The Boys & Girls Club presents People in Uniform the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, from 1-2:30 p.m. Professionals from around Harney County come give kids a peek into their profession.

Lunch and Learn, a one-hour video presentation on the importance of whole food, good health and the prevention of disease, is held the fourth Friday of each month, at Glory Days Pizza, from noon until 1 p.m. A different video will be shown each month. For more information or to RSVP, call Selene Dobson at 573-3102.

Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, District 9, meets the first, third and fourth Friday of each month. Call Julia at 573-2770, for time and place.

Boxing is held each Friday from 2-4 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club. The fundamentals of boxing are taught to kids. Permission slips must be turned in prior to participation in this program.

Hines Middle School Reading Club meets each Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Harney County Library.

The Boys & Girls Club has the Club Bucks Store open each Friday. This is an incentive program in which members earn “club bucks” by doing good deeds and helping out around the club.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Friday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

The annual Harney County Chamber Music Society scholarship auditions will be held at Faith Baptist Church, 777 N. Saginaw in Hines, on Saturday, Feb. 23. A recital, open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m.

Alanon holds an open meeting each Saturday at Foursquare Church at 5:30 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Sunday at Foursquare Church for 12X12 study, at 7 p.m.

The Harney County Health Department will be available at the Harney County Senior Center, 17 South Alder, to check blood pressure the fourth Monday of each month from 1-3 p.m. There is no charge for the clinic and results can be forwarded to a physician or nurse practitioner at your request.

Order of Eastern Star meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Burns Masonic Hall, 1210 West Taylor, at 7:30 p.m.

Harney County Library board of directors meets the last Monday of each month in the library, 80 West D St., at 7 p.m.

The Torch Club, a teen leadership and service group at the Boys & Girls Club, meets each Monday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

ImageMakers, a photography program is offered to members of the Boys & Girls each Monday from 4-5 p.m. All ages are encouraged to learn and practice black and white, color and digital photography skills as well as image editing.

PRIDE meets each Monday in the Courthouse basement meeting room, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7:30 a.m. to network for community betterment.

The Burns Lions Club meets each Monday at noon at the Burns Elks Lodge, 118 N. Broadway, for lunch. Those interested in serving the community are welcome.

Narcotics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Monday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church.

HDH Sports & Physical Therapy will offer a free athletic injury clinic at that facility, 559 West Washington, every Monday from 5-6 p.m. A physical therapist will assess and treat athletic injuries and provide education for athletes and parents on self management of injuries. For more information call 573-1543.

Harney County Chamber Music Society Choir meets the second and fourth Tuesday, September-November and January-March. The choir meets in the Burns High School band room, from 7-8:30 p.m., with Marianne Andrews directing. Singers ages 13-up are welcome.

Tai Chi  is held every Tuesday at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome to participate.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds an open meeting each Tuesday at Foursquare Church, at 7 p.m.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

At the recommendation of Mark Maliwauki, County Business Development Coordinator, the Harney County Court signed a contract  agreement with World Economic Development Alliance (WEDA) at its regular meeting on Feb. 6.

Maliwauki told the court, “In 12 months, if we get one deal, it will pay for itself. This will allow us to work with someone who is getting leads.”
According to the company’s Web page, WEDA “offers strategic consulting services and is sponsored by government and private entities to provide preliminary services free and confidentially to companies with expansion or relocation plans. WEDA has helped thousands of companies find the necessary contacts and resources to aid in their site search.”

The agreement with WEDA will cost the county $8,500 for one-year’s service. Included in the service will be access to all of the leads that WEDA cultivates, access to all WEDA trade shows, two trade show badges to all trade shows WEDA attends, the ability to display marketing materials at the WEDA booth at all trade shows attended, a dedicated Web banner on the Web site, a client listing with the county’s Web site linked, the ability to post unlimited building and sites on the Web site, two area spotlights/press releases on the Web site, and a full page ad in the Business Development Outlook Magazine.
WEDA may be able to assist in marketing the  Louisiana Pacific (LP) property, with substantial leads available. The court discussed the critical need to have the entire plant recertified and to have the step-by-step process of refiring the boiler on paper.

Maliwauki also told the court that he and Jessica Cahill, Harney County Chamber of Commerce Director, and a representative from the Oregon Department of Agriculture will be attending the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., Feb. 12-14. Brochures detailing business opportunities in Harney County, agriculture innovations or possibilities of the area and the quality of life in the county will be distributed at the expo. Maliwauki said it is also be an opportunity to “get contacts, see what’s new and gather information.”

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In other County Court business, Fred Flippance presented the quarterly statement on the Claire McGill Luce Endowment Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Flippance also discussed the retirement of Harney County Librarian Jolyn Wynn and the Harney County Library Foundation’s annual fund- raising dinner.

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Cheryl Keniston, Health Department Director, discussed a Tobacco Prevention Grant for Public Health, which she recently received. The grant will fund a half time program coordinator. The court suggested integrating this program on tobacco prevention with Harney Behavioral Health’s existing program.

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Scott Franklin and Keith Baltzor were appointed to the County Board of Review, following the recommendation by Ted Tiller, Harney County Assessor.

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The court thanked the Harney County Road Department for the extra time spent in maintaining the roads during the heavy snow. Road Superintendent Kerry Landers said he appreciated that the county citizens had made the effort to keep private roads clear, rather than ask the county for help as has happened in the past. He also thanked the Malheur Wildlife Refuge for the use of equipment.

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Len Vohs was appointed to fill the vacancy for the Burns and Hines seat on the Southeast Regional Alliance.

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Judge Steve Grasty reported that FEMA funds had been received to cover some of the costs incurred by Harney Electric Cooperative during last summer’s fires. A reimbursement of $2,253.96 will be paid to Harney Electric.

By David Courtney, Harney County School Dist. No. 3 Superintendent

Last week, we had a two-hour delay that the school district could not talk much about at the time. This situation typifies the position the school sometimes finds itself in, that of not impeding a police investigation by giving up too much information versus letting the public know what is going on.

What happened was that a student wrote a note on the wall of the bathroom at Hines Middle School that said, “The school will blow up at 8:30 tomorrow.” In this day and age, the school needs to take this sort of thing very seriously. In addition, some incendiary material was found on the playground earlier. It turned out that this material has no relation to the threat but that was not known at the time.

On Tuesday evening, after consultation with the police, we decided to call a two-hour delay for Wednesday morning for the safety of the students and also to aid parents in making arrangements for the next day. Eight police officers searched the building that evening and found nothing. The police were still interviewing suspects. Not all of the suspects had been contacted in the evening and no culprit was caught, so the school district remained on a two-hour delay.

Although this is a scary incident, something somewhat comforting resulted from the search. Police, Hines Principal Katie Baltzor and school staff searched every locker in the building and did not find any contraband, not even a cigarette. Not many schools in the state could say that.

After many hours of investigation and interviewing, the person who wrote the note on the bathroom wall was found out and cited. There was no bomb anywhere. This young person is in store for some heavy sanctions from law enforcement, as well as the school district. Writing the words on the wall of the bathroom was a simple act that carries huge repercussions for the author.

What I hope the community takes away from this is that; the school will not call a delay unless it is warranted, that concern for the students safety is foremost, that our schools are pretty darn safe, and that a seemingly simple act can get a person in a lot of trouble.

If, in the future, the school district’s explanation for something seems kind of vague, please remember that we are probably trying to walk that thin line between informing the public and not giving away too much information, which may hinder the investigation.

As part of an aggressive and continuing effort to find men and women interested in a law enforcement career opportunity, the Oregon State Police (OSP) rolled out a new recruiting Web site  to help potential applicants learn more about the OSP and understand the recruitment and testing process. The new Web site is just one of several recent changes the department has made to help people sincerely interested in helping make Oregon a safer and better place.

With the ongoing support of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and the legislative leadership, the OSP is keeping the wheels moving in an unprecedented, aggressive recruitment and training plan that includes the approved addition of 100 new trooper positions during the 2007 legislative session.  The addition of these new positions, not only for the Patrol Services Division, but also for the Fish & Wildlife and Criminal Investigations Divisions, provides the agency with an exciting challenge to find highly qualified candidates.

“Our commitment to the governor and the legislature is that the department’s high standards will not be lowered in order to hire additional troopers,” said OSP Superintendent Timothy McLain. “My message to every OSP office is that recruitment is one of our highest priorities at this time as we look for new ways to let people know who we are, what we do, and how they can be an important part of our future.”

Superintendent McLain specifically pointed out that a total evaluation of OSP’s recruitment process has led to several changes to help meet recruitment goals without reducing standards of excellence.  Highlighted changes include:

• A completely re-tooled recruitment Web site at www.OSPTrooper.com specifically designed to provide important information to applicants;

• the ability to fill out an application online and immediately e-mail it to OSP;

• additional Entry Level Testing dates to provide more opportunities in streamlining the testing process;

• a first-time Career Officer Lateral Entry Employment Program (COLEEP) to accept qualified law enforcement employees from other agencies who have a minimum of three years of full-time job experience as a sworn, paid law enforcement officer within the past six years;

• upcoming out-of-state visit at the University of Idaho campus to recruit, receive applications, and conduct Entry Level Testing over a four day period; and,

• new patrol vehicles with rear bumper decals reading: “BE A TROOPER www.OSPTrooper.com.”

The new recruitment Web site idea came about when Sgt. Erin Reyes, who directs the OSP Recruitment Unit, found that most recent trooper applicants learned about OSP job opportunities on the Internet.  With the help of OSP recruiters, Troopers Ken Terry and Dave Randall, and creative OSP dispatcher Dina Rudesheim, the new up-to-date and relevant Web site was developed.

In addition to the online application improvement, the new Web site contains an in-depth overview of the qualifications and testing requirements necessary to be offered a position as an OSP recruit, including video demonstrations of the required Entry Level physical testing.

“Many applicants were coming to take the physical test without proper preparation. The new Web site will provide information and demonstrations to help applicants understand the nature of the physical requirements, and also help in their preparation to pass that portion of the Entry Level Testing,” said Sgt. Reyes.  “The new Web site also includes special information for military personnel, and testimonials from female troopers and newly recruited lateral troopers.”

New Entry Level Testing dates to provide more frequent testing opportunities and streamline the testing process were added on the following dates:

• March 1, at West Albany High School in Albany;

• May 3 at West Albany High School in Albany;

• June 21, at Jefferson High School in Jefferson;

• July 12, at Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton;

• July 19, at Crater High School in Central Point.

OSP recruiters will be on the University of Idaho campus at the Kibbie Dome during a four-day period starting Feb. 13 at the WSU/UI career fair.

Applications can be filled out prior to and at the career fair. Recruiters will screen applications for minimum qualifications and invite qualifying applicants to participate in the Entry Level Testing on Saturday, Feb. 16.

The Oregon State Police have many career opportunities to serve the communities in positions critical to the state’s safety and economic vitality. In 2007, OSP hired 36 recruit troopers who were trained at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) academy. All recruits receive a minimum of six months of training, including the 16-week DPSST training and eight weeks of training unique to the requirements of OSP.

“Check out the new Web site and check us out. OSP is a diverse organization with a variety of opportunities for people from all cultures and backgrounds,” Superintendent McLain said.

Gary L. “Stan” Benes announced that he will be leaving the Malheur National Forest to accept a job as Lewistown Field Manager for the Bureau of Land Management in central Montana. A reporting date for his new assignment has not been set, but is expected to be in mid-April. No replacement has been named.

“This is one of those times in life when I feel torn in two directions,” Benes said. “On the one hand, this move will get my wife and me closer to family and allow us to assist them with the health problems her elderly parents are facing. That is the highest priority for us personally, and Montana feels like home. At the same time, we both love living in Eastern Oregon, and I personally hate to leave the exciting challenges and excellent workforce on the Malheur National Forest.”

Benes continued, “I know in my heart that the wonderful people of these communities who welcomed us with open arms also understand that family has to come first.”

Benes came to the Malheur National Forest as Acting Forest Supervisor in April, 2006 and was selected for the permanent assignment in May. His tenure on the forest has seen major wildfire events, including the Shake Table and Egley Fire complexes, significant growth in collaboration among people interested in forest management activities, progress on collaborative projects including Canyon Creek WUI and Dad’s Creek, and the first stewardship project offered on this Forest.

Regional Forester Linda Goodman said, “Stan has been a wonderful asset to the Region, the Malheur National Forest, and the communities who call that area home. He has worked hard to get important work done in a collaborative effort. I admire Stan’s skills and the choice he is making for his family is a true testimony to the quality of the person he is.”

Ongoing challenges include recreation site improvements, completion of large-fire salvage projects, inception of partnership projects across a large landscape, and efforts to increase the local Forest workforce so they can successfully achieve these goals.

“I wish I could stay to see through all the good work that’s under way, but if I tried to do that I’d never leave. This area — the Forest and communities together — are moving forward in exciting new ways. I’ll be watching and cheering from the sidelines while doing what’s best for my family,” Benes said.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

“It was nearly flawless.”
Crane Mustang assistant wrestling coach Jerry Holloway had those words to say as he spoke of the Mustangs’ performance at the district tournament last weekend. The Mustangs earned the district team championship for the first time in history, placing 14 wrestlers in the top five.

Holloway said that the Mustangs trailed their closest competitor, the Elgin Huskies, throughout the entire tournament. At the end of the first round, Crane was down by 14 points, and they were still trailing as the first/second and third/fourth matches began Saturday afternoon.

“We had the same amount of kids [as Elgin] in the championship and consolation matches,” said Holloway. The point spread narrowed as the matches were completed, and when the 285-pound class began, Crane had pulled to within two points. Carl Neumann wrestled the last match of the tournament, and when he won his individual district championship title, the Mustangs won the team championship title. The final team scores had Crane with 248 and Elgin with 245.

In addition to Neumann taking first in his class, the Mustangs had three other district champions — Kenny Willsey, Matt Holloway and Chris Brower. Willsey earned the championship at 125 pounds, Holloway placed first at 145 pounds and Brower was the champion at 171 pounds.

Another three Crane wrestlers will make the trip to the state tournament this weekend, after taking second place in their divisions at district. Chase Creason finished second at 135 pounds, Colton Ketscher was second at 145 pounds and Raymond Thompson was second at 189 pounds.

Helping accumulate team points during the district tournament were seven Mustangs who finished in third, fourth and fifth place. Taking third were Gus Titus at 112, Garrett DeGraw at 119 pounds, Clayton Macomber at 125 and Jacob Brennan at 140. Willy Hurt was fourth at 285, and Josh Williams, 135, and Lewis Whiting, 112, were both fifth.

Also wrestling for the Mustangs were Bri Brown, 119, DR Korth, 140, and Justin Davis, 152.