HERMISTON -- Hermiston is continuing in its efforts to make more information available to the public.
Complete agenda packets for city council are now being posted online at hermiston. or.us.
The packets contain all of the information provided to council members, including items like feasibility reports, staff recommendations and financial reports.
Links to the packets also will be posted on the city's Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofhermiston.
HERMISTON -- The city of Hermiston is one of seven cities nationwide to receive a cultural diversity award.
Presented by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, the award honors cities with municipal programs that encourage citizen involvement and show an appreciation of cultural diversity.
Hermiston was honored for its creation of the Hispanic Advisory Committee, which was started in 2012. The group, which holds its regular meetings in Spanish, with English translations, acts as a fully functioning advisory board to the Hermiston City Council to create better access for members of the Hispanic community to the government of Eastern Oregon's largest city.
HERMISTON -- The Hermiston City Council unanimously agreed this week to name the new playground being built at Victory Square Park the Mayor Bob Severson Memorial Playground.
The recommendation is in recognition of Severson's many years of community leadership and his service as Mayor since 2000, according to a release from the city. Severson, who died in December during his final month in office, was known to be a champion of parks and recreation and arts in Hermiston.
The new playground is set to open April 20 after a dedication ceremony and neighborhood work party.
HERMISTON -- Optometrist David Drotzmann was sworn in as the new mayor of Hermiston this week.
Three new city council members also were sworn in. They are Manuel Gutierrez, John Kirwan and Doug Primmer.
Drotzmann, who became mayor-elect after a spring primary election, is replacing Bob Severson, who served as mayor from 2001 until his death in December.
HERMISTON -- The Hermiston City Council -- or at least all but one member -- wants Congress to pass "fair and sensible" immigration reform laws, including a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants.
The council on Monday voted 7-1 to send a letter to President Obama, Democratic U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Republican Congressman Greg Walden asking them to make immigration reform a priority.
"This isn't just immigration reform, it is asking for the legalization of worthy undocumented immigrants," Councilman George Anderson said in a statement.
PROSSER -- The Prosser City Council tonight will consider repealing two old sections of city code dealing with guns and other lethal weapons.
The sections place restrictions on carrying those types of weapons in public places, and go further than state law.
"It's kind of a cleanup thing," said Mayor Paul Warden, adding the action would bring consistency with state and federal regulations.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.