Medicare D assistance is available on the first Tuesday of each month, from 1-3 p.m., at the Harney County Senior Center. If you need help before that date, call 573-6024.

Harney Hospital Foundation meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Hospital Conference Room at 7 p.m.

Sylvia Rebekah Lodge meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the I.O.O.F. Hall, 348 North Broadway at 6:30 p.m.

The Chamber Orchestra meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Burns High School band room, 1100 Oregon Avenue, from 7-8:30 p.m. with Ken Peckham directing.

Harney County Democratic Party meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

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.

Four units of the City of Burns and Hines Fire Departments responded to a report of a possible structure fire with propane tanks involved at 888 W. Madison in Burns at 12:18 p.m. Sunday, May 18.

Upon arrival of the first fire department unit firefighters found a fully involved fire in a camper trailer with propane tanks venting and the fire extending to a garage and extreme heat conditions threatening a residence.

Firefighters were able to quickly control fire and extinguish the fire approximately 20 minutes after arrival. Quick action by fire department personnel prevented the fire from extending to the residence and the possibility of an explosion of the propane tanks. There was some structural damage to the garage as a result of the fire. Despite the damage to the garage, firefighters were able to retrieve an ATV and a 1948 antique vehicle, which received minor heat and smoke damage.

Eighteen personnel from the City of Burns and Hines fire departments, Harney District EMS, Burns/Hines police departments and tribal police responded to the incident. An Oregon Trail Electric Company representative was requested and responded to the scene to secure the electricity.

The cause of the fire has been determined to be the result of a malfunction in the refrigerator unit, which led to ignition of combustible materials in the trailer. The preliminary damage loss estimated for the fire is $10,000 for the structures and $3,000 for the contents. There were no reported  injuries as a result of the fire.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

“Buyer beware.” The warning has been around for years and years, but as one Burns man found out, it is now just as astute to take heed to the warning “seller beware.”

On April 29, Ronald Jahns of Burns listed his 1967 Ford pickup for sale using craigslist, an online classified ads service. Within hours of putting the pickup on the Web site, he received his first response.

“I’m interested in getting this item purchased ASAP, but do you still have it available?” read the e-mail from someone going by the name of Kate. “Also, are you selling for the first time on craigslist, or you’ve made a couple of sales before? Let me know if it’s still up for sale.”

When Jahns let the supposed buyer know that the pickup was still available, the next e-mail he received read as follows: “I will be making the payment by money order, so once the money order is received and clears your bank, I will send my shipping company to come and pick it up at your place. OK? I would have come to see, but I am very busy with my son ‘coz’ he is ill.”

Arrangements were then made for money orders to be sent to Jahns. This is where the scam becomes evident.
Rather than sending the specific amount that Jahns was asking for the pickup, $750, “Kate” sent four money orders, valued at $500 each. A request was e-mailed stating, “Take to your bank and cash them and send the remaining money to my shipping company.”

Jahns verified with the Burns branch of the US Bank that the four money orders were fraudulent. They were stamped with a Wal-Mart business logo, and were supposedly purchased by a Thomas James of Wichita, Kan.

Jahns contacted Wal-Mart and learned that he was not the first to have received these specific counterfeit money orders. They informed him that an investigation was ongoing regarding this particular scam, and asked that he provide copies of the fakes to the Secret Service. Jahns also turned the information over to the fraud department of the delivery service, DHL, which the money orders were shipped through.

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

In an effort to curb city expenses, the Burns City Council voted four to two in favor of not having City Attorney Steve Finlayson attend city council meetings unless invited to do so.

Councilor Sean Wilson spearheaded the motion by saying he was concerned about how much the city was spending on legal fees. “There’s got to be a way that we can trim back on that a little bit,” he said, noting that he believed the city could figure out a better use of Finlayson’s time. Wilson added that perhaps it’s time to look at creating a contract with the city attorney. Currently, the city attorney operates without a contract. The city can hire or fire him at will.

Councilor Len Vohs agreed with Wilson. “We’re in austere times now,” he said. “We’ve asked our department heads to cut everywhere we can.” He said that it’s only fair that the city council should do the same. Vohs also noted that the Hines Common Council doesn’t have legal counsel at every meeting.

Finlayson admitted that there are meetings when it probably isn’t imperative to have legal counsel present. “Frankly, I’d be happy not to attend all the city council meetings,” he said. However, he went on to say that there have been plenty of times in which he has cut off the council’s discussion on certain matters to remind council members that some things should not be discussed in open session.

Finlayson also said that he isn’t opposed to the idea of having a contract with the city, although he said it would take time to develop the contract.

Finlayson said the council should also consider barring the other city employees who attend the meetings in an official capacity.

Wilson then moved to have the city attorney attend city meetings at the council’s invitation only. Vohs seconded and the vote  was four to two in favor of the motion, with Wilson, Vohs, Mayor Laura Van Cleave and Councilor Darwin Johnson voting for and councilors Linda Johnson and Bill Renwick voting against;

In other business:
• Fire Chief Bill Guindon gave the council an update on the bowling alley. He said the building’s owners have agreed with the city’s suggestion not to burn the building down. Instead they plan to demolish it and rebuild;

• the council approved the contracts for the airport manager and cemetery/park maintenance;

• the council approved an invoice for $7,315 for Ferguson Surveying and Engineering. Engineer Doug Ferguson itemized the bill, which included $6,565 for work on the Monroe Street sidewalk project and $750 for the city inflow project;

• City Manager Justin Boone told the council that money from the county earmarked for noxious weed spraying will go to combat weeds at the sewer lagoon;

• Boone said that after a successful letter writing campaign to Charter Communications, cable channel 3 will now broadcast the Oregon Department of Transportation channel, which provides views of various mountain pass cameras. He said the channel will likely be up and running within the next week;

• Vohs said that the city needs to do something about the Washington Park fence, which is falling down. He suggested trying to find some volunteers who would be interested in doing the work.

Mayor Van Cleave said that Councilor Darwin Johnson is in charge of the parks committee and will be looking into it.
Manager Boone said that he has some information on a parks grant that might be helpful;

• Councilor Linda Johnson provided the council with a written report from the police/fire committee meeting held recently.

The next Burns City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. May 28 at Burns City Hall.

By Josh Crisp
For Burns Times-Herald

Out of a pool of 1,350 competing journalists, editors and photographers, 720 certificates, with ratings ranging from “Honorable Mention” to “Best of Category” in 25 different categories, were awarded in May to high school journalists across the state of Oregon during the Northwest Scholastic Press’ annual Publication Olympics.

Twenty of these certificates were awarded to the staffers of Crane Union High School’s The Whirlwind, setting a record year for the high school newspaper.

“It is the most awards we have received in recent years,” journalism adviser Barbara Maher said.

Editor Josh Crisp received Honorable Mention in the Inside Page Layout category and Excellent in the following categories: Editorial (3), Page-one Layout (3), News Feature, Sports News, Sports Photo and Straight News.

Reporters Iris Gunkel and September O’Crowley each garnered Honorable Mention in the Inside Page Layout and Personality Profile categories. Reporter Delilas Korth also earned Honorable Mention in the Personality Profile category as well as Excellent in the Inside Page Layout category. Reporter Angelia Rossberg rounded out The Whirlwind’s awards with Honorable Mention in the Human Interest, Inside Page Layout and Sport News categories.

Thirty-eight professional journalists from across the West Coast served as judges during this competition, critiquing the entered articles to provide positive feedback and constructive criticism for high school journalists. However, the judges were allowed to use their own guidelines for awarding certificates, making the contest that much more competitive, as some categories received few awards and “Superior” and “Best of Category” ratings were rare.

“I am proud of our kids — they all received awards. Some schools didn’t even get any,” Maher said.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns Hilanders’ Jaela Dinsmore returned home from the Class 3A State Track Meet with three gold medals and two new state records to her credit.

Dinsmore set new state records in the 200-meter dash (25.49) and the 400 meter dash (56.98). She also placed first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.64.

This is the second year in a row that Dinsmore has won gold in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races at the state meet.
Brea Ribeiro of Burns placed fifth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 49.78.

Burns’ 4×100 relay team of Ribeiro, Dinsmore, Jen Higle and Jamie Higle did not place as they were disqualified for exceeding the baton exchange zone.

As a team, the Hilanders finished in ninth place out of 33 teams represented. Catlin Gabel won the team trophy with 55 points, followed by Nyssa with 50 and Toledo with 46.

Vale won the boys meet, finishing with 63 points. Westside Christian was second with 59 points and Grant Union third with 56 points.

The 3A state meet was held Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Crane girls track team came up with a couple of record-setting performances and walked away with a second-place finish at the 1A State Track Meet held Friday and Saturday, May 16-17 at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

Sherman County won the girls state title with 111 points, followed by Crane with 64 points and Triad with 58.
With a time of 58.69 in the 400-meter dash, the Mustangs’ September O’Crowley established a new state record as well as a new school record.

Crane’s 4×400-meter relay team also set a new school record, completing the race in a time of 4:11.09. The team is made up of Lindy Steeves, Alex Borelli, Natalie Bentz and O’Crowley.

Crane’s 4×100-meter relay team won the state title for the third year in a row. Making up this year’s winning team were Steeves, Caity DeBoer, Emilee O’Toole and Borelli. Steeves and Borelli have been on all three winning teams.

The Crane boys track team placed 10th in the final standings with 26 points. Southwest Christian scored 44 points to win this year’s title.

Gus Titus of Crane set a new school record in the 3,000 meters with a time of 9:47.37.

Despite sweltering temperatures, the Crane coaching staff noted that the Crane athletes came up with great effort and performances at the state meet, and it was a great way to end an excellent track season.

Individual results for Crane are as follows:

Girls

100m — O’Toole 3rd (13.53), Borelli 6th (13.80).
200m — Steeves 3rd (27.79), DeBoer 6th (28.02).
400m — O’Crowley 1st (58.69 new state and school record)
800m — Bentz 10th (2:47.00).
1,500m — Delilas Korth 9th (5:52.76).
3,000m — Korth 9th (12:33.80).
300m hurdles — Bethany Milburn 7th (53.10).
4×100m relay — Crane 1st (Steeves, DeBoer, O’Toole, Borelli 51.88).
4×400m relay — Crane 1st (Steeves, Borelli, Bentz, O’Crowley 4:11.09 new school record).
High jump — Bentz 3rd (5’).
Pole vault — O’Crowley 2nd (8’ 6”).

Boys

100m — Dallen Davies 8th (12.17), Chris Brower DNP.
200m — Davies 6th (23.84)
400m — Davies 5th (52.76).
3,000m — Titus 10th (9:47.37 new school record), Garrett DeGraw 14th (9:52.98).
110m hurdles — Levi Harris DNP.
4×100m relay — Crane 3rd (Davies, Raymond Thompson, Brower, Levi Crisp 45.13).
Long jump — Crisp 11th ( 18’ 4 1/2”), Harris scratched.
Triple jump — Blake Steeves 7th (39’ 8”).
Shot put — Carl Neumann 10th (40’ 11 1/2”).
Javelin — Thompson 3rd (164’ 10”).
Discus — Thompson 8th (119’ 4”).
Pole vault — Jeran Conaway 6th (10’ 6”).

Martin Duane Colahan, 84, died at his home in Hines on May 13.

Born on Sept. 29, 1923, in Hays, Kan., Colahan was the second of three children born to Martin Francis Colahan and Elizabeth Jensen Colahan.

Colahan’s family moved to Boring in 1935. After graduating from Sandy Union High School, he entered the United States Navy in 1942 serving in the South Pacific until his discharge in 1946.

Colahan married Beverly Jane Yager in 1947, and purchased a ranch in Prineville. The couple had two children,  Sally and Patricia, while living in Prineville. After selling the ranch, the family moved to Rogue River and Lewiston, Idaho, before settling in Portland. Three more children — James, Lori and Timothy were born there.

In 1969, Colahan purchased Harney Heating and Sheetmetal, and moved to Burns. He was a master sheetmetal craftsman, developing skill at installing pneumatic sawdust removal systems in sawmills. In 1972, he returned to Prineville to install systems in several mills located there.

Colahan sold his business to Edward Hines Lumber Company in 1972, and moved to Hines. With the timber economy fading, Colahan moved to Gresham in 1980 to work at Swan Island Shipyard. He retired in 1981 because of an industrial disability. In 1990, he and his wife returned to Hines, where he resided until his death.

Colahan was known for his love of nature. His family was also very important to him.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly; daughters, Sally Coulter and husband John of Portland, and Lori Cheek and husband Bill of Hines; and sons, Jim Colahan of Portland, and Tim Colahan and wife Marcie of Hines. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Colahan was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James; and daughter, Patricia.

Contributions in Colahan’s memory may be made to Harney County Hospice, 415 N. Fairview, Burns, OR 97720.

Beverly Anne Klish, 70, of Prineville, died on May 14.

She was born on May 23, 1937, in Warroad, Minn., to William and Victoria (Mitchell) McKinnon.

Klish graduated from Mitchell High School in 1955. She married Roger Quant in 1954 and became a homemaker and mother while living on the Jackson Ranch until 1969. They later divorced.

In 1991, she married William Klish in Newport,. They were married only six months when he passed away accidentally.

Klish was a restaurant and golf course cook for many years. She also was a certified beautician. She retired in John Day and took care of her parents until they passed away. Then she moved to Prineville in 2004.

Klish enjoyed cooking, crafts, the outdoors, walking, flower gardening and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Janese Clark and husband Ricky of Prineville; sons, Todd Quant and wife Nancy of John Day, and Greg Quant and wife Debi of Burns; brothers, Charles McKinnon of The Dalles, , Dennis McKinnon of John Day, and Don McKinnon of Sumpter; sisters, Shirley Mentzer of Pendleton and Valerie Larkin of John Day; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Klish was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held at Canyon City Cemetery in Canyon City on May 31 at 1 p.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospital Home Health, 1201 N.E. Elm St., Prineville, OR  97754 and/or Ochoco Village Assisted Living Facility Apt at 830 N.E. Elm, Prineville,  OR 97754.

Whispering Pines Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Harney County School District #3 budget committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the school district office.

The 9-1-1 Budget Committee will meet on May 21, at 11 a.m., at the Harney County Courthouse, in the office of Judge Steve Grasty.

Harney Partners for Kids and Families meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

Babe Ruth meets the third Wednesday of each month in the courthouse basement meeting room, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

Community Response Team meets the third Wednesday of each month at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at 5:30 p.m. For dinner reservations, call Pam Mather at 573-2251.

Oregon Hunters Association is for all hunters, whether rifle, bow, shotgun, muzzle loader or other. The local chapter meets at Linda’s Thai Room, the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m and is followed by a board meeting.

Storytime for preschoolers is held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Harney County Library.

Burns Fire Dept. meets each Wednesday at the Burns Fire Hall at 7 p.m.

Burns Elks Lodge, 118 North Broadway, meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Wednesday at the Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.