Health district $4.3 million lawsuit -Continued from PAGE ONE transition from vol- unteer to paid EMS staff, in order to accommodate increased county demand on ambulance services. Another MCHD con- cern is the potential loss of cost-based reimbursement for its ambulance services. The health district says the loss of that funding, an es- timated one million dollars per year, could threaten am- bulance services throughout the county, as well as cost- ing lost jobs associated with those services. So, as an alternative to the injunction, the health district is asking for the county to pay the difference between cost-based reim- bursement versus actual reimbursement for the next three years, to the tune of $3 million, plus $100,000 potential loss of hospital revenue and $1.1 million in damages, for a total of 4.2 million. The lawsuit also makes allegations of conflict of interest against Morrow County Commissioner Jeff Wenholz, saying his po- sition on the Good Shep- herd Health Care Board of Trustees caused him to act against the best interests of Morrow County residents. While Wenholz was not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, the health district has “reserved the right to assert direct claims against Wenholz,” according to paragraph six of the doc- ument. The lawsuit also seeks a restraining order and in- junction against BFRD and Hughes, which would prohibit the fire department from engaging in ambu- lance services in Morrow County. Monetary claims against Hughes and Board- man Fire include the $3 million for estimated cost- based reimbursement, damages in the amount of $1,203,350 for tortious interference with business relations between the health district and the county, plus an additional $169,000 in fines for what the health district says are multiple violations of the 1998 ASA plan. Tortious interference refers to one party interfer- ing with an advantageous business relationship of another party, causing eco- nomic harm. Even before the fil- ing of the lawsuit, Mor- row County had engaged attorney Bob Blackmore to help it navigate the le- gal complexities of the ASA plan. Morrow County Counsel Justin Nelson told the Gazette-Times that the lawsuit has been given to both Blackmore and county insurance provider City- county Insurance Services (CIS) for review. Boardman Fire is also in the process of consulting with its lawyer. Look for more infor- mation in next week’s Ga- zette-Times. Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 17, 2023- SEVEN Heppner FFA holds annual Morrow County receives banquet $725K in transit funding Retiring officers of the Heppner FFA Chapter. “They have served our chapter and community while balancing family/ friends, school, jobs, athletics, youth group, NHS, ASB and 4-H,” says Heppner FFA Advisor Beth Dickenson. L-R: Sec- retary Keeley Nairns, President John Lindsay, Vice President Morgan Cutsforth, Treasurer Irelynn Kollman and Sentinel Paul Lindsay. -Contributed photo to coach track for 12 ad- ditional years; during that time, he helped many stu- dent athletes achieve their goals and was honored as National Track Coach of the Year. This fund awards one $1,000 scholarship to a college-bound Ione High School Senior based on demonstrated academic achievement and commu- nity involvement, and with preference given to students who have participated in the Ione High School Track Program. Students must be con- tinuing their education at a community college, trade school, or four-year college or university. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 accumulated GPA and show involvement in community/ school activities. Applications will be accepted and awarded by the South Morrow County Scholarship Inc. Board of Directors using the Coach LaRue Scholarship Google Form Application. Applica- tions must include a tran- script and activities/work experience sheet. All applications are due by 4 p.m. on May 24. Any- one with questions or wish- ing to apply may contact Brandi Sweeney at brandi. sweeney@morrowsd.org. Oregon’s U.S. Sena- tor Jeff Merkley is one of the driving forces behind the Pollinator Power Act, which would give priority to solar projects that include habitats for pollinators like this honeybee. -Photo by Andrea Di Salvo legislation that aims to help reverse the decline in pollinator populations by incentivizing pollinator habitats surrounding new solar projects carried out through the Rural Energy for America Program. “Pollinators are critical to maintaining life as we know it, and as our nation embarks on a huge expan- sion of solar energy, we have a great opportunity to create new pollinator habitats at the same time,” said Merkley. “New polli- nator habitat is critical to reversing scary declines in pollinator populations, and The Heppner FFA Chapter held its annual banquet Thursday, May 11. Included in the evening were awards, recognition of outgoing chapter officers, induction of new officers and, of course, lots of food and laughter. -Contributed photo Heppner holds WalkMS Youth enjoy the campfire at the Asension Camp. Hopeful Saints youth are raising funds to attend camp this summer. -Contributed Photo Participants in Heppner’s 2023 WalkMS pause at Les Schwab Tire Center for photos and a donation. Pictured are WalkMS participants with Heppner Les Schwab employees, while Wal- kMS coordinator Barb Orwick receives a donation from Les Schwab manager John Gould (far right). -Contributed photo The youth of Hopeful Saints Ministry will be hosting an ice cream sun- dae fundraiser this Sunday, May 21, from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. The youth will be set up in the Hopeful Saints church yard on the corner of Church and Gail streets. They will be serving up dishes of ice cream with all the traditional toppings to raise funds for the min- istry’s camp scholarship fund. Funds raised will help with the costs of youth at- tending Ascension Camp in Cove this summer. Hopeful Saints has several youth registered for camp—five attending Senior High Camp, one attending Be- ginners Camp, four attend- ing Discovering Camp and two adults attending in leadership. Ascension Camp is a place apart to “connect with God’s sacred mystery, celebrating the dignity, di- versity and oneness of all creation.” Ascension Camp offers age-specific camps for preschool through adult education/formation. Any- one who would like more information about the camp may call the church office at 541-676-9970 and leave a message for George Nairns, and she will return the call. Donations for camp scholarships may also be mailed to Hopeful Saints, PO Box 246, Heppner, OR 97836. FFA plant sale continues Thursday The Heppner FFA chapter May 18, from 1-5 p.m. to sell WalkMS participants at Heppner City Park. -Contributed photo and plant science class will be all remaining plants The Heppner contin- gent of WalkMS met at Hager Park the morning of April 29 to raise money for the National Multiple Scle- rosis Society. The group collected more than $4,000 during the fundraiser. The group started with about 16 individuals, who walked to Les Schwab Tire Center for pictures and a donation to the society. The walkers contin- ued to Heppner City Park, picking up participants and more donations along the way. Once there, more pic- tures were taken of the group, which had grown to about 30 people. Bucknum’s Tavern pro- vided brunch for the hungry walkers to end the morning. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society sponsors WalkMS to raise money to help research to end this disease. The society also provides funds for affected victims to help with physi- cal therapy, support groups and even house remodels. Anyone who hasn’t donated but wants to may contact Barb Orwick at 541-256-0455. The greenhouse and plant extending their annual plant sale to this Thursday. The Hep- sale is a project of the FFA pner High School greenhouse chapter/plant science class. will be open this Thursday, BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 20 % OFF + it’s time to get creative to help our pollinators recover and thrive.” “Many pollinators are threatened or endangered, creating a serious risk to our future food supply. It is critical to incentivize the creation and expansion of pollinator habitat across USDA programs,” said Booker. “Siting pollinator habitat alongside REAP solar projects is not just a win for pollinators, but it increases the productivity of the panels and helps nearby farmers who benefit from pollinators.” The Pollinator Power Act would direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize solar projects that include the creation of pollinator habitats. Polli- nator populations, such as western monarch and hon- eybees, have been steadily declining in recent years, and pollinators are key to ecosystems and food pro- duction in the U.S. Merkley and Booker— who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee— are pushing for the inclu- sion of this legislation in the upcoming 2023 farm bill. 10 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE Promo Number: 285 % OFF SENIORS & MILITARY! 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Registration# 0366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Reg- istration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 $449,000 Merkley, Booker introduce legislation to create pollinator habitats around solar projects Merkley, Booker intro- duce legislation to create pollinator habitats around solar projects Washington, D.C.— Recently, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D- NJ) introduced the Pol- linator Power Act, new port bus service, maintain and purchase vehicles, build bus charging stations and more. Funding for these programs comes from fed- eral programs and a .01 of 1 percent state payroll tax. ODOT reports that it received 75 applications requesting $35.5 million. That’s approximately $1.25 in proposals for every avail- able dollar, which the agen- cy says reflects high need for public transportation investments compared to funds available. In making its recom- mendations to the commis- sion, the Public Transpor- tation Advisory Committee considered input from tran- sit districts, public transpor- tation key audiences, Area Commissions on Transpor- tation and others. Hopeful Saints youth to host ‘Sundae Sunday’ South Morrow scholarship applications due May 24 South Morrow County seniors who are interested in obtaining scholarships are invited to apply by May 24. Scholarships, includ- ing the Coach Del LaRue Scholarship, are available through the South Morrow County Scholarship Board. The South Morrow County Scholarship Board will award scholarships to Heppner High School and Ione Community School seniors based on academic achievement and school/ community/work involve- ment. Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher to apply. Students must be con- tinuing their education at a community college, trade school or four-year college or university. Funds are to help students pay for tui- tion, program fees, books, supplies, rent and other expenses. Multiple schol- arships will be awarded. If selected, students will need to submit their current college class schedule or verification of enrollment. The Coach Del LaRue Scholarship was developed in memory of Del LaRue, a long-time teacher and coach at Ione High School. LaRue had a passion for coaching basketball and track and loved seeing stu- dents set and achieve their goals. After retiring from teaching, LaRue continued Three transportation awards to benefit Mor- row County are among the more than $28.5 million the Oregon Transportation Commission approved at its meeting last week, the Ore- gon Dept. of Transportation announced Tuesday. Morrow County will re- ceive $484,000 for a Board- man/Port of Morrow circu- lator, as well as $241,600 for a Heppner to Boardman connector. Also partly ben- efiting Morrow County will be the $803,796 awarded to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reser- vation for a Hermiston to Boardman connector. The funds come from the Statewide Transporta- tion Improvement Fund’s (STIF) discretionary pro- gram and are used to sup- This 2,471 sqft home and two lots totaling 13.12 acres could be the perfect property to keep your horses and livestock. Pasture and dry land. Tax ID 5378 and 8939. Selling as-is. MLS#: 23292049 62886 HIGHWAY 74 - Ione 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274