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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2023)
City of Ione ensures safe water supply 50¢ VOL. 143 NO. 51 10 Pages Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Morrow County Health District to discontinue ambulance services By Chris Sykes Years-long debates, lawsuits, and mistrust have plagued the Morrow Coun- ty Health District (MCHD) Boardman Fire Rescue Dis- trict (BFRD) and Morrow County regarding the dis- continuation of ambulance services. On December 13, 2023, MCHD issued a 90-day notice to cease ambulance services in Morrow County, citing ongoing safety concerns and a failure to reach an agreement with the county. MCHD claims that despite their attempts to engage in good faith discussions, their concerns, and questions regarding the proposed Ambulance Service Area (ASA) Plan and Ordinance have not been adequately addressed. The discontinuation of ambulance service in Morrow County raises sig- nificant concerns about the provision of emergen- cy medical care for both residents and visitors. It remains unclear whether an agreement can be reached within 90 days or if Morrow County will need to decide on alternative coverage. Both the MCHD and Mor- row County express their commitment to the safety of the community, but they KROGGL൵HULQJYLHZVRQWKH proposed ASA Plan and Ordinance. According to the Coun- ty, they have engaged with Morrow County Health District and Boardman Fire Rescue District (BFRD) on a draft Ambulance Ser- vice Area Plan (ASA) to achieve these goals. These groups have provided in- put and comments on the draft, most of which were included or adapted into the document. While this input was valuable, it is still the County’s ultimate responsibility to prepare the Ambulance Service Area Plan for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to review. On December 11, 2023, a draft was submitted for initial review by OHA, and the County is in the process of providing ad- ditional documents before OHA moves forward with its review. This was not a final document as it still needs to go through public notice, consideration, and adoption by the Board of Commissioners. The Coun- ty was surprised by the 90- day notice and had expected to continue its partnership with MCHD for ambulance services. According to the county, consistent commu- nication between the Coun- ty, MCHD, and BFRD had been taking place before this development. In a press release, he MCHD has raised sever- al concerns regarding the proposed changes. They have worries about reduced cross-coverage in Board- man and Irrigon, the com- position of the new EMS Advisory Committee, the lack of a process for inves- tigating medical issues, and the inadequate addressing RIFRQ¿GHQWLDOLW\FRQFHUQV in the proposed ASA Plan and Ordinance. Talking with Emily Roberts, the CEO, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the county’s communication practices, stating that they were neither clear nor ade- quate. She was particularly curious about the methods and reasoning behind cer- tain conclusions they had reached. In response to the notice from the Morrow County Health Department (MCHD) Morrow Coun- ty’s County Administrator, Matt Jensen, emphasized two key objectives in their press release. Firstly, they DLPWRUHD൶UPWKDWLQDF- cordance with Oregon law, the County holds the direct responsibility for establish- ing ambulance services. This assertion is meant to clarify any misconceptions and ensure adherence to the legal framework. Secondly, the Coun- ty intends to establish an independent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Committee. This committee will serve as an overseeing body, respon- sible for evaluating the practices of all ambulance service providers within the County. By doing so, the County aims to en- sure transparency in the evaluation of ambulance services and guarantee the highest standards of quality in emergency medical care. Here are some of MCHD concerns and Mor- row County’s response to those concerns according to their press releases and interviews. What MCHD says: The current draft indi- cates that Boardman Fire Rescue District has been awarded the “Northern Am- bulance Service Area” in Morrow County. However, the county has not followed the established processes outlined in the 1998 ASA Plan or the 2022 ASA Plan to replace MCHD as the am- bulance service provider in any part of Morrow County. The rationale for changing the ambulance service pro- vider in the Boardman area has also not been provided by Morrow County. The County’s response: MCHD nor BFRD are listed as initial providers. The ASA is crafted to allow up to three providers (if practical) to operate in the County with initial provid- By Annalynn Black On December 12, 2023, test results revealed the presence of coliform and E. coli in certain areas of the city’s water system. The city well and reservoir were XQD൵HFWHGEXWWKHERRVWHU station on Emert and the Ione City Hall tested posi- tive for these contaminants. This necessitated a compre- hensive response from the city authorities. City staff, including Scott Ezell, an Automation Engineer from the Port of Morrow, met with Bill Goss from the Oregon Public Drinking Water Service to discuss progress and devise additional steps to eliminate the contamination. The city swiftly repaired and put the Chlorination Station into operation to initiate the chlorination process sys- tematically. This involved moving chlorinated water through the main water lines while requesting resi- GHQWVWRÀXVKZDWHULQWKHLU homes and businesses to facilitate the flow in the entire system. To ensure the distribu- tion of safe water through- out the system, Public Works Director Shad Hass ÀXVKHG K\GUDQWV DQG FRQ- ducted chlorine level tests on December 14 th . Follow- ing state policy, he hand-de- livered water samples to the Umpqua Research Compa- ny, a water testing labora- tory in Pendleton. On the 15th, the test results came EDFN QHJDWLYH FRQ¿UPLQJ the successful eradication of contaminants. Subse- quently, Bill Goss lifted the boil ban, granting residents the freedom to use the wa- ter without restrictions. Furthermore, the city per- formed another round of testing on the 19th, with results expected soon. Recognizing the need to fortify their infrastruc- ture against potential future issues, the City of Ione is collaborating with the city of Heppner to develop an inter-agency contract. This partnership will enhance their collective readiness to deal with any future water-related challenges effectively. Additionally, the city has organized a town meeting scheduled for January 9th at the Legion Hall in Ione. This meeting aims to engage residents, provide updates on the issue, and gather feedback and suggestions to ensure proactive and comprehen- sive measures for any future potential problems. Santa visits Sage Garden Preschool -Continued to PAGE EIGHT Local woman goes to Spain to write Marissa Occhiuto on a hike posing in front of the Castel De Llaers. - Contributed Photo By Annalynn Black Marissa Occhiuto, a dedicated graduate of PSU with a bachelor’s degree in art history, recently em- barked on an extraordinary journey that would forever change her life. Through sheer determination and a leap of faith, Marissa found herself participating in the renowned Wayward Worm Hole writing work- shop. This opportunity held immense significance for her, as she had only attend- ed one formal in-person writing class prior to this transformative experience. Originally from the captivating Willamette Val- ley, Marissa and her hus- band made a bold decision to relocate to Heppner last year, enticed by promising job prospects. Little did she know that this move would open doors to a remarkable opportunity for personal and artistic growth. The Wayward Worm Hole workshop caught Ma- rissa’s attention through a social media post shared by one of her favorite au- thors. Although she initially felt hesitant, she decided to throw caution to the wind and applied for the workshop, thinking, “Might as well?” The application process entailed submitting a Science-Fiction and Fan- tasy short story, allowing the organizers to assess her writing style and abil- ities. Out of the multitude of applications received, only twelve exceptionally talented individuals were chosen to participate in this exclusive workshop. Marissa’s passion for )DQWDV\DQGVFLHQFH¿FWLRQ had been nurtured since her childhood, but it was during the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic that she truly began to take her craft seriously. Determined to share her stories with the world, she started submit- ting her works to various publishers and magazines, enjoying notable success with a few of her pieces being sold. Enrolling in the workshop at the picturesque Castel De Llaers, nestled two hours north of Barcelo- na, became the next pivotal step in Marissa’s artistic journey. Embarking on inter- national travel after nearly a decade naturally stirred some apprehension with- in Marissa. However, her fears were swiftly dispelled by the warm camaraderie of her fellow workshop attendees. The route to Spain proved challenging, involving bus and train rides due to ongoing road construction. Neverthe- less, language barriers were skillfully surmounted with the assistance of bilingual members, ensuring a safe and triumphant arrival. Although Marissa didn’t have the opportu- nity to explore the nearby attractions due to the work- shop’s secluded location, the breathtaking view from the castle compensated for any missed adventures. The sight of the French Pyrenees in the distance provided Marissa with a wellspring of inspiration, infusing her writing with the beauty of the natural surroundings. She managed to carve out time for invigorating hikes around the castle, capturing stunning photographs that showcased the union of historical architecture and majestic mountains. While the culinary ex- perience during her stay leaned towards an Amer- ican diet to accommodate the diverse group, Maris- sa eagerly embraced the chance to savor Spain’s renowned dried meats. Ven- turing to a nearby hostel, she indulged in an authentic culinary experience, brave- ly sampling dishes that included goose, lamb, and blood sausages. Although the latter was not her per- sonal favorite, she whole- heartedly embraced her adventurous spirit, allowing her taste buds to journey into uncharted territory. 8SRQUHÀHFWLRQ0DULV- sa humbly acknowledges her limitations as an indi- Sage Garden Preschoolers posing with Santa before they leave for the holidays. - Contributed Photo On the last day of school before the new year, Santa Claus visited Sage Garden Preschool, delight- ing all the children. Dressed in a cheerful red suit, Santa (also known as Will Lem- mon) spread holiday cheer as he posed for pictures with the kids. The parents added to the festive atmo- sphere by bringing snacks and crafts for the children to enjoy. Christmas Eve at Heppner Christian Church Heppner Christian at 5:00pm on Sunday the Church is having a Candle- 24th located at 293 Gale St, light Christmas Eve service Heppner, all are welcome. Christmas Eve at Hopeful Saint Ministry Hopeful Saints Min- istry invites you to join us for our Christmas Eve service beginning at 10 AM on Sunday, December 24th. Worship will be a tradition- -Continued to PAGE THREE al Christmas Eve candle- light service with lessons, carols, and communion. Located at 420 Gale St, in Heppner Oregon, gather up your family and friends to share this sacred time together. CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
