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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2019)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 THE OBSERVER — 3A LOCAL China announces tariff hike on $75 billion of US products By Joe McDonald The Associated Press China on Friday announced tariff hikes on $75 billion of U.S. products in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s latest planned increase, deepening a confl ict over trade and technology that threatens to tip a weakening global economy into recession. China also will increase im- port duties on U.S.-made autos and auto parts, the Finance Ministry announced. The announcement comes as leaders of the Group of 7 major economies prepare to meet in France this weekend. Tariffs of 10% and 5% will take effect on two batches of goods on Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, the ministry said in a statement. It gave no details of what goods would be af- fected but the timing matches Trump’s planned duty hikes. Washington is pressing Beijing to narrow its trade surplus and roll back plans for government-led creation of global competitors in robotics, electric cars and other technol- ogy industries. The spiraling conflict has battered exporters on both sides and fueled concern it might drag down weakening global economic growth. Peter Navarro, who advises Trump on trade policy, tried to downplay the impact of Chinese tariff hikes. He said they were “well anticipated” and would only strengthen Trump’s resolve. China’s government ap- pealed to Trump this week to compromise in order to reach a settlement. That came after Trump warned that the American public might need to endure economic pain in order to achieve long-term results. The United States, Europe, Japan and other trading part- ners say Beijing’s development plans violate its market- opening commitments and are based on stealing or pressur- ing foreign companies to hand over technology. Some American officials worry they might erode U.S. industrial leadership. Chinese leaders have offered to alter details but are resist- ing giving up a development strategy they see as a path to prosperity and global influence. The talks are deadlocked over how to enforce any deal. China insists Trump’s puni- tive tariffs have to be lifted as soon as an agreement takes effect. Washington says at least some have to stay to ensure Beijing carries out any promises it makes. Trump announced plans to raise tariffs Sept. 1 on $300 billion of Chinese products after talks broke down in May. Increases on some goods were postponed to Dec. 15. Trump escalated “trade fric- tions” and is “seriously threat- ening the multilateral trading system,” the Finance Ministry said. “China was forced to take countermeasures.” A separate statement said tariffs of 25% and 5% would be imposed on U.S.-made autos and auto parts on Dec. 15. Bei- jing announced that increase last year but suspended it after Trump and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, agreed at a meeting in December in Argentina to put off further trade action while they negotiated. Trump and Xi agreed in June to resume negotiations. But talks in Shanghai in July ended with no indication of progress. Negotiators talked by phone this month and are due to meet again in Washington next month. BMW, Tesla, Ford and Mercedes Benz are likely to be the hardest hit by the Chinese auto tariffs. In 2018, BMW exported about 87,000 luxury SUVs to China from a plant near Spartanburg, S.C. It exports more vehicles to China than any other U.S. auto plant. O BITUARIES Donald L. Kilpatrick La Grande Donald L. Kilpatrick, 92, of La Grande, died Aug. 22 at a UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by Aug. 24 Milton “Randy” Erickson: 11 a.m., memorial service, Elgin Methodist Church, followed by potluck. Marion Anthoney: 2 p.m., memorial service, Presbyterian Friendship Center, La Grande. Aug. 31 Ken Witty: 1 p.m., celebration of life and potluck, 81768 Revis Lane (Witty residence), Enterprise. George “Doug” McDaniel: 1 p.m., celebration of life, Beth Johnson Room, Wallowa Elementary School; followed by catered lunch at Wallowa Senior Center at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7 Michael Lowery: 2 p.m., celebration of life, Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Clubhouse, Union. local care facility. An obituary is forthcoming. Loveland Fu- neral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrange- ments. Julie Gribling La Grande Julie Gribling, of La Grande, died Aug. 20 at her home. An obituary is forthcoming. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU 1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE Aug. 26-30 Lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6 Monday: chicken cordon bleu, rice or noodles, steamed vegetables, salad greens, fruit. Tuesday: beef stroganoff, rice or noodles, steamed vegetables, salad greens, rolls, fruit. Wednesday: tomatoes stuffed with chicken salad, fruit garnish, rolls, brownies. Thursday: taco bar, salad greens, chips and salsa, fresh fruit. Friday: pan-roasted chicken with shallots, rice or noodles, vegetable casserole, sesame-cabbage salad, rolls, fruit. Dick Mason/The Observer La Grande and La Grande Rural Fire departments put out the fl ames within an hour of the fi rst engine arriving at an early morning fi re at Bearco Business Park today. The fi re was contained to two stored campers and an RV. FIRE Continued from Page 1A by a dog barking and the sound of a window popping out. McCall also heard a popping sound. He said as he and his friends were racing away from the tent they heard explosions. Several explosions occurred after the fire started. Tibbetts said that these were propane tanks that burst. Both McCall and Rice said they feel lucky to have gotten away safely. Initially, there was a suspicion of arson, but after investigation the LGFD deter- mined the blaze began when a candle caught a curtain on fire, according to Tibbetts. The Bearco Business Park, where the storage facility is located, is managed by Monty McIntosh, who said the re- sponse time of the La Grande Fire Department made a big difference. “It was amazing. They were here instantly,” he said. The camper in which the fire started is owned by McCall’s mother’s boyfriend, Jessie Showden, who was sleeping in it at the time. Showden jumped out of the window to escape the fire and sustained minor injuries to his hand. He was cared for by medics on the scene. McIntosh said Showden should not have been sleeping in the camper. While there Sabrina Thompson/The Observer An RV in the storage unit at the Bearco Business Park caught fi re after a candle set a curtain in an adjacent camping trailer ablaze, according to LGFD Captain Tibbetts. is no power for the campers in the facility, McIntosh said there have been issues with transients breaking in and sleeping in the trailers. “They come back when I’m not here at night and leave in the morning,” McIntosh said. “We have tried to get them out but they won’t leave.” According to Tibbetts, the other camping trailer that caught fire had people in it as well, and they escaped the flames unharmed. The building behind the campers, the El Erradero, suffered some smoke and water damage as a result of the blaze, Tibbetts said. The restaurant is likely to remain closed for the day, if not longer. Jacob Chance, of La Staying safe at the scene Scene safety is very important to quickly and safely put out fi res. LGFD would like to remind people: • To not drive over fi re hoses. They are not made to be driven over and will become damaged. Doing so violates Oregon law, and can hinder the ability for fi refi ghters to put the fl ames out. • If you must go to a scene to check your property, though it is not advised, check in before entering the fi re scene. Wandering around the scene can be a distraction and it is hard to distinguish you from potential victims. Grande, was getting off work nearby when he heard about the flames. His 32-foot RV was destroyed in the fire. Chance also stores other property at the facility, including cars, a pickup and another camper, and he said he is concerned about smoke damage. “I had just gotten off work and everyone was saying there was a fire (on Bearco Loop) and I wanted to make sure. As soon as I noticed where the flames were, I was like, ‘Oh, shoot,’” Chase said. The RV that was destroyed was not insured and Chase said he is eager to find out the cause of the flames. Cluster of respiratory illness related to vaping Observer staff SALEM — An Aug. 22 news release from the Oregon Health Authority states the OHA and local public health departments are urging clinicians to be on alert for signs of severe respiratory illness among individuals who report vap- ing or e-cigarette use. OHA is aware of a clus- ter of respiratory illness primarily among teenag- ers and young adults in 16 states. These people have been hospitalized after experiencing worsen- ing symptoms, including shortness of breath, cough and chest pain. No deaths have been reported. CDC and the affected states have not identifi ed a cause, but all cases have reported e-cigarette use or vaping. OHA knows of no cases in Oregon. “These serious new ill- nesses are another reason to encourage people to avoid vaping or to quit,” said Tom Jeanne, deputy health of- fi cer at OHA’s Public Health Division, in the release. Before the new illness reports, OHA was already concerned about the health risks of vaping products. A recent report by the agency details the health risks for the products including nicotine addiction, exposure to toxic chemicals known to cause cancer and increases in blood pressure. The news release said that individuals who have recently vaped and are having diffi culty breathing should seek medical atten- tion immediately. L OCAL B RIEFING From staff reports 4-H handled wild horses available for adoption BOISE, Idaho — The Bu- reau of Land Management is holding a wild horse adop- tion event at the Western Idaho Fair, 5610 Glenwood St., in Boise, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25. There will be one geld- ing and three fi llies avail- able for viewing/adoption in the Draft Horse Barn on the north end of the facility. Since June, youths representing four different 4-H clubs have trained the mustangs to lead, load in a horse trailer and pick up their feet. Since the beginning of the partnership between the BLM and the Univer- sity of Idaho’s 4-H Exten- sion program in 2009, more than 300 wild horses have been trained and adopted. To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must be 18 years of age, never have been con- victed of animal abuse or cruelty, and have the proper facilities and transporta- tion. All individuals must be pre-approved before they can bid on a horse. Applica- tions may be fi lled out at the Idaho Horse Expo BLM booth and approved onsite. For more information about BLM’s wild horse program, go to www.blm.gov. Learn about ODOT’s plan to upgrade curb ramps in Union UNION — The public is invited to a Union City Council workshop Aug. 26 to learn about ODOT’s plan to upgrade curb ramps in Union. The transporta- tion project will improve sidewalk curb ramps to comply with current Americans with Disabili- ties Act requirements. The workshop begins at 6 p.m. at Union City Hall, 342 S. Main St., and will include time for public input. This is a pilot project and the les- sons learned will be used in other cities around Oregon as ODOT works to improve more than 26,000 curb ramps on the state highway system. For more informa- tion, contact ODOT’s Tom Strandberg at 541-963-1330 or thomas.m.strandberg@ odot.state.or.us. tion. Support persons and community members may attend free of charge. The workshop is for adults only. Child care is not provided. For more information call 541-962-9500, ext. 42. Help kids cope with divorce, separation LA GRANDE — Com- munity Connection is in urgent need of volunteers to be Meals on Wheels drivers. For more information, call Sydney Gleeson at 541- 963-7532, ext. 1104, or stop by 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande. LA GRANDE — Learn how divorce or separation impacts your children and what you can do to help them at a workshop held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Misener Con- ference Room, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande. The work- shop is facilitated by Mary Lu Pierce and sponsored by the Family Law Advisory Committee. Cost is $30 per person (cash or check only). The fee may be waived by prior order of the court, or if attendance occurs prior to or within 45 days of fi ling for custody, dissolution, separation or modifi ca- Meals on Wheels drivers needed La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR 975-2000 www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS