January

One person was killed during a gun fight at the Gotta Stop gas station and convenience store on Highland Avenue in Hermiston. Three people were arrested for the incident that killed 22-year-old Salvador Valencia.

Petitions were filed to recall Mayor Bob Severson and Hermiston City Council members Rod Hardin, Frank Harkenrider, Joe Harn and Jackie Myers. The Hermiston Government Reform Committee, which coordinated the recall effort, accused the elected officials of being negligent, practicing cronyism and violating the public trust.

Hundreds stopped by Martha’s House, a family homeless shelter in Hermiston, for the facility’s mid-construction celebration. Visitors were encouraged to write positive messages on the supports and frames of the building.

Hermiston Mayor Bob Severson announced he would not run for re-election.

A Boardman man celebrated his 31st birthday by fleeing police custody, running a red light and smashing into a vehicle driven by another man wanted on felony warrants. Both Ramel Rodriguez, of Boardman, and Steven Broyles, of Hermiston, were arrested. Rodriguez was charged with two felony warrants; one count of felony failure to perform the duties of a driver injury crash; one count of attempt to elude police in a vehicle; one count of attempt to elude police on foot; one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of reckless endangerment. Rodriguez had a long history with the Hermiston Police Department, including 20 arrests and 43 different charges, prompting then-Acting Police Chief Jason Edmiston to call him a “scourge to society.”

An ice storm covered the local community in a thick sheet of frozen water, prompting businesses and school districts to close for as many as four consecutive days.

Umatilla County Commissioner Bill Hansell announced he would seek the Republican nod for David Nelson’s seat in Senate District 29. A raid involving officers from five law enforcement agencies recovered at least 14 firearms and a variety of controlled substances. Nine people were arrested, all with alleged ties to local burglaries.

Ric Sherman and Jeanne Jewett were named the Man and Woman of the Year, respectively, at the Hermiston Distinguished Citizens Awards. Administrator of the Year went to Hermiston High School Principal Buzz Brazeau; the Mayor’s Award went to the Agape House Board of Directors; Business of the Year was Campbell Toyota; and the Hermiston Chamber Community Service Award went to Juli Gregory and the Healthy Communities Coalition.

February

Seven people applied for a vacant spot on the Hermiston City Council, and the city’s review committee recommended George Anderson for the position.

Hermiston Police Chief Dan Coulombe officially retired from his position after the Hermiston Police Association demanded an investigation into his performance. That investigation found Coulombe had fostered a “culture of fear” in the department. He received a lump sum payment of $22,781 from the city.

Hermiston Assistant City Manager Ray Jones retired.

A $20,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of two individuals who robbed the Old West Federal Credit Union in Hermiston.

The Hermiston Education Foundation’s annual Beach and Beef fundraiser brought in more than 350 guests and raised more than $33,000.

Business owner Dave Drotzmann announced he would run for mayor of Hermiston.

Cody Lee Dean and Jeffrey Allen Smith, both 20, were arrested and charged with 18 counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Officers said the charges related a spree of vehicle thefts in Hermiston and Pendleton.

Hermiston High School’s wrestling team placed third at the OSAA Clase 5A state championships. Joey Delgado topped the 138-pound championship, became the first Hermiston wrestler in the school’s history to win four state titles. Tyler Berger and Abraham Rodriguez also claimed individual state titles.

March

Good Shepherd Medical Center donated land for the first Hermiston community garden.

A series of dog attacks on livestock raised concerns from local residents.

Austin J. Erickson, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree aggravated theft and menacing in connection with the Old West Federal Credit Union robbery. Police also released the name of a second suspect: 18-year-old Luizinho M. Penaloza.

Hermiston mourned the death of Tom Bequette, a popular softball coach for Hermiston High School who coached HHS to four league titles.

Boyd Sharp was named Umatilla’s Citizen of the Year.

Dave Duquette proposed a horse slaughter plan and horse rescue center of 252 acres near Interstate 84 and Westland Road.

The city of Hermiston and Umatilla County signed an intergovernmental agreement establishing the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Authority. The authority was designed to construct, manage and operate EOTEC.

The Umatilla Chemical Depot and Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility celebrated the “End of Operations” with a ceremony at the Hermiston Conference Center.

The Umatilla High School Robotics Team placed 34th in the Oregon Autodesk Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. It was the school’s first time competing in the challenge, which featured 2,000 students from 66 teams across the Western United States and Mexico.

Hermiston Police Officer Will Jons was named the department’s gang intervention officer.

Hermiston hosted the 2012 Oregon FFA State Convention, bringing 2,500 FFA members, teachers, parents and guests to Hermiston.

The community garden was named “Lovin’ Spadefuls.”

Hermiston High School students Issac Aguilar, Tyler Berger and Abraham Rodriguez qualified for the prestigious Oregon Wrestling Cultural Exchange and a series of tournaments in South Africa.

April

Hermiston High School Principal Buzz Brazeau announced he had accepted a position as superintendent of Oregon’s Central School District.

Darlyne Robinson was killed in a two-vehicle accident at East Coe and South Edwards Road in Stanfield. Robinson’s husband, Chuck Woolsey, Hermiston building inspector, was seriously injured. A 16-year-old from Pendleton ran a stop sigh at the intersection and crashed into the couple’s vehicle.

Wilcox Furniture announced its plan to close its stores in Hermiston, Pendleton and Milton-Freewater. The business had operated for more than 60 years.

An electrical fault at a substation caused a power outage for 9,257 customers in and around Hermiston.

Candidates had the change to state their cases during a series of debates for those running for county commissioner, state senate and Hermiston mayor.

Hermiston School District received a $2 million construction refund grant from the State of Oregon. The refund was a portion of money spent to build three new schools in Hermiston through a $69.9 bond.

A storm with winds up to 60 mph took a toll on Hermiston, knocking out power to 1,500 homes, tearing roofing material off Rocky Heights Elementary and knocking down large trees.

The search began for a Hermiston woman kidnapped from her workplace by a former boyfriend. Police began looking for Alberto Quioz Martinez, 28, who had a previous history of attempted rape and kidnapping.

Umatilla County officials approved $400,000 toward construction of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center and $80,000 for operations and maintenance of the facility.

May

Police arrested Alberto Quiroz Martinez after a two-hour armed standoff at a lake in rural Klamath County. Martinez was shot by police and received minor injuries during the incident. The kidnapped Hermiston woman was found alive.

A comprehensive, county-wide health study found 67 percent of adults in Umatilla County are overweight or obese, a third of adults have arthritis and 15 percent of adults believe they are in poor health. The “Working Together for a Healthier Tomorrow Umatilla County Community Health Assessment Report” covered a full scale of health topics and involved more than 40 separate groups to compile.

Hermiston High School girls golf team took home the conference title. The boys team finished second, but both teams qualified for state.

Dave Drotzmann beat out John F. Kirwan to take the primary race for Hermiston mayor. Bill Hansell took the primary win for State Senate District 29, and Bill Elfering received the nod for Umatilla County Commissioner.

Good Shepherd Medical Center unveiled a new robotic surgery system capable of minimally invasive surgeries, even for complex internal procedures.

Jason Edmiston was named Hermiston Police Chief.

The bleachers at Hermiston High School’s Kennison Field were deemed unsafe and a liability risk. The Hermiston School Board voted to shut down the bleachers until they could be replaced and began looking at options for a Kennison Field Renovation Project.

The Hermiston School District launched the Hermiston ONLINE! program. The virtual instruction system was the first of its kind in Hermiston and promised a robust, online education for students grades K-12.

Fire gutted a home on Kurz Lane in Umatilla. No one was living in the home at the time of the fire, but the building was assessed at $255,000.

The Hermiston Herald won two awards in the annual competition by the Oregon and Southwest Washington Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Editor Neill Woelk received a first-place award for best column or editorial, and reporters Jennifer Colton and Luke Hegdal earned a second-place award in the Social Issues category for the series “Cultural Shift: Hermiston faces change” about the growing Hispanic population in the area.

The Umatilla Chemical Disposal Outreach Office closed its doors after 16 years in downtown Hermiston.

Francisco Garcia Torres was arrested after an armed standoff in Umatilla. He was charged with kidnapping and felony assault in the domestic violence-related case.

June

 All five Hermiston elected officials survived an attempted recall to retain their positions.

Umatilla woman took over the June meeting of the Umatilla City Council in homage to the 1916 Petticoat Rebellion. In the ‘rebellion,” a group of women, fed up with how the city was being run, ran a secret campaign and were elected mayor, recorder, town treasurer and to four city council seats. The 2012 “rebellion” kicked off the city’s 150th anniversary celebration.

The Hermiston Sports Boosters committed to $250,000 for the Kennison Field Renovation Project.

Jim’s Barber shop closed its doors. Jim Corey retired after cutting hair in Umatilla County for 48 years.

Leadership Hermiston honored Brenda Turner. A longtime facilitator of the program, Turner stepped down from the office in 2012. Fran Rice was named as her replacement.

Hermiston High School baseball coach Brent Mattson resigned from his post.

Umatilla celebrated its 150th anniversary with ferry re-enactments, tours of the Umatilla Museum and special visits through the Old Town Site, typically closed to visitors.

After 37 years as the Hermiston face of Blue Mountain Community College, Margaret Saylor announced she would retire.

Eddie De La Cruz was named the chairman of the Hermiston Hispanic Advisory Committee.

Mark Morgan, 24, of Spokane, was named Hermiston’s assistant to the city manager.

July

Local law enforcement agencies prepared to step up security at the 2012 Umatilla County Fair.

A 22-year-old Washington man was airlifted after crashing his motorcycle into a guardrail as he attempted to elude police at speeds as high as 106 mph.

Hermiston’s Ivan Santoyo, 28, was arrested for the 24th time by Hermiston police after he allegedly spit in the face of an officer.

Eastside Market celebrated its 60th anniversary in Hermiston.

A faulty air conditioner caused a fire that displaced three families at a Umatilla fourplex.

The “Operation Lights Out” event signaled the end of 70 years of U.S. Army control of the Umatilla Depot. Opened as the Umatilla Army Ordnance Depot in October 14, 1941, the Umatilla Chemical Depot completed its mission to destroy its portion of the chemical weapons stockpile in 2011.

The Hermiston Herald won four awards at the 2012 Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Herald sports editor Billy Gates won first place in the Best Local Column division and second place in the Best Sports Photo category. Herald reporter Jennifer Colton won first place in Best Lifestyle Coverage for her reporting in the series “Cultural Shift: Hermiston Faces Change” and a second-place award in the Best Local Column division.

A local woman was hospitalized after a hit-and-run on Highway 395 north of Hermiston. The 60-year-old woman was walking alongside the highway when she was struck by a white pickup.

The Hermiston City Council approved a tourism tax called the Tourism Promotion Assessment to help fund the Eastern Oregon Trade and Events Center. The assessment would cost those who stay in Hermiston hotels and motels an extra $1 per room, per night.

A former Umatilla teacher had her Oregon teaching license revoked for engaging in sexual activity with students. Kristle Starr Vandever, an ESL teacher, resigned in May 2010 at the start of a district investigation into allegations of inappropriate relationships with Umatilla High School students.

August

Twenty-nine people were arrested, 21 firearms taken and $400,000 in drugs seized in a multi-county drug and weapon bust. Twenty agencies took part in the bust, which seized methamphetamine, heroin, prescription pills, marijuana plants, 11 handguns, 10 long-barrel firearms and a homemade silencer.

Hermiston welcomed the 99th annual Umatilla County Fair and the 25th annual Farm-City Pro Rodeo.

Lorena Madrigal Barraza, a deputy clerk for the Hermiston Municipal Clerk, was one of the people arrested in a multi-agency drug sweep by the Blue Mountain Narcotics Team. Total, 35 people were arrested, and another 10 had charges pending or were wanted in connection with the bust.

The Umatilla County Fair Youth Livestock Auction set records by netting a total of $361,134. The top amount went to Lara Dewey’s 281-pound Hampshire hog, “Crusher,” at $6.50 per pound.

The new administrative team at Hermiston High School Principal Jocelyn Jones and Assistant Principals Dusty Porter and Ryan Keefauver prepared for the beginning of thee 2012-13 school year.

A 22-year-old Hermiston man was arrested on graffiti charges after police found him passed out in the roadway by his girlfriend’s vehicle with red and blue paint all over his hands.

Eight people filed for four at-large Hermiston City Council spots for the November election. The candidates included incumbent City Council members Joe Harn, Rod Hardin and Brian Misner and newcomers Mark Eaves, Manuel Gutierrez, John Kirwan, Doug Primmer and Brad Smith. Hermiston City Councilman Michael Calame did not file for re-election.

The Hermiston Police Department netted eight DUII arrests in 36 hours over the weekend.

September

The Superlative Group, an Ohio-based naming rights organization, began a $75,000 study into naming rights at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Events Center and Hermiston High School’s Kennison Field. The study was expected to provide an inventory of sponsorable opportunities both inside and outside the facilities to help the groups in charge better market fundraising at their projects.

Daryl Bryant Lanphear, 33, was arrested on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree assault domestic violence. The charges made the 82nd and 83rd for the Hermiston man, and the arrest was his 21st.

The Kennison Field Renovation Project received its first sponsorship: The Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center received a gold-level sponsorship with a donation of $25,000. The funds came from a private grant at the facility; no Oregon State University or taxpayer funding went into the donation.

Al Meunier was hired as interim superintendent in Umatilla to fill the one-year gap left by Heidi Sipe’s position with the Oregon Department of Education in Salem.

The Port of Umatilla commission unanimously decided to terminate a least with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Umatilla Marina and RV Park. The Port gave the Corps, which owns the property, one-year notice and announced it would walk away from managing the site in September 2013.

A five-vehicle accident closed Highway 395 and sent three people to Good Shepherd Medical Center.

The City of Hermiston announced it would contest a proposed horse slaughter plant near Hermiston.

More than 4,000 people turned out for the fourth annual Family Health & Fitness Day. The event, sponsored by Good Shepherd Medical Center, the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and the Healthy Communities Coalition, featured dozens of screenings and hundreds of booths and demonstrations, all free to the public.

Two separate chemical spills temporarily shut down the Stanfield exit to Interstate 84.

October

More than 1,400 people lost power for up to six hours over the first weekend in October. At the time, Umatilla Electric Cooperative and Hermiston Energy Services officials were still investigating the cause of the outage, which affected North Highway 395 and both east and west Elm Avenue.

Hermiston Police recovered items worth $1,500 stolen from a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot. Security cameras and an alert citizen led police to two Hermiston men, Luis Estrada, 33, and Brandt Littrell, also 33, were arrested and charged with tow counts of first-degree theft and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

The Hermiston School District and the City of Hermiston signed an agreement exchanging a $100,000 donation for the Kennison Field Renovation Project and a 33-year contract for city use of Rocky Heights Elementary playing fields for Hermiston soccer leagues.

The annual Altrusa Auction sold out and raised about $30,000 for the local community organization.

Almost all local schools received “Satisfactory” ratings from the Oregon Department of Education. Both Stanfield Elementary and Stanfield Secondary School were classified as “Outstanding,” the highest rating a school can receive, and Umatilla’s McNary Heights Elementary received an “In Need of Improvement” score.

“Chronic offender” Charles Brian Barker was arrested by Hermiston police for allegedly stealing a cellphone from an unlocked pickup truck parked at a Hermiston business. The arrest was Barker’s 26th for the Hermiston Police Department. He had been charged with 53 different things, most related to burglary or theft.

West Park Elementary School principal Shane Pratt resigned suddenly. Hermiston School District Superintendent Bryn Browning agreed to step into the roll through the end of the school year.

Hermiston farmer Chet Prior was honored by Eastern Oregon University with the Honorary Alumni Award for his longtime involvement in agriculture and education.

Hermiston School District Superintendent Fred Maiocco returned to the district after an 18-month military deployment to Kuwait.

Good Shepherd Medical Center received a $300,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office to help build a new surgical center.

November

Voters in Hermiston chose to change up the Hermiston City Council, electing only one of three incumbents who filed for re-election. The four at-large spots went to Manuel Gutierrez, John Kirwan, Doug Primmer and incumbent Rod Hardin.

The November election brought out Umatilla County support for Greg Walden, James Buchal for attorney general, Knute Buehler for secretary of state, Bill Hansell for State Senate District 29, Terry Rowan for Umatilla County Sheriff.

In Echo, Richard Winter was voted mayor, and Eujeana Hampton, Jerry Gaunt and Patrick Wood were selected as city council members.

Stanfield re-elected Tom McCann as mayor, and voters chose Lynn Weathermon, Don Tyrrell and Pamela McSpadden for the city council.

In Umatilla, Pat Lafferty retained his spot as mayor, after a special election in 2011. Sharon Farnsworth, George Fenton and Steve Johnson were elected to the city council.

The Hermiston City Council issued an intent to award a construction big of $17.2 million for improvements to the city’s recycled water plant.

Umatilla County Public Heath found E.coli in a well near the Pilot Truck Stop in Stanfield. The truck stop and residents of the on-site RV Park were directed to boil water.

The “Friends of the Umatilla Marina and RV Park” group was formed to show support for keeping the facilities open after the Port of Umatilla terminated its lease with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. About 20 people attended a meeting with a Corps representative to discuss options for continued operation of the site.

An alert citizen was credited with helping Hermiston police arrest a suspect charged with a series of break-ins at Agape House, a Hermiston nonprofit. Terrance Willis Seibel was charged.

Hundreds participated in an emergency preparedness drill involving the “crash” of a helicopter into a large number of people near a Hermiston business.

A study by Portland State University showed Hermiston’s population at 16,995 as of July 1.

Three local residents led Hermiston police and officers from two other law enforcement agencies on a 12-mile pursuit. Luis Fuentes, Catarino Montes and Susan Steele were all arrested.

Agape House announced it would have to spend between $10,000 and $15,000 on a new security system after a string of break-ins. One suspect was arrested in the thefts, which included two $1,000 chain saws and wire cut from a fence, but the thefts showed the need for security. Oregon Trail Habitat for Humanity also experienced thefts in November.

More than 1,000 people stopped by the opening night of the 14th annual Festival of Lights.

About 200 volunteers gave their time to make sure more than 600 meals were served in the Thanksgiving Community Fellowship Dinner.

The Hermiston School District unveiled the plans for the $4 million Kennison Field Renovation Project, including an artificial turf, multi-sport playing field; a new low-maintenance track; spaces for throwing field events; and ADA accessible, 2,032-seat bleachers.

December

The Hermiston Business Advisory Committee recommended the creation of an urban renewal district for the City of Hermiston.

A second man, Charles Cass Cooley, was arrested and charged with attempted theft at Agape House.

About 700 people a day attended the 39th annual Hermiston Farm Fair & Trade Show, making the event one of the biggest to date.

One person was killed in an apartment fire in Umatilla. The fire was likely started by “hot or burning material” dropped into a pastic garbage can at the elderly woman’s apartment.

Hermiston police began searching for two suspects who allegedly held up a Hermiston gas station at gunpoint and took more than $2,000.

The Hermiston Festival of Trees raised more than $35,000. The funds are split between local nonprofit organizations.

More than 120 motorcycle riders took part in the ninth annual Echo Toy Run. Bikers participate in the event by donating a new, unwrapped toy to Good Shepherd Medical Center. The toys are given to pediatric patients and family members of patients throughout the year.

Hermiston Mayor Bob Severson was listed in critical condition after suffering a massive heart attack.

Amy Palmer joined the staff of the city of Hermiston as new finance director.

Hermiston City Manager Ed Brookshier’s contract was extended until Dec. 31, 2014. Brookshier announced he will end his Hermiston career on that night.

More than 400 people attended the funeral of Bob Severson to pay respects to the longtime mayor.

Carlisle Harrison and Joyce Dye were named the 2012 Christmas Spirit Award winners. The honor is given to two individuals annually by the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation.

A mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., caused local school districts to evaluate their own safety and notification procedures.

The Hermiston City Council approved an amendment to the city’s recycled water plan project that authorized an additional $995,000 in expenditures.

Alberto Quiroz Martinez changed his plea to guilty in the April kidnapping and rape of his former girlfriend.

The Hermiston Rotary Club donated $7,000 to Christmas Express program through the annual “fleecing” of its members. The funds are used as seed money for the next year of the program. Run by the Hermiston Police Department, Christmas Express serves food and gifts to 500 needy families in Hermiston each December.

Police began investigating the homicide of Jaime Diaz, 32, of Umatilla after a caller reported a body alongside Highway 730 near McNary.

The Eastern Oregon Festival of Lights ended its 2012 season with more than 12,500 visitors.

The Desert River Inn closed suddenly. Owners of the McNary business said they could not afford to keep the hotel and restaurant open. Alberto Quiroz Martinez was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of his former girlfriend.

Kathryn Brown was named the publisher of the Hermiston Herald and East Oregonian.

 A police shooting of a suspected bank robber at a Hermiston liquor store leaves one man dead.