Category Archives: Walla Walla Union Bulletin

Bentz pans idea to establish Owyhee Canyon national monument

The Owyhee Canyon is one of Oregon’s most scenic locations, an area of awe-inspiring rock formations and wildlife. U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, told members of Congress last week that the best way to protect the land is to maintain its current status and head off any attempts to create a national monument there. Source: […]
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Oregon side of Walla Walla Basin has a new watermaster

The Oregon-side of the Walla Walla Basin, located around Milton-Freewater, now has its own district in the Oregon Water Resources Department and with it a new watermaster. Luke Martin is the watermaster of newly created District 23. He previously served as the assistant watermaster for District 5, which had covered both the Umatilla and Walla […]
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Columbia Rail receives $700K ODOT grant to fix Milton-Freewater track

The railroad track that stretches between Milton-Freewater and Walla Walla will get some much-needed repairs after the Oregon Department of Transportation approved a $692,300 grant to upgrade the line. Source: Columbia Rail receives $700K ODOT grant to fix Milton-Freewater track

Vacant Milton-Freewater buildings that once held bakery, coffee shop to be restored 

Oregon Heritage has awarded the Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance a $200,000 grant to rehabilitate two vacant properties — a bakery and coffee shop at 620 N. Main St. and for interior renovation and roof repair of 514 N. Main St. Both properties are in an area with some of the highest vacancy rates in MFDA’s Main […]
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After years of drought, April storms may mitigate fire season in the Umatilla National Forest but not stop it

With summer just a month away, officials overseeing the Umatilla National Forest are cautiously optimistic that conditions this year appear to be less conducive to fire than in 2021. Three massive fires in the Blue Mountains — the Green Ridge Fire, Lick Creek Fire and Elbow Creek Fire — that sparked last July burned through […]
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COVID-19 relief program sends nearly $8 million to Northeastern Oregon hospitals

A bevy of local hospitals and providers are receiving more than $7.8 million in funds through the American Rescue Plan via a program specific to rural hospitals. While the fund allocated $118 million to hospitals across the state, nearly 25%, or more than $29.4 million, was sent to hospitals in Portland — mostly to Providence, […]
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Wind turbine blades stir up trouble for Milton-Freewater recycling operation

A longtime Milton-Freewater businessman has appealed a recent state environmental fine of $57,282. Sam Humbert was issued a fine for establishing a solid waste disposal site without a permit, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality officials said in a letter Sept. 1. Humbert appealed the finding Sept. 22. Source: Wind turbine blades stir up trouble for […]
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Oregon group claims new nuclear reactor plan poses threat to Tri-Cities, Columbia River

An Oregon environmental group is objecting to Energy Northwest’s plan to place a small modular power reactor on its leased land on the Hanford nuclear reservation near the Columbia River just north of Richland. Earlier this year Energy Northwest, which operates the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant near Richland, announced plans with X-energy and […]
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Oregon law detracts from student success | Opinion

Good education sets young people on a path toward a better career, bigger opportunities and a brighter future. Having an education system that creates a solid foundation for students to excel beyond high school is central to this aim. For this reason, Oregon’s recent legislation suspending reading, writing and math proficiency requirements hurts students more […]
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Ranchers, hay producers hit hard by drought and heat

In the foothills of the Blue Mountains, just down the road from Weston, Oregon, rancher Cheryl Costner has watched as the mountain range land where her cattle feed has grown brittle and dry under the ongoing drought. Ranchers throughout the west with little viable pasture for their livestock are turning to hay markets to supplement […]
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