Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
The Hermiston Herald · Stanfield, OR
Nearby: Stanfield, ORSTANFIELD — Visitors to the Pilot Travel Center in Stanfield are noticing some big changes following a comprehensive remodel featuring new services inside and out. During the remodel, which was completed on Oct. 23, much of the center was closed including the restrooms, the restaurants, the deli and beverage coolers. “All we had was coffee to sell,” General Manager Becky Hughes said. The gas pumps also were open, Hughes said. The renovations were part of Pilot’s New Horizons program in which the company spent more than $1 billion upgrading the travel centers nationwide. Curb-to-counter transformation The company said the upgrades were “a comprehensive curb-to-counter transformation.” One of the first things visitors will notice is four new electric vehicle charging stations. The center’s entire interior has a new, modern design, and the McDonald’s, Subway and Cinnabon also were remodeled. Deb Carlson, the center’s restaurant manager, said the Stanfield location has the only Cinnabon.
Capital Press · Umatilla, OR
Nearby: Umatilla, OREAGLE, Idaho — Potato processor Lamb Weston said in a regulatory filing that it entered a settlement agreement with plaintiffs in a 2024 case involving groundwater quality in Eastern Oregon’s Lower Umatilla River Basin. Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. in the Nov. 12 Form 8-K filing said it will pay $25 million into a settlement fund. The settlement “does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing, and Lamb Weston continues to dispute the claims in this matter,” according to the filing. Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. subsidiary Lamb Weston Inc. and several other defendants were named in class action private plaintiffs filed in Oregon U.S. District Court. Plaintiffs alleged defendants’ business operations contributed to excessive nitrate levels in Lower Umatilla River Basin groundwater. The Nov. 11 settlement “does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing, and Lamb Weston continues to dispute the claims in this matter,” according to the 8-K.
The Hermiston Herald · Umatilla, OR
Nearby: Umatilla, ORUMATILLA — The city of Umatilla will hold three open houses between November and February to get public input on two community projects. The open house meetings will focus on the renaming of McNary Tennis Court Park and a future recreation and wellness facility. The meetings are Nov. 18, Dec. 16 and Jan. 13 at the Umatilla Business Center, 820 Sixth St. Each meeting is 6-7 p.m. During the discussion of the recreation and wellness facility, attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas for indoor recreational activities, fitness and wellness programs, youth and senior activities and other amenities that would benefit the community. The city also will seek residents’ input on ideas for renaming McNary Tennis Court Park. In October, the city announced it had received a $30,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation to convert the aging tennis courts into pickleball courts.
