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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2025)
50¢ VOL. 145 NO.19 10 Pages Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Proposed district bond measure includes plan for Heppner schools Proposed plans for Heppner schools include the remodel of the current Heppner Jr./Sr. High School into a K-12 campus. Morrow County voters will vote on a proposed General Obligation Bond (Measure 25-104) for Mor- row County School District in the May 20 election. For the past few months, the district and its school board have been engaged in an information effort to inform stakehold- ers about the district’s pro- posed bond. Through community town halls and presenta- tions to community orga- nizations, a question that some voters in Heppner asked was about the plan for Heppner schools. The district is providing more information about the plan for Heppner schools: -The proposed bond measure includes remod- eling the existing Heppner Junior/Senior High School into a K-12 campus. -Currently, Heppner Elementary and Heppner Jr/Sr High School oper- ate in Heppner. Like oth- er schools in the Morrow County School District, these two schools are older structures with end-of-life operating systems. -By consolidating into one school building, the district would realize signif- icant operational savings, both with facility expenses and staffing. -Other neighboring communities like Ione, Echo and Sherman County have successful K-12 cam- puses. -If the proposed bond measure passes, the com- munity will have the op- portunity to be involved in the design process for the Heppner K-12 campus. -The district would re- tain the Heppner Elementa- ry gym building for district and community use. If the proposed bond passes, other projects would be funded at Irrigon Jr/Sr High, Riverside Jr/Sr High, Sam Boardman Elementary and other schools in the district. The proposed MCSD General Obligation Bond would raise $204.4 mil- lion. The district would receive a $6 million match- ing grant from the Oregon School Capital Improve- ment Matching Program if the bond passes. The proposed bond would ma- ture in 20 years or less and the bond rate would be an estimated $2.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value, although the actual levy rate may differ. More information about Bond Measure 25-104 is available at mcsdbond.org, bondinfo@morowsd.org or by calling the Morrow County School District Of- fice, 541-676-5705. Good Shepherd acquires 61 acres of land in Boardman HERMISTON, OR— Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) has announced the acquisition of 61 acres of land located on Main Street in down- town Boardman. GSHCS says the property will be the future location of a health care facility providing out- patient services for the residents of Boardman and surrounding communities in Morrow County. According to a Good Shepherd statement, the new facility will allow Good Shepherd to deliver state-of-the-art care in Mor- row County. “This development is a testament to our ongoing mission to provide com- passionate and exceptional care, close to home, meet- ing the needs of our grow- ing community,” said Art Mathisen, Good Shepherd’s CEO. “Purchasing this land in Boardman positions us well to expand services for our Morrow County patients, ensuring they have access to the most essential health care services, right in their own community.” Good Shepherd plans to actively engage with Morrow County stakehold- ers throughout the planning and development process. “We believe that col- laboration and input from the City of Boardman, res- idents, leaders, businesses and community groups will be essential as we move forward,” said Mathisen. “Together, we can fos- ter a healthier future for Boardman and Morrow County. We thank our Good Shepherd Health Care Sys- tem Board of Trustees for their continued leadership and support as we em- bark on this important en- deavor to expand health care services in Boardman and Morrow County,” said Mathisen. For further information or to stay up to date on the progress of this new health care facility, visit www. gshealth.org. Ione School District recognized in #OregonStrong campaign Legacy of longtime Oregon farmer and Oregon Baseball supporter lives on with Bob Kilkenny Field Heppner’s Bob Kilkenny (front) was a lifelong supporter of University of Oregon sports. -Contributed photo Reprinted from goducks. com On August 15, 2008, Bob Kilkenny climbed aboard a John Deere ex- cavator, something he’d done countless times as a lifelong farmer in the tight-knit Eastern Oregon community of Heppner. But this time it was different. Instead of breaking ground on his wheat farm, Bob was breaking ground on PK Park, helping to usher in the long-awaited return of Ore- gon Baseball after a 27-year hiatus from Division I play. Bob Kilkenny spent his entire life in Heppner, Oregon. The town shaped his values, his work ethic, and his identity. A proud Irishman and a man of deep faith, Bob carried his heritage and values into everything he did. He first arrived at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1948, follow- ing in the footsteps of his older sister, Ilene. Though financial limitations cut his time in Eugene short, Bob’s love for the U of O never wavered. He returned to the family farm, but his passion for the Ducks was passed on to the next generation. All five of his children—Rus- sell, Patrick, Kelly, John, and Kevin—would go on to become proud Ducks! “Dad always placed a tremendous emphasis on education,” said his daugh- ter Kelly Kilkenny Hale. “Dad used to say education -Continued to PAGE SIX Forum highlights candidates’ vision for economic growth, sustainability Nitrates, ethics and unity top of mind for Port candidates By Chris Sykes Heppner, OR—The re- cent Port of Morrow can- didates forum brought to- gether six candidates vying for three positions on the Port commission, a pivotal body in Morrow County’s economic and agricultural landscape. Hosted by the Heppner Chamber of Commerce, with Madison Rosenbalm facilitating, the event aimed to give voters insight into the candidates’ visions for the Port of Morrow, an en- tity central to the region’s industry, infrastructure and job creation. The forum, held in a structured format, allowed candidates to present their backgrounds, address pressing issues like water safety and economic devel- opment, and outline their commitment to uniting a county often divided by geographic and economic differences. The evening began with opening remarks, each can- didate allotted two minutes to introduce themselves and their motivations. Abe McNamee from Irrigon, running for position 3, is a landowner in Irrigon and Heppner and father of nine. He emphasized his deep ties to agriculture and his 12 years of experience with the water district. He expressed a desire to en- sure the Port supports the next generation’s ability to thrive in Morrow County, stating, “I don’t think you can sit back and complain about things without getting involved.” Joel Peterson, also running for position 3, high- lighted his lifelong connec- not in attendance. tion to the county, his en- J. Fletcher Hobbs, gineering background, and running for position 1, a his extensive community Boardman resident and ag- involvement, including his -Continued to PAGE FIVE role on the Bank of Eastern Oregon board. Appointed to the Port Commission 18 months prior, he sought to continue fostering the Port’s positive impact. Danny Kearns, run- ning for position 2, is a sev- enth-generation Oregonian and business owner. He brought a personal touch, sharing a light-hearted an- ecdote about making his daughter laugh with a dad joke. Kearns spoke of his passion for entrepreneur- ship and his desire to inspire youth, drawing from his experience hosting a scho- lastic event. Raymond Seastone running for position 2 was Students celebrate their award, taking a photo in front of a student-made project. The project showcases the many things that students love about being Ione Cardinals. Back (L-R): Leo Cabrera, Michael McElligott, Carter Eynetich. Middle (L-R): Will McElligott, Miley Strzelewicz, Novalee Campbell, Phegley Padberg, Brionna Serrano, Khira Kreitzer, Mrs. Chelsea Geer, Hunter Scoggin. Front (L-R): Victoria De La Torre, Keltie Rietmann, Rosa Aguilar, Caydence Kreitzer. -Contributed photo In April, the Ione School District was notified that its Associated Student Body (ASB) had received an award from the Coalition of Oregon School Adminis- trators (COSA) for its out- standing participation in the #OregonStrong Campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the positivity and resilience within Oregon’s schools. COSA provided Ione’s student leaders with a digital survey, which they shared with students across the school. Ione was recognized for having the highest per- centage of student respons- es relative to its enrollment. More than 60 students com- pleted the survey, earning the Ione ASB a $500 award for effectively mobilizing their peers. “Teachers have Google Classroom, so it was easy for them to post the survey in their classes. That really helped,” one student leader shared. COSA representative Cate Study presented the award during a visit to the high school and hosted a brief listening session with all high school students. The event took place in the student lounge, located on the cafeteria stage. At the front stood a student-made poster celebrating what stu- dents love most about their community. During the session, students and staff shared heartfelt reflections: “I like how the school prepares me -Continued to PAGE TWO CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
