter conditions With snowfall across the Blue Mountains, large numbers of people are head- ing to the Umatilla National Forest for recreation oppor- tunities. While winter is a great time to explore public lands, recreation staff and emergency responders urge forest visitors to follow these tips to help ensure a safe experience while on National Forest lands. Umatilla National For- est roads are not main- tained for winter travel. Visitors traveling to the forest are doing so at their own risk and should plan ahead before starting their trip. The Umatilla National Forest does not plow roads or clear them for downed trees or boulders in the winter. Many forest roads close during the winter to protect wildlife, road sur- faces and to support winter recreation opportunities (see the Umatilla National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) for spe- cific seasonal road closure information). The condi- tions of roads that remain open during the winter can change dramatically and without warning. Winter storms often bring wind, snow and rain that can substantially affect road and trail conditions, causing hazards and obstructions in roadways. Always check weather and road conditions before leaving home. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies. Traffic may be heavy around pop- ular winter recreation sites so have a back-up plan if the site you wanted to visit is full. The Umatilla Nation- al Forest is experiencing unprecedented numbers of visitors on the forest this year. Many sno-parks are filling up early on week- ends. If a parking lot is full, do not park in no-parking zones, do not block oth- er vehicles, and ensure highways remain clear for through traffic. Ambulanc- es and other emergency vehicles need unhindered access to operate safely and save lives. Highway snow- plows need extra-wide road space as they have “wing” plows that stick out more than eight feet from the right front edge of the truck to remove snow. Vehicles blocking traffic or parked illegally are subject to tick- eting and towing. Additionally, the Forest encourages visitors to prac- tice the following winter safety travel tips: -Know the area and what to expect; always check avalanche and weath- ~ Letters to the Editor ~ er reports prior to departure. Consult maps and local au- thorities about high danger areas, safety information and regulations for the area you plan to visit. Do not rely solely on navigational devices. -Monitor snow condi- tions frequently. -Bring extra food, wa- ter and clothes. -Use a map and com- pass to eliminate the need for tree markings, rock cairns or flagging. Obtain a Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the area you’re visiting. -Show a friend a map of your planned route and let him/her know when you expect to return. Remember to notify that person upon your return. -Make certain each member of the group is ad- equately prepared for harsh winter conditions. The public is encour- aged to monitor the Uma- tilla National Forest Face- book page and website for updates on forest conditions Additional information on winter travel is available on the Umatilla National Forest website at www. fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ or at any forest office. Visitors are encouraged to contact their local ranger district office before heading out. Oregon students encouraged to apply for grants, scholarships Deadlines are approaching for some key financial aid programs The Higher Education Coordinating Commis- sion’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) is reminding all Oregonians about upcom- ing student financial aid application deadlines. Any- one planning to take college courses any time from fall 2021 through spring 2022 should complete their stu- dent financial aid applica- tions as soon as possible. OSAC awards more than $100 million each year in state-funded grants and privately funded schol- arships to help Oregon students meet their college expenses. New and current postsecondary students can finds links to applications for federal and state-admin- istered programs at Oregon- StudentAid.gov. Determining Need - FAFSA or ORSAA: Every new and returning student must complete either the Free Application for Fed- eral Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) to be considered for feder- al and/or state financial aid, including grants and loans. Most students will complete the FAFSA to determine their federal and state financial aid eligibil- ity. Students with undoc- umented status, including those with Deferred Ac- tion for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, will instead fill out the ORSAA—Or- egon’s alternative to the FAFSA. The information provided on the FAFSA or the ORSAA will determine students’ eligibility for the Oregon Promise, the Ore- gon Opportunity Grant and numerous scholarships. In- formation provided on the ORSAA is not shared with any federal entities. OSAC Scholarships: OSAC makes it easy for Oregon students to apply for up to 40 scholarships through a single applica- tion. Students can choose from a catalog of more than 600 privately funded scholarships. Scholarship funds are available for grad- uating high school seniors; undergraduate and graduate college students; GED® students; undocumented and DACA students; home- schooled students; commu- nity college and vocational school students; single par- ents returning to school; and more. Students must apply online at OregonStu- dentAid.gov and submit a completed OSAC schol- arship application and all other required materials by the final deadline of March 1, 2021 at 5 p.m. (PST). Students who submit their applications by February 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. may be entered in a drawing to win a $1,000 OSAC Early Bird scholarship. Oregon Opportunity Grant: The Oregon Oppor- tunity Grant is Oregon’s largest state-funded, need- based grant program. The grant supports low-income students (both recent high school graduates and adult learners) pursuing under- graduate degrees at eligible public and private colleges and universities. Oregon Opportunity Grants are awarded until funds are ex- hausted, so students should complete either the FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as pos- sible to be automatically considered for the grant for 2021-22. Oregon Promise: Stu- dents receiving their high school diploma or GED® equivalent in coming months, as well as recent graduates, may be eligible for the Oregon Promise Grant. The Oregon Prom- ise helps students pay for tuition at Oregon commu- nity colleges. Most students must apply for Oregon Promise during their se- nior year or immediately after GED® test completion (see full Oregon Promise deadlines). Students must meet minimum GPA re- quirements and enroll in a community college no later than six months after grad- uation. Interested students must complete an Oregon Promise application and submit a FAFSA or OR- SAA by their designated deadline. Depending on program funding, awards may be limited to those under a certain Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) threshold. Due to a myriad of factors, FAFSA completion rates have been well-below average this application season. According to the national FAFSA tracker data dashboard Form Your Future, FAFSA comple- tions among Oregon high school seniors as of January 1, 2021 were 18.7 percent The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10. Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Support available for unplanned pregnancy To the editor: January 22 nd marks the th 48 anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court de- cision which made abortion legal in all nine months of pregnancy. This decision led to over sixty million preborn babies legally losing their lives under the banner of a woman’s “choice.” Forty-eight years ago, women in an unplanned pregnancy did not always have a “choice” due to the lack of pro-life facilities which could assist women in bringing their children to term. Additionally, medical science has proven that a new life, a unique person, is evident at conception. We are fortunate that Trucare Pregnancy Clinic in Hermiston and Birth- right facilities in Heppner, Pendleton and Kennewick provide loving support to women and men who find themselves in an un- planned pregnancy. The compassionate staff at these facilities make sure that every woman does have a “choice” and are not forced by circumstances or lack of support to end the life of their preborn child. While praying outside of the Kennewick Planned Parenthood facility last spring this lack of “choice” was graphically displayed. As a young man and wom- an exited their vehicle the man raised his arms and shouted, “We are here to have an abortion!” Next to him stood the sad young mother-to-be whose body language spoke volumes. The apparently terrified young woman did not give the impression that abor- tion was her “choice” at all. Tragically, a Birthright Clinic was a mere 1,000 yards away, but I wonder if she truly had the “choice” to go there instead? Kristin Smalley Hermiston Biden elected fraudulently To the editor: This column is written in honor of Deanna Peck with thanksgiving to the Heppner class of 1995. Deanna is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will never suffer or be incapaci- tated again, forever! When you read this letter, great events will have transpired changing our world forever. Our great American pledge, “…one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all” will no longer apply to The American Republic if Joe Biden is inaugurated as President of the United States. This is because Joe Biden was elected fraudu- lently with the interference from foreign nations, par- ticularly China. The historic American Democrat party no longer exists, replaced by anti-American, global agents of Communism/ Socialism. As I write this letter Donald Trump (Jan. 18, 21) is still President of the Unit- ed States. I believe Donald Trump will remain Presi- dent of the United States for the following reasons. 1) The world belongs to the almighty God of our lower than they were at this same time last year. Juan Baez-Arevalo, director of OSAC, said, “Students and their fami- lies should set aside time as soon as possible to complete their application forms and learn what fund- ing they may be eligible for. We want all new and incoming students to be fully prepared for their postsecondary education and to not miss out on any critical funding, which may be more vital than ever in 2021.” forefathers and the battle is His not ours. Our forefa- thers made covenant upon covenant with the one true God of the Bible beginning with the Mayflower Com- pact. All of our founding schools and universities were birthed to honor and teach the truth about Jesus Christ and the Bible. The first textbook in all our schools in America was the Bible. Our money still declares “in God we trust.” Some still pledge allegiance to “one nation under God.” It is a heartbreaking fact America no longer honors the covenants of our God- ly forefathers which has put our Republic under judgment. Joe Biden/Ka- mala Harris/Barack Obama presidency would be judg- ment upon America and the world. Our nation, especial- ly the church of Jesus Christ deserves this judgment. We have allowed the sacrifice of tens of mil- lions of innocent babies on the altar humanism/he- donism. We have allowed our Heavenly Father to be kicked out of our government and schools. If God blesses America and the world one more time with the man Donald Trump that honors and obeys Him, we will have received unmerited grace. II Thessalonians 2:6,7 tells us there is a man that will resist the “mystery of iniquity” until God removes him. God honors his covenants even when his people, that once were called by his name, do not. 2) When God’s people cry out to Him to be deliv- ered from injustice, oppres- sion and tyranny and truly repent of their sin and apos- tasy God hears from heaven and forgives their sin. If the sincere believers of Jesus Christ across America and the world have honestly humbled themselves and taken responsibility for our disobedience and coward- ice God will intervene once again for our Republic and the World. By the time this letter will be published we shall know our fate: grace with justice or judgment with tyranny. In either case the battle belongs to the Lord and He is scanning the world to find those with courage to obey Him and put their lives on the line for God and country. Stuart Dick, Irrigon Wolf committee meeting planned The next Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Bartholomew Building upper conference room, 110 N. Court St., Heppner. The agenda will be available on the county’s website at www.co.morrow.or.us/meetings. Valby Lutheran Church Valby Road Ione Oregon. 97843 Church Services 1st & 3rd Sundays 10:00 AM Available for: Weddings • Funerals Family Events 541-422-7300 Old Country Church All Are Welcome Have a news story or photo for the Gazette? e-mail editor@rapidserve.net call 541-676-9228 or stop by the office on Willow St., Heppner Today
