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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2020)
A2 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM THREE MINUTES WITH … COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 HERMISTON HISTORY DANIEL WATTENBURGER Pac/West Account Manager Eastern Oregon Mission Board Member When and why did you move to Hermiston? My family moved here in 1992 when I was 10 and I moved back in 2005 so my wife, Marci, could teach in the school district. Where is your favorite place to eat in Hermiston? Kobe and Trina’s are in a virtual tie. What do you like to do in your spare time? Family vacations if I can fi nd a lot of spare time, watching a baseball game will do if I only have a few hours. What surprises you about Hermiston? The culture of humility. This town has done amazing things, but rather than people demanding credit they pass on the praise and get back to work. What was the last book you read? “Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back),” the autobiogra- phy of Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. I’m a sucker for a rock bio. What website or app do you use most other than Facebook? Stitcher. I have a 226 day podcast listening streak. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? If I could call it one trip, I’d go on a circuit of MLB stadiums. If I had to pick one I haven’t been to yet, I’d visit Wrigley Field in Chicago. What is the funniest thing that’s ever hap- pened to you? Our kids Anna (9) and Nolan (6) are always crack- ing us up, but our dog Jackson got the best of us this summer when we did a backyard camp out and he somehow snuck back inside and slept on our bed — which he’s not allowed to do. He was embarrassed in the way only a good lab can be. What is one of your goals for the next 12 months? We have made some major strides in getting more applications and admissions to Martha’s House, and our next big project is increasing the programs to help families transition from homelessness to a sta- ble lifestyle. With the community’s investment and volunteer spirit I’m excited to see what will be done. What is your proudest accomplishment? Everything worthwhile has been accomplished as a team. Our East Oregonian newsroom retaining the ONPA general excellence award for six years run- ning comes to mind because of the dedication and quality work of the team I was lucky enough to be a part of. HH fi le photo Kaylee Van Riper, 6, drives a miniature car at the Umatilla County Fair in 1995. World War II offi cially ends 25 YEARS AGO Aug. 15, 1995 The city of Hermiston will con- sider building a four-fi eld city league softball complex south of the airport. Hermiston resident Glenn Phillips asked the city Monday to consider a plan that requires 15-20 acres of the 80-acre city owned parcel on South Highway 395. Glenn said the new complex would allow the city to host up to 64 men’s and women’s teams during softball tournaments. After Glenn made his proposal city manager Ed Brookshier said Hermiston owned a chunk of land big enough, but it had no water or sewer access. Glenn said at this time he was only looking for land and was con- fi dent the community would support the development. 2) A nine-year-old girl could be charged with arson as a result of a grass fi re Tuesday along Highway 730 in Umatilla. Steve Flegel, fi re chief for Uma- tilla Rural Fire Protection District, said the 200-acre fi re was caused by a child playing with matches. 50 YEARS AGO Aug. 13, 1970 This year the Umatilla County Fair intends to provide its patrons with live entertainment through- out each of the four days of the fair, according to Bob Cooper, chairman. Live entertainment will be pro- vided from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Aug. 19-22. In order to provide this entertainment, anyone ages six to 80 who has a talent and is interested in performing before an audience is asked to contact the fair offi ce. 2) Voters will be asked to approve a $195,000 bond issue in the near future following presentation of schematic plans for a proposed fi re station to the Hermiston City Coun- cil Monday night. Architects Travers and Johnson of Portland, along with a commit- tee of fi remen, revealed the plans to the council. Bill Hibbard, speak- ing for the fi remen, said the station was moved from its original location on the north side of Orchard Avenue across the street near the Hermiston HH fi le photo Avery Ford, 5, gets his face painted during the Umatilla County Fair in 1995. Neighborhood Center. The 9,732-square-foot building would house nine pieces of emer- gency equipment, contain adminis- trative offi ces, training area, lock- ers and a lounge. At the present time the city has seven pieces of equip- ment, three of which are parked on the street. 75 YEARS AGO Aug. 16, 1945 President Truman announced at 4 p.m. Tuesday that Japan had sur- rendered unconditionally to the Allies — that the war was over. The “duration” was ended with that announcement and the world again was at peace. Celebrations have been underway in various places for sev- eral days due to confl icting rumors in regard to Japanese acceptance of the Potsdam ultimatum. In Hermiston the fi re siren sounded and people were showing signs of joy in different ways. Auto horns were blowing most of the time and far into the night, while crowds were congregating on the sidewalks and expressing their feel- ings outwardly and sometimes very freely. Other people merely displayed signs of gratefulness that the con- fl ict had ended and were apparently happy that the shooting was over. Skeptical persons are still waiting to be completely convinced that peace has come after the formal signing of the armistice documents by Japanese offi cials in Manila, probably tomorrow. General Doug- las MacArthur, hero of Bataan who has been appointed supreme com- mander, is expected to sign for the Allies. Rationing of gasoline, fuel oil, oil stoves, canned fruits and veg- etables was ended by the Offi ce of Price Administration yesterday. This announcement came as a sur- prise to the public as there was no hint that such action would be taken immediately. 100 YEARS AGO Aug. 13, 1920 To the editor: I desire to express through your paper my appreciation of the great effort and effective assistance ren- dered by the friends of Sheriff Til Taylor in returning the murderers to jail. I want to thank everyone, espe- cially those who took the more hum- ble parts, standing watch upon the roads and at the stations, and the people of Umatilla County have my deep gratitude for their forbearance and good citizenship during the try- ing hours when the murderers were fi rst returned to jail. Respectfully, W.R. Taylor, Sheriff BY THE WAY Rural hospitals receive funding from state legislature Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston will receive just over $6.1 million in funding thanks to a fund- ing package from the Oregon Legislature to help keep small rural hospitals afl oat as they continue to be nega- tively impacted by the pandemic. Hospitals have faced funding challenges this year as people have avoided seeking treatment for conditions and delayed or canceled lucrative elective surgeries. The state is sending $50 million in grant funding from Business Oregon to 20 rural hospitals, including Good Shepherd. Rep. Greg Smith said in a statement that the pack- age was a “signifi cant victory for Morrow, Umatilla, and Wasco Counties and District 57 as a whole.” “We have worked hard to ensure that these dollars are being spent the way that they were intended,” he said. “I was also very pleased to see that Good Shepherd in Hermiston received the second largest award in the state. These hospitals are a crucial part of rural Oregon and I am proud to see this money coming back home.” The grants can be used to cover necessary expendi- tures, such as additional personal protective equipment, incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency from March 1, 2020 through Dec. 30, 2020. • • • be prepared with hand santizer, masks and other supplies. Some restrooms and other facilities near fi shing spots may be closed to COVID-19. • • • Free fi shing this weekend Senior takeout meals include spaghetti Everyone can fi sh for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, no fi shing licenses or tags (including a Com- bined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorse- ment or Two-Rod Validation) are required to fi sh, crab or clam in Oregon that weekend. Although no licenses or tags are required, all other fi shing regulations apply, including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. In a news release, the agency reminded people to prac- tice social distancing while out fi shing and participating in other forms of recreation, to stay home if sick and to The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center continues to provide takeout and delivery meals to senior citizens in the community. The menu for Thursday, Aug. 13, is BBQ beef sand- wich, potato salad, fruit and dessert. Tuesday, Aug. 18, is spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert. For a Meals on Wheels delivery, call 541-567-3582 before 10 a.m. to place an order. To pick up a meal from the center at 255 Northeast Second St., call the same number before 11 a.m. Meals are $4 and can be picked up between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
