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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 11, 2021)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 11, 2021 -- THREE Masks required in all schools Ione School District not able to ignore the mandate The Oregon Depart- ment of Education has up- dated the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resilience Framework for the 2021- 2022 School Year. This update includes new rules regarding face coverings for schools. This is prompt- ed by OHA’s adoption of a rule on August 2, 2021, that requires face coverings for all students, staff and visitors that are indoors. This all follows Governor Brown’s announcement that masks will be required in all schools for 2021-22 school year on July 29, 2021. Kevin Dinning, Su- perintendent / Secondary Principal Ione School Dis- trict, told the Gazette, “The Ione School board, district and school leadership have voiced our concerns regard- ing this change, and we want to assure you all that we will continue to work with our local health district and county commissioners to advocate for local control for our communities.” “We will continue to voice that we feel our com- munity and local districts can make the most sound decisions for our students and stakeholders. While we all continue to advocate for local control, we are not able to ignore this mandate as it is law. It is important to note that we have re- tained local authority over all school and district pro- grams and events that take place outside of the school day. We will continue to leverage those opportuni- ties and those presented in the framework to ensure that we can offer a safe and supportive environment By Doris Brosnan Apologies for an over- sight last week: Those third- and fourth-genera- tion Huddlekins who re- cently enjoyed a stay with grandparents Cal and Bev Sherman in Sunriver kay- aking, paddle boarding, swimming and floating the lazy river were Kyle, from Denver, CO; Mahaley from Austin, TX; and Ron and family from Portland and Vancouver. Last Wednesday, Ida Farra celebrated her 104 th (not a typo) birthday in the Pioneer Memorial solarium with many friends. The Payne ladies had created a large birthday banner dec- orated with 104 pictures of flowers, and Maya and Isa also brought her a gallon jar full of exactly 104 pieces of candy. (Ida does like candy.) Purple (her favorite color) balloons and flow- ers completed the festive atmosphere. Ida shared her day with Lennon Albitre, Kathleen Greenup’s son, who turned seven and fas- cinated Ida with his red hair and many freckles, and she shared birthday cupcakes and ice cream – Ida’s fa- vorite, Tillamook from the carton – with her many guests. Just two months ago, Bob and Judy Stevens were so pleased to share that they had become great grandpar- ents for the first time. Now, they are just as tickled to announce that granddaugh- ter Katelyn, their son’s daughter, and Mike Murphy welcomed their first baby, Calli, on August 1. She weighed in at eight pounds and was twenty inches long. The family lives in Dal- lasport, WA. Karen Wolff reports, “I returned home last Wednes- for our students,” Dinning continued. The Ione School Dis- trict will begin the masking requirement on August 12, 2021, to allow some time to support the students, staff and community members through the transition. They will continue to provide in- formation for stakeholders regarding virtual school options that would allow a student to remain in the dis- trict, but not attend school in person. The Kindergarten Jump Start program has begun and the staff will continue to work on a plan to facil- itate that program outside, as much as possible. “We know this situation is not ideal, but we want you to know that we support what is best for your family. We will entertain every effort in planning for the next year to include as much outdoor facilitation as possible,” noted Dinning. In advocating for local control or expressing con- cerns around this recent rule change, the Ione district will continue providing the county commissioners with the public’s concerns. Those concerns may be emailed to Dinning at kev- in.dinning@ionesd.org, and he will forward them to the commissioners. As with the last school year, changes to the plan are expected. Specifically, the mask rule will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Fur- ther information on board meetings, county meetings and other than in person learning options for the district will be provided as it becomes available. Work to begin on Blue Mountain Scenic Byway Contractors have begun prep work to chip seal 33.6 miles of the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway on the North Fork John Day Ranger District. This project is one of two projects on the Umatilla National Forest that was funded this year through the Great American Outdoors Act. Work will be ongo- ing for approximately four weeks and includes clean- ing the road surface, seal- ing cracks in the road and patching potholes followed by chip sealing the en- tire roadway. Construction crews are moving equip- ment on-site this week and stock piling gravel. The chip seal is anticipated to begin on Aug. 16. The construction work will re- quire that the full length of the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway will periodically have delays and traffic will be managed by flaggers and pilot cars from Aug. 16 until approximately Aug. 30. The road will reopen once work is completed. Construction signs will be posted at each end of the project and as needed in work zones. The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a pop- ular 145-mile route that travels from near Arling- ton to Granite. This road is also a major portal to both the Umatilla and Wal- lowa-Whitman National Forests, offering numerous opportunities for scenic views and recreation. The deferred maintenance on this portion of the road will reduce risk to public 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. Better to be red To the editor, health was already com- When I was growing promised. Are we going to up in the late 1950s Nikita allow fear of a man-made Khrushchev, Russia’s dic- pandemic that kills one tator, pounded his shoes percent ruin our way of life on the table at the United and destroy families and Nations and promised, “We friendships? will bury you.” “Better to What happened to be Red than dead.” Amer- choice? My body my, icans were exhorted. This choice, right? 73 million manifest doctrinal take- babies died (murdered) in over of America is nearly their mother’s womb in complete. Virtually every 2020 because of choice. vestige of our American In comparison, 2 million heritage (the Bible, love of citizens of the world died country and God, honoring in 2020 of Covid 19 and the our forefathers and their whole world is in lockdown heritage, prayer, American with no choice. God’s word individualism and sover- says, “Choose this day who eignty) has been removed you shall serve” (Joshua and/or dishonored and So- 24:15). It is better to die cialism/Communist cen- as a free man than live as sorship now controls our a coward. schools, our news media, When you are forced to our government. wear a mask (and your chil- Better Red than dead dren) because Gov. Brown’s means better to yield your OSHA will once again shut liberty and freedom than down businesses and local die of Covid. Better Red governments, our schools than dead means it is better that resist (better Red than to “show your papers” as dead) remember this. 6,000 in Hitler’s Germany than it illegal immigrants enter is to resist Covid 19 driven America every day and our Socialist tyranny. Better current Socialist/Commu- Red than dead means wear nist American government your mask, take your shot does not require masks, (and the next and next), vaccinations or Covid 19 and see your unvaccinated testing and those that are friend as your enemy, than Covid infected are trucked live as a free man like our all over America. forefathers that shed their This Covid inspired blood for our liberty. fear mongering of Amer- For me and my house ica and the world is not it is better to die of Covid about protecting you or than live in fear. In Mor- your loved ones from the row County there has been unvaccinated or the mani- ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: 1,274 diagnosed Covid 19 fold variants that are com- cases and 17 deaths. That ing. It is a fulfillment of means 98.6 percent of those Khrushchev’s prophecy. Do diagnosed with Covid 19 not allow fear of Covid 19, survive. In Umatilla Coun- the shot, masks or any other ty the survival rate is 99.1 coming tyranny separate us for his master’s in psychol- someone in the know sends percent. Of those Covid 19 as Americans. ogy. Lindsey was raised in in a tidbit about any of these deaths most die “with, not Stuart Dick, Alyeska and attended the individuals, it can be shared of Covid” because their Irrigon University of Montana. The with GT readers. Would be couple moved to Lexington great to feature some each about two and a half years week, so please contribute. that seems to be taking over other people’s good news? ago, and both work for Can it be?. High school the town?) Well, “other people” will Community Counseling, sports practices already? A pleasing experience surely enjoy reading yours. Lindsey as an HR manager One can hope for a high last week: Adding to my Please, share your good- and Tyler as a mental health school fall-sports season worn-looking wardrobe, news tidbits by sending specialist. like the ones common be- a top that actually – ready them before Monday af- Tyler is just one more fore the pandemic. Good for this? – has stripes that ternoon to dbrosnan123@ example of graduates of luck to the gridiron, vol- match at the seams. (Mrs. gmail.com, or call 541-676- Heppner High School re- leyball and cross-country Hager would be so aston- 5382 or 541-223-1490, or turning as professionals teams. ished and pleased.) stop me on the street. to establish homes and ca- They’re everywhere. A big thank you to our Here’s hoping that reers. Such good news for They’re everywhere. But contributors this week. some good news comes to our south Morrow County the good news is that some Don’t we all enjoy reading everyone reading this. communities, returning people are working to erad- young people. Fortunate for icate the goat head, punc- the area, also, is that sever- ture vine plants that have al individuals raised here a long scientific name and I o n e C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h knew a good thing when have been thriving where they had it and chose to stay they hurt when stepped 4 7 0 E M a i n S t r e e t , I o n e and further develop their on, puncture bike tires, get skills and talents among stuck in pets’ paws and Summer worship at 10:00 AM their fellow Mustangs, invade flowerbeds. Any- Sunday Mornings Jackrabbits and Cardinals. one not sure of what they Another contributing seg- look like can find images ment of our communities is online under the above that of Boomerangers, those names or ask our friendly individuals who moved librarians to find an im- away, made their way else- age. And then have a good where, and moved back look especially along our to their hometowns upon sidewalks and driveways. retirement. What a wonder- We can all watch for this ful mix of individuals: two ground-spreading plant and “Y o u w i l l s e e k M e a n d f i n d M e , w h e n and three generations who dig it, burn it, or spray it y o u s e a r c h f o r M e w i t h a l l y o u r h e a r t . ” can “remember when….” before those yellow flowers - J e r e m i a h 2 9 : 1 3 with the newcomers to the become more plants, more community who eagerly burrs. (Then, should we Join Us in the Search say, “Tell me more.” All discuss the Virginia Creeper contributing their skills and knowledge to the bet- terment of south Morrow County. Many readers would be interested in learning about area graduates who have returned to pursue their careers and about graduates who chose to remain in their hometowns to pursue their careers. Just a top-of-my- head list easily contains well over twenty family names, but many more can surely be added. So, when MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Good News Only day after a five-day cruise from Seattle to Ketchikan and back. Ashley (our youngest) works for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in their Call Center in Spring- field, OR. Royal Caribbean is beginning to send ships back to sea following the pandemic. Before a ship goes out with guests, they send it out with employee volunteers and a guest. This allows the shipboard employees to practice their procedures and protocols. The employees are given a role play, such as being late for an assigned check-in time or being the whiney unvaccinated guest. The employee then reports how the situation was handled. We were sailing on the “Od- yssey of the Seas,” which can carry up to 4900 guests, with 1500 staff. They had the 1500 staff, but only 600 guests. It was a very different cruise from other cruises. No waiting for elevators, no lines, lots of room to move around. Lots of hand-sanitizer stations, which guests are required to use. ‘Washy, Washy,’ as you are escorted to the hand wash station before meals. It was a very fun Mom/ Daughter trip.” John and Kelly Boy- er travelled to Girdwood, Alaska, for the July 10 wedding of son, Tyler, and Lindsey McKnight. Kelly says that the Alyeska Re- sort, which attracts visitors from around the world, was a beautiful venue for the couple’s ceremony, and the view from the top of Mt. Alyeska, accessed via a tram, where the wedding party enjoyed the rehearsal dinner, was spectacular. Tyler, an HHS graduate, attended Linfield College and then Lewis and Clark safety and extend the life of this scenic route for 10- 20 years. This project is part of the investment of up to $40 million in 2021 for 29 projects on national forests in Oregon and Washington through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), intended to address critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure. Nationally, the funds will allow the Forest Service to implement more than 500 infrastructure improvement projects essential to the continued use and enjoy- ment of national forests lands this year. In addition to the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway chip seal project, the Uma- tilla National Forest re- ceived funding to replace the Burnt Cabin Trail Bridge on the Walla Walla Ranger District. Implementing both projects this year will pro- vide safe and enhanced visitor access through these areas of the Umatilla Na- tional Forest. The projects will also support local em- ployment opportunities and strengthen shared steward- ship of national forests and grasslands by expanding the Forest Service work with public and private partners. The forest will continue to share updates on these GAOA projects as construction begins. Additional projects may be implemented on the Umatilla National Forest and will be announced as funding is allocated. ~ Letters to the Editor ~
