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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2018)
A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM Bus companies have difficulty competing for employees By JADE MCDOWELL STAFF WRITER It’s not easy finding bus drivers. Aimee Cook, manager of Mid-Columbia Bus Com- pany in Hermiston, said about 15 to 20 percent of their drivers turn over every year, and finding new ones takes active recruitment. “School bus drivers, the shortage of them, is a nation- wide epidemic,” she said. The Umatilla County unemployment rate in May was 5.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Sta- tistics. But local employ- ers say it can be hard to find employees who can show up on time, drug free and with the right skills for the job. Cook said it is particularly hard to find people inter- ested in a part-time, split- shift job that entails picking up kids early in the morn- ing and dropping them off in the afternoons for three and a half to seven hours a day. Many of the people will- ing to work that kind of schedule are retirees, she said, who then decide after a year or two that they’re ready to retire completely. Other drivers are young people who then quit after starting a family, or people lured away by plentiful jobs at food pro- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018 LOCAL STAFF PHOTO BY JADE MCDOWELL Mid-Columbia Bus Company ran a recruitment booth at the Umatilla County Fair. cessors or data centers. For many years MidCo has recruited by posting signs on school buses parked around town, but Cook said this year the Hermiston office offered the school dis- tricts they serve — Umatilla, Stanfield and Hermiston — a fundraising opportunity. Umatilla School District took them up on the offer, and Umatilla students raised money for their clubs and sports for a week by stand- ing on prominent street cor- ners with signs. “When the kids were out holding signs we had an amazing response,” she said. “We got 25 applications.” MidCo is still hiring, however, for route drivers, substitute drivers and driv- ers to take students on field trips and to away games for sports. Employment requires passing a background check, physical, drug test and com- mercial driver’s license test. When a driver is hired by MidCo they are given help studying to take a test at the DMV for their learn- er’s permit for their class B commercial driver’s license. Once they receive the permit they get hours of supervised driving until they are ready to take the test to receive their CDL. After they have their CDL and have com- pleted other trainings on top- ics such as handling rowdy students, they are sent out with an empty bus for a total of five hours’ worth of prac- tice drives on their expected route. Trainers can then work with them on any spots they still feel less than con- fident about before they take on students. Cook said she has driven buses and the important thing to remember is that your job is to get students there safely and on time, even if that means being “mean” by tell- ing them they have to follow the rules. The job can be enjoy- able, she said, and some peo- ple love being able to make money for part of the year while still getting summers, spring break and holidays off. MidCo does have some work opportunities during the summer too, such as driving the Umatilla County Fair shuttle this week. Get- ting to take overnight trips out of town from time to time can also be a perk. Despite the turnover rate, some drivers have been tak- ing Hermiston kids to school for 20 years now. “Once they get past the third year, they tend to stay,” Cook said. BIRTHS Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston AUG. 4, 2018 CALMO RAMOS — Romanda Ramos and Santiago Calmo of Hermiston: a girl, Sara Yeny Calmo Ramos. AUG. 6, 2018 PHILLIPS — Asia Hayne and Jacob Phillips of Board- man: a boy, Ezra Rashad-Ellis Phillips. St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton AUG. 2, 2018 PREHN — Sarah A. English and Todd A. Prehn of Hermiston: a boy, Deklyn Leo Prehn. AUG. 3, 2018 CANCINO — Janet Lomas and Ramiro J. Cancino of Hermiston: a girl, Melanie Emma Cancino. AUG. 4, 2018 HARRISON— Ivette Harrison and Vincent Harrison of Irrigon: a boy, Adam Julian Harrison. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. eomediagroup.com WORSHIP COMMUNITY Stanfield citizens ask to increase pressure on 3D Idapro By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN STAFF WRITER The city of Stanfield is still trying to figure out what to do about the smell. At the council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 7, a few residents showed up to find out how to deal with the odors still coming from the 3D Idapro plant, which pro- cesses potatoes to make dog food. The plant has received near-daily citations, the cost of which range between $0 and $2,000 per occurrence. The city has to receive com- plaints from at least four sep- arate households in a 12-hour period to levy a citation. In discussions about how to put pressure on the com- pany, one option citizens considered was no longer accepting donations from the business. City manager Blair Larsen said the company contributed $5,000 to new playground equipment at Bard Park. There is a tem- porary sign thanking all the donors, including 3D Idapro. “We had a motion that we don’t accept any more dona- tions and a motion to remove the sign and any sign with their name on it,” Larsen said. “But the staff perspec- tive was that it would be improper to do that unless we also give the money back.” The council considered, and said at this time they did not want to return the money and remove the signs. Carlos Chavez, a Stan- field resident, said he felt the fines were helping. Larsen said he heard the citations were close to $1,000 now. “People want the fines increased quicker or maxed out,” he said. “I spoke to the judge two weeks ago,” Larsen said. “I made her aware of every- thing said at the public meet- ing (last month).” Larsen said while 3D Ida- pro has been trying to get the city a meeting with the company’s executives, it wouldn’t change the citation process. “The only other option is if the city wants to take action — a lawsuit,” Larsen said. But he said the general consensus at the last meet- ing was that citizens did not want to do so. CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS Valid in Washington Follow us on Facebook! A UGUST 17 TH • 6 PM GSC GSC Best Western Express Express Moving Moving 2255 S Hwy 395, Hermiston $80 multi-State, OR included no-fee. $45 Oregon-only You You pack pack it...We it...We move move it! it! . Local Local . Express Express . Relocation Relocation . Service Service 40 Years of Moving Experience 40 Years of Moving Experience Call Call for for Estimate Estimate 541-567-8980 541-567-8980 Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State Required class to get an Oregon or multi-State permit. Class includes: • Fingerprinting & photo • Oregon gun laws • Washington gun laws • Interstate travel laws • Interaction with law enforcement • Use of deadly force • Firearm / ammunition / holster selection Our Roots Roots Run Run Deep of Our Deep “We’re Having Bushels in Morrow Morrow County” in County FUN in Morrow County” County August 2017 August 16-20, 2018 2017 August 16-20, 15-19, Wednesday 15th 6 6 Reptile Man & Houses Z 6 OMSI - Bounce Reptile Man & Z Z Scarecrow Contest Reptile Man & - Arcades Scarecrow Contest Scarecrow Contest Lindy Gravelle 4-H Food Contest 4-H/FFA Small Animal Showmanship 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging 4-H Fashion Revue RDO Tractor Pull Trevor Tagle Dinner by Paradise Ice Cream Social Rose Archery Chuckwagon Shoot Fair: co.morrow.or.us www.co.morrow.or.us/fair co.morrow.or.us co.morrow.or.us 8 Thursday 16th Friday 17th Saturday 18th 8 8 Reptile Man & Zone Reptile Man & OMSI - Bounce Houses OMSI - Bounce Houses OMSI - Bounce Houses Reptile Man & Zone Zone Reptile Reptile Man Man & & - Reptile Arcades Man & - Arcades 4-H/FFA - Arcades 4-H/FFA Talent Show Ballet Performance 4-7 yrs. Parade 4-H/FFA Showmanship 4-H/FFA 4-H/FFA Conformation Ballet Performance yrs. FFA Awards Tillamook Ice Cream Ballet Performance 4-7 4-7 yrs. Pee~Wee Showmanship 4-H/FFA 4-H/FFA Conformation Conformation Master Adult Showmanship Showmanship Greased Pig Luncheon Buyers Social Contest Livestock Adult Showmanship Greased Pig FFA Floral Design Adult Showmanship Greased Auction Pig Frappes & Flowers w/ OTPR/Ranch Rodeo Contest 4-H/FFA Conformation Murray’s Country Rose Contest Music by: Dan Burns 3D Productions Judging Murray’s Wine Tasting Featuring: Joe Lindsay Nate Botsford Ice Ice Cream Cream Social Social Cory Archery Peterson Band Archery Shoot Shoot Lindy Gravelle Music after rodeo by: 19th Greased Pig Contest Dan Productions Burns 3D Productions Music by: Dan Burns Reptile Man & Music by: Dan Burns 3D 3D Productions Chili Cook-Off Contest 19th 19th OTPR/Ranch Rodeo Sunday 19th Reptile Man & & Man by: Music Reptile after rodeo All Exhibits Released Dan Burns Productions Morrow County Rodeo Music by: 3D Dan Burns 3D Productions 0th Dan Burns 3D Music by: Productions Music by: Dan Dan Burns Burns 3D 3D Productions Productions th 0 0 th Cory Cory Peterson Peterson Band Band Fair Admission: Ages 8 & Up $4 daily or $10 week 7 & under FREE (must be with Adult) Fair Admission: Rodeo Admission: 13 & up $10 Ages 8 & Up $4 Daily or 7-12 yrs. $6 Fair daily or $10 Week 7 & Under FREE 6 & under Ages FREE Fair Admission: Admission: Ages 8 8 & & Up Up $4 $4 daily or $10 $10 • week week Trevor Tagle THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! Saturdays Sabbath School........9:30 a.m. Worship Service......11:00 a.m. English & Spanish Services 567-8241 Hermiston Jr. Academy 1300 NW Academy Lane, • Hermiston First Christian Church “Proclaiming the Message of Hope, Living the Gospel of Love” be with 7 7 & & under FREE be with under (must FREE (must (must be Adult) with Adult) Adult) Rodeo Rodeo Admission: Admission: 13 13 & & up up $10 $10 Rodeo Admission: 7-12 $6 7-12 yrs. yrs. $6 13 & Up $10 • 7-12 Yrs. $6 Paradise Rose 6 6 & & under Nate Botsford under FREE FREE Chuckwagon 6 & Under FREE www.facebook.com/oregontrailprorodeo www.facebook.com/morrowcountyfairheppneroregon LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 Pastor David Dever 567-3013 Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston www.hermistonlmbc.com Worship Gathering 10:00 am Children’s Church 10:00 am NEW BEGINNINGS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Worship Service 10:30 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Pastor J.C. Barnett Children’s Church & Nursery Available 700 West Orchard Avenue P.O. Box 933 Hermiston, Oregon 541-567-8441 360.921.2071 FirearmTrainingNW.com : FirearmTrainingNW@gmail.com N N Hwy. Hwy. 395 395 Hermiston Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church 565 W. HERMISTON AVE. DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday ...............................English 7:00 am Thursday...............Spanish 6:00 pm SATURDAY:.........English 5:00 pm ...............................Spanish 7:00 pm SUNDAY:..............English 9:00 am ..........................Bilingual 11:00 am ..............................Spanish 1:00 pm Offi ce..............................567-5812 The Full Gospel Home Church 235 SW 3rd Phone 567-7678 Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker Sunday: Sunday School........10:00 am Worship...................11:00 am Evening Service........7:00 pm Wednesday Service..7:00 pm “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7 First United Methodist Church Hermiston 191 E. Gladys Ave , Hermiston OR Sunday Worship 11am • 541-567-3002 Nursery available Check us out on Face Book Worship Livestream at herfumc.com Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor Grace Baptist Church 555 SW 11th, Hermiston 567-9497 Nursery provided for all services Sunday School - 9:30 AM Worship - 10:45 AM 6:00 PM Wed Prayer & Worship - 7:00 PM “Proclaiming God’s word, growing in God’s grace” St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. Scripture, Tradition and Reason Family service 9am Sunday N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston t. PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. 1520 W ORCHARD AVE Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Classes for Kids @ 9:15 am SEEKING JESUS, SHARING LIFE, SERVING PEOPLE www.hermistonnazarene.org To share your worship times call 541-278-2678
