UMATILLA COUNTY — As schools have returned to in-person classes in the spring, the Oregon Health Authority has started to record small outbreaks of COVID-19 among students across Umatilla County.
There were plenty of congratulations to go around on Friday, April 2, as the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce handed out its Distinguished Citizen Awards for 2019 and 2020.
Salud Campos, executive director for the chamber, said after last yearâs awards banquet was canceled at the last minute due to the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, the chamber wanted to make sure those who would have been recognized still got their award. She visited those awardees, as well as a new group honored this year, to hand them their plaque and offer congratulations.
âThey were thrilled,â she said.
Some winners said they were honored, while others described themselves as humbled or surprised, she said. After a long year for everyone, Campos said it was nice to be able to recognize the good in Umatilla.