A Harney County family believes in
the power of foster care and adoption

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

At this very moment there are more than 70 children in Oregon waiting and wishing for a permanent family and place to forever call home. There are single children as well as sibling groups, infants as well as teenagers, and healthy as well as medically challenged kids who all have one common bond — due to circumstances they could not control, they are now in the state’s system, and they need homes.

Margaret Amara, Supervisor for Child Welfare for Harney County Department of Human Services said that Harney County and Oregon is in need of more foster and adoptive parents.

“There are children all over the state whose families were unable to care for them,” said Amara. “Do we do adoptions in Harney County? Yes!”

Cammie and Richard Roy of Burns have been fostering children through the DHS since 2001. In addition, the Roys have two adopted children, with one more adoption in the works. The adopted children join the Roy’s three birth children at the family home outside of Burns.

Cammie said she had originally just wanted to offer a foster home to children, but as an adopted child himself, Richard saw more for the future. The Roys’ first adoption was a boy, who they learned during the process had a little sister. The paperwork was immediately set in motion for the younger sibling to join the family as well. Within a year’s time, the Roy family had grown by two. By July, they hope to have their third adoption complete.

Offering their home to other children required change and adaptation for the Roy’s birth children, but, said Cammie, it’s the same if a child is born into a family. “Whether through birth or adoption, adjustments have to be made. We had a lot of communication.”

Said Amara, “It’s different, but the same.”

Both Cammie and Amara suggest that parents offer foster homes first, and then consider adoption. This, they said, allows the families to adjust to the issues that can arise, and find out if they are suited to be adoptive parents. Said Cammie, “It takes a lot of commitment.” Commitment not only to the children, but to the process. For the Roys, getting from the original placement to adoption finalization took two years.

“Sometimes you think, ‘why are you doing this?’ but then you see what the child brings to you,” said Cammie.

Harney County currently has 20 licensed foster homes, but, according to Amara, there are times all of the available homes are full. “We’re always in need. We need help to take care of kids needing a safe and healthy place.”

To become licensed to foster children, homes and parents must meet standards set by the state of Oregon. Each hopeful foster parent must also attend classes.

To adopt a child, parents and homes must meet the same standards. Once approved, parents can request adoption of a child or children, and then a state committee decides what is in the best interest of the child/children. “The goal is to best meet the child’s needs,” said Amara. Adoption can be made through the DHS, or through a private company.

Both Amara and Cammie agree on one thing — once a family decides to foster or adopt, they must be committed to follow through. “There can be glitches, paperwork, frustration and waiting,” said Cammie. But the reward at the end is worth the wait — especially for the children who no longer have to wish for a place to forever call home.

Hospital reports  Scott Tuning to law
enforcement and state licensing board

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

Just short of six months after beginning his job as Emergency Medical Services Director at Harney District Hospital (HDH), Scott Tuning resigned under a cloud of controversy involving charges of tampering with drug records as well as theft.

HDH Chief Executive Officer Jim Bishop said, “The instant we found out there was potential for drug misuse within the hospital, we went into high gear.” Bishop said that within 48 hours, the situation was resolved.

Bishop noted that Tuning’s resignation contained many conditions, one of which was that the hospital would report him to law enforcement officials as well as the state licensing organization that handles EMS and paramedic licenses.

As a result of the hospital’s report, Tuning was arrested on Nov. 12 by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office and charged with possession of a controlled substance (morphine); tampering with drug records; theft in the second degree and official misconduct in the first degree. Possession of a controlled substance and the tampering with drug records charges are considered class C felonies, while the other two counts are class A misdemeanors.

According to Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan, Tuning’s case will be presented to a grand jury sometime within the next week. If the jury considers there to be sufficient evidence, an indictment will be filed in circuit court.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, Sheriff Dave Glerup said there was little information he could release at this time.
Hospital CEO Bishop said that in the interim, hospital Chief Clinical Officer Ron Wulff will step in and take over Tuning’s position. Several hospital nurses also have the education and training to go on ambulance calls if need be.

Bishop also said that the hospital is using this as an educational opportunity. “Often these things will go on for months. We feel really bad. He had great potential,” Bishop said of Tuning, “but we have no tolerance for that.”

Tuning, who originally came from Colorado, was hired in May of this year to replace Tim Peck as the EMS Director at Harney District Hospital.

Bishop noted that it was because of the hospital’s current practices and procedures that information regarding a potential theft was brought to light. However, he noted that as the hospital searches for a new EMS director, it will take a look at how abuses of power occur to curtail a similar situation from happening in the future.

Mustangs out on downs on final possession

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Just two points ended  Crane’s football season two weeks earlier than the Mustangs would have liked, as the Mohawk Indians beat the Mustangs in quarterfinal action, 40-42, on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Playing at Willamette High School in Eugene, the Mustangs and Indians went helmet to helmet for four even quarters. In the end, Mohawk made one final defensive stop during the last two minutes of the game, forcing Crane to a four-and-out and sealing the advancement to the semi-finals.

During Saturday’s game, the lead switched sides of the scoreboard seven times. The Indians were first to score, going ahead 12-0 in the first quarter.

The Mustangs came alive at the top of the second quarter, with their momentum starting on a Kenny Haworth interception. Crane went 36 yards in four plays, capped off by a three-yard sprint up the middle by Ryan Opie for the Mustangs’ first touchdown of the game. Blake Steeves pulled Crane to within four points grabbing the conversion pass.

Crane’s Milton Merritt booted the ensuing kickoff into the end zone, giving Mohawk a long field. Following a fumbled pitch, and a sack by Haworth, the Indians were forced to punt.

At Mohawk’s 33, Opie dropped back to pass and found Royal Henricks open on the 14. Henricks had a clear path to the end zone, and the Mustangs had a 14-12 lead, at 7:17 in the second.

The Indians’ Cord Wilkins went to the air on Mohawk’s next drive, and in nine plays, they were on the 1-yard line. One final push through the middle had the Indians regaining the lead. With a two-point run by Dillan Tuyls, Mohawk was up 20-14, with 2:30 to play in the first half.

The Mustangs began their next possession on their own 25. Henricks broke open at mid-field with only one Indian defending. Crane’s front line gave Opie time to fire a pass to Henricks, and it was a footrace in for the score. At 2:14, the score was tied at 20.

Mohawk started their next drive on their own 37, but three penalties resulted in a line of scrimmage on their own 6-yard line. During a hand-off, the ball was fumbled, and Steeves dove on it for Crane. The Mustangs took a 26-20 lead into halftime.

Mohawk was first on offense as the third quarter started, beginning on their own 20. On the first snap, Henricks recovered an Indian fumble and Crane was in possession on the Indian 23.

After a short gain by Cole Maupin, Steeves ran an out-route to the right side. Opie stepped into the pocket and was on target for another Crane touchdown. Forty-seven seconds into the third, the Mustangs spread their lead to 34-20, as Henricks ran in the conversion.

The shift then went back to Mohawk’s advantage. The Mustangs picked up two penalties, allowing the Indians to have a first down on the 18. A pass from Wilkins to Matt York brought Mohawk to within six, 34-28.

On the next drive, Opie was intercepted by the Indian’s C.J. Vian. Two minutes, and six plays later, Wilkins finished the possession with a 2-yard run to the end zone. The score was tied at 34, until a two-point conversion pass from Wilkins to Anthony Wallace put Mohawk ahead.

The fourth quarter began at a score of 36-34, Crane trailing.

The Mustang defense held Mohawk on the Indian’s first offensive attempt in the fourth, taking over on downs on the 50-yard line. After picking up two first downs on receptions by Pete Joyce and Maupin, the Mustangs were on their own 5-yard line. At 7:34, Crane regained the lead in the game with a pass from Opie to Henricks, in the right corner.

The lead didn’t last long. After two short rushing plays, the Indians were on their own 26-yard line. Wilkins once again found York open, and Mohawk scored the final touchdown of the day on a 74-yard pass.

Crane had two final offensive attempts, but was stopped with an interception and a four-and-out.

1     2     3    4  Final
Cra          0    26    8       6     40
Moh        12    8     16    6    42
First quarter
Moh—Wilkins 3 run (pass failed) 4:30.
Moh—Tuyls 21 pass from Wilkins (pass failed).
Second quarter
Cra—Opie 3 run (Steeves pass) 8:12.
Cra—Henricks 33 pass from Opie (pass failed) 7:17.
Moh—Wilkins 1 run (Tuyls run) 2:30.
Cra—Henricks 75 pass from Opie (run failed) 2:14.
Cra—Steeves fumble recovery (run failed) 58.7.
Third quarter
Cra—Steeves 22 pass from Opie (Henricks run) 11:13.
Moh—York 18 pass from Wilkins (Wilkins run) 9:20.
Moh—Wilkins 5 run (Wallace pass) 6:26.
Fourth quarter
Cra—Henricks 5 pass from Opie (pass failed) 7:34.
Moh—York 74 pass from Wilkins (pass failed) 6:13.
Individual statistics
Rushing—Joyce 6-16, Opie 14-45, Haworth 5-19, Maupin 4-11, Henricks 1-3.
Passing—Opie 23-15-2-296.
Receiving—Maupin 4-76, Henricks 6-141, Steeves 2-25, Joyce 2-26, Haworth 1-28.
Fumble recovery—Steeves 1, Henricks 1.
Fumbles lost—Crane 1, Mohawk 2.
Tackles for loss—Merritt 3, Joyce 1, Steeves 1, Henricks 1.
Sacks—Haworth 1.
Penalties—Crane 6-45 1/2, Mohawk 9-95.
First downs—Crane 7, Mohawk 12.

Eunice Higgs Petrowicz died on Nov. 18 in Kennewick, Wash.

She was born in Crane on Jan. 9, 1926, to Judge Nelson B. and Rachel Josephine Higgs.

Petrowicz grew up in Burns and attended Oregon State University. She married the love of her life, Bill Petrowicz, on Oct. 18, 1948, in Burns.

She worked at the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station after college as well as Shascade Realty and as a court reporter’s transcriptionist. Petrowicz enjoyed tole painting, cooking, sewing, bridge and raising two daughters.

Every day she was an optimist and saw the good in everyone.  She loved the Lord very much and was close to many relatives and friends.

Petrowicz is survived by her daughters, Nancy Petrowicz and Ken Dobbin, and Janet Swickard and husband David; granddaughters, Jennifer Reynolds and husband Jeff, Andrea Renholds and husband Jon, and Kathleen Dobbin; great-grandchildren, Caden and Malia Reynolds and Veronica Renholds; and many relatives.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Burns. Burial will follow in the Burns Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.

LaFollette’s Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements. Send condolences to the family or sign the guest book at www.burnsmortuary.com.

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.

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 573-6670.

Gospel services are held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the home of Betty Ashlock, 112 NE Circle Drive in Hines. Quiet, one hour service. No collections are taken. All are welcome.

Bring the babies to Lapsit Storytime at Harney County Library, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Enjoy music, stories, rhymes and fingerplays especially for babies and toddlers.

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served at the Burns Elks Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 1 to 5 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.

Friday Morning Book Club with Lisa, a new program for kids ages 7-10, will be held at the Harney County Library from 9-10 a.m. The program will include stories and crafts.

Enjoy the weekend with family!

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, 573-4141.

Gospel services are held each Sunday in Hines City Hall, at 4 p.m. Quiet, one hour service. No collections are taken. All are welcome.

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

An orientation meeting for the winter 2009 S.N.A. program (formerly the C.N.A. program) through Treasure Valley Community College will be held on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in building #24 on Fairview Heights Loop. Class schedules and applications will be available. For more information, call the Outreach Center at 573-1576.

Harney County Library Advisory Board meets the last Monday of each month (except for those dates that fall on national holidays) in the library, 80 West D St., at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Use the back door to the left. For more information, call 573-7339.

Harney County Search and Rescue meets the last Monday of each month at the Search and Rescue Building, at 7 p.m.

HDH Sports & Physical Therapy will offer a free athletic injury clinic at that facility, 559 West Washington, every Monday from 5 to 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.

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

The Hines Volunteer Fire Department meets at the Hines Fire Hall each Monday at 7 p.m. (except the last Monday of the month). Prospective members may contact Fire Chief Bob Spence at 573-7477 or 573-2251.

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

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.