It’s time to ring out the old and ring in the new, so Northeast Oregon Now is taking the opportunity to look back on some of the biggest stories of 2013 before we turn our attention to the New Year.
2013 was a year of change. New faces came on the scene in our local government and schools. An old athletic field got a brand new look. New ordinances were passed. New construction projects were announced. But not everything was different. As always, people continued to move into the area, and voters still think their taxes are too high – and said overwhelmingly said so in tax-related elections.
So, before we dive into 2014, here’s a flashback to the highlights of 2013:
JANUARY
Goodbye Mayor Severson, Hello Mayor Drotzmann: The year began with Hermiston residents still mourning the passing of Hermiston Mayor Bob Severson, who died at the age of 80 in December 2012. The Hermiston City Council held a special remembrance of the former mayor at its first city council meeting of the year. Dave Drotzmann, who was sworn in as the new mayor, spoke of Severson’s accomplishments during his service to the city. The council also said goodbye to outgoing councilors Brian Misner, Joe Harn and Mike Calame, and welcomed Manuel Gutierrez back to the council, along with newcomers John Kirwan and Doug Primmer.
Expansion Plans: Dupont Pioneer announced plans to increase production capacity at its Hermiston production location. The expansion, expected to be completed in 2014, will double the capacity of the current parent corn and pre-commercial hybrid seed corn facility. The $32 million project was expected to result in the addition of 18 new jobs.
FEBRUARY
Immigration Takes Center Stage: One week after the Hermiston City Council signed a letter asking federal lawmakers to work to create “fair and sensible” immigration reform, one such lawmaker just happened to be in town to personally accept a copy of the letter. Mayor Dave Drotzmann and Eddie de la Cruz, chairman of the city’s Hispanic Advisory Committee, presented the letter to Sen. Ron Wyden during the senator’s town hall meeting in Hermiston on Feb. 18. Wyden accepted the letter and told the crowd that reform is badly needed because “our immigration system is dysfunctional.”
Council Tackles Mobile Food Vending: On Feb. 25, the Hermiston City Council was presented with a draft ordinance aimed at regulating mobile food vendors in the city. It was the first step of a long, drawn-out process that wouldn’t conclude until September. The ordinance was requested by Hermiston’s Business Advisory Committee. A number of people wanted to outright ban mobile food vendors. A subcommittee was formed to look further into the issue and held several public hearings to gather input from the public. The draft ordinance was amended several times before the council passed it in September.
HHS Wrestling Team Claims Another Title: The Hermiston Bulldogs wrestling team won their seventh state title, earning 246 team points, 64 points ahead of the runner-up, the Dallas Dragons. Four Bulldogs also claimed state titles. Beau Gleed, an HHS senior, took honors in the 132-pound weight class. HHS junior Tyler Berger brought home the title for the 138-pound weight class, marking his third state title. Senior Abraham Rodriguez is a repeat titlist, as he earned a state title in the 160-pound weight class, and Samuel Shields-Colbray, a freshman, wrestled to the title at 195 pounds.
MARCH
Bicyclists Invade Echo: Echo’s population of about 715 jumped by 75 percent over the weekend of March 1-3 as more than 500 bicyclists converged onto the small Eastern Oregon town to compete in the fifth annual Red 2 Red Cycle Race. The race, part of the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, was the first Oregon XC Series event of the 2013 season.
City Wins Cultural Diversity Award: The National League of Cities presented the city of Hermiston with the 2013 City Cultural Diversity Award during the NLC’s Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. The award was given to Hermiston for its creation of a Hispanic Advisory Committee to the City Council. The committee was the idea of Hermiston City Councilor George Anderson. Mayor Dave Drotzmann said the Hispanic Advisory Committee serves to provide the Hispanic community within Hermiston a forum through which it can work and communicate with the council.
HHS Girls Basketball Team Takes Third: The Hermiston girls basketball team took home the third-place trophy at the state 5A basketball tournament in Eugene. The third-place showing was the Hermiston girls’ second-best finish ever in the state tournament and was the fifth time they earned a trophy.
APRIL
Good Shepherd Breaks Ground on Surgical Center: Good Shepherd Medical Center broke ground for a $12.3 million expansion to its surgical center. The expansion will include a separate central utility plant for the hospital’s daily operations. The project will also include two new 750-square-foot surgical suites and will also include the initial construction on two more suites which will be finished and outfitted in coming years. Construction is expected to be complete sometime in 2014.
West Park Gets New Principal: The Hermiston School Board unanimously approved the selection of Kevin Headings to be the next principal at West Park Elementary School. Headings, who was serving as the Stanfield school superintendent and principal of Stanfield Elementary School, replaced interim West Park Principal Bryn Browning, who took over for Shane Pratt after his resignation in October 2012.
Robots Take Over at UHS: The Umatilla High School robotics team returned home from the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championships in St. Louis after placing 51st out of 400 teams. The UHS team, “Confidential,” finished its eight-match competition with a record of four wins and four losses in the Curie Division. Teams from around the world – including schools from as far away as Israel and Turkey – competed in the event, which took place April 24-27. UHS qualified for the championship round after winning its regional competition in Spokane in early April. The students then had to raise $15,000 to pay for their travel, accommodations and entry fee into the finals before embarking on a 37-hour bus ride to St. Louis.
Legislators Hear From Local Constituents: More than 100 people made their way inside the auditorium at Hermiston High School in April to listen and share their opinions with the Oregon Joint Ways and Means Committee about Oregon’s budget. The speakers ranged from small business owners and elected officials to college students and stay-at-home moms, all with testimony on budget priorities for the state. By the end of the two-hour public hearing, 48 speakers took the microphone, traveling from as far as Heppner and Portland. Six speakers also addressed the committee via video feed from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
Mayor Bob Gets a Playground: With his wife, Janet, on hand, local and state dignitaries helped dedicate a new playground at Victory Square Park to former Hermiston Mayor Bob Severson. Following the dedication, volunteers put the finishing touches on Mayor Bob Severson Memorial Playground by spreading around wood chips.
MAY
Historic Cinco de Mayo: Well over 1,000 people attended the day-long Cinco de Mayo festivities. The party marked the first time the event was held in downtown Hermiston with the full backing and support of the city of Hermiston. “We’re one community and it’s an inclusive city,” said Eddie de la Cruz, chairman of the city’s Hispanic Advisory Committee. The day featured dancing horses, dancing humans, musical performances from renowned bands, vendors along Main Street, and authentic Mexican food, the scent of which wafted through the warm air, adding to the day’s carnival atmosphere.
Roberts Takes Over at Desert View: The Hermiston School Board of Education unanimously approved Michael Roberts’ appointment as new principal at Desert View Elementary School. “Whew,” Roberts said with a grin after the vote. Roberts had been the assistant principal at Housel Middle School in Prosser,
Murdock Beats Out the Competition: Pendleton’s George Murdock beat out four other candidates in May to become Umatilla County’s next commissioner. Murdock will fill out the remaining term of Bill Hansell, who was elected to the state Senate in November 2012. Murdock will be up for re-election in 2014.
JUNE
SAGE Center Opens: The Port of Morrow’s Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Center at Boardman – the SAGE Center — held its grand opening on the first day of June. The SAGE Center is an interactive visitor center that highlights sustainable agriculture and energy. It includes 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3,000-square-foot mezzanine with seating for 150 people, and a 214-seat theater with a projector capable of showing 3D films. It includes a gift shop, 1,500-square-foot catering kitchen, offices and support space, and an outdoor playground structure. It also serves as the new home of the Boardman Chamber of Commerce.
Another New Principal in Hermiston: Pendleton High School Assistant Principal Brad Bixler was appointed to serve as interim principal at Highland Hills Elementary School for the 2013-14 school year. Bixler replaced Brian Schimel, who stepped down June 30 to pursue a director position for the Mosier Community School near Hood River.
Big Ships in a Small Town: Local residents were given a sight to behold in June when replicas of vintage ships made a couple of visits to Umatilla. The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain made their way through McNary Dam on their way to an overnight stay at the Umatilla Marina. The Lady Washington is made of wood and is a full-scale reproduction of the original Lady Washington built in the British Colony of Massachusetts in the 1750s. It is the official ship of the state of Washington. The original vessel carried freight between colonial ports until the American Revolutionary War, when she became an American privateer. The Hawaiian Chieftain, a replica of a typical European merchant trader of the turn of the 19th century, accompanies the Lady Washington on her voyages and goodwill missions.
Umatilla Landing Days: Large crowds drifted through the Umatilla Marina on a warm June Saturday to celebrate the annual Umatilla Landing Days. The event takes place each year on the third Saturday of June and includes everything from sports tournaments to talent competitions. The event also included live entertainment, including a performance by country singer David Parrish, as well as 50 vendors and the annual Umatilla Landing Days Parade.
Costly Fire Consumes Homes in Umatilla: A fire in Umatilla destroyed four homes on Pheasant Ridge in South Hill, and the fire loss total was more than $500,000. It was the second biggest fire loss ever in Umatilla, second only to the Port of Umatilla fire in 2001, which was over a $1 million. The fire originated in the back yard at 2644 Pheasant Ridge and may have started with a cigarette, based on witness statements. Fortunately, no one was injured.
JULY
Festivals: More than 5,000 people took part in Hermiston’s Funfest In July. Main Street’s activities included live music, about 60 vendors, demonstrations and children’s games, as well as lawnmower races and an interactive exhibit from OMSI where children could study insects and put together a three-foot tall dinosaur skeleton. Entertainment included American Idol contestant Lee Pritchard, the Hermiston Melon Smashers roller derby team and ongoing chainsaw-carving demonstrations. Free shuttles took visitors from Main Street to the Purple Ridge Lavender Festival, and the action spilled over to McKenzie Park, where the Hermiston Classics Car Club’s 18th annual Cool Rides Car Show rolled out a display of almost 100 classic vehicles.
Big Grant for Umatilla Schools: The Umatilla School District received a $2 million 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs to students. “I’m so excited,” said District Superintendent Heidi Sipe. “It’s a dream come true.” The extended-day STEM programs will serve students in K-12 at no charge to families.
Morrow Pacific Project: One-hundred and fifty people signed up to speak in Hermiston at a hearing before the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on a coal export project proposed for Boardman. The Morrow Pacific Project is seeking the approval of permits for air and water quality as well as storm water runoff during the construction and operation of the project. The project calls for a coal transfer terminal to be built at the Port of Morrow that would allow trains from Montana and Wyoming to transfer coal shipments to barges. Those barges would then travel down the Columbia River and eventually to Asia. It’s estimated that as much as 8.8 million tons of coal could be moved through the terminal.
AUGUST
Fair & Rodeo: Once again, the crowds turned out for the annual Umatilla County Fair and the Farm-City Pro Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Hermiston. Headlining the fair entertainment were Hoobastank, Travis Tritt, War, Lee Brice and – for the first time – Latino Night. A thunder shower on Friday night may have soaked fairgoers, but it couldn’t dampen their spirits. The rodeo celebrated its 26th year in Hermiston with top-flight cowboys and entertainment, including funnyman Keith Isley, Tomas Garcilazo, a traditional Mexican charro, and award-winning announcer Randy Corley.
Water Advocacy Group Gets Big Boost: The city of Hermiston joined the newly-formed Northeast Oregon Water Coalition (NOWA) with a $63,000 commitment. NOWA was formed by J.R.Cook to advocate at the state level for local water users.
Kennison Field Dedication: Hundreds of people filled the sparkling new bleachers and hit the artificial turf field to celebrate the grand opening of the multi-million dollar sports complex at Hermiston High School. The Kennison Athletic Complex, named after the late Kyle Kennison, who taught and coached at HHS, includes a durable synthetic turf, designed to accommodate football, soccer and lacrosse; an Olympic-caliber synthetic track with individual jumping and throwing stations; an enhanced 2,100-seat bleacher system; elevator-accessible press box with video production booth; three-bay concession; and improved parking, lighting, pedestrian safety features. The Hermiston Bulldogs won their first game on the new field when they beat Rex Putnam, 48-7 on Aug. 31.
SEPTEMBER
New Caretaker for Marina: The city of Umatilla took over the management of the Umatilla Marina & RV Park. The move marked the latest step in a process to keep the Umatilla Marina & RV Park open and operational after the Port of Umatilla announced it would step away from the property. The Port managed the property for decades and was under a 25-year lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lease ends in December 2018, but the Port Authority decided to terminate the lease early because of financial constraints.
Wind Storm Leaves Its Mark: A massive wind storm, with gusts reaching 100 mph blew through the region in mid-September, knocking down trees, power lines and causing major damage to area homes. The storm knocked down 54 power poles in the Umatilla Electric service territory, mostly at Butter Creek, and did widespread damage in northeast Oregon and eastern Washington. Hundreds of homes lost power due to the storm.
OCTOBER
EOTEC Hires Project Manager: The Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Authority (EOTEC) announced in October that it hired Frew Development Group, LLC to oversee the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. Original plans for the project – a collaboration between Umatilla County and the city of Hermiston – were to include homes for the Umatilla County Fair, Farm-City Pro Rodeo, a new trade and event center that would serve as a venue for family, sports, convention, trade, conference and entertainment shows and activities.
Hermiston Added to Interstate Signs: The Oregon Department of Transportation added “Hermiston” to four freeway distance signs along I-84 eastbound. The signs, which show the distance to Hermiston, now appear at mile posts 111, 125, 138, and 149 between The Dalles, and Hermiston. The Dalles is at mile post 85, and the I-84/82 interchange is at mile post 180. Before the signs were added, Hermiston and the surrounding area was the largest population center on a 300-mile stretch of I-84 without any distance signage except at the exits to the city and one sign two miles from the exits. Hermiston’s population has grown by more than 40 percent over the past 20 years and now has more than 36,000 people living within 10 miles of the city.
Hermiston Hammers Pendleton: It was Friday, Oct 25 and the Hermiston Bulldogs traveled to Pendleton to take on their cross-county rivals with the Columbia River Conference title on the line. When it was over, the Bulldogs had put a vicious bite into Pendleton and the Bucks limped off the field with their tails between their legs. The 49-28 victory gave Hermiston the conference title and bragging rights for the next 12 months.
NOVEMBER
Voters Reject Levies, Bond Measure: Umatilla County voters were not in a generous mood in early November as both sheriff levies as well as the Blue Mountain Community College bond renewal measure all were soundly defeated. Levy 30-14 would have allowed the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office to operate the jail at full capacity, but it was overwhelmingly rejected by voters, as was Levy 30-97, which would have allowed the sheriff to hire 18 additional patrol deputies. BMCC’s bond renewal measure would have funded the construction of three ag-related learning centers: a Center for Sustained Precision Irrigated Agriculture in Hermiston, an Applied Animal Science Center in Pendleton, and an Industrial Processes Workforce & STEM Training Center in Boardman.
EOTEC Plans Put On Hold: The EOTEC Authority Board was told in November by its project manager that it does not have enough money to construct the facility as it was originally planned. The plans called for placing the fairgrounds, a rodeo arena and an event center at the new site. The board was told it would need to prioritize its wish list.
Depot Demolition: The massive building that housed the equipment and furnaces that destroyed the Umatilla Chemical Depot’s chemical weapons stockpile was demolished, and the last remnants of the plant’s pollution abatement systems came down in mid-November. Northwest Demolition out of Tigard, pulled down the two stacks that were connected to the pollution abatement systems of the plant. The stacks were the last plant structures standing since the remaining walls of the Munitions Demilitarization Building were knocked down a couple of days prior. The support buildings and offices at the plant site are being preserved for potential use by the Depot Reuse Authority, which is in charge of how the depot land will be used in the future. The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility processed 220,604 munitions and about 3,720 tons of agent between the fall of 2004 and fall of 2011.
La Lay Hits the Airwaves: La Lay, KZLY, 99.5 FM on the radio dial, had its grand opening in late November, giving Hermiston its first Hispanic radio station. La Ley, which means ‘the law,’ is run by CEO Gaudencio Felipe Sanchez and President Jesus Torres, both of the Tri-Cities. The station can be heard from Yakima, Wash., to La Grande. It broadcasts music, news and information 24 hours a day.
The Megaload: Massive oil refinery equipment, known as a ‘megaload,’ traveled through Umatilla and Hermiston in November on its way to Canada. The 96-foot-long, 330,000-pound water purification vessel was barged from Portland, where it was made, to Umatilla, where it was transferred to a giant trailer. The convoy’s destination was Canada’s oil-mining region north of Alberta. It was the first of three ‘megaloads’ scheduled to make the trek. The trek was slowed by bad weather and protesters. Climate activists and members of the local Umatilla tribes have protested the megaloads using Oregon highways as a corridor to the oil sands, which they argue contributes significantly to global warming.
DECEMBER
Pronghorn Antelope Relocated: Nearly 40 pronghorn antelope were captured and relocated from the Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD) to Malheur County in early December. Pronghorn were long-time residents of the UMCD and were even featured on the facility’s logo. They were originally captured near Brothers in 1969 and placed on the Depot to serve as a nursery population for other transplant operations in eastern Oregon. The population on the Depot peaked at more than 350 animals in 1986 and has been used to supplement populations throughout Oregon and in Nevada. The original 1962 agreement between UMCD and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife called for the pronghorn to be removed if the Depot ever shut down. Adjacent agricultural land and industrial development make the area unsuitable for the pronghorn once Depot fences are removed.
Hermiston Population Passes 17,000: Hermiston gained 245 residents since the last population estimate, giving it a total of 17,240 residents. The latest estimate makes Hermiston the only city in Eastern Oregon with more than 17,000 residents and continues the area’s long-term growth trend. Hermiston has added more than 4,800 residents since the year 2000, which equates to a 27.9-percent growth in just 13 years.
OK – take a breather. We’ll meet up again, same time next year, to see what 2014 brought us.
