4-H Outdoor Cooking club

The Citizen-Reporter

A Sherman County Government Publication — April 2021

The 2021 Special District Election

will be held, Tuesday, May 18,

2021. The last day to register to

vote for this election is April 27,

2021. New voter registration, or

registration updates, can be done

online at

http://oregonvotes.gov/register or

by completing a Voter Registration

card, which can be obtained at any

post office, county clerk’s office, or

online at https://sos.oregon.gov/

elections/Documents/SEL500.pdf

Ballots will be mailed between

April 28th and May 4th. It is im-

portant to update your voter regis-

tration if you have moved or

changed your mailing address. The

Postal Service cannot forward bal-

lots. An absentee ballot can be re-

quested if you will be away from

home and would like to receive

Continued on Page 2…

All Sherman County residents 18

years of age and older and are

interested in receiving the

COVID-19 vaccine are highly

encouraged to call the Sherman

County Medical Clinic and ask to

be put on the waiting list. The

Sherman County Medical Clinic

is working with the North Central

Public Health Department on

planning a mass vaccination

event in the near future and we

are trying to get an accurate num-

ber of Sherman County residents

who are interested in receiving

the vaccine so we can properly

plan. Please call 541-565-3325

and ask for your name to be add-

ed to our waiting list.

Upcoming Election

May 18, 2021 The Pans on Fire 4-H Outdoor Cook-

ing club met on March 18, 2021 at

3:30pm at the Extension Office. At-

tending were Emma, Hayli, Skyler

and Cecil. Pledge of Allegiance led

by Emma, 4-H Pledge led by Hay-

li. What we did during the meet-

ings: said why we started this

club. We talked about when or

where you might make food? We

talked about some other things. We

do not use matches without supervi-

sion. Cooked popcorn, made fires,

cooked cinnamon apples. Our next

meeting will be Friday, March 26 at

Cottonwood Canyon State

Park. Meeting adjourned

5:00pm. Signed Skyler Jade Arnell,

News Reporter

Note: Oregon 4-H clubs are now

able to meet under the Oregon

Health Authority guidelines for En-

richment Programs for youth grades

K-12, depending on county status.

COVID-19 Vaccine

THE CITIZEN-REPORTER April 2021 PAGE TWO

Upcoming Election continued from Page 1...

your ballot at a different address.

Absentee ballot request forms are

available at the county clerk’s

office or https://sos.oregon.gov/

elections/Documents/SEL111.pdf

Your voted ballot must be received

in a County Elections Office on or

before 8:00pm Election night to

count. The paid postage ballot re-

turn envelope can be returned by

mail (Postmarks do not count), or at

any official designated drop site.

To view a list of local candidates,

ballot drop site locations, and other

election resources visit the Sherman

County Clerk’s website https://

www.co.sherman.or.us/

departments/sherman-county-clerks

-office/.

If you have questions or need assis-

tance, please contact the Sherman

County Clerk’s office at 541-565-3606.

Circles of Care

Ambulance Memberships

$30.00 for your household

It could be the best Investment you ever make!

They also make great

gifts!!!!

For more information, contact:

Sherman County Ambulance 541-565-3100

New EMR’s

Sherman County Ambulance recently

had 5 Sherman County residents com-

plete the EMR (Emergency Medical

Responder) class this Fall/Winter. A

HERO grant was received which cov-

ered the cost of the program. Thank you

to North Sherman RFPD for providing

the facility throughout the course.

Congratulations to the new EMR’s!

Senior Advisory Committee

The SAC (Senior Advisory Committee)

is searching for a representative from

Sherman County to join their board.

They advise the Area Agency on Aging

for CAPECO. Meetings will be once a

month for only one hour and it will be a

hybrid meeting with most people at-

tending virtually. It is the fourth Tues-

day at 10:00am. If you are interested,

please contact Jody Warnock or Karen

Prout at CAPECO 541-276-1926.

What is ‘Circles of Care?’

Circles of Care is a new program that

connects older adults in Sherman Coun-

ty to volunteers that can help with sup-

portive services. The goal is to help

older adults thrive in their homes and

age with dignity.

www.AgePlus.org

Here are some ways you can help as a

volunteer:

Transportation

Minor home repairs

Meals

Light chores

Simple yard work

Friendly check-ins

Contact us for more information.

Gracen Bookmyer, Community Liaison

gbookmyer@AgePlus.org or by calling

(541)397-0724.

COVID-19 Safety Guidance

You can help end the pandemic and

protect your family and community by

getting the COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and

effective

COVID-19 vaccines are free

After your vaccination, there may

be some side effects—these are

normal signs that your body is

building protection.

The more people that get vaccinated,

the sooner our businesses and commu-

nities can re-open!

Even after being vaccinated, you still

need to wear a mask, wash your hands

frequently and practice social distanc-

ing, especially in public places.

https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov

Introducing a community website fea-

turing resources to Sherman Co. resi-

dents, community announcements, job

postings, houses for sale or rent and

more. shermancommunity.com

Prevention Website

PAGE THREE THE CITIZEN-REPORTER April 2021

County-wide Cleanup May 1st

On May 1st, Sherman County residents are invited to bring one pick-up load of trash to the Solid Waste Transfer Station without paying a fee with some exceptions.

When: Saturday, May 1, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. NOTE: Station may close early if bin is full before 3 p.m.

Where: Sherman County Solid Waste Transfer Site located at 72526 Welk Road between Highway 206 and Biggs Junction.

How: Upon arrival, wait for the attendant to direct you to the appropriate

unloading site.

Limited: One trip per vehicle.

Fees are required for: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners $34.43

each Appliances $13.06 Tires without rims $12.46 Tires with rims $16.63 Furniture $13.06 You may also bring:

YARD WASTE – Clean brush & trimmings under 6 inches in diameter CAR BATTERIES E-WASTE - Computer towers, laptops,

monitors, televisions Please note: Recycling will not be accepted on this day. Recycling will be accepted on any regular scheduled day:

2nd Friday and Saturday in Moro 3rd Friday and Saturday in Wasco 4th Friday and Saturday in Rufus Weekly Monday and Tuesday in Grass Valley

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!!

Sherman County is offering two CASH GRANTs to ease costs and address the demand for more livable housing in Sherman County. Act now before the money runs out!

The New Rental Housing Development Grant will contribute $10,000 per new rental hous-ing unit constructed to the developer. Funds are given as a grant upon completion of the project with a commitment to keep the prop-erty as a long term rental for a minimum of 5 years.

The Housing Rehabilitation Grant provides a

reimbursement grant of up to 20% of eligible expenses, not to exceed $20,000, for the re-habilitation of existing non-owner occupied stick-built dwellings.

For more information and links to applications visit co.sherman.or.us and search for rental housing. Con-tact Marla Harvey at (541) 296-2266 or via email at marla@mcedd.org with any questions or to apply. Funding is limited and you must contact program staff prior to starting project to be eligible. This pro-gram is funded by Sherman County.

Restrictions: No household, hazardous, or medical

waste will be accepted. No recycling.

Donations Wanted!!

On April 26th we will be distributing Spring bags

to recipients of meals on wheels and residents of Sage Manor.

You can help us fill these bags by dropping off donations to

the County Court Office at the Courthouse in Moro or by

emailing countycourt@shermancounty.net We are looking to

fill 30 bags. Donations will be accepted until April 22nd. Sug-

gested items are: toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, dish

soap, lotion, sunscreen, garden hats, sunglasses, garden gloves,

garden tools, garden seeds, flower seeds or bulbs, birdfeeders

and bird seed, solar garden lights, garden/yard decora-

tions ,puzzles, games, books, snacks and candy.

PAGE FOUR THE CITIZEN-REPORTER April 2021

Sherman County Weed District

The Sherman County Weed District is

now spraying County Roads.

An agreement was reached this past

winter between the County Road Mas-

ter, Mark Coles; the Weed District Su-

pervisor, Rod Asher; and the County

Commissioners that spraying County

Roads for nuisance and noxious weeds

was a good fit for the Weed District to

take over. Added to this was the retire-

ment of two long-term employees:

Keith Fritts (Roads) and Tom Macnab

(Weed). Both men have done a great

job for the County and will be missed.

Mark Coles is still responsible for all

aspects of our County Roads, but the

Weed District will manage and main-

tain the vegetation on the road shoul-

ders on County right-of-ways. We have,

and will continue to work closely with

Coles to meet and exceed his standards

and make a safe passageway for resi-

dents and travelers through our County.

Weed District personnel will also be in

more areas of the County, identifying

and mapping noxious weeds, and con-

tacting residents regarding noxious

weed issues that may affect them.

Plans are in the works to upgrade the

current sprayer with new technology

that will allow for more accurate appli-

cations and mapping of areas sprayed.

This should help with any concerns of

off-target applications. Asher brings

25+ years of roadside and weed control

experience to making this program a

success to everyone involved.

Sherman Kids Zone

If you have any questions or concerns,

please contact Rod Asher at 541-565-

3655, or rasher@shermancounty.net.

Free Bicycle Helmets

Sherman County Emergency Ser-

vices just received a new batch of

helmets. We have bicycle helmets

from toddler to X-Large and Multi-

sport (skaters) helmets from small

to X-large. These are free to Sher-

man County youth.

Did you know that if you are under

the age of 16, it is unlawful to ride a

bicycle without a helmet? That is

one good reason to wear a helmet.

The other reason is that it is the safe

thing to do. Here are two sobering

facts:

► 857 bicyclists died on

US roads in 2018, an increase of 6.3

per cent.

► Fifty-four percent of bi-

cyclists killed were not wearing

helmets.

Did you know that Helmet use has

been estimated to reduce the odds of

head injury by 50 percent, and the

odds of head, face, or neck injury by

33 percent?

If your child is in need of a helmet,

please contact Dana Pursley-Haner

at 541-565-3100 or stop by the

Sherman County Emergency Ser-

vices Building.

A group of local parents are spear-

heading a new project in Wasco

called the Sherman Kids Zone, a

dedicated play space for children

ages roughly 2 to 12. The project

will be modeled after Wonder-

Works in The Dalles and similar

accredited children's museums.

The group plans to incorporate ele-

ments of Sherman County heritage

and history, from pioneer days to

the Oregon Trail to farming and

agriculture. They intend to begin

setting up in early April, with hopes

of being open to memberships by

end of the school year in June.

Organizers are asking for donated

goods from the community, such as

new or gently used children's furni-

ture, play equipment, Lego's, high-

quality toys, games, books, and sen-

sory items, and building materials

including plywood and lumber.

They plan to feature a play kitchen,

a general store, a Lego table, a train

table, a barnyard table, and much

more. If you'd like to help, want to

donate, or for more information

contact Becky Brandenburg or Jes-

sica Richelderfer Wheeler on Face-

book or email jessicarichelder-

fer@gmail

THE CITIZEN-REPORTER PAGE FIVE April 2021

from sharing equipment and sup-

plies. Kits could also be checked out

from the Sherman Extension office by

families for at-home, remote learning.

Kids in grades K-12, watch for upcom-

ing Extension Afterschool Enrichment

Activities in May focusing on STEM

outdoor cooking! Mark your calendars

for drop-in classes on Tuesday after-

noons 3:15-5:00pm at the Extension

Office May 4, May 11 and May

18. The STEM outdoor cooking kits

will also be used by the “Pans on Fire”

4-H outdoor cooking club as well as a

workshop in June.

The April Extension Afterschool En-

richment Activities will focus on Seed

Starting & Gardening on Tuesday April

6, April 13, April 20 and April 27.

help finding an address. While

those situations may count as emer-

gencies for you, they aren’t for

public safety.

Know the capabilities of the device

you are using. 9-1-1 can be con-

tacted from pretty much every de-

vice that can make phone calls, but

the call back and location infor-

mation that accompanies your call

to the 9-1-1 center can vary drasti-

cally amongst technologies and

between geographic regions.

Know where you are. This is prob-

ably the most important infor-

mation you can provide as a 9-1-1

caller, so try to be aware of your

surroundings.

Stay calm. When you are on the

phone with 9-1-1, you are their

eyes and ears. Even though you

may want to, try not to panic. If

you are crying or yelling, it can be

hard for the 9-1-1 operator to un-

derstand you.

Never hang up. You may have

called 9-1-1 by accident, or your

situation may have resolved itself,

but it is important to let the 9-1-1

operator know this. If you end the

call abruptly, the folks at the 9-1-1

center are going to assume that

something has gone very wrong

and will either call you back or

send help anyway.

OSU Sherman County Extension

OSU Sherman County Extension was

recently awarded a $1000 grant from

the Oregon 4-H Foundation. The

Foundation awards grant funding for

programs and projects that serve Ore-

gon 4-H youth in areas of innovation,

leadership and community pride.

Sherman’s grant is to encourage

STEM (science, technology, engi-

neering and math) learning through

outdoor cooking. The grant funding

will allow for 10 “stand alone” kits

for fire starting and propane camp

stove cooking, 5 “stand alone” kits

for Dutch oven briquette cooking, and

3 sets of scientific instruments for

measuring temperatures, heat, and

hand sanitation.

Accompanying curriculum will be

developed by staff for a variety of

topics including the fire triangle,

leave no trace, melting points of dif-

ferent metals and comparison of

cooking pans, different types of heat

transfer, measuring heat of different

fuel sources and cooked foods, calcu-

lating weight of propane bottles be-

fore/after cooking, and food-related

topics such as food safety, protein

chemistry, colloidal suspensions, and

leavening agents.

These kits will be used in small group

settings such as day camps or work-

shops, as COVID-19 restrictions al-

low, since youth are discouraged

Making 9-1-1 Work For You

An informed caller is 9-1-1’s best call-

er. It’s important that you know how to

help 9-1-1 help you. In an emergency,

seconds matter, so being knowledgea-

ble and prepared can make all the dif-

ference. Here’s what you can do:

Know WHEN to call 9-1-1. 9-1-1

is for emergencies only. You

should only be dialing 9-1-1 if

someone is hurt or in danger, or if

you are in immediate need of po-

lice, fire, or medical assistance.

Know WHEN NOT to call 9-1-1.

Don’t call 9-1-1 just because you

burned dinner and your guests are

arriving any minute, or because

you are late for a meeting and need

PAGE SIX THE CITIZEN-REPORTER April 2021

Public/School Library Updates CURBSIDE SERVICE Our curbside service is available from 8:30 am—7:00 pm, Monday-Friday and 10:00 am—4:00 pm, Saturday. Call us, e-mail us, or use the Sage sys-tem to place holds. When your books/materials are ready, we will call or e-mail and let you know. Please call the library when you arrive and we will bring your books out to you.

PATRON 30 MINUTE APPOINTMENTS Appointments are available from 4:00pm—7:00pm, Monday-Friday and 10:00am-4:00pm, Saturday. Call or e-mail us to make an appoint-ment.

PICK UP AND DELIVERY Books and materials can be dropped off and picked up from various locations. Please call the library for pick up and drop off locations in Sher-man County.

ZOOM STORYTIME EVERY FRIDAY 10:00AM

Visit the Sherman County Public/School Library website or Facebook page for the link. Join Nata-sha for a fun experience learning more about early literacy skills and practices through songs, rhymes, and reading stories.

FACEBOOK “Like” us on Facebook at Sherman County Public/School Library.

Phone: 541-565-3279

Address: 65912 High School Loop

Moro, Oregon, 97039

Website: ShermanCountyPSL.weebly.com/

Email: shermanlibrary@sherman.k12.or.us

“Like” us on Facebook at Sherman County Public School Library

ED’s ANECDOTES

In the early years of my living in Sherman County I started

my employment with the school district. I had the honor of

working for Mr. Dale Coles. In one of our conversations I

told him I would like to start a class on basic computer

operations and then possibly have a computer repair opera-

tion. He offered me the use of a workroom in the old

school at Rufus. Within two weeks there was a basic com-

puter and simple repair shop where I taught a class weekly

on how to start up and search on desktop computers. Since

I was quite busy searching a lot of material very quickly I

told the participants that I could use more help. Maybe that

is why I got a call from Mrs. Fred Blakely.

She said “I called to ask if my son Hunter could come

down to Rufus to work in your shop.”

“Well,” I said, “I can’t pay anyone to work right now.”

She explained that he was not interested in a paid position

and his only goal was to learn more about computers. The

first day Hunter Blakely showed up, he and his friend rode

bikes down from Wasco on a hot summer day. I recom-

mended they call me and I’d furnish transportation next

time. Hunter was more knowledgeable than I about the

technical side of computers plus he was a good student at

Sherman High School. He worked all that summer and

after a couple years started taking a class with me at the

Free Geek in Portland. They were amazed at his talent as

well during his training with them. When Hunter graduated

from Sherman, he went on to Oregon Institute of Technol-

ogy for his degree in Information Technology. He invited

me to his graduation four years later. My lady friend, who

lives in Talent, Oregon, attended the event with me.

Hunter now has a fantastic job maintaining a computer

base for a sizeable company. He owns a high tech audio/

vid recording studio and happily resides in The Dalles,

Oregon.

PAGE SEVEN THE CITIZEN-REPORTER April 2021

This morning I was up before daylight and driving. As the sun came up and started to hit the green fields of wheat on both sides

of the road, I thought to myself, it doesn’t get much prettier than this. We are truly lucky to live where we do. When you look

at the data (COVID) that has been compiled this past year, Sherman County has always been on the brighter side of things. All

of you helped. Thank you. I went fishing for an hour right at daybreak is why I was up and driving so early. I caught five, re-

leased one, and the 4 are destined for the frying pan.

Every Tuesday morning at 6:45am, I have the opportunity to get on a conference call with many other county commissioners

from the eastern side of the state, along with multiple state senators and representatives. This conference call is put on by Sena-

tor Findley. Usually we hear updates from Senator Hansell and Senator Findley along with Representatives Smith and Bonham

and Owens. These updates lately have been focusing on legislature and what is happening at the State Capital in Salem. Now is

the time to reach out to their various offices if there is legislation that you would like to comment on.

Dan Spatz and Columbia Gorge Community College President Marta Yera Cronin spoke to the Sherman County Court recently,

followed by the County Court touring the construction site at CGCC to view the new skills center and housing unit. Having

another opportunity locally, for our community to get much needed job skills in the construction trade is a blessing. The Skills

Center will be completed this summer. I know several people that plan on taking welding classes there.

It is spring! Wind, weird weather and farm equipment in the road are the norm, be prepared and be safe. Give yourself a little

extra time, especially if you are driving Hwy 97 just south of Biggs Junction. There has been blasting and road closures at

times.

A bridge on Rutledge Lane is being replaced and should be completed before the end of April. If you drive that direction, please

drive accordingly.

South of Wasco, west of Hwy 97, there is a new building. This is the O & M, (Operation and Maintenance) building for the

Golden Hills Wind Project. Soon there will be turbine blades and other pieces of large equipment being trucked in. Be aware

that these will be sharing our roads with us.

It has been so great to know that our kids have been able to participate in sports. It may not be all that we hoped for but it does

seem like a sign that things can and will return to something like normal.

As of March 28, Sherman County has 26.5% of its’ residents vaccinated.

Easter being around the corner is a reminder that Grass Valley is the home of the Easter Bunny. Enjoy your Easter holiday. I’m

hoping to color eggs with my grandchildren.

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing” Helen Keller

The Judges Corner

PAGE EIGHT THE CITIZEN-REPORTER

500 Court Street, P.O. Box 365 Moro, Oregon 97039 http://www.co.sherman.or.us

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage

PAID Moro, OR

Permit No. 4

Postal Patron

Three Easy Steps to Recycle!

First Sort: Commingled: PAPER - white and colored paper (staples OK) newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phone books, paperback books, spiral-bound notebooks, shredded paper in a paper bag, cereal & cracker style boxes (liner removed), cardboard tubes, paper bags, egg cartons, milk cartons & juice boxes. PLASTIC - plastic bottles with a neck, plastic tubs 6 oz. to 5 gal, plant containers 4 inches & larger. METAL - aluminum cans, tin cans (flattened), clean aluminum foil & foil baking pans, empty aerosol cans (discard cap).

Second Sort: All glass bottles & jars - rinsed. No lids.

Third Sort: Corrugated cardboard - flattened.

All items should be clean & rinsed with lids removed & flattened if possible.

Self-Haul Recycling Depot Schedule:

Moro 9 am - 4:30 pm: 2nd Friday & Saturday

Wasco 9 am - 4:30 pm: 3rd Friday & Saturday

Rufus 9 am - 4:30 pm: 4th Friday & Saturday

Grass Valley 1-3 pm: Monday & Tuesday weekly

Do Not Recycle: Carbon paper Food-contaminated packaging Clear “clamshells” (berry, bakery or battery

packages) Frozen food boxes or food stained paper Label backing sheets Paper towels, tissue, napkins Photographs Plastic-coated envelopes Wax, plastic or foil-coated paper Styrofoam.

The Dalles Disposal 1317 West 1

st Street -The Dalles, 97058

(541) 298-5149

April 2021

The Solid Waste Transfer Site: 72526 Welk Road

Open every 2nd & 4th Saturday 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

APRIL