Week of December 5, 2024
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....
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...
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...
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...
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 to 1978 and again from 1981 to 1989. Jim Hassing...
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...
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 Christ for the generous use of their kitchen,...
Gilliam County is looking for a new DA. With the election of sitting DA Kara Davis to the Wasco County District Attorney's Office in November, Governor Kotek will appoint a new DA for Gilliam County in January. Davis is set to resign on December 31st. Two applicants have thrown their names into the hat. Ryan Rodighiero, Deputy District Attorney for Union County, has applied for the job. As has Dean Morgan, who hails from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Oregon law requires that at the...
Pendleton, OR - Bank of Eastern Oregon (BEO) has opened a new full-service branch in Pendleton, Oregon, located at 800 SW Dorion Avenue. BEO, a rural community bank headquartered in Heppner, has 22 branches located in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and Canyon County, Idaho. "It was time for us to open a branch in Pendleton," said President and CEO Jeff Bailey. "Our customers have been asking for this and when a building became available, we made the purchase." The new BEO...
SALEM, OR – Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has approved Oregon's initial funding award of $9,947,586.17 under the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to implement the digital inclusion initiatives outlined in the State Digital Equity Plan. Created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity...
FOSSIL, OR - Wheeler County Development Corporation is excited to announce the approval of a $60,000 loan aimed at promoting economic development in the region. This funding will support Haven House Retirement Center in remaining open and operational as it seeks grant funding and works towards achieving full occupancy. "Haven House would like to express their gratitude to Greg Smith, OHCA, and Judge Morley for providing us with the ability to keep Haven House operational...
Two youth with ties to the area will compete in elite national junior rodeo action over the next week in Las Vegas, during the Yeti Junior World Finals and the World's Tuffest Junior Rodeo events. Tymber Longgood, the granddaughter of Dave Sitton, Arlington will compete in the Junior Barrel Racing competition during the Yeti Junior World Finals rodeo. She will see action on December 14th at 1 pm. The daughter of Todd and Torri Sitton Longgood, the 12 year-old Echo 7th grader...
Democrats struggled in reliably blue states in the November election – and nationally, Republicans made solid gains. From the Presidential election, US Congressional races, and statewide elections, Republican candidates outperformed their Democratic opponents across the country. In states like California and New York, longtime bastions for liberals, Republicans gained seats in state houses. But in Oregon, Democrats not only held the line, but regained supermajorities in...
The cold weather has ushered in basketball season and area youth are encouraged to participate in the annual Elks Hoop Shoot at the Condon High School gymnasium on Sunday, December 8th. The Condon Elks Lodge is calling all kids ages 8-13 from the surrounding area to the contest. Kids will shoot free throws and the winner will go onto the regional competition. The Elks has been putting on the annual Hoop Shoot event for nearly 50 years. Bring gym shoes...
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... Full story
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.... Full story
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... Full story
