PENDLETON — Air service at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport (EORA) could change soon, as the Pendleton City Council has recommended SkyWest Charter for the city’s Essential Air Service contract, pending final approval. Following a thorough discussion involving the Essential Air Service (EAS) Selection Committee, city council members and the public, the city council voted 6-1… Read more: Pendleton council votes to recommend SkyWest for EORA flights

TROY — In the Blue Mountains, biologists, tribal partners and volunteers work side by side to test and monitor bighorn sheep, aiming to protect the animals and stop a bacterium from spreading through the herd.  Between Feb. 24–26, the Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Fish and Game, the Confederated Tribes of… Read more: Cross-state effort protects bighorn sheep

SEASIDE — Pendleton received a berth to the 4A state playoffs, but unfortunately for the Bucks, they had to make the trek to play No. 3 Seaside. The Seagulls (20-5) got 16 points from Carly Corder, and 13 from Makenna White as they cruised to a 60-25 win Saturday afternoon over the Bucks to reach… Read more: Pendleton ends season with loss to Seaside

PENDLETON — Manaia Wolf saved her best game for last. The Weston-McEwen senior scored a team-high 13 points to lead the TigerScots to a 52-43 victory over Oakland on Saturday in the fourth-place game of the 2A state tournament at the Pendleton Convention Center. “First, great finish, Oakland,” Weston-McEwen coach Jeremy Wolf said. “For us,… Read more: TigerScots finish fourth at 2A state tournament

PENDLETON — Charlotte Hansell had 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals to lead Weston-McEwen to a 39-30 win over Bandon on  Friday in the consolation semifinals of the 2A state tournament at Pendleton High School. “It’s great to bounce back from a tough loss at an early game the next day,” Weston-McEwen coach Jeremy… Read more: Weston-McEwen will play for fourth place

PENDLETON — Every time Stanfield and Weston-McEwen play each other, it’s donnybrook.  Their 2A state quarterfinal game Thursday night at the Pendleton Convention Center was no different as the Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 43-37 victory and a spot in the semifinals. “I’m just glad we don’t have to do it again,”… Read more: W-M falls short against Stanfield in 2A quarterfinals

Opinion | By Monica Paradise, Board of Trustees Secretary I hope this message finds you all well, and your new year is starting off right. I am finding my footing as I navigate my new role as Board of Trustees secretary, and I wanted to reach out to share more about myself and express my… Read more: From past leadership to our future responsibility

ATHENA — Weston-McEwen broke open a close game with a 17-3 run in the second quarter and never looked back in a 64-39 win over Kennedy on Saturday in the first round of the 2A state playoffs. “Solid offensive start by both teams,” Weston-McEwen coach Jeremy Wolf said. “Fortunately, we got back on track defensively… Read more: TigerScots punch ticket to 2A quarterfinals

PORTLAND — It’s been 25 years since Pendleton last had a state wrestling champion. This year, the Bucks added two more names to the champions’ wall at Warberg Court. Seniors Vance Nelson and Aidan Perkins joined a very elite group after winning titles at the 4A state championships Friday at Veterans Memorial  Coliseum. “It was… Read more: Nelson, Perkins win state titles for Pendleton

MOLALLA — Nixyáawi let a first-quarter lead get away from them as the second-ranked Cougars rallied for a 57-53 win in the second round of the 1A state playoffs Friday night. Country Christian (22-6) will play Prairie City/Burnt River on March 4 in the quarterfinals at Baker High School.  Nixyáawi, which had been a fixture at… Read more: Nixyáawi falls short of return trip to Baker

LA GRANDE — La Grande put together big second and fourth quarters to beat Pendleton 61-54 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Greater Oregon League district tournament. “It was a hard-fought game,” Pendleton coach Tim Foster said. “We played well, La Grande just played a little better. Now we wait to see if we… Read more: La Grande sweeps Pendleton in GOL district tournament

PORTLAND — Pendleton wrestling coach Trevor Hancock knew he had a special team this season. The Bucks sent 18 wrestlers to the 4A state tournament that started Thursday at  Veteran Memorial Coliseum. After the first day of action, 17 had earned points for the team, six reached the semifinals, and four were battling in the… Read more: Pendleton advances six to semifinals

HARPER — Harper used a 17-7 run in the second quarter for a little breathing room, then held on down the stretch for a 45-35 win over Pilot Rock in the first round of the 1A state playoffs Wednesday night. “So proud of our girl tonight,” Pilot Rock coach David Norton said. “They played incredibly… Read more: Rockets fall to Harper in state playoffs

Opinion | By Lindsey X. Watchman, chair of the CTUIR General Council ‘ee’ysni’n heetewit leeheyn oykalo (happy Valentine’s Day, everyone) from your General Council. Prayers this month for heightened compassion, care and love shown to one another in our small tribal community. Every one of us holds a basic human need for affection from others,… Read more: ‘Open Mic’ returns to General Council regular meeting agenda

PENDLETON — Garret Reinhart had 21 points to lead Pendleton to a 75-47 win over Ontario in the first round of the Greater Oregon League district tournament Tuesday at Warberg Court. “We played well tonight,” Pendleton coach Ron Murphy said. “We have struggled against Ontario a little bit. We were a much better team today.”… Read more: Pendleton sweeps Ontario in GOL district playoffs

PILOT ROCK — Chet Workman drove the key and put the ball in the basket as time expired in overtime as Prairie City/Burnt River upset No. 10 Pilot Rock 79-78 on Tuesday in the first round of the 1A state playoffs. “I am very proud of our kids for the year they had,” Pilot Rock… Read more: Panthers edge Rockets in overtime 

ARLINGTON — Nixyaawii is not used to being the underdog, but as the No. 18 seed, it hit the road to play Ione/Arlington in the first round of the 1A state playoffs. Nixyaawii used a 21-14 run in the third quarter to break open a close game, then held on down the stretch for a… Read more: Nixyaawii moves into second round with win over I/A

PENDLETON — When Ben Welch signs an Eastern Oregon athlete to his program, he knows he will get someone with an honest work ethic. The longtime Eastern Oregon University coach recently added Pendleton’s Jack Reynolds to the fold for cross country and track. “Those are the ones we like to recruit,” Welch said. “It’s easier… Read more: Pendleton distance runner will compete in cross country and track

Opinion | By Kat Brigham, Chair, CTUIR Board of Trustees I’m now about two months into serving as chair of the CTUIR Board of Trustees (BOT), and it’s been a busy start. A lot of my time has been spent catching up, listening and learning about what’s happening across our departments and programs. One thing… Read more: From the Chair’s Desk

Sports have helped Nixyáawii’s Kirkie adjust to the new school MISSION — High school can be a tough transition for any student. Moving three states away from where you grew up, and not knowing anyone, can make that first day a bit more frightening. Nixyáawii Community School freshman Cryssa Kirkie, who moved from Crow Creek,… Read more: Bridging the gap