Residents and dignitaries gather at Burns Armory as National Guard soldiers ready to deploy

Harney County residents showed their support for local National Guard soldiers who will deploy overseas later this spring during a send-off party on March 21 at the Burns Armory.

About 300 people turned out for the event, which was also attended by U.S. Congressman. Greg Walden, State Sen. Ted Ferrioli, Brig. Gen. Charles Yriarte and Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. Veteran Service Officer Guy McKay and 1st Detachment Delta Company Readiness NCO Sean Wilson organized the send-off.

The following is the speech given by State Sen. Ferrioli during the March 21 event:

I bring you greetings from the Oregon State Legislature, from the 90 men and women who serve you in their capacity as your representatives in state government. From them, on their behalf and mine, we wish you God speed, safe journey and speedy return to your families and loved ones.

Today is not a day of sadness, nor is it a day of celebration. Although we all will soon experience the sadness of parting as you embark upon your mission, we will reserve the days of celebration and rejoicing for your safe return, and for the time when hostilities will end and peace comes to the Middle East, as it must eventually, for the safety and security of the world.

Today is a day for our reflection on service, honor and duty.

Regarding service — Every Oregon Guardsman and their family understands this principle. In  my mind, in the night sky, there is a star that shines for all who serve in our society: the fireman, the emergency medical technician, the police officer, the teacher, the minister. But in the vast Eastern Oregon sky that we look upon, there is a brighter star that shines with light a little truer. That special star is the one that shines for the citizen soldier. There is no higher form of service in our society.

Regarding honor — I know, and your families know, that you will do honor to your country, to the Oregon National Guard, to your mission, to your units and to one another.

For our part, we pledge to you, here, now, today, to honor your service by doing all we can do to support you in your mission, to support the Guard and to support your loved ones while we await your safe return.

Citizen soldiers, for the first time since World War II, in this terrible economy, we cannot promise that the jobs you leave behind will be waiting for you upon your return. But we can promise to do everything conceivable to support expanded veterans benefits, to create new education and training opportunities for veterans, and to build more and better job opportunities so that you all may secure the abundant life that your service deserves. And we will.

Regarding duty — You and your loved ones understand the high cost of duty more than any other citizens of our great state.

In fact, at no time in history have the men and women of the Oregon National Guard been relied upon so heavily nor called upon so frequently to serve by our national government.

This we swear: That our debt of gratitude to you and your families will not be forgotten, will never be forgotten by citizens of a grateful nation, who now ask you to take up arms in her defense.

And so, to you I say again, on behalf of all Oregonians, “God speed, safe journey and speedy return.”

4R Recycling Center still set to close March 28

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Following up on the previous decision by Wayne Baron to close 4R Recycling on March 28, the county court discussed the direction the county should now take in regard to keeping recycling services available to the citizens, during their regular meeting on March 18.

Judge Steve Grasty told the other commissioners that since the announcement of 4R Recycling’s closing, he has received many phone calls in support of continuing recycling. “The community is committed. We just have to figure out what we can do,” he said. Grasty commented that there is a commitment to move ahead, but the challenges include market, distance and quantity.

Grasty reported to the court on a collaborative meeting of representatives from Burns and Hines, the county, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), C&B Sanitary, former members of Rimrock Recycling, 4R Recycling and the community that was held on March 17. According to Grasty, C&B Sanitary is required by law to offer recycling on certain items including newspaper, cardboard, motor oil, ferrous and non-ferrous metal and e-cycling. This would leave a void for recycling plastic and glass.

The baler and the building currently used by 4R Recycling both belong to Harney County. The court agreed that both need to be used so the county can recoup the cost through fees on the baler count, or sold so the county can recoup all of the expenses.

Commissioner Dan Nichols commented that a full-blown recycling center has proven not to be self-sufficient. “They have to be compensated, the revenue has to come from somewhere,” he said.

Commissioner Jack Drinkwater suggested letting the county’s citizens provide insight into what services should be available. “Let the community figure out how they want to support it,” he said.

Baron was in attendance at the county court meeting, and requested that if C&B Sanitary was offered the chance to use the building and the baler, he would like the same opportunity. Baron said he was willing to file for non-profit status, and come up with a business plan to present to the court. “Being a 501C opens some doors to me for some grants.” Baron said he would expect to only pay his expenses and wages, and if there was any profit made, he would purchase and update equipment.

The court’s response was that there was no problem with a non-profit operating a recycle business, but said Grasty, “If I’m going to support a non-profit, I want to know who is on the board, what the plan is and what they’re going to do.”

Nichols suggested to Baron that when forming a proposal, he use a “no-market situation.” Then, if the market goes up, everything above and beyond is “gravy.”

Said Baron, “I just don’t want to give up on the recycling.”

A top priority is to complete National Environmental Policy Act

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service presented the proposed Emigrant Creek Ranger District Title II projects for the upcoming year to the Harney County Court on March 18.

There were 13 projects included, but according to Forest Service Fisheries Biologist Rick Vetter, some of the projects have also been included in the stimulus funding requests, so they may be excluded from Title II if approved.

The top priority project was to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and archaeology surveys on the Jane fuel reduction and biomass area. The total estimated cost of this project was $264,600 for funding years 2009 and 2010.

Second on the list of Title II projects was small tree thinning. The targeted area is near Yellowjacket Lake, with 500 acres planned for this year and 500 for next.

Noxious weed treatment was listed as the third project for Title II funding. The Forest Service will partner with the county, with most of the treatment to be done in the Malheur National Forest  and the remainder to be done in the Ochoco Forest.

Building drift fences on Pine Creek and in the Van Allotment are the fourth and fifth priorities. Both projects are intended to improve riparian habitat.

Creating a Pine Springs Basin Green Dot area to protect wildlife habitat and control weeds is the Forest Service’s sixth project requesting funding, with restoring aspen stands in the Egley and Cow areas listed as seventh.

The remainder of the Title II projects include improving fish passage and populations through culvert installation on Emigrant Creek and Wolf Creek; removing check dams on Sawtooth and Nicoll Creeks; the Malheur Stewardship Contract, which would take place in 2010 following the completion of the Jane NEPA and archaeology surveys; road maintenance centering around the other project areas; and creating pipe bundles for stream crossings for timber sales.

Following the Forest Service presentation of projects, Judge Grasty offered another suggestion for funding. Titled “Harney County Forest Opportunity” and submitted by the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), the project requests $300,000 over the next two years to help Harney County purchase, maintain and market the former Louisiana Pacific complex in Hines.

The Title II submission form presented by Grasty said, “Nearly every project focused on forest health in the Emigrant Creek Ranger District would benefit by having manufacturing facilities located in Hines/Burns, which would utilize and purchase products and byproducts from the forest. The coordination required is simply to be able to connect the opportunities on the ground with manufacturing customer attracted to this facility.”

The application questions “how will cooperative relationships between the people that use federal lands and the agencies that manage them be improved?”

The application’s response states, “The citizens of Harney County will have an increased opportunity to secure work. The people in this area will better be able to assist in the needed forest health projects, be able to afford to participate in collaborative efforts on the ground and feel a more integral part of the relationship between community and the federal land management agencies.”

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Title II projects are recommended by resource advisory committees and approved by the Secretary or designee such as Forest Supervisor or District Ranger. Title II funds may be used for making additional investments in, and creating additional employment opportunities through, projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implementing stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restoring and improving land health and water quality.

Projects shall enjoy broad based support with objectives that may include but are not limited to:

• road, trail and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration;
• soil productivity improvement;
• improvements in forest ecosystem health;
• watershed restoration and maintenance;
• restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat;
• control of noxious and exotic weeds; and
• re-establishment of native species.

At least 50 percent of all Title II funds must be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to road maintenance, decommissioning or obliteration; or restoration of streams and watersheds.

Title II projects recommended by Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) must be within the RAC’s geographical boundary.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

After claiming three district titles during the 2008-2009 winter sports season, the Crane Mustangs celebrated all of the participating athletes accomplishments during an awards presentation last Thursday.

In addition to the wrestling, boys basketball and girls basketball team awards, special recognition was given to High Desert League scholar athletes, and two special award recipients.

Receiving special awards were Mustang athlete, Dallen Davies and Mustang fan, Mary Otley. Davies was honored by George Riberio, of McDonald’s Restaurants, as a McDonald’s All-American. Davies was one of only 26 high school boys in Oregon to be nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team. Said Riberio, only six were then selected as All-Americans, including Davies.

Otley was given special recognition from the girls basketball team. Representing the girls, Brooke Nyman said the team appreciated all of the support Otley gives the Mustang athletes during every sport, during every season.

High Desert League scholar/athletes

Savannah Duff, Pete Joyce, Delilas Korth, Iris Gunkel, September O’Crowley, Gus Titus, Michael Rothgeb, Alex Borelli, Natalie Bentz, Dallen Davies, Milton Merritt, Lily Valentine, Brooke Nyman, Lindy Steeves.

Wrestling

Most valuable — Greg Thompson.
Most improved — Dan O’Crowley.
Most inspirational — Gus Titus.
Varsity letters — Kayleen Macomber, Mitch Willson, Dan O’Crowley, Gus Titus, Lewis Whiting, Zach Cody, Greg Thompson, Matt Davis, Cody Davis, Kenny Willsey, Kenny Haworth, Josh Williams, Jacob Brennan, Matt Bunch, Justin Davis, Alan Robertson, Jake Campbell, Donald McDermond.
JV letters — Wyatt Land, Andrew Fink, Ben Huerta.

Girls basketball

JV most valuable — Brenda Otley.
JV most improved — Jessica Cronin.
JV most inspirational — Iris Gunkel.
Varsity most improved — Emilee O’Toole.
Varsity most inspirational — Hannah Buermann.
Defensive players of the year — Brooke Nyman and Lindy Steeves.
Offensive player of the year — September O’Crowley.
JV letters — Savannah Duff, Iris Gunkel, Jessica Cronin, Brenda Otley, Brandi Carlon, Cassidy Corrigan, Shayla Lundy, Nichole Bentz, Shannon Norris, Tana Marquez.
Varsity letters — Hannah Buermann, Lindy Steeves, Alex Borelli, Natalie Bentz, Emilee O’Toole, Brooke Nyman, September O’Crowley.

Boys basketball

JV most valuable — TJ Potter.
JV most improved — Cole Maupin.
JV most inspirational — Michael Rothgeb.
Varsity most valuable — Jordan Conaway and Dallen Davies.
Varsity most improved — Jeran Conaway.
Varsity most inspirational — Pete Joyce.
Defensive player of the year — Raymond Thompson.
JV letters — Wilson Witzel, Raymond Peterson, Levi Miller, Helge Bjerck, Michael Rothgeb, Lance Moser, Jesse Northrop, Ty Harris, Cole Maupin, TJ Potter.
Varsity letters — Ryan Opie, Max Miller, Blake Steeves, Jeran Conaway, Raymond Thompson, Milton Merritt, Pete Joyce, Dallen Davies, Jordan Conaway, Royal Henricks.

Patsy McCanna died on March 10, at her home in Keno.

She was born on Dec. 6, 1940, to Tom and Gladys Clyburn.

McCanna was an outdoors-woman. She loved nature, gardening, painting, ceramics, crocheting and doing crafts. She had a lot of love in her heart, and always had pets, including fish, rabbits, goats, pigs, birds and even a pair of ravens. These animals all became her babies.

McCanna worked at Snow Mountain Pine, the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and the Malheur Field Station. She was known as a terrific cook and made sure everyone was fed when they came to visit.

McCanna is survived by her children Ben McCanna and wife, Monica of Burns; Donald Thomas McCanna of Keno, Jamie Paul and husband, Brian of Keno, and Misti McCanna of Burns; and grandchildren, Jenifer McCanna, Jessica Rodgers, Kenny Rodgers, Kaitlin McCanna, Cyndi McCanna, Tasha Sargent, Ryan Sargent, Ashley Trushell, Andrew Trushell, Chelsie Paul, Kristen Moss, Dustin Moss, Ezra Chamberlain and Nathanel Chamberlain.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Analisa Tushell, Cameron Trushell, Olyvia Rowley, Austin Sargent, Tirzah Douglas, William Douglas, IV, Ben Matthew McCanna, Tyler Kealiher and Kairi Rodgers; and friends, Gail Manning of Burns and Martha Sakota of Happy Valley, Calif.

McCanna was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. McCanna; son, Ronald Steven McCanna; parents, Tom and Gladys Clyburn; and siblings, Bud and Toma.

Harney County Health District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in the board conference room of the hospital, in the entrance off of N. Grand, at 6 p.m.

Burns City Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Burns City Hall, 242 South Broadway, at 6 p.m.

High Desert Park and Recreation District board of directors meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in their office at Lincoln Junior High School, 550 North Court, at 7 p.m.

There will be no Storytime at the Harney County Library on Wednesday, March 25. Storytime will resume following spring break, on April 1.

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.

Disabled Services Advisory Council (DSAC) meets every fourth Thursday at the State Office Building small conference room, 809 West Jackson, at 1:30 p.m.

Harney County Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Rory and Ryan Best Western in Hines from 5-7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Chamber Music Bell Choir meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 393 West A. St. Bell ringers are being recruited. For information, call Carol Sawyer, 573-6886.

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.

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

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Thursday at Hines City Hall, 101 East Barnes, at noon. Call 573-2896.

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

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.

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

Annual Indoor Sale  at the Catholic Parish Hall will be held March 27-28, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Located at 620 N. Egan in Burns.

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

Great Basin Saddle Club will hold the first show of the spring walk-trot buckle series on Sunday, March 29, at Deb Phillips arena, at mile post 101 on Highway 20, west of Riley. Sign up will begin at 9 a.m., with the first class to begin at 10 a.m. Call 413-0075 for more information or to pre-register.

The Harney County Ministerial Association holds services every fifth Sunday. The community is invited to join in a time of music, fellowship and praise. For information, contact Pastor Jean Hurst at 573-4141.

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