Direct TV technician Justin Lim shows office worker Tammi Lien how to hook up a monitor at the Heppner TV office Tuesday. After 55 years Heppner TV is shutting its doors. Special discounts will be given to those who sign up for satellite TV by Sept. 10.

    After 55 years, Heppner TV to flip off the switch

Discounts offered to sign up with satellite

By David Sykes

    After 55 years of continuous cable television service Heppner TV will be closing down Sept. 30, General Manager Pat Lauritsen announced Tuesday morning.

   “With deep regret we are announcing that we are closing down the Heppner TV side of our business, the press release said. Heppner TV is owned by WindWave Communications which will continue in business.

     “After 55 years of service to the community our equipment is old and failing, replacement parts have become unavailable. We felt it was in the best interests of the community that we provide a controlled shut down instead of waiting until we have a complete failure of the system. This will give the residents of Heppner, Lexington and Ione time to make the change to satellite TV,” the release said.

   Direct TV technician Justin Lim was working in the Heppner TV office Tuesday morning and he said people need to call Heppner TV office to get a special discount for new satellite hookups. Lim said signing up locally will be good for the community and he also mentioned Direct TV is looking for a local person to train as a satellite installer.

     “To help the community through this transition Heppner TV has negotiated with DirecTV and Dish TV for a discounted monthly rate and a discounted installation fee for our customers that sign up by September 10th 2010. If you sign up with DirecTV or Dish TV in any other way than through our office the discounted rates will not be available,” the news release said.

     “Our staff, Sandy Matthews and Tammi Lien will be happy to help you with the transition to your new TV services. We have information about the offered packages and the signup sheets at our office for your convenience. DirecTV will be looking to train a local technician. We would like that person to live in Heppner area so you have better support for the transition. Please contact them if you would like to train for this position,” the news release said.

     The first television membership was sold to W.C. and Virginia Rosewall on February 1, 1955, Matthews said for $150. The second was to Amanda Duvall and the third to L.E. Dick.  Claude Grahm gave a lifelong easement for $1 on which to place a TV tower when the company first formed, Matthews said.