The latest from the Malheur Enterprise

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Good morning and we’re glad you are with us.

So, summer is largely over for most families. School starts in the coming days. The Enterprise news team will be out and about to report how the opening bell goes.

Meantime, we continue our investigation into the public conduct of Greg Smith, Malheur County’s former economic development director. He released some pubilc records to the Enterprise recently – only after we sought an order from the Morrow County district attorney. Smith, though, used a $630-an-hour Portland lawyer to “review” the documents – budgets, board meeting minutes and the basics of public business. He stuck the Enterprise with the bill.

The Enterprise paid the fee, but we’ll be contesting it. Meantime, Eastern Oregon University continues to stall releasing public records about its connections to Greg Smith. Their outside lawyer, who charges $405 an hour, justifies the delays by saying there are vacancies and people on vacation.

Eastern Oregon University employs more than 700 people.

As government watchdogs, we’re accustomed to such tactics. We persist because you and other Oregonians deserve facts and truth about how public officials are performing and how they’re using your money. The work isn’t easy, it takes untold hours, and we’re up against big-city lawyers who likely aren’t pleased to be spending time fending off some country newspaper.

With the demise of newspapers in the region, we feel our responsibility even more keenly to be your watchdog. We appreciate every single subscription and every single contribution that comes our way. Be sured, those resources are put to good use.

Now, here’s what else we’ve worked on in recent days…..

malheurenterprise.com
Ontario board bumps Albisu pay, benefits
The Ontario School Board gave Superintendent Nikki Albisu a $30,000 per year pay bump through various benefits.
13 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Ontario board bumps Albisu pay, benefits
The Ontario School Board gave Superintendent Nikki Albisu a $30,000 per year pay bump through various benefits.
13 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa auctioneer helps kids sell fair animals, as he has for 50 years
Gary Sparks, an auctioneer from Nyssa, donates his time and voice to the Malheur County Fair Fat Stock sale. He learned the calling as a teenager.
13 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa auctioneer helps kids sell fair animals, as he has for 50 years
Gary Sparks, an auctioneer from Nyssa, donates his time and voice to the Malheur County Fair Fat Stock sale. He learned the calling as a teenager.
13 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa tells students: Stow the cell phone
As officials around the state work to address the issue of cell phones in schools, Nyssa High School will ban the devices inside schools, including classrooms during school hours.
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa tells students: Stow the cell phone
As officials around the state work to address the issue of cell phones in schools, Nyssa High School will ban the devices inside schools, including classrooms during school hours.
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Wildfires hammer carefully balanced sagebrush ecosystems in Malheur County
When a wildfire rolls over rangeland it destroys a carefully-balanced system of plants and sagebrush, impacting a wide variety of wildlife
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Wildfires hammer carefully balanced sagebrush ecosystems in Malheur County
When a wildfire rolls over rangeland it destroys a carefully-balanced system of plants and sagebrush, impacting a wide variety of wildlife
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Ontario hospital president receives prestigious award
Dina Ellwanger, the president of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Ontario, was honored in June as chief executive officer of the year by Apogee Physicians, one of the largest physician-owned groups in…
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Ontario hospital president receives prestigious award
Dina Ellwanger, the president of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Ontario, was honored in June as chief executive officer of the year by Apogee Physicians, one of the largest physician-owned groups in…
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Project DOVE annual Casino Night fundraiser on tap Aug. 24 in Ontario
The county’s only domestic violence shelter, Project Dove will hold its annual fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. in Ontario.
12 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Project DOVE annual Casino Night fundraiser on tap Aug. 24 in Ontario
The county’s only domestic violence shelter, Project Dove will hold its annual fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. in Ontario.
12 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
State ethics panel waives penalties for late filings
State officials say remoteness and communication lapses factored into the late submissions of financial disclosures by a pair of school board members in Annex.
9 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
State ethics panel waives penalties for late filings
State officials say remoteness and communication lapses factored into the late submissions of financial disclosures by a pair of school board members in Annex.
9 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa names Ramirez to school board
The Nyssa School Board appointed a new member.
9 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Nyssa names Ramirez to school board
The Nyssa School Board appointed a new member.
9 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Public Notices from the Enterprise, for the week of August 14, 2024
Public Notices from the Enterprise, for the week of August 14, 2024
14 Aug 2024
malheurenterprise.com
Public Notices from the Enterprise, for the week of August 14, 2024
Public Notices from the Enterprise, for the week of August 14, 2024
14 Aug 2024

Count us for news you can trust…..

At the Enterprise, our trained reporters bring you stories based on interviews, public documents and statements. We don’t charge you to read press releases put out by the government. That’s not journalism. For $7.50 a month, you can get our digital service and keep up every day with news that is most important to you. The process is secure and takes just a couple of moments. Ready? Go HERE to subscribe – and thank you!

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Send an email to Editor Les Zaitz at [email protected].

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