Week of October 17, 2024
Oregon's wildfire season is still not over. The Crazy Creek Fire, burning in Crook County and a small section of southern Wheeler County, is nearing containment. However, several small fires were started over the past two weeks after deer hunters sparked small blazes in Gilliam and Wheeler counties. Local volunteer fire departments quickly put out the fires, but the risk remains high, and locals remain on edge. But with moisture on the way this week and fall temperatures...
According to an action alert issued by the Oregon Cattleman's Association, ranchers are experiencing a hay shortage due to wildfire activity in Wheeler, Baker, Grant and Malheur counties. OSU Extension has been assisting with gathering available hay and has advised of a shortage of 774 tons (roughly 50% in Wheeler, 25% in Baker, 20% in Grant, and 5% in Malheur). According to OSU staff, as of October 3rd, there were 13 family-run ranches caring for a total of at least 4,385...
The Rock Creek Bridge, which is being rebuilt on Oregon Highway 206, known as the Condon/Heppner Highway, will continue to be fully closed until October 27. Both sides of the bridge are closed as construction enters final stages of the project. The ninety-year-old bridge was identified by ODOT as needing to be replaced due to age and ongoing wear and tear from debris that moves downstream with rapid thaws in the late winter and early spring. ODOT said that during high water...
THE DALLES, OR - North Central Public Health District's (NCPHD) Board of Health has appointed Martha McInnes, BSN, RN, as the organization's new director. NCPHD has been seeking to fill the role since outgoing director Shellie Campbell announced her retirement in July this year. With Campbell staying on until her replacement was found, NCPHD has maintained continuous strong leadership. Campbell said, "Martha has been with NPCHD over three years, joining our team during a very...
A string of mysterious cattle deaths in Oregon are the focus of a new Unsolved Mysteries documentary on Netflix. The Netflix reboot of the classic Unsolved Mysteries, which began in the late 1980s, is one of the top five shows currently streaming on Netflix. It has been viewed by millions of people worldwide. Beginning in 2019 and continuing until 2022, cattle were found mutilated in Wheeler, Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Harney, and Umatilla counties. Wheeler Co. Sheriff's Deputy... Full story
Sherman County residents filled Grass Valley Pavilion on Oct. 1 to raise questions about a proposed solar power generating facility planned near the existing Buckley substation in the southwest corner of the county. Oregon Department of Energy officials met with representatives from Clenera, a Northwest-based alternative energy company, to host a public meeting and discuss the details of the proposed project as well as take questions from the audience. Clenera is based in...
Upland game bird hunters will find abundant populations across the state, with some exceptions. Upland bird populations can vary greatly from year to year depending on weather and habitat conditions. Summer surveys indicate improvements in abundance from the previous year for chukar, pheasant, and wild turkey and increases in chick production from the previous year for chukar, California quail, mountain quail, gray partridge, and wild turkey. Forest grouse populations are...
According to the USDA, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, down from 6.8 days from the previous week. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties welcomed small, scattered showers as many growers held off on fall plantings and lacked consistent soil moisture. Nursery crops, vegetables, and fruits continued to thrive with adequate irrigation. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties experienced colder evenings and mornings which gave way to daytime warmth. Corn was...
Condon's Cathleen Greiner, PhD, has been elected Chair of the Board of Vital Link, a non-profit organization that serves students across SoCal in the area of Career and Technical Education (CTE), 'linking' education, applied learning, and business/industry in workforce preparation and planning. The honor comes on the heels of Dr. Greiner's selection as Woman of the Year in California's Senate District 29 earlier this year. Dr. Greiner is the founding Director for the Center...
Heppner, OR - BEO Bancorp (OTCBB:BEOB) and its subsidiary, Bank of Eastern Oregon, announced 3rd quarter 2024 consolidated net income of $3.72 million or $3.03 per share, compared to $3.6 million or $2.99 per share during the same period in 2023. Total assets were $835.7 million, down 0.5% year over year; Net loans of $557.2 million show an increase of 8.4% from last year; Deposits were at $741.8 million, down 2.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Shareholders' equity is...
Homecoming was held at the Condon School last week, with volleyball games taking place on Tuesday the 8th, and Thursday the 10th. Youth dressed up each day of the week, with polos or college clothing on Monday. High schoolers wore their nicest clothes on Tuesday, as the school hosted the Wheeler Co. Rattlers Volleyball Team. On Wednesday, kids in each class were given a decade – with seniors having the 2000s, juniors in the 1990s, sophomores in the 1980s, and freshman in...
The DevilDawgs traveled to Dufur Oregon last Friday to face league opponent and rival Dufur. The DevilDawgs began the game kicking off to the Rangers. Jacoby Roberts attempted an onside kick which the Rangers recovered and on their third offensive snap the Rangers found the end zone. After a failed 2-point conversion attempt the DevilDawgs trailed 0-6. The ensuing DevilDawg drive was short lived thanks to an aggressive Ranger defense. For most of the remainder of the 1st...
The Central Oregon Peewee Rodeo Association recognized their year-end winners recently. The local contingent was led by Talen Turner, Cecil. The son of Ricky and Jenny Turner, he brought home the Underage Boys All Around saddle. Underage contestants are ages 3-5 as of January 1. He accomplished a trifecta by winning the division pole bending, goat tail tying, and barrel racing. He completed the evening with fourth place in the dummy head roping. Arlington was represented by...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On October 9, Subcommittee on Natural Resources Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Chairman Cliff Bentz joined Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) in her district to open a Subcommittee hearing titled, 'It All Depends on Water: Examining Efforts to Improve and Protect Central Oregon's Water Supply.' The hearing emphasized the need to protect water resources, address water shortages for farmers and ranchers in Central Oregon and across the country and...
Organizers for Condon's premier black-tie benefit are making their final arrangements for the 2024 Condon Scholarship Foundation's Dinner and Auction. Now in its 28th year, the foundation is a lifeline to area students who are continuing their education and has given more than $800,000 in scholarships to Condon graduates. The annual dinner and auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year and is scheduled for October 19 at St. John's Church Parish Hall. Doors will open at...
Dale Gene Schuh, 88, of Wasco, Oregon passed away on September 26, 2024, at the Adventist Portland Hospital. Dale was born one of eleven children to Henry and Helen (Bechtold) Schuh, on July 27, 1936, in Regan, North Dakota. He graduated from North Salem High School in 1954 and was inducted into the Army in 1955, serving proudly at Fort Lewis. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Dale was employed by Smith Corona Merchant for 21 years. During this time, he met and... Full story
