Earlier this week we welcomed aboard the Hermiston Herald’s new reporter, Daneli Atilano. Daneli is a hometown product, having graduated from Hermiston High School in 2019. She’s finishing her degree with Eastern Oregon University via online classes this semester and expects to graduate this December. 

And while I’m on the subject of school, this week we published part one of Reporter Beau Glynn’s two-part, back-to-school series for the schools in the Herald’s coverage areas. Be on the lookout online or in the Aug. 23 issue for the second part. In them Beau outlines what days students report to class, the supplies they need, which schools offer students free meals, etc.  

I spent this past Monday night covering my first Hermiston School District School Board meeting. I learned this school year HSD will offer all its students free meals. This past school year, students in grades kindergarten through eighth ate breakfast and lunch for free. However, the high school did not meet federal qualifications to offer free lunches until this year. Officials say students who paid for lunch last year will save nearly $5 a day this year because of the free meals. 

A man who formerly served on the HSD School Board is Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann. This past week during the city council meeting he received his Oregon Mayors Association award. Drotzmann won the award in the Large City category but couldn’t attend the awards banquet because of prior engagements at the Umatilla County Fair.

And speaking of the fair, Beau reported on this year’s showmanship awards and livestock auctions. We also got some nice photos and asked several people why they attend the annual event.

Be on the lookout for Beau and Daneli’s coverage of the Morrow County Fair, which wrapped up Saturday, the same day as the Hermiston Watermelon Festival. Be sure to look for that coverage, too.

It’s all part of the Hermiston Herald’s efforts, both in print and online, to keep you informed about the latest happenings throughout Umatilla and Morrow counties. As always, if you have a news tip to share or want to ask a question about our news coverage, drop a note to me at tsnell@hermistonherald.com.

And, finally, let me take this opportunity to thank our subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support. 

Travis Snell is the editor for the Hermiston Herald.