Week of November 28, 2024
The City of Arlington has paved the way for the first data center to come to Gilliam County. A purchase agreement between the city and Amazon Data Services, Inc. was first discussed in a public hearing on August 7, 2024. After meeting in executive session on August 7, the Arlington City Council agreed to sell 375.605 acres of property to Amazon Data Services, Inc. for $10,111,000 - with a deposit of $250,000. The data center will be constructed at 801 Airport Road, at the...
THE DALLES – The spirit of innovation and teamwork was on full display at the Second Annual Regional Rube-a-Thon, held at Columbia Gorge Community College's Campus in The Dalles on October 25th. This year's challenge, titled "Feed a Pet", brought together 26 teams comprised of 127 seventh-grade students from eight schools across the region. The event celebrated student creativity, critical thinking, and engineering skills in a friendly competition to design complex Rube...
Chicago, IL – This December, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is spreading hope and holiday cheer across the nation and beyond. From small towns to major cities, Elks Lodges in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the Panama Canal Zone are stepping up to serve their communities. Elk volunteers will deliver food baskets and gifts to thousands of struggling families, while hospitalized Veterans—our nation’s heroes—will be honored with visits, gifts, and festive celebrations. The Elks...
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced this week that the City of Condon will receive $250,000 for street improvements. The Small City Allotment Advisory Committee and ODOT staff have announced the 2025 grant recipients. After evaluating 74 projects requesting a total of $17,226,108, the committee selected 24 projects totaling $5,735,959. Condon is among the cities selected. According to Gibb Wilkins, Public Works Superintendent for the City of Condon, the city will receive $250,000 to rebuild the base...
The Sherman County Education Foundation has funded countless projects in the community since its inception, all thanks to the generosity of its donors and endowment funds. The nonprofit organization was founded in 2017 and started fundraising in 2019 with a holiday newsletter celebrating its most recently funded projects at the time. Over the past five years, the foundation has raised about $130,000 and contributed over $63,000 to fund 70 different projects to promote...
ARLINGTON, VA — The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released the following statements in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture. NAWG members look forward to working together to foster public policy initiatives that will help wheat growers and rural communities thrive,” said...
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Oregon University has been permanently closed. Now, residents of Wheeler County will be served at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. The SBDC in The Dalles has long served residents of Gilliam and Sherman counties. For sixteen years, Greg Smith was the Director of the SBDC at Eastern Oregon University. Smith's company, Gregory Smith and Company, LLC, was a subcontractor with Eastern Oregon University. His...
The Oregon Paleo Lands Institute (OPLI), a public benefit non-profit organization founded in 2001, announced that it is preparing to cease operations after its board voted for dissolution at its last meeting. The board voted to dissolve the organization by May of 2025. The OPLI started in 2001 with support from congressional funding and an initiative by Regional Solutions, a program from the State of Oregon that helps with initiatives of strategic importance to the Governor....
According to the USDA, there were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, down from 5.5 days the previous week. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties saw a continuance of the rain cycle, which hampered some grain and grass seed field activities such as weed and slug management. The constant rain also slowed some horticulture crop work. In addition to rain, Clatsop and Tillamook Counties had near freezing nighttime temperatures. Field activities were hampered by...
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that a total of $6,150,000 is heading to Polk, Wheeler, and Wasco counties for the development of safety action plans to improve road safety and to Metro for the identification of Safe Routes to School in Portland. "Whether walking, driving, or biking, Oregonians in every corner of the state deserve safe streets and roads in their communities to get where they need to go," said...
Two elite runners from Condon competed in the National Cross-Country Meet for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in Columbia, Missouri last weekend. Grady Greenwood, the son of Shellie Johnson, attends Eastern Oregon University in La Grande and Kallyn Wilkins, daughter of Chet and Natalie Wilkins, attends Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. Both athletes have become leaders on their Cross-Country teams. Kallyn Wilkins, a junior at Rocky...
As the fall rodeo season concludes, the area is well represented in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association standings. In the Northwest Region, Condon's Kade Wilkins is leading the way.. The Walla Walla Community College freshman is sitting 2nd in the Steer Wrestling and 8th in the Tie Down. Gracie Garthwaite, another Freshman from Condon is sitting 4th in Barrel Racing and 11th in Goat Tying. She is representing Blue Mountain Community College. Rodeoing in the Grand...
The DevilDawgs traveled to Klamath Falls to face off against the 2nd ranked Crosspoint Christian Warriors. Coming into the game Crosspoint Christian's only blemish was a loss to North Douglas in week 8. Crosspoint won the opening toss and chose to receive the ball. The DevilDawgs attempted an onside kick which was recovered by the Warriors. The Warriors kept the ball on the ground getting good gains on sweeps, dives and especially running counters. The Warriors scored and...
The Greater Columbia Barrel Racing Association recognized their top competitors for the year. Clem was well represented by Carson and Caydence Wade, daughters of Corey and Cari. Carson and her horse Laroy brought home another saddle this year in the Open 3D division. In the barrel racing world a system was devised several years ago where for every half second behind the fastest time new division is created, giving more riders a chance to place and progress through the ranks...
SALEM, OR – Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) is pleased to welcome Calvin Bennett to his legislative team. Bennett succeeds Dawson Quinton, who served in Representative Smith's office for three and a half years. Bennett will continue in Mr. Quinton's footsteps by playing a crucial role in shaping legislative priorities and working on key initiatives for District 57. Calvin Bennett graduated from Mitchell High School and Eastern Oregon University (EOU). While at EOU,...
Frances Louise West (Francie) February 4, 1940 – November 12, 2024 Frances Louise West, known to all as Francie, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, at the age of 84. She was born on February 4, 1940, in Wasco County, Oregon, to Dorothy Margaret Fouts of South Dakota and Virgil Owen West of Oregon. A proud homemaker, Francie dedicated her life to caring for her family. She was known for cooking three hot meals a day, sewing, and creating beautiful quilts. She spent...
Melba Lovena Cecil, aged 96, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024, in Heppner, Oregon. Born on April 19, 1928, in Heppner, Oregon, Melba was the oldest of 10 children. She was a beloved figure in her community and an integral part of her family's life. It has been said many times by her family members that they wish they could be half the person Melba was. She was compassionate, loving, understanding, hardworking, and had a quiet sense of humor. Melba spent her early...
Frances L. Morris, 84 of Arlington, passed away on Nov. 12, 2024. Services will begin at 11 am on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Arlington Methodist Church with a graveside and reception following. Sweeney Payton Mortuary is handling the...
