New Burns Paiute Tribe program focuses on bridging gap between youth and elders and fostering community leadership 

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns Paiute Tribe has implemented a new program that encourages interaction between youths, elders and others in the community as well as creating ties between tribal and non-tribal leaders.

It’s called “Spanning Generations: Tribal Leaders Program.” It started about one month ago as program coordinators Elise Adams and Myra Peck began working on various activities with community members each Friday at the Gathering Center to take advantage of the four-day school week.

Activities on a recent Friday included an Elder Breakfast sponsored by the social service program on the reservation (the first week of the month), a Forest Service Job Fair coordinated by a tribal member who works for the Forest Service, beading with Adams and Peck and Bingo put on by the All-American Boxing Club. The Spanning Generations program taps into many different groups.
Adams and Peck recently took a group of about 20 on a field trip to the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. More trips will be scheduled in the future to places such as Castle Rock. These field trips focus on Paiute cultural exhibits and places that have significant historical meaning to the tribe.

The program’s purpose as described in the original proposal that was submitted to the tribal council is “to utilize every available local resource to honor our aging leaders, sustain and support our current leaders and support the growth and development of our future leaders.”

Friday activities will revolve around seven facets of cultural preservation and survival:
1. Story and oral history telling;
2. Academic tutors for students and adults seeking a GED;
3. Paiute life-skills learning, preservation and recording of specific skill sets;
4. Paiute language;
5. Natural resources;
6. Green living, restoration and research
7. Prevention and public safety.

Learning the Paiute language will eventually be a key part of the program but both Peck and Adams said that aspect of the program has yet to be set up. It will take coordination with the elders and the Tribal Council. “It’s just in the beginning stages,” Peck said. “There’s interest there.”

The ultimate goal is to bring members of the community together while retaining Paiute cultural traditions. “We want to make it fun to learn and come together as a community,” Adams said.

She added that if there are people within the community who would be willing to teach art, cooking or other classes, the program is always looking for instructors. Those who are interested in volunteering their talents and time can call Burns Paiute Tribe General Manager Beth Coahran at 541-573-2088 ext. 258 or e-mail coahranee@burnspaiute-nsn.gov.

Cost will be in the neighborhood of $220,000

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Saying, “The time is here,” County Assessor Ted Tiller presented the county court with two proposals for updating the software at the courthouse.

Tiller said they have known for more than five years that they would need the update, but they have held off, hoping that the costs would decrease and any “bugs” in the system would be worked out.

“We’re not unhappy with the current system, but the company meeting our needs said it’s time for a change,” Tiller said. He explained that most other counties in the state have gone away from using the AS400 system, which is the one Harney County is currently using, and the support company, ASI, wouldn’t support just one county.

Tiller said he had researched other systems available, and presented two options to the court for discussion.

When asked what the expense of the update would be, Tiller said both options would cost a little over $220,000.

“Just let me say this is not catching us off guard,” Judge Steve Grasty said. “We knew this day was coming and we’ve been putting money aside every year.” He added that they have almost the entire amount of the update set aside because of the foresight.

Tiller stated that his preference between the two options was the Helion system because after talking with other counties, they seemed to offer better support after the conversion was completed.

Because there was a question of compatibility with the Helion program  and the AS400 used in other departments of the courthouse, it was suggested that Tiller explore the possibility of upgrading the clerk’s office and the general ledger to Helion as well. “Maybe we could end up with one provider across the board, and it could be a money-saver,” Grasty said.

Tiller agreed to look into the costs involved and report back to the court.

Planning Director Brandon McMullen was in attendance for a public hearing to discuss proposed changes and updates to the Harney County Comprehensive Plan.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding section  4.130, dealing with “public need.” McMullen explained that the planning commission felt the language should remain in the comp plan, while the court was leaning toward omitting the section.

The court decided to have a continuation of the hearing and have a member of the planning commission address the court as to why they felt 4.130 should remain in the plan.

Judge Grasty stated that Shane Otley of the Oregon Farm Bureau had approached him about a federal grant available for improving band width in rural areas.

The grant is part of a reported $4 billion available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Grasty said the grant application was lengthy, about 155 pages, has a $15,000 application fee and a March 15 deadline.

The court discussed partnering with Harney Education Service District (ESD), who would provide the broadband technology and service,  as well as the local farm bureau to cover the application fee.

Because the ESD would be in a position to recoup their portion of the cost and the court wouldn’t, the court felt the ESD and the Oregon Farm Bureau should work together on the project.

In other business:
• the court voted to sign a re-application for the Drug Free Communities Grant, now in its third year;

• after opening two bids, the court awarded the fuel bid to Ebar Oil Company. Because the court would be switching from Staub & Sons to Ebar Oil Co., there was some discussion as to how to make that transition as smooth as possible;

• Brandon Baron from Paramore Real Estate approached the court for a review of applications by Roaring Springs Ranch to purchase two parcels, one 20 acres, the other 40 acres, of county-owned property on Steens Mountain.

The parcels didn’t sell at public auction, and there was some question as to the Real Market Value (RMV) of the 40-acre parcel.

The minimum bid was set at $40,000, and Baron said the adjacent parcels of land weren’t close to $1,000 per acre. He explained that there was some land worth that amount on the Steens because of their trade value, but these two particular parcels weren’t in that area.

Baron said Roaring Springs Ranch was offering $15,000 for the larger parcel and $2,000 for the smaller one, and felt that was closer to the RMV.

The court reviewed their policies the state statute for selling county-owned land, and decided to seek legal counsel before making a decision;

• the court reviewed the updated Harney County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and voted to accept it.

The next county court meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 2.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns wrestling team crowned seven individual champions and pulled away from the rest of the field to win the Special District No. 4 Wrestling Tournament held Feb. 19-20 at Vale High School.

The Hilanders won the team title with 341 points, followed by Nyssa with 283.5, Riverside 127, Vale 104.5 and Grant Union 94.

Along with the seven first-place finishers, the Hilanders also had six second-places and two thirds to qualify a total of 15 wrestlers for the 3A state tournament to be held Feb. 26-27 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Burns will be trying to win an unprecedented ninth straight title at this year’s state tournament.

The Burns wrestlers who won their individual weight classes included Brennan Bailey at 119 pounds, Dallas Root at 125, Cody Bennett at 130, Brendan Palmer at 140, AJ Swartzlender at 160, Kenny Withee at 189 and George Swartzlender at 285.
Second-place finishes went to Jay Cate at 112 pounds, Chance Peasley at 135, Jay Masterson at 140, Raymond Wright at 160, Jake Swindlehurst at 171 and Landon Hanner at 215.

Placing third were Jake White at 152 and Tyler Foster at 160.

In addition to the state placers, fourth-place finishes went to the Hilanders’ Parker Paramore at 112 pounds, Victor Kegley at 130, Beau Blackburn at 145 and Jake Yaryen at 152. Earning fifth were Max Hill at 125, DJ Foster at 130 and Nathan Young at 135.
Top four in each weight class are as follows:

103
1-Levi Gagnon GU
2-Gustavo Madrigal Riv
3-Omar DelaCerda Nys
4-Tyler Flint Val
112
1-Rocky Garcia Nys
2-Jay Cate Bur
3-Tyler Wentz Nys
4-Parker Paramore Bur
119
1-Brennan Bailey Bur
2-Michael Urrutia Nys
3-Dallin Widmer Nys
4-Julio Mendez Nys
125
1-Dallas Root Bur
2-Kaleb Elizondo Nys
3-Martin Herrera Riv
4-Gabe Olvera Nys
130
1-Cody Bennett Bur
2-Dallon Hevner Val
3-Eric Magallanes Riv
4-Victor Kegley Bur
135
1-Robert Deleon Nys
2-Chance Peasley Bur
3-Alex Kygar GU
4-Seth Cleaver Nys
140
1-Brendan Palmer Bur
2-Jay Masterson Bur
3-Nick Contreras Nys
4-Adam Barry GU
145
1-Austin Tolman Val
2-Alex Cisneros Nys
3-Alejandro Conchas Nys
4-Beau Blackburn Bur
152
1-Briton Hansen Riv
2-Brian Moore Nys
3-Jake White Bur
4-Jake Yaryen Bur
160
1-AJ Swartzlender Bur
2-Raymond Wright Bur
3-Tyler Foster Bur
4-Ray Ortega Nys
171
1-Brigham Hansen Riv
2-Jake Swindlehurst Bur
3-Colin Peterson Nys
4-Francisco Garcia Riv
189
1-Kenny Withee Bur
2-Hector Dominguez Riv
3-Sabastian Sanchez Nys
4-Craig Strawn Val
215
1-Ethan Kowing GU
2-Landon Hanner Bur
3-Zack Stegman GU
4-N/A
285
1-George Swartzlender Bur
2-Travis Hickman Nys
3-Derreck Rodriguez Val
4-Jake Batease GU

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

It wasn’t even a close race as to what team took the championship at the District 4 wrestling tournament last week. After all of the brackets had been completed, the Crane Mustangs were over 120 points ahead of their nearest competition. Crane scored 334.5 for the team championship, with the Enterprise/Wallowa team placing second with 211 points.

Considering that Crane ended the tournament with seven individual champions,  four second places, three third-place finishes and two fourths, it’s not hard to imagine how the team came up with so many points. Earning the gold medal in their respective weight classes were Wyatt Clark, 103; Mitch Willson, 112; Lewis Whiting, 130; Zach Cody, 135; Greg Thompson, 140; Josh Williams, 145; and Kenny Haworth, 152.

Picking up second places for the Mustangs were Thomas O’Toole, 103; Elizabeth Davis, 112; Gus Titus, 125; and Tanner Titus, 140.
Third places were won by Dan O’Crowley, 135; Justin Davis, 160; and Donald McDermond, 285.

Rounding out the Mustang placings with fourth places were Sam Stone, 145, and Cash Casey, 160.

Team scores
334.5 Crane (CR)
211.0 Enterprise/Wallowa (EW)
176.5 Pine Eagle (PE)
137.0 Heppner (HE)
84.0 Imbler (IM)
74.0 Adrian (AD)
50.0 Elgin (EL)
27.0 Joseph (JO)
14.0 Union (UN)
0 Huntington (HU)

103
1-Wyatt Clark CR
2-Thomas O’Toole CR
3-Austin Reimer EW
4-Austin Harris HE
112
1-Mitch Wilson CR
2-Elizabeth Davis CR
3-Josh Higginbothum EW
4-Jacob Blaylock EL
119
1-AJ Plummer IM
2-Devin Thorn PE
3-John Green EW
4-Salvador Mendez EW
125
1-Brock Hayes EW
2-Gus Titus CR
3-Jarried Miller HE
4-Forrest Cox EW
130
1-Lewis Whiting CR
2-Cody Nelson HE
3-Jake Wilde AD
4-Chaeden Luebberke PE
135
1-Zach Cody CR
2-Mark Ishida AD
3-Dan O’Crowley CR
4-Jessy Lawrence PE
140
1-Greg Thompson CR
2-Tanner Titus CR
3-Ethan Osterloh EW
4-Sawyer Wick EW
145
1-Josh Williams CR
2-Cody Powell PE
3-Tyler Robinson HE
4-Sam Stone CR
152
1-Kenny Haworth CR
2-Chance Day HE
3-Jake Nicholls EW
4-Kipp Miller PE
160
1-Kyle Dennis PE
2-Daniel Lode AD
3-Justin Davis CR
4-Cash Casey CR
171
1-Richie Gonzales PE
2-Wacy Coil HE
3-Erich Roepke EW
4-Jordan Widener EW
189
1-Jake Schaeffer EW
2-Alex Courtney EW
3-James Prechtl AD
4-Joe Reynolds EW
215
1-Lucas Powell PE
2-Logan Crouch EL
3-Rowdy Graves IM
4-Will Cannon JO
285
1-Daniel Minarich PE
2-Cameron Princena EW
3-Donald McDermond CR
4-Henry Kanoho IM

Violet P. Hale, 89, died in Springfield on Feb. 14 after many years of diabetes.

She was born on Dec. 28, 1920, to Frank L. Walker and Dora B. (Phares) Walker in Oregon City. Hale grew up along Ennis Creek and the McKenzie River, attending Blue River schools. She rowed a wood boat to and from school because they met the school bus each day across the river.

She played basketball at Blue River High School, where they had a home-court advantage because the lamps in the gym were much dimmer than electric lights to which the opponents were accustomed.

Hale graduated from Warner Pacific College. She worked as a proof-reader for the Eugene Register-Guard. Her knowledge of biblical Greek was very useful in Bible studies she participated in.

She married Bill Hale on Aug. 7, 1946, in Roseburg. They moved to Burns in 1947. Hale was the choir director at Highland Assembly of God Church in Hines. She taught Sunday School for many years for nursery school age to adults. She was the Chair of the Harney County Republican Central Committee. Hale was also a member of a women’s group that made quilts for babies in the hospital, and other charitable purposes.

Hale is survived by her children, Ruth Williams, Earlene Durant, Grace Ness, Dave Hale, Linda Pifer, John Hale, Steve Hale, Joe Hale and Bob Hale; sisters, Faith Davie, Martha Smith, June Standafer, Ruth Buckle and Rachel Spencer; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Hale; brother, John P. Walker; and sisters, Louine Cox and Merry Davis.

A graveside service was held at the Burns Cemetery on Feb. 19, followed by a memorial service at Faith Baptist Church in Hines. Reverand Mike Fast officiated, Lois White played piano and Lora Fast sang “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” Pallbearers were Hale’s sons — Dave, John, Steve, Joe and Bob Hale — and her grandson, Ralph Williams. Honorary bearers were her many friends.

Contributions in Hale’s memory may be made to Compassion International, P.O. Box 65000, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-9951, or in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

Harold Dorman Otley, 92, died on Feb. 15. 

He was born on May 19, 1917, in Burns to Henry and Mary Otley.

Otley ranched with his family in Harney County for his entire life. He had two brothers, Howard and Charley.  At the age of 11, he lived with his parents and brothers in Silvies Valley  during the construction of the Burns-Seneca line. His mother was the crew’s cook, cooking for a crew of 30 men in a tent and his father was the contractor.  The family ranched at Lawen until 1934, when they purchased a ranch in Drewsey; they lived and ranched there until 1944.  The Drewsey ranch was sold and the family purchased the ranch in Diamond.

Otley worked as a mechanic in Juntura for several years and then he moved back to the ranch in 1948 joining his father, uncle and brothers in running the ranch. Upon the death of his father in 1976, the three brothers continued to run the ranch together until 1984 when the ranch was divided between the three.

He met his wife, Mary when she came to Burns to teach at the high school.  They eloped and were married in Klamath Falls on Sept. 3, 1949.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last September.

Otley and his wife started to build their ranch, first building a house and all of the outbuildings. They worked with their son, Fred in developing the ranch.  They raised Hereford cattle until 1993 when they began raising crossbreed cattle.  Wanting to stay with “reds,” they chose to raise Red Angus cattle.  The Red Angus Association awarded them the “Commercial Producer of the Year Award” in 2007 and the Beef Improvement Federation awarded them the “Commercial Producer Roll of Excellence” in 2008.

Otley continued to be very involved in ranch operations until the day he died.  The day before he died, he was hanging gates with his son and on the day that he died, he made some adjustments to the feeder that his wife was using, before heading into Burns for his last trip to the store. It was at the grocery store where he suffered a heart attack and medical personnel could not revive him.

Otley was always inventing and re-engineering what he thought was bad design by high-paid engineers. If you asked him to do something it would get done, and it was usually all you asked for and then some. All who have been on the Otley ranch appreciate his “easy open, cable lever” that you will find on many of the barbed wire gates.  At the end of your visit, you probably got a copy of one of his poems that he enjoyed writing in his latter years.

Otley was known as “Papa Boot” to all his grandkids and great-grandkids.  He got his name because his first grandson, Henry, had two grandfathers and two great-grandfathers. Otley was named “Papa Boot” because of his cowboy boots.
Otley celebrated the birth of each of his grandkids.  All  spent time at the ranch working with Papa and Grandma. The grandkids have acquired his taste for graham crackers and half and half.

Otley served 24 years on the Harney County Budget Board, 35 years on the Harney Rural Electric Cooperative and served close to 40 years on various positions of the Harney County Fair. He was also the president of the Oregon Fairs Association, Harney County Fair Grand Marshal and was active on all issues affecting the cattle industry his entire life. He contributed time and money for many groups and efforts working to protect private property, personal freedom, water rights and other conservative causes. He was a long-term member of Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Water for Life.

Otley is survived by his wife, Mary;  brother, Charley; daughter Sherry Stott and husband Doug of Terrebonne; sons, Harry and  wife Mary from Corvallis and Fred and his wife Debbie from Diamond; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Howard.

LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of the memorial services held Feb. 18. Reverend Jackson Cramer and William Cramer, Jr. officiated.  Pallbearers were Glenn Harris, Johnny Sword, Zach Sword, Mike Fine, Jim Davis,  Bryan Dunn, Donnie Sitz and Rich Jenkins.  Honorary bearers were Fred Witzel, Bob Sitz, Ron Yee, Lindsay Slater, Tim Smith, Denny Jones, Bud Garland and Larry Dunn.  An original song was sung by Levi Harris.  Speakers were Dale White and Tim O’Crowley. The Relief Society provided  lunch, which allowed a time of fellowship.

Contributions in Otley’s memory may be made to Crane High School Athletics, Harney County Fair, Oregon Cattleman’s Stewardship fund or any other worthy cause of one’s choice in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

Howard “Smokey” Wade Bennison died on Feb. 15.

He was born on Sept. 19, 1914, in Barry, Wash., to Albert W. Bennison and Anna Gertrude Cress. He spent his early years in Spokane, Wash.

Bennison came to Oregon in 1933 and went to work for Edward Hines Lumber Company in 1934. He held a number of different positions throughout his 45 years of working there. He retired from the company in 1979.

Bennison married Virgie Nance on Aug. 26, 1939, in Burns. They were married for 69 years.

He was a member of the Burns Elks Lodge #1680 for 49 years.

Bennison enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping, carpentry, bowling, sports and his family.

Bennison is survived by his son, Gary Bennison and wife Valerie; daughter, Nancy Ray and husband Garry; grandchildren, Ted Bennison and wife Beth, and Tonya Fox and husband Ron; great-grandchildren, Catherine and Jonathan Bennison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gertrude Bennison; wife, Virgie; brothers, Donald Bennison and Robert Bennison; and sisters, Ellen Barr and Dorothy Olmstead.

Graveside services were held on Feb. 23 in the Burns Cemetery.

Contributions in Bennison’s memory may be made to the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, or Harney County Home Health, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720. LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Allen Rede King died Feb. 13, 2010. He was 81.

He was born March 29, 1928, to George and Lenore King in White River, S.D., the second of seven children. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was a working cowboy all his life, on ranches in Western South Dakota and in Oregon. He was a member of the PRCA at age 13 and rodeoed until his early 30s. He married Phyllis Hughes on August 6, 1954. They moved to Oregon in 1978 where they have lived since.

Allen was beloved to his family and many friends who will miss him always. He was an authentic man and spoke his truth quietly and often with a dry wit. He was a man of integrity of whom a person once said, “When Allen King says ‘because it’s just not right’, you feel it is etched in stone.”

He was Dad to daughter Georgia King, of Pendleton, sons Ethan King and his wife Brandi of Redmond and Clayton King of Terrebonne. He was Grandad to Allen King and his wife Angie of Moorhead, MN., Alexa Vein and husband Marc of Fargo, N.D., and Garrett King, Quentin King, Braeden King, Lani King and Ashlee King, all of Redmond. Stories of him will be told to his great-grandchild Sawyer and Riley King, soon-to-be born Gus King and Alaina, Haydn and Nora Vein. He was Bub to brother Clayton King and his wife Connie of Burns, brother Dick and sisters Margee and Beverly. He was Uncle Bub to Monte Beckman of Pendleton, Matt King and his wife Lisa, Carla Davies and husband Matt all of Burns, Katie Carmon and husband Jason of Nevada including great nieces and nephews Chad, Tara, Cody, MacKenzie and Jason, and many other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alvin and sister Lynn.

To all of them, he was a hero.

Paul Peter Hubert Joseph Reinkemeyer (Rink) died on Feb. 13.

He was born on March 9, 1915, in Linn, Mo., Osage County, to Anna Mertins and Henry F. Reinkemeyer. He had three brothers and five sisters.

Reinkemeyer attended Lone Star School for two years, and then went to St. George Catholic School in Linn. During the spring and fall months, he rode a horse to school and in the winter, he walked. He left home at the age of 14 and went to work haying.

In 1934, he obtained the rank of Sergeant while working for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and was sent to Ontario to work for the next four years. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for a time, and worked in construction as a cement finisher and carpenter for most of his life.

In 1938, Reinkemeyer married Oleta Pearson in Ontario. They had two children, Sharon and Paul (Denny). They later divorced.

In 1949, Reinkemeyer moved to Burns as a foreman of the Johnson Construction Company to build the Hines Grade School gymnasium.

On July 6, 1956, he married Imogene Mace Kidwell.

He was a carpenter for Leroy Jackson for a few years, and later went to work for J.W. Copeland Yards, where he drove transfer truck to Portland and other locations. Reinkemeyer was transferred to Banning, Calif., in 1958 to manage a Copeland Yard, and then later back to Copeland’s in Burns. He retired in 1982, but after a few months of retirement went to work for Edward Hines Lumber company in the warehouse. He retired again in May 1988, after working for 59 years.

Reinkemeyer loved to cook and he was known for his fried chicken. He was an avid fisherman, loved to hunt, liked a good party, loved gambling and liked to play pinochle. He had a beautiful yard that he enjoyed taking care of, and did his own yard work until he was 93. He loved to tease everyone and always had a story to tell.

Reinkemeyer is survived by his wife of 54 years, Imogene of Burns; daughter, Sharon Ray of Longview Wash.; son, Paul Reinkemeyer of Kalama, Wash.; step-son, Richard Kidwell of Burns; step-daughter, Lenora Gara of Florence; special son, Dean Gill of Burns; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, five sisters and a great-granddaughter.

Services were held on Feb. 18 in Burns. Burial was at the Burns Cemetery.

The Harney County Amateur Radio Association will conduct the Amateur Radio Technician License Class starting Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It will run for seven weeks and be held in the basement of the Harney County Courthouse. All interested are welcome, including high school students.

Harney County Safe Communities & Safe Kids Coalition meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at noon at Figaro’s Pizza.

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 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.

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.

Late Night at Harney County Library will be held on Thursday, Feb. 25. Teens, grades 6-12 are welcome to hang out with friends after hours, 7-9 p.m. and enjoy music, snacks, games and crafts. The evening is free.

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 Hines USDA Service Center, at 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Agenda items for Feb. 25 include district manager contract, adoption of internal controls policy, discussion on the Sage Grouse Initiative program, OWEB small and large grant discussion and other items as time allows.

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 Ave., 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.