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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2020)
COMMUNITY A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 Amazon Web Services donates to area organizations By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR Communities in Umatilla and Morrow counties are getting a $520,000 boost from Amazon Web Services. The company is donating the money it was set to receive from Umatilla Electric Cooperative, according to a news release from UEC. The not-for-profi t, mem- ber-owned utility operates at cost and refunds profi ts to its mem- bers through its Capital Credits program, based on the amount of power a customer purchased. Amazon is working with UEC to donate its share of the refund to provide relief from the economic impacts of COVID-19. The money is divided between the following entities: • $250,000 to UEC and Hermiston Energy Services to provide assistance to low-in- come households struggling to pay their utility bills. Accord- ing to the release, the money is enough to cover the average energy bill for more than 1,000 households for two months. • $25,000 each to the Irrigon Food Pantry, Stanfi eld Food HH fi le photo Mark Gomolski loads food into a box while volunteering at the Agape House in Hermiston in 2018. The Agape House was one of several area food pantries to receive a $25,000 donations from Amazon Web Services in June 2020. Basket, Pendleton’s Commu- nity Outreach Food Pantry, the Agape House in Hermiston and Boardman’s food pantry. • $20,000 to the Community Action Program of East Cen- tral Oregon (CAPECO) for its senior citizen meal program. • $25,000 each to Morrow County, Umatilla and Herm- iston school districts and the InterMountain Edcuation Ser- vice District to improve stu- dents’ access to virtual learn- ing from home. • $25,000 to the Confeder- ated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The news release stated that “additional funds will be ear- marked to help respond to pan- demic-related community needs as they are identifi ed in the future.” At the Hermiston City Coun- cil meeting on June 22, city coun- cilors and staff expressed their thanks for the investment in their community. City Manager Byron Smith said the money was a “really great contribution for what is becoming a large employer in our area,” and Mayor David Drot- zmann said he was grateful that even though Amazon could have just kept the money, they decided to be a good community partner instead. Hermiston Energy Services and Umatilla Electric Coopera- tive also expressed their thanks in the news release about the dona- tion from Amazon Web Services. “The effectiveness and reach of the UCARE payment assis- tance program will be amplifi ed by our collaboration with AWS,” said Lisa McMeen, UEC’s vice president of administration. Cleanup options available after storm HERMISTON HERALD After a major windstorm hit the region May 30, Uma- tilla County residents can bring logs, branches and other yard waste generated by the storm damage to the Stanfi eld Compost Yard on Hoosier Street in Stanfi eld. During the June 22 Herm- iston City Council meeting, City Manager Byron Smith said the opportunity was a partnership between the cit- ies of Stanfi eld, Umatilla and Hermiston. People can get rid of debris for free from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until July 19. The code to open the gate at the compost yard is 7777#. Umatilla residents can also drop off yard debris, appliances and household garbage at the city’s public works shops, 1203 Third St., on July 1-2 from 4-7 p.m. The city’s annual spring cleanup was postponed due to COVID-19 and is now the “Sweep into Summer” event. In addition to the ability to drop off items, res- idents who need help trans- porting their waste can arrange ahead of time for a curbside pickup during the event. For more information or to arrange pick-up, call 541-922-3226 or email esmerelda@umatilla-city. org. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan, File A trampoline, blown by the wind, rests on the roof of a house near downtown Hermiston on Saturday, May 30, 2020. ACADEMIC HONORS Hermiston student councils recognized HERMISTON HERALD Hermiston High School and Sandstone Middle School student councils were recognized by the Ore- gon Association of Student Councils as high-achieving student councils, according to a news release. Under normal circum- stances, schools are usually recognized during the spring conference; however, due to COVID-19 social distanc- ing guidelines, schools were honored virtually. The high school student council accepted the Gold Council recognition for out- standing achievement, and Sandstone Middle School received the Bronze Coun- cil award. Recognition is bestowed on the student councils when they achieve standards related to com- munity service, by creating events that promote school spirit and pride, sportsman- ship, unity, recognition, and leadership training. Sara Marks, Sandstone Middle School language arts teacher and Leadership Club advisor, said, “True leader- ship comes out during chal- lenging times and students proved to be resilient. Prior to the pandemic, the stu- dents were actively work- ing to keep students engaged and connected. I am so proud of them!” LBCC awards degrees to local students HERMISTON HERALD Linn-Benton Commu- nity College awarded 923 degrees and certifi cates to 818 students in its 52nd graduating class, includ- ing the following Hermis- ton students: Breanna Bayer, Asso- ciate of Arts Oregon Transfer; Mary S. Hays, Associate of Applied Sci- ence occupational ther- apy assistant; Vanessa V. Stackhouse, Associate of Applied Science diagnos- tic imaging; Brigitte Valen- cia Jimenez, Associate of Applied Science occupa- tional therapy assistant. Although the college was unable to hold a com- mencement ceremony this year, LBCC is commemo- rating grads through online recognition and a com- memorative video, which serves as a placeholder until the college can cele- brate its grads in person. In June 2021, LBCC will celebrate its fi rst com- bined commencement in its history — an in-person event that celebrates both the 2020 graduating class and the 2021 graduating class. This will provide an opportunity for the 2020 grads to take their symbolic walks across the stage and receive their degree. “With such uncertainty and hard- ship caused by the pandemic, it is great to work with trusted part- ners like AWS to keep our com- munity operating at this time.” In a separate news release on June 11, Umatilla School District announced that Amazon Web Ser- vices had also become a sponsor of the district’s robotics program and other after-school programs related to STEM (Science, Tech- nology, Engineering and Math). According to Superinten- dent Heidi Sipe, before school was closed students gave guests from the company a tour of their schools and highlighted the needs for the STEM programs. Following the visit, Amazon donated $70,000 for equipment, such as 3D printers, cameras, computers and robot parts. After the schools closed, they donated additional laptops to help the pro- grams make the jump to distance learning. “Years ago, we dreamed of having the type of technology to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow,” Sipe said in a state- ment. “It’s amazing to think that today, we have the technology and the jobs for students right here in Umatilla.” WORSHIP COMMUNITY Seventh-day Adventist Church 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 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 Office..............................567-5812 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. First Christian Church “Proclaiming the Message of Hope, Living the Gospel of Love” Sunday School...9:15 am Worship Service...10:30 am Children’s Church 10:45 am 567-3013 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston 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 541-289-4774 LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH 125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232 MEDICAL DIRECTORY DENTURES BLUE MOUNTAIN DENTURE CENTER FAMILY DENTISTRY Affordable Care in Eastern Oregon since 1991 A Better Way to Oral Health COMPREHENSIVE CARE Pastor David Dever Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm www.hermistonlmbc.com MENTAL HEALTH LET US BE THE ONE THAT HELPS! • Adult, Child & Family Therapy • Psychiatric Evaluation & Treatment • Mental Health & Crisis Services • Confidential & Professional Care TROY STEWART Licensed Denturist UMATILLA, OR: 1300 6th St., Suite G BAKER CITY, OR: 2194 Court Ave. 541-519-4696 • 541-523-4752 URGENT CARE 995 Orchard Ave., Hermiston, OR RYAN M. WIESELER, D.D.S, PC www.desertdentalsmiles.com PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY HERMISTON FAMILY MEDICINE & URGENT CARE Family Care • Minor Injuries Sports Physicals • Minor Surgeries We accept Medicare & some Advantage Medicare plans NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 236 E. Newport, Hermiston (across from U.S. Bank) Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-7:00pm Call Today! 541-289-5433 1060 W. Elm, Suite #115, Hermiston (across from Good Shepherd Medical Center) www.apd4kidz.com Office hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm CRISIS PHONE: 866-343-4473 HERMISTON: 595 NW 11th St. • 541-567-2536 PENDLETON: 331 SE 2nd St. • 541-276-6207 WWW.LIFEWAYS.ORG To advertise in the Medical Directory, please call Jeanne 541-564-4531 email: jjewett@hermistonherald.com To share your worship times call 541-278-2678