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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2019)
LOCAL MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019 Oregon celebrates 25,000 electric vehicles on its roads Observer staff SALEM — According to a press release from the Or- egon Department of Energy, there are now more than 25,000 registered electric vehicles on Oregon’s roads. This marks the halfway point to the state’s goal of at least 50,000 registered EVs by the end of 2020. As of Aug. 1, Oregon had 26,218 registered EVs, from plug-in hybrids to all-electric models. The Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation reports that of the registered EVs, the most popular rides for Oregonians are the Nis- san LEAF, Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Volt. Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties represent about three-quar- ters of Oregon’s EV drivers, but less-populated counties are also plugging in, stated the release. Counties with fewer than 100,000 residents represent more than 3,000 of the state’s registered EVs. “More Oregonians are choosing electric vehicles, and with 25,000 EVs on Oregon’s roads, we are gain- ing momentum,” said Janine Benner, director of the Or- egon Department of Energy and an EV owner. “We look forward to celebrating when SCHOOL Continued from Page 1A on school supplies. A report on National Public Radio, which aired Dec. 19, 2017, stated that teachers in the United States spend an aver- age of $530 a year on school supplies for their students. The supplies provided today by the Elgin Ministe- rial Association to Stella Mayfi eld included at least 20 backpacks, numerous pencils and pens, notebooks, folders, glue and boxes of crayons. Lauri Ferring, pastor of Elgin’s Nazarene Church, which is part of the Elgin Ministerial Association, was moved by how the commu- we reach 50,000.” The 50K by 2020 goal was identifi ed by Gov. Brown in Executive Order 17-21, signed in November 2017. The executive order detailed a series of responsibilities for state agencies to encourage and support the electrifi ca- tion of Oregon’s transporta- tion system. “Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, and EVs are a critical piece of the long-term solution to meet- ing our reduction goals,” said Richard Whitman, director of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, in the release. With an array of fi nan- cial incentives and rebates, Oregonians can save big by making the switch to an EV. The Department of Environ- mental Quality’s Clean Ve- hicle Rebate Program offers savings of up to $5,000 for qualifying EVs. Combined with a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and other local incentives, buyers can save about a third of the cost of some EV models. Information on incen- tives and on how to charge at home and on the go are available at www.goelectric. oregon.gov. nity has reached out to the students. “This is an awesome way to help,” she said. Other members of the Elgin Ministerial Associa- tion are St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Christian Life Center. This marks the second year the Elgin Ministerial Association and the Elgin Lions Club have conducted the school supply drive. Elgin Mayor Allan Duffy said their efforts refl ect Elgin’s character. “This shows that a com- munity where others care about each other thrives. I see it thriving because of these groups,” Duffy said. O BITUARIES UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by 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. George ‘Doug’ McDaniel Wallowa George “Doug” McDaniel, 83, of Wallowa, died Aug. 15 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 31 in the Beth Johnson Room at the Wallowa Elementary School, followed by a catered lunch at the Wallowa Senior Center at 2:30 p.m. Kenneth L. Witty Enterprise Kenneth Lee Witty, 79, of Enterprise, died May 27 at his home. A celebration of his life and potluck will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Witty residence, 81768 Reavis Lane. Friends are invited to share their memories and favorite stories of Ken. THE OBSERVER — 3A L OCAL B RIEFING From staff reports All welcome at Thursday night bingo Lecture explains fi re refugia and pyrodiversity LA GRANDE — La Grande Post 43 of the American Legion, 301 Fir St., is hosting bingo from 6 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. each Thursday evening. Every- one is welcome. Cash only, please. JOSEPH — Garrett Meigs, PhD, a disturbance ecologist at OSU’s College of Forestry, will give a free presentation Aug. 30 at the Wallowology Natural His- tory Discover Center, 508 N. Main St., Joseph. “Fire Refugia in Oregon’s Forests: Learning from the Land and How to Deal with Change,” part of the Climate Change Biological Impacts Series, will begin at 7 p.m. Fire refugia — locations that remain unburned or burn less severely than sur- rounding areas — infl uence forest regeneration, wildlife habitat and subsequent disturbance dynamics. Un- derstanding the landscape conditions that support fi re refugia and overall pyro- diversity may enable land managers and stakeholders to prioritze locations for for- est restoration and habitat conservation. Area closure issued in and around Granite Gulch Fire zone BAKER CITY — A news release from the Vale District BLM Oregon/ Washington announced the enactment of an area closure in and around the Granite Gulch Fire zone to ensure public safety. The area between Rock Creek Trail and Trail Creek Trail, which drains into the Minam River, excluding Elk Meadows, was closed to the public Aug. 23 and will re- main until rescinded on Oct. 1, according to the release. This closure is necessary to provide forest visitors pro- tection from the hazardous conditions associated with the current fi re situation on the Eagle Cap Ranger District of the Wallowa- Whitman National Forest. For more information, con- tact the Vale District BLM Oregon/Washington offi ce, 3100 H St., Baker City, at 541-523-1407. Multiple agencies team up to gain quick control of Mt. Fanny Fire LA GRANDE — Fire- fi ghters from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bu- reau of Land Management, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest teamed up for an aggressive initial attack beginning Aug. 20 on the Fanny Fire using air resources, fi re engines and hand crews. The fi ve- acre Fanny Fire, located approximately two miles east of Cove, was caused by lightning. “The excellent teamwork and dedication of our fi re- fi ghters was critical for this outcome,” said Bill Gamble, La Grande District Ranger for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. “This is a shining example of the coor- dinated response envisioned by the Cohesive Wildfi re Strategy and a testament to the positive working rela- tionships here in Northeast Oregon.” There is currently no estimate of the containment percentage due to the spotti- ness of the burning and the level of heat in some areas. Crews continue to extin- guish burning or smoldering material while also carefully managing safety risks as they work in steep terrain. The road to Moss Springs Campground and trailhead is still open. Drivers should drive slowly and yield to fi refi ghters. 3 Rivers Race will take place Oct. 5 ISLAND CITY — Shelter From the Storm’s annual 3 Rivers Race, which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, has been resched- uled for Oct. 5. Shelter From the Storm is seeking volun- teers to help with the event. For more information on the event and on volunteering, call 541-963-7226. Shelter From the Storm is located at 10901 Island Ave., Island City. Fiber arts and jewelry exhibit will be inspired by farmers market LA GRANDE — Art Center East’s fourth annual Fiber Arts & Jewelry Ex- hibit, to be held in February and March 2020, will have a farmers market theme. This year’s exhibitors are invited to create a piece inspired by a photo taken at a local farmers market. As in last year’s Fiber Goes Vogue ex- hibit, the photo that inspires each piece will be displayed next to it. This annual community exhibit creates a platform for the underrepresented branch of visual arts and to showcase local fi ber and jewelry artists. The exhibit is sponsored by Union County’s own La Grande Quilt Shop. To fi nd out more about the exhibit — and submit an applica- tion to hold your spot — go to www.artcentereast.org/ artist/fourth-annual-fi ber- arts-jewelry-exhibit, stop by ACE at 1006 Penn Ave., La Grande, or call 541-624- 2800. O REGON IN B RIEF From wire reports Cougar sightings reported on Lewis & Clark campus gar walking in the Dunthorope neigh- borhood last month near the campus. PORTLAND — Lewis & Clark College offi cials say there have been numerous cougar sightings on or near the Portland school. KOIN-TV reported a notice went out to the campus community alerting people of the sightings at the private college. According to the notice, there was a possible sighting at the under- graduate campus. A sign posted near the college also warns of the sightings. Surveillance cameras captured a cou- Hiker dies in fall at Oregon state park PORTLAND — Authorities in Or- egon say a male hiker died after falling 100 feet at Smith Rock State Park. KOIN-TV reported the male fell while making his way down a climb- ers’ path toward the northeast Lower Gorge Saturday. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s offi ce said the hiker was pronounced dead at the scene. One injured in Portland motel shooting PORTLAND — Portland police are investigating a shooting at a motel that injured one person. Police said offi cers responded to a report of shots fi red early Sunday morning at a motel in the 3600 block of Northeast 82nd Avenue. According to police, offi cers found a victim with a non-life-threatening graze wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The shooter left before the offi cers arrived. P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT UNION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Arrested: Courtney M. Hendrickson, 20, a transient, was arrested on a charge of third-degree theft. Arrested: Salvador Cruz-Es- camilla, 27, unknown address, was arrested on a charge of harassment. Arrested: Brianna Kay Black, 20, unknown address, was arrested on a Garfi eld County Washington warrant charging failure to appear in court. The warrant was connected to an original charge of possession of a stolen vehicle. Arrested: Scott Christopher Lee, 50, Union, was arrested on a parole and probation detainer. Arrested: Nichole Jean Tracy, 43, Union, was arrested on a charge of misuse of 9-1-1. Arrested: Richard Darrell Green, 46, unknown address, was arrested on charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and felon in possession. LA GRANDE POLICE DEPARTMENT Morales, 28, unknown ad- dress, was arrested by the Ada County Sheriff’s Offi ce on Union County warrant charging failure to appear in court. The warrant was connected to origi- nal charges of unlawful import or export of a marijuana item, two counts; unlawful posses- sion of a marijuana item, two counts; and unlawful delivery of a marijuana item. LA GRANDE FIRE DEPARTMENT Firefi ghters responded to two calls for medical assistance on Sunday, seven on Saturday, four on Friday, 10 on Thursday and 12 on Wednesday. Cited: Carter Lee Tulppo, 20, unknown address, was cited on a charge of possession of marijuana under 21. Arrested: Carlson Junior Biamon, 26, unknown address, was arrested by the Spokane Police Department on two Union County warrants. The warrants were connected to original charges of failure to appear in court, two counts; and fourth-degree assault, two counts. Arrested: Carlos Rojas FAMILY OWNED Mon-Fri Blue Plate $12: Sesame Pork Tenderloin with local Corn on the Cob and Tomato Basil Salad Bryn McLaughlin Singer/Songwriter Thursday 7pm-9pm 541-963-8766 tendepotstreet.com 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com M.J. Goss Motor Co. www.gossmotors.com Quick, Friendly Service since 1922 1415 Adams Ave, La Grande 541 541-963-4161 963 4161 Home of
