MORROW COUNTY
Wednesday, august 10, 2022
HeRMIstOnHeRaLd.COM • A11
Merkley, Wyden, secure $1.7M for water crisis
Hermiston Herald
Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and
Jeff Merkley announced July 29 they
secured $1.7 million for Morrow
County to address drinking water
contamination in Boardman.
The money comes from the fiscal
year 2023 Senate appropriations bill.
Merkley, as chair of the Senate Interior
Appropriations subcommittee, along
with Wyden, identified the funding
for this critical community-initiated
project that will help residents of
Morrow and Umatilla counties have
greater access to clean drinking water.
Morrow County in a statement re-
ported the funds will pay for the test-
ing of wells and to study longer-term
solutions and options for rural resi-
dents who rely on individual wells for
their drinking water.
“This federal funding will help
Morrow County move beyond the
short-term nitrate emergency and
help us work towards longer term
solutions,” Morrow County Com-
missioner Melissa Lindsay said in a
press release. “The senators’ support
during the nitrate emergency has been
so valuable. This new source of sig-
nificant funding will allow Morrow
County to develop a standardized data
and testing program to monitor rural
wells and also study long term solu-
tions to clean drinking water for
rural residents.”
Erick Peterson/Hermiston Herald, File
Ana Pineyro, Morrow County communicable disease and emergency preparedness co-
ordinator, and Morrow County Commissioner Jim Doherty look at results from a rapid
test July 14, 2022, on drinking water in a Boardman home. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and
Ron Wyden announced July 29 they secured $1.7 million for testing wells and to study
longer-term solutions to the Boardman water problems and options for rural residents
who rely on individual wells for their drinking water.
She also said she appreciated the
collaboration with the Umatilla
County Board of Commissioners. She
and Umatilla County Commissioner
Dan Dorran worked with staff from
both counties to make the request for
federal dollars.
Morrow County Commission Chair
Jim Doherty in the press release called
the funding “welcomed support.”
Doherty and staff have spent many
hours the past few months directly
involved in the emergency efforts to
test water in households and provide
them with clean drinking water. How-
ever, he said, “Morrow County will
continue to vigilantly push the state
of Oregon for long-term, permanent
support to remedy the negative health
effects of high nitrate levels in rural
domestic wells.”
Morrow County Board of Commis-
sioners on June 9 declared an emer-
gency over the contamination. The
move came in the wake of the Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality
in January issuing a $1.3 million fine
against the Port of Morrow in Board-
man for years of violating its waste-
water permit and allowing hundreds
of tons of excess nitrogen onto area
farmlands above the already contam-
inated basin. The DEQ on June 17 in-
creased that fine to $2.1 million.
“Since the emergency declaration,
we are finally receiving attention and
resources from state agencies,” accord-
ing to Doherty. “The Lower Umatilla
Basin Groundwater Management
Area has been in place for almost 40
years and not until the declaration
have we had support from the Oregon
Health Authority and the Oregon De-
partment of Environmental Quality.”
Morrow and Umatilla County have
participated in the LUBGWMA vol-
unteer committee since 1990 when the
state declared the area due to high lev-
els of nitrates. The LUBGWMA com-
mittee is in the process of implement-
ing the Second Action Plan to reduce
nitrate contamination from a number
of sources, septic systems, fertilizer,
land application of wastewater, wash-
out from the Umatilla Army Depot
and feedlots, according to the press
release. Funding for the LUBGWMA
has been almost nonexistent, pri-
marily in the form of a part-time em-
ployee to test a small sample of wells.
In addition to the LUBGWMA
committee, Umatilla and Morrow
counties, together with help from
stakeholders, were able to secure di-
rect legislative funding to more sci-
entifically study the source of nitrate
contamination, the press release
stated. Known as the LUBGWMA
Subcommittee, the bi-county effort
soon will have an Oregon State Uni-
versity scientist working on a study of
historical data.
Doherty also credited Lindsay for
advocating for the research and her
involvement in the subcommittee ef-
forts.
“We are getting closer to where we
need to be to address the short-term
and long-term groundwater prob-
lems,” he stated. “Our immediate pri-
ority is public health and ensuring ru-
ral residents have clean, safe, potable
water. We remain vigilant however, in
our commitment to study the sources
of pollution and to seek long term
remedies. We sincerely appreciate
the support of Sen. Wyden and Sen.
Merkley and their staff.”
Boardman bans psilocybin, approves emergency medical services
BY JOHN TILLMAN
Hermiston Herald
Boardman City Council at its meet-
ing Aug. 2 banned psilocybin manufac-
ture and service centers in the city.
Rick Stokoe, assistant city manger
and police chief, explained Resolution
No. 17-2022 further referred prohibi-
tion of the hallucinogenic fungal drug
to voters on the November general
election ballot. Umatilla County, Pend-
leton and Hermiston previously ad-
opted bans on psilocybin and referred
them to the electorate.
While Oregon voters statewide ap-
proved psilocybin manufacture and
service in 2020, Umatilla and Morrow
County opposed the measure by nearly
two to one. The law allows cities, coun-
ties and other local jurisdictions to ban
psilocybin production and distribution
within their boundaries, if approved by
voters.
Morrow County staff drafted an or-
dinance in July to implement a psilocy-
bin ban and refer the matter to the vot-
ers. The county board had previously
expressed its desire to refer to voters
whether psilocybin manufacturing and
centers should be allowed in the county.
The board held a public hearing July
13 on the ordinance and adopted it,
banning psilocybin manufacture and
service in the county. Referring the
matter to the voters is on the agenda for
the Aug. 10 meeting, Morrow County
Smart security.
Professionally installed.
Sheriff’s Office catches homicide, kidnapping suspect
Hermiston Herald
Morrow County sheriff ’s
deputies the night of Thurs-
day, Aug. 4, caught a Washing-
ton homicide and kidnapping
suspect.
Franklin County Sheriff ’s
Office in Washington reported
its deputies the evening of
Aug. 4 received a third-party
report of a missing female
who may have been dead in
the area of First Avenue in the
hamlet of Mesa, Washington.
Deputies found the body
near a residence and discov-
ered two children younger
than 12 were missing from the
home and likely in danger.
“Deputies quickly suspected
foul play and detectives were
activated,” according to the
Franklin County Sheriff ’s Of-
fice.
That night at about
11:30 p.m. Morrow County
sheriff ’s deputies near Irrigon
located a vehicle related to the
homicide and kidnapping in-
vestigation in Mesa. Inside the
vehicle, deputies discovered a
suspect and the two missing
children, who were unharmed.
Deputies took the female
suspect into custody, Franklin
County also reported, and she
will make an initial court ap-
pearance in Oregon.
The sheriff ’s office handed
over the two children to the
Oregon Department of Hu-
man Services until authori-
ties can locate their relatives.
The Washington State Patrol
Crime Scene Response Team
will be assisting detectives
with processing the crime
scene in Mesa, and Oregon
State Police is assisting with
the vehicle in Irrigon.
Franklin County Sheriff ’s
Office also asked anyone
with information related
to this case to contact detec-
tives at 509-405-5131 or
509-792-2448.
District Attorney Justin Nelson said.
Stokoe also said the adopted an in-
tergovernmental agreement for emer-
gency medical services between the city
and Boardman Fire Rescue District.
“Boardman Fire and Rescue doesn’t
yet have a transport license,” Stokoe
said, “but will provide EMS response
for the city.”
Protection starts with prevention
Peace of Mind
Starts Here
CALL NOW TO CUSTOMIZE
YOUR SYSTEM
Get FREE Professional
Installation and Four FREE
Months of Monitoring Service*
844-894-8790
Use Promo Code 4FREE
Know When People
and Packages Arrive
*Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 equipment purchase, professional installation and applicable services agree-
ment. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previouslyinstalled systems not eligible for oﬀ er. Oﬀ er not available in all states or
provinces. Equipment purchase may be ﬁ nanced separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint’s third-party ﬁ nancing partners.
Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply. New Vivint Customers only. Financing
eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party ﬁ nancing partners. Qualiﬁ ed customers may ﬁ nance equip-
ment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
System supports up to six cameras subject to suﬃ cient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is
limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this oﬀ er for complete equipment,
services, and package details, including pricing and ﬁ nancing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana
Commercial Certiﬁ cate #58280. See comprehensive Vivint license numbers on Vivint.com.
Get strong, fast Wi-Fi to work and
play throughout your home. ^
FEEL THE SPEED,
EVEN AT PEAK TIMES.
No annual contract.
Based on wired connection to gateway.
Follow us on
Facebook!
Power multiple devices at once—
everyone can enjoy their own screen.
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
Over 99% reliability.
AT&T
INTERNET 100
††
Excludes DSL. Based on network availability.
45
$
/mo *
Contact your local DIRECTV dealer
For 12 mos, plus taxes & equip.fee.$10/mo equip. fee applies.
Limited availability in selectareas. *Price after $5/mo
Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills).
IV Support Holdings
888-486-0359
Limited availability in select areas. May not be available inyour area.
Call or goto att.com/internetto see if you qualify.
UMATILLA COUNTY FAIR
INTERNET OFFER: Subj. to change and may be discontinued at any time. Price for Internet 100 for new residential customers & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount. Pricing for ﬁrst 12 months only. After 12 mos., then prevailing rate applies. Autopay & Paperless Bill
Discount: Discount oﬀ the monthly rate when account is active & enrolled in both. Pay full plan cost until discount starts w/in 2 bill cycles. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue discount. Additional Fees & Taxes: AT&T one-time transactional fees, $10/mo.
equipment fee, and monthly cost recovery surcharges which are not government-required may apply, as well as taxes. See www.att.com/fees for details. Installation: $99 installation for full tech install, plus tax where applicable. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet
Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. ^AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210, 5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. ††Internet speed claims
represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
©2021 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. AT&T and Globe logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.
AUGUST 10-13, 2022
Blazing Fast
Internet!
Moo-ving Forward Together!
CONCERTS ON THE WILDHORSE
RESORT & CASINO MAIN STAGE
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
19 . 99
$
/mo.
where available
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
69
$
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
America’s Top 120 Package
Including
for 12 Mos.
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
1-866-373-9175
Oﬀer ends 11/9/22.
All oﬀers require credit qualiﬁcation, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more.
Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualiﬁcation.
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
R GU
2
15 % & 10 %
RD
GU
TE
1
’S
TH
NATIO
N
E
T
A
OFF
OFF
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET! 1
Promo Code: 285
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
WED., AUG. 10 • 9PM
PETTY FEVER
Tom Petty Tribute Band
THURS., AUG. 11 • 9PM
HOME FREE
All Vocal Country
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
+
5 % OFF
WE INSTALL
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
1-855-536-8838
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Oﬀ er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suﬀ olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
Prepare for
Power Outages
& Save Money
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE
FRI., AUG. 12 • 8PM
SAT., AUG. 13 • 9PM
Dueto los Armadillos • Grupo Fatal • Puro Domador
Rebeldes De La Sierra • Los Faraones Del Norte
CMA, AMC and Grammy nominated artist
LATINO NIGHT
RYAN HURD
*Oﬀ er value when purchased at retail.
Solar panels sold separately.
Prepare for power
outages today
• NEW RIDES!
• Presell wristbands on sale now
through Aug. 9th - $7 savings!
WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR
FREE
7-Year Extended
Warranty*
Available at Velasco Used Car Sales in Hermiston,
the fair office or online. Other online discounts also
available at www.umatillacountyfair.net
For more information visit www.umatillacountyfair.net
1705 E. Airport Rd., Hermiston, OR
A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*
(844) 989-2328
$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS
Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
TITLE SPONSOR
CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE
(877) 557-1912
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the
generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
A $695 Value!