The newly remodeled Burns-Hines VA Clinic located in the Racine Building opened on Jan. 19; staff members are ready to see patients

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

About two years after a public meeting in which Harney County veterans made certain that their outcry for a clinic of their own in Burns was heard, that clinic has blossomed into fruition.

The Burns-Hines Veterans Administration (VA) Clinic officially opened in the newly remodeled Racine Building on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Clinic Manager and social worker Steve Bull said that though they are still in the process of moving in, the clinic is operational.

The new clinic consists of three exam rooms, a blood draw room, mental health office and a group meeting room. A minor procedure room has the equipment to perform EKG scans as well as bladder scans.

The Racine Building also houses the hospital’s sleep clinic and in the future, will contain the Home-based Primary Care program in which medical personnel will travel to rural parts of the county to care for patients.

Burns-Hines VA Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dr. Tom Fitzpatrick and LPN Diane Brinkley see patients each Monday and Tuesday.

Registered Nurse Steve Hagan sees patients Monday through Friday, which Bull said extends the clinic’s ability to handle medical questions when Dr. Fitzpatrick is not there.

Bull said that most of the clinic’s lab tests are sent to Boise for processing, though if there is an urgent problem with a patient, those labs can be sent to Harney District Hospital for a quicker turn around.

In the same vein, patients requiring X-rays or other services are referred to the Boise VA Clinic, unless there is an urgent need. In those cases, tests can be done at Harney District Hospital with approval from the Boise VA.

In addition to offering medical and mental health services, the clinic also offers health education programs to help veterans lose weight, stop smoking and learn about diabetes.

In October 2007, representatives from the VA visited Burns to see how much interest there was in starting a clinic here. Burns was one of several sites under consideration. The representatives expected a turnout of six to 10 veterans and were surprised when more than 200 showed up to voice support for  a local clinic.

As a result, the Burns clinic was created and started seeing patients in September 2008 at the High Desert Medical Center.
Now, with the Racine Building remodeled to fit the specifications of the VA clinic model, Harney County veterans have a clinic of their very own. “A lot of veterans have been waiting for this clinic to exist,” Bull said. “There are a lot of things that the local doctors can handle.”

Having local care available eliminates some of those long trips to Bend or Boise, which is convenient especially in the winter time.
“This is a big thing in the community in terms of taking care of people and honoring veterans,” Bull said.

The Burns-Hines VA clinic is located in the Racine Building at 271 N. Egan in Burns. For more information, veterans can call the clinic at 541-573-3339.

Native American speakers use life experiences to illustrate how to overco me obstacles

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

“When you share your greatness, you’ll be embraced,” said motivational speaker Chance Rush during a community workshop at the Burns Paiute Tribe’s Gathering Center on Jan. 22.

The tribe hosted both Rush and Emcee One (aka Marcus Anthony Guinn) as part of a day of goal setting and role modeling activities. Later that night, the pair also hosted a talent show, which included music by Emcee One.

Both Rush and Emcee One are from Oklahoma. They used their experiences growing up as young Native American men to provide examples for Paiute youth and adults as to how to go about living a productive life that they can share with others.

Rush talked about how being involved in track and field as a youth eventually led to a college scholarship. Despite coming from a single parent home and despite the fact that he was illiterate up until the eighth grade when he taught himself to read, he was able to mine his talents to better his life. He also drew on his faith in God.

Emcee One said his mother had him when she was 14 and later died of AIDS. He said that all his life, people told him he would amount to nothing, but he knew better. His goal was to be a part of the music industry, and he made that happen. He currently has an album available through iTunes.

Both Rush and Emcee One encouraged youths to lead alcohol and drug-free lives. Emcee One noted that while the music industry makes $14 billion each year, with its marketing strategists, the alcoholic beverage companies make $18 billion each year on underage sales alone. Such companies are experienced at marketing their products to hook people at a young age. He noted how in many convenience stores, alcoholic beverages are placed right next to pop drinks or ice cream. He told youths they need to be aware of these marketing tactics.

He also spoke about the the acronym V.P.D.R., which stands for Vision, Passion, Discipline and Risk. In order to achieve a goal, he told kids, you have to see it in your mind. “Passion happens after you’ve seen it,” he said. Once the passion is there, the discipline to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals comes more easily. When discipline falters, it is usually because the vision needs to be recast, he said.

Once those three things are in place, it is time to take the risk to see the goal through. “Success won’t come without risks,” he said. The group then talked about healthy risks such as those involved with sports, education, employment, hobbies, tradition and culture.
Both Rush and Emcee One talked about how vital  parents are in the lives of their children. “Parents are the No. 1 influence in their children’s lives,” Rush said.

For those who find it hard to draw positive examples from their own family life, Emcee One stressed the importance of making the right choices. “You might not have the example,” he said. “You will have to be the example.”

Both speakers talked about connecting with other people in the community and stepping out of their comfort zones.

“There are a lot of wonderful things going on in this community,” Rush said. “We survived colonization. We survived massacres. There’s a reason we are still here. We have this opportunity to be on a playing field.”

Rush noted that while sometimes it seems as if there are two worlds, one Native American and one white, that is not the case. “We have two ways of living, but we live in one world. You share your ways with other people.”

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Accumulating 221.5 team points, the Crane Mustang wrestlers took first place in the 2010 State 1A Tournament held in Crane on Jan. 23. The Mustangs had 12 individuals wrestle in the championship matches, five wrestle for third and fourth, and three compete for fifth and sixth. At the end of the day, Crane picked up three championships — Wyatt Clark, 103; Gus Titus, 125; and Greg Thompson, 140.

Pine Eagle took second place in team competition, with Lowell placing third, North Lake coming in fourth and Imbler placing fifth. Adrian took sixth place, Gilchrist finished in seventh, McKenzie placed eighth and Huntington was ninth.

Placings by weight class follow.

103
1st: Wyatt Clark, Crane 2-0
2nd: Thomas O’Toole, Crane 1-1
3rd: Michael Waff, Lowell 1-1
4th: Zach Howell, Imbler 0-2

112
1st: Andrew Miles, North Lake 1-0
2nd:  Mitch Willson, Crane 1-1
3rd: Peter Blacketer, Gilchrist 0-1

119
1st: AJ Plummer, Imbler 2-0
2nd: Devin Thorn, Pine Eagle 1-1
3rd: David Ward, North Lake 2-1
4th: Elizabeth Davis, Crane 1-2
5th: Josh Ness, McKenzie 0-2

125
1st: Gus Titus, Crane 2-0
2nd: Matt Davis, Crane 1-1
3rd: Chaeden Leubberke, Pine Eagle 1-1
4th: Jaden Bales, Imbler 0-2

130
1st: Avery Overton, North lake 2-0
2nd: Lewis Whiting, Crane 2-1
3rd: Cody Davis, Crane 3-1
4th: Jake Wilde, Adrian 1-2
5th: Cole Noyes, Imbler 2-2

135
1st: Jaxon Ward, Lowell 3-0
2nd: Zach Cody, Crane 2-1
3rd: Mark Ishida, Adrian 3-1
4th: Dan O’Crowley, Crane 2-2
5th: Charlie McCullogh, Pine Eagle 2-2
6th: Paul Bubnash, Crane 1-3

140
1st: Greg Thompson, Crane 1-0
2nd: Tanner Titus, Crane 1-1
3rd: Jesse Lawrence, Pine Eagle 0-1

145
1st: Kyle Riggs, Lowell 2-0
2nd: Josh Williams, Crane 1-1
3rd: Cody Powell, Pine Eagle 2-1
4th: Sam Stone, Crane 1-1
5th: Cory Hartman, Adrian 0-2

152
1st: Boone Casarez, Lowell 2-0
2nd: Kenny Haworth, Crane 2-1
3rd: Kipp Miller Pine Eagle 3-1
4th: Nathan Tanaka, Pine Eagle 2-1
5th: Nicco Cash, Lowell 1-1
6th: Max Casarez, Lowell 1-3

160
1st: Kyle Dennis, Pine Eagle 3-0
2nd: Kamren Demarce, Lowell 2-1
3rd: Kaniel Lode, Adrian 3-1
4th: Justin Davis, Crane 2-2
5th: Ethan Rux, McKenzie 2-2
6th: Cash Casey, Crane 1-3

171
1st: Zac Cardwell, Lowell 3-0
2nd: Richie Gonzales, Pine Eagle 2-1
3rd: Matt Miller, Crane 3-1
4th: Taylor Bryant, North Lake 2-2
5th: TJ Ruth, Imbler 2-2
6th: Ian Maxwell, Gilchrist 1-3

189
1st: James Prechtl, Adrian 3-0
2nd: Cody Worthington, North Lake 2-1
3rd: Austin Prenevost, Lowell 2-1
4th: Spencer Waterland, Pine Eagle 2-2
5th: Troy Shaffner, Gilchrist 2-2
6th: D’Kota Milburn, Huntington 1-3

215
1st: Lucas Powell, Pine Eagle 2–0
2nd: Vern Garrett, Pine Eagle 2-1
3rd: Clint Bates, Imbler 3-1
4th: Rowdy Graves, Imbler 2-2
5th: Ben Huerta, Crane 2-2
6th: Michael Thompson, Gilchrist 0-3

275
1st: Daniel Minarich, Pine Eagle 2-0
2nd: Donald McDermond, Crane 1-1
3rd: Henry Konoho, Imbler 2-1
4th: Josh Seiler, McKenzie 1-2
5th: Sheridan McGinnis, Lowell 0-2

John W. Crump, 79, died on Jan. 14 at his Lakeview home from natural causes.

He was born to Leland and Mary (Daniels) Crump on Oct. 25, 1930, in Woodland, Wash.

Crump grew up in the Fields and Andrews area of Harney County, and was a 1948 graduate of Crane Union High School. He was ranching in the Juntura area when he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

Most of Crump’s working years were spent working on ranches in Eastern Oregon with his dad. He did spend some time working on the power line installation in the southern portion of Harney County.

Crump married Marjorie Fleming in Golconda, Nev., on Aug. 16, 1964.

Crump is survived by his daughter, Mollie Rhea and husband Kevin of Lakeview; grandsons, Justin Rhea of Gresham and Klint Rhea and wife Jolene of Lakeview; great-grandchildren, Kaden and Kyle Rhea; sister, Linda Freeman and husband Howard of Texas; and six nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marjorie; sister, Virginia Crump; and brother, Dan Crump.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30,  at 11 a.m. at the Desert Rose Funeral Chapel in Lakeview. Following the service a light lunch reception will be held in the Lakeview Church of the Open Bible Fellowship Hall. Private family committal will be at a later date.

Contributions in Crump’s memory may be made to the Lakeview Senior Center, 11 South G St., Lakeview, OR 97630, or to a charity of the one’s choice.

John (Jack) Frederick Griffith died on Jan. 16, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on Aug. 21, 1935, in Burns, to Frederick and Hazel (Benton) Griffith. He was raised on his family’s ranch in Princeton.

Griffith graduated from Crane Union High School, and then joined the United States Air Force in 1955. During his time in the Air Force, Griffith began his journey to see the world.

He married his wife, Betty, in 1962.

He returned to Burns in 1976 after serving in the Air Force for 22 years.

Griffith is survived by his wife, Betty; mother, Hazel Griffith; sister, Margaret Farley; brother, William Griffith; and children, Don, Robin, John and Julie.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mason, Makenna, Kristy, Nichole, Garette, Kevin, Jack and Richie; and great-grandchildren, Tate and Kaylee.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Griffith and son, Kevin McGlasson.

At Griffith’s request no service will be held. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Harney County Hospice.

Tyson Macedonio Johnson died on Jan. 15 in Mesa, Ariz., with his parents by his side.

He was born on Jan. 3, nine weeks premature and with heart defects. He weighed 3 pounds, 14 ounces and was 16 1/2 inches long.

Tyson Macedonio Johnson is survived by his parents, Cody and Amanda Jo Johnson of Arizona; grandparents, Darwin Johnson of Burns, Carla Larsen of Lafayette, and Macedonio and Karen Castaneda of Hewitt, Texas; great-grandparents, Glen and Weltha Johnson of Burns, and Israel and Laura Allen of Newberg; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A fund in his name has been set up at the U.S. Bank in Burns, to offset medical costs and funeral expenses.

Robert (Bob) Skillman died at his home on Jan. 17.

He was born on April 20, 1946, in Alameda, Calif., to Robert and Dorothy Skillman.

Skillman was a decorated combat veteran, serving in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, as a Dreadnaught, 2nd of the 34th Armor.

He met his wife, Barbara Kay Skillman in Hayward, Calif. They were married on Dec. 16, 1990. They spent many years in their own business, working side-by-side as automotive machinist, until medical problems forced him to retire.

Skillman always loved the desert, and in 2001 they moved to Harney County. He loved hiking, rock hounding and target shooting.

Skillman is survived by his wife, Barbara Kay Skillman of Hines; God-son, Laszlo Kovach and wife Skye of San Leandro, Calif.; and long-time friends, William Gibbs of Burns, Karen Hendrickson of Hines and John and Jane Teixiera of San Leandro, Calif.

At Skillman’s request, no service will be held. A small gathering of family and friends will be held in the spring to scatter his ashes.

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

Services will be held for Jennie Gress on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Burns.
Gress died on Jan. 23.

Contributions in her name may be made to the Signature Hospice House, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

The Burns High School Class of 1980 will have a reunion meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Glory Days. For more information, call Mardy at 541-589-1583.

The Harney County Library will host a program on Lewis & Clark. Alicia Hamel from the Historical Outreach Foundation has traveled the trail and collected replicas of items used by the explorers and stories about their trip. The program will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.

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.

“Wednesdays With Beth,” is held the first, second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This is a women’s Bible study group, held at Burns Christian Church at 5 p.m. Participants watch Beth Moore on DVD while working on kintting, crocheting and hand stitching. For more information, call Denice at 541-413-0043, or Carole at 541-589-1272.

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 541-573-6670.

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.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

Teen Late Night at Harney County Library will be held on Jan. 28. The evening will include music, games, crafts, snacks and hanging out with friends after hours, from 7 to 9 p.m. Late Night is free and open to students in 6th-12th grades.

Harney Soil and Water Conservation District will hold their regular scheduled meeting at the USDA Service Center, 530 Highway 20 South, in Hines on Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Agenda will include a review of quarterly financials, review of scope of work revisions with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, cash flow, OWEB funding and district manager contract review. The public is welcome to attend.

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, 541-573-6886.

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 541-573-2896.

Narcotics Anonymous meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.