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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2023)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 13, 2023 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow Heppner GAZETTE-TIMES U.S.P.S. 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper Ag, forestry communities crisis help line open Elks state president to visit Heppner A crisis help line ded- icated to serving Oregon’s agricultural and forestry communities is now open. The Oregon Agristress Helpline – 833-897-2474 – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by call or text. The voice line can be accessed in up to 160 languages with the help of interpreters, and the text line services English, Span- ish and Vietnamese. The AgriStress Help- line is unique because it is completely dedicated to serving Oregon’s agricul- ture and forestry commu- nities, which includes farm- ers, farm workers, ranchers, fishermen, foresters and their families. In June, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 955, sponsored by Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, which provided a one-time $300,000 general fund appropriation to the state Higher Education Coordi- nating Commission to dis- tribute to the Oregon State University Foundation to establish an endowment for Oregon State Univer- sity Extension Service to implement and operate the helpline in Oregon. Gov. Tina Kotek signed the bill into law in a cere- mony in Prairie City in July, making Oregon the seventh state to link into the AgriS- tress Helpline. Nationally, OSU is the first academic institution and the first land grant university to partner with a state on the helpline. “This is an important milestone in the effort to provide mental health as- sistance for folks who are vulnerable to suicide,” said Allison Myers, associate dean for Extension and engagement at the OSU College of Health. “I want to express my enormous gratitude for the numerous people and organizations who got behind this and were able to make it a re- ality.” A coalition of 27 farm groups and health care organizations advocated passage of SB 955. My- ers, who also leads the OSU Extension Family and Community Health program, and Todd Nash, a Wallowa County rancher and president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, were instrumental in build- ing support for the helpline. The issue of mental health for farmers and ranchers has become a “top subject” in rural Oregon, Nash said. “Suicide is a tough sub- ject,” Nash said. “It’s affect- ing our communities. It has huge impacts on families.” According to the Na- tional Rural Health Asso- ciation, the rate of suicide for farmers is 3½ times higher than the national average per capita. Mental Health America, a national nonprofit advocacy orga- nization, placed Oregon nearly at the bottom of its state rankings for a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. According to Oregon Violent Death Reporting System, deaths by suicide in Oregon have been higher than the national average since at least 2001, and they are increasing year over year. The helpline was es- tablished by AgriSafe Net- work, a nonprofit organiza- tion that aims to improve the health and safety of farmers and ranchers through their Total Farmer Health ap- proach. AgriSafe Network is an affiliate of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and a founding member of the national AgriStress Response Network. All AgriStress Help- line calls are answered in 30 seconds or less, and all callers are screened for sui- cidality. Intervention occurs for people at imminent risk. Others are offered relevant resources, tailored to the agriculture community and by state/region. All callers are offered a 24-hour follow up call, also through the AgriStress Helpline. Calls are answered by credentialed suicide/cri- sis specialists trained in cultural competencies in agricultural mental health and factors affecting mental health, including produc- tion and financial issues, injuries, market fluctuations and family dynamics. Their training meets the standards of the American Associa- tion of Suicidology. AgriStress Helpline staff complete 300 hours of professional development, including an overview of state-specific agricultural contexts and ongoing quar- terly training in agricultural stress topics. AgriStress Helpline staff are aware of state- or regional-level agricultural events that may impact call volume, for example a disaster, com- munity tragedy or reports of yields that may impact financial well-being. LTT Partners and Co- in the Pacific Northwest lumbia Basin Electric before relocating the fam- Company installed Verk- ily to Augusta, GA. He ada cameras starting Sep- leaves three children, Lar- tember 6. ry, Heppner; Shawna, Ev- The cameras will be Services have been ans, GA; and Derk, Los placed at the entrances scheduled for October Angeles, CA. 14 for Charles Lawrence Lutcher, who died late last Do You Have Something to year at the age of 88 in Ev- Share? ans, GA. Our newly updated website makes it easy to: A memorial service •Submit news will take place Saturday, •Submit birth, engagement and October 14, at 10 a.m. wedding announcements •Send us photos at St. James Episcopal •Submit letters to the editor Church, 719 Pierce St., •Place ads •Start a new subscription Milton-Freewater, OR. Inurnment with Military Honors will immediately follow at Mountain View Weekly deadline for all news and advertising is Monday at 5pm. Cemetery, 2120 South 2nd 177 N. Main St, Heppner • 541-676-9228 Ave., Walla Walla, WA. Everyone is invited to join the family for a luncheon at the Walla Walla VFW *Design *Print *Mail Hall, 102 N. Colville St. Dr. Lutcher grew 541-676-9228 up in Milton-Freewater Sykes Publishing and spent his early career of the city, one on top of Emert, one on ‘H’ and 3rd Street, one on Main Street, and one in the park. For more information, contact Ione City Hall at 541-422-7414. SEARCH OLD COPIES OF THE HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES ON-LINE: http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/ Published weekly by Sykes Publishing and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 188 W. Willow Street. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax (541) 676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or david@rapidserve.net. Web site: www.heppner.net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: In Morrow County $35/year. Outside Morrow County $40/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $30/ year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $35/year. Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher Andrea Di Salvo ............................................................................................ Editor Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising All News and Advertising Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. For Advertising: advertising deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Cost for a display ad is $5.50 per column inch. Cost for classified ad is 50¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $15 up to 100 words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.00 per column inch. For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi- cation must be specified. Affidavits must be requested at the time of submission. Affidavits require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be specified if required). For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space for the obituary. For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone number for use by the GT office. The GT reserves the right to edit letters. 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. Obituaries David L. Mitchell , 79, of Heppner died, July 19, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday October 14, 2023, at the Heppner Elks Lodge with light re- freshments. He was born on No- vember 30, 1943, at Grana- da, Colorado, the son of Dale and Charlcee Mitch- ell. He was raised in Pilot Rock where he graduated from high school. David joined the Unit- ed States Navy right after high school. He was sta- tioned in Japan. Upon returning to the states, he returned to Pilot Rock. On April 17, 1967, he married Corol at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the couple moved to Heppner in 1977 where they remained. He was a licensed elec- trician, holding licenses in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. David worked in all three states. David was a member of the Willow Creek Golf Club. He found enjoy- ment in golf, reading and spending time with his grandchildren, and attend- ing their various sporting events. David was known for his humor in nicknam- ing friends and family, his grandchildren were espe- cially fond of their special nicknames. Sarah – (Little Miss), Jon Jr.- (Backpack), Jake – (Porkchop), Ethan – (Goat Burger), Nikki – (Snickerdoodle), Cason – (Buckshot) Marlee – (Pop- corn Belly), and Landon – (Hickenlooper). Many thanks to the family and friends that visited, sent prayers, and brought goodies for David, along with the outstand- ing staff at Eastern Oregon Cancer Center at Pendle- ton and especially, Tammy Rolfe of Pioneer Memorial Hospice. Survivors include his wife Corol of Heppner, children: Jon Mitchell of Pendleton, Joni Maasdam (Mark) of Enterprise, Slat- er Mitchell (Darcee) of Heppner, a sister, Charlotte Eskildsen of Helena Mon- tana, grandchildren: Sarah Rice, Jon Mitchell Jr., Jake Maasdam, (Afton), Ethan Maasdam, Nikki Delancey (Rob), Cason, Marlee and Landon Mitchell, great grandchildren, Otto Rice and Kennedy Maasdam and many nieces and neph- ews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Charlcee and great nephew Brady Lawson. Memorial contribu- tions may be made to Pi- oneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836. Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner is in care of arrangements. You may sign the online condolence book at www.sweeney- mortuary.com. Funeral Notice Charles Lawrence Lutcher “The Heppner Elks Club has the honor of hold- ing this year’s State Presi- dent Nick Bettencourt’s visitation to the East Dis- trict on Saturday, Septem- ber 16,” said an Elks Club news release. This is an of- ficial visitation to the East District which includes 11 lodges throughout East- ern Oregon. An average of four dignitaries from each of the 11 lodges, along with several state vice presidents and dignitaries from Idaho, including past National Grand Exalted Ruler, Keith T. Mills, will be in attendance. Saturday’s events kick off with an encore play at 3:30 p.m. at the Heppner Cemetery titled “Days of Sorrow” which was last performed in 2003. “Ev- eryone is encouraged and welcomed to attend this wonderful play to hear the harrowing tale of the Hep- pner flood and its victims in the 1903 disaster, orga- nized by Doris Brosnan and Sharon Harrison,” said a news release. The play is free and guests are asked to take the second exit into the cemetery for parking. Following the play, cocktails will be served at the Heppner Elks Lodge, followed by the banquet dinner to be held at 6 p.m. The dinner, for members and guests only, will be ca- tered by Elkhorn Grills out of Baker City and features a tri-tip or chicken dinner with sides and dessert for $20. “All members are en- couraged to attend the Sat- urday night dinner to show support for this prestigious visitation,” said an Elks news release. Holly Rebekah Lodge will be holding their monthly dinner and BIN- GO the afternoon of Sun- day, September 24, at the Odd Fellow Lodge Hall on Main Street in Lexington. Dinner, which will start at 3 p.m. will be chicken en- chiladas, green salad and a dessert. Dinner is $5 and BIN- GO is $5 for a packet of 10 cards. Prizes of gift cards and baked items will be given. Rebekahs plan dinner, BINGO ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M. Ione camera installation update www.heppner.net Print & Mailing Services Hopeful Saints Ministries Will be hosting a Safe Halloween event October 31st from 5:30-8pm at the Hopeful Saints Ministry Church on the corner of Gale and Church Street thanks to funding from the Morrow County Unified Recreation District. This is a free community event for area residents. Inside the building there will be a junk food walk, movie playing, and free food and drink available. Trunk or Treat will be set up outside in the parking lot. We have 15 spots available if any businesses or individuals would like to participate in the trunk or treat. Please contact George Nairns at 541-571-6519 or Cody High at 541-256-0847 to reserve a trunk or treat spot. Treats will be provided for trunk or treaters to hand out if needed.
