Schools will be starting classes soon, and Reporter Beau Glynn is working on back-to-school stories for Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, Echo, Boardman and Lexington schools. Look for them in the Aug. 16 and Aug. 23 issues.

And with schools returning to class, there will be fewer swimmers at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center, but check out Hermiston Herald contributor McKenzie Rose’s story about HFAC Manager Kasia Robbins as she strives to make swimming safer.

If you missed the Irrigon Watermelon Festival on July 29, you can view photos taken by Beau. Beau also reported on an alleged ethics violation regarding Boardman Fire Rescue District Chief Michael Hughes. A recent complaint to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission alleges Hughes took advantage of his position when he used district equipment and personnel to install a personal hot tub.

Speaking of fire departments, several of them were called to Hermiston on July 30 to help extinguish a fire at the Cozy Corner Tavern on Main Street. It took nearly two days to extinguish the blaze and leftover smoldering material. An investigation is underway to determine the fire’s cause. 

With the Cozy Corner Tavern closed for the foreseeable future, another business has opened its doors. Owner Alejandra Gutierreez opened The Homemade Bakery on Aug. 5 at 319 W. Locust Ave. Browse everything from cupcakes and cookies to slices of cake and cheesecake. 

In the coming edition on the Outskirts page, read Laura’s feature about college students from local communities who spent the summer interning at Threemile Canyon Farms in Boardman. The students used their vacation learning more about agronomy, animal science, nutrition and crop science.

Laura also reported on the largest wind project yet in Umatilla County receiving its site certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council. Construction on the 48,196-acre Nolin Hills Wind Power Project is expected to commence in 2025.

Also getting approval was a $5.56 million Oregon Community Pathways grant for the Umatilla River Trail Project. The Oregon Department of Transportation will provide the grant for the first phase of the county project that is expected to link about 25 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails between Umatilla, Hermiston, Stanfied and Echo near the Umatilla River.

And in community news, the Umatilla County Fair starts this coming week Aug. 9-12 at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. This year’s theme is Watch Us Grow!  

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As always, if you have comments or questions about the Hermiston Herald, or want to pass along a story idea, send me an email at this address: tsnell@hermistonherald.com.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to once again thank the Hermiston Herald subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Travis Snell is the editor of the Hermiston Herald.