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Tribal Government & News Tribe begins third round of Tumwata Village demolition 02.28.2023 Dean Rhodes Blue Heron Paper Mill , Tumwata Village Smoke Signals file photo By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor OREGON CITY – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is starting the third, but not final, round of demolition at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site it purchased in August 2019. The third round will demolish structures on the northwestern section of the 23-acre property close to downtown …

Tribal Government & News Record-setting service: Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy becomes longest tenured Tribal Council member 04.30.2020 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy discussed her more than 21 years of service on council in her Governance Center office on Tuesday, April 21. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Sometime in April, while she was leading the Grand Ronde Tribe as it navigated its unprecedented …

, is so powerful,” she said. “Leading this team has been unreal. … When the Health Services Department first started, it wasn’t what you see today. It was far from what you see today. At the beginning of Restoration, we had three employees – Cheryle Kennedy, Tresa Mercier and Bonnie Tom.” Tresa Mercier, who is the Tribe’s longest-serving employee with 38 years of service, worked as the health clerk. Tom was the Community Health representative and Kennedy, who has served as Tribal Council chairwoman …

that Wells Fargo will be used to make the per capita payments in June. Los Angeles just sued Wells Fargo on May 5 for “unlawful and fraudulent conduct.” Los Angeles alleges “the bank opened unauthorized accounts for customers, sticking them with bogus fees and damaging their credit.” Further, “Employees misused customers’ confidential information and often fails to close authorized accounts.” I don’t know how serious this is, but I thought I would relay the information since Wells Fargo …

and the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center of Portland; Approved a cooperative funding agreement of $138,550 between the Tribe and Bonneville Power Administration. The Tribe has had these annual agreements with BPA dating back to 2010; Approved a $5,000 Tribal credit card for Silviculture/Fire Protection Technician Maxwell Lynn and a $5,000 Tribal credit card for Nutrition Program Manager Kristy Lawson; Approved a resolution requesting an election on removing the Bureau of Indian Affairs from its …

action, Tribal Council: Approved amendments to the Tribal retirement plan that include changing eligibility deferrals from a year to three months, provide that participant elective deferrals may not exceed 85% of a participant’s income and allow for in-plan Roth IRA transfers; and also approved amendments to the Baird investment policy statements regarding investment management structure, domestic and international diversification guidelines and benchmark identification; Approved a Tribal credit card …

for the Social Services Department Children & Family Services Program for $2,500; Approved an amendment to the fee schedule for the Win Thin Logging Unit timber sale; Approved a grant application for up to $124,979 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a Tribal cultural use study and co-stewardship project; Approved terminating a credit card processing agreement with Square and approving an agreement with Worldpay LLC. Tribal Finance Officer Chris Leno said the new system will allow the Finance …

on Highway 22 near milepost 7. A driving complaint was reported on Highway 18 near milepost 26. A welfare check occurred in the 28800 block of Salmon River Highway. Saturday, March 8 Fraud was reported in the 27100 block of Salmon River Highway. A disturbance was reported in the area of Tyee Road and Wind River Drive. Sunday, March 9 Officers assisted an outside agency in the area of D and Main streets in Willamina. Citizen contact occurred in the 9600 block of Grand Ronde Road. A missing person …

Tribal Government & News Tribe fetes employees for 1,141 years of service 03.27.2026 Nicole Montesano Tribal employees Tribal Health & Wellness Business Office Manager Melody Baker hugs Tribal Council member Matthew Haller as she’s recognized for 27 years of working at the Tribe during the first quarter Years of Service awards in the Tribal gym Thursday, March 19. ( Photos by Michelle Alaimo) By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer The Tribe celebrated a combined 1,141 years of service …

Culture The graduate: Steve Bobb Sr. receives his high school diploma at age 69 05.26.2018 Dean Rhodes People , Education , Events Smoke Signals staff report WILLAMINA -- Tribal Elder Steve Bobb Sr., 69, finally received a Willamina High School diploma on Saturday, May 26, during its Class of 2018 graduation ceremony. Bobb was on track to graduate 51 years ago with the Class of 1967. However, he dropped out three months shy of earning his diploma after he and two friends were suspended …