It’s almost Halloween, and we’ve got some Halloween-related reads this week. Community Editor Tammy Malgesini gave us her take on the ancient pagan holiday with her personal column “Inside My Shoes.”

She also provided a roundup for many of the area’s Halloween happenings. From free feeds and trunk-or-treat events to Halloween on Main Street and a Field of Screams, check out what children and adults can do for the horror-filled holiday.

And at least one of the area’s Halloween event organizers is looking for donations. If you can help out, the Echo Public Library is seeking candy, prizes or cash donations to help with its Halloween party.

Speaking of party, you might consider a dinner party that ends in murder. Check out Hermiston High School’s Theatre Club as it presents its fall production of “Clue.” The comedic whodunit based on the board game and movie opened Saturday, but you can still see it Nov. 3 and 4. 

And, of course, we couldn’t let Halloween go by without reminding readers about how to stay safe, not just from the ghouls and goblins, but from traffic as children go door-to-door trick-or-treating. We got tips for children and adults who may be walking or driving.

But it wasn’t all about Halloween this past week. Reporter Daneli Atilano covered the Hermiston School District Board of Education’s special meeting in which the Hermiston High School athletic director updated the board on the school’s athletic teams.

And Tammy gave us a story on the Echo Kiwanis Club ending its charter after a 16-year run. The couple who ran the club said it was a hard decision to make, and with membership down to less than 10 people, it would take a substantial commitment to revive it.

As we stay with outlying news, I covered the Port of Morrow Commission filling its vacant fifth seat after it opened when former Commissioner Jerry Healey retired Aug. 8. The commission chose Joel Peterson as the final commissioner following the Morrow County Board of Commissioners giving it a deadline to fill the seat or declare an impasse. If that had occurred, then the county commissioners were set to fill the vacancy. 

Back in Hermiston, Michael Kane of Northeast Oregon Now covered the city council amending a homelessness ordinance. Passed in September, the ordinance addressed homeless camps within city limits. The amendment passed Monday, Oct. 23, deals primarily with vehicle camping and where and for how long vehicles can remain in a location. 

Also in city news, Mayor David Drotzmann was recently named the 2024 president of the League of Oregon Cities during its annual convention Oct. 14. The LOC was founded in 1925 as a voluntary association representing Oregon’s incorporated cities. Drotzmann previously served as the LOC Executive Committee’s treasurer and vice president.  

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