Beer & brauts, burgers & dogs, as well as live music by Standard Deviation is featured during this year’s Echo OktoberFest. While organizers are gearing up for the Oct. 19 event, they are offering pre-sale tickets that include a $5 bonus token. They are available at H&P Cafe, Columbia Bank, Community Bank and Echo Ridge Cellars.

For more information, visit https://echo.kiwanisone.org. Also, a full story about the event will appear in the Oct. 16 Hermiston Herald.

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‘Tis the season for the flu, and that means the Centers for Disease Control is urging everyone to get vaccinated for the flu. The body takes about two weeks to build up immunity after the shot, so if you wait until everyone in your family or your workplace is already sick it might be too late.

Most insurances will pay 100% of the cost, and shots are available from your doctor and a wide variety of local pharmacies, including Rite-Aid, Bi-Mart, Walmart and Safeway.

VA-enrolled veterans are eligible for free flu shots, and on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center, 77 Wainwright Drive in Walla Walla, is offering them a drive-through vaccine event where they can get vaccinated from the comfort of their vehicle.

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Mark Rose, director of the Hermiston Public Library, recently announced that $1,700 was raised during the annual book sale. The Friends of the Hermiston Public Library organize the yearly event, which helps in supporting programs at the library.

Library friends and staff expressed appreciation to all those who attended the book sale. The public is encouraged to check out the library’s website at www.hermistonlibrary.us, where information about services and resources can be found. Also, scroll to the bottom to make a recommendation for a book to be purchased for the library’s collection.

The library is located at 235 E. Gladys Ave. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions, call 541-567-2882.

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The crisp fall nights are bringing frost to the region — including at Big River Golf Course in Umatilla. For those still wanting to hit the links, don’t fret — you’ll just need to linger awhile to ensure the course is ready to play.

General manager Megan Olsen reminds golfers to be sure to check in with the pro shop before teeing off. For questions, contact her at 541-922-3006 or megan@golfbigriver.com.

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Hermiston’s assistant city manager Mark Morgan recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.

According to a news release, Morgan is one of 24 active city administrators in Oregon credentialed through the program. Hermiston city manager Byron Smith is another.

Morgan has a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Washington University, where he was named the H. George Frederickson Honor’s Graduate. He has more than eight years of executive local government experience, including time in Pullman and Cheney, Washington, and has been Hermiston’s assistant city manager since 2012.

As part of Morgan’s ICMA membership, he completed a two-year leadership program, was accepted into the ICMA Fellows program in 2011 and was awarded the Washington City/County Managers Association’s Educational Fellowship in 2011.

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Thursday’s menu for the Harkenrider Senior Activity Center is beef stroganoff, vegetable, fruit and dessert. Friday is clam chowder, coleslaw, garlic bread and dessert. Monday is salad bar, dinner roll and dessert. Tuesday is beef hot dogs, sauerkraut, baked beans and dessert. Next Wednesday is tacos, fruit and dessert.