7:2+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQWednesday, December 20, 2023
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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
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Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Annalynn Black ............................................................................................ Editor
Cindi Doherty.........................................................................................Advertising
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Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wasco
WE ARE CALLED TO
COLLABORATE WITH
GOD’S PLAN
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really make us happy. Deep in our hearts we really know,
but perhaps are not focused on obtaining, that happiness
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God’s word invites us and challenges us to seek the Lord
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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we are led to a deep and profound relationship with Jesus.
WWW.HEPPNER.NET
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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
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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
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needs. “Its goals were really
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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
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and coverage of the service.
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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-
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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
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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-
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Loop service, resemble
typical transit buses rather
than the city buses found
in larger metropolitan areas.
The bus traveling along
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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
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modating two wheelchair
users and two bikes. Two
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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
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Loop service, incorporating
elements that reflect the
unique features and indus-
tries of Morrow County,
such as mountains, wheat
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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
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man, Morrow, Umatilla,
Union, Baker, and Malheur
counties.
Heading into these ini-
tial town halls of the new
year, Wyden has held a
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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.
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School, 210 Boardman Ave
NE, Boardman.
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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.
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