EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Collaboration among local and state agencies leads to success-
ful flood siren test in Heppner
-Continued to PAGE ONE
last time Heppner tested the
warning system was several
years ago.
Prior to the test, Steve
took proactive measures
to inform the communi-
ty. He went door-to-door,
made announcements on
social media platforms like
Facebook, and used the
downtown Heppner speaker
system to alert residents.
On the day of the test, rep-
resentatives from the par-
ticipating agencies posi-
tioned themselves around
Heppner, extending out to
the mill and golf course, to
evaluate the siren’s reach
and clarity.
Sarah Baker, a
long-serving dispatcher at
the Morrow County Sher-
iff ’s Office was chosen
to press the red button to
activate the siren during
this test. Her expertise and
dedication to the Sheriff’s
Office made her a fitting
choice for this important
Sarah Baker, from the MCSO, pushing the siren button.
-Photo contributed
Members of the MCSO and the Army Core of Engineers
discussing the dam. -Photo contributed
moment.
A key focus of the test
was to determine whether
the sound would travel
far enough and be loud
enough for everyone to
hear. Research conducted
by Iowa State University’s
Center for Nondestructive
Evaluation on the effects
of temperature on sound
propagation revealed that
sound travels faster in warm
air due to the higher energy
an amplification effect that
makes the sound louder and
allows it to travel farther
near the ground.
When the siren was
activated, it was heard
clearly inside the Sher-
iff’s Office. Some residents
called the dispatch office
with questions about the
siren, confirming the sys-
tem effectively reached the
community. Following the
test, the teams reconvened
HHS Seniors honored
each quarter
-Continued from PAGE ONE Science/Spanish II
Perseverance in their
academic studies.
Integrity in their be-
havior.
Good character in mak-
ing decisions.
Civility in collaborat-
ing and working with oth-
ers; or
Leadership in taking
on new challenges, to name
just a few examples.
Angel Myers--HS Condi-
tioning
Laia Puelles--Plant Science
Ashlee Knutz--Alg. I
Lakelie Thompson--JH Ro-
botics
Brody Knutz--MS Biology/
MS ELA
Lizzie Finch--Honors Bi-
ology
Catherine Lindsay--8th
Math/MS PE/MS S.S.
Lizzie Ginn--Biology
Charlie Mullins--MS PE/
MS Spanish/MS S.S
Loren Trujillo--Physics
Darby Spivey--AG Me-
chanics/Intro to Eng.
Lucas King--Intro to Engi-
neering
Ella Brannon--MS Biology/
MS ELA
Maisyn Waller--World His-
tory/
Plant Science
Emma Patterson--MS
PE
Mason Seitz--Robotics
Hailey McDaniel--Food
Maya Payne--AG Lead-
ership
Jackson Coiner--Pre-Calcu-
lus
McKenzie Maben--Geome-
try/ Physical Science
Jasper Hanna--Alg. I/MS
Computers/MS Biology
Melannie Castellanos--AG
I
Jaxson Wight--MS Condi-
tioning
Natalie Piper--Geometry
John Lindsay--Advanced
AG/Personal Finance
Neely Foster--MS Explor-
ing Tech/7th Advanced Mat
Journey Harris--Civ-
ics-Economics
Nick Wenberg--Tech Math
Jules Archer--Biology/Ge-
ometry
Owen Guerra--HS Condi-
tioning
Kaden King--Metals Man-
ufacturing/Tech Math
Paige Miller--MS Robotics
Kathryn (KC) Ander-
son--US History
Riley Palmer--US History/
Adv. Tech
Keeley Nairns--Alg. 2
Tenley Rosenbalm--MS SS
Ketch Fennern--ELA
Lab
Tyelor Moore--Geometry
Khloe Rodriguez--MS
ELA
Tyler Rice--Health
Kooper Miller-HS Condi-
tioning.
of its molecules, which al-
lows it to propagate more
efficiently. Under certain
conditions, sound may cov-
er more distance in warm
air, but it often bends up-
ward as it moves away from
the source, making it seem
quieter. In contrast, sound
moves more slowly in cold
air because the molecules
are less energetic. However,
cold air causes sound waves
to bend downward, creating
Sheriff’s Report
WWW.HEPPNER.NET
-Continued from PAGE FIVE caused an obstruction.
Water Park in Hep-
pner. Deputies investigated
and resolved the issue.
Suspicious Activity
A female acting errat-
ically in a parked vehicle
at Love’s Travel Stop in
Boardman was reported.
Deputies were unable to
locate her.
Harassment
An altercation on
Brace Road in Irrigon in-
volved an individual re-
portedly being assaulted
and an attempt to enter a
vehicle. Deputies separat-
ed the parties and took a
report.
Parking Complaint
A Walmart
truck
was reported parked in a
no-parking area near Rus-
tic Truck Bar & Grill in Ir-
rigon. Deputies addressed
the issue.
Suspicious Activity
Suspicious
activity
was reported at Tidewater
on Ullman Boulevard in
Boardman. Deputies in-
vestigated and resolved the
situation.
MCSO June 20-23,
2024
D i s a b l e d Ve h i c l e
A pickup truck with a trailer
was reported blocking the
road at Highway 730 and
Bombing Range Road in
Boardman. The vehicle
was moved and no longer
to discuss their findings.
Reports indicated that the
siren’s volume and range
were satisfactory, with par-
ticipants noting that the
current weather conditions
were ideal for sound travel.
Steve Freeland ex-
plained that the siren will
be activated for evacuation
purposes if flood danger
reaches level 5. The last
significant flood in Hep-
pner occurred in 2019 and
reached level 4. It caused
flooding at the football field
and the elementary school.
During the follow-up
discussion, Will Lemon, the
Operations Project Manag-
er for the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, provided an
update on the structural
integrity of the Heppner
Dam. He explained that
the Corps of Engineers
conducts annual inspections
and multiple tests on the
dam. According to their
latest evaluations, the dam
is in excellent structural
condition, and there are no
current concerns.
The successful test of
the flood warning system
reassured officials and
residents of its reliability.
The collaboration between
local and state agencies
highlights the community’s
commitment to flood pre-
paredness and safety.
Dog Complaint
A resident on SW Third
Street in Irrigon reported
dogs coming onto their
property and chasing their
chickens. The situation was
addressed by deputies.
Dog Complaint
A white dog was reported
charging at a resident near
SE Utah Avenue and SE
Tenth Street in Irrigon. The
dog’s owner was contacted
and brought the dog inside.
Driving Complaint
Multiple speeding vehi-
cles were reported on SE
Utah Avenue in Irrigon. A
black Honda four-door was
among the vehicles noted
but could not be located by
deputies.
Property Found
A wallet was found at the
Irrigon Shell Station on
Highway 730. Deputies
contacted the owner, who
retrieved their property.
Dog Complaint
A loose dog was reported
near SE Alfalfa Street and
SE Hager Street in Hep-
pner. The dog was returned
to its owner.
D i s a b l e d Ve h i c l e
A smaller Toyota vehicle
lost a wheel on I-84 East
near Boardman. The wheel
was in the median, and the
vehicle was on the shoulder.
The matter was referred to
the Oregon State Police.
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Heppner, OR 97836
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