County court in favor of amending PILT funding County Court News June 12, 2019June 13, 20190 During the Harney County Court meeting on June 5, Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens discussed a proposed resolution that would amend Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act (PILT) funding. Passed by Congress in 1976, PILT provides payments to local units of government containing certain federally owned lands (federal entitlement acreage). However, Owens
Hines still unsure how to deal with deer Hines Common Council News June 12, 2019June 13, 20190 Hines Police Chief Ryan DeLange welcomes Parker Hetherwick to the police force. Hetherwick has been employed by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office in Mountain Home, Idaho, since 2016, but has worked for both the Harney County Sheriff’s Office and the Burns Paiute Tribe in past years. Chief Delange said he
Father Ray Kelly postpones concert, promises to hold it next year Arts and Entertainment News June 12, 2019June 13, 20190 Book, new album taking up time Harney County Save A Stray was notified on Wednesday, June 5, that the Father Ray Kelly concert scheduled for September has been postponed until next year. Angie Tiller, who’s helping to promote the concert, said, “We are truly saddened that he will not be coming to
County Court gets an update from CASA County Court News June 5, 2019June 5, 20190 Executive Director Hannah Hinman and Harney County Program Coordinator Maggie Thompson attended the Harney County Court meeting on May 22 to provide an update regarding Grant-Harney County CASA. According to the program’s website, “CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASAs are highly trained community volunteers who are appointed by the
Skull 120/60/30 rolls out Saturday, June 15 Community News June 5, 2019June 5, 20190 “America’s Gnarliest Gravel race,” the Skull 120/60/30, will be held Saturday, June 15. The three races will begin at Triangle Park in Burns at staggered times. The 120-mile race gets under way at 6 a.m., followed by the 60-mile race and 30-mile race at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., respectively. Lola Johnson,
New fees proposed for rural fire suppression Burns City Council News May 29, 2019May 29, 20190 With costs continuing to rise, the city of Burns is moving forward with a new fee schedule for the rural fire suppression program. At the Burns City Council meeting on May 22, Mayor Jerry Woodfin explained that the primary purposes of the program are to “enable the city to efficiently and
Special election results announced Election News May 29, 2019May 29, 20190 A statewide special election was held Tuesday, May 21. Results for Harney County are as follows: Harney County School District 3 Director, Position 4 — Sarah Laiosa, 40.91 percent, 459 votes; Dan Winn, 58.73 percent, 659 votes; Write-in, 0.36 percent, 4 votes. Director, Position 5 — Lori Cheek, 46.53 percent, 523 votes; Rob
Hines considers fuel tax Hines Common Council News May 22, 2019May 23, 20190 To provide stable funding for city street improvements, the Hines Common Council is considering implementing a local fuel tax, if approved by voters. At its meeting on Tuesday, May 14, the council discussed putting in a one-cent fuel tax with the funds dedicated to city street repair. Although the tax would
Groundwater Study Advisory Committee to meet News May 22, 2019May 23, 20190 The Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Study Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harney County Community Center, 484 N. Broadway Ave. in Burns. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and the
County continues to tackle budget deficit County Court News May 15, 2019May 15, 20190 During its meeting on May 8, the Harney County Court approved Resolution 2019-15 in the matter of appropriating funds due to unexpected occurrence or condition. The resolution states that, “Harney County is experiencing a fiscal emergency due to an incorrect budgeted beginning fund balance beginning in 2013. To increase the General