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.