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WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02) has announced that on May 3rd in Minnesota, the Congressional Subcommittee of Natural Resources on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries will convene a field hearing addressing the growing harm being done by the gray wolf to elk, deer, moose, farmers, ranchers, and outdoorsmen. This hearing will provide a platform for expert testimony on the multifaceted implications of the gray wolf surge, including its economic, ecological, and...
Wheeler County will hold primary elections on May 21 and ballots will be mailed out next week. The race for Wheeler County Commissioner is one of the best in the region. Three candidates with diverse experiences and who are deeply invested in Wheeler County are vying to become the next county commissioner. The three candidates are Matt Davis, Candy Humphreys, and Zach Bruce. We asked each of them five questions – here are their responses. MATT DAVIS TJ: Please tell us about y...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Cliff Bentz, (OR-2) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of the "The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act" (FCAA): "This was a difficult vote. There is much I dislike in this bill, but when we Republicans barely control only one of the three branches of government (House, Senate, White House), the results our team obtained after months of work and thousands of amendments are deserving of serious respect. Additionally,...
The deadline to file for Gilliam County elections is approaching. Anyone wishing to be a candidate must file with the Gilliam County Clerk by 5 PM on March 12. Residents will cast their votes for key positions that will shape the county's future. Among the contested positions is that of County Judge – a nonpartisan role with a significant six-year term. The candidates so far are: Cris Patnode, Jim Hassing, and Leah Watkins. In the nonpartisan race for County Commissioner P...
Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell will face her second recall and Commissioner Pat Shannon his first, after petitions were filed with the Gilliam County Clerk, Ellen Wagenaar on February 22. A committee called We the People of Gilliam County – Farrar, and We the People Gilliam County – Shannon, have filed the petitions. The chief sponsor for the recall petition against Judge Farrar Campbell is Denny Newell of Arlington (Blalock). The chief petitioner to recall Commissioner Pat S...
SALEM, OR - House Bill 4102 passed the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives this past Thurdsay. Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) is the legislation's Chief Sponsor and he carried the bill on the floor. Last session, HB 3409 established the Natural and Working Lands Fund. The fund will promote public private partnerships that protect the environment and rural Oregon's way of life. HB 4102 will ensure that Oregon is positioned to receive, directly into the Natural...
Three years ago, Oregon voters approved a ballot measure that would have dire consequences for the health and safety of our communities. Measure 110 may have been passed with the best intentions, but it has proven to be an abject failure. It has exacerbated the drug crisis while offering little incentive for users to seek treatment. The law does nothing to prevent public drug use on our streets. It has left us with a system that lacks the authority to hold individuals accountable for their actions, resulting in more crime...
A special election will be held for the next mayor and city council for the City of Mitchell on May 21, 2024. The deadline for filing is fast approaching, and submissions will need to be made no later than March 12, 2024. Last year, a mass resignation of city council members and the town's mayor and clerk brought the town government to a stand-still. Just one councilor remained in office and the city was unable to issue water bills or do business. Several community members...
Of the controversial ballot measures that Oregon voters have passed in recent years, perhaps few will be as influential as Measure 113. Unlike Measure 110 that decriminalized drugs and Measure 114 that put restrictions on firearms, Measure 113 was not extremely controversial. But while Measure 110 and 114 look to be struck down or replaced, Measure 113 is likely here to stay. It's impact on Oregon politics are significant. Approved in 2022, Ballot Measure 113 aimed to prevent...
Concerns over a possible restructuring of Gilliam County's government brought several people to the Gilliam County Court session in Arlington on December 20, 2023. To start the court meeting, local residents stepped forward to provide public testimony, with many under the impression that the court would vote immediately to suspend the Gilliam County Court and to restructure it into a board of commissioners. However, the court did not take up the matter of restructuring and...
CONDON, OR - Gilliam County Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell has announced that she will not seek re-election to a second term in 2024. "When I ran for office in 2018, I shared a clear vision for Gilliam County: promoting smart economic growth through investments in education, housing, and broadband; modernizing County government by removing judicial functions from the County Judge and building trust and co-equal partnerships with the County Commissioners; and encouraging...
The Sherman County Court is proud to announce the appointment of its newest member, Justin Miller. Commissioner Miller was sworn in October 21, 2020 to finish the term of Commissioner Tom McCoy who retired at the end of September, 2020. Commissioner Miller states "I am proud to have grown up in Sherman County and am grateful for the experiences, services and support that were provided to me. I feel fortunate to have benefited from a K-12 education, community support in...
To Whom It May Concern: I have known Judge Ron McDermid since taking the Bench in 2003, as Gilliam County Justice of the Peace. Upon taking the bench, I learned that one of the best assets of a judge is another judge. Judge McDermid quickly became a mentor and someone whom I greatly respect. Due to our geography and close proximity, I learned that Sherman County Justice Court and Gilliam County Justice Court had many similarities, and that it would be advantageous for us each...
On May 1, a recall petition for Wheeler County Judge Lynn Morley was accepted by the Oregon Elections Division. Ballots for the special recall election are expected to be mailed out this week and election day will be on June 10. Mickey Dodd of Mitchell is the chief petitioner. This is the second time Mr. Dodd has filed a recall petition against Judge Morley. The original recall petition was filed in late 2019. It was subsequently thrown out by the Oregon Elections Division in...
News organizations and nonprofit groups in Oregon have teamed up to learn what voters want candidates for governor to be talking about as they compete for votes. They seek Oregonians to participate in a "Let's Talk" 90-minute virtual listening session soon to share their understanding of the race through the media. There is no cost to join in this nonpartisan event. Voters would join others via the Zoom platform to discuss off the record what information they want to know...
1:00 AM Unofficial results from the Secretary of State are coming in for elections in Gilliam, Wheeler, and Sherman counties. The unofficial results show that Pat Shannon has won the race for Gilliam Co. Commissioner. Shannon leads in all three precincts of Arlington, Condon and Lonerock. Wheeler County Sheriff Mike Smith has won the election to keep his job. Sheriff Smith was challenged by former Deputy Mitch Elliott, in a write-in campaign. Sheriff Smith won the election...
SALEM, OR - Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Sherman County Justice Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Ron McDermid. The Governor thanked Judge McDermid for his dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge McDermid's retirement takes effect July 31, 2022. The Governor's office will use its standard Circuit Court Interest Form for this Justice...
All three cities and precincts in Wheeler County voted in favor of moving Idaho's border to include Wheeler County. Both Wheeler County and Morrow County voted in favor of the advisory question on Tuesday. Passage of the advisory question begins the process of studying a change in state borders. Changes to the border would have to be passed by both Oregon and Idaho state congresses and governors. It would ultimately need approval from the U.S. Congress. With the addition of...
