Hermiston History: Man saved from drowning 25 years ago

Published 12:03 pm Wednesday, March 9, 2022

25 YEARS AGO

March 11, 1997

The keen eyes of a semi-truck driver and fortunate location of a passing motorist saved the life of an unlucky man whose boat had capsized in the Columbia River.

The man found himself in this situation when his craft’s anchor caught in the propeller, causing it to overturn. He was attempting to swim to shore, but the cold waters of the river made this a very difficult activity and posed the danger of drowning.

Myron McCrady, a passing semi-truck driver, spotted a man struggling in the water and called 911. While responders were on their way, nearby motorist William Hunt of Pendleton heard of the incident on his police scanner and hurried down the steep bank to the shoreline. Responding Umatilla patrol officer Bill Wright was also nearby, and together they were able to help the man get to shore.

Soon after, a rescue team from the Benton County Plymouth District Fire Department arrived and treated the man until the Umatilla Fire Protection ambulance crew came. Besides suffering from hypothermia, it seems the man escaped without other major injuries.

50 YEARS AGO

March 9, 1972

Dr. Jack A. Woodhall, a 58-year-old Milton-Freewater dentist and farmer, is the newest candidate for the state Senate seat vacated by Sen. Raphael R. Raymond, a Helix Republican.

Woodhall grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and has lived in Oregon the past 32 years. He worked in the plastering contracting business with his father and brothers in Walla Walla before graduating from Walla Walla College. From there, he attended the University of Oregon Dental School.

Upon graduating in 1947, he moved to Heppner with his wife, Bernice, and five children. Woodhall practiced dentistry there for three years, and then moved to Milton-Freewater where he continued working as a dentist and farmer.

He claimed that he intends to represent the low-and middle-income classes, saying, “I feel that these people are not adequately represented in the Legislature.”

Like many people today, he also opposes high medical costs; “It is my belief that we all have a right to health (…) Any family confronted with prolonged illnesses should not be burdened beyond their ability to pay because of high medical costs.”

75 YEARS AGO

March 13, 1947

To prepare for the expected influx of development and population in the Hermiston area, the Pacific Power & Light company began undertaking the largest program in its history.

Curtis Simons, Pacific Power & Light’s local manager, explains that a new 25000-KVA transformer will be installed at the company’s substation to boost power delivery in this area by more than 60%. This new transformer, which is nearly completed, will arrive in May along with a new voltage regulator twice the size of the present equipment.

Other installations include a complete rebuild of the existing distribution feeder lines, which will increase the carrying capacity from 7,200 to 12,000 volts.

Also, new copper conductors are planned to be installed in the electrical distribution system within the next two months.

In addition, Simons says a large share of more than $90,000 worth of additional distribution lines to serve new homes, businesses and industrial establishments will take place in Umatilla and Morrow counties.

All these improvements are part of Pacific Power & Light’s $3,874,000 system-wide construction program, and will be a great luxury to the residents of the area.

90 YEARS AGO

March 10, 1932

With spring right around the corner, the Hermiston Commercial Club decided it was time to start discussing “Clean-Up and Paint-Up Week” and tree planting.

At a recent meeting, President Felthouse appointed a committee to meet with the city council to assist in arranging the annual clean-up day for Hermiston. This day will be part of the nation-wide Clean-Up and Paint-Up Week, which is scheduled for April 16 to 23. Some of the members in this committee include Jarvie Deurfey, Ceo. Wagner and Joe Norton.

Another committee was appointed to promote tree planting in Hermiston, which consisted of T.H. Fraser, Antone Soneson and H.A. Pankow. Many trees have been cut down within city limits this past year, and this committee plans not only to replace them but to plant additional trees as well.

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