Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
SALEM, OR – On December 5, 2024, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) unanimously adopted the first set of rules the state will use to implement comprehensive, system-wide housing planning reforms to address Oregon's housing crisis. The adopted rules direct the approaches and methods local governments will use to reverse decades of underinvestment in housing production and meet community needs. They do this by: • Standardizing planning: Local gov...
A respected population study from Portland State University (PSU) was released last week and shows that Gilliam County had the fifth-highest growth rate in Oregon over the past four years. Sherman County grew, but at a slower rate, and Wheeler County's population decreased at the third highest percentage statewide. The study's estimates show that several counties in Oregon are experiencing growth while others are seeing population declines. Gilliam County grew at a rate of 2.1...
CONDON, OR - On Saturday, December 14th from 10 am to 12 pm, local teacher Camden Jones will be hosting the first meeting of a monthly creative writing workshop in Condon. Open to writers of all ages, experience levels, and genres, Jones' workshop will generate writing in-person and will focus on the elements of writing, including but not limited to conventions and elements of genre, the drafting and revision process, making space for writing, reading as a writer, and the publ...
The Woolery Project, a 501c3 nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer board, led by Olex's Rod McGuire and Arlington's Julius Courtney, has been fundraising for several years in an effort to build an events and community center above Arlington. The Woolery has held events in Arlington and Ione in recent years, with auctions and dinners provided by McGuire's Paradise Rose Chuckwagon. Land was donated to the Woolery by the City of Arlington. Engineering plans were developed...
The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections (NORCOR) facility is grappling with significant funding and maintenance issues, Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt informed the county court last Wednesday. Opened in 1999, the NORCOR facility has seen its infrastructure deteriorate over the years, with the roof requiring repairs for several years. The facility houses both adult and juvenile detainees, but operational and financial hurdles have sparked debates over its future....
ARLINGTON, OR - The holidays are here, and Arlington is ready to sparkle! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14th, because Arlington has a whole day of hometown cheer, local shopping, and festive fun waiting just for you. Here's what's happening: Santa's Christmas Festival Stop by the Gronquist Building at 1150 Railroad Avenue between 10 AM and 4 PM. It's your chance to soak up the holiday spirit with crafts, goodies, and maybe even a visit from jolly old St. Nick...
There is (or was) a beloved used book store chain in Colorado called the Tattered Cover. This past Summer 51 employees spread between four of its outlets were laid off when the chain was acquired by Barnes & Noble. “Old” inventory was liquidated and “new” items were put onto soulless fixtures. According to other booksellers, the vibe turned from familiar and cozy to sterile and bland, from quirky to corporate, from the real dna of used books that have passed through real hu...
President-elect Trump has tapped the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, and another billionaire entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy, to target waste and spending in the U.S. Government. The U.S. spent a sprawling $6.75 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year and the national debt has climbed successively with each administration since 2000. Now, with Republicans in control of all three branches of government, conservatives are looking to make cuts and reshape government. Elon Musk’s mot...
ARLINGTON, OR - The Gilliam County Court approved a Capital Investment Grant request from the Arlington School District for $825,000 today, supporting the school's commitment to housing for its staff. Superintendent Larry Johnson, who addressed the court before they voted on the funding package, said that the school is well positioned for the future, with the exception of housing. "We have fourteen teachers in our district, six of whom will be retiring soon," Johnson said....
Days of Yore for December 12, 2024 10 years ago— Peggy Williams, a volunteer for the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, has recently been named the 2014 Concealed Handgun License Support Staff of the Year by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association. Peggy has volunteered with the Sheriff’s Office since January 2013, giving approximately 135 hours of her time to the office each month. Thanksgiving holiday travelers to Hawaii this year were Dave and Karen Jones. They met a host of f...
CONDON, OR - The Condon Community Food Pantry is appreciative of support for the recent drive-thru dinner fundraiser, which raised $715 to support the pantry's mission of addressing food insecurity in the local community. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to Kolona Morin, Erin Heideman, Donna Bates, Sabrina Wagenaar, and Jeana Emerson, who dedicated their time and talent to prepare a delicious meal for the event. The pantry also extends its gratitude to the United Church of Chris...
CONDON, OR - With the retirement of City of Condon Mayor Jim Hassing and Councilor Donald Jamieson, a collective 35 years of public and community service will leave the council chambers. They were honored for their long-time commitments to the city at the December 4 council meeting. The two will officially serve in their long-held positions until December 31. Mayor Hassing followed in the footsteps of his father, Tom Hassing, who served the City of Condon as mayor from 1975...
After being closed for six months, the Arlington Community Childcare Center has reopened. Temporary licensing is in place until December 31st, and permanent licensure is expected soon. Director Ashley Bayliss told the Gilliam County Court that after considerable work, the center has had its inspections and is now a certified center, not just a certified family home, as it was previously. "The daycare has its own status and is not dependent on a director," Ashley Bayliss told...
Gilliam County is taking steps to bolster its emergency response and wildfire management efforts, with updates on a promising grant opportunity shared during a recent county court session. Herb Winters, Manager of the Gilliam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), informed the court about a FEMA grant that could reshape the county's approach to emergency preparedness. The court plans to apply for the grant, with Gilliam SWCD serving as the sub-grantee. A pre-application...
Sue McClure was born Suzanne Eunice Smith on December 24th, 1937 in Portland, Oregon to parents Lyle and Clara Smith. Sue married Philip McClure at the age of 19 on February 7th, 1957. She has resided in Fossil, Oregon for 50+ years and before that she followed her husband's career (State Policeman) from Portland to Baker to Fossil all in Oregon. They also did a stint in Texas while her husband was in the Army. Sue has 2 daughters, Elaine Fleming (& husband Bernie), and...
With heavy hearts our family announces the passing of Marianne McRae Matthews in Yreka, CA on September 6, 2024 at her daughter, Kimberly Harden’s home. Marianne was 86. Marianne spent her early years living on the family ranch in Clarno, Oregon. Marianne married Alan Matthews July 3, 1954 and lived in Fossil and Bend, Oregon with their children Daniel and Kimberly, then relocated to Gazelle, California. She worked as an administrative coordinator for the Edgewood Schools near their home and enjoyed building and developing Ma...
Arthur James Scott, born February 10, 1929, in Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the beloved son of Roy Carlysle Scott and Lila Paine Scott and grew up alongside his six siblings: Dorothy, Sam, Evelyn, Grace, Virgil, and Tish. Arthur was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Marie Scott (née Seale), and his second wife, Jackie Bryant Scott. He is survived by his children, Alison M. Scott, Janet V....
Oh how I love living in a small town! I have lived in urban areas most of my life and I appreciate the friendly and neighborly small town atmosphere (though the gossip I could live without). These little towns seem much like extended families. Everyone knows everyone else, and they have one another’s backs. You can’t be in a hurry to go to the post office or the store because someone inevitably will strike up a conversation. When I went to the holiday bazaar in Fossil las...
