TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Official Newspaper
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
Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879. Periodical postage paid
at Heppner, Oregon. Office at 177 N Main St. Telephone (541) 676-9228. Fax (541)
676-9211. E-mail: editor@rapidserve.net or sykeschris@hotmail.com Web site:
www.heppner.net. Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times,
P.O. Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836. Subscriptions: In Morrow County $35/year.
Outside Morrow County $40/year. In County Senior Rate (65 years or older) $30/
year. 9 month Student student subscriptions $35/year.
Chris Sykes ...............................................................................................Publisher
Andrea DiSalvo ............................................................................................. 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
column inch. Cost for classified ad is 50¢ per word. Cost for Card of Thanks is $15 up to 100
words. Cost for a classified display ad is $6.00 per column inch.
For Public/Legal Notices: public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. Dates for publi-
cation must be specified. Affidavits must be requested at the time of submission. Affidavits
require three weeks to process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be
specified if required).
For Obituaries: Obituaries are published in the Heppner GT at no charge and are edited to
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.
For Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor MUST be signed by the author. The Heppner
GT will not publish unsigned letters. All letters MUST include the author’s address and phone
number for use by the GT office. The GT reserves the right to edit letters. The GT is not
responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be
placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $15
Obituaries
Robert C.
Buschke
Robert C. Buschke
Dec. 9, 1934 – Dec.
1, 2024
Robert Claude Bus-
chke passed away on Sun-
day, Dec. 1, at his home in
Hardman, surrounded by
loved ones. He was a week
shy of his 90 th birthday.
Bob was born Dec.
9, 1934, in Heppner, OR
to Claude and Margaret
(Beckett) Buschke. He was
baptized at a young age at
the local Episcopal Church.
Bob grew up in Heppner
and attended school there
until graduating.
In 1960, Bob married
the love of his life, Bonnie
June Hannan. They were
married for 64 years, and
she was with him right up
until the end.
The first job Bob had
(besides helping his dad on
the ranch) was logging for
Kinzua Logging Company.
Later, he went on to work as
a heavy equipment operator
for the 701. The family
also moved to Maupin and
ran cattle down by the De-
schutes River for Shirley
Rugg for 10 years.
After that, the family
moved back to Heppner,
where Bob worked as a
mechanic for Finley Buttes
Landfill. As much as Bob
loved working with cattle
and his heavy construction
work, he and Bonnie even-
tually decided it was time
for retirement. They moved
to Hardman, where he lived
until his passing.
Robert is survived by
his loving wife, Bonnie;
numerous nieces and neph-
ews; godchildren Amber,
Larissa, Kacie and Haven;
and his dog, Elsa.
He was preceded in
death by his brother, Jerry,
and his two sons, Bryon
and Marty.
A graveside service
took place on Monday, Dec.
9, at the Heppner Masonic
Cemetery in Heppner. To
honor Bob’s commitments
to his country and com-
munity, military honors
were conducted by an Army
funeral honors team, and
Elks rites were conducted
by Elks Lodge #358 of
Heppner.
In lieu of flowers, do-
nations can be made to St
Jude Children’s Research
Hospital or the Oregon
Humane Society.
Sweeney Payton Mor-
tuary has been entrust-
ed with the arrangements.
Please leave your condo-
lence messages for the fam-
ily at sweeneypaytonmortu-
ary.com.
Spiritually Speaking
Father Thankachan Joseph
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Usually, the third Sunday of Advent is known as
Gaudete Sunday. The idea of rejoicing is reflected in the
first words of the entrance song. In Latin, Gaudete means
“Rejoice,” because our salvation is very close at hand.
On this third Sunday of Advent, we continue again
with the preaching of John the Baptist as he extends to
us the call to repent and confess our sins in preparation
for the One who is to come. The Church presents him as
the messenger/herald of the savior.
We are familiar with announcements that inform us
that something is going to happen or something is ex-
pected to take place, etc. For example, in the airports and
railway stations, we hear announcements of the arrival/
departure of a train or a plane that we are waiting for.
If the person for whom we are waiting is very dear to
us, that announcement doubles our joy and excitement.
We become enthusiastic and thrilled because we will soon
see the one whom we were waiting for.
Advent readings bring these tidings to all of us that
God is coming soon. Do we believe it or not? Do we look
forward to His arrival? Are we prepared to welcome Him?
This Sunday’s Gospel reading is taken from the
Gospel of Luke (3:10-18), which highlights the life and
lifestyle of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for
the coming of the Lord. His role was to be the messenger
announcing the coming of the Messiah. He would be the
voice crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare a way for the
Lord, make his paths straight.”
John’s preaching was one of a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins. He invited everyone to change
and repent and experience a conversion of heart. John’s
preaching and personal witness had a dynamic impact on
the people. They came forth in large numbers to be bap-
tized by him and they showed readiness to change their
lifestyle and come back to the Lord. What does it mean to
prepare a way for the coming of the Lord today? Where
do we seek God and where will we find Him?
In today’s Gospel we have the plain, yet powerful,
message of John the Baptist, a message for all ages. What
was John’s message? The preachings of John the Baptist
are the following:
John preached condemnation. He preached the fact
of that time, what the people had become; he condemned
them as “vipers,” poisonous because of their living sit-
uations. They had become poisonous due to addictions,
depression, anxiety, etc.; they had allowed themselves to
be poisoned and were poisonous to others. They were sick
and disaster-prone, and they were biting others, making
them sick and dooming them.
John preached repentance. All those who approached
him for baptism he told first to repent and then produce
fruit. And the fruit must be worthy, consistent with re-
pentance—fruit that shows a changed heart and a turning
away from sin.
John preached against pride. The teaching of John
urges us to get rid of our pride. The Pharisees felt that the
righteousness of their forefathers saved them. How they
lived mattered very little. Similarly, we can think that we
have godly parents, we have been baptized, we are better
than so many, we belong to the church and attend church
activities regularly, etc.
John preached social justice. John stirred people. We
are still faced with the situation of pandemic. Do we reach
out to the one who needs help and assistance? John told
the people to share their surplus food and clothes with
the starving and the naked. To the business class he said,
do not rob the people, just collect what they are entitled
to and no more. To the people in power, he said: “Do
not abuse your power. Do not intimidate people or use
violence against them.”
John preached the Messiah’s coming. The Messiah
was more worthy and more powerful than he. “I baptize
you with water, but he with the Holy Spirit.”
To conclude our reflections of the day, we are all
invited to make some sort of changes for the reception of
the Lord during this Christmas time. We are urged to go
straight; namely, to give up dishonest, crooked, and sinful
ways and to walk the path of integrity, honesty, and truth.
John the Baptist preached to the people of his time
the coming of the Messiah, and it continues to be a mes-
sage to us.
Irrigon woman pleads guilty
to manslaughter in death of
10-year-old
Raileen Cook
Irrigon woman Raileen
Erin Cook pleaded guilty
Dec. 2 in Umatilla County
Circuit Court to several
charges stemming from a
Christmas Day accident last
year, including a charge of
manslaughter. The accident
resulted in the death of a
10-year-old Hermiston boy.
Anthony Jiovanni
Guizar, 10, of Hermiston,
died due to injuries sus-
tained in a multiple-vehi-
cle crash that occurred on
Dec. 25 along Umatilla
River Road outside of
Hermiston.
The preliminary in-
vestigation revealed that
a 2008 Honda Accord
operated by Cook was
traveling southbound and
collided with a 1998 Hon-
da Civic driven by Brittni
Mendoza, 24, of Hermis-
ton, which was heading
northbound.
The impact was sub-
stantial and subsequent-
ly led to a 2005 Pontiac
driven by Misti Whibeck,
47, of Hermiston, striking
the Honda Civic while
attempting to avoid the
Accord.
Guizar, despite receiv-
ing medical care at Legacy
Randall’s Hospital for
Children in Portland, suc-
cumbed to his injuries on
Dec. 30, 2023. Cook was
arrested on multiple charges
on March 20, 2024.
Cook, 24, pleaded
guilty to second-degree
manslaughter, two counts
of third-degree assault and
driving under the influence
of intoxicants. She received
a total of 15 years in prison
with credit for time served.
She also was sentenced to
30 days in county jail and
had her drivers license sus-
pended for life.
Additional charges of
reckless endangering, as-
sault III and reckless driv-
ing were dismissed.
YOUR AD
COULD
BE
HERE!
Call
541-676-
Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Oops! Allen Anderson’s daughter-in-law’s name is
Shari. She does not have the same first name as her hus-
band! Apologies to the Andersons and Shari for the error.
The Tony and Tiffany Clement family has wonderful
news and a renewed reason to travel to Panama: to see
the newest members of the family, Ava Gabriella and Aria
Gabriella, born on Nov. 22 to Shelayna Marie and Angel
Cortes of Panama. The twins join sisters Claire Marie and
Adah Marie. The Clements report, “We are so excited to
welcome them into our family. What a wonderful way to
start the holiday season!”
Only 10 more days until the longest night of the year
has passed and we will begin to notice our daylight lasting
longer and longer, at a rate of about 15 additional minutes
a week! Did someone say “Hoorah!”?
In the meantime, we have long evenings that serve
to enhance the cheerful brightness of our decorated trees
and light posts!
Everyone is invited to share tidbits of positive mo-
ments. One idea is to share stories of children’s antics and/
or words of wisdom as they react to this holiday season.
Send to dbrosnan123@gmail.com or call 541-223-1490!
Here’s hoping that good news comes to everyone
reading this.
MURRAY'S DECEMBER
SUNDAY HOURS:
THIS MONTH OPEN:
DEC. 15 AND 22 9-2 ALL STORE (no Rx)
DEC. 29 ESPRESSO WINDOW ONLY 9-2
HOLIDAYS ARE COMING, BE SURE TO
GET YOUR FLU SHOT!
Flu peak season is Jan-Feb!
217 North Main St.,
Heppner, OR
Phone 676-9158 Floral 676-9426
murraysdrug.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 8am-6pm •
Pharmacy- Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Mark your calendar for the
following events:
New Year’ Eve – December 31st
Prime Rib Dinner at 5pm with music
by Joe & Andrew Lindsay
Elk’s Annual - February 15th Annual
hosted by ER Shane and Regi Lazinka
HEPPNER ELKS 358
"WHERE FRIENDS MEET"
541-676-9181 142 N MAIN ST
177 N. Main
P.O. Box 337
Heppner, OR 97836
Chris@sykesrealestate.net
Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
For Sale
$240,000
Discover a timeless treasure with this beautifully
preserved Craftsman-style home, featuring 1,174
sq ft on the main level and an additional 1,008 sq
ft in basement, perfect for storage or extra space to
customize. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath gem combines
classic charm with modern comforts, including a
newer furnace, forced air heat, and a freshly painted
exterior. Located in a prime spot near the school
and within walking distance to downtown Heppner,
this home provides both convenience and a sense of
community. Experience small-town living with easy
access to downtown. Don’t miss the chance to make
this spacious, character-filled home your own!
240 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24652848
9228
Or Email
graphics
@rapidserve.net
We also offer
design and
For Sale
Approx 20 Acres
printing
ser vices
WWW.HEPPNER.NET
Submit News, Advertising
& Announcements
Letters To The Editor
Send Us Photos
Start A New Subscription
$139,000
Heppner Gazette-Times
Sykes Printing
Beautiful 20-acre property in Eastern Oregon,
zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). Along
Willow Creek Rd. MLS#: 24056686