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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2025)
50¢ VOL. 145 NO. 2 8 Pages Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon County officials sworn in Town and Country nominations close Friday The 2025 Town & Country Awards Banquet nominations close this Fri- day, Jan. 10. Forms can be found at the Heppner Chamber of Commerce office, Market 87, Heppner City Hall or online at https://heppner- chamber.com/our-events/ town-country-awards-ban- quet/. Forms need to be re- turned to the Chamber of- fice or via email at heppner- chamber@gmail.com. Dinner tickets for the event are $30 and are on sale at the Chamber office, Market 87 and Heppner City Hall. The event on Thursday, Feb. 6, starts at 6 p.m. with dinner prepared by Chef Alvin Liu, with a no-host bar by Broken Spoke. DeSpain Pizza gets new owners (L-R) David, Dakota, Madison, Aubrey, Tyler and Logan Rice. The Rice family has taken over ownership of DeSpain Pizza in Heppner. -Photo by Kamille Holtz Several new and returning elected officials were sworn into office earlier this week. Gus Peterson of Ione, pictured top left with county clerk Bobbi Childers, will take Roy Drago Jr.’s place as Morrow County Commissioner, Position 1. Morrow County Sheriff John Bowles (top right), Morrow County Treasurer Jaylene Papineau (bottom right) and Morrow County Clerk Bobbi Childers (bottom left with Morrow County Justice of the peace Glen Diehl) were all re-elected to their positions. -Contributed photos New Oregon laws that took effect January School Bus Safety Camer- as (House Bill 4147) Provisions: This leg- islation authorizes public schools to install cameras on school bus stop arms to record drivers who illegally pass stopped buses display- ing flashing safety lights. Captured footage can be used by law enforcement to issue citations, with fines up to $2,000 for violations. The law requires warning signs on buses equipped with such cameras. Pros: Intended to in- crease student safety by deterring illegal passing of school buses, provid- ing clear evidence for law enforcement and raising public awareness about traffic laws related to school buses. Cons: Potential privacy concerns regarding sur- veillance, financial impli- cations for school districts related to the installation and maintenance of camera systems and possible dis- putes over the accuracy of recorded violations. Right to Repair (Sen- ate Bill 1596) Provisions: This law requires manufacturers of electronic devices, such as smartphones and house- hold appliances, to provide consumers and independent repair shops with access to necessary parts, tools and service information. The goal is to facilitate repairs and extend the lifespan of electronic products. While the law is effective Jan. 1, 2025, enforcement will not begin until July 2027, allowing time for compli- ance. Pros: Empowers con- sumers to repair their own devices, potentially re- ducing electronic waste, lowering repair costs and fostering a more sustainable environment. Cons: Manufacturers have raised concerns about potential risks to device se- curity and safety, protection of intellectual property, and the feasibility of providing comprehensive repair infor- mation to the public. Education Plan for Immigrants (SB 1532) Provisions: Directs the Oregon Department of Education to develop a statewide plan to address disparities in education for asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants, regardless of immigration status. Pros: Promotes Equity: Focuses on closing achieve- ment gaps and providing tailored resources for im- migrant students. Supports Vulnerable Populations: Helps new arrivals integrate into the education system more effectively. Encourages Inclusiv- ity: Reinforces Oregon’s commitment to diversity and equal educational op- portunities. Cons: Implementation Costs: Schools may need additional funding and staff to implement programs and hire bilingual teachers or counselors. Potential Backlash: Critics may oppose using public funds to support undocumented immigrants. Administrative Com- plexity: Developing and managing these plans could create logistical challenges for districts. Prescription Drug Cost Reduction (HB 4012) Provisions: This leg- islation aims to make prescription medications more affordable by requir- ing insurers to count pay- ments made by patients, including those from co- pay assistance programs, toward their out-of-pocket maximums. This change is designed to reduce the financial burden on indi- viduals requiring essential medications. Pros: Seeks to im- prove access to necessary medications by lowering out-of-pocket expenses for patients, thereby enhancing adherence to prescribed treatments and overall pub- lic health outcomes. Cons: Insurers may ad- just premium rates or mod- ify cost-sharing structures to offset potential financial impacts, which could lead to higher overall insurance costs for consumers. Agricultural Worker Overtime Provisions: This law extends overtime pay eligi- bility to agricultural work- ers, requiring employers to pay overtime wages for hours worked beyond 48 in By Kamille Holtz David and Dakota Rice, along with their children Tyler, Logan, Madison and Aubrey, are the new owners of DeSpain Pizza. David has been part of the Heppner community since 2007, while Dakota moved to the area in 2009. Dakota, originally from Prosser, WA, shares, “He brought me to Heppner.” David’s background includes more than 10 years of experience in the restau- rant industry, both running and cooking for restaurants. He has also served the men- tal health community. Dakota similarly dedi- cated nearly 10 years in the mental health field. The Rice children at- tend school locally, and a key goal for David and Da- kota is to allow more time with their family. As Dako- ta says, “We want to build a week. This change aligns agricultural labor standards with those of other indus- tries, aiming to ensure fair compensation for extended work hours. Pros: Promotes equita- ble labor practices by en- suring agricultural workers receive fair compensation for overtime, potentially improving worker satis- faction and retention in the agricultural sector. Cons: Employers may face increased labor costs, which could impact the profitability of agricultural operations. There is also a possibility that employ- ers might reduce workers’ hours or hire additional The Wee Bit O’ Ireland part-time staff to avoid St. Patrick’s Day Celebra- paying overtime, potential- tion Committee will hold ly affecting workers’ total its next planning meeting earnings. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting -Continued to PAGE THREE will be held at the Willow something that they can have when they’re older.” Currently, the chil- dren are present behind the scenes but plan to be involved, working in the pizza shop as they get older. David and Dakota had long thought of owning a restaurant. When they saw the for-sale post for De- Spain Pizza on Facebook, they made the quick, casual decision to purchase the business. They have kept the original menu for now but added a new creation by David: a traditional taco pizza, which has already become a favorite. DeSpain Pizza is currently open Tuesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. There are plans to extend the hours as -Continued to PAGE TWO St. Pat’s planning meeting this week Street Innovation Hub, 188 W. Willow Street, Heppner. Anyone interested in volunteering during the event should attend. This year’s celebration dates will be March 13-16. CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
