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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2021)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 27, 2021 -- THREE Good News Only ~ Letters to the Editor ~ 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. People need good news Neighborhood Watch To the editor: to be ‘good news’ coming A doctor friend of mine forth from Lexington with seeks new members cautioned me to share more encouraging columns. I agreed, however, I asked him if he would want his doctor to share the truth about an ominous health diagnoses or cover things in a manner to soften the blow. He responded people are scared and they need hope. He is right. What is happening in America and the world is confusing, dis- couraging, and portentous. People need some good news. Doris Brosnan has been a breath of fresh air since she and Dan returned to Morrow County decades ago. Her column “Good News Only” is exactly what eastern Oregon needs. Fr. Thankachan Joseph has been ministering to all faiths and peoples of eastern Or- egon and beyond with the “Good News” of Jesus Christ honestly, passion- ately and true to scripture for months. Father Joseph’s ministry provides hope for all with ears to hear. This encouragement would not be possible without a Hep- pner Gazette-Times owner with integrity and firm un- derstanding of the need for a free press for our republic to survive. Perhaps the most en- couraging for discouraged citizens that value the sanc- tity of all life is the opening of Birthright in Heppner which hosted an open house Sunday, Jan. 24 at 128 West Willow Street. Those who are willing to fight the Lord’s battles through volunteering, prayer and finances for Birthright will bring a great blessing upon their community. What an opportunity to share the ‘good news’ through ways and means to save precious babies lives. Another piece of good news is the wolf committee volunteers that meet month- ly at the courthouse. This committee is at the fore- front of the battle to rid our land and heritage of hybrid wolves that our forefathers had the sense to eliminate. Finally, there continues volunteers willing to make their city great again. Doc, you need to buy a subscription to the Hep- pner Gazette to lift your spirit. Nevertheless, the good news must be tem- pered with truth or it has no lasting virtue, especially at an hour in America where truth is controlled by those that own the press, media and the internet and all other ‘news’ is censored. Our forefathers would call this tyranny. James Madison, the father of the Constitution warned, “The accumulation of all pow- er, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, or few or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed or elective, may justly be pronounced the very defini- tion of tyranny.” (Federalist 47, 1788) Things are happening in America that need to be exposed, because if they are not confronted and opposed our wonderful tidings of good news will be censored forever. The only power left in America today that protects our way of life and liberty is the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms in order to safeguard our Constitu- tion, our liberty, our way of life and our property. The ominous news that must not be covered over is the Sec- ond Amendment is under an unprecedented fiercely satanic attack by the global Socialist/Communist gov- ernment tyranny that now rules our Republic. The good news is our God will bless those who will not yield to this tyranny and are willing to fight the Lord’s battles. The good news Heppner and eastern Oregon, as documented in this letter, is rising up and will not be silenced. In clos- ing, Sir Winston Churchill in his greatest speech ever after winning the Second World War spoke only three words and sat down, “Nev- er Give Up.” Stuart Dick, Irrigon To the editor: With the uptick of criminal activity in our sleepy community, I feel a need to make everyone aware of the Neighborhood Watch Program in our town and encourage citizens to join. As of today, we have 15 active members, but that isn’t near enough to cover the need. People who live in areas that don’t have a member are encouraged to join. Anyone living with- in eyesight of any of the parks, including the pool, the hill streets such as Willow View, Rock South Main and Chase are really needed. If you can’t see a Neighborhood Watch sign on or next to your street please join us. I am also en- couraging anyone who has a security camera to please call the Sheriff’s Office or me so we can have a list to go to if something happens. The non-emergency phone number for the Sheriff’s Office is 541-676-5317 and you can also call me at 541- 676-9810. We are looking for- ward to welcoming new members. You may not be aware of how easy it is to be a member. All we ask is for everyone to keep an eye on your neighborhood and call the Sheriff’s Office if you see something that just isn’t normal. They don’t mind taking your calls and encourage you to do so, but remind you to call the non-emergency number. Thanks to all of you and please consider joining. Glo Lesperance Dollar General will have negative impact on Heppner To the editor: As you may have heard there are plans to have a Dollar General to replace the Cornerstone and RV Park. This has been con- firmed by the owner of the property and our Heppner City Manager. I am expressing my concerns to all of the Hep- pner residents because I believe there will only be negative impacts on our al- ready established business- es and the small community we all love so much. The predatory practice that Dollar General estab- lishes is to target failing communities and Heppner is not a failing community. My concerns are as such: 1) That Dollar Gen- eral will take away jobs from already established Heppner businesses. Local merchandise stores and markets to Heppner em- ployee around 14-15 em- ployees while Dollar Gen- eral hires 6-8 employees per location. 2) Dollar General is a corporation that will not be providing any products to Heppner that are not already provided. 3) Dollar General will not support the local economy of Heppner, such as donations to our schools and community events like our already es- tablished businesses do. 4) Heppner is our home with a small-town charm. Dollar General will take away our small-town pride and char- acter on Main Street. If you share these con- cerns that I have please share this post and attend the next city council meet- ing February 8 at 7 p.m. so all of our elected Heppner officials can be made aware of what the Dollar General will take away from Hep- pner. Help support me, as well as these businesses, that stand behind these concerns: Murray’s Drug- store, Sage Clothing, Two Old Hags Pizza, Heppner Auto Parts, Brannon’s Auto Repair, Peterson’s Jewelry, Breaking Grounds Coffee and Breaking Bread Dis- tribution. Drew Brannon Heppner Town and Country COVID-19 vaccine banquet postponed given in Heppner Fri. Heppner Chamber of Commerce Executive Di- rector Lori Roach has an- nounced that the annual Town and Country Banquet will be postponed indefi- nitely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber, how- ever, is still taking nomi- nations for man, woman, business, teacher, student and lifetime achievement of the year. Roach says that nom- inations may sent to the Chamber at P.O. Box 1232, Heppner, OR 97836 or emailed to heppnercham- ber@gmail.com. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. All groups in phase 1A, school staff, 65 and up All people in groups phase 1A, school staff and people 65 years and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine this Friday at the fairgrounds in Heppner from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shots will be given on a drive through basis and those coming should wear a Hi! I’m Linda, your Morrow County Veterans Services representative, aka VSO- Veterans Service Officer. As your local VA Advocate, accredited under Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, I’m here to assist you and your family access benefits that you may be entitled to. As an accredited advocate, I help veterans and their families understand their benefits available through the VA and state. This can include applying for VA Health Care, other information related to veterans health care, vet- erans disability income benefits, burial benefits surviving spouse benefits and much more! There is no charge for this service. VSOs have your best interest in mind and will help you get the benefits you deserve. VSOs assist veterans and their families in many ways, including: • Answering questions, advising, and educating individuals and groups on what benefits are available from federal, state, county, and local resources • Assisting eligible persons in filing the necessary claims • Representing individuals and presenting claims in VA hearings • Referrals to additional services We’re here for you! Call today 541-922-6420 mask and stay in their car. Times for age groups are: 9-10:30 a.m., age 80 and up; 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., age 75 up; 12-2 p.m., age 70 up; 2-4 p.m., age 65 up. Extended wait times could occur. Paperwork can be picked up in the offices in advance. The health department tells people not to come if they have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell or any oth- er illness, are in quarantine for a COVID-19 exposure or have had any other vac- cination in the past 14 days. By Doris Brosnan This “Good News Only” column will print some good news from our area for GT readers - as long as individuals are willing to share - because we all appreciate opportunities to smile over someone’s “good news.” Anyone who doesn’t get contacted by me but has something to share is encouraged to email it to dbrosnan123@gmail. com. A phone call will also get the job accomplished: 676-5382. The newly opened Birthright volunteers were pleased with the turnout for their open house last week- end. More people becoming aware of their services, including free pregnancy tests, is good news. And good news for some new mothers are the free baby clothes available on Mon- days, 10-3 p.m.; Thursdays, 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. Karen Temple reports that the Heppner Christian Church (541-676-9209) also has babies in mind as volunteers prepare baby baskets for anyone in need. “Another day is always good news, and it is so good to see people helping people.” Good news that “Aun- tie Shari” (Ober) has shared is that Braden and Amber Britt are expecting their first baby. Braden is the son of Rick and Sally. And Jon and Janelle Ellis will be welcoming their second child in March. Baby Ellis will be joining brother Cole, who will sure- ly consider this good news. Helping with the Ione Booster Club’s funding of the school’s various needs is a long-standing com- munity effort, and anyone can contribute by adding returnable bottles and cans to a downtown receptacle. Good news for the students, having such strong support. After using her garage for storage of the bottles and cans for thirteen years, Betty Gray was willing to hand that responsibility off to other members and get her garage back. Some Heppner High students think the recent change in the approach to in-class instruction is good news, a small indication of steps toward eventual “normalcy.” For now, some actual face-to-face instruc- tion will slowly, gradually be added to the more re- strictive virtual instruction. Good news for some HJSHS students is be- ing recognized by staff as high-achieving scholars during these challenging times of virtual school- ing. Their names and pic- tures are featured online at https://hhs.morrow.k12. or.us/o/hhs/page/head-of- the-herd-copy2 Of course, the recent snowfalls are good news, say several locals, including George Nairns. “The snow is important moisture, pret- ty and a reason to appreciate being warm inside while enjoying its beauty.” And Tyler at Les Schwab didn’t complain when he had to drive to work early in his RZR on Monday because of a treacherous street. Kay Fowler reports that 10 mem- bers of the cross-country ski club thought the snow and sunshine for their weekend outing beyond Bull Prairie were good news, too. The weather doesn’t affect pinochle-playing for the Ione ladies whose once-monthly play was already going strong when Lorene Montgomery moved to Ione in 1969. She reports as good news that even the pandemic has not totally curtailed the long-lived group who are mask-wear- ing, disinfectant washers of hands, tables, chairs, chips and cards. (Or usually new decks are used.) They have had to work around the changing restrictions but are determined to keep the group going. If good news tidbits continue to come my way, the column will continue to appear. Reminder: dbros- nan123@gmail.com. 541- 676-5382. Hoping all eyes reading this will have some good news to share next time. Top semester grades announced The Heppner Junior/ Senior High School has released the names of the students receiving the top grades for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. To be on the list, stu- dents must attain at least a 3.5 GPA. Students with a 4.0 GPA: Seniors: Madison Ashbeck, Roy Collins, Alexis Cutsforth, Kimber Kelton, Marlee Mitchell, Madelyn Nichols, Han- nah Palmer, Aimee Tur- rell, Kennisyn Wilkins, Jayden Wilson and Blake Wolters. Juniors: Harley Anderson, Hannah Finch, Cody Fletcher, Serena Humphreys, Lillian Imes Raymond “Ray” Wil- and Blane Mahoney. Soph- liam O’Neal – Raymond “Ray” William O’Neal, 84, of Heppner passed away p.m. Pastor Tim Van Cleave Sunday, December 13, 2020 of the Assembly of God in Prineville surrounded by Church will officiate. To light a candle for his family. There will be celebra- Ray or to leave an online tion of life held Saturday, condolence for the family, January 30, 2021 at the Gil- please go to www.whisper- liam-Bisbee Building (106 ingpinesfuneralhome.com. E May Street-Heppner) at 1 Funerals Walker McCoy Haak, son of Amy Haak, enjoyed the snow by building a snowman on Main St. omores: Tyler Boor, Samuel Finch, Paul Lindsay, Trevor Nichols, Madison Palm- er and Daralynn Teeman. Freshmen: Morgan Cuts- forth, Caden George, Hunt- er Houck, Irelynn Kollman and Cameron Proudfoot. Eighth grade: John Lindsay and Katie Spivey. Seventh grade: Elizabeth Finch, Lilyanna Nichols, Rylee Palmer and Loren Trujillo. Students with at least a 3.5 GPA: Seniors: Jackson Lehman, Mikel Jaca and Sydney Wilson. Juniors: Conor Brosnan, Julianna Teeman, Blake Carter, Julie Dyer, Brock Hisler, Kylie Boor and Aubriana Rodri- guez. Sophomores: Brook- lynn Wilson, Dusty Rob- inson, Camryn Scrivner, Adan Guerra and Hailey Wenberg. Freshmen: Piper Kelton and Hadlie Nation. Eighth grade: Sierra Gree- nup, Cristal Manning and Jackson Coiner. Seventh grade: Sophie Rodriquez, Sarah Munkers, Journey Cavan-Harris, Owen Guer- ra and Zaleta Masterson.
