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!