Online advertising claimed another victim this week when The Nickel closed its doors Thursday.

The want ad newspaper, based in Hermiston, published classified ads covering Umatilla, Morrow and Gilliam counties for 42 years.

It announced on Thursday that it was closing for good, both in print and online.

“We greatly appreciate the support from hundreds of the most loyal customers over those years,” the staff wrote on Facebook. “While we still have the support of many, it is just not enough to keep our doors open.”

Newspapers across the country have seen their classified ad revenue decline steeply over the past two decades, as more customers migrate to using free online services, such as Facebook and Craigslist, to advertise items for sale.

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Both Hermiston and Pendleton recorded their warmest days on record last week.

The records were broken on Friday. According to Ann Adams, assistant forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, the Pendleton airport recorded a high temperature of 63 degrees that day.

The previous high temperature was 61 degrees, recorded in 2018.

At the Hermiston airport, the temperature rose to 66 degrees, breaking a record held since 1933. The previous high was 63.

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A program to support youth programs is offered through U.S. Cellular.

In its fifth year, The Future of Good raises awareness for youth causes and increases their impact through financial contributions. Now through April 15, anyone over the age of 18 is encouraged to visit www.thefutureofgood.uscellular.com to nominate young people ages 6-17, who are making a positive impact in communities served by U.S. Cellular.

A total of six winners — three in February and another three in May — will be announced.

These six individuals will join the community of over 40 extraordinary The Future of Good winners and receive $10,000 each to put toward their cause.

The entry process includes a description of the nominee’s cause, how it is helping his/her community and how the nominee could use a cash grant for technology or other means to continue and grow his/her efforts.

Nominees must not turn 18 before August 30, 2020.

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The Harkenrider Senior Activity Center is closed this week in honor of Christmas.

It will reopen Monday with a menu of hamburger gravy over rice, veggies and dessert. Tuesday is a smorgasborg of “cook’s choice” items. Next Wednesday there will be no meal for New Year’s Day.

— You can submit items for our weekly By The Way column by emailing your tips to editor@hermistonherald.com.