Ione moves forward with new wastewater system 50¢ VOL. 143 NO. 13 8 Pages Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Irrigon High celebrates official opening of new track Beverly Benson, Council Chair of the Ione City Council, and Brad Baird, President of Anderson Perry & Associates. They are signing the Engineering Construction contract for Ione’s proposed wastewater system. The grant will be officially sub- mitted to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on April 7 for funding of Morrow donated more of the project. -Contributed photo Former IJSHS athletic coaches and Irrigon community members braved the weather and joined in cutting the ribbon across the new track on Thursday, March 23. -Contributed photo Irrigon Junior-Senior High School (IJSHS) cele- brated the official opening of its new track with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, March 23. Despite a blustery af- ternoon, Morrow County School District (MCSD) Superintendent Matt Combe and IJSHS Principal Rose Palmer welcomed a small crowd of stakeholders and community members to mark the occasion. Rep- resentatives from MCSD, IJSHS, the Port of Morrow and Wildhorse Foundation were all present. Most of the crowd hud- dled under the concession stand roof to stay out of the across the starting line to si- multaneously cut the ribbon in multiple places. The track has been in the works for almost a year, with construction starting in June 2022. The Port IJSHS Principal Rose Palm- er was joined by Lindsey Watchman, representing the Wildhorse Foundation, which also provided grant funding to support the track. -Contributed photo than $85,000 in labor and engineering, with funding also coming from MCSD, the City of Irrigon, Morrow County Unified Recreation District, Columbia River Technologies, Boardman Community Development Association and Columbia River Enterprise Zone, as well as a $20,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foun- dation. Athletic Director Mike Royer noted that the profes- sional-grade track provides an opportunity for IJSHS athletes and the community in general. The City of Ione moved one step closer to a city septic system recently when it signed an engineering construction contract with engineering firm Anderson and Perry. The contract was signed as part of a USDA grant application to help fund the redesign. The project has been months in the making. At a public meeting in January, Ione Volunteer City Planner Jerry Rietmann told resi- dents the project is vital to the future of the city. Ione currently has 15- 16 buildable lots—or they would be if they had septic systems. Due to the size of most of the lots, which average 50 feet by 100 feet, septic tanks can’t be installed because the lot siz- es don’t meet the drain field requirement of 180 feet. Since Ione has no pub- lic sewer system, this is a -Continued to PAGE SIX Mitchell, Ashbeck named to all-state teams -Continued to PAGE SIX wind, but folks were happy to partake in the cookies festively iced with the Ir- rigon Knights’ “I” in the school colors. Combe first addressed the crowd, fol- lowed by Palmer, and then The vivid red track with crisp white lane paint contrasts with a Pictured L-R: Tucker Ashbeck, Coach Jeremy Rosenbalm key participants fanned stormy sky in the late afternoon of March 23. -Contributed photo and Landon Mitchell. -Contributed photo The Heppner Mustang and effort this season. boys basketball team had Both of these players two players listed on the helped lead the Mustangs OSAA 2A All-State Bas- to the state championships, ketball teams that were where they finished with a recently released. These fifth-place trophy and the “Umatilla has been a awards are voted on by 2A sportsmanship award. The very complex conveyance basketball coaches from team had an overall record requiring cooperation and around the state. of 21-7 this year. coordination between many Landon Mitchell was The player of the year local, state, and federal or- rewarded for his fine play in the state was Gianni ganizations and agencies,” this season by making the Altman of Gold Beach, Vereen said. “This mile- third team. Tucker Ashbeck and the coach of the year stone is a tribute to the received honorable mention is Ben Brown from Salem many individuals, organi- honors for his hard work Academy. zations and agencies that made this day possible.” In 1991 and 1993, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START I and II) to bring an end to the generation-long Present at the signing ceremony at the Pentagon were (Back L-R): Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, By Andrea Di Salvo 150 student days with a Sherri Smith, Jerry Healy, Joe Taylor, John Shafer, Lisa Mittelsdorf, David Sykes, Kat Brigham, Cold War. Morrow County School pre-Labor Day start on Aug. In November 1990, the District will no longer have 28 with school extending Greg Smith, and (Front L-R) The Honorable Rachel Jacobson and CDA Chair Kim Puzey. President had signed the Friday school on weeks to June 13. Even though -Contributed photo WASHINGTON—On ebrate the transfer of more Jacobson explained that Defense Base Closure and with Monday holidays due there would be no school on March 3 the Army trans- than 9,500 acres of land the “conveyance will place Realignment Act of 1990, to a change in the school any Friday after a Monday ferred former Army De- associated with the former part of the ~9,500 acres of establishing an independent district calendar for the holiday, there would be one pot land to the Columbia Umatilla Chemical Depot. property into productive commission known as the upcoming year. The MCSD early-release Friday the Development Authority “Today in a signing re-use for the community. Defense Base Closure and board approved the new week before winter break, (CDA) in Boardman. This ceremony at the Pentagon Another part will become Realignment Commission. calendar, which had pre- Dec. 15. is the fourth largest real in Washington D.C., the an important cultural site The commission created viously been voted on by Stocker had told the estate transaction in the United States Army and for the beneficial use of the Base Realignment and staff, at its March 13 meet- board at a previous meeting Army’s Base Realignment the Columbia Development the Confederated Tribes of Closure Act (BRAC) to ing in Boardman. that both student and staff and Closure (BRAC) his- Authority memorialized the the Umatilla Indian Res- more efficiently realign and MCSD Human Re- attendance was low on Fri- tory, and the first in nearly fourth largest closure and ervation. A third part will close military installations sources Executive Director day school days, and said 20 years. realignment in history and contribute to the historical following the end of the Erin Stocker informed the she hoped the change would The official transfer the largest transfer in 20 preservation of the Oregon Cold War. board that around 80 per- have a positive impact on That, in turn, began cent of district staff had the district. was followed by a ceremo- years,” said CDA Chairman Trail. The proceeds the nial signing at the Pentagon Kim Puzey, Port of Umatil- Army receives from CDA the process of returning the voted for that school calen- “I think that the staff in Washington, D.C., March la General Manager. will be re-invested into en- former Umatilla Chemical dar option for the 2023-24 voice is pretty clear,” said 20. The Hon. Rachel Jacob- “Completion of this vironmental cleanup activ- Depot to the Columbia De- school year. The school cal- Stocker. “As a district-level son, Assistant Secretary of transfer represents new ities across our remaining velopment Authority. endar will still include four team, we’re pretty excited Puzey noted that a large optional STEAM Fridays. to see how our families the Army for Installations, opportunity not only for BRAC sites.” Energy and Environment, Morrow County, but for “It’s truly a win-win- The option includes -Continued to PAGE SEVEN -Continued to PAGE SIX hosted the ceremony at the the entire region with job win outcome for all par- Pentagon with Lt. Gen. creation for our citizens, ties,” she added. Kevin Vereen, the Army’s new opportunities for our “This transfer rep- Deputy Chief of Staff for young people and enhanced resents what can be accom- Installations (G-9), to cel- income for county, schools plished when partners come and districts that provide together for a mutually de- services to our citizens,” sired outcome,” said Greg CALL added Morrow County Smith, Executive Director 541-989-8221 Commission Chair David for the Columbia Devel- Sykes. opment Authority. “To be ext 204 The CDA is made up authorized to execute such of five partners through an an agenda is a privilege.” for more intergovernmental agree- The Umatilla transfer information ment that includes Morrow is a culmination of a 35- County, Umatilla County, year effort that started with Port of Morrow, Port of realigning the installation Umatilla and the Confed- under BRAC 1988 and erated Tribes of the Uma- continued with the closure tilla Indian Reservation of the installation under (CTUIR). BRAC 2005. Army transfers thousands of acres of land to local Oregon communities MCSD approves new calendar, adopts new math curriculum