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Getting kids away from screens is no easy feat. But the Condon Arts Council did just that at a special camp over spring break. Twenty-two kids from Condon and Fossil took part in the class. Called "Ana Con" – short for Analog Convention – the camp had a no-electronics focus. Kids instead learned how to immerse themselves in role-playing games and character creation, while using their imaginations and improvisational skills to complete tasks. Wendell Seitz, the son of Wheeler C...
Manchester, Vermont-Highland Hills Ranch, nestled just outside Condon, Oregon, has clinched the esteemed title of 2024 Orvis Wingshooting Lodge of the Year, marking its third triumph in this category. Founded in 2002 by Sherman County native Dennis Macnab, the ranch has become a hallmark destination for upland bird hunters. The lodge was built by renowned contractor Dave Allstott of Heppner, Oregon. Spanning 3,000 acres along Rock Creek, Highland Hills Ranch boasts an...
Gilliam County voters will receive ballots for the special recall election of Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell and Commissioner Pat Shannon on April 10. We will be voting “No” on both. There is no doubt that the Gilliam County Court unleashed discord when it passed resolution 2023-01 in December. That order stripped the county court of its judicial functions. The court then held listening sessions and discussed the potential of changing the county’s governing structure to a...
In late February, a two-day old calf was killed by a wolf or wolves in Lost Valley in Wheeler County. Last week, wolves killed a calf in Morrow County and wolf sightings have been on the rise in north-central Oregon. Wolf depredation of livestock has become a part of life for ranchers in Wallowa, Baker, and Umatilla County over the past decade. But wolves are now moving further west through the Blue Mountains and into the sparsely populated and livestock rich ranches in...
Before Waste Management came to Gilliam County, Cedar Springs Road was one like any other. Two lanes and gravel, the road was used by area farmers and some fishermen that were headed to the John Day River. But over the years, Cedar Springs Road has been used heavily as the Columbia Ridge Waste Management site has grown. With contracts from Portland Metro and Seattle, the Columbia Ridge landfill is the county's largest employer. At the joint work session on February 22 between...
Gilliam County Clerk Ellen Wagenaar has scheduled a special election for April 30, 2024. Voters will decide whether Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell and Commissioner Pat Shannon should be recalled, or if they will be allowed to finish their terms in office. Ballots are set to be mailed out on Wednesday, April 10 and will be due back on Tuesday, April 30. Recall petition signatures were submitted to the Gilliam County Clerk's Office last week. After being verified, both Judge...
The Condon Round-Up has sold to Nick Smith of Tigard. Smith has been visiting Condon for many years and is a close friend of Scott and Steve Miller and of the Miller family. Smith is the Senior Project Manager at Emerick Construction, one of the largest residential and commercial builders in the Portland area. During trips to Condon, Smith would often visit the town's favorite watering holes, including the Round-Up and the Elks Lodge. After the Round-Up closed on New Year's...
It has been a rocky 90 days in Gilliam County. The Gilliam County Court's decision to transfer juvenile and probate court on December 6th, its discussions of changing to a board of commissioners, and efforts to get a legislative fix on the probate issue in Salem created division and anger in the county. There was a resounding demand to bring such issues to the voters. There were accusations that the methods employed were underhanded. Much of this anger revolved around timing....
Last week, two more resignations were submitted from staff of Gilliam County, adding to a growing number of people who have left their jobs in the past few years. Rachel Boyer, who was hired a year ago to be the first Finance Director at Gilliam County, resigned from her position last week. Boyer, who attended middle school in Condon, had long hoped to return to Condon, the hometown of six generations before her. A certified management accountant (CMA), Boyer moved from...
Efforts to remediate and revitalize the old Condon Grade School were discussed by the Environmental Sentry Corp board of directors last week at its monthly meeting. The Environmental Sentry Corp is the non-profit wing of the Port of Arlington. The non-profit has been utilized to help with remediation efforts on large projects that are outside of the Port's scope and abilities. The Environmental Sentry Corps took ownership of the old Condon Grade School last year and has...
Home values in Oregon have been some of the most expensive in the country for many years. High value homes have traditionally been confined to the Portland metro area, the Willamette Valley and along the Oregon Coast. But in rural areas of the state, average home values have typically been much lower. Affordable land, housing, and a cheaper cost of living have attracted people to the region since the time of the pioneers. But with home values growing exponentially in Central...
The Gilliam County Court rescinded its order to transfer all judicial duties to circuit court during its meeting on March 6 in Condon. Using the South Gilliam Emergency building for the session as the Gilliam County Courthouse is under construction – the court met in executive session and emerged with a decision to rescind a portion of order 2023-01. That order, passed in December, would have removed all judicial duties from the Gilliam County Court. Six rural counties in Oreg...
The Gilliam County Court approved funding for two capital investment grants during its regular session on March 6 in Condon. The court also worked to find funding solutions for a third applicant. Taking recommendations from The Competitive Grant Review Committee, which convened on February 15, 2024, the court looked to fund the fifth cycle of the Capital Investment Grant Applications. The court’s strategic goals for capital investment grants are narrow and apply to c...
The current political changes unfolding in the United States are monumental. In many ways, the two parties are swapping long-standing platforms and altering their historic identities. Both parties are also embracing candidates and agendas that they once disdained or mocked in the run-up to the 2024 Presidential Election. Donald Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party is nearly complete. Although Trump was once a Democrat, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is highly l...
Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell will face her second recall and Commissioner Pat Shannon his first, after petitions were filed with the Gilliam County Clerk, Ellen Wagenaar on February 22. A committee called We the People of Gilliam County – Farrar, and We the People Gilliam County – Shannon, have filed the petitions. The chief sponsor for the recall petition against Judge Farrar Campbell is Denny Newell of Arlington (Blalock). The chief petitioner to recall Commissioner Pat S...
Condon CAN! That is the rallying cry being used to talk about the coming years and decades in Condon. Initiated by the City of Condon, the effort looks to develop a long-term vision for the town. The City of Condon partnered with Rural Development Initiatives, a regional rural development organization that works hand-in-hand with communities to strengthen rural people, places, and economies in the Pacific Northwest. Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) has helped towns like...
February 19 marked the birthday of one of Wheeler County's most famous residents, the legendary track coach and co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman. William Jay Bowerman was born in Portland on February 19, 1911 to Jay Bowerman and Elizabeth Hoover Bowerman. Bill's father was Oregon's thirteenth governor and his mother was a descendent of early pioneers that helped to establish Wheeler County. When he was just two years old, Bill's parents divorced and Bill moved to Fossil with...
The Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce (OFCC) is thrilled to extend an invitation to residents of Gilliam, Wheeler, and Sherman County for their annual meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The event will take place at the recently renovated Spray General Store, with festivities kicking off at 5:30 PM. The choice of the Spray General Store as the venue for this year's annual meeting holds special significance. The store has been a beneficiary of the tri-county chamber's...
A bill that had the potential to change how county courts function in six rural counties was killed during the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday. Senate Bill 1576 included an amendment that would have given county courts the option to give up its judicial function by relinquishing probate cases to circuit courts. In doing so, SB 1576-9 would have also given county courts in Gilliam, Wheeler, Sherman, Harney, Malheur, and Grant counties the...
The Condon Local will open for Valentines Day and will offer flowers, balloons, and gifts for one day only this week. Owners Jeremy and Sarah Kirby have been reorganizing the store and are not ready to reopen, but they are eager to see people in the community and to open for Valentines Day. The couple has been working to change the layout of the store and have made some big changes, including moving the Powell's Books section to the front of the store. They aren't ready to...
A special election will be held for the next mayor and city council for the City of Mitchell on May 21, 2024. The deadline for filing is fast approaching, and submissions will need to be made no later than March 12, 2024. Last year, a mass resignation of city council members and the town's mayor and clerk brought the town government to a stand-still. Just one councilor remained in office and the city was unable to issue water bills or do business. Several community members...
It’s time to hit the pause button on restructuring the Gilliam County Court. This statement applies to all of us, not just the county judge, commissioners, and candidates in this year’s election. Yes, the Gilliam County Court has been moving quickly in recent months. Yes, they voted to transfer juvenile and probate court in rapid order and with little input. And yes, they voiced their approval for restructuring the county court into a board of commissioners. But these cha...
The Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Monday, February 12 to discuss potential changes for six rural county courts in Oregon. Senate Bill 1576-4 would give county courts the option to relinquish probate jurisdiction and to transfer probate matters to a circuit court. The impact could be significant for frontier and rural counties that have retained the position of county judge who rule over probate cases – and for counties that are seeking to change g...
Of the controversial ballot measures that Oregon voters have passed in recent years, perhaps few will be as influential as Measure 113. Unlike Measure 110 that decriminalized drugs and Measure 114 that put restrictions on firearms, Measure 113 was not extremely controversial. But while Measure 110 and 114 look to be struck down or replaced, Measure 113 is likely here to stay. It's impact on Oregon politics are significant. Approved in 2022, Ballot Measure 113 aimed to prevent...
Junior Morgan Cole-Hand has been recognized by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) as the Athlete of the Week from January 22 – January 28. Cole-Hand was recognized for her achievements in girls basketball. The junior from Spray has had a stand-out year and has propelled the Lady Rattlers (13-7 Overall, 6-4 League) to fourth place in the Big Sky Conference. The Wheeler County Rattlers are a combined team of the three Wheeler County schools in Spray, Mitchell, a...
