Hermiston Police Department detective Victor Gutierrez was a finalist recently for the United States Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.

While he did not receive the award, chief Jason Edmiston wrote in a news release that it was a tremendous honor for Gutierrez to be a finalist — one of only 44 nationwide.

Gutierrez became a United States citizen in 1998 and a police officer in 1999. He served in the Army National Guard until being honorably discharged in 2001, and has been married for 25 years. Edmiston said Gutierrez works with “passion and compassion” in his job and is an asset to the department.

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Hermiston School District is taking nominations for its sixth annual Distinguished Alumnus award.

Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 2. Candidates must be a graduate of Hermiston High School and have attended for at least two consecutive years before graduation, be a leader in their chosen field with “at least 10 years verifiable and successful professional experience,” serve as a role model for youth, be recognized for significant career contributions, have a visible commitment to the well-being of the town, state, nation or world, possess exemplary character and be supported by strong references.

The 2020 Distinguished Alumnus will be revealed at the Hermiston Distinguished Citizens Banquet held in February 2020. They will serve as a mentor for students throughout the school year and be a speaker at the high school’s 2020 commencement.

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The Hermiston Warming Station recently expressed appreciation to Wildhorse Foundation, Good Shepherd Health Care System, Walmart Distribution Center, Umatilla Electric Cooperative and Tillamook Creamery for the generous grants received.

HWS is 100% volunteer run and privately funded through donations and grants. Donations can be made to Hermiston Warming Station, P.O. Box 433, Hermiston, OR 97838.

The training schedule for the upcoming weeks at the warming station (1075 S. Highway 395) are:

Friday, Oct. 25 from 9-10:30 a.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26 from 3-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9-10:30 a.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3 from 3-4:30 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 4 from 6-7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m.

For other future dates, call 541-289-2150 or contact Adelaide Zumwalt at zumwalt.adelaide@gmail.com or search Facebook.

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Local CASA program manager Jesus Rome recently said the Umatilla Morrow Child Welfare system is in crisis. However, the agency recently received a boost — a $50,000 Mentoring Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem Association for Children.

The money will be used to recruit, train and assign new volunteers to represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Maureen McGrath, Umatilla Morrow County Head Start executive director, said the agency currently has 204 children who need a volunteer to take an active role in their lives — but up to this point, they only have enough volunteers to serve 104 children.

For more information, including how to become a CASA, contact Rome at 541-667-6091 or jrome@umchs.org.

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Thursday’s menu for the Harkenrider Senior Activity Center is beef roast, baked potato, carrots and dessert. Friday is turkey sandwich, green salad and dessert. Monday is salad bar, dinner roll and dessert. Tuesday is spaghetti, garlic bread, green beans, tossed salad and birthday cake. Next Wednesday is macaroni and cheese, salad, bologna and dessert.