LOCAL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2019
THE OBSERVER — 3A
Oregon Cultural Trust tax Local police to crack down
credit deadline is Tuesday on distracted driving
By Dick Mason
The Observer
LA GRANDE — People who made donations
to cultural nonprofi ts in Oregon in 2019 have
an opportunity to double the amount at no cost
to their bank account if they act by Tuesday.
Here’s why: the Oregon Cultural Trust’s
tax credit program, which the Legislature
approved in 2002.
Anyone who donates to one of the more
than 1,500 Cultural Trust partners in
Oregon and also donates the same amount
to the Oregon Cultural Trust will receive
a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. This means
that if you donate $100 to a qualifi ed
cultural nonprofi t and contribute $100 to
the Oregon Cultural Trust in the same
calendar year, you can take $100 off your
tax bill in addition to the tax deduction
you receive from your original donation to
a cultural nonprofi t.
Individuals can get a tax credit up to
$500, couples up to $1,000, and Class C
corporations up to $2,500, according to the
Oregon Cultural Trust’s website.
The Cultural Trust disperses those con-
tributions across Oregon to keep cultural
organizations thriving. In fi scal year 2020,
nonprofi ts that support the arts, heritage and
the humanities will receive more than $2.7
million in funding from the Oregon Cultural
Trust.
Organizations in Union, Wallowa and
Baker counties that received funding from
the Oregon Cultural Trust in 2019 in-
cluded the Liberty Theatre Foundation, La
Grande, with $17,428; Art Center East, La
Grande, with $9,116; Josephy Center for
Arts and Culture, Joseph, with $29,471;
Crossroads Creative and Performing Arts
Center, Baker City, with $13,701; and
Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre Inc.,
Baker City, with $16,374.
The Oregon Legislature in 2001 created
the Oregon Cultural Trust. No other state
provides a 100% tax credit for cultural giving.
The Cultural Trust reported receiving $4.9
million in 2017 from Oregonians, a record
amount, and 60% of that went to arts and
culture organizations. The remaining 40 %
helped grow the trust’s permanent fund.
Additional information on the tax credit
is available at www.culturaltrust.org/re-
sources/faq.
P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT
FRIDAY
A caller in Cove at 9:32 a.m.
reported possible animal abuse.
The Union County Sher-
iff’s offi ce at about 1:25 p.m.
serverd a La Grande resident
with a restraining order.
Cove city staff at 2:31 p.m.
asked to speak to a Union Coun-
ty sheriff’s deputy about people
littering. A deputy contacted the
suspect and advised the person
to remove the garbage.
Fire and police in La Grande
at about 2:45 p.m. responded
to a fi re on the 200 block of
Deal Canyon Road.
SATURDAY
La Grande at about 5:20 a.m.
stopped a vehicle on the 2100
block of Adams Avenue. The
vehicle was reported stolen out
of Idaho, and police arrested
the driver, Michael Charles
Zizzi, 27, for unauthorized use
of a vehicle and misdemeanors
of methamphetamine posses-
sion and possession of a feder-
ally controlled substance.
La Grande police at 9:05 a.m.
took a report for a burglary at
B & K Auto Salvage, 64190 High-
way 203, La Grande.
The Union County Sheriff’s Of-
fi ce received a report of a burglary
of a storage unit on the 800 block
of South Main Street, Union.
The Union County Sheriff’s
Offi ce arrested Michael Owen
Delepierre, 46, of Union, for
violating parole, second-degree
burglary and third-degree theft.
An Elgin caller at 6:39 p.m.
reported an attempted burglary
on the 200 block of North 17th
Avenue.
A La Grande police offi cer at
11:19 p.m. spotted two possible
car prowlers on Minam Court.
The offi cer cited two 18-year-old
boys, one from Imbler and one
from island City, for misdemean-
ors of minors in possession of
alcohol and marijuana.
SUNDAY
A deer was reported stuck
in a fence at about 8:50 a.m. at
Water and Second streets, Cove.
A Union County sheriff’s deputy
responded.
A La Grande caller at 4:07
p.m. reported possible illegal
fi reworks in the area of the 200
block of 16th Street.
And fi refi ghters responded
to 12 calls for medical as-
sistance on Sunday, 10 on
Saturday and four on Friday.
Observer Staff
LA GRANDE — Local law enforce-
ment, Jan. 6 will increase patrols to deter
distracted driving.
Lt. Gary Bell of the La Grande Police
Department in a news release stated the
effort will be the fi rst of quarterly events
in La Grande and Union County in 2020
to educate distracted drivers and enforce
distracted-driving laws.
Distracted driving has become one of the
most common reasons for vehicle crashes in
the United States. According to the Nation-
al Highway Traffi c Safety Administration,
between 2012-17, nearly 20,000 people died
in crashes involving a distracted driver,
with 3,166 fatalities in crashes involving
distracted drivers in 2017. That was almost
10% of all fatal crashes that year.
An analysis by the AAA Foundation
of 2009-12 data found while more than
80% of drivers believed it was completely
unacceptable for a motorist to text
behind the wheel, more than a third of
those same drivers admitted to reading
text messages while driving a passenger
vehicle.
The enforcement work is a partner-
ship involving the Oregon Department of
Transportation, La Grande Police Depart-
ment, Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce and
the Oregon State Police.
“People know texting or using their
phone without a hands-free device and
driving is dangerous and illegal,” accord-
ing to Bell’s statement, “but it is often done
anyway, and it puts others at risk. On Jan.
6, you will see increased law enforcement
efforts, as offi cers, deputies and troopers
will be stopping and ticketing those who
are caught texting or using their devices
illegally while driving. We are not trying to
rack up citations — we are trying to save
lives.”
L OCAL B RIEFING
ACE makes progress
toward ADA
accessibility
LA GRANDE — Art
Center East, which is rais-
ing funds to install a lift
and make its facility more
accessible for all, announced
it is less than $3,000 away
from its fi rst fundraising
goal of $10,000 for the
project. Donations made
before the end of December
can be claimed on 2019
taxes. A large number of
community donors will help
ACE’s grant applications
stand out. ACE welcomes
contributions of any size
in its effort to win grants
for ADA access in 2020. To
donate online, go to www.
gofundme.com/f/give-the-
arts-a-lift. Donations may
also be made in person at
the center, over the phone
or at any Community Bank
branch. For more informa-
tion, stop by ACE at 1006
Penn Ave., La Grande, or
call 541-624-2800.
UC Democrats
will meet again in
February
LA GRANDE — The next
monthly meeting of the Union
County Democrats will be
Feb. 5, 2020, beginning at 6
p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 1215
Adams Ave., La Grande. The
January meeting has been
canceled due to the holidays.
Business’ food drive
a success
LA GRANDE — Nature’s
Pantry’s recent donation
drive to help curb local food
insecurity was a success,
the La Grande business
announced. The business
matched each dollar donated
by community members
through Dec. 20 and was
able to donate more than
$1,000 in turkeys and food
to families in need this
Christmas.
Help kids cope with
divorce, separation
LA GRANDE — Learn
how divorce or separation im-
pacts your children and what
you can do to help them at a
workshop offered 6-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 2020, in the Misener
Conference Room, 1001
Fourth St., La Grande. For
more information call Teala
at 541-962-9500, ext. 42.
O BITUARIES
Charles ‘Ehrman’ Bates
La Grande
1925-2019
Charles “Ehrman” Bates,
94, of La Grande, died
Dec. 17 at Grande Ronde
Hospital. A me-
morial service
will be held at
11 a.m. Jan. 4,
2020, at the La
Grande First
Baptist Church.
A private burial
was held at
Grandview
Cemetery. Ar-
rangements are entrusted
to Daniels-Knopp Funeral,
Cremation & Life Celebra-
tion Center.
Known as Ehrman, he
was born Nov. 27, 1925, in La
Grande, to Thomas and Laura
Emma (Elmer) Bates. He
graduated from Union High
School. In 1949, Ehrman mar-
ried Lorraine Punches.
Ehrman served in the U.S.
Army during the Korean
War. After his honorable
discharge, he returned to La
Grande and farmed the rest
of his life. He was a member
of the First Baptist Church
and the Blue Mountain
Grange. Ehrman enjoyed
collecting coins and stamps
and was an avid reader,
woodworker and fi sherman.
He collected train sets and
clocks and enjoyed antique
shopping with his wife.
Survivors include his
sister, Anna Brown of La
Grande; numerous nieces
and nephews; sisters-in-law,
Lorraine Bates of Condon
and Jacque Punches of La
Grande; and special family
friend, Sandy Franks.
He was preceded in death
by his wife of 69 years, Lor-
raine, and brothers, Elmer,
Edward and Ernest.
Memorial contributions
may be made to Camp
Elkanah in care of the First
Baptist Church, 1702 Sixth
St., La Grande 97850.
Evelyn I. McFetridge
La Grande
1944-2019
Evelyn Irene McFetridge,
75, of La Grande, died Dec.
15. A funeral will be held
at 11 a.m. Jan. 4, 2020, at
St. Katherine’s Catholic
Church in Enterprise, with
burial following. Arrange-
ments are entrusted to
Bollman Funeral Home.
Evelyn was born April 19,
1944, in Enterprise, to Wayne
and Irene McFetridge.
Evelyn never knew a
stranger. She enjoyed meet-
ing people and always had
lots to say to go along with
her happy smile. She loved to
tease, do jigsaw puzzles and
beat family members in any
card game. Evelyn loved life
and lived it to the fullest, de-
spite her disabilities. She was
always the fi rst one awake on
Christmas morning.
Surviving relatives include
her brothers and sisters-
in-law, Larry and Davise,
Michael and Mary, and
David and Janet; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Sharon and
Oscar Ramos and Kay and
Tom Forest; sister-in-law,
Marlie; and 23 nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death
by her parents, Wayne and
Irene; brother, Darrell; and
sisters, Mary Anna and
Teresa.
In lieu of fl owers, memo-
rial donations may be made
to New Day Enterprises in
La Grande.
Marilyn R. (Richardson)
Roberts
Union
1948-2019
Marilyn Rae Roberts, 71,
of Union, died Dec. 18 at her
residence. A memorial service
will be held at a later time.
Marilyn was born Sept. 10,
1948, in Walla Walla, Wash-
ington, to Noah and Mary
(McClannahan) Richardson.
She graduated from Umapine
High School, where she was
a cheerleader and was on the
volleyball team. She married
Ron Gerber and they later
divorced. Later, she married
Beau Roberts.
Marilyn was employed
with United Van Lines
and was also an apart-
ment manager. She enjoyed
gardening, cooking, baking,
bowling, going to yard sales
and decorating her home.
In Marilyn’s younger years,
she was a rodeo princess.
She earned the Yard of the
Month award and was a
member of the Ladies Club
in Fruitland, Idaho. Accord-
ing to her children, Marilyn’s
greatest achievement was
being the best mother ever.
Surviving relatives
include her husband, Beau;
children, Mary Hamby and
husband, Chris, of Adams,
Ronda Aldrich of Nampa,
Idaho, and John Wesley
Rumbelow of La Grande;
sisters and brothers-in-law,
Susann and Ted Brown of
Stockbridge, Georgia, Car-
olynn and Mike Goutcher of
Stockbridge, Georgia, and
Debra and Mark Hudspeth
of White Hall, Montana;
brother, Steven Richardson
of Walla Walla, Washington;
seven grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren and
another on the way; and
many nieces and nephews
and aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in
death by her parents, Noah
and Mary.
Online condolences may
be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.
com.
Carol Garnett
Formerly of Elgin
Carol Garnett, 84, for-
merly of Elgin, died Dec. 25,
her favorite day of the year,
at a care facility in Hermis-
ton. An obituary is forth-
coming. Arrangements are
entrusted to Daniels-Knopp
Funeral, Cremation & Life
Celebration Center.
Delpha Hamann
1939, in Pendleton, to Carl
and Marion (Vent) Kligel. On
Nov. 22, 1958, she married
Barry Crowell in Pendleton.
They later lived in Tri-Cities
then moved to La Grande
in 1971. Mary worked in ac-
counting and in 2008 opened
her own business, Mar’s
Adventures PC. She was still
running her offi ce at age 80
and took great pride and joy
in going to work every day.
Mary was diagnosed with
diabetes at the age of 6 and
was very involved with
diabetes organizations. She
enjoyed sewing and ceram-
ics and loved spending time
with her grandchildren and
attending their events.
Surviving relatives
include her husband,
Barry Crowell of La Grande;
children and their spouses,
Steve and Jeanne Crowell
of Cove and Carlene and
Mark Lester of La Grande;
siblings and their spouses,
Connie and Sherry Kligel of
Mesa, Arizona, Robert and
Mary Kligel of Newberg,
Tom Kligel of Pendleton,
Judy and Ernie Parker of
Pendleton, and Danny and
Maggie Kligel of Central
Point; and fi ve grandchil-
dren and three great-grand-
children.
She was preceded in death
by her parents; children,
Nicholas and Timmy; and
brother, James Kligel.
Memorial contributions
may be made to any diabetes
organization.
La Grande
Delpha Hamann, 89, of
La Grande, died Dec. 10 at a
care facility in Pendleton. A
memorial service will be held
at 11 a.m. Jan. 4, 2020, at the
La Grande First Presbyterian
Church. Arrangements are
entrusted to Daniels-Knopp
Funeral, Cremation & Life
Celebration Center.
Mary A. (Kligel) Crowell
La Grande
1939-2019
Mary Alice Crowell, 80, of
La Grande, died Dec. 21 at
her home. A funeral will be
held at 9 a.m.
Jan. 3, 2020, at
Our Lady of the
Valley Catholic
Church in La
Grande. Burial
will follow at 1 p.m. at Olney
Cemetery in Pendleton.
Arrangements are entrusted
to Daniels-Knopp Funeral,
Cremation & Life Celebra-
tion Center.
Mary was born June 18,
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