Griffin Hewitt

Jan 21, 2024 | argusobserver.com | Griffin Hewitt

ONTARIO — Residents of Ontario are likely familiar with that purple house located at 443 SW 1st Street. This is no ordinary house, this is The House That Art Built, “an artist’s co-op featuring fine art and contemporary crafts” according to its advertising. After 17 years serving the local community, this local mainstay will close. “We have been proud to be a part of the community and thank you for your support all these years,” reads a line from the statement announcing the closure.

Jan 16, 2024 | argusobserver.com | Griffin Hewitt

ONTARIO — Art can often bridge the gap in connecting people when other attempts to communicate have not succeeded. Local artist Eddie Melendrez, who has many different roles in the community, including Ontario City Councilor, has been awarded the 2024-26 Fields Artist Fellowship. Selected as one of four artists to receive this honor for cycle, the award includes $150,000 to be paid out to each of the four artists over the course of two years.

Jan 5, 2024 | argusobserver.com | Griffin Hewitt

ONTARIO — Ashley Furniture Homestore in Ontario is a familiar site to shoppers in the Westpark Plaza area as it serves as one of the main anchor stores of the shopping center. Now Ashley Furniture can add another distinction to it’s local reputation — Business of the Year. According to the nomination form submitted by local veterans advocate and newspaper columnist, Ron Verini, this store and the people behind it do more than provide a wide selection of home furnishings to the community.

Jan 3, 2024 | argusobserver.com | Griffin Hewitt

ONTARIO — As world-renowned German physicist Albert Einstein once said, “I never teach my pupils, I only provide the conditions in which they can learn.”Educating the youth of our community is not a task to be taken lightly and the call to teach was answered by Treasure Valley Community College Social Science Professor Joe Kurth, who has been named Educator of the Year. Nominating Kurth for this honor was TVCC President Dana Young, who has served as the college’s president since 2010.

Jan 2, 2024 | argusobserver.com | Griffin Hewitt

ONTARIO — The honor of Woman of the Year has been bestowed upon Patricia Sullivan, a woman who has made a lasting impact in Malheur County with her contributions to the community. From 1988 to 2000, Sullivan served as Malheur County District Attorney before becoming a Malheur County Circuit Judge in 2000. She worked in that capacity, serving as the presiding judge from 2012 to 2016, until she retired, then served for five years as a Plan B judge.