Mayor McKennon McDonald recaps yesterday's (12/17/2025) Pendleton Development Commission and City Council meetings. Starting with the PDC, McDonald talks about the proposed downtown lighting grant. Moving to the city council agenda, McDonald shares the testimony of a 7-year-old girl who spoke to the council about the need for an indoor swimming pool and ADA accessible mobile library. McDonald also gives an update on the city's strategic plan, plus talks about the public hearing and action taken by council on the vacant storefront ordinance.

Mayor McKennon McDonald recaps yesterday's (12/17/2025) Pendleton Development Commission and City Council meetings. Starting with the PDC, McDonald talks about the proposed downtown lighting grant. Moving to the city council agenda, McDonald shares the testimony of a 7-year-old girl who spoke to the council about the need for an indoor swimming pool and ADA accessible mobile library. McDonald also gives an update on the city's strategic plan, plus talks about the public hearing and action taken by council on the vacant storefront ordinance.

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman.  Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.

 

 

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman. &nbsp;Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.
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Coffee Hour Podcast

December 17     |     City of Pendleton

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4125, Confidential, from Umatilla High School has qualified to compete at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston, Texas, April 29-May 2, after receiving the Impact Award at the Pacific Northwest District Championships. Team members Alexia Martinez, Jesus “J” Rincon, Soraya Rincon, Santiago Rodriguez and Umatilla School District Heidi Sipe join KUMA Coffee Hour Host Dan Thesman to talk about wining the Impact Award and preparing to come with 600 other top teams from 30 different countries.

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4125, Confidential, from Umatilla High School has qualified to compete at the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston, Texas, April 29-May 2, after receiving the Impact Award at the Pacific Northwest District Championships. Team members Alexia Martinez, Jesus &ldquo;J&rdquo; Rincon, Soraya Rincon, Santiago Rodriguez and Umatilla School District Heidi Sipe join KUMA Coffee Hour Host Dan Thesman to talk about wining the Impact Award and preparing to come with 600 other top teams from 30 different countries.

April 17     |     Umatilla High School Robotics Team 4125 Confidential 

Travel Pendleton Director Justin Waldron shares that for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, he's focuing on stabilizing Pendleton’s tourism through year-round initiatives and "Pendleton-made" craftsmanship. Travel Pendleton is also targeting younger, experience-seeking demographics and promoting "hidden gems," the strategy balances economic growth with local quality of life. Key priorities include deep collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the debut of Interwoven, a cultural "mashup" event, Oct. 15-17. Waldron says this vision ensures Indigenous voices and local small businesses remain central to Pendleton’s authentic, evolving narrative. Learn more at https://travelpendleton.com/

Travel Pendleton Director Justin Waldron shares that for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, he's focuing on stabilizing Pendleton&rsquo;s tourism through year-round initiatives and "Pendleton-made" craftsmanship. Travel Pendleton is also targeting younger, experience-seeking demographics and promoting "hidden gems," the strategy balances economic growth with local quality of life. Key priorities include deep collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the debut of Interwoven, a cultural "mashup" event, Oct. 15-17. Waldron says this vision ensures Indigenous voices and local small businesses remain central to Pendleton&rsquo;s authentic, evolving narrative. Learn more at https://travelpendleton.com/

April 16     |     Travel Pendleton

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Umatilla County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jaclyn Jenkins and Guardian Care Center Director Marisa Remington join KUMA Coffee Hour Host Dan Thesman on today's episode. Jenkins talks about next week's George Murdock Conference on Child Abuse at Wildhorse Resort and Casino and how the conference brings different groups together to improve the outcome for a child in crisis. Remington then explains how the Guardian Care Center prevents a child from having to tell their story repeatedly to different agencies. Both Jenkins and Remington explain how critcal the partnership is between the DA's office and the Guardian Care Center in ensuring these cases are handled with both compassion and justice. They also speak about if someone suspects a child is in danger, do not hestitate to report it.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Umatilla County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jaclyn Jenkins and Guardian Care Center Director Marisa Remington join KUMA Coffee Hour Host Dan Thesman on today's episode. Jenkins talks about next week's George Murdock Conference on Child Abuse at Wildhorse Resort and Casino and how the conference brings different groups together to improve the outcome for a child in crisis. Remington then explains how the Guardian Care Center prevents a child from having to tell their story repeatedly to different agencies. Both Jenkins and Remington explain how critcal the partnership is between the DA's office and the Guardian Care Center in ensuring these cases are handled with both compassion and justice. They also speak about if someone suspects a child is in danger, do not hestitate to report it.

December 17 | City of Pendleton

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