The Douglas County Courthouse is illuminated in green Nov. 1.

PENDLETON — Umatilla County is illuminating the exteriors of its buildings in green lights until Veterans Day to honor local veterans.

The county’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday, Nov. 6, during its regular meeting to participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans. Operation Green Light is a national county-led movement to show support for veterans and raise awareness of available veteran services.

A similar campaign is underway in Douglas County, the News-Review in Roseburg reported.

Green signifies the military, said Commission Chair John Shafer, adding the county wants veterans to know the community appreciates their service.

“It’s really important for us that we honor our veterans who give us the freedoms that we get to enjoy,” he said. “The open elections we saw (Nov. 5) — that only happens because of our veterans.”

Drones to bring county into new era

The commissioners also acted on a request for two drones for the Weed Control Program within the county’s weed department. The county had sent out a request for proposals and received two — one from Advanced Drone based in Pendleton and another from Agri Spray Drones in Milton-Freewater. Shafer recused himself from the vote because his son was an employee of one of the drone companies.

Although both companies had similar proposals, Agri Spray Drones proposed the lower bid by about $320, at $30,625. Therefore, Theodore Orr, with the county Road Department, recommended the commissioners authorize the contract for purchase with Agri Spray.

“We’re trying to upgrade to the 20th century with drones,” he said.

The drones — a Mavic 3 Multispectral and a DJI Agras T25 — will be able to map, identify and spray weeds, using the same type of precision agriculture technology that farms often do to more accurately identify and target fast-spreading weeds.

“It’s very precise,” Shafer said, “and one, it’ll save money on chemicals, and two, it’s going to save on time.”

Right now, he said, the county completes weed control by hand, so he expects the drones will have a significant impact for the department.