Week of October 24, 2024
Week of October 24, 2024
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) hopes that state legislators will approve its budget request in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. If they refuse, ODOT is prepared to cut more than 1,000 jobs, including several positions that oversee roads in Gilliam, Wheeler, and Sherman counties. The Oregon Transportation Commission reluctantly approved ODOT's budget request for 2025-2027 in August, but a battle with the Oregon Legislature is brewing. Ongoing concerns...
BEND, OR – The prestigious Herman Kehrli Award was presented Friday evening to Condon City Administrator Kathryn Greiner during the League of Oregon Cities' 99th Annual Conference in Bend. The award is given to a city employee who has made exceptional contributions to city government in Oregon, producing lasting benefits for their community. A dedicated, proactive public servant who goes well beyond her job description, Kathryn Greiner has an uncanny ability to seamlessly...
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...
The Wheeler Co. Rattlers Volleyball Team has earned a number-one seed for the Big Sky East Division and will head into the district tournament this week as a team to beat. The Rattlers will get a bye after finishing the season at 20-3 overall, and 11-2 in league play. The Rattlers, a combined team of the Wheeler County schools of Spray High School, Mitchell High School, and Wheeler High School (Fossil), are ranked as the 18th best team in the state by OSAA. The Rattlers have...
The Sherman Huskies hosted a four-way district volleyball match on Saturday, October 19th. The Wheeler County Rattlers, the Klickwood Eagles, and the South Wasco County Rattlers all came to Moro to finish up Big Sky district play. Sherman opened play facing Klickwood, who took the first set before Sherman won the next three sets. In the next game, Wheeler County defeated Klickwood in straight sets before losing to South Wasco County in straight sets. The most electric game of...
The Sherman/Condon DevilDawgs took the field last Friday night when the Pirates of Perrydale came to Moro for a 7:00 PM kickoff. The DevilDawgs received the opening kick. Raul Anaya was set up deep to return and gained 15 yards before being brought down by the Pirates. A few plays later Jayden Havins had a big run setting up a touchdown pass from Gabe Fritts to Blake Carnine. Havins would run the ball in for the 2-point conversion. The swarming DevilDawg defense forced the...
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...
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...
