Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 131
The Wheeler County Court held its regular session meeting on August 21 at the Jeannie Birch Building in Fossil. The court approved the hiring of Brandy Hornbrook for the Victim of Crime Advocate (VOCA) position. The Victim of Crime Advocate supports victims through the criminal justice system. They assist victims of all age ranges, including victims of child abuse, stalking, elder abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and even homicide. Carol MacInnis has held that...
Dr. Kathleen Wilder has become North Central Public Health District's (NCPHD) Public Health Officer, replacing Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, who has served as the Health Officer of Hood River County Health Department (HRCHD) since 2018 and both HRCHD and NCPHD since May 2023. Van Tilburg remains in the Hood River County position, where he will continue regional work with Wilder and NCPHD. Wilder has been Deputy Health Officer at NCPHD since last summer and will take the lead...
As we work towards managing the valuable resource of water, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) may be working in your area and/or on your property. OWRD is the state agency that monitors and regulates legal water use. Under Oregon law, all water belongs to the public and in general landowners with water flowing past, through, or under their property do not automatically have the right to use that water without authorization from the Department. This authorization is...
"Harvesting 115 Years of Memories at the Sherman County Fair" was the theme for the 2024 Sherman County Fair, with Sherman County Educators as Grand Marshalls and Queen Addison Smith. Sherman County 4-H and FFA members entered a variety of competitions, with Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion winners listed below: 4-H RECORD BOOKS: Grand Champion Record Book: Emma Goodenough Reserve Grand Champion: Leah Goodenough PHOTOGRAPHY: Jacob Lanthorn FOOD PREPARATION: Grand...
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) authorized the lethal removal of one wolf from the Logan Valley Pack in Grant County on August 23, 2024. This decision comes after the pack was linked to four separate depredation incidents over the past four months, resulting in four injured cattle and two dead calves. In response to the depredations, local livestock producers implemented numerous non-lethal measures to mitigate the conflict. These included increased human pre...
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are urging the Department of the Interior to support Governor Kotek's request for emergency authorizations to allow flexibility in grazing schedules and use alternative grazing areas in response to the current wildfire disaster in Oregon. "The grazing flexibility requested by Governor Kotek will be an incredibly important lifeline to our rural communities that have been devastated by these wildfire...
The next Wild Horse Casino trip is scheduled for September 17th. If you would like to join the "Fun Bus" please contact the Transportation Department at 541-970-4149. We are also starting a once-a-month trip to Wal-Mart in Hermiston, with the first trip scheduled for September 11th. Please contact the Transportation Department at 541-970-4149 if you are interested in shopping with us. The Gilliam County Transportation Department provides for the transportation needs of the...
LA GRANDE, OR - Eastern Oregon University named 591 students, including several local students, to the dean's list for the 2024 spring term. Qualifying students achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework for the term. Local kids named to the dean's list are: Tyler Longacre of Arlington, studying Health Science and Chemistry-Biochemistry; Megan Aamodt of Condon, studying Health Science...
OSU Extension is coordinating with local response efforts to help farmers, ranchers and communities deal with the consequences of the wildfires currently affecting Oregon. Their role includes sharing information and resources, supporting producers to access disaster relief programs, coordinating hay/grain needs and donation pledges and N95 mask distribution. Current Ask: OSU Extension has a donor in Mulino who has pledged ~20 tons of grass blend hay (55#, 2 sting bales), and...
Tualatin, OR - Agricultural operations in Oregon have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and...
From superheroes to traveling around the world, OSU Sherman County Extension hosted local youth for two STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) day camps this summer. These camps were held using STEMfinity kits purchased in 2022 with grant funding from the Gorge STEM Hub and the Sherman County Cultural Coalitions. The "Science of Super Powers" camp was held July 15-19 for youth ages 6-9, with a focus on learning about super heroes and their powers, how those powers...
THE DALLES – A group of eight middle and high school educators from the Gorge region recently delved into the world of Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanics during the 3rd annual Educator Externship organized by the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, a program of the Columbia Gorge Education Service District (CGESD). Educators from five local school districts, Hood River, North Wasco, South Wasco, Spray, and Condon, engaged in a 3-day, immersive learning experience. The p...
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is seeking interested candidates for openings on the MCEDD Board of Directors, particularly those involved with Agriculture, or the Food and Beverage Industry. MCEDD promotes the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry. MCEDD was established in 1969 by Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties to benefit from b...
Do you have comments about local healthcare and medical services? What do you think is working well, and what is lacking? Asher Community Health Center (ACHC) invites you to share your comments in the 2024 ACHC Community Healthcare Needs Survey. The submission deadline is August 15, 2024. The residents of Wheeler County (along with the communities of Condon, Monument and Kimberly) have begun receiving the survey in the mail, and the survey can also be taken online at:...
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Rufus City Council Meeting Cancelled The August 15, 2024 Rufus City Council meeting has been cancelled. The agenda items including Land Use Action On a proposed RV Park have been rescheduled for the September 11, 2024 City Council Date. Please watch for a Public Notice for more information on the September Hearing....
CONDON – Planning for "Harvest the Memories!" is well underway. The County Fair will feature exhibits, animals, a Children's Fair, and fun activities in the arena for everyone. The fair will be held August 29th through August 31, 2024, Labor Day weekend, at the Gilliam County Fairgrounds in Condon, Oregon. Registration for the 2024 Gilliam County Fair is now open. Go to the Gilliam County website, click on "Government Directory" then "Fairgrounds." Scroll down to 2024 Fair R...
THE DALLES, OR - The popular Lower Deschutes River will remain open by permanent rule for steelhead fishing. More than 21,000 unmarked summer steelhead have passed Bonneville Dam since July 1. The run to date is the highest in nearly 10 years, though still well below the 20-year average as the upriver summer steelhead run has been at historically low levels for much of the last decade. The John Day, Umatilla, Grand Ronde and Imnaha Rivers are also on track to be open under...
Deschutes River to remain open to summer steelhead fishing THE DALLES, Ore.—The popular Lower Deschutes River will remain open by permanent rule for steelhead fishing. More than 21,000 unmarked summer steelhead have passed Bonneville Dam since July 1. The run to date is the highest in nearly 10 years, though still well below the 20-year average as the upriver summer steelhead run has been at historically low levels for much of the last decade. The John Day, Umatilla, Grand R...
A passion for helping others, and seeing the life changing work done in both the public health and non-profit sectors, guided the career path of recently retired North Central Public Health District Director Shellie Campbell. She officially stepped down May 31 from the agency that provides public health services in Wasco and Sherman counties, but is staying on a bit longer in a part-time capacity until the position is filled. (See the job description at htt...
Do you pressure can low acid foods like vegetables, meat, fish, poultry or wild game? Testing pressure canner dial gauges for accuracy annually or when they are dropped or bumped is recommended to help prevent under-processing of low acid foods that could cause serious illness. Weighted gauges do not need testing. OSU Extension Master Food Preservers will be available to test dial gauges on Saturday, August 10 at the Wheeler County Fair. The staffed display will be in the...
With the recent wildfires in Oregon, many livestock owners do not have enough feed to provide for their animals throughout this crisis. Oregon State University Extension is partnering with state and local emergency operations, county fairgrounds, and individuals across the state to solicit hay, livestock feed, and monetary donations. We are also helping to coordinate the transportation of donations to the affected areas in partnership with Oregon Cattleman Association. Hay...
WASCO, OR - North Central Public Health District extends its appreciation to the city of Wasco in Sherman County for approving a policy making its two city parks tobacco/vape-free. The Wasco City Council unanimously passed a policy in late May making Wasco City Park (the Old City Park) and Depot Park (Wasco Depot Park) tobacco/vape-free, effective July 1. NCPHD paid for four new signs for the parks, which were recently installed. Wasco City Clerk/Recorder Ian Melzer said,...
FOSSIL, OR - The US Forest Service has awarded $300,000 to the Wheeler Soil and Water Conservation District for the Wheeler SWCD Mass Timber Facility Project through the Wood Innovation Program. The award was one of 123 projects nationwide totaling more than $43 million through Community Wood Grants and Wood Innovations Grants - longstanding Forest Service grant programs that promote innovation in wood products and renewable wood energy economies. Since 2015, the Wood...
Condon, OR - The Lone Rock Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy by the unified command of the Northwest (NW) Team 2 and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team. Yesterday's Activities: Significant fire behavior emerged yesterday afternoon, leading to notable fire growth to the south. The fire's southward growth into timber fuels increases the likelihood of crown fires and long-range spotting. In the northwest area of the fire, firefighters made progress...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced he secured critical investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, rural business priorities, and veterans' services in the first set of fiscal year 2025 (FY25) government spending bills to pass the committee-a key first step on the road to becoming law. Merkley helped to make sure the investments-including nearly $15 million for seven...
