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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2024)
50¢ VOL. 144 NO. 12 8 Pages Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Interim Ambulance VHUYLFHLQH൵HFW Nitrogen removal plan for the Port of Morrow By Chris Sykes During a Port of Mor- row meeting/Information session held on March 13th, Libby Bakke, from CONSOR, presented the plans for a new nitrogen processing plant and how LW ZLOO EH ¿QDQFHG &21- SOR specializes in water and transportation infra- structure in North America. Their range of services includes planning, engi- neering design, structural assessment, and construc- tion services. CONSOR’s main focus areas are water infrastructure, transporta- WLRQ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH WUD൶F engineering, hydraulics, structural assessment, and strategic communications. In terms of the project timeline, construction of anaerobic digesters began in 2018 and was complet- ed in 2023. The planning and design phase for sec- ondary treatment has been ¿QDOL]HGZLWKFRQVWUXFWLRQ scheduled to commence in the summer of 2024. Addi- tionally, the planning and design stage for the creation of new storage capacity of 1.5 billion gallons is cur- rently underway. Expan- sion, land application, and land purchases are currently in progress. The plan is to use the newly constructed anaero- bic digesters and second- ary treatment to remove nitrogen in four steps. The treatment approach in- volves treating industrial wastewater using biological WUHDWPHQWDQG¿OWUDWLRQ%L- ological treatment utilizes microorganisms to break down organic material, while filtration involves UXQQLQJWKHWUHDWHGH൷XHQW through a bed of sand to further clean the water. In the first step, the Current operation at the Port of Morrow Future addition to the original digester. Example of Anaerobic digesters. anaerobic digesters play a vital role. These digesters are 20 feet deep and pre- pare the process water for nitrogen removal in the next treatment steps. They are covered lagoons with long process times, where mi- crobes digest the food waste in a sealed vessel without oxygen. The biological processes break down the organic waste into usable products such as water for irrigation, solids for fertil- ization, and bio-gas. Moving on to the sec- ond step, the aeration pro- cess is implemented to remove most of the nitrogen from the process water. This is achieved through a biological process that consumes biodegradable organic matter, ammonia, and solids through aeration. The water is recirculated multiple times through an- oxic^1 and aeration basins, aiding in the removal of nu- trients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, from the treated water. ^1The anoxic process is a critical phase in the treatment of water and wastewater, designed to eliminate pollutants, partic- ularly nitrogen compounds such as nitrates (NO3-) and nitrites (NO2-), without the presence of oxygen. In this phase, specific microor- ganisms act on these com- pounds in an oxygen-free environment, using nitrate as an alternate electron ac- ceptor. This action is pivotal IRUWKHGHQLWUL¿FDWLRQVWHS where the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas (N2) occurs, allowing it to be released safely into the at- mosphere and thus reducing the nitrogen levels in the water.” In the third step, sec- RQGDU\FODUL¿HUVFRPHLQWR play. These clarifiers op- erate downstream from the aeration process and are responsible for sepa- rating water from solids. The treated water can be reused or sent to advanced WUHDWPHQW¿OWHUV7KHZDWHU moves slowly in the clari- ¿HUVDOORZLQJODUJHUSDUWL- cles to settle out before the WUHDWHGZDWHUÀRZVWRVWRU- age or advanced treatment. Additionally, the solids UHPRYHGIURPWKHFODUL¿HUV are returned to the aeration basins to maintain the ap- propriate bacterial levels. Finally, in the fourth step, denitrification fil- ters are used to produce high-quality water for in- dustrial reuse when needed. 7KHVH¿OWHUVUHPRYHWKHUH- maining nutrients, namely nitrogen and phosphorus, from the process water. Sil- ica sand and graded gravel DUHDPRQJWKH¿OWHUPHGLD utilized in this advanced -Continued to PAGE EIGHT Morrow County Health District press release Service Excellence Ini- tiative. It has been brought to the MCHD Board atten- tion that there are concerns surrounding community member complaints as well as employee retention of the Health District. The board would like to share with those that have concerns, the direction and vision for handling such complaints. The board directed the CEO and the Executive Team three years ago to begin the task of imple- menting a much-needed change within the orga- nization. Changes are not always well received as we all know and can create a lot of fear and uncertainty as progression occurs. The board along with the admin- istration have maintained a high level of transparency with staff regarding the changes that are necessary to achieve a more cohesive culture and accountability among staff districtwide. The board and adminis- tration believe that with positive change inside the organization, it will then be passed on through patient care, and thus reach the FRPPXQLW\7KHUHDUHVWD൵ that are not onboard with the changes, however with that said there are far more VWD൵WKDWDUHWKULYLQJIURP the changes that have been implemented and have ap- preciation for the account- ability and culture changes. What is the MCHD Service Excellence Initia- tive? The Service Excellence Initiative is a districtwide H൵RUW DLPHG DW LPSURYLQJ patient satisfaction and em- ployee engagement. Here are a few improvements made over the last couple of years: Implementation of the Service Recovery policy, which allows employees to provide a $10 gift card to patients when our services fell short of their expecta- tions. Adoption of a formal process for responding to patient complaints in com- pliance with CMS stan- dards. Patient satisfaction scores are now available, discussed and analyzed by staff on where improve- ments are needed. $OO VWD൵ PHHWLQJV DUH held monthly. Monthly provider and executive team meetings were implemented to im- prove provider engage- ment. To improve transparen- cy and communication, the CEO sends a weekly update WRDOOVWD൵DQGWKH%RDUGRI Directors, which includes NXGRVVXEPLWWHGE\VWD൵ The monthly Board Dashboard was created, which gives Board mem- bers more transparency into what is happening with the GLVWULFW¿QDQFLDOO\DQGRS- erationally. Board agenda, minutes and packets are posted to the MCHD website. The Service of Excel- lence Council was created with membership by front- OLQHVWD൵DQGPDQDJHPHQW The SEC has oversight of all patient satisfaction and employee engagement ini- tiatives. This is a short list of all the things that have been created and put into action to grow and change the cul- ture. The Morrow County Health District and Board of Directors welcomes the community and staff to share concerns, complaints, or compliments through the appropriate channels. CEO Emily Roberts has an RSHQGRRU SROLF\ IRU VWD൵ and community members. Complaints can also be received through the Dis- trict’s anonymous hotline (www.lighthouse-services. com/mocohd) or submitted WRRXU&RPSOLDQFH2൶FHU ZKR LV ZHOO TXDOL¿HG DQG most helpful at investigat- LQJ UHVHDUFKLQJ DQG ¿QG- ing a resolution. Studies show that a person works 1/3 of their life at work, thus making it even more important to support and encourage an environment and culture that grow positivity and accountability. MCHD appreciates the support of our community and especially now more than ever. Sincerely, Trista Seastone Morrow County Health District Board Vice Chair Photo of a similar ambulance seen around Heppner during the St. Patrick’s celebration. The Interim ambulance service, provided by Amer- ican Medical Response (AMR), is now operating in Heppner. This past week- end, amidst the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, AMR paramedics were observed riding around town. While they did not participate in the parade, their presence was visible throughout the community. Matheny places 3 rd at Regional Elks Hoop Shoot Competition Sonny Matheny, with his 3rd place trophy. -Photo by Chelsey Matheny S o n n y Mat h en y, a young talent from Hep- pner, Oregon, showcased his skills by securing the 3rd place at the regional Elks Hoop Shoot compe- tition. The event witnessed tough competition from participants representing Oregon, Washington, Ida- ho, and Alaska. Sonny was in the 8-9 year old division, with the banquet held at the Paso Red Lion and the free-throw shooting contest taking place at Kamiakin High School. In each division, both boys and girls had the op- portunity to compete, with four representatives from each state. The divisions included 8-9, 10-11, and 12- 13 age categories. Sonny gave an impressive perfor- mance, making 16 out of 25 free-throws, ultimate- ly securing the 3rd place spot. It is worth noting that the winner in his division achieved a score of 19 out of 25, while the runner-up obtained 18 out of 25. Sonny’s mother, Chel- sea, said, “ He had been practicing a lot and was consistently in the 18-21 range. He was disappoint- ed but the experience was great! We are so proud of him. Really puts a lot of pressure on these young players. Good preparation for pressure situations in games.” The main rules for contestants: All contestants should be allowed 10 minutes to warm up under the super- YLVLRQ RI FRQWHVW R൶FLDOV Each contestant, according to their draw, can have up to ¿YHZDUPXSVKRWVDQGWKHQ shoot 10 shots for score. Af- ter completing their warm- up shots and the 10 shots for score, the contestant will report to the end of the line or sit on a chair until the remaining contestants have ¿QLVKHG 2QFH DOO FRQWHV- tants have completed their shots, the contestant will shoot 15 additional shots to complete their 25 shots for score. The line judge signals made or missed shots to the scorers. Each free throw at- tempt must be made within 10 seconds from the time the contestant is handed the ball. The Line Judge silently counts to 10 or uses a 10 count out of the contestant’s line of vision for each free throw attempt. Contestants must stay behind the foul line until the ball touches the hoop, backboard, or net. Ties will be broken using a number of five-shot sets, previous contest scores (if applicable), or a coin toss. History of the Elks hoop shoot. According to The Elks Hoop Shoot web page, the hoop shoot started in Cor- vallis, Oregon, in 1946, and has grown into a national youth free-throw shooting competition, and its abil- ity to bring communities together and foster sports- manship among the youth. Initiated by Frank Hise, a past National President of the Elks, the program -Continued to PAGE SEVEN CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
