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.
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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.
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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