Your Sunday review of Malheur County news you might have missed

Good morning.

At last, the community may get the truth about the costs and expenses of the Treasure Valley Reload Center, the public project that is far behind schedule and still in need of $6 million to get finished.

Your news team at the Enterprise has been asking officials with the Malheur County Development Corp. for months for details on project finances. Only summaries have been provided. Grant Kitamura, company president, tells us he has nothing but that handful of documents given out at board meetings about a project now expected to cost about $35 million in public funds.

Greg Smith, whose company just got a raise from $6,000 to $9,000 a month to run the project, for weeks ignored a legal request for the budget information.

Until Friday.

He has now promised to produce the documents by this Wednesday, acting only after the Enterprise sought a legal order requiring the disclosure.

Meantime, the board of the development company will meet in an unusual public session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 – “on the east end of Gamble Island Road.” This likely means near the Union Pacific Railroad crossing and could perhaps involve a ceremony to drive the first spike in new rail lines to serve the shipping center.

The public can attend, and there is a period for citizens to address the board, which includes Kitamura, Kay Riley, Corey Maag, Jason Pearson and Lynn Findley.

Watch the Enterprise for updates on all of these matters.

–Les Zaitz, editor and publisher

Now, here’s some of the work done recently by your team at the Malheur Enterprise.

Local ceremonies to mark 9/11 scheduled for Sunday
Vale and Ontario will host ceremonies on Sunday, Sept. 11, to honor victims of the terrorist attacks.
Local ceremonies to mark 9/11 scheduled for Sunday
Vale and Ontario will host ceremonies on Sunday, Sept. 11, to honor victims of the terrorist attacks.
OUR SERIES: Fentanyl in Malheur County
Fentanyl is disrupting lives in Malheur County and a special series by the Malheur Enterprise examines the impacts and introduces you to the people who confront the community crisis.
OUR SERIES: Fentanyl in Malheur County
Fentanyl is disrupting lives in Malheur County and a special series by the Malheur Enterprise examines the impacts and introduces you to the people who confront the community crisis.
Police investigating student overdose at Ontario High School
A high school student suffered an apparent drug overdose while in class at Ontario High School and police are investigating.
Police investigating student overdose at Ontario High School
A high school student suffered an apparent drug overdose while in class at Ontario High School and police are investigating.
Ontario man sentenced to federal prison for online child pornography
An Ontario man thought he was arranging a sexual liaison with a 13-year-old girl. But it was a federal agent engaging in the online chat, court records show.
Ontario man sentenced to federal prison for online child pornography
An Ontario man thought he was arranging a sexual liaison with a 13-year-old girl. But it was a federal agent engaging in the online chat, court records show.
UPDATED: Range fire burning near Malheur Reservoir knocked down overnight
Fire crews are tackling a range fire burning out of control northwest of Brogan that by mid afternoon Thursday covered 1,500 acres.
UPDATED: Range fire burning near Malheur Reservoir knocked down overnight
Fire crews are tackling a range fire burning out of control northwest of Brogan that by mid afternoon Thursday covered 1,500 acres.

Football scores

Vale 41, New Plymouth 14

Nyssa 28, Caldwell 20

Adrian 96, Pilot Rock 0

La Grande 62, Ontario 30

Joseph 32, Harper 12

We need you!

The Enterprise isn’t part of a big corporate organization with deep pockets. We’re a family business that works to pay decent wages and provide the community a vital service.

No one else keeps as close an eye on public officials and we don’t let government push us around. We’ll pursue the truth and sometimes that takes time, sometimes that means not taking “no” for an answer when our journalists seek information.

And we also take you to places and introduce you to people you might not otherwise hear about.

The team at the Enterprise can do that because so many of you are subscribers, that you see value in quality news you can trust. If you don’t subscribe already, please do. Every subscriber, every dollar counts.

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 – and thank you!

–Les Zaitz, editor and publisher and check signer

Advertise your business online

Reaching consumers in Malheur County just got easier for your business. The Enterprise has introduced new marketing slots on our website, giving your company better ways to imprint your brand. We can help you with marketing advice and a design that will help build business. Remember, marketing isn’t a one-time event unless you’re giving away the store. Brand awareness is crucial and that only comes with consistent, steady marketing. Think Coca-Cola. Who hasn’t heard of that company? Now, think of the endless advertising you see for that brand. We won’t make you an international giant but we will help you get your name before more people in Malheur County.

Contact Rose Zueger of the Enterprise staff at 541-473-3377 or [email protected] to learn how a modest, steady investment can be a powerful tool for you.

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].