COVID-era farm, food workers may be eligible for USDA payment

MISSION – Farm and food workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic are entitled to a one-time $600 payment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program. According to the USDA, agricultural and meatpacking workers, as well as select grocery workers, may receive one relief payment…

Nixyáawii’s Brianah Matamoros and Aiyana Thompson-Redelk attempt to block a hit by Maya Payne, of Heppner, on Aug. 29, 2024, during the Umatilla/Morrow Volleyball Jamboree at Pendleton High School. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Area Sports Roundup

By ANNIE FOWLER | Photos by KATHY ANEY | CUJ Special Contributors Pilot Rock splits matches at volleyball jamboree PENDLETON — Nine volleyball teams from Umatilla and Morrow counties came together Thursday, Aug. 29, for a jamboree at Pendleton High School, giving teams a chance to work out the bugs before the season gets under way.  “We really enjoyed the…

Nixyaawii’s Noah Pierson and head coach Wyekin Bill run during cross-country practice on Aug. 23, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Schimmel setting the pace for Golden Eagles

NCS FALL CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor Nixyaawii’s girls program is starting to take flight MISSION — Weyekin Wildbill is building the Nixyaawii Community School cross country with a little deception, but he will do whatever it takes to get the kids out on the road. “A majority of the cross country team does play basketball,”…

Pendleton cross-country runners tackle a hill during practice on Aug. 22, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Pendleton boys bucking for a return trip to state

PENDLETON CROSS COUNTRY FALL PREVIEW By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor Two-time state qualifier Jack Reynolds leads the way for the Bucks PENDLETON — Maddy Naughton is excited to get the season started. The Pendleton cross country coach has a plethora of talent returning on the boys team, and the girls team, which was one point shy of qualifying for…

Pendleton’s Josie Jeness sets the ball during practice on August 22, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Bucks looking to make another run at GOL title

PENDLETON FALL VOLLEY BALL PREVIEW By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor Primus takes over program after Speer resigns PENDLETON — It’s never easy being the new kid on the block. It’s even tougher when you are the coach. Pendleton volleyball coach Jodi Primus, who took over the program just a few weeks ago when Chelsie Speer abruptly resigned, finds herself…

Weston-McEwen quarterback Easton Berry hands off to Maddox King during football practice on Aug. 26, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Weston-McEwen Fall Sports Preview

CROSS COUNTRY – FOOTBALL – VOLLEY BALL By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor TigerScots have a small but mighty program Dobos takes over Weston-McEwen team ATHENA — The great thing about cross country is there are so many fabulous places to run. Weston-McEwen coach Bill Dobos, who took over the program from his son Jeremy this season, likes to load…

The Pilot Rock cross-country team warms up with a run around the track during practice on Aug. 27, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Pilot Rock Fall Sports Previews

CROSS COUNTRY – FOOTBALL – VOLLEY BALL CROSS COUNTY: Rockets ready for a change  By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor Pilot Rock hasn’t sent a runner to state for 23 years PILOT ROCK — It has been ages since Pilot Rock sent a cross country runner to the state championships. That is something Rockets coach Tyler Zyph would like to change.…

UTFD Chief James Hall said that at approximately 4:20 p.m. the UTFD received a call of a fast-moving grass fire that was ignited by a baler on the west side of South Market Road that jumped the road and moved east. KAELEEN McGUIRE | THE CUJ

UTFD, BIA fire crews contain grass fire

MISSION – The Umatilla Tribal Fire Department battled and contained a grass fire on Tuesday, Aug. 27 along South Market Road south of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino. UTFD Chief James Hall said that at approximately 4:20 p.m. the UTFD received a call of a fast-moving grass fire that was ignited by a baler on the west side of South…

Pendleton’s Jared Pace reaches for the ball during soccer practice on Aug. 23, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Defense to carry Pendleton until offense kicks in

FALL SOCCER PREVIEW Bucks graduated their entire offense from last year By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor PENDLETON — Former Alabama football coach Bear Bryant once said, “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships.” Pendleton boys soccer coach Evan Brandhagen is going to have to depend on his team’s defense this season as the Bucks’ entire offense graduated, including Greater Oregon League…

Nixyáawii’s Lenae Sampson bumps the ball during a volleyball practice on Aug. 23, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Golden Eagles will be young and inexperienced

FALL VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW Spencer is working to put the program on the map By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor MISSION — Nixyáawii Community School has been a basketball mecca since it opened its doors in 2004. Rayne Spencer is hoping to carve out a little piece of the fanbase for her volleyball team. “Volleyball is still very new to our…