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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2020)
NEWS A10 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 Stanfi eld resident dies in Baker County crash HERMISTON HERALD Staff photo by Ben Lonergan The city of Echo recently received $1.7 million in funding for upgrades to its wastewater infrastructure. One of the primary upgrades will be the installation of a pipeline to link the Echo system to the city of Stanfi eld’s wastewater treatment facility. Echo receives funding to upgrade wastewater system By NADA SEWIDAN FOR THE HERMISTON HERALD The last time the city of Echo upgraded its waste- water infrastructure was in 1985, which is why they were recently provided $1.7 million in funding for upgrades. John Huffman, state director of USDA Rural Development, said improve- ments to Echo’s wastewa- ter system are essential for the town’s economy, health and safety. Huffman said sometimes it is diffi cult for a small town to come up with the fi nances for a major infrastructure upgraded, but that it is necessary. “Utility services are essential for public health and safety, as well as for economic vitality, but main- taining the necessary infra- structure is sometimes not feasible for a small town’s budget,” he said. The project will include constructing a pipeline that will enable treated waste- water to be directed to the Stanfi eld collection system instead of into the Umatilla River. The funding will also support renovations to the wastewater plant’s lift sta- tion and pressure main. In 2017, the city began searching for funding to redirect its recycled water from being dispensed into the Umatilla River. The deci- sion to upgrade the system comes after the treatment did not meet Department of Environmental Quality stan- dards. Without the upgrade, Echo would face signifi cant fi nes. Dave Slaght, city admin- istrator-recorder for Echo, said the city is in conver- sation with engineers and they are hoping to get the project completed in 18 to 24 months. “We’re very grateful to get the grant and loans,” Slaght said. “We’re going to be able to get our sys- tem back in compliance, and we’re really excited about moving forward and at least getting our system operational.” USDA Rural Develop- ment invests millions of dollars into rural commu- nities, providing funding to upgrade water treatment and waste disposal systems, storm drainage, and other infrastructure developments in rural communities. Rural areas, with a population of 10,000 or less, can apply for funding year-round. “The grant and low-in- terest loan from USDA will enable this very small, rural Oregon community to meet the needs of its residents and businesses for years to come,” Huffman said. A Stanfi eld woman was killed Friday, Aug. 7, in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 in Baker County, according to a press release from the Oregon State Police. Heydi Yajaira Sando- val, 31, was operating a 2019 Nissan Rogue SUV westbound on the inter- state when it left the road- way, hit a metal snow fence and rolled, the release said. Sandoval, who was not wearing a seat belt, suf- fered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. OSP was assisted by Oregon Department of Photo contributed by Oregon State Police Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel respond to a single-vehicle crash on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, on Interstate 84 near milepost 291. Transportation and Baker City Fire Department. Motorcycle crash outside Echo kills Texas man HERMISTON HERALD A motorcycle crash Friday, Aug. 7, out- side of Echo killed one person, according to a press release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Offi ce. Raymond Michael Rone, 69, of Flower Mound, Texas, was riding the motorcy- cle on Reith Road near Ramos Lane, the release said. A motorist reported to dis- patch around 5 p.m. that the motorcycle was down with the operator pinned under- neath it. Deputies responded along with Stan- fi eld Police Department and Oregon State Police. Echo Quick Response Team and Umatilla County Fire Department also responded. Rone was pronounced deceased at the scene. NEW BUICK ENCLAVE All Wheel Drive, Remote Start MSRP $27,890 - $3,000 Swain Discount - $3,000 Rebate Your $ Price 21,890 Stk #B7847 VIN #KL4CJES07KB876006 UCFD1 responds to record number of calls in July www.swainmotors.com 541-567-2277 80406 Hwy 395 N., Hermiston Top of the Hill HERMISTON HERALD Umatilla County Fire District 1 responded to a single-month record num- ber of calls for service in July, answering 525 calls in 31 days. The new record shat- tered the previous mark of 459 calls in a single month, according to a news release from the district. “We’re a growing com- munity and we’re accus- tomed to the steady increase in calls for service over time. But this is the biggest jump I can remember and it really pushed us to the limit,” Chief Scott Stanton said in a statement. “The extra calls for COVID-19 trans- port played a role in that, but even without them it would have been the busiest month we’ve ever seen.” Emergency medical tech- nicians responded to 425 medical calls, including 59 for transport of COVID-19 “ Keeping the community safe is Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Firefi ghters from Umatilla County Fire District 1 respond to a fi re in a pile of tires on West Theater Lane in Hermiston on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. patients. Firefi ghters also responded to 22 fi res — 18 in fi elds, three in buildings and one involving a vehi- cle. Three calls were false alarms. Because of the high vol- ume of calls, there were 12 delays of ambulance service because all personnel and vehicles were on other calls. a necessity. Wear a mask for yourself and others. We can do this together! ” SHERI KONNINGRUD, OWNER PEA RIDGE EMBROIDERY & SIGNS “Having the right num- ber of staff on duty and vol- unteers on call is one of the biggest challenges we’re fac- ing this year,” Stanton said. “Responding to every call as quickly as possible is our top priority. Every call we get has the potential to be a life or death situation, and we take that very seriously.” FUZZBALL ANIMAL RESCUE is in need of puppy food and puppy pads for these 9 puppies Not available for adoption yet Mark Sargent, DVM • Brent Barton, DVM Eugenio Mannucci, DVM, cVMA • Jana von Borstel, DVM, cVMA Small and Large Animal Care Mon: 8-6 Tue - Fri: 8-5 Sat: 8-12 Emergency Service 541.567.1138 80489 Hwy 395 N Hermiston www.oregontrailvet.com Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters need our help more than ever. Please donate to your local shelter, or offer to foster an animal in need. If interested please go to fuzzballrescue.com and fill out an application. If you are not able to adopt, but would like to foster or donate, visit fuzzballrescue.com or you can mail in donations to Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, PO Box 580, Hermiston, OR 97838 • Wear a mask in public • Avoid indoor gatherings • Stay 6 feet away from others • Wash your hands frequently Help Reopen Umatilla County Wearing a mask saves jobs and saves lives
