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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 8, 2025 -- THREE ~ Letters to the Editor ~ New Oregon laws -Continued from PAGE ONE Determining intent (e.g., The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. 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 Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. New Year We have sadly been welcomed into the new year with a horrific tragedy. A truck carrying an ISIS flag plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing and maiming several. The driver had intended more destruction, but the IEDs he placed didn’t detonate. The FBI immediately assured us that it wasn’t a terrorist attack. Surely that wouldn’t happen under their watch- ful eye…especially when they’ve worked so hard finding the real threats from White Supremacists, Jan- uary Sixers and praying grandmothers. Then there’s DEI education, of course. But don’t worry, they will eventually dig up all the information they can and stash away what doesn’t suit them. Their beloved media will make it easy. So, how long are we going to pretend we’re safe? We act like everyone loves America and those crossing our borders are akin to Mother Theresa. Se- riously, how brain-dead are we? Is Biden’s state of mind contagious? Maybe we should consider a vaccine. Let’s get real. ISIS is alive and well in America, and so is Satan, perpetrat- ing evil wherever he can. Should we be surprised when someone is “radi- calized” and turned into an Islam Jihadist…even when they were born here? No. Because America has changed. Our fellow citi- zens who toute “tolerance” while hating their own country have turned our land into a breeding ground for evil. Our enemies have had four years of free ac- cess…time to set plans in place that will do as much damage as possible. Under Biden’s watch, we are now more vulnerable than ever. Just curious…I wonder when aiding and abetting the enemy becomes treason. Meanwhile, our Disas- ter in Chief is busy making plea deals with 9/11 ter- rorists, assuring murderers don’t die on death row, and handing out awards to people who deserve orange jumpsuits. I’ve heard his deeply held views on cap- ital punishment motivated him. I guess the families of the victims didn’t. In Biden’s world, murderers, after all, deserve to live. Unborn babies, however, deserve to die. I wonder what it would be like to trust those who are supposed to keep us safe. Wouldn’t that be nice? No “lawfare,” no self-serv- ing political stunts and no lies…only honesty and good intentions. I don’t mean to infer that there aren’t good folks here. I think about law enforce- ment, EMTs, paramedics and firefighters who ran to the scene on Bourbon Street without hesitation. They had no idea what the next seconds would bring. They went in anyway. Heroes do exist. We need to pray for them, for the families of the victims and for our country. Just a note: If I hear one person excuse the massacre as the result of “mental illness,” I may lose my lunch. Evil exists and peo- ple have a choice to either run from it or embrace it. There is no excuse. With- out repentance, those who embrace evil will pay for it for eternity. God is a God of love and justice. He has provided one hope for all of us. His name is Jesus Christ. “He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31) Susie Crosby Prineville, OR Red Cross in Heppner next week Morrow County res- idents will have a chance to give lifesaving blood next week in Heppner. A Red Cross blood drive will take place at Heppner High School on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The American Red Cross says the start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keep- ing donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness. As an additional incen- tive, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are again partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to invite football fans and blood donors to “score big for patients in need.” Those who donate blood Jan. 1-26 of this year will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX giveaway. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/ SuperBowl. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need. For those who can’t make it to Heppner’s blood drive, other areas also offer an opportunity to give— Condon High School Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pendleton Jan. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. School Board Trans- parency (SB 1502) Provisions: Requires public school boards, com- munity colleges, and public universities to record and post their meetings on- line. Exceptions apply to districts with fewer than 50 students and areas with poor internet access, which can post audio-only record- ings. Executive sessions remain exempt. Pros: Increases Trans- parency: Ensures public accountability by providing broader access to school board decisions and dis- cussions. Improves Accessi- bility: Enables parents, students and community members to stay informed without attending meetings in person. Supports Democracy: Encourages civic engage- ment and trust in the edu- cation system. Cons: Internet Limita- tions: Rural or low-tech districts may struggle with implementation despite exceptions. Costs of Compliance: Districts may face costs for recording equipment, storage and IT services. Limited Effectiveness: Executive sessions, where sensitive topics are often discussed, remain private and exempt. Animal Crushing Vid- eos (HB 4145) Provisions: Criminal- izes creating, distributing, and possessing videos that depict intentional animal torture or mutilation. Estab- lishes new crimes related to animal abuse recordings, aligning state laws with federal standards. Pros: Closes Legal Loopholes: Addresses the lack of state-specific laws against distributing abusive animal content. Deters Animal Cruelty: Creates strong legal conse- quences, discouraging this form of abuse. Supports Animal Wel- fare: Reinforces Oregon’s commitment to protecting animals from exploitation. Cons: Enforcement Challenges: Requires law enforcement agencies to monitor and investigate online content, which may be resource-intensive. First Amendment Con- cerns: Critics argue it could lead to restrictions on free expression, especially in cases involving controver- sial art or journalism. Gray Areas in Intent: educational or advocacy purposes) may complicate enforcement. Vo t e r P a m p h l e t Translations (SB 1533) Provisions: Increases the number of non-English languages in which voter pamphlets are available from five to 10, based on the most commonly spoken languages in the state. Pros: Expands Voter Access: Helps non-English speakers understand bal- lots, encouraging informed participation in elections. Improves Inclusivity: Supports immigrant and minority communities, re- inforcing Oregon’s focus on diversity and equity. Boosts Voter Turnout: Makes it easier for non-na- tive English speakers to participate in democracy. Cons: Increased Costs: Translating materials into more languages may re- quire additional resources, staff, and funding. Implementation Issues: Ensuring accuracy in trans- lations and distributing ma- terials on time could pose logistical challenges. Limited Impact: Critics argue that translations alone may not fully address barri- ers to voting, such as lack of civic education or cultural distrust of government. Drug Use on Public Transportation (SB 1553) Provisions: This law expands the crime of in- terfering with public trans- portation to include the consumption of controlled substances on transit ve- hicles. Individuals found ingesting, inhaling, inject- ing or otherwise consum- ing illegal drugs on public transit commit a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $6,250, or both. As a drug-desig- nated offense, convicted individuals may also gain access to state-funded treat- ment programs. Pros: Aims to enhance public safety by deterring drug use on public transit, improving the environ- ment for passengers and employees, and providing pathways to treatment for offenders. Cons: Concerns exist that the law may dispro- portionately impact mar- ginalized communities, in- cluding those experiencing homelessness or substance use disorders, and could lead to increased incarcer- ation rates for non-violent offenses. Lunch & Dinner Menu 1/9 - 1/15 Thursday - chicken dumpling soup, salad, and garlic toast Friday - Monte Cristo and hashbrowns Saturday - Italian Sub sandwich and jojos Sunday - Turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss sandwich on wheat with cottage cheese Monday - popcorn chicken mashed potato bowl Tuesday Opening at 4pm for maintenance Tuesday - night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos Wednesday- tuna melt and potato salad AT 5PM Send birth announcements to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Klein, on Dec. 26, 2024. She weighed five pounds, four ounces and was 19.5 inches long at birth. Grandparents are Gre- gor and Deborah Mitchell of Hillsboro, OR and Jef- frey and Nanci Klein of North Powder, OR. Great-grandparents are Eric and Carolin Hall of Madalynn Klein— Hillsboro, and William William and Keira Klein of and Arlette Klein of Baker Heppner announce the birth City, OR. of a daughter, Madalynn Marriages The Morrow County Clerk has announced the follow- ing marriage licenses issued for the month of December: Dec. 12: Daniel Shawn Morton, 52, of Boardman 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net and Erika Lynn Lasater, 51, of Boadman. Dec. 30: Juana Jaime Avila, 33, of Hermiston and Jose Eduardo Martinez Mendo- za, 33, of Hermiston. Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 For Sale $220,000 This cozy 1950s home, located in a peaceful community, offers a blend of classic charm and modern comforts. The 3-bed, 2-bath property features a finished basement with two bedrooms and a bonus room, perfect for extra space or an office. The well-maintained yard, complete with mature fruit trees, provides a relaxing outdoor space. Essential appliances, including a fridge, range, washer, and dryer, are included, making it move-in ready. Sold as-is or with conventional financing, this charming home is ready for you to make it your own! 285 W ARCADE ST Lexington MLS# 24676541 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 "EARS"OF EXPERIENCE Ready to help with your hearing healthcare needs For Sale Approx 20 Acres DEADLINE: MONDAYS Birth Announcement $139,000 Beautiful 20-acre property in Eastern Oregon, zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). Along Willow Creek Rd. MLS#: 24056686 600 NW 11th Street Suite E-21 Hermiston, OR 97838 P.S. Ask us about our financing options! (541) 371-1900 Call Verna 541-371-1900 Offering complimentary hearing evaluation and/or to have your current hearing aids cleaned & checked, schedule today!
