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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2023)
7:2+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQWednesday, December 20, 2023 7KH2൶FLDO1HZVSDSHU 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 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 2൶FHDW+HSSQHU2UHJRQXQGHUWKH$FWRI0DUFK3HULRGLFDOSRVWDJHSDLG DW+HSSQHU2UHJRQ2൶FHDW10DLQ6W7HOHSKRQH )D[ (PDLO HGLWRU#UDSLGVHUYHQHW RU V\NHVFKULV#KRWPDLOFRP :HE VLWH www.heppner.net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, 32%R[+HSSQHU2UHJRQ6XEVFULSWLRQV,Q0RUURZ&RXQW\\HDU 2XWVLGH0RUURZ&RXQW\\HDU,Q&RXQW\6HQLRU5DWH \HDUVRUROGHU \HDUPRQWK6WXGHQWVWXGHQWVXEVFULSWLRQV\HDU Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher Annalynn Black ............................................................................................ 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 $5.50 per FROXPQLQFK&RVWIRUFODVVL¿HGDGLVSHUZRUG&RVWIRU&DUGRI7KDQNVLVXSWR ZRUGV&RVWIRUDFODVVL¿HGGLVSOD\DGLVSHUFROXPQLQFK For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi- FDWLRQPXVWEHVSHFL¿HG$I¿GDYLWVPXVWEHUHTXHVWHGDWWKHWLPHRIVXEPLVVLRQ$I¿GDYLWV UHTXLUHWKUHHZHHNVWRSURFHVVDIWHUODVWGDWHRISXEOLFDWLRQ DVRRQHUUHWXUQGDWHPXVWEH VSHFL¿HGLIUHTXLUHG )RU2ELWXDULHV2ELWXDULHVDUHSXEOLVKHGLQWKH+HSSQHU*7DWQRFKDUJHDQGDUHHGLWHGWR meet news guidelines. Families wishing to include information not included in the guidelines or who wish to have the obituary written in a certain way must purchase advertising space for the obituary. )RU/HWWHUVWRWKH(GLWRU/HWWHUVWRWKH(GLWRU0867EHVLJQHGE\WKHDXWKRU7KH+HSSQHU *7ZLOOQRWSXEOLVKXQVLJQHGOHWWHUV$OOOHWWHUV0867LQFOXGHWKHDXWKRU¶VDGGUHVVDQGSKRQH QXPEHUIRUXVHE\WKH*7RI¿FH7KH*7UHVHUYHVWKHULJKWWRHGLWOHWWHUV7KH*7LVQRW UHVSRQVLEOHIRUDFFXUDF\RIVWDWHPHQWVPDGHLQOHWWHUV$Q\OHWWHUVH[SUHVVLQJWKDQNVZLOOEH SODFHGLQWKHFODVVL¿HGVXQGHU³&DUGRI7KDQNV´DWDFRVWRI Spiritually Speaking Father Thankachan Joseph St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wasco WE ARE CALLED TO COLLABORATE WITH GOD’S PLAN $OORIXVNHHSWU\LQJWR¿QGZKDWZHEHOLHYHZRXOG really make us happy. Deep in our hearts we really know, but perhaps are not focused on obtaining, that happiness ZHFUDYH+DYHZHWULHG¿QGLQJRXUKDSSLQHVVLQ*RG" God’s word invites us and challenges us to seek the Lord DQG¿QGRXUKDSSLQHVVLQ+LP$VEHOLHYHUVZHIHHOWKDWLI God were to tell us exactly what He wanted of us and how He wanted us to act, we would gladly do His will. But are we doing His will daily? Are we collaborating with His plans? In this week’s scripture readings, King David and our Blessed Mother Mary collaborate with God’s plan. ,QWKH6HFRQGERRNRI6DPXHO .LQJ David aspires to build a dwelling place, a temple, for Yahweh. But God has no need of the temple. The Lord reminds David that it was always Yahweh who made David victorious in battle, gave him power and fame, made possible all David’s achievements and successes. Rather than David building a temple, the Lord will make David a house and establish his dynasty that will stand secure forever. We are not called to build a temple to the Lord; we are asked to let God establish His Kingdom in us and through us. 7KHOHWWHUWRWKH5RPDQV FRQFOXGHVZLWK an exhortation for all the people of God to be faithful to the Gospel, the wisdom of God made known to Christians. God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles has come to IXO¿OOPHQWLQ&KULVW7KHJRRGQHZVPXVWEHEURDGFDVWHG their role is to be obedient in faith to God’s plan. Matthew focuses on Mary and her role in God’s plan of salvation. Mary collaborated with God’s plan by saying “yes.” God had made a promise to David that he would build his dynasty that would be great and a source of blessing. With Mary’s “yes,” that promise was realized and brought to fruition. God came to dwell in the Ark of the Covenant in David’s time, and David danced before the ark, expressing his joy in Yahweh. So, Mary welcomed the Lord into the new ark of the Covenant, her body, and JORUL¿HG*RGLQKHUVRQJRISUDLVHWKH0DJQL¿FDW0DU\ is a role model for Christians. Mary, like every young woman, had plans and dreams. She was surprised by the angel’s revelation of God’s plan for her. “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Accepting the message led her RQDWRWDOO\GL൵HUHQWSDWK 1) Mary ardent listener of the word of God: As we prepare for Christmas, Mary should inspire each of us to be more open to the Word of God in our lives, too. How do we spend our lives? Like Mary, do we spend time listening to the prompting of Christ? 2) Hail Full of Grace: The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary for you have found favor with God.” To be addressed as God’s favored ones what do we need to leave aside? 3) She Bore Him in her Heart: I think Mary inspires all of us to bear Jesus in our hearts always. She had the privilege of bearing Jesus, but before she bore Him in her womb, she carried Him in her heart. She invites everyone to do the same. 4) Behold, I Am the Handmaid of the Lord (Lk. 1:38): Mary knew as a good Jewish woman what the re- percussions would be of her “yes.” Her surrender teaches us that we need to surrender to God’s plan. When pains come, we should remember Mary; surrender ourselves and our plans to the mighty hand of God. So, what must we need to do to be collaborators with God’s plan as did King David and Mary, a real model of simplicity and humility? Mary remained humble in the sight of God, reminding me of the words of Paul: “Who made you so important? What have you got that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why are you ERDVWLQJDVWKRXJKLWZHUH\RXURZQ"´ &RULQWKLQV King David and Mary, examples to us, remained the most favored ones, and collaborated with the plan of God; they demonstrate that we can actually approach God and follow +LPLIZH¿[RXUH\HVRQ+LP:KHQ+HEHFRPHVRXU SULRULW\WDNHV¿UVWSODFHEHFRPHVWKHFHQWHURIRXUOLYHV we are led to a deep and profound relationship with Jesus. WWW.HEPPNER.NET Sɲɟɪɦɱ1ɢɴɰ$ɡɳɢɯɱɦɰɦɫɤ $ɫɫɬɲɫɠɢɪɢɫɱɰ /ɢɱɱɢɯɰ7ɬ7ɥɢ(ɡɦɱɬɯ 6ɢɫɡ8ɰ3ɥɬɱɬɰ 6ɱɞɯɱ$1ɢɴ6ɲɟɰɠɯɦɭɱɦɬɫ Morrow County to expect new bus route By Annalynn Black The residents of Mor- row County will soon have a new transit option at their disposal as the Loop on-de- mand transportation service expands its offerings. In -DQXDU\DIUHH¿[HGURXWH bus will be introduced to connect the towns of Hep- pner and Boardman, as well as provide a loop service within Boardman. To im- prove connectivity between Morrow County and larger regions with higher popula- tions, such as Hermiston or Tri-Cities, the public transit department has partnered with Kayak Public Transit, the free regional transpor- tation bus system operated by the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reser- vation. Recognizing the need for transportation alterna- tives in the area, Morrow County Transit Manag- er Ben Tucker explained “There’s a huge, under- served population that do not have vehicle or only have one vehicle” “Then when someone takes it to work all day, that leaves everybody else without transportation.” A recent study con- ducted by the Rural En- gagement and Vitality Cen- ter (REV) and Euvalcree further supports Tucker’s assessment of public transit in the county. Euvalcree is a Hermiston-based commu- nity organization focused on engaging underserved populations, especially Latino communities, in the region. Sponsored by the Or- egon Department of Land Conservation and Devel- opment, the study aimed to make rural transportation more accessible and in- clusive. The survey, which received responses from around 300 individuals across the county, revealed a lack of awareness and uti- lization of existing services. Respondents “expressed a strong desire” for more information about available service options and a need for more consistent modes of transportation. The in- troduction of the new bus VHUYLFHDLPVWRIXO¿OOWKHVH needs. “Its goals were really WR¿QGRXWLIWKRVHWUDGLWLRQ- ally underserved popula- tions knew about transit and had what they need to use transit.”, Morrow County Planning Director Tamra Mabbot said. However, establishing a transit route in a rural area presents unique challenges. The lack of infrastructure, such as sidewalks, can com- plicate the establishment of bus stops. Additionally, the greater distances between communities in the county FDQ LPSDFW WKH H൶FLHQF\ and coverage of the service. )LQGLQJTXDOL¿HGEXVGULY- ers who reside in the area or are willing to relocate near- by can also be demanding. Furthermore, unpredictable weather conditions across the vast coverage area pose a potential obstacle and require careful planning. “There’s no public transit that serves this area,” Tuck- HUVDLG³,W¿WVLQWRWKHORFDO need as well as plays into the bigger picture of transit network through the state.” The success of this project relies heavily on effectively disseminating information about the new service and other public transit options available in the county. The REV Center and Euvalcree study em- phasized the importance of communication and public engagement. To achieve this, various strategies and channels will be explored, including direct messaging, collaboration with employ- ers and the local chamber of commerce, and relying on the curiosity sparked by the sight of the bus itself. Ad- ditionally, recognizing the VLJQL¿FDQW 6SDQLVKVSHDN- ing population in the area, the messaging will be of- fered in both English and Spanish to ensure inclusiv- ity. “When we are looking for public involvement, we need to do more than we have historically done,” Mabbott said. “We may need to work with some other groups to get more public involvement.” The new buses, de- VLJQHG VSHFL¿FDOO\ IRU WKH Loop service, resemble typical transit buses rather than the city buses found in larger metropolitan areas. The bus traveling along +LJKZD\EHWZHHQ+HS- pner and Boardman, can accommodate 32 passen- gers, with space for two wheelchair users and three bikes. The smaller bus oper- ating within Boardman can VHDWSDVVHQJHUVDFFRP- modating two wheelchair users and two bikes. Two DGGLWLRQDO VHDWHU EXVHV will be kept in reserve, with the potential to expand the service as a second bus on the route, thereby reducing wait times. The exterior of the bus- es proudly displays a logo VSHFL¿FDOO\GHVLJQHGIRUWKH Loop service, incorporating elements that reflect the unique features and indus- tries of Morrow County, such as mountains, wheat ¿HOGVFRZVZLQGWXUELQHV and industrial buildings. The introduction of this new transit option in Morrow County signifies a step towards addressing the transportation needs of the underserved popu- lation. While challenges exist in establishing and operating the service, the commitment of the county and its partners to address these issues is evident. By providing accessible and inclusive transportation options, the Loop service aims to improve the quality of life for residents and en- hance connectivity within the region. Wyden to hold town hall in Morrow County Jan. 4 th U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced he will begin his 2024 town hall sched- ule with seven in-person WRZQKDOOVWKH¿UVWZHHNRI -DQXDU\LQ-H൵HUVRQ6KHU- man, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Baker, and Malheur counties. Heading into these ini- tial town halls of the new year, Wyden has held a WRWDO RI WRZQ KDOOV throughout Oregon. “I’m very much look- ing forward to starting 2024 with these open-to-all town halls in the ongoing spirit of the ‘Oregon Way’ where anybody can ask questions, share opinions, and suggest ideas,” Wyden said. “Head- ing into a new congressio- nal year, these open-to-all town halls are especially timely because Oregonians in these counties can help shape legislative priorities for the next 12 months and beyond.” The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows: - M o r r o w C o u n t y, 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 5LYHUVLGH -U6U +LJK School, 210 Boardman Ave NE, Boardman. Butcher’s Deluxe Package – MAKES A – GREAT GIFT 4 Butcher’s Cut Top Sirloins (5 oz.) 4 Air-Chilled Boneless Chicken Breasts (4 oz.) 4 Boneless Pork Chops (5 oz.) 4 Individual Scalloped Potatoes (3.8 oz.) 4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.) 1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.) 8 FREE PureGround ™ Filet Mignon Burgers (6 oz.) 74222DHC separately $221.94 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE $ 99 99 Get 8 FREE Burgers 1.855.223.9747 ask for 74222DHC OmahaSteaks.com/Deluxe8448 Savings shown over aggregated single item base price. Standard S&H applies. Exp. 12/31/23. | Omaha Steaks, Inc. The Heppner Elks Lodge #358 invites you to join us for a Memorial Service on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 8:00 pm HEPPNER ELKS 358 “WHERE FRIENDS MEET” Members & their Guest 541-676-9181 142 N MAIN ST To your health? Santas elf came in for a hearing test Santa’s helper getting his ears checked to hear all the chil- dren. Verna’s Hearing Care individuals of all ages, even Center is dedicated to en- Santa’s beloved elves suring optimal hearing for At this time of year, in many different cultures, we toast to our health. Yet, heavy drinking raises our risk for liver disease, breast cancer and depression. This holiday season, give some thought to how much you drink and consider drinking less. It could make a big difference…to your health. rethinkthedrink.com
