Brad Baird, president of Anderson Perry & Associates, said in an earlier meeting that a change to his company’s contract for work on the reload center was being drafted, and should have been done earlier. (ANGIE SILLONIS/Special to the Enterprise) The board of Malheur County Development Corp., which is managing[Read More…]
Special Reports
Probe finds residents enrolled in Nyssa’s migrant education program
(The Enterprise/FILE) NYSSA – Families who have lived in Nyssa for years were enrolled in a program intended to help migrant students who move from school district to school district, according to documents obtained by the Enterprise. The Nyssa School District is under investigation by state authorities for potentially illegal[Read More…]
Nyssa rail center stopped in its tracks – no money for building
Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, speaks on April 12 to the board of the Malheur County Development Corp. (ANGIE SILLONIS/Special to the Enterprise) NYSSA – Construction of the centerpiece building for the long-planned Treasure Valley Reload Center was scuttled this week because there isn’t money to pay for[Read More…]
Despite officials’ claims, lottery bonds aren’t sole money source for Nyssa reload project
NYSSA – Treasure Valley Reload Center officials over the past month have claimed – incorrectly – that no taxpayer money will be used to pay for the multimillion-dollar project. They have insisted the project will be funded solely through the state’s sale of Oregon Lottery bonds, which are repaid by[Read More…]
Economic development: Malheur County officials struggle to tell what $900,000 bought
Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce, asked about the performance of Gregory Smith & Company in running the county economic development effort, said he hasn’t had any complaints. (The Enterprise/FILE PHOTO) Greg Smith couldn’t remember much about the audit he said was conducted of the county department he runs. Audits are[Read More…]
Delays and missed deadlines: the history leading up to TVRC and Americold’s lease agreement
Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, has led contract negotiations between Americold and the economic development corporation. (The Enterprise/FILE) The Malheur County Development Corp., owner of the Treasure Valley Reload Center, is 19 months behind on closing a deal with Americold to operate the rail center in Nyssa, according[Read More…]
WATCHDOG: Nyssa rail center, public money, and a most unusual deal
An aerial view of the site of the rail shipping center north of Nyssa, planned by the county and funded by taxpayer dollars. (The Enterprise/Austin Johnson) NYSSA – A lease to run the Treasure Valley Reload Center favors a corporate giant and its local onion partners while providing little return[Read More…]
CUT SHORT: A troubled Ontario teen’s path to recovery ends in fentanyl overdose
Family members recall the struggles that faced Juan Lopez-Robles. His hope for a better life ended in tragedy, his ashes coming home in an urn. (Eugene Weekly) An 18-year-old young man from Ontario, Oregon, died of a fentanyl overdose while in the care of an Oregon Youth Authority (OYA)-operated home[Read More…]
WATCHDOG: Construction of Malheur County rail center on hold as key contract talks drag on
Construction was expected to begin in March on the Malheur County rail reload facility but continuing delays in finishing agreements have put the work on hold for now. (Enterprise file) Malheur County officials got the state in January to turn loose approximately $25 million for a new rail center by[Read More…]
SOLUTIONS: Experiences elsewhere seek to quell abuse, providing lessons for Malheur County
Scott Miller, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs executive director at the Duluth Project in Minnesota says one key to solving domestic violence is changing the climate of tolerance for the crime. (Submitted photo). [ EDITOR’S NOTE: This project was produced in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network as part of[Read More…]