WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A11
MISCELLANEOUS
Students practice fighting car fires
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Graduation about the
achievement, not the venue
By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
STAFF WRITER
Through the light rain
Tuesday morning, firefight-
ers battled a blaze. In the
parking lot of the Hermis-
ton Conference Center, 11
trainees for the Umatilla
County Fire District were
busy practicing how to ex-
tinguish car fires — one
piece of a two-week acad-
emy all aspiring volunteers
have to attend.
The students, clad in
turnout gear, took turns
hosing down a practice car,
which was hooked up to a
propane tank and repeated-
ly lit on fire from the inside.
On each try, it took several
students to maneuver the
hose and attack the flames.
“For many, it’s the first
time actually handling a
fully charged hose,” said
Matt Fisher, a UCFD shift
lieutenant and training co-
ordinator. “So far, it’s a lot
of dealing with hose-nozzle
reactions. It’s a hundred
(pounds per square inch of
pressure), and it’s flowing
at 150 gallons per minute.
If you’re not used to it,
that’s a lot to handle.”
The entire experience is
new for most students, all
but two of whom are com-
pletely “green.” Three of
the students were also sent
over from Pendleton’s fire
department for training.
Fisher said the people who
sign up for the volunteer
program often have no prior
firefighting experience, and
the department is always
looking for volunteers.
Last week, he said, stu-
As a senior at Herm-
iston High School I am
very concerned with
where to hold graduation,
whether it be local or out
of town. Three options
have been making the
rounds; Kennison Field,
EOTEC Arena, and
the Toyota Center. The
football field still has
the same issue of limited
seating that the Purple
Gym has, as it only adds
about 200 extra seats,
and it adds the issue of
unpredictability with the
weather. The EOTEC
arena has the major issue
of cost as well as the un-
predictability of weather.
This unpredictability of
weather forces the dis-
trict to prepare the gym
anyway, as if graduation
was being held there,
just in case, which costs
upwards of $10,000 (and
if it is decided that grad-
uation will be held at EO-
TEC, this $10,000 will
be on top of the already
staggering $35,000 per
year to use the arena).
I see the Toyota
Center as the only viable
option at this time. I am
concerned that we are
letting emotion drive this
decision, or indecisive-
ness, instead of logic.
The longer we put off
this decision, the harder
it will be to book any of
these options. I would
like to know when, and
where, graduation is
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
UCFD firefighter trainees put out a car fire on a practice run in the Hermiston Conference
Center Parking lot Tuesday morning.
dents were in the classroom.
This week, training will be
hands-on, with students
learning how to do CPR,
throw ladders and use the
hose — as well as other en-
try-level firefighting tasks.
Once the students are done
with this training, they will
enter a term of firefighter
classes at Blue Mountain
Community College.
After that, many stu-
dents continue their studies
to become paramedics.
Jenna O’Brien said the
most challenging part of
training has been preparing
for the physical toll.
“It’s hard work,” she
said. “You go home ex-
hausted.”
O’Brien, an Irrigon na-
tive, said she has had wild-
land fire training, but this is
her first official firefighter
training.
Cooperation is a big part
of fighting fires successful-
ly, she said.
“You have to practice,
and get to know each oth-
ers’ movements,” she said.
“We’ve been working on
this all last and this week.
It’s nice to be able to ap-
ply it to a real fire. It’s a
little different seeing it up
close.”
Two surgeons join Good Shepherd staff
By JADE McDOWELL
STAFF WRITER
Hermiston has two new
surgeons in town.
Patrick Harrison, D.O.,
has joined Advanced Ortho-
pedics and Sports Medicine
from Kearney, Nebraska,
where he has been practic-
ing since 2015. He is now
accepting new patients.
Good Shepherd Medical
Group Vice President Troy
LeGore said in a statement
that having another ortho-
pedic surgeon is good news
for Umatilla and Morrow
counties, because the area
is facing an active, but ag-
ing population. Medical
journals project that in the
next 20 years there will be
a 174 percent increase in
patients in need of a hip
replacement, and a 673
percent increase in knee re-
placements.
“The addition of Dr.
Harrison will help with the
demand for care that our
community already has,”
LeGore said.
According to a news
release, Harrison has been
practicing the anterior ap-
proach to hip replacements,
custom-cutting guides ap-
proach to knee replace-
ments and platelet-rich
plasma injections for os-
teoarthritis, all of which
FOOTBALL
continued from Page A9
CASCADE (WA) 42, HEPPNER
12 — At Heppner, the Mustangs fell
to 0-3 on the season with another
tough defeat, this time at the hands of
Cascade Leavenworth (WA), 42-12,
on Friday night.
“I think the teams we’re playing
are pretty good, and the kids step up
and did some good things, but we
need to finish,” Heppner coach Greg
Grant said. “But we’re to the point
where we need to get it done.”
Jayden Wilson threw for 110 yards
and one touchdown on 9 of 21 pass-
ing and Beau Wolters was the leading
receiver with five catches for 89 yards
and a touchdown. Coby Dougherty
was the Mustangs’ leading rusher
with 34 yards on 11 carries.
Cascade gashed Heppner for 236
improve the patient expe-
rience by reducing time in
surgery and/or recovery.
Harrison brings with him
a wife and three children,
one of whom is in college.
His hobbies include golf-
ing, hunting and fishing.
To schedule an appoint-
ment, call 541-298-7075.
Earlier in the month
Good Shepherd also wel-
comed R. Todd Jones,
M.D., who is working as
a general surgeon. He will
work with primary care
physicians,
emergency
room physicians and hos-
pitalists to provide proce-
dures for a variety of con-
ditions, and has extensive
rushing yards and 344 total yards
overall, which was a disappointment
for Grant.
“We have youth, we have some in-
juries and I think between the two it’s
showing,” he said of the defense. “I
don’t feel that we’re not doing what
we should be doing, it’s just kind of
disjointed. But it’s not for a lack of
effort, we’re inexperienced in a lot of
places and we’ve played some really
good teams.”
Heppner will host Toledo this
week.
Boys Soccer
HERMISTON 12, ST. HELENS
0 — At Hermiston, the Bulldogs re-
bounded from a loss on Tuesday to
pick up a big shutout victory at home
against St. Helens, 12-0, on Friday.
Eight different Bulldogs (4-2)
scored a goal in the game, with Mark
going to be held. I would
like to know that my
family is going to be able
to come enjoy seeing the
accomplishments I have
made. I would like to
know that, no matter the
weather, we have a venue
that will accommodate
the size of the graduating
class of 2018, and a fa-
cility that will be able to
accommodate the size of
graduating classes in the
future. I also would like
to know that those who
are sensitive to the sun,
wind, and extreme heat,
as much of my family
is, will be able to attend
the ceremony, and if the
EOTEC arena is chosen,
I do not see this being the
case. Most of all I would
like everyone involved in
making this decision to
take a step back, remove
all emotion currently
invested into the situa-
tion, and look purely at
the facts. We will have
Hermiston pride no
matter where graduation
is held.
Hermiston pride isn’t
about the venue, it is
about the people. We
have to remember, this is
ultimately about congrat-
ulating the graduates for
their accomplishments,
and this needs to be kept
in mind when making the
final decision.
NOAH ROBERTS
SENIOR, CLASS OF 2018
HERMISTON, OREGON
Family treasures tributes to
former mayor Harkenrider
specialized training in treat-
ing venous disease such as
varicose veins, ulcers and
deep vein thrombosis.
Jones is a native of Bell-
ingham, Washington, and
recently completed his resi-
dency at Metropolitan Hos-
pital of New York. His wife
Jennifer Poste, M.D., is a
local endocrinologist.
“Working in a smaller
community really gives me
a chance to have a more in-
timate relationship with my
patients and their families
— something that ‘big city’
medicine would never have
to offer,” he said.
To schedule an appoint-
ment, call 541-667-3804.
overwhelming. Ken
Huber and his staff from
Burns Mortuary and
Dr. Jim Pierce from the
Methodist Church have
made this very difficult
time in our lives bearable.
The Celebration of
Life at the high school
was a perfect tribute to
Frank. Thank you, HHS
Band, for playing the
Bulldog Fight Song.
Frank would have loved
it.
The flowers, do-
nations, cards, news
articles, food, and other
expressions of friendship
and caring are so appreci-
ated. It is impossible for
me to list everyone who
has touched our lives and
shared our sorrow.
Please accept our
thanks and know that we
treasure your love and
friendship.
I would like to try and
convey my appreciation
to the many people who
were involved in caring
for my husband, Frank
Harkenrider, during his
last illness.
From the time that he
fell carrying in a large
bottle of drinking wa-
ter till the moment his
kidneys failed and he
took his last breath, we
were met with kindness,
professionalism and care.
The 911 responders, the
staff at Good Shepherd,
the emergency room
doctor, Dr. Jeremy Ander-
son, and the nurses and
caregivers at Regency
Hermiston Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center
were exceptional. I know
they were “just doing
their job,” but they did
their jobs with outstand-
ing compassion.
The response to
Frank’s death has been
Mejia, Joel Mendez, Noe Silva and
Oliver Nava each scoring two goals
apiece. The blowout also allowed for
Hermiston coach Rich Harshberger
to get some good minutes from his
bench players and give the starters a
breather.
UMATILLA 2, RIVERDALE 2
— At Umatilla, the Vikings scored a
late second-half goal to salvage a tie
with Riverdale in a non-league game
on Friday.
Luis Castro opened the scoring
for the Vikings (0-3-1) with a goal
from outside the box to put the Vi-
kings up 1-0 just two minutes in. But
Riverdale tied the game at 1-1 a few
minutes before halftime and then 15
minutes into the second half took a
2-1 lead on the Vikings.
Then Jeffri Coria scored the
equalizer from just inside the box
with eight minutes left in the game.
BEVERLY HARKENRIDER
HERMISTON
CORRECTIONS
It is the policy of the Hermiston Herald to correct errors as soon as
they are discovered. Incorrect information will be corrected on
Page 2A. Errors commited on the Opinion page will be
corrected on that page.
Corrections also are noted in the online versions of our stories.
Please contact the editor at editor@hermistonherald.com or call
(541) 564-4533 with issues about this policy or to report errors.
EAST'40OREGON
marketplace
Place classified ads online at www.eastoregonmarketplace.com
Bargain Bin!
4
Special No”ices
10
Sign up now for your Tour to
Australia in April 2018. This will
be your trip of a lifetime
DOWNUNDER. The tour is made
to fit the group!
References available. Call Kerry
or email your questions to
kjcbaird@gmail.com.
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
(541) 377-6855
YOUR DREAM home is right here in the
Classifieds… check our listings for your
next move!
Special No”ices
10
CLASSIFIED LINE AD
DEADLINES
Eas” Oregonian
3pm the day prior to
publication
Hermis”on Herald
10am Tuesday
1-800-962-2819
classifieds@
eastoregonian.com
1-800-962-2819
Special No”ices
10
PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD
ON THE FIRST DAY OF
PUBLICATION.
While we are happy to make any
necessary correction, we cannot
be responsible for errors appearing
for multiple days. Thank you!
Homes for Sale
100
$115,000- WESTON MTN/ NEW-
PRIVATE/
SECLUDED
6.4
ACRES. Weston/Cold Spring
Loop. Small cabin on the
premises, drilled well, power to
the property. Jerry 541-969-6378
cell. #17317285/17027835
Coldwell Banker Whi”ney
(541) 276-0021
Homes for Sale
100
$125,000- UKIAH/ COUNTRY
living set in the mountains.
Remodeled cabin like home.
Large deck to enjoy the views
and wildlife w/large yard, large
shop.
Carolyn 541-786-0822
cell. #17660017
Coldwell Banker Whi”ney
(541) 276-0021
$159,000- 3 BEDROOM, 1.5
BATHS w/office or den. Updated
interior,
upgraded
electrical/heating,
refinished
hardwood floors. 2107 sf(m/l),
w/full basement.
Large yard,
covered patio. Kevin 541-969-
8243 cell#. 16360289
Coldwell Banker Whi”ney
(541) 276-0021
Homes for Sale
100
$159,900 3 Bedroom 2 Bath
Ranch
Style
Home
near
Sherwood School. Large fenced
yard. 2 car Garage. Large
Storage Shed. Very nice. MLS#
17078846
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Real”y
“Our office is wherever
you are”
541-379-8690
BUY IT! SELL IT!
FIND IT!
The Hermis”on Herald
Classified
1-800-962-2819