Harney County is home to two poisonous arachnids

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

It may not reach the level of arachnophobia, but most people seem to have an aversion to spiders.

Although most spiders in Harney County are relatively harmless, there are two spiders in our area which cause some concern; the black widow and the hobo spider.

Black widows are fairly easy to distinguish with their shiny black body and a red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen.

The hobo spiders however, are not so easy to identify as they share characteristics with many other spiders.

Jim Nelson, who lives on South Kearney in Burns, found funnel-shaped webs around his home and later noticed a spider running across his living room floor. He was able to trap the spider in a glass jar and showed it to a neighbor. “He told me, ‘Congratulations Jim, you’ve caught yourself a hobo spider,’ ” Nelson said.

Using a magnifying glass, Nelson examined the markings of the spider he caught and compared them with with pictures of the hobo spider he found on the Internet.Nelson has since caught more spiders and identified them as male and female hobos. “If they mate and lay eggs, that could mean anywhere from 100 to 300 babies in the spring,” Nelson said. “That concerns me.”

While Nelson is sure that the spiders are hobos, positive identification should be made by an expert. Harney County Extension Agent Dustin Johnson said, “You can’t tell just by looking at them because they all vary in how they look. The only sure way is to have an expert dissect them.”

Johnson said that if a resident is wondering if a spider is a hobo, they should kill it in an alcohol solution and bring it to his office in the Harney County Courthouse. “We’ll send it off to Oregon State University (OSU) for identification,” he said.

Johnson stated that he did have a resident bring him a spider this summer, and it was confirmed as a hobo by OSU experts.

The hobo spider

The hobo spider is also known as the aggressive house spider, which is a bit of a misnomer as they are not really aggressive.

They do build a funnel-shaped web, which is non-sticky, and when an insect lands on the web, the hobo uses its speed to quickly move in on the prey.

They have been known to bite humans, but many Web sites report that 50 percent of the bites are “dry,” or contain no venom.
Although the bite of the hobo spider is painless at first, the bite can be serious.

The Web site www.ter mite.com reports,  “After 24 hours, the bite develops into a blister and after 24-36 hours, the blister breaks open, leaving an open, oozing ulceration. Typically when the venom is injected, the victim will experience an immediate redness, which develops around the bite. The most common reported symptom is severe headache. Other symptoms can include nausea, weakness, fatigue, temporary memory loss and vision impairment. In any case, first aid and medical attention should be sought, if bitten,  when any adverse health effects are observed.”

The hobo is one of three closely related species of house spiders found in the Northwest. The three species include the domestic house spider, Tegenaria domestica, the giant house spider, T. gigantea, and the hobo spider, T. agrestis.

According to the Web site whatcom.wsu.edu, “The domestic spider is the most commonly encountered spider in your house and is the smallest spider of the three (less than a 1/2 inch in body length).  The giant house spider will usually be obvious, these spiders are huge! Generally, the hobo spider is medium to medium large.  The body alone can be up to 3/4 of an inch in length in mature adults.”

This site also cautions against trying to make  a positive identification as “when identifying these spiders, there are always exceptions to the rule.”

Avoiding the bite

The hobos aren’t vertical climbers, so their webs will most often be low to the ground, nestled between rocks, wood or other objects, which aren’t often moved.

As Nelson took a walk around the outside of his home, he pointed out a number of ideal sites for a web. “That rock pile right there, cracks in the foundation, a railroad tie, pallets, they’re all perfect for the hobo,” he said.

Wearing long-sleeve shirts and gloves while working around these areas can help prevent being bit.

People have also reportedly been bitten when they rolled over on to a hobo in bed or put on clothing or shoes which had been on or near the floor.

Some experts say the the best and most long-term solution (but probably the most undesirable) is to let nature take its course.

In Europe, where all three species of house spiders come from, the hobo is not a problem inside the house. The hobo spider was introduced to the United States prior to the giant house spider. Now the giant spider population is increasing, while the hobo spider is decreasing in frequency of occurrence. As a result, the number of bites in the household is decreasing.  The giant spider is a fierce competitor of the hobo spider and will keep hobos out of its territory.

In addition, the giant spider is relatively harmless and bites are rare.  This is why hobos are not a problem in Europe — they are naturally controlled. The giant spiders are the good guys in this case, so the next time you see one, rather than splat him against the wall, give him a pass.

Interim City Manager/Fire Chief recommends city pay him for 235 hours

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Should Burns city employees be able to cash in their comp time?

Interim City Manager and Fire Chief Bill Guindon told the council  at the Oct. 22 meeting that the comp time issue is a potential unfunded liability for the city.

However, the only individual with significant comp time accrued is Guindon, who accrued the hours while serving as fire chief.

Guindon cannot accrue comp time hours while filling in as the interim city manager. He has 235 hours of comp time built up, which amounts to $6,104.28.

Guindon suggested that the council pay him now for the 235 hours to clean the slate because he will be unable to take the time off now that he is also the interim city manager. He also noted that because the city isn’t paying the city manager’s salary right now, it has some money freed up.

Normally, city employees who haven’t used their comp time have the option of cashing it in at the end of the year, if there is enough money left in the budget.

Guindon also suggested that the council institute a new policy to deal with the comp time issue so that employees can’t accrue too many hours. One way to do this, he said, would be to work with department heads to keep a closer eye on how many hours their workers are putting in.

Councilor Craig LaFollette suggested that perhaps any extra hours need to be pre-approved by department heads.

Councilor Darwin Johnson wondered why Guindon couldn’t simply take time off during the winter when things slow down. When Guindon initially expressed interest in the interim city manager position, he said that the fire department was in a position to take care of itself while he took on city manager duties. Johnson reminded Guindon of that conversation, noting that $6,104.28 is a significant sum of money.

“There’s a lot that I’ve done above and beyond my normal duties,” Guindon said.

Mayor Laura Van Cleave said that historically, the fire chief position is one that accrues a lot of comp time, especially when the chief must respond to a fire or incident after normal work hours.

Councilor LaFollette stated that no one was questioning the work Guindon has put in, but that Councilor Johnson’s point was a valid one. If Guindon had not stepped into the city manager’s position, then perhaps he wouldn’t be costing the city an extra $6,104.28. He also said that if the council chooses to cash out Guindon’s comp time now, it should offer the same opportunity to all city employees. “Why don’t you clean the slate for everybody?” LaFollette asked.

The council decided to have City Clerk Dauna Wensenk add up all the comp time hours employees have accrued to see how much money the city is dealing with.

The council will deal with the issue and potentially make a decision at its Nov. 12 meeting.

In other business:

• Guindon discussed the Bureau of Land Management Helipad building with regard to the city’s pending litigation. “There are some issues of grave concern regarding the elevation of the property,” Guindon said.

The BLM currently has a 20-year lease with the city to occupy the building. Guindon said that the BLM has been working cooperatively with the city to address the building’s problems and has come up with a punch list of items that the city needs to address. Guindon said that the BLM has had engineers look at the site. He also encouraged each council member to go tour the site in person.

Mayor Van Cleave suggested that the council schedule an executive session with the city attorney to discuss the issue before the next council meeting.

“Please let the BLM know that we are trying to progress forward with this,” Van Cleave said;

• the council moved to approve a request by Guindon to go forward with obtaining a grant for the Department of Environmental Quality’s voluntary pollution reduction program.

Guindon said that Harney County is on the verge of non-attainment status as far as air quality is concerned.

If Harney County does breach DEQ’s air quality standards, it could have far-reaching implications for all residents. There could be limitations on wood burning stoves as well as burn barrels.

Guindon said that being part of this voluntary program will help educate residents about the air quality issue;

• Guindon provided the council with a quarterly budget update in which he said the city was currently at 28 percent of the budget.
Councilor Linda Johnson said that she had concerns regarding the city’s contingency line item, which went from 21 percent to 6 percent. “That’s scary,” she said.

She was also worried about the police department’s administration job. She said that the city budgeted about $29,000 for that position, but it is on schedule to cost the city about $38,000, if the city continues paying for the position at its current rate.

Guindon said that he and Police Chief Randy Cook are looking into the issue and will come up with a resolution to the problem;

• Mayor Van Cleave had concerns about city employees who remodeled the city hall bathroom. She wondered if perhaps the project shouldn’t have gone out for bid.

Councilor Bill Renwick stated that projects that cost less than $5,000 don’t need to be put out for bid.

However, the council did vote to put a policy in place in the employee’s handbook regarding this issue;

• the council approved a motion to allow Guindon to proceed with having an organizational position analysis. In essence, a third party will come in and evaluate certain city positions to see if the city is working as efficiently as possible.

Guindon said this will cost the city less than $1,000 and will probably take a month. He said that because this is a time of transition with the city manager’s position, it will be timely as well as help out the city manager hiring committee as they come up with a position description.

Councilor LaFollette was the lone councilor to vote in opposition to having the analysis performed;

• the city council voted to allow both Herb Vloedman and Selene Dobson to be on the city manager hiring committee;

• the council discussed the light poles that could potentially go in along the new stretch of sidewalk on Monroe Street;

• the council approved a transfer of a Burns airport hanger lease from Doug Campbell to Andy Root;

• the council approved two resolutions, one regarding an identity theft policy and another regarding a smoke alarm campaign grant.

The next Burns City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Burns City Hall.

Harney Malheur Community Action Agency director wants retirement plan benefit

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Two agreements involving Harney County and other Eastern Oregon counties were topics of discussion during the Oct. 22 Harney County Court meeting.

The first discussion was on the temporary employment agreement between Barbara Higinbotham and the Harney Malheur Community Action Agency (HMCAA). Harney and Malheur commissioners met via phone conference to discuss the yet to be completed agreement. Higinbotham is the acting executive director of the HMCAA and has been working without a contract since Aug. 18. The term of the agreement would be through May 15, 2009.

Stephanie Williams, attorney for Malheur County, said that she had been drafting a contract with Higinbotham since August, but there was a problem reaching an agreement about the retirement plan. Higinbotham is earning $5,000 per month, and wanted HMCAA to contribute 5 percent to a retirement plan. Questions were raised that if HMCAA offered this to Higinbotham, would the other employees be offered the same deal.

Harney County Commissioner Dan Nichols stated that since this contract was for part-time, temporary employment, he felt it was a “pretty” contract without the retirement. The HMCAA will try to reach an agreement with Higinbotham soon.

The other agreement discussed at the Oct. 22 meeting was the intergovernmental agreement between Harney and Lake counties for mental health services.

Chris Siegner and Vern Brown of Harney Behavioral Health (HBH) were on conference call to explain the services offered to Lake County and what the benefits for both counties were through the agreement.

Siegner, HBH Director, said “The agreement is beneficial to both counties. We have greater regional influences over the programs we provide.”

The court’s concerns about the agreement were that it would jeopardize the standard of work performed at Harney HBH, as both Siegner and Brown would have to dedicate a percentage of their time to Lake County. Siegner and Brown said that it was not a problem, and they were currently working an average of 7.5 hours per week in Lake County. The court asked for legal council to review the agreement, and will discuss renewing after council has made recommendation.

•••

Harney County Librarian Cheryl Hancock presented an updated Internet use policy to the court. Hancock said that with the Child Internet Protection Act, filters must be in place on any public computers where e-rate funds are received, this includes the Harney County Library.

The new policy states that minors, age 17 and under, must have signed parental permission on their registration card to use the Internet. Patrons that are 17 or older can request to have the filters turned off, for legitimate reasons. Chat rooms and instant messaging is blocked from use.

Other policies include a time limit of one hour per day on a first-come, first-served basis; a limit of one person at a workstation, except when one person is assisting another; e-mail accounts are not provided by the library; and the library has a right to classify any action, access or operation on the Internet as inappropriate.

Hancock also made the recommendation for Janet Wheeler to be appointed to the library advisory board. The court voted unanimously on the appointment.

•••

Due to a clerical error, the Harney County Tax Office, requested that $3,109.75 be refunded to the Holy Family Catholic Church. Ted Tiller of the tax office told the court that according to tax law, religions are exempt, but rectories and parsonages are not. However, a recent court ruling came down that said if someone has to be on site, as the Catholic Priest is required, then the rectory is not taxable. The court agreed a refund to the Holy Family Catholic Church for tax years 2003-07.

•••

Karen Moon, coordinator for the Harney County Watershed Council, asked the court to appoint John Sword to the watershed council. Sword would fill the position of landowner in the Drewsey area. With this appointment, Moon said there were still two openings on the council — a landowner in the Guano area and a concerned citizen position in Hines.

Moon also told the court that in December two other council position terms will end. The positions are currently held by Tim Smith and Mitch Willis.

Hilanders begin their quest for a third straight 3A state title

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns varsity volleyball team finished Eastern Oregon League play with a perfect 10-0 record after defeating Nyssa 25-6, 25-11, 25-16 on Thursday, Oct. 23.

For the match: Courtney Toney recorded 15 kills, 10 digs, one block and 92 percent serve receive; Kaci Nonnenmacher three aces, 21 assists, three kills and three digs; Jamie Higle two aces, 50 percent serve receive, 10 assists, 13 kills, two digs and one block; Maddye Dinsmore five aces, 80 percent serve receive, five assists, one kill and 10 digs; Taylor Lee seven kills, one dig and four blocks; Chelsea Siegner one ace, three kills and two blocks; Teri McConnell two aces, 50 percent serve receive, five kills and 11 digs; Stef Sanders 50 percent serve receive.

The win by the varsity capped off a perfect night for the Hilanders as the JV team beat Nyssa 25-7, 25-12 and the Burns Frosh/Soph team won 25-16, 25-11.

Burns will host an Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Class 3A State Playoffs first round match this Saturday, Nov. 1, at Burns High School. The opponent and time of the match had not yet been determined by press time.

The winner of the playoff match will advance to the 3A State Volleyball Tournament at Lane Community College in Eugene Nov. 7-8.

Helen Louise Moon, 98, died on Oct. 22, in Hines.

She was born on June 13, 1910, in Powell Butte to Harvey Winslow and Lena Street Winslow.

Moon attended grade school in Fife, in Crook County, until 1925 when her family relocated from Powell Butte to Buck Creek. She then went to school at Riley where she earned her eighth grade diploma in 1927.

On Dec. 24, she married J. Virgil Moon and they began their lives together on what would become the Moon Ranch in the Double O Valley.

In 1944, Moon and her husband purchased a big holding on Silver Creek. During the next 16 years a big earthen dam was constructed on the ranch, forming a huge reservoir that today is known as Moon Reservoir. In 1964, the family moved back to the home place after selling their holding to Neil and Girard Perkins.

After spending 73 years on the ranch, Moon moved into Burns at the age of 90, due to failing health. Throughout her life she was often found on horseback, riding for cows; she especially enjoyed going to the desert in the spring. There were many chores that she did to help operate the ranch. One was raking hay, and setting net, which she did for 17 years. Moon also helped with herding sheep and cooking for large working crews at the ranch.

Moon enjoyed fishing, camping and going on hunting adventures with her husband. She enjoyed her grandchildren and all other children who came to visit at the ranch — she had a special place in her heart for every child.

Moon is survived by her daughter-in-law, June Moon; grandson, Geren Moon; and great-grandchildren, Josh, Miranda, Jeanne and Christine Moon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Moon; son, Joe Moon; and granddaughter, Barbara Moon.

A service will be held on Oct. 30 at LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns. Graveside services will follow at the Burns Cemetery, with a potluck dinner to be held afterward at the Burns Elks Lodge. Contributions in Moon’s memory may be made to Harney County Home Health or the Burns Elks Lodge.

Storytime for preschoolers is scheduled at the Harney County Library, 80 West D St., each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Contact the Harney County Library for more information at 573-6670.

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.

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

The Chamber Music Society Bell Ringers meet each Thursday at 6:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. For more information, call Carol Sawyer at 573-6886.

Kiwanis Club of Burns-Hines meets for a no-host luncheon each Thursday at Glory Days Pizza, 690 Oregon Ave., at noon.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS #630) meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon.  Anyone who has pounds to lose is welcome. Call 573-2896.

The Boys & Girls Club holds karaoke each Thursday. Members of all ages are welcome to join Hanna in the education room for a program that promotes the art of singing, as well as a fun way to practice reading skills.

Teen Night is held at the Boys & Girls Club each Thursday, from 6-7 p.m. for all teenagers.

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

A Treat & Treat Halloween open house will be held at the Aspens Assisted Living Center on Oct. 31, from 2-4 p.m. Join the residents for trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games and food, at 210 Roe Davis Ave., in Hines. Treats for the residents could include lotion, body wash, combs, Kleenex, pens, notebooks or small Bingo prizes. For more information, call Pam at 573-2222.

The annual Trick-or-Treat parade will be held on Oct. 31. The parade is for pre-school through fifth grade children. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the route going up and down N. Broadway. For more information, call Jan Oswald at 573-1725.

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.

Diabetes Support Group meets at the Harney County Health Building, 420 North Fairview, the first Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

Alanon holds an open meeting each Saturday at Foursquare Church at 7 p.m.

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