Week of October 3, 2024

NCPHD warns that pertussis (whooping cough) is spreading near Sherman County

Shellie Campbell, North Central Public Health District | Oct 3, 2024

North Central Public Health District's (NCPHD) Health Officer Dr. Kathleen Wilder is warning Wasco and Sherman County residents to be aware that pertussis is spreading in the community. Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a contagious illness that can cause weeks, or even months, of coughing. Pertussis is most dangerous for children less than 1 year old. This has been a big year for pertussis. Already this year, more people in Oregon have tested positive for pertussis...

Fossil to hold EMT and volunteer recruitment Thursday, October 24

Stephen Allen | Oct 3, 2024

A community meeting has been scheduled at the Isobel Edwards Hall for October 24 at 5:30 PM. The goal is to recruit new volunteers in the community with a focus on EMTs. Fossil's Volunteer Ambulance was suspended in July due to a lack of active volunteers. Healthcare emergencies in Fossil have been handled by LifeFlight and by the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office. Finding a path forward is of upmost importance to the Fossil City Council and the Wheeler County Court. Mayor...

Good weather amidst harvest

Press Release, USDA Farm Production and Conservation | Oct 3, 2024

According to the USDA, there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, up from 6.6 days from the previous week. Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties welcomed good weather conditions as more winter grain and seed crops were planted. Clatsop and Tillamook Counties experienced multiple days of precipitation as temperatures cooled. Corn harvest started, and field activities were moderate. Hood River, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties were still...

Bank of Eastern Oregon collects clothing and non-perishable food

Press Release | Oct 3, 2024

In honor of Oregon Community Bank Week, the Bank of Eastern Oregon (BEO) branches in Condon, Moro, Arlington, and Fossil are collecting winter clothing items and non-perishable food. The Condon branch is collecting kids' coats, hats and gloves throughout Oregon Community Bank Week, October 21st-25th. The BEO Moro branch is collecting kids' coats and hats October 7th-25th. The BEO branch in Arlington is holding a canned and non-perishable food drive to aid Arlington H.E.L.P....

Mild autumn started in Oregon; ranchers begin to wean calves

USDA Farm Production and Conservation | Sep 25, 2024

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northwest Regional Field Office, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, unchanged from the previous week. Fall preparations continued for agronomic crops. Corn was largely yet to be harvested, and irrigation took place with intentions to fertigate. Gilliam, Hood River, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties continued with fall seeding, which started early due to recent rain, while mountain areas still needed...

Merkley, Wyden announce over $1.8 million investment in Oregon manufacturing

Press Release | Sep 25, 2024

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $1,852,748 is heading to the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) to bolster Oregon manufacturers. This funding will provide public-private partnerships to small and medium sized manufacturers across the state. "If we don't make things in America, we won't have a middle class in America, and when Oregon's manufacturing industry does well, all Oregonians benefit," said...

Asher Community Health Center welcomes new staff

Press Release | Sep 25, 2024

Fossil, OR — Asher Community Health Center (ACHC) introduces new staff to better assist our patient population at all levels of medical and dental need. In recent months there has been a flurry of activity within our local health center as long-time staff have left the organization and new staff have joined. Early summer saw the departure of long-time Chief Organizational Officer (COO) and Clinical Supervisor (CS), Susan Moore, after 21 years of service to the clinic and...

Dennis Starr named North Central Oregon regional Teacher of the Year

Press Release | Sep 25, 2024

SPRAY, OR - Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12....

Rattlers claim homecoming victories over Cardinals

Stephen Allen | Oct 3, 2024

The Wheeler County Rattlers – a combined team of students from Wheeler High School, Mitchell High School, and Spray High School, hosted the Ione/Arlington volleyball and football teams last Friday in Fossil for the 2024 Homecoming. The Rattlers prevailed in both sports and gave the Wheeler County faithful something to cheer about. Starting with the volleyball game, the Rattlers had their backs against the wall inside of the Wheeler High School gymnasium. The Ione/Arlington...

High School Rodeo updates

Lynn Wilkins | Oct 3, 2024

The current Oregon High School Rodeo Association 24-25 standings are out. The Columbia Basin High School Rodeo Club is well represented. Points are awarded to the top 10 finishers in each event. Some events have in excess of 90 contestants. The top four point earners in each event next June, will qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, WY, where they will compete against kids from throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. The 11-20th...

Oregon Junior High School Rodeo results

Lynn Wilkins | Sep 25, 2024

The Oregon Junior High School Rodeo Division held their first competition of the 24-25 school year last weekend in Elgin. Three separate rodeos were held, which provided the kids with plenty of competition. When the dust settled, Arlington's Matthew Tucker is sitting in second place for the year in the Chute Dogging. Cecil's Tate Turner is in 6th place in Boys Breakaway. He also roped his way to 8th place in the Tiedown Roping. In the Goat T ying, Tate holds down 13th, while...

DevilDawgs fall to talented DeSales team

Jeremy Lanthorn | Sep 24, 2024

The DevilDawgs traveled across state lines to Walla Walla Washington in order to face perennial 1B (the WIAA equivalent to a 1A school in Oregon) powerhouse DeSales Fighting Irish. DeSales started out strong and let everyone know why they are consistently making runs into the WIAA playoffs. On the first DevilDawg drive the Fighting Irish forced a DevilDawg punt and the Irish would score just four plays later. DeSales would find the endzone again in the opening quarter before...

  • OBITUARY: Patricia Anne Bond

    Oct 3, 2024

    Patricia Anne Bond (Long) was born February 11, 1932 in Newton Kansas to Elmer & Hazel (Hoffman) Long. She grew up and attended school In Hesston KS. After graduation from high school, she attended Halsted School of Nursing in Halsted, KS & graduated as an RN. She married Kenneth Bond in 1954 and moved to his hometown of Lebanon Oregon where they raised 4 children - Steven, Stephanie, William (Bill) and Peggy. Patricia worked at Lebanon Community Hospital and then for Dr.... Full story