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The Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Condon Chamber) is happy to welcome new leadership to the organization. On June 6, Brittany Dark started as the organization's Executive Director. Dark has been involved with the Oregon Frontier Chamber as a Community Ambassador and as a teacher for the entrepreneurship classes. Brittany grew up in Southern and Eastern Oregon having graduated from Burns High and Eastern Oregon University as well as Grand Canyon University...
Newspaper publishers are calling the events of June 3 "Black Monday" – the day that dozens of local newspapers were sold or ceased print operations in Oregon. The Pamplin Media Group announced that it was selling to the Carpenter Media Group out of Mississippi. Robert Pamplin Sr. was once the CEO of Georgia Pacific lumber and left a fortune to his son, Robert Pamplin, Jr. The younger Pamplin created an empire in the newspaper industry, catering to Christian news and c...
At the regular board meeting held on June 11, 2024, the Condon Community Food Pantry provided an update on its recent activities. The Coordinator Report revealed that the pantry served 70 households and 171 individuals in the past period. This was made possible with the help of 10 dedicated volunteers who collectively contributed 76.5 hours of service. In terms of food donations, the pantry received significant support from various sources. Safeway donated 154 pounds of food,...
To say that Stacy Bird enjoys life on her family's farm would be an understatement. A fifth-generation resident of Sherman County, Stacy grew up and lives near Starvation Point, not far from Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Stacy's deep roots on the farm and in the county have guided her journey as a photographer. This is evident in a series of photos that are currently on display at the Sherman County Historical Society Museum in Moro, Oregon. Bird says that she first became...
Customers lined up on opening night for the Wild Sage Restaurant on Friday, June 14. Located inside the Hotel Condon, the restaurant is owned by Aly Sedlock, of Mayville. The Wild Sage is the product of many years of effort and hard work in the culinary industry for Sedlock. Raised in Salem, Aly Sedlock says that she aspired to work in business while she was in high school and as a young adult. But instead of looking for a degree in business administration, Sedlock instead...
Kara Davis came to Gilliam County in 2023, after winning the election for District Attorney. Davis took over after longtime DA Marion Weatherford was elected as a Circuit Court Judge. Now, Davis is set to return to Wasco County after winning the primary election for Wasco District Attorney against sitting DA Matthew Ellis. Davis narrowly defeated Ellis in the May primary election, and the vote was only certified last week. Davis won by just 160 votes and will take office in Ja...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Indiana's Senator Mike Braun, along with U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02), introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize the importance of pollinators to ecosystem health and agriculture in the United States by designating June 16 through June 22, 2024, as "National Pollinator Week." The resolution emphasizes the vital role native pollinators play in the health of our...
By Alex Baumhardt Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon's state animal has for years been classified as a "predator" by the state fish and wildlife agency, and that's meant that the North American Beaver has lived largely unprotected from private landowners who can kill them at will. That will change July 1 when new rules go into effect under House Bill 3464, the "beaver bill." The bill passed the state Legislature in 2023, and the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, which crafts r...
Oregon pharmacies are in trouble. And none are in a more precarious situation than the mom-and-pop drug stores that once defined the industry. Small-town, family-owned, and multi-generational pharmacies like Murray's Drug are at the forefront of a fight to push back against corporate greed, that many say is responsible for a monopoly on prescription drugs. John and Ann Murray are the owners of Murray's Drug – which was started by John's parents, Rod and Meg Murray in 1959. J... Full story
The Fossil Public Library is launching a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at enhancing its services, engaging the community, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The library is focused on the future, from promoting the Children's Summer Reading Program to developing a new Strategic Plan and reorganizing its services to be more people focused. The Children's Summer Reading Program is a highlight of the library's summer calendar, inviting young book enthusiasts to discover the joy of reading through a variety of...
Gilliam Co. Museum in full swing The Gilliam County Historical Society is welcoming visitors to the Gilliam Co. Historical Museum this summer. On June 18, Camden Jones will become the new Curator at the Historical Museum, located next to Burns Park and the Gilliam Co. Fairgrounds in Condon. Jones is a teacher at Condon High School and resides in Condon with his wife Jessica and their baby Rosemary. Others in the community and from the Historical Society board of directors...
Four students from the Sherman County FFA Chapter traveled to El Reno, Okla., on April 29 through May 3 for the National Land and Range Judging Contest. Earlier this year, the chapter placed 5th at the Oregon FFA State Soils Evaluation contest, which qualified the team to go to the national contest. The students on the team were Josiah Carlson, Violet Woods, T'Sharra Lanthorn and Sawyer Baker, and coached by FFA advisor Nels Swenson. The first two days in Oklahoma were spent...
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek appointed Cris Patnode as Gilliam County Judge on June 4 – two weeks after Patnode captured nearly 62% of the vote for county judge in the primary election. Patnode was sworn into office on June 11, 2024 and will serve as the county's executive officer. By carrying more than 51% of the vote in the primary election, Patnode secured victory in the race for county judge – which had been vacant since the recall of Elizabeth Farrar Campbell on April 30....
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said today they have introduced bipartisan legislation that would support ranchers who rely upon federal lands in Oregon and nationwide to graze their livestock. "After embracing the Bureau of Land Management pilot program, ranchers in eastern Oregon worked closely with me to include updated operational flexibility in my community-crafted Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act to bring certainty, c...
The first mural in Condon was painted last week. The Condon Arts Council worked with the Center for Biological Diversity to commission the painting – which depicts two steelhead fish. The mural design was selected to honor the work of the Gilliam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) – which has done extensive work in steelhead habitat restoration on Thirtymile Creek, Hay Creek, and Rock Creek in Gilliam County. The Gilliam SWCD has been recognized as a leader in con... Full story
For people in Wheeler County, Spray is at the epicenter of activities over Memorial Day weekend. Hundreds of people flocked to the county this year - some to run on Highway 19 from Service Creek to Spray and others to ride and rope in the 76th Annual Spray Rodeo. With cool weather but no rain, it was a good weekend for outside activities. The Eastern Oregon Half-Marathon made history in 2024 – as the first female runner took first place. Eighteen-year-old Haley Blaine of A...
Finding work for young people has long been a cause for concern in Wheeler, Gilliam, and Sherman counties. It has been said that the biggest export for this region is its children. But new data coming from the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Workforce Indicators shows that the tri-county area is outpacing other Oregon counties and that young people are filling jobs. The data, which shows changes in the workforce by age over the past decade, indicates that young people are being...
A blacksmith shop, a flour mill, a general store, three churches, a hotel, a school, a Grange and an Odd Fellows Hall. These hallmarks of a thriving town were once found in Mayville, Oregon. And many still remember it as a community, not a ghost town. Those people, their descendants, and others who have ties to Mayville will meet at the Stinchfield property on June 22 for the second Mayville Reunion. Nearly 100 people attended the first Mayville Reunion in 2019. Organized by...
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure federal investment for small businesses in rural Oregon and nationwide through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). "Since launching in 2015, RBDG funding has provided support for planning, technical assistance, job training, and other business development needs in rural areas in all fifty states," the senators wrote....
SALEM, OR - The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is pleased to announce the confirmation of Ivan Gall as the Department's new director, following his executive appointment by Governor Tina Kotek and confirmation by the Oregon Senate. Gall brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to this critical role of sustainable water management. As the head of OWRD, Gall will oversee the state's water resources, ensuring their responsible allocation, conservation, and...
Oregon Community Foundation awards $5.3m to 281 nonprofits making an impact in every corner of Oregon PORTLAND, OR — Nonprofit and community leaders throughout Oregon are seeing their work strengthened through new grants that provide important operational support. The funding is flexible, allowing organizations to direct it to where it is needed most. The 2024 Spring Cycle of Community Grants from Oregon Community Foundation has awarded $5,266,908 to 281 nonprofits making a...
PENDLETON, OR — Memorial weekend traditionally kicks off summer recreation season on the Umatilla National Forest and many are planning their annual trek to the mountains to enjoy nature. With that in mind, forest visitors are cautioned that not all roads, trails and campgrounds are open, particularly this year with the late season snow. Shaded areas and cut banks on roads at higher elevations may still have impassible snowdrifts. Most hiking and motorized trails have not y... Full story
Old Condon Grade School approved for Brownfield grant The Old Condon Grade School has moved one step closer to getting federal funding for environmental remediation – as the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization selected the site for negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Port of Arlington's non-profit wing – the Environmental Sentry Corp, took ownership of the old school building last year. It is working to remediate the building of asb...
PENDLETON, OR— Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors announced the 2024 inductees into the Hall of Fame on May 14 during the organization's annual membership meeting. The class of 2024 inductees includes Pat Nogle (Contestant Category), Bobby Christensen Jr. (Contract Personnel Category), Jesse Jones Sr. (Early Years Category), Scott & Bonnie Sager (Happy Canyon Volunteers category), and Ron and Linné Dodge (Special Board Inductee). Each year, th...
Community members are hard at work preparing for the annual Wasco Memorial Day celebration, a long-running tradition for the town. The festivities kick off Monday, May 27, with a Country Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Wasco School Events Center. A Memorial Service will follow at 10 a.m. downtown at the Wasco Train Depot, with a parade planned for 11 a.m. An Oregon Air National Guard military jet flyover also is planned, subject to availability. The event features a...
