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15 Radio Stations Serving Eastern Oregon and SE Washington. RADIO•DIGITAL•SOCIAL•VIDEO My Columbia Basin is a member of Elkhorn Media Group.
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We pride ourselves in serving our local communities with news, sports, weather and entertainment. Elkhorn Media Group includes 15 radio stations covering Arlington to Ontario, and Burns, OR to Ritsville, WA. We offer comprehensive marketing solutions including radio, digital, social and video. Call 541-276-1511 for more information.

01/16/2025

Regarding social media posts about a child who was hit by a car at Washington Elementary School, we are told by a relative that he is scr**ed up and has a sprained ankle but will be fine. They ask that people remember it was an accident and not to condemn the driver.

01/15/2025

Sams is coming home

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Park Service Director Chuck Sams is coming home. As President Donald Trump is inaugurated, that means many high-level presidential appointees are out of jobs.

“We will move back to Pendleton at the end of the month,” Sams wrote. “I will join the governor’s staff and await confirmation by the Senate.”

Sams was nominated to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council by Gov. Tina Kotek. Her nominations must be approved by the Oregon Senate.

The Northwest Power Act of 1980 authorized Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to develop a regional power plan and fish and wildlife program to balance the environmental and energy needs of the Northwest. The council’s mission is to ensure, with public participation, an affordable and reliable energy system while enhancing fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin.

Sams, an enrolled member in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has held positions including director of communications and interim director of CTUIR. He wrote that he’s looking forward to getting back home.

01/15/2025

Trial for alleged trooper shooter continued to May

WALLA WALLA – The trial for Brandon Dennis O’Neel, 39, of Walla Walla, accused of shooting a Washington State Patrol trooper in September 2022, has been delayed again. It is now set for May 19 in Walla Walla County Superior Court.

O’Neel is in jail and faces multiple felony charges for allegedly shooting Trooper Dean Atkinson Jr.

In March 2023, O’Neel’s defense attorney claimed he was incompetent to stand trial, but his competency was later restored at Eastern State Hospital.

Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Gabe Acosta said Tuesday that O’Neel signed a speedy trial waiver and that attorneys from both sides continue to review evidence and mental health assessments in this case.

01/15/2025

PHS student is nominated to West Point

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pendleton High School student Cash Paullus, the son of Joshua and Heidi Paullus is one of 14 students from the Second Congressional District to be nominated to one of the five United States service academies.

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) has named Paullus as a nominee to the U.S. Military Academy. He is the only student from Umatilla County to be nominated. Other students from Bentz’s district to receive nominations are from Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Malheur, and Wasco counties.

The Republican lawmaker has a service academy nomination board that interviews students who want to pursue a career as an officer in one of the academies. The board, comprised of retired and active-duty military officers interview potential candidates, recommend them based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.

Oregon Army National Guard Col. Travis Lee, Oregon Air National Guard Col. Jason Nalepa (Retired), Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rich Halsted, Navy Commander John Howard (retired), and Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Stephanie Rokes comprise the board.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can find it at https://bentz.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.

Photo from Ronda Thornburg, Pendleton School District

01/15/2025

If you're struggling and need someone to talk to, call the non-crisis Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Warm Line. Free. Confidential. Non-Judgemental. Call 541-969-0010 ~ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year ~

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01/15/2025

Waitsburg is moving forward in building new pool

WAITSBURG – A feasibility study by PBS Engineering and Environmental shows that a new pool can be built for the Waitsburg community on the north side of the Touchet River. The Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District voted unanimously Jan. 2 to move forward with the project.

The existing pool has been closed since 2022 because of structural damage, raising interest in a new community pool among residents.

Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District officials said Tuesday that building a new pool will take five years, with costs estimated between $1.7 million and $2.4 million, not including additional expenses. The Friends of the Pool has already raised over $90,000.

The feasibility study found that two potential sites south of the Touchet River are in a floodplain, but the north site could comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements.

The Waitsburg Parks and Recreation district will be providing a briefing to city council tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at the new Waitsburg City Hall, 106 Main Street.

Green dot on map shows north pool site

01/15/2025

CTUIR is cleaning up Johnley Pond

MISSION – (News release from CTUIR) After learning of a truck at the bottom of Johnley Pond, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Planning Department has initiated a cleanup of the pond and its surrounding area.

Located along Johnley Road north of the Umatilla River, the 30-foot-deep pond is an old rock quarry that during the years became an illegal dump and party spot, said CTUIR Environmental Health & Safety Specialist Brian Fullen. It also became a shooting range that even the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) uses.

Read the full story at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/ctuir-is-cleaning-up-johnley-pond/

01/15/2025

Aaron Hines to lead Hall of Fame

PENDLETON – The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors has elected its new officers for 2025 as well as five new directors. Aaron Hines will serve as president of the board.

Shelby Cook is vice president and also publicity director. The treasurer is Karen Vanderplaat. Tamara Pahl is secretary and banquet director.

The new board members are Ronda Thornburg, Jeff LaBoy, Mary Ann Low, Kim Clark, and Nicole Herranen. Thornburg is the archives director. LaBoy will be in charge of the building and maintenance. Low will oversee exhibits. Clark will be the director charged with duties for the inductees. Herranen will oversee the volunteers.

“We’re excited to have five amazing volunteers join our board,” Hall of Fame President Aaron Hines said. “They each bring unique qualities and varying backgrounds of Round-Up and Happy Canyon to our board that I know will be useful in many areas.”

Photo of Aaron Hines via Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

01/15/2025

ROAD CONDITIONS for Wednesday, 1/15/2025 as of 6:21 a.m.
All reports below are according to the latest update by ODOT via tripcheck.com and WSDOT via wsdot.wa.gov
OREGON
I-84 TROUTDALE to HOOD RIVER: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
I-84 HOOD RIVER to ARLINGTON: Overcast, bare pavement
I-84 HERMISTON to CABBAGE HILL: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
I-84 MEACHAM to BURNT RIVER CANYON: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
I-84 THREE MILE HILL to ONTARIO: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
I-82 UMATILLA: Patchy freezing fog, spots of ice
US 395 PENDLETON to PILOT ROCK: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
US 395 BATTLE MOUNTAIN: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
US 97 MORO: Ground fog, spots of ice
US 97 SHANIKO: Partly cloudy, bare pavement
US 97 BEND: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
OR 11 MILTON-FREEWATER to PENDLETON: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
OR 19 CONDON: Ground fog, Visibility of less than 500 feet. Oversized loads drive by your permit, spots of ice
OR 204 WESTON MOUNTAIN: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
OR 204 TOLLGATE: Clear, no precipitation, packed snow
OR 207 HEPPNER, SPRAY MOUNTAIN: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
WASHINGTON
I-82 TRI-CITIES: Areas of patchy freezing fog, spots of ice
US 12 WALLA WALLA: Patchy freezing fog, spots of ice
US 12 WHITE PASS: No restrictions, clear skies, roadway is bare and wet with frost in places
I-90 SNOQUALMIE PASS: No restrictions, clear skies with areas of fog, roadway is bare and wet

01/15/2025

Kayak Public Transit will not be operating on Monday, January 20th, in honor of Martin Luther King, JR Day. Please plan accordingly. Thank you!

(Advertisement)

01/14/2025

U.S. Marshals Service looking for child r**e suspect

WALLA WALLA COUNTY – The U.S. Marshals Service, in conjunction with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office, are attempting to locate and arrest Reimundo Olivera Perez, 59. He is wanted in a child r**e and child molestation case, both in the first degree, in Burbank.

He is believed to be in Mexico and has family in Tijuana, California and Utah. Authorities believe he has changed his appearance and may no longer have facial hair.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering $1,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information can contact WWCSO Detective Dan Teel at 509-524-5418.

Photo via U.S. Marshals Office

01/14/2025

CTUIR, Corps of Engineers sign pact to improve Mill Creek fish passage

WALLA WALLA – (News release from CTUIR) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) officials held a signing on Friday, Jan. 10 at the Corps’ Walla Walla District headquarters to honor a joint project to improve fish passage on Mill Creek.

The project will remove 7 miles of flood control structures the Corps installed in the creek from 1939 to 1943 to protect the City of Walla Walla. Those structures consisted of stream channelization with levees, 250 cross-channel small dams and a concrete channel through downtown Walla Walla.

Read the full story at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/ctuir-corps-of-engineers-sign-pact-to-improve-mill-creek-fish-passage/

01/14/2025

𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭

Being cross-trained at crosswalks as a driver is really important. One common question from drivers when attempting to turn at a traffic signal when a pedestrian is crossing, is how long the driver should remain stopped. The answer? Stop and remain stopped until pedestrians have cleared the lane you are turning into PLUS at least six feet of the next lane. The Oregon Department of Transportation encourages everyone to look out for each other so that we all get there safely.
(Advertisement)

01/14/2025

Oregon fire vehicles were not delayed in California

SALEM – The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office says social media claims that firefighters and their vehicles from Oregon were not delayed due to emissions problems. Officials from California say emission standards were waived for crews that were responding from out of state to fight the fires in Los Angeles.

“To be clear, this is false,” read a statement from OSFM. “No engine was turned away.”

Vehicles from out-of-state fire departments did undergo safety checks. OSFM states that all of the teams completed those checks and arrived in southern California in time to begin their shifts. The safety checks did not, according to Oregon officials, cause any delays in the projected travel time.

California fire officials said brakes and other equipment were checked and, if necessary, were repaired.

The OSFM sent additional teams to the fires over the weekend. There are now a total of 21 strike teams and there are 360 firefighters from Oregon in California. The wind-fed wildfires have killed at least 24 people and burned 40,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area. More than 12,300 structures have been destroyed. At last report, 92,000 residents have been evacuated and another 89,000 are in evacuation warning zones.

01/14/2025

ODOT educating truck drivers about human trafficking during January

UMATILLA – January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the Oregon Department of Transportation is educating the public on how they can help prevent it.

Human trafficking is a former of modern slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or pressure to obtain some type of labor or commercial s*x act. Victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality. More than 27 million people annually fall victim to human trafficking worldwide, and according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 132 cases involving 248 victims were identified in Oregon in 2023.

This week, awareness materials are being distributed to truck drivers and motor carriers across the state, including the Umatilla Port of Entry Weigh Station.

“All we’re asking is that when they see the signs of human trafficking, they make the call,” ODOT Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer Jordan Barthel said. “If it’s an emergency, call 911, or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

The hotline is operated 24 hours a day by a nongovernmental organization. ODOT is also sharing information through various communications channels, including TripCheck and message signs around the state.

ODOT is partnering with U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Oregon Trucking Association, TAT (formerly Truckers Against Trafficking), Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, La-Grande based Bowman Trucking and law enforcement to raise awareness about human trafficking and provide people with educational resources.

Photo of window sticker via TAT (formerly Truckers Against Trafficking)

01/14/2025

OSAA urgently needs umpires

WILSONVILLE – (News release from OSAA) The Oregon Athletic Officials Association (OAOA) and the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) are recruiting officials for the high school spring sports seasons. Registration for new officials opened Monday and there is an immediate need for umpires in baseball and softball.

Read the full story at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/osaa-urgently-needs-umpires/

01/14/2025

Nash is sworn in as the first senator from Wallowa County

SALEM – (News release from the office of Sen. Todd Nash) In a historic milestone for Oregon Senate District 29, Todd Nash was officially sworn in Monday as Oregon State Senator, becoming the first senator in state history to hail from Wallowa County. Senator Nash brings decades of practical experience, a steadfast dedication to his constituents, and a deep passion for amplifying the voices of Eastern Oregon in the Oregon State Senate.

Read the full story at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/nash-is-sworn-in-as-the-first-senator-from-wallowa-county/

01/14/2025

ROAD CONDITIONS for Tuesday, 1/14/2025 as of 5:50 a.m.
All reports below are according to the latest update by ODOT via tripcheck.com and WSDOT via wsdot.wa.gov
OREGON
I-84 TROUTDALE to RUFUS: Partly cloudy, bare pavement
I-84 ARLINGTON: Overcast, bare pavement
I-84 HERMISTON: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
I-84 PENDLETON: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
I-84 CABBAGE HILL to LADD CANYON: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
I-84 BAKER VALLEY to PLEASANT VALLEY: Partly cloudy, spots of ice
I-84 BURNT RIVER CANYON to THREE MILE HILL: Partly cloudy, bare pavement
I-84 ONTARIO: No report
I-82 UMATILLA: Patchy freezing fog, spots of ice
US 395 PENDLETON to PILOT ROCK: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
US 395 BATTLE MOUNTAIN: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
US 97 MORO, SHANIKO, BEND: Partly cloudy, bare pavement
OR 11 MILTON-FREEWATER to PENDLETON: Clear, no precipitation, bare pavement
OR 19 CONDON: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
OR 204 WESTON MOUNTAIN: Clear, no precipitation, spots of ice
OR 204 TOLLGATE: No report
OR 207 HEPPNER, SPRAY MOUNTAIN: Partly cloudy, spots of ice
WASHINGTON
I-82 TRI-CITIES: Patchy freezing fog, spots of ice
US 12 WALLA WALLA: Patchy fog, spots of ice
US 12 WHITE PASS: No restrictions, Clear skies, roadway is bare and dry with frost in places
I-90 SNOQUALMIE PASS: No restrictions, Overcast, roadway is bare and dry, wet in places

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Videos

Yellowhawk Tribal Center- Warm Line

Dr Koppie, Urologic Oncologist

Do you have bladder control issues? Or maybe you have to go more than usual? Learn how Good Shepherd's Urology Department in Hermiston can help. (Advertisement)

Local company offers sprayer drones to add to your farming operation!

Add sprayer drones to your farming operation from a local company right here in Umatilla County! Check it out at https://www.advanceddroneag.com/ (Advertisement)

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Warm Line

CRASH I-84 WESTBOUND IN PENDLETON.

HIGHWAY CLEAR. I-84 at Pendleton. UPDATE 3:30 P.M. — ODOT Are reporting the highway is now clear. Traffic jam in Pendleton today due to the closure of I-84 Westbound from 210 to 209.

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Warm Line

Yellowhawk Warm Line

Brantley Gilbert Contest

BRANTLEY GILBERT LIVE! 103.5 KWHT is giving away tickets to Brantley Gilbert live in Kennewick, WA on March 1st. To enter, email your name and phone number to [email protected] Winners will be drawn on November 29th around 9am. **Please note any comments suggesting you are a winner before the above date are scams. Winners will be contacted directly on November 29th with information on how to claim your prize.

Brantley Gilbert

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!! Danetta Lewis Katrina Goatley Jennifer Sims Scott Breshears Amanda Carlson _____ BRANTLEY GILBERT LIVE! 103.5 KWHT is giving away tickets to Brantley Gilbert live in Kennewick, WA on March 1st. To enter, email your name and phone number to [email protected] Winners will be drawn on November 29th around 9am. **Please note any comments suggesting you are a winner before the above date are scams. Winners will be contacted directly on November 29th with information on how to claim your prize.

ODOT- Think Safety

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥? 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 Are you beginning to make plans for your Thanksgiving Holiday travels yet? The Oregon Department of Transportation would like to offer a few safety tips as you make your plan: •Plan your route ahead of time. Use www.TripCheck.com to stay up to date on travel conditions and be ready for winter weather. •Make sure you include an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, food, water, and other items needed to keep you and your family safe. •Let someone know when you are headed out, where you are headed, and what route you are taking before getting on the road. •Traveling with young children? Don’t forget to check on the installation of their car seats! Need help? Contact Billie-Jo Nickens at 541-786-5915. She can assist you in locating a local child passenger safety technician in your area! •Drive sober, slow down, drive without distractions, watch for wildlife, and be sure to buckle up… every ride, every time. (Advertisement)

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

Elk of Union County, OR

Bull elk crossing Hwy 237 between Cove, OR and La Grande, OR this morning. Video courtesy of Lucy Thompson

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Telephone

Website

Alerts

Videos

Yellowhawk Tribal Center- Warm Line

Dr Koppie, Urologic Oncologist

Local company offers sprayer drones to add to your farming operation!

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Warm Line

CRASH I-84 WESTBOUND IN PENDLETON.

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Warm Line

Yellowhawk Warm Line

Brantley Gilbert Contest

Brantley Gilbert

ODOT- Think Safety

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

Elk of Union County, OR

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