Farmers Market is held in Hines Park each Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1  p.m. For more information, call 541-573-2251.

Diabetes Support Group meets at the Harney County Health Building, 420 North Fairview, the first Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

ALANON meets each Saturday at 7 p.m. at Four Square Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

Harney County Life Chain  will participate in the national Life Chain event on Sunday, Oct. 3, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. along Broadway Avenue in Burns. Life Chain is families and churches uniting to show support for unborn children and their parents. Anyone wishing to participate or wanting more information, call Sandra at 541-573-6059, or a local pastor.

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

Masonic Lodge meets the first and third Monday of each month at the Burns Masonic Lodge, 1210 West Taylor, at 7 p.m.

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 541-573-7477 or 541-573-2251.

Narcotics Anonymous meets each Monday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

A Women’s AA meeting is held every Monday at noon at the Harney Behavioral Health Building.

The Burns Lions Club meets each Monday at noon at Figaro’s Pizza, for lunch. Those interested in serving the community are welcome.

Harney Basin Writers meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Harney County Library, from 2 to 4 p.m. Writers of any age and writing style are encouraged to attend.

Silvies River Spinners meets the first Tuesday of each month at Native Circle, 90 W. Adams in Burns, at 5:30 p.m.

Harney Hospital Foundation meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Hospital Conference Room at 7 p.m.

Sylvia Rebekah Lodge meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the I.O.O.F. Hall, 348 North Broadway at 6:30 p.m.

The Chamber Orchestra meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Burns High School band room, 1100 Oregon Avenue, from 7-8:30 p.m. with Ken Peckham directing, September through November, and January through March.

Harney County Democratic Party meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Harney County Courthouse, 450 North Buena Vista, at 7 p.m.

All 0 to 3-year-olds and their parents are welcome to attend play group at the Early Childhood Center at 655 W. Fillmore, weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA) trained volunteers will be at the Harney County Senior Center each Tuesday, from 1-3 p.m. For more information, call the Senior Center at 541-573-6024.

Boy Scout Troop 440, sponsored by the Burns Lion’s Club, meets each Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the LDS Church in Hines. Boys ages 11-18 are welcome to join.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Foursquare Church, 74 S. Alvord, Burns.

A new concrete runway is close to completion

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

It won’t be long before pilots will have a new runway to land and take-off on at the Burns Municipal Airport.

Under the direction of Morrison Maierle, Inc., a new concrete runway is under construction, replacing the previous asphalt one.

Purnal Whitehead, field engineer for the project, said when compared to an asphalt surface, concrete lasts almost twice as long. “The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) uses a comparison period, and concrete will last about 35 years as compared to 18 or 20 for asphalt, when you factor in maintenance.”

The new runway will be 75 feet wide and almost a mile long, measuring 5,100 feet. Half of the new runway was finished as of Sept. 16. with Acme Concrete, from Spokane, Wash. the primary contractor, however they are  using several local companies as subs to the primary work.

Whitehead said the surface is about six and a half inches thick, and is laid down at a width of 37 and a half feet in one pass.

As field engineer, it’s Whitehead’s responsibility to oversee the construction, quality control and quality assurance of the project.  That includes making sure the runway meets all FAA regulations, which are more stringent than most other city, state or federal projects.

The concrete must pass a battery of tests, including strength, curing and cracking.

The airport was shut down as of Sept. 20 to allow for construction of the intersection between the new runway and the crosswind runway.

Along with the new runway, a section of the apron next to the terminal is being replaced with new concrete.

“This whole thing has been planned out very well,” Whitehead said. “Nothing’s really been a problem for the city, engineer or contractor. Plus, the project is about $2.5 to 2.6 million, and it’s only costing the city about $20,000. That’s a heck of a deal for this town.”

The project is expected to be completed by the first of November.

The next debate is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Harney County Community Center

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

With the local election coming up in several weeks, the Harney County Farm Bureau hosted a candidates’ night at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

More than 50 people attended the event for a chance to ask questions of the candidates for the county commissioner and county judge positions.

Following is a summary of some of the questions  (paraphrased) posed to judge candidates, Steve Grasty and Hilda Allison, and commissioner candidates, Sue Ramsay, Pete Runnels and Linda Johnson, and the responses:

Judge candidates

Q: I’m not quite ready to walk away from the ranches and forests, so how do we get a step ahead of the environmentalists?

Allison said there was a need for collaborative efforts. “Rather than fighting them, we need to sit down and talk with them. If they don’t listen, they don’t listen,” she said.

Grasty responded that collaborative groups are already in place, and in the discussions, it’s important to include community health with forest health. “The community health component is important,” he said.

Q: Other than the strategic plan and economic development, what needs more attention in the county?

Grasty stated there has to be a serious conversation about providing mental health services. He said the services are state funded, but mandated to counties to provide them. He suggested that a private provider might be an alternative to look at.

Grasty added that there has to be talk about a new jail facility in the near future as well.

Allison said she had concern for the veterans returning from duty and the issues they face. She added the Veterans Clinic in Burns provides a much needed service.

Q: Measure 74 on the November ballot would allow for medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. Do you support that act, and would you lead the county that way?

Allison said she doesn’t support the act, but if it passes, it would provide an opportunity for the county. “It would be a facility monitored by the state,” she said. “It would provide safe marijuana to those needing it rather than them just getting some off the streets, not knowing what might be in it.

“I don’t think marijuana should be legalized, but it will be. It’s coming, just look at the polls. And a facility here could be an opportunity.”

Grasty stated he was opposed to the act and a dispensary, citing the start-up costs would be in the millions. He added it would also be, “a nightmare for law enforcement.”

Q: What are some of the roadblocks keeping businesses from coming here?

Grasty said the top three would be the lack of a university of higher learning, scheduled air service and rail service. He did add that the distance education provided by Eastern Oregon University and Treasure Valley Community College is helping.

Allison felt the infrastructure needed to be addressed. “We have half-assets,” she said. “Like the fiber optics line. If developed, that could help.”

Q: How do we get young ranchers to come back to the family ranches, and how do we get young people back here to stay?

Grasty said the one key is they have to have jobs. “We have the buildings, and the two cities and the county are  working to open doors to employment” he said.

Allison thought the biggest impact came from regulatory issues. “There are too many regulations for the young ranchers to deal with,” she said. “They have to be addressed politically, although I’m not sure how that’s done.”

Commissioner candidates

Q: Any idea how to start logging again instead of letting the trees just burn up in fires?

Ramsay felt they needed to convince environmentalists and state officials to thin tree stands. “And we have to take the mill to the forest,” she said.

Johnson said workers needed to continue to go in to the forests and manage them.

Runnels stated he would like to see cattle allowed back in forested areas to graze the underbrush, and felt it was important to keep trying to educate the environmental community.

Q: What are your visions for reducing unemployment?

Runnels answered that he would like to see three or four businesses with 20-40 employees come in rather than one large company.

Johnson felt it’s important to recruit family wage jobs to the county, as well as be prepared for questions from prospective businesses. “We need to have all the data ready to answer questions,” she said. “Be pro-active instead of reactive.”

Ramsay had a three-prong response to the question. With highways 20, 395 and 78 coming through town, Ramsay said it would be possible to make this a port district for distribution of goods. Other countries would ship materials here, the product would then be assembled and then shipped out.

Ramsay noted there are several single-wide mobile homes that are in various stages of disrepair, and they could be salvaged. Those in better shape could be repaired and serve as emergency housing.

Ramsay also said she would like to see a Harney County investment group.

Q: What experience do you have in working with the court?

Johnson said she had worked with court members when she was the chamber of commerce director, and they were in the process of recruiting a dairy, and had been attending court meetings.

Ramsay stated she hadn’t been going to the court meetings, “because it seems that everything has already been decided before the meetings.” She added that she has worked with county departments in her private business.

Runnels answered he has been a member of the county’s budget board for four years and has been attending court meetings.

Q: What is the greatest challenge facing the county?

Runnels said unemployment, getting back to utilizing natural resources and maintaining current services.

Ramsay felt unemployment issue was also key but felt an upswing in jobs can happen.

Johnson said unemployment and environmental issues were both something that needed to be addressed.

Another debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Harney County Community Center.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns volleyball team opened up Eastern Oregon League  (EOL) play with wins over both Riverside and Umatilla on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Burns started the two-match road trip with a stop in Boardman to take on the Riverside Pirates.

The Hilanders made short work of the Pirates, winning in three games, 25-10, 25-12, 25-9.

Burns used a balanced offense to pick up the league win, getting seven kills from Maddye Dinsmore, five each from Teri McConnell and Chelsea Siegner and four by Maggie Thompson.

Kaci Nonnenmacher finished with 17 assists and Dinsmore added another six.

Abbey Fenton was the leading server for Burns, landing 95.7 percent of her 23 serves with 10 aces.

The Hilanders also played well defensively as Stefani Sanders came up with 17 digs, Fenton 12 and McConnell 11.

Thompson was the team leader in blocks with three.

The Hilanders then traveled to Umatilla and swept the Vikings in three games, 25-5, 25-6, 25-16.

Sanders served well for Burns throughout the match, recording a 92.6 serve percentage with 14 aces on 27 serve attempts.

McConnell led the Hilanders’ in kills with seven, while Siegner and Fenton had six kills apiece.

Nonnenmacher and Dinsmore set the ball well, finishing with 15 and eight assists, respectively.

On the defensive side, Dinsmore logged four digs to lead the team, and McConnell, Fenton and Siegner each had one block.

The Hilanders continue EOL play on Thursday, Sept. 23, when they host Grant Union at Burns High School.

The Burns volleyball team improved to 11-0-2 with a three-game sweep of the Tigers at Ontario High School on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

The Hilanders downed the Tigers 25-6, 25-9, 25-12 in the non-conference match.

On the offensive side, The Hilanders’ Fenton and McConnell tied for the team lead in kills with eight each.

Dinsmore was the team leader in assists with nine, and Siegner recorded six aces while serving.

Defensively, Sanders came up with 10 digs, McConnell had eight and Dinsmore seven. Fenton, Thompson and Nonnenmacher each had two blocks.

Richard Paul (Jenks) Johnson died peacefully in his sleep in the arms of his  wife on Sept. 3, after a nearly six-month battle with brain cancer.

He was born Aug. 23, 1950, in Modesto, Calif., to Jerome and Eleanor (Cesander) Jenks, the youngest of three children.

Johnson studied physics at UC-Berkeley from 1968-70, where he served as president of the Nu Chapter of the TKE Fraternity. One of his roommates at Cal was Patrick Reynolds, the son of tobacco giant RJ Reynolds, and Johnson participated in a small part of Reynolds’ film that later received an award at Cannes (Johnson drove a car around People’s Park while Reynolds shot footage from the trunk). It was in Berkeley that he met his lifelong partner, Kathleen Johnson, who was attending a nearby nursing college.

The couple married on Aug. 15, 1970, in Carson City, Nev., and lived in Oakland. Their first child, Justin, was born the following year, and, deciding they wanted to raise their children in a more rural atmosphere, they proceeded to move to the Philomath area. They rented a place in the country from Rex Clemens, who told them about the beauty and solitude of Eastern Oregon, where they would end up making their home many years later.

The couple was blessed with five more children in the next 10 years: Brett, Jennifer, Zachary, Tiffany and Jeromy.

Johnson loved kids and when a new one would arrive, he would say, “There’s always room for one more.”

While raising six kids, running a small lumber company, and working as a research assistant and consultant, Johnson was also able to complete his education. He obtained his bachelor of science in nuclear engineering in 1974 and his master of science in nuclear engineering in 1982, both from Oregon State University. Johnson belonged to Alpha Nu Sigma Fraternity at OSU.

After obtaining his master’s degree, Johnson worked at Westinghouse Electric Company in Pennsylvania for a year, where the family lived in a 100-year-old farmhouse, before being hired by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico. He was a very early user of E-mail while there and predicted it would be a huge part of our lives in the future. After five years in the suburbs, Johnson was ready to return to the country, and he and his wife bought a place on Crane-Buchanan Road in Harney County. Johnson was a pilot and continued working for LANL by commuting back and forth in his plane, spending several weeks at each place.

In 1990, Johnson worked in England as a visiting scientist on exchange from LANL for a year and took his wife and all six kids with him to experience the culture of another country. Seven countries wanted him as a visiting scientist, but he chose England. They spent that summer making many good, often humorous, and always adventurous memories traveling and camping throughout Europe in an old VW van. Johnson had the opportunity to travel often through his work and took his wife and kids with him when he was able.

In the late 1990s, Johnson developed a passion for telecommuting (having commuted to a job for such long distances for so many years) and founded the Telecommuting Safety and Health Benefits Institute. He spent the next decade working as an Independent Nuclear Engineering Consultant, as well as filling in occasionally as a substitute teacher at Crane Union High School, where he enjoyed passing on his knowledge.

In 2008, Johnson moved to Corvallis to work as a senior engineer for NuScale Power, Inc., working in nuclear safety, but retired a little over a year later. He didn’t like having to be so far away from his family. He attended Beaver games whenever he could while he was in Corvallis and was excited to have attended the football game that year when OSU upset USC.

Johnson served as a volunteer member of the Harney County Planning Commission and was a member of ANS and the OSU Flying Club.

Johnson loved to hunt, fish, camp and just spend time in the great outdoors. He loved country living and the open sky of Eastern Oregon. He also loved to travel, thus many a summer was spent traveling and camping all over the United States with his family in tow. His favorite place to camp was at Trout Farm in the Logan Valley area in Northeast Oregon. He loved meeting new people and could often be found chatting with strangers.

Johnson was health- and safety-oriented. He made sure he and his equipment were both in good working condition before traveling anywhere in anything. Exercise and eating a healthy diet were always important to him, and became even more so after he survived non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer in 2005.

Family was so important to Johnson. He cherished his children, and absolutely loved being a grandparent. He encouraged his children to be hard-working, well-educated and family-oriented and to enjoy life as much as possible. He was proud that all six of his children were college graduates.

More than anything else in the world, Johnson loved his wife, his sweetheart, Kate. For their 23rd anniversary, he took his wife’s maiden name as his own, telling her she had shared his name with him for all these years, and now he wanted to share hers. He was a romantic at heart, and even though he had to spend so much time away from his wife over the years, he always took the time to send her flowers or a poem or just a note to let her know he cared.

Johnson is survived by his wife, Kathleen Johnson, of rural Harney County; sons, Justin Jenks of McMinnville, Brett Jenks, and wife, Ryan, of Waitsburg, Wash., Zachary Jenks of Burns, and Jeromy Jenks, and wife, Erin, of Benton City, Wash.; daughters, Jennifer Jenks of Hines and Tiffany Jenks of Portland; granddaughters, Elina Jenks and Kaylani Kam; and grandson, Logan Jenks.

He is also survived by sisters, Jeanette Manning and Barbara Ramp; aunt, Harriet Price; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome Jenks and Eleanor Jenks.

A memorial service was held Sept. 11 in Crane. Contributions in Johnson’s memory may be made to Harney County Home Health and Hospice or to an educational fund for his grandchildren, in care of Kate Johnson, 69854 Crane-Buchanan Road, Burns, OR 97720.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the Burns Christian Church in Burns on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. for Leona Guthridge who died on Aug. 7 and William C. Guthridge who died on Aug. 14.

Vivian Lorraine Kirkpatrick died on Sept. 17.

She was born on March 15, 1923.

Kirkpatrick is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Harper Kirkpatrick.