Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2019)
2A — THE OBSERVER MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019 LOCAL D AILY P LANNER B RIEFLY Nominate your favorite waterway for Wild and Scenic Act protection TODAY Today is Monday, Dec. 16, the 350th day of 2019. There are 15 days left in the year. TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT On Dec. 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place as Ameri- can colonists boarded a British ship and dumped more than 300 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest tea taxes. ON THIS DATE In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of Eng- land, Scotland and Ireland. In 1859, Wilhelm Grimm, the younger of the story-writing Brothers Grimm, died in Berlin at age 73. In 1905, the entertainment trade publication Variety came out with its fi rst weekly issue. In 1907, 16 U.S. Navy battle- ships, which came to be known as the “Great White Fleet,” set sail on a 14-month round-the- world voyage to demonstrate American sea power. In 1944, the World War II Battle of the Bulge began as German forces launched a sur- prise attack against Allied forces through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg (the Allies were eventually able to turn the Germans back). In 1950, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a national state of emergency in order to fi ght “world conquest by Com- munist imperialism.” In 1960, 134 people were killed when a United Air Lines DC-8 and a TWA Super Con- stellation collided over New York City. In 1982, Environmental Protection Agency head Anne M. Gorsuch became the fi rst Cabinet-level offi cer to be cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to submit documents requested by a congressional committee. In 1985, at services in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, offered condolences to families of 248 soldiers killed in the crash of a chartered plane in Newfoundland. In 1991, the U.N. General Assembly rescinded its 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism by a vote of 111-25. LOTTERY Staff photo by Dick Mason Jon Louden, a fi refi ghter for the La Grande Rural Fire Department, and Island City Elementary student Solo- mon Hibbert examine a Nerf toy at Walmart. The two were participating in Friday’s Shop with a Firefi ghter. A ride to remember ■ Students travel in style as part of annual Shop with a Firefighter event By Dick Mason The Observer ISLAND CITY — Ten Island City Elementary students stepped out of their classrooms Friday morning for a day of double delights — a ride in a fi re truck and a shop- ping spree. The children went shop- ping for Christmas pres- ents for their families with fi refi ghters from the La Grande Rural Fire Depart- ment. Each child selected $100 worth of Christmas gifts at Walmart, paid for by the annual Shop with a Firefi ghter program. The shopping spree program was again a hit with students. “It is fun to see kids so happy,” said Bailey Blagg, a fi refi ghter with depart- ment. Solomon Hibbert was among the exuberant students. “It is defi nitely cool,” the Island City student said. The children picked out presents for their parents, brothers and sisters and other relatives. The gifts they chose for those in their age range included toys, gift cards, video game accessories and even an electronic lizard. Tools, baking pans, perfume and blankets were among the items selected for their parents. Each child was ac- companied by one or two fi refi ghters, who kept track of what was chosen for which family member. The information they recorded will be used by the fi refi ghters when they wrap the presents for the children they accompanied and place cards on each package identifying who the gift is for. The shopping sprees the children went on revealed their selfl ess natures. The children were so caught up in picking out pre- sented for family members that they sometimes had to be reminded to choose a present for themselves. “Let’s fi nd something for you,” fi refi ghter Jon Louden told a child he was added bonus,” Swales said. Tams agrees. “Riding in the trucks is so huge,” Tams said. Shop with a Firefi ghter is funded by local dona- tions and money raised from the La Grande Rural Fire Department’s annual breakfast at Hog Wild Days in June. Major dona- tions to the program made this year include $750 from Certifi ed Personnel, $125 from Oregon Trail Transport and $125 from Loveland Funeral Chapel. All of the presents the children bought Friday will be delivered to their families after they are wrapped. Each set of pres- ents will be accompanied by a gift card for a fam- ily dinner from Grocery Outlet in Island City. The dinners were made pos- sible by money from the Shop with a Firefi ghter program and donations from Grocery Outlet. with near the end of the event. Dena Tams, secretary at Island City Elementary, is impressed by how much her school’s students enjoy reaching out each Christ- mas season during the Shop with a Firefi ghter. “It is a chance for them to give back. That is so special. They love that,” Tams said. The school selected all the children for Shop with a Firefi ghter. They were recommended as those who would benefi t the most from additional holi- day spirit and cheer, said Anthony Swales, a captain and emergency medical technician with the fi re fepartment. The children even got to ride in fi re engines and support vehicles from their school to Walmart and back. That experi- ence was a thrill for some students, based on how excited they appeared Friday for their return trip to the school. “For the kids it is an WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden contin- ues to take nominations from Oregonians for rivers in the state for the national Wild and Scenic Rivers list. “Whether you are a whitewater rafter, an angler or simply an Oregonian who believes strongly in protect- ing the river or stream that provides safe drinking water to your community, I want to hear from you,” Wyden wrote in an open letter to Orego- nians seeking river nomina- tions. “Now is your chance, once again, to speak up for your favorite rivers and high- light the outstanding values that make each river worthy of protection.” Oregon has 2,173 miles of designated rivers in the Wild and Scenic River system, although this remains a fraction of the state’s 110,994 miles of major rivers and streams. Outdoor recreation in Oregon, much of it centered on rivers and streams, sup- ports 172,000 jobs in Oregon and generates $16.4 billion in economic activity statewide. Oregon’s rivers also are im- portant sources of drinking water, as well as habitats for fi sh and other wildlife. All Oregonians will have an opportunity to nominate their favorite streams and rivers for inclusion in the bill to assure future Oregonians can enjoy them as well. To help your favorite waterway get protection, send the following information to Wyden: 1. Your name and where you are from. 2. The stream or streams you think deserve protection. 3. Why you think it de- serves protection. You can email your sug- gestions to: rivers@wyden. senate.gov. Nominations are due Jan. 20, 2020. — Observer staff FAMILY OWNED Hopkins speaks on Vietnam Megabucks: $7.4 million 4-5-6-26-37-45 Mega Millions: $372 million 17-21-29-39-56-22-x3 a cell during his captivity, recorded the names of more than 250 military by using a code on his cell walls, intel- ligence he was able to share upon his release. “He was a real hero,” Hopkins said. By Gerald Hopkins For the Observer Powerball: $160 million 3-6-12-32-64-PB 19-x3 Win for Life: Dec. 14 4-29-47-66 Pick 4: Dec. 15 •1p.m.:5-1-3-9 •4p.m.:0-0-7-2 •7p.m.:8-5-5-9 •10p.m.:7-9-9-9 Pick 4: Dec. 14 •1p.m.:2-1-4-2 •4p.m.:6-6-4-1 •7p.m.:1-5-1-7 •10p.m.:7-8-3-9 Pick 4: Dec. 13 •1p.m.:0-9-0-7 •4p.m.:8-4-8-7 •7p.m.:9-9-0-4 •10p.m.:9-1-1-7 ROAD REPORT Numberstocall: •InsideOregon:800-977-6368. •OutsideOregon:503-588-2941. NEWSPAPER LATE? Every effort is made to deliver your Observer in a timely man- ner. Occasionally conditions exist that make delivery more diffi cult. If you are not on a motor route, delivery should be before 5:30p.m.Ifyoudonotreceive your paper please call 541-963- 3161. QUOTE OF THE DAY “It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” — Sir Noel Coward, English actor, playwright, composer (born this date, 1899; died in 1973) LA GRANDE — Doran Hopkins, a retired Air Force colonel, was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Union County Retired Educators. In his talk, “Refl ections of Vietnam,” Hopkins spoke about his experiences of military life and told a story of his service during the Vietnam War. As a young man of 24, Hopkins was notifi ed he would be sent on a mission and he could not disclose the details to anyone, including his family. Leaving his wife, Fran, and young son, Frank, Hopkins was fl own to Bang- kok, Thailand, and taken to the top fl oor of a tourist hotel in a secured setting. Asked if he had identifi cation of any kind, he responded he did not. However, when his wallet was searched, the staff found a picture of the soldier and his wife. The staff tore the photograph and handed his wife’s half back to Hopkins. In great secrecy, Hopkins was shipped to Vientiane, Laos, where he served as a li- aison between troops in Viet- nam and air reconnaissance with military operations tracking the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He was also respon- sible for payroll and supplies Editors Note: Gerald and Doran Hopkins are brothers. northwestfurnitureandmattress.com Photo submitted by Gerald Hopkins Doran Hopkins was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Union County Retired Educators. needed by the troops. Hopkins recalled meeting with three prisoners of war released as propaganda by the Vietnamese government. Two were ranking offi cers and one was a private who had fallen overboard during an attack and been captured by the Vietnamese. Hopkins noted the private, held as a prisoner in the “Hanoi Hilton,” told his captors he did not know how to read or write. The Vietnamese described him as one of the “dumbest” Americans they had seen. However, the private, who was isolated in 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City This offer won’t hang around long. Subscribe today! THE OBSERVER’S SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT TO YOU Buy a three month subscription to T HE O BSERVER and get one month free! Offer for new and existing subscribers Act fast - offer valid through December 31, 2019 To take advantage of this special offer please call the office at 541-963-3161 or our call center at 1-800-781-3214 An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 541-975-1364 Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
