The latest news from your Malheur Enterprise

Good morning.

Project managers have released new information that confirms the findings of the three-part investigative series by the Enterprise recently regarding the Treasure Valley Reload Center in Nyssa.

Recent developments that we report on this week:

•Malheur County Development Corp., the company set up by Malheur County county commissioners to oversee the project, is asking contractors to not bill all their work for now. There isn’t money to pay them.

•Project managers have cut more than $2 million in project features since October, but haven’t made the details public.

•Even with those cuts, the Nyssa project can’t be finished unless the team comes up with another $6.5 million. That would put the slimmed-down project at about $40 million in public funds.

•State Sen. Lynn Findley, who is from Vale, is using legislative immunity to keep the Enterprise from obtaining records on his latest effort to get more public money for the project.

On Friday, Feb. 10, Greg Smith, the project manager, sent a letter to the editor that described the project in glowing terms. He sent it to the Argus Observer in Ontario, the Nyssa Chamber of Commerce, the Capital Press, and Onion Business. He didn’t share it with the Enterprise, and we had to use a public records request to get it.

What do you think should happen? Send a comment to Editor Les Zaitz ([email protected]) and we’ll share them with the community. This project is using public money and we’re interested to hear what the public – taxpayers – have to say.

You’ll find our latest reports on this below plus other local news produced by your team at the Enterprise. If you don’t, please subscribe to help us do investigative work in Malheur County that holds public officials accountable to local people.

Short of money, rail managers ask contractors to hold onto bills for work already done
Project managers confirmed that the Treasure Valley Reload Center is so far over budget that contractors are “talked into” not submitting invoices. Those on the board managing the shipping center…
Short of money, rail managers ask contractors to hold onto bills for work already done
Project managers confirmed that the Treasure Valley Reload Center is so far over budget that contractors are “talked into” not submitting invoices. Those on the board managing the shipping center…
Findley blocks access to records on his rail funding efforts, invoking immunity
State Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, decided last week to take the unusual step of invoking constitutional immunity to stymie a request for his state records regarding the Treasure Valley Reload…
Findley blocks access to records on his rail funding efforts, invoking immunity
State Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, decided last week to take the unusual step of invoking constitutional immunity to stymie a request for his state records regarding the Treasure Valley Reload…
Bill to boost Ontario pool gets hearing in Salem
The Ontario Recreation Center got a committee hearing at the Oregon State Legislature. The legislation would allocate $4.5 million to the Ontario Recreation District for the Ontario Community Recreation Center.
Bill to boost Ontario pool gets hearing in Salem
The Ontario Recreation Center got a committee hearing at the Oregon State Legislature. The legislation would allocate $4.5 million to the Ontario Recreation District for the Ontario Community Recreation Center.
Vale student teams up with BLM to develop kids’ fire safety book
Vale High School’s Grace Flynn collaborated with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Vale to develop a fire safety coloring book for kids for her senior project. Later this…
Vale student teams up with BLM to develop kids’ fire safety book
Vale High School’s Grace Flynn collaborated with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Vale to develop a fire safety coloring book for kids for her senior project. Later this…
Antelopes, Mustangs collide in late-season hardcourt game
Jordan Valley and Adrian faced off in a late-season hoop contests Friday, Feb. 10.
Antelopes, Mustangs collide in late-season hardcourt game
Jordan Valley and Adrian faced off in a late-season hoop contests Friday, Feb. 10.
Lady Vikings set their sights on district tournament after building 8-2 league mark
The Vale High School girls varsity basketball team ended the regular season in second place in the Eastern Oregon League. Now, they are ramping up for district tournament action at…
Lady Vikings set their sights on district tournament after building 8-2 league mark
The Vale High School girls varsity basketball team ended the regular season in second place in the Eastern Oregon League. Now, they are ramping up for district tournament action at…
Sports scoreboard
The latest results and scores from area high school sports teams over the past week
Sports scoreboard
The latest results and scores from area high school sports teams over the past week
Public Notices: Week of Feb. 8, 2023
Public Notices from the Malheur Enterprise from the week of Feb. 8, 2023
Public Notices: Week of Feb. 8, 2023
Public Notices from the Malheur Enterprise from the week of Feb. 8, 2023
Enterprise local classified ads: Week of Feb. 8, 2023
Local classifieds from the Malheur Enterprise, week of Feb. 8, 2023: Bulls, ranchwork and a moving sale.
Enterprise local classified ads: Week of Feb. 8, 2023
Local classifieds from the Malheur Enterprise, week of Feb. 8, 2023: Bulls, ranchwork and a moving sale.
Mouse is ready for a new home but for now lives at the Ontario Feral Cat Project shelter in Ontario. (Submitted photo)

CATS: This cat is a Mouse

Mouse is an incredible 9-year-old geriatric male.e loves bird watching from his cage and he gets the zoomies when he gets out of his cage.

He is a supersized boy, with SO much love to share. He’s over curtain climbing and would love a comfy lap to snuggle up on. He came to the Ontario shelter after his parents went into an assisted living and couldn’t take him with them. 

He’s such a great kitty. Prepare to fall in love when you meet him.

Mouse is neutered, UTD on vaccinations and tested negative for FeLV & FIV.

He is indoor only for his safety. No declawing is allowed..

Come meet Mouse on Saturday to see if you have found your newest family member.

THIS SATURDAY’S VALENTINE EVENT: Drop in for cookies, cocoa and door prizes. Enter a raffle for a cat tree.

SATURDAY ADOPTION EVENT: Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Constance McCullough House, 84 N.W. 2nd St. in Ontario.

–Information provided by the Ontario Feral Cat Project.

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Have a tip? Let us know….

We get some of our best stories and photos after tips from readers. If you have an idea on something we can report on or just have questions about something happening in the community, send an email to Editor Les Zaitz at [email protected].