EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 6, 2021
County embraces proposed Hermiston-Boardman bus line
Would link to jobs at Port of Morrow
By David Sykes
A proposed new pub-
lic bus system connecting
Hermiston to Boardman
and the thousands of jobs at
the Port of Morrow, just got
a little more real recently
when county commission-
ers gave their stamp of
approval to the ambitious
new service.
Although not sched-
uled to be operational until
2023, local transportation
officials from Morrow and
Umatilla Counties, as well
as the CTUIR (Confederate
Tribes of The Umatilla In-
dian Reservation), having
been working on the new
routes for quite some time.
The three entities, along
with the Port of Morrow,
would be partners in the
venture.
“The purpose of the
new bus routes would be
to connect and enable peo-
ple to travel regionally
and locally for employ-
ment, education, health
care and more,” Morrow
County Transportation Co-
ordinator Katie Imes told
the county commissioners
at their Sept. 15 meeting
where they approved the
plan. She said the new bus
service would improve ac-
cessibility to employment
particularly in the Westland
Road area near Hermiston
and at the Port of Morrow
in Boardman. The Port and
Boardman area have seen a
huge increase in job growth
over the past years where
a 2017 economic impact
analysis identified 8,452
permanent jobs then located
at the Port and surrounding
areas. And more jobs have
been added, especially with
the addition of new Amazon
server facilities at the Port.
The CTUIR would
be the driving force be-
hind the new bus service
since it has long-time ex-
perience already operating
a transportation system
in Umatilla County. The
new transportation ven-
ture would actually be two
bus routes, one between
Hermiston and Boardman,
traveling through Umatilla
and Irrigon to pick up and
drop off passengers, and
another just within the city
of Boardman and Port that
would make connection
with the Hermiston route
and take people to their
jobs at the Port. Likewise,
the Hermiston route would
make connections with
other CTUIR routes cur-
Heppner temps slightly warmer
A new plan offering bus service from Hermiston to Boardman has been approved by county
commissioners. The system would be operated by the existing Umatilla Indian Reservation
transportation system. Pictured above is a bus and the proposed route.
According to prelim-
inary data received by
NOAA’s National Weather
Service in Pendleton, tem-
peratures at Heppner aver-
aged slightly warmer than
normal during the month of
September.
The average tempera-
ture was 62.4 degrees which
was 0.8 degrees above nor-
mal. High temperatures
averaged 76.2 degrees,
which was 0.4 degrees be-
low normal. The highest
was 89 degrees on the 9 th .
Low temperatures averaged
48.7 degrees, which was 2.1
degrees above normal. The
lowest was 39 degrees, on
the 16 th .
Precipitation totaled
1.13 inches during Septem-
rently servicing Stanfield,
Echo, Pendleton and the
reservation, thus creating
a two-county regional bus
system. The plan also brief-
ly addressed future plans
that may see service added
to the Heppner area as well
as into the Tri-Cities of
nearby Washington.
Tentatively, the service
is planned for six days per
week with pickups starting
as early as 4 a.m. so work-
ers could reach shifts at the
Port beginning at 5 a.m.
“Ridership on the early
a.m. routes is expected to
be driven primarily by Port
of Morrow employees,”
the report stated. “There-
fore, early a.m. routes are
designed to focus on the
ber, which was 0.57 inches
above normal. Measurable
precipitation, at least .01
inch, was received on five
days with the heaviest, 0.55
inches reported on the 28 th .
Precipitation this year
has reached 5.50 inches,
which is 4.44 inches below
normal. Since October, the
water year precipitation
at Heppner has been 8.98
inches, which is 5.02 inches
below normal.
The outlook for Octo-
ber from NOAA’s Climate
Prediction Center calls for
near normal temperatures
and above normal precip-
itation. Normal highs for
Heppner fall from 71.0 de-
grees at the start of October
to 58.0 degrees at the end
of October. Normal lows
fall from 42.0 degrees to
35.0 degrees. The 30-year
normal precipitation is 1.14
inches.
$30,000
$230,000
Owner/Broker David Sykes
188 W. Willow
P.O. Box 337
Heppner, OR 97836
david@sykesrealestate.net
541-980-6674
NEW LISTING
50.61 Acres in the country with 3 bedroom, 2 bath
1976 mobile home. Has a good well and newer septic
system. It is partially electric fenced now for horses.
Tired of neighbors or city living, this is the place for you
(ultimate in social distancing). Sale would need to be a
cash. Owner says property qualifies for LOP tags. Call
me to schedule a showing.
shortest and quickest travel
paths between Hermiston
and Boardman and the Port
of Morrow.” Although not
finalized, some of the bus
drop off sites mentioned in
Boardman would be at the
Sage Center and city hall. In
Hermiston bus stops men-
tioned were at Walmart, SW
Third and Orchard Avenue
and the Hermiston Plaza.
The bus would also stop in
Irrigon and Umatilla on the
way to Boardman.
Potential funding
sources for the new lines
would come from CTU-
IR, Morrow and Umatil-
la counties tapping into
available federal and state
transportation funds, local
taxes and fees, and private
employers at the Port. The
bus service would be free
to those riding. Cost to op-
erate both new lines, from
Hermiston and within the
Port, are estimated to be
around $1 million the first
year offering a basic service
of weekdays and Saturdays
from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The cost could increase
to $1.47 million a year if
enhanced service of seven
days per week from 4 a.m.
to 9:30 p.m. was imple-
mented. The CTUIR’s cur-
rent bus service in Umatilla
County is funded primarily
through a combination of
federal grants, state grants
and CTUIR general funds.
$235,000
SALE PENDING
NEW LISTING!
3 bedroom 1 bath fixer upper. Home has a metal roof and con-
crete perimeter foundation and Vinyl siding. Being sold 'AS IS'
including all trash and debris to be left on property. Buyer will
agree to a 60-day no-rent post closing occupancy for sellers.
This will be a cash sale only.
Large living room, 2 bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, one
bedroom and bath downstairs. The workshop has a cold stor-
age room for the hunter and a great workspace. Renters are
currently in the process of moving out.
340 W WATER ST Heppner
535 ELDER ST Heppner
68354 BERGSTROM LN Heppner
$300,000
$145,000
$165,000
SALE PENDING
SALE PENDING
$98,000
A classic beauty in Heppner. From the front sitting room thru
the woodworked dining room and open kitchen with island,
this 4 bedroom 3 bath home is a unique find. The large living
room is overlooked by a balcony upstairs where three of the
bedrooms are located. Master bedroom is on the main floor
with bath and walk-in closet. Skylights give natural light to the
interior. Home includes a two car garage and basement for
storage along with a big utility room.
Call for an appointment to see this!
Completely remodeled 3 bedroom 2 bath 1975 double-
wide mobile home now being used as Airbnb. Inside is
immaculate. Entire home has been redone. New fur-
nace less than one year old. Continue using as an Airb-
nb (financial data will be provided to serious buyers)
or buy as a home to live in. Great view of the city and
valley. Nice landscaping. Furnishing and appliances
available separately.
Old style 2 story farm house ready for some TLC to make this
your classic looking home. Located in quiet town of Ione, OR.
Small town living with great schools and friendly community.
Good internet access so you can work from here wherever
your job is. Escape the city life and try some old style home
town living.
195 N GALE ST Heppner
233 Linden Way Heppner
410 E MAIN ST Ione, OR
PRICE REDUCED!
You've always wanted the white picket fence house. Well here
it is. From the light airy kitchen, to the comfortable living room,
this three bedroom home would be perfect for your family. Has
a fenced yard for the kids and pets, and a patio for those sum-
mer-evening barbeques with friends and family. You'll like the
nice sized laundry room with lots of storage, and the master
bedroom has a walk-in closet. And as an added bonus - this
property is not in the flood zone. Call me today for a showing!
340 E HILL ST Heppner
Buyer Agent Services
Buying a home in a For Sale By Owner can be complicated. I would like to help you through all the details involved in the purchase. I can handle Negotiations, Sales
Contract Preparation, Inspections, Sale Contingency Protections, Setting up Escrow, Working with your Lender etc.
My Buyer’s Agent Services can help you through the entire process of purchasing your new home, land, or other property. Call me.
I can also work as a Seller’s Agent on the sale of your property.
Contact me for a no obligation price quote for my services.
David Sykes
• Sykes Real Estate
Licensed Oregon Principal Broker
541-980-6674 Cell (call or text) • 541-676-9228 Office
david@rapidserve.net
188 W. Willow St • Heppner, OR 97836
Broker license: 990400057 • Real Estate Business license: 201106044
I Have Buyers Looking!
I have buyers looking for homes in the Heppner, Lexington and Ione area. Now is the time to sell! Call, text or email me.
$65,000
SOLD!
SOLD!
$89,000
SOLD!
2 bedroom 2 bath home in Fossil. Home is a fixer upper with
potential. This is a cash sale and property is being sold as
is.Oil monitor stove. Nice wooden stairway up to the upper
floor. Fifth wheel RV and non operating pickup truck included
in sale.
410 2ND ST Fossil
$170,000
Three bedroom two bath home on 1.68 acres with pas-
ture. If you want animals this is the home for you. Has a
two car garage that can be used as a shop. There is lots
of space for a garden too. It's on city water with a septic
system. It's vacant and ready to go.
Call me for a viewing of this property.
Looking for small town living in Oregon? Here it is. With
outdoor activities, a rural lifestyle and a slower pace
Fossil is where you belong. And this 3 bedroom 2 bath
home is move in ready for you and your family. Deck
out back and a big porch in the front. Refrigerator and
stove included in sale. There is DSL internet access
so you can work from home. Call me to schedule your
appointment for a visit and experience a new lifestyle.
61229 HWY 207 Heppner
Information deemed correct
not guaranteed
1153 D STREET Fossil, OR
$210,000
SOLD!
This well cared for house has all you like in a classic tradi-
tional home. Wood floors, vintage doors, cabinets & fixtures
and beautiful woodwork throughout. The remodeled kitchen
has a down-home feel, and quartz countertops. Outside enjoy
a barbeque on the back deck, or sit on the front porch on a
quiet street. The insulate garage doubles as a shop for all your
projects, and there is a garden space with 2 sheds. You'll want
to see this one before it's gone.
Call me for appointment
220 W Center Street Heppner, OR