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…

Pendleton goalie Citlalli Garcia stops a kick on during practice on August 22, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Graham will be key to Pendleton’s success

GIRLS SOCCER FALL PREVIEW Rickman returns to Bucks’ sideline after 2-year absence By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor PENDLETON — When coach Kiana Rickman left the Pendleton girls soccer program after the 2021 season, Kelsey Graham was a freshman and the Bucks were playing in the 5A Intermountain Conference. Rickman returns to the program this fall after spending the past…

Lt. Michael Blasy, senior environmental engineer for the Indian Health Service’s Yakama Field Office, right, listens as Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Public Works director Justin Northern talks about a planned 60-acre manmade wetlands area located near Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. The wetlands will store reclaimed and recycled wastewater for use on Wildhorse Resort & Casino’s golf course and serve as habitat for birds, pollinators, waterfowl and native plants. CHRIS AADLAND | THE CUJ

CTUIR secures major funding boost for wastewater treatment system project

By CHRIS AADLAND, The CUJ MISSION – Standing on the edge of dry, brown fields near the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute (TCI) on Aug. 26, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Public Works director Justin Northern told about two dozen tribal leaders and federal officials gathered around him that much of area would likely soon be much wetter. That’s…

Pendleton’s Landon Van Pelt blocks during football practice on Aug. 22, 2024. KATHY ANEY | THE CUJ

Bucks will rely on Primus and McQuinn to set the tone

FALL FOOTBALL PREVIEW Pendleton/Nixyáawii has talent, but lacks varsity experience By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor PENDLETON — Pendleton/ Nixyáawii football coach Erik Davis loses players to graduation each year, but when you have 17 players pick up their diplomas and march on to college, it leaves a pretty big hole in your game plan. “We have a lot of…

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Chairman (CTUIR) Gary I. Burke and Indian Health Service Deputy Director Benjamin Smith sign a ceremonial memorandum of agreement appropriating $38 million from the IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction Program for the Mission Community Wastewater System Upgrade. The signing was held Monday, Aug. 26 in front of the Nixyáawii Governance Center. Also shown is CTUIR Interim Executive Director J.D. Tovey. CTUIR PHOTO

CTUIR, IHS leaders sign MOA for $44.5M wastewater project

MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) chairman and Indian Health Service (IHS) deputy director signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday, Aug. 26 for the tribe’s $44.5 million wastewater treatment project. In front of the Nixyáawii Governance Center, CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke and IHS Deputy Director Benjamin Smith signed the MOA appropriating $38 million…