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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2020)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 HermistonHerald.com EasternOregonMarketplace.com UPDATES Feds release $30 billion in funding for small business By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR The Small Busi- ness Administration announced on July 28 that nearly $30 billion in new Paycheck Protec- tion Program and Eco- nomic Injury Disaster Loan funds have been approved to help small businesses in the Pacifi c Northwest. According to the news release, the SBA approved $1.6 billion in the Pacifi c Northwest and $28 billion nation- wide for all of 2019. So far this year, Oregon has received nearly $9 bil- lion, spread out over 152,809 loans. The last day the SBA can accept new PPP applications is Friday, Aug. 8. However, SBA Pacifi c Northwest Regional Administrator Jeremy Field advises local busi- nesses and eligible orga- nizations to start the PPP application process this week to make sure they have enough time to con- nect with a lender, com- plete the paperwork and give the lender time to submit the application by that date. Paycheck Protec- tion Program loans can be forgiven if borrow- ers follow the rules of the loan, which include limiting spending to pay- roll, utilities and rent. More information on PPP forgiveness is avail- able at www.sba.gov/ paycheckprotection. The SBA also contin- ues to accept EIDL appli- cations as another fi nanc- ing option for small businesses and nonprof- its impacted by the Coro- navirus pandemic. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Hallways at Armand Larive Middle School and other schools throughout Hermiston will be empty to start the school year as the district looks to begin the school year with distance learning. ONLINE ONLY Hermiston schools will start later to give staff time to prepare By NADA SEWIDAN and JADE MCDOWELL STAFF WRITERS ELECTRONIC DEVICES In addition to an online-only start, Hermiston School District will also start school later than usual in the fall. During their Monday, July 27 meeting, the school board adopted an updated 2020-21 school year calendar that includes a few sched- ule changes, including delaying school starts from Monday, Aug. 24, until Tuesday, Sept 8. The decision to delay the fi rst day of school comes after the dis- trict announced on Thursday, July 23, that it will begin the school year with distance learning only, as a result of Hermiston’s rise in COVID-19 cases. Hermiston School District likely wouldn’t be able to start the school year with in-person learn- ing whether the board voted to or not. On Tuesday, July 28, the Oregon Department of Educa- tion released new guidelines for when schools are allowed to hold in-person classes. The guidelines state that counties must have a less than 5% positive rate of tests, and 10 or fewer new cases of COVID- More information will be released at a later date on how and when Chromebooks, routers and Wi-Fi hotspots can be checked out. For now, the district asks everyone who checked out devices in the spring to return them for clean- ing and upgrades. Devices may be dropped off at the district offi ces July 28-30 from noon to 7 p.m. or Aug. 3-6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Student drop-off lanes at Armand Larive Middle School and other schools throughout the Hermiston School District will be empty of cars as the district transitions to distance learning for the fall. 19 over a seven-day period, three weeks in a row, before in-person classes will be allowed. According to a spreadsheet compiled by Rachel Alexan- der of the Salem Reporter, Uma- tilla County had 465.6 cases per 100,000 the week of July 21-28, and 420 the week before that. Oregon must also have a less than 5% positive rate for COVID- 19 tests, which has not happened in the month of July. “The metrics released today will give our public schools, pri- vate schools, and communities the opportunity to make sound deci- sions based on the latest science and health data,” Gov. Kate Brown said in a news release. “They make a clear connection between the spread of the disease in a commu- nity, and statewide, and when a school may resume, or must halt, in-person instruction. Superintendent Tricia Mooney said pushing the start day for schools will give educators an extra two weeks to prepare for the shift in teaching style. Surveys pro- vided to teachers will help identify specifi c professional development needs that can be addressed within the two-week period. See Schools, Page A10 Hermiston businesses try to adjust to new restrictions By NADA SEWIDAN STAFF WRITER Staff photo by Jade McDowell, File The Union Club in downtown Hermiston announced it is closing for now in response to new restrictions on operating hours for bars. INSIDE A3 City council awards bid for $910,000 library remodel The new government man- dated restrictions under Phase 2 have affected some busi- nesses in Hermiston. Gov. Kate Brown announced on Wednesday, July 22, additional statewide restrictions under Phase 2 of reopening plans that went into effect on Friday, July 24. Some restrictions include clos- ing restaurants and bars by 10 p.m. instead of midnight and requiring a face covering for all gym users during their workout. According to Brown, A7 Six deaths reported at Regency Hermiston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center the decision to add restrictions is a result of rising COVID-19 cases throughout Oregon. Following the restrictions to scale back hours, Union Club in downtown Hermiston closed its already limited hours of operation. “We’re closing the shop due to the new COVID-19 requirements,” stated a July 23 Facebook post. “Union Club will reopen to serve you as soon as we are able to resume business as usual. Stay safe! See you on the other side of the morning.” Union Club is not open for takeout either but people are A7 Maxwell Market sees slower season than usual still able to inquire about rent- ing the event space to host pri- vate parties. There are currently no plans for when the coffee by day, bar by night establishment will reopen. People also are now required to wear face masks at the gym while working out. Roger Adams, manager at the newly-opened Hermiston Ath- letic Club, said since the new restrictions they have received some resistance, but that for the most part, everyone is complying. “We had some push back See Adjust, Page A10 A8 Good Shepherd Health Care System announces new CEO
