Leslie Thompson, Argus Observer Journalist Profile

Articles

Diversity Advisory Committee needs more time to review draft ordinance

1 week ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — The Ontario City Council isn’t likely to make a decision on whether to keep the Diversity Advisory Committee in place until its second meeting in May. That is, unless the committee can hold a special meeting before the council’s meeting on May 6. Otherwise, committee members hope President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14151 is held up in court or, eventually, thrown out.
Ontario Police Department getting 25 new patrol rifles

1 week ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — Officers with the Ontario Police Department will soon be equipped with brand new patrol rifles. The Ontario City Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of 25 rifles not more than $25,000 net cost (after trade-ins) from the Public Safety Reserve Fund in order to make the purchase. The action took place immediately following an executive session at the council meeting on March 11. However, a resolution to make the $42,299 purchase official didn’t happen until April 8.
Cook celebrates 30 years at Burger West

1 week ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — In the time she has worked at Burger West, Amanda McCoshum estimates she has made close to two million Ranch Hands, saying the menu item is easily a customer favorite. This year marks her 30th at what is likely one of the most popular burger joints in the Western Treasure Valley. Aaron and Kristin Sutton bought the eatery from the former owners in 2021 and have kept menu items the same, continuing to serve the food and beverages that frequently causes vehicles to line up down the block.
Ontario baseball coaches working on 'culture shift'

1 week ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — “Row, row, row.”Anytime an Ontario baseball player has a two-strike count at the plate, the chant begins from the dugout with two players holding large wooden oars and rowing them as if paddling a boat. kAm%96 4FDE@> :D ?6H E9:D J62C[ H:E9 DEF56?E 2E9=6E6D DE2CE:?8 :E @? E96:C @H?] (92E AC@>AE65 E96> E@ 5@ :E H2D 2 AC6\D62D@? C625:?8 C6BF:C6>6?E @7 E96 3@@<[ “#@H E96 q@2E” H9:49 :D 4@\2FE9@C65 3J !]y] u=64< 2?5 y@? v@C5@?]k^AmkAmw625 4@249 %2??6C p=6I2?56C 2?5 2DD:DE2?E 4@249 {F42D %24<>2?
Bureau of Land Management officials won't say whether cuts will impact Vale District

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

MALHEUR COUNTY — In trying to determine how or whether federal cuts are impacting the Bureau of Land Management - Vale District, the answers are not clear. Employees in local districts are disallowed from providing responses about action taken by the Trump Administration and responses provided by those in Washington are vague. When asked on April 7 about how many employees have lost their jobs in recent months, an official declined to say. kAm“%92E’D ?@E 2 BF6DE:@?
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz: Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security are necessary programs

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — One of the biggest challenges for Congress, according to U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, OR-02, is getting all the Republican colleagues to stick together. “Believe it or not,” he said, “That’s the biggest challenge,” for the House where the GOP majority is not by much. kAm~7 E96 4@>>:EE66D 96 D6CG6D @?[ E9C66 F?56C E96 w@FD6 r@>>:EE66 @? t?6C8J 2?5 r@>>6C46 7@4FD @?
Dozens of local athletes finish first in their track and field events

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — Three varsity track and field teams — Ontario, Vale and Baker — converged at the Earl Blackaby Track on April 8 to compete in various events. In team scores, Baker boys and girls took the lead, with 286 and 223.99, respectively. They were trailed by Vale girls at 172 and Vale boys at 159; and Ontario boys with 148 and Ontario girls with 129. kAm{@42= 2E9=6E6D 8C23365 ?F>6C@FD 7:CDE\A=246 H:?D :? E96:C C6DA64E:G6 42E68@C:6D H:E9 D@>6 86EE:?8 A6CD@?2= C64@C5D]k^AmkAmx?
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz goes on the record about selling public lands

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, OR-02, says there is “never a dull moment” being a congressman and that’s why he really likes it. He is staying very busy serving on two committees and multiple subcommittees for the 119th Congress. Despite this, he took time to visit people in part of his district on April 5 who are dealing with the emergency flooding situation in Harney County. kAm%96 52J 367@C6 E92E[ 96 H6?E @?
'We're starting to really feel the decline of part-time firefighters'

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

ONTARIO — Getting part-time firefighters is a struggle for fire departments throughout the nation, including Ontario Fire and Rescue. “We’re starting to really feel the decline of part-time firefighters,” said Chief Clint Benson to the Ontario City Council on April 8. kAmw6 D2:5 :E :D 5:77:4F=E E@ 7:?5 A6@A=6 H:==:?8 E@ DE2CE H@C<:?8 2E a 2]>] 2?5 8@ E@ E96:C 52J ;@3D 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96:C D9:7E]k^AmkAm“xE’D AC6EEJ 92C5] x 92G6 6>AEJ 9@@<D[” q6?D@?
Fire chief urges people to take caution when open burning, call it in

2 weeks ago | argusobserver.com | Leslie Thompson

PAYETTE COUNTY — Crews were able to stop a structure fire in rural New Plymouth on April 7 before it reached residences. However, two garages full of personal property and several vehicles were destroyed.