County Court discusses housing shortage

September 9, 2020September 8, 20200

With a housing shortage still quite prevalent in Harney County, the county court continued to discuss ways to ease the problem at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Greg Smith of the Harney County Economic Development Office attended the meeting by phone and informed the court that he’s been researching

County considers wolf resolution

July 29, 2020July 28, 20200

The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meeting held July 15. These minutes have been edited for clarity and length: The court discussed a Letter of Promulgation regarding revised Harney County Emergency Operations Plans. Emergency Manager Paul Gray said an update will happen every two years to align

County court meets, follows health precautions

April 15, 2020April 16, 20200

The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meeting held April 8. These minutes have been edited for clarity and length: Due to the COVID-19 precautions, the meeting was closed to the public with public comment being received via telephone. All recommended health precautions were followed by the

County Court declares state of emergency

March 25, 2020March 24, 20200

The Harney County Court signed Resolution No. 20-05 on March 17, that declares a local state of emergency within Harney County due to COVID-19. The following measures are in effect immediately and shall remain in effect until further notice. The resolution may be extended thereafter by a vote of the

Shelman to be appointed county commissioner

February 19, 2020February 19, 20200

The Harney County Court appointed a committee to interview candidates and make a recommendation for appointing a county commissioner to fill the vacancy created by Mark Owens’ resignation. The committee met and interviewed candidates in an open session Wednesday, Feb. 12. Judge Pete Runnels and Commissioner Patty Dorroh agreed to accept

County looking to appoint commissioner

January 29, 2020January 28, 20200

On Jan. 21, the 15 commissioners from Harney, Baker, Grant, Malheur, and Lake counties appointed Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens as the next representative for House District 60. With the appointment, Owens fills the vacancy created when Lynn Findley was appointed to the Oregon State Senate, representing District 30. At the

County Court discusses findings of the groundwater study

December 25, 2019December 23, 20190

The Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Study Advisory Committee held its final meeting Dec. 12-13, in Burns to share the data collected about groundwater resources in the area. At the Harney County Court meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Commissioner Mark Owens spoke about the findings of the study, which began in 2016

Jenkins appointed interim sheriff

December 11, 2019December 10, 20190

With the resignation of Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward taking effect at the end of this year, the Harney County Court has been in the process of appointing an interim sheriff until the November 2020 election. Five individuals filed for the position, and a committee was established to interview the candidates

Court considers future of Home Health and Hospice program

October 30, 2019October 31, 20190

Harney County Home Health and Hospice Director Jodi McLean attended the Harney County Court meeting on Oct. 16 to discuss the future of the home health and hospice program. In a letter to the editor published in the Oct. 9 edition of the Burns Times-Herald, McLean stated that, “Due to the

Conversation concerning sheriff’s position continues

October 16, 2019October 17, 20190

Discussion regarding how to fill the sheriff’s position continued during the Harney County Court meeting on Oct. 2. On Sept. 4, Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward presented a letter stating that his last day in office will be Jan. 2, 2020. During the county court meeting on Sept. 18, Harney County Judge