On Tuesday, April 20, Harney County residents east of Burns experienced a severe thunderstorm that took down 52 power poles, destroyed outbuildings and tore shingles off roofs.

While early reports suggested that the 70-75 mile per hour winds took the shape of funnel clouds, the official report from the National Weather Service in Boise, Idaho, called the event a “very strong thunderstorm with a strong down burst.”

The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) has filed a petition with a small state agency asking that private lands on Steens Mountain be declared a “protected area.” The designation would stop the wind energy projects planned on those properties before they get started.

ONDA filed a petition with the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) to stop the wind energy projects planned for those lands. The agenda says ONDA asks the council “to enter a rulemaking to amend the current definition of ‘protected areas’ in the council rules to add the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management Area.” The council will meet on Friday, April 30, in The  Dalles to hear a presentation from ONDA on the petition.

“The wind power projects planned for private land would create an investment of more than $1 billion in Harney County,” said Julia Olson, Harney County Chamber Executive Director. “They would create dozens of long term, stable jobs we desperately need. We cannot afford to let this kind of sneak attack derail these projects.”

“ONDA has been at war with Oregon’s ranching community for years,” said Charley Otley, whose land would be affected by the petition. “They are not content with creating the only ‘cow-free’ wilderness on Steens Mountain — they want to shut down all economic activity in Harney  County. This latest move at a state agency I never heard of to declare private lands a protected area is just an example of how they will do anything to accomplish their goals. They need to be stopped.”

The petition is scheduled to be discussed as an information item at the council’s April 30 meeting. Harney County Judge Steve Grasty has received assurances from the council staff that if the council agrees to “hear” the petition, the meeting will be held in Harney County.

“This is the kind of issue that the whole county needs to unite around and take action to stop ONDA from closing out even more of our private lands,” said Judge Grasty. “I have spoken with the candidates running for judge this time, and we’re all united in this. We really want the community to come together if the EFSC Council comes to Burns to show them we are sick and tired of ONDA shutting down private property and economic activity in Harney County.”

Editor’s note: The petition and the petition letter written by Brent Fenty, ONDA Executive Director are on ONDA’s Web site:  http://onda.org/pressroom. The Energy Facility Siting Council can be contacted at: energy.in.internet@state.or.us.

For more than 60 years, Heifer International has been sending animals to poor farming families throughout the world. Each selected family receives one or more animals, training in their care, and access to veterinary services.

In return, the recipients must agree to pass on one or more of each animal’s first young to another family in need.  In this way, entire farming communities are helped.

Animals given are appropriate to the local climate and customs. They include chickens, ducks, honeybees, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, cattle and water buffalo.  The animals provide food, fiber for clothing and blankets, manure for gardens, and products to sell. Water buffalo are used to pull plows, bees to pollinate certain crops. Heifer International also supplies trees, which help prevent erosion. Reforestation is part of Heifer’s long-term plan to aid Haiti following the earthquakes this past winter, to prevent the loss of crops through flooding.

Heifer’s operations are funded by donations; each individual or group donor may choose the animal or larger project they wish to sponsor.

This spring, students at Slater School brought in coins to help sponsor a Heifer animal. After a few weeks of watching the fund grow in an old fish tank converted to a money drop, $160 had been collected. The students then voted on which animals to sponsor with their fund. The winning combination was one pig and two flocks of chicks, although a sheep and chicks ran a close second.

For more information on Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org; for information on Slater’s fund drive, call Edie Koenig at 541-573-7201 (school) or 541-493-9564.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns boys golf team beat Nyssa by three strokes to capture first place in the Burns Invitational held April 21 at the Valley Golf Club.

Led by Dylan Thompson, who finished third overall with an 86, the Hilanders won the meet with a team score of 368. Nyssa finished with 371, followed by Crook County 376, Grant Union (2) 414, Vale (2) 447, Grant Union (1) 451 and Vale (1) 457.

Sam Fitzpatrick of Burns tied for fifth overall with an 89, Dallas Falley shot 94, Jeff Nelson 99 and Tanner Bazer 110.

JJ Eldred of Nyssa won overall medalist honors with an 81.

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The Burns boys golf team competed in the Bend Invitational on Monday, April, 19, played at Bend Country Club.

Redmond won the meet with a team score of 315, followed by Summit with 326, Pendleton 348, Crook County 350, Sisters 351, Bend 365, Mountain View 368, Hermiston 383, The Dalles-Wahtonka 385, La Pine 398 and Burns 413.

Fitzpatrick had the low score for the Hilanders, shooting a 99 on the par-72 course. Nelson shot 100, Thompson 101 and Falley 113.

Jesse Heinly of Summit won medalist honors by shooting an even-par 72.

The Burns boys next meet is at Vale Friday, April 30.

Don Hammon died on Saturday, April 24, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

A memorial service is pending at this time.

Hammon was born on Oct. 4, 1931.

Gayla Rae Presley passed away on April 22 at home in Burns.

She was born on Nov. 11, 1946, in Burns to Fred J. and Vanita M. Huston, and attended grade school in Hines, graduating from Burns Union High School in 1964.

She married Roddy D. Presley on May 7, 1966.

Presley worked at numerous places in Burns before moving to Snohomish, Wash., for five years. She then returned to Burns.

She enjoyed her family, church, needlework and gardening.

Presley is survived by her husband, Rod of Burns; son, Anthony of Seattle, Wash.; mother, Vanita of Portland; sister, Arden Dodson of Albany; brother, Gary Hebener of Mosser; sister, Freddy Sharon of San Diego, Calif.;  four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her father, Fred J. Huston; son, Robby M. Presley; and stepfather, Steve Hebener.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Harney County Home Health and Hospice, 415 N. Fairview, Burns, OR 97720.

Tasha Lee Iturralde, 31 died on April 14 in Benton.

She was born on Sept. 8, 1978, to Brian and Kathy Johnson. Iturralde grew up in Newberg with two younger sisters, Kandi Reagle and Lisa Leffler, and a younger brother, Ryan Johnson.

After receiving her GED, Iturralde worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for four years. She then went to truck driving school and drove a truck for one year.

Iturralde loved to sing, dance, spend time with her friends and family and help others when she could. She was kind to everyone she met, and had countless friends and people who loved her.

Iturralde is survived by her children, Anthony, Jonathan, Kinsey and Zoe; parents Brian and Kathy Johnson of Burns; sisters, Kandi Reagle and Lisa Leffler of Burns; brother, Ryan Johnson of Burns; grandparents, Glen and Wentha Johnson of Burns; one niece; three nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Eugene (Gene) Ray Gregg, 71, died on April 16 in Redmond, with his family by his side.

He was born on Dec. 4, 1938, in Vale, to Eunice and Pat Gregg.

Gregg was a good family man and neighbor, willing to help anyone in need. He was known for his patience and gentleness that made him loved by the younger children of his family. He helped raise Tyler Elliot, and was proud of all of his accomplishments.

Gregg enjoyed restoring antique cars and going to car shows. His latest project was a 1952 Ford Sedan. He also enjoyed fishing for sturgeon with his stepson, Will. He enjoyed rodeos, nature and hunting.

On June 25, 1958, Gregg married his first wife, Patricia Childress. They were divorced, and he married Marilyn Hart on Aug. 19, 1972. They divorced, and he met Lavon Elliot in February, 1992. They shared a home in Redmond.

Gregg is survived by Lavon Elliot of Redmond; sons, Ray and wife Kelly and family of Redmond, Patrick and family of Redmond, Fredrick and wife Kcaj and family of Redmond and Joseph and family of Missoula, Mont.; daughter, Pamela Pirkle and family of Bend; stepdaughters, Floy Rule and fiance Lon Leppere and family of Irrigon, Ellen Jarvis and husband Charles and son Ryan of Fayetteville, N.C., and Dale Moyer and husband Dan and son Tyler Elliot of Irrigon; and stepsons, Otis Elliot and wife Kat and family of Kempner, Tex., and Will Elliot and wife Lori and family of Yamhill.

Gregg is also survived by mother, Eunice Gregg of Burns; sisters, Patt Howes and husband Bob, Shirley McMurray and husband Spencer, Marjorie Eggleston and husband Curt, all of Hines, and Janice Childress and family of Bend; brothers, Joseph Gregg and wife Myrna of Caldwell; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow (Pat) Gregg, and his son, Ronald Gregg.

Memorial services for Gregg will be held on May 1, at 11:30 at the Christian Church, 125 S. Buena Vista, in Burns. Contributions in his memory may be made to the MS Society of Oregon, 2901 SE 122nd, Portland, OR 97236. Autumn Funerals of Redmond is in charge of the arrangements.

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.

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.

Harney County Weed Control will hold a Pesticide Applicators Re-certification class on Thursday, April 29. The class will be held at the Harney County ESD conference room, located at 25 Fairview Heights, from 8:20 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oregon Department of Agriculture credits have been requested. All interested in obtaining a license are encouraged to attend. There is no fee, and lunch will be provided. For more information, call Jesse Barnes at 541-573-8385.

Tai Chi is held every Thursday at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, from 9:30 to 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.