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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2024)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Board of Commissioners meeting on curcuit court site and CREZ funds -Continued from PAGE ONE of course he has always added that Boardman PD, planning for the proposed north end annex building. Comparing it to Umatilla County, which is fully func- tioning and fully staffed, Nelson questioned if Mor- row County intends to rep- licate such comprehensive services. He acknowledged the difficulty of filling po- sitions in Heppner but not- ed that these challenges were specific to the south Morrow County area. He expressed curiosity about whether Morrow County plans to fully staff the annex building or if it will only be utilized on certain days. Drago expressed his apprehension about funding and questioned whether this would alter the state’s approval for the original courthouse construction rather than an annex. Jen- sen, in response, acknowl- edged the question but sug- gested seeking clarification from Judge Hill, who could provide insights into the matter. However, Jensen em- phasized the importance of considering Judge Hill’s recommendations, propos- ing a workshop involving Doug Carl, the BOC, and Judge Hill to delve deeper into the idea of building an annex. Wenholz, adding to the discussion, highlighted the significance of maintaining a partnership with the state when considering the con- struction project, “I think that we should because it is a partnership with the state. They are paying 50% of the courthouse part of the building. If you’re giv- ing them what they want, if there’s any additions or extra expenses, they are a lot more willing to advo- cate with the legislator and appropriate dollars for it.” Jensen expressed his worry about the operations and maintenance costs, “the states build us these nice facilities and we have to take care of the operations maintenance.” Jensen goes on to say he is interested to see their idea of staffing. Sykes voiced his pref- erence for keeping the fa- cility in Heppner. He em- phasized his support for the fairgrounds site, stating, “I want it to stay in Heppner, I would go back to the fair- grounds site.” Drago gave his opin- ion saying, “we gave the millsite [a chance] and we had our concerns at the be- ginning, and they came to fruition as we were afraid they would.” He goes on to say he would like to have a workshop with Judge Hills to address his comments or concerns. And if it’s some- thing that they can do, but been on board with the fairgrounds. Sykes adds that he doesn’t want to hold work- shop/public meeting, “I appreciate his letter, and I appreciate what he’s do- ing, but I don’t think you can split the baby. I think it needs to be in one place and I think it needs to be in Heppner. I’ve always said that, from when I was running for office I haven’t changed my mind.” The board passed a motion to hold a public meeting to discuss an annex. Next on the agenda was the discussion of the approval of funds for the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and their request to utilize the previ- ously awarded $100,000 in CREZ funds. Brian Snyder, representing the MCSO, articulated the pressing need for a private firearms range. Currently, officers are compelled to travel to Arlington in order to access a shooting range, according to Snyder. The proposed loca- tion for the range is coun- ty-owned land off Juniper Canyon. This land offers a convenient and accessible site for officers to train ef- fectively, says Snyder. The estimated cost for estab- lishing the firearms range is around $65,000. Addi- tionally, Snyder highlighted the need to purchase new search and rescue vehicles, as the current ones are over a decade old, worn out, and no longer meeting the required standards. They in- tend to trade in the existing vehicles and acquire two new Polaris 570s equipped with wenches and a new trailer, amounting to a max- imum cost of $35,000. Both the shooting range project and the acquiring of new search and rescue vehicles would use the total of their previously awarded CREZ funds. Commissioner Sykes drew attention to a previous discussion involving the Boardman Police Depart- ment also requesting CREZ funds for the construc- tion of a shooting range. Sykes sought clarification on whether the proposed firearms range would be used solely by the MCSO or if it would have a multi-de- partmental purpose. Snyder responded, emphasizing that while the range would be owned and operated by the MCSO, it has the poten- tial to benefit other law en- forcement agencies as well. He cited the example of Hermiston PD, which has a shooting range and has es- tablished usage agreements with other agencies. Snyder Heppner Junior High Volleyball Schedule Sep 10 , 2024, 4:00PM Away vs. Stanfield Second- ary at the Stanfield Second- ary School. Sep 12 th , 4:00PM Grant Union / Prairie City at the Heppner Elementary School. Sep 16 th , 2024 5:00PM Away vs. Riverside at the Windy River Elementary, Boardman Oregon. Sep 20 th , 2024 3-Way 9:00AM Irrigon, River- side at the Heppner High School, B team @ HES A team @ HHS. Sep 24, 2024 4:00PM Away vs. Weston-McEwen at the Weston Middle School. Sep 27 th , 2024 3-Way 9:00AM Away vs. Irrigon, Stanfield Secondary at the Irrigon High School. Sep 30 th , 2024 4:00PM Away vs. Umatilla & Clara th Brownell Middle at the Umatilla High School. Oct 7 th , 2024 4:00PM Uma- tilla & Clara Brownell Mid- dle at the Heppner Elemen- tary School. Oct 8 th , 2024 4:00PM Weston-McEwen at the Heppner Elementary School. Oct 12 th , 2024 3-Way 9:00AM Central Middle, Umatilla & Clara Brownell Middle at the Heppner, High School B team @ HES A team @ HHS. Oct 15, 2024 4:00PM Stan- field Secondary at the Hep- pner Elementary School. Oct 17 th , 2024 4:00PM Away vs. Grant Union / Prairie City at the Grant Union High School. Oct 21 st , 2024 4:30PM Away vs. Irrigon at the Irrigon High School. which currently travels to Pendleton for shooting practice, could also benefit from this endeavor. Commissioner Drago expressed his interest in ensuring that the public also has access to a shooting range. He proposed that if the range could serve both law enforcement agencies and the public, it might facilitate a smoother ap- proval process. Snyder ac- knowledged the suggestion but raised concerns about potential staffing issues, insurance liabilities, and the increased vulnerability of the range to vandalism if opened to the public. Drago suggested com- bining resources with the Boardman PD to create a project that would bene- fit the entire county and be open to the public on weekends. While Drago did not insist that this was the only way forward, he urged the MCSO to consider pool- ing funds from the city of Boardman and the Sheriff’s Department to undertake a venture that would serve the community as a whole. The collaboration was intended to provide an opportunity for the public to engage and utilize the proposed project. Snyder, in response to this proposal, expressed his willingness to consider the idea. However, he also voiced his concerns about the potential cost involved. According to Snyder, it was estimated that the Board- man project alone would require around $2.5 million. He emphasized the finan- cial constraints, saying, “we’ve got pennies for a project like that.” In light of these con- cerns, Sykes offered a pos- sible solution by suggesting that the MCSO consider the shooting range in Arlington as a model for their project. He cited its public acces- sibility as a benefit and highlighted the increased safety it would bring to the community as well. The board made a mo- tion to authorize the MCSO to proceed with purchasing new search and rescue ve- hicles, with a budget of up to $35,000. Furthermore, the board also agreed on another mo- tion, granting permission to the MCSO to further ex- plore the logistics and costs associated with building a shooting range. The MCSO was tasked with providing additional information to the Board, enabling them to make informed decisions about the viability of the project. Heppner Junior High Football schedule Sep 12 th , 2024 4:00PM Grant Union / Prairie City at the Heppner Football Field. Sep 26 th , 2024 5:00PM Stanfield Secondary at the Heppner Football Field. Oct 3 rd , 2024 4:00PM Weston-McEwen at the Heppner Football Field. Oct 17 th , 2024 4:00PM Away vs. Grant Union / Prairie City at the Grant Union High School. Print & Mailing Services *Design *Print *Mail Sykes Publishing 541-676-9228 Commissioner Sykes signs ASA plan -Continued from PAGE ONE agreements are intended to Rescue District was also ac- for the efforts of all in- volved parties, including the Morrow County Health District. He emphasized the importance of establishing strong working relation- ships within the county as the new plan is imple- mented. The new Ambulance Service Plan and provider enhance Morrow County’s ability to meet the emergen- cy response needs of resi- dents, businesses, and visi- tors. The county recognized the experience of Morrow County Health District in providing ambulance ser- vices and expressed antici- pation of a successful part- nership. The Boardman Fire knowledged for providing interim services while the Ambulance Service Plan was being finalized and the provider selection process completed. For more information, inquiries can be directed to Matthew Jensen, County Administrator, at (541) 676-2529. Heppner Daycare in need of a new facility -Continued from PAGE ONE this next phase of the proj- efforts of the Heppner com- reliable and high-quality childcare is increasingly recognized as a critical fac- tor in supporting local econ- omies, and the new facility is seen as a key component in ensuring the long-term vitality of the area. The Daycare Expansion Subcommittee is actively seeking the community’s input and involvement in ect. Interested parties, par- ticularly landowners with properties that meet the minimum requirements, are encouraged to reach out. The Subcommittee can be contacted via email at ksirimurray@gmail.com or by phone at 503-504-8508. In closing, the Subcom- mittee remains optimistic that, with the collective Heppner Volleyball Varsity Schedule 8/29/24: Tournament 4:30 PM vs. Pendleton (Umatil- la/Morrow County Volley- ball Jamboree - Pendleton High School) 8/31/24: Tournament 9:00 AM vs. Grant Union (Grant Union Tournament - Grant Union High School) 9/3/24: 5:00 PM @ Echo (South Wasco County) - Non-League 9/3/24: 6:30 PM @ South Wasco County - Non- League 9/5/24: 4:00 PM vs. Pilot Rock - Non-League 9/7/24: - Tournament 9:00 AM vs. TBD (Heppner Tournament - Heppner) 9/12/24 : 4:00 PM @ Weston-McEwen - League 9/13/24: Tournament 9:00 AM vs. TBD (Powder Val- ley Tournament - Powder Valley High School) - 9/14/24: Tournament 9:00 AM vs. TBD (Powder Val- ley Tournament - Powder Valley High School) 9/17/24: 4:00 PM vs. Dufur - Non-League 9/19/24: 4:00 PM @ Irrigon - League 9/26/24: 5:00 PM vs. Stan- field - League 9/28/24: 10:30 AM vs. Echo (Stanfield Secondary School) - Non-League 9/28/24: 12:00 PM vs. Im- bler (Stanfield Secondary School) - Non-League 9/28/24: 1:30 PM vs. Gas- ton (Stanfield Secondary School) - Non-League 10/1/24: 4:00 PM vs. Irri- gon - League 10/5/24: 2:00 PM @ En- terprise (Grant Union High School) - League 10/5/24: 4:00 PM @ Grant Union (Grant Union High School) - League 10/10/24: 4:00 PM vs. Weston-McEwen - League 10/17/24: 4:00 PM @ Stan- field - League 10/19/24: 12:00 PM vs. Enterprise - League 10/19/24: 4:00 PM vs. Grant Union - League Ione and Arlington football schedule Sept. 6 th , Pine Eagle 6pm in Arlington, Ione departs at 4pm. Sept. 13 th , Jordan, Valley 1pm (PT) in Jordan Ar- lington departs 6am, 2pm (MT) in Valley Ione departs at 6am. Sept. 20 th , Echo 7pm, in Echo, Arlington departs 4pm, Ione departs at 4pm. Sept. 27 th , Wheeler County 7pm, in Fossil. Arlington departs at 4pm, Ione departs at 4pm. Oct. 4 th , Prairie City 7pm, in Arlington. Ione departs at 4pm. Oct. 11 th , South Wasco 7pm, in Maupin. Ione de- parts at 1:45pm, Arlington depart at 2:30pm. Oct.18 th , Dayville/Monu- ment 7pm, Arlington. Ione departs 4pm. WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription munity, the vision for a new childcare facility will soon become a reality. The proj- ect represents a significant investment in the future of the town, its families, and its children, and the Sub- committee is eager to see this vision come to fruition. Heppner Football Schedule Non-League Games: 8/30/24: @ Gold Beach, 7:00 PM. 9/6/24: vs. Colton, 7:00 PM. 9/13/24: vs. Knappa, 7:00 PM. League Games: 9/20/24: @ Irrigon, 7:00 PM. 10/4/24: @ Stanfield, 7:00 PM. 10/11/24: vs. Weston-McE- wen / Griswold, 7:00 PM. 10/18/24: @ Riverside, 7:00 PM. 10/25/24: vs. Grant Union, 7:00 PM. 11/1/24: vs. Enterprise, 7:00 PM. Heppner Cross Country schedule SEP 28 th , 12:00 PM Baker Invite, Quail Ridge Golf Course, 2801 Indiana Ave, Baker City, OR 97814, USA. OCT 5 th , 3:00 PM, Hep- pner Mustang Invite, Hep- pner, OR 97836, USA. OCT 12 th , 3:30 PM Verno- nia Invitational, Anderson Park, Vernonia, OR 97064, USA. OCT 14 th , 8:30 AM Red Barn 5K Fundraiser, Lex- ington, OR 97839, USA. OCT 19 th , 12:00 AM Gold Rush Run, 7th Street Com- plex John Day, OR. O C T 2 7 th , 1 : 0 0 P M 3A/2A/1A SD-3 Districts, Pendleton Community Park, Pendleton, OR 97801, USA. DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM We’re Growing GENERATIONS TOGETHER WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO AG FAMILIES AMBER SCHLAICH 270 N. Main Street Heppner (541) 676-9125 Ag/Commercial Loan Officer SHANE LAZINKA 280 Main Street Ione (541) 422-7466 Ag/Commercial Loan Officer PERSONAL BANKING / BUSINESS BANKING / LOANS An American Banker TOP-PERFORMING COMMUNITY BANK OF 2023 under $2B in assets MEMBER FDIC
