Week of September 5, 2024
In the August 22nd issue of The Times-Journal, we reported that the Mermaid sailboat, an all–wooden ship from the 1930s, had sunk in the Arlington Marina. The Mermaid had been in the Arlington Marina for more than 8 years. Approximately 900 gallons of diesel were on board the ship when it sank, which brought the federal government into Arlington to oversee cleanup requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led efforts for the spill response, with appropriate...
This summer's historic wildfires in Oregon have taken a toll on ranchers and their more than a million cows and other livestock, prompting a unified plea by the state's top leaders for federal help. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act nine times to deploy state resources to help ranchers and local communities. And then at the end of July and again in early August she called on the U.S. government for help. She asked the...
The summer of 2024 is shaping out to be one of the worst wildfire years in Wheeler County's history. After local volunteers and firefighters from around the country worked to fight more than 118,000 acres of wildfire from the Lone Rock Fire in the northern part of Wheeler County, the Shoe Fly Fire is now burning at more than 20,000 acres as of press time, with 0% containment. On Tuesday, the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office ordered Level 3 – Go Now – Evacuations for areas...
Oregon State Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) has organized a meeting with the leaders of Blue Mountain Community College and Columbia Gorge Community College to discuss the growing crisis with EMS Services in the area. The two community colleges are the primary institutions in the region that provide training and testing for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Gilliam County and Wheeler County are not in tax-paying districts for...
The Times-Journal building in Condon is in the midst of a large renovation project, and a significant amount of work was done over the Labor Day weekend. Demolition on the building's front façade began last Friday, and framing commenced over the holiday weekend. Builder Ken Carpenter, owner of Shellback Interiors, LLC and local jack of all trades Mike Durfey worked on the historic building, which was constructed by Fred Wilson in 1903. The front façade has been remodeled...
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for funding that will help rural businesses create and save jobs in their communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs for fiscal year 2025. Through the programs, USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they then provide to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas....
On Sunday, Oregon once again made hard drugs illegal with the enactment of House Bill 4002, a law designed to reform the controversial Measure 110 that decriminalized drug possession in 2021. This shift marks a significant policy reversal as the state seeks to address the spiraling overdose crisis, homelessness, and safety concerns that have plagued Oregon since Measure 110's implementation. HB 4002 gives law enforcement the authority to detain individuals using hard drugs,...
As Oregon faces a record-breaking wildfire season, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has reached out to hunters, expressing concerns about the significant impacts on wildlife, habitats, and the upcoming fall hunting opportunities. In a recent communication to current hunting license holders, ODFW acknowledged the challenges posed by the fires and outlined steps being taken to address them. For many hunters, the anticipation of the fall hunting season is the...
More than 300 people packed into the Heppner Elks Lodge on Saturday, August 24, to celebrate Pat and Trisha Sweeney's retirement. Every chair in the place was occupied, and the line for tri-tip sirloin and side dishes snaked around the venue. The open bar was a test for the Elks staff and volunteers, as well-wishers and longtime friends gathered to celebrate one of the region's most beloved families. Pat and Trisha, owners of Sweeney Mortuary, capped 46 years in business and...
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...
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...
Is there anything better than a "coffee" sign for the weary driver or sleep deprived worker or parent? Coffee drive-through huts are seemingly everywhere in cities like Bend and in thoroughfares like Sisters. Throughout the Northwest, motorists que up in their cars, waiting to place their order. Now, folks looking to get a caffeine fix in Condon can do so at Conaway Coffee, located just off of Main Street and Highway 206 by Oregon Street. Sarah Conaway has thought about...
The Sherman Co. / Condon High School DevilDawgs fell in their season opener to Cove on Friday, 14-16. The game was played as part of the Dufur Classic – but due to restrictions at the Dufur School, the game was held in Condon. Cove High School is in District 2, and will look to compete with league-rival Adrian for a top spot in the 1A State Football standings. The DevilDawgs played well in spurts, but struggled to gain momentum against the Cove team. The DevilDawgs will...
MITCHELL, OR - The Painted Hills Festival kicks off Labor Day Weekend every year and we encourage you to head to Mitchell, OR this August 31st for a variety of activities for young and old. In its 28th year, the annual Painted Hills Festival in Mitchell will offer several acts on stage, a half marathon, 10K and 5K fun-runs, a grand parade, quilt show, craft vendors, food booths, old-fashioned kids' games, and the one-of-a kind Water Trough Races. The festival, hosted in...
Kathleen Cecilia McElligott O'Leary was born August 15, 1927, to Charles and Cecilia McElligott in Portland, Oregon. She passed away August 9, 2024, in Condon, Oregon a week shy of her 97th birthday. The rose between the thorns, Kathleen was the little sister to brothers, Don and Dick McElligott, and the big sister to LJ (Jerry) McElligott. She spent her carefree childhood on the McElligott Ranch in Eightmile Canyon near Ione, blissfully unaware of the effects of the...
