Pendleton / Hermiston
County Waits for State Funding
Umatilla County department heads have come forward with balanced budgets. Commissioner Bill Hansell says the spending plan will be very similar to last year. Of course, he says, counties are often at the mercy of the Oregon Legislature. He says the state and county are partners – the state funds services and the county provides them. Areas affected by state funding include the Commission on Children and Families, community Corrections and drug addiction programs.
Summer Crime Rates
Warm weather means crime rates go up, according to Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts. He worries about that every summer, and this year he's especially concerned about vandalism. He says that crime of ransacking parks and public restrooms has been fairly constant, even in the winter months and he can't find a reason for it. The city has to pay thousands of dollars to repair vandalism damages each year. Roberts has asked people to not hesitate to call if they see anyone near a park or public restroom acting suspiciously. Walden Speaks out on Federal Budget
OREGON SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN SAYS THE BIG PROBLEM FACING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT -- THERE'S NO BUDGET. HE SAYS THE TROUBLE STARTED WITH THE LAST SESSION OF THE HOUSE WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN POWER. HE SAYS CONGRESS LEFT WITH NO VOTE AND NO BUDGET, LEAVING A MESS AT THIS SESSION'S DOORSTEP. WALDEN SAYS THAT MEANS THE HOUSE IS TRYING TO FUND THE REMAINDER OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH A BUDGET FOR 2012 WHILE FACED WITH AN EVER-GROWING DEBT LOAD. HE ESTIMATES THE 2012 BUDGET WILL BE COMPLETE IN MID-APRIL. Gas Prices up in Hermiston
OREGON'S AVERAGE PRICE FOR GAS INCREASED NEARLY 4-CENTS A GALLON TO 3-68 LAST WEEK. HERMISTON IS UP FOUR CENTS AT 3-56 AND PENDLETON IS UP A PENNY AT 3-62. TRIPLE-A'S MARIE DODDS SAYS GAS PRICES IN OREGON COULD APPROACH 4-DOLLARS A GALLON, BUT THEY DON'T EXPECT IT TO GO MUCH HIGHER. DIESEL INCREASED 2-CENTS A GALLON TO 4-10. # Forecast Good for Summer Steehead
THE STEELHEAD SEASON ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IS PROMISING, ACCORDING TO A TEAM OF STATE, FEDERAL AND TRIBAL BIOLOGISTS. THE FORECAST IS FOR 391,000 UP-RIVER SUMMER STEELHEAD FOR THE SEASON THAT BEGINS MAY 16TH. MOST OF THOSE ARE EXPECTED TO BE A-RUN HATCHERY FISH RANGING IN SIZE FROM FIVE TO EIGHT POUNDS EACH. ONLY HATCHERY STEELHEAD CAN BE RETAINED. |