FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020
THE OBSERVER — 3A
LOCAL
L OCAL B RIEFING
O BITUARIES
From staff reports
Elgin fi re hall incident ended when its police dog
‘criminal mischief’
took down Kapeli.
ELGIN — Union County
Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen
said the reports of a break-
in at the Elgin fi re hall were
not quite spot-on.
“It’s criminal mischief, not
really a burglary,” he said.
The fi re district on its
Facebook page asked for
the public’s help tracking
down who broke into its
fi re station Tuesday night.
Rasmussen explained
his deputies determined
a couple of local youth
involved in games at night
entered a storage facility at
the site that houses another
building the fi refi ghters use,
and the youth punctured
some plastic windows on the
building. He also said they
stole nothing.
Juveniles used to play
such “night games” more
frequently, he said, but it
has been a spell since the
last time. He also said while
this involves a couple of
juveniles, there’s nothing to
indicate the messing around
is connected to the recent
break-ins and vandalism at
Elgin churches.
The sheriff’s offi ce ar-
rested two juveniles in con-
nection with the churches.
Rasmussen said detectives
anticipate making another
arrest in that case.
The sheriff’s offi ce also
has been busy with a couple
of vehicle thefts. Deputies
on Wednesday arrested
Rebecca Loehr, 31, of La
Grande, for unauthorized
use of a vehicle, second-
degree forgery and multiple
warrants. And Rasmussen
said his team on Tuesday
caught local offender Joshua
Toy, 29, of Elgin, for unau-
thorized use of a vehicle and
other offenses.
Driver and passenger
in recent police chase
face felonies
LA GRANDE — Lucas
Pakapea Kapeli now faces
12 counts stemming from
his Dec.. 19 arrest following
a chase the Union County
Sheriff’s Offi ce reported
Local Meetings and
Community News
• UNION — The Union
City Council will meet
Monday for a work session
and its regular monthly
meeting. The work session
will begin at 6 p.m. and the
meeting will start at 7 p.m.
Both will be conducted at
city hall. The city’s ATV
ordinance will be one of the
subjects discussed at the
work session, and the city’s
charter will be a subject at
the meeting.
• COVE — The Cove
City Council will meet for
a work session at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, at city hall, 504
Alder, to work on council
rules.
• UNION — The Janu-
ary meeting of the direc-
tors of the Eastern Oregon
Livestock Show begins at
7 p.m. Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The district attorney’s
offi ce arraigned Kapeli
on Jan. 2 on four felonies,
including for vehicle theft
and fl eeing in a vehicle, and
eight misdemeanors, includ-
ing giving false information
to police and recklessly en-
dangering another person.
State court records show
Kapeli, of Auburn, Washing-
ton, has a hearing Jan. 24 to
enter a plea.
Court records also show
Afi afi otamali’i Mausavine
Laussen of Puyallup, Wash-
ington, the passenger in the
vehicle, faces four felony
charges as well: conspiracy
for commit vehicle theft,
vehicle theft, possession of a
stolen vehicle and hindering
prosecution for trying keep
police from catching Kapeli.
She has a hearing March 10
to enter a plea.
Brown Bag presents
American Indian
perspective
JOSEPH — The fi rst
Josephy Center Brown Bag
presentation of the new year
will be at noon Tuesday. Joe
Whittle, a photographer with
Native American roots, will
present “Indigenous Perspec-
tives on Protecting ‘Natural
Resources.’” This will be a
slideshow presentation in
which he explores Native
American perspectives on
protecting and engaging
with the environment and
its ecological systems.
Whittle grew up in
Wallowa County, went to
photography school in Cali-
fornia, and returned home
to do interpretive work for
the U.S. Forest Service. He
has also explored his Na-
tive American roots and is
enrolled Caddo/Delaware.
In addition to his seasonal
government work, Whittle
is gaining wide acclaim as
a photo-journalist, writing
and photographing for The
Guardian among others. He
is involved with the Home-
land Program in Wallowa
and with education pro-
grams on natural resources
at the organization’s Club
House on Delta Street,
Union.
• LA GRANDE — The
La Grande Community
Landscape and Forestry
Commission meets Tues-
day, Jan. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at
the Parks and Recreation
Department Offi ce in
Pioneer Park. Commis-
sioners are needed. Those
interested in volunteering
can call Stu Spence, Parks
& Recreation director, at
541-962-1348.
Labyrinth spiritual
retreat open to all
tomorrow
LA GRANDE — The
Presbyterian Friendship
Center is hosting a one-day
retreat, “Seeking an Epiph-
any for 2020: A Spiritual
Retreat on the Labyrinth,”
Saturday from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. at 1204 Spring St.,
P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT
WEDNESDAY
A caller at 9:04 a.m. reported
a possible burglary on the
62000 block of Clearwater
Road, La Grande. A Union
County sheriff’s deputy
checked, but any suspect was
gone by then.
A caller at 9:45 a.m. on the
400 block of Adams Avenue
reported a dog bite. A Union
County sheriff’s deputy re-
sponded and took a report.
The Union County Sheriff’s
Offi ce received a complaint
about ongoing issues involving
a stray dog on the 59000 block
of Highway 203, Union.
La Grande police at about
2:40 p.m. responded to fi rst
block of University Boulevard
for a dog bite victim. Police
took a report.
A person at the La Grande
Police Department asked to
speak to an offi cer about custo-
dial interference. Police referred
the situation to the Oregon
Department of Human Services.
Callers at about 6:55 p.m.
reported six loud bangs in the
area of the 200 block of Depot
Street, La Grande. Police deter-
mined it was fi reworks.
La Grande police at 8:51 p.m.
received a complaint about
loud music from a vehicle near
300 Jefferson Avenue. Offi cers
warned one person for loud
music.
And fi refi ghters responded
to six calls for medical assis-
tance on Thursday and six on
Wednesday.
Peter J. Mino
and tribal culture for local
and visiting students.
Brown Bag presenta-
tions are free and open to
the public. The talks begin
at noon. Participants may
bring snacks or a lunch. Cof-
fee and tea will be available.
Icon, Horizon credit
unions announce
merger
BOISE — Icon Credit
Union, with a branch in
La Grande, announced its
intent to merge with Horizon
Credit Union of Washington
state. Icon in a news release
stated no employees at Icon
or Horizon will lose their jobs
as a result of the merger.
Icon Credit Union, based
in Boise, has nine branch
locations, more than 27,000
members, $340 million in
assets and 111 employees in
Idaho and Oregon. Horizon
Credit Union, based out of
Spokane Valley, Washington,
has 19 branch locations,
more than 74,000 members,
$1.1 billion in assets and
253 employees. Pending
regulatory and member
approval, according to the
announcement, the merger
will result in an organiza-
tion with combined assets of
more than $1.4 billion with
28 branch locations across
Idaho, Oregon, Montana
and Washington.
The merger should be
complete in 2020.
Icon and Horizon made
Depositaccounts.com’s list of
the top 200 healthiest credit
unions of 2019, with Hori-
zon coming in at No. 97 and
Icon at No. 7. Icon President
and CEO Connie Miller in
the announcement stated
the collaboration builds on
the company’s foundation
and ensure it remains an
industry leader.
“We have the opportunity
to gain the competitive ad-
vantage and digital capabili-
ties of a larger organization
while maintaining the per-
sonal service of a local credit
union,” Miller stated.
Horizon previously part-
nered with Icon when its
members in Coeur d’Alene,
La Grande. The retreat is
open to anyone seeking an
epiphany in the new year.
Come for a day retreat to
learn about and walk the
labyrinth, an ancient medi-
tation and prayer practice.
Connect with spirit as you
transition to a new year,
inviting greater intention,
guidance, and clarity into
your life. For those who
have not already signed
up, registration will be $40
at the door.
RSVP by Wednesday
for next senior meal
in Cove
COVE — The next senior
meal in Cove will be Jan.
21 in Founders Hall on the
Ascension School grounds.
On the menu is chicken
enchilada casserole, Span-
ish rice, confetti corn, salad
bar and corn muffi ns, plus
snickerdoodles for dessert.
There is a $5 charge per
meal. Coffee and tea are
Idaho, transitioned to
Horizon in 2013. Pat Marler,
chair of Icon’s board of direc-
tors, stated Horizon fi t what
the board was looking for
— “a partner that respects
Icon’s history and has a
high level of commitment to
member satisfaction.”
Horizon CEO Jeff Adams
called the merger exciting
and also a good fi t.
“Our mission to improve
the fi nancial and personal
well-being for more people
in more places is a perfect
complement with the cur-
rent mission of Icon Credit
Union,” he stated.
.Community
Connection seeks
Wallowa County
board member
ENTERPRISE — Com-
munity Connection of
Northeast Oregon is
seeking a volunteer from
Wallowa County for its
board this month. To satisfy
the requirements of the
nonprofi t’s bylaws the
candidate must be able
to represent the needs of
low-income persons whether
or not they themselves are
low-income. Community
Connection is known for its
senior citizen programs and
transportation services but
also operates food banks,
self-suffi ciency programs,
and housing services in
Union, Wallowa, Baker and
Grant counties. The board of
directors meets four or fi ve
times per year.
According to Margaret
Davidson, Community Con-
nection executive director,
“Wallowa County is fortu-
nate to have a lot of people
willing to give of their time
and expertise to organiza-
tions like ours. This is an op-
portunity for someone new
to get involved in shaping
the services in the region.”
Persons interested in
this assignment should go
to www.ccno.org or contact
Connie at the Community
Connection offi ce in Enter-
prise. A simple application
form is required. The dead-
line is Jan. 24.
available at noon, and the
meal is served buffet-style
at 12:15 p.m. RSVP by Jan.
15 by calling Imie Bristow
at 541-568-4545 or Betsy
Arnson at 541-568-4902.
Breakfast raises
funds for UHS
Robocats competition
UNION — The Veter-
ans of Foreign Wars High
Valley Post 4060 in Union
is sponsoring a breakfast
Saturday to help Union
High School’s robotics
team, the Robocats, go to
competition. The Robocats
will be cooking and serv-
ing, and all are encouraged
to come support their ef-
forts from 7-10 a.m. at the
Post, 518 Main St. Pan-
cakes, scrambled eggs with
sausage plus milk, juice,
coffee or tea will be served
for $7, $5 for younger than
18. Donations also will be
accepted.
UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU
1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE
Jan. 13-17; lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6
Monday: stuffed red peppers, pasta, cottage cheese,
fresh fruit, roll, cookies.
Tuesday: Philly sandwich, steak fries, coleslaw, fresh fruit.
Wednesday: spagetti, steamed vegetable, garlic, bread,
and dessert.
Thursday: chicken strips, seasoned fries, cabbage slwa,
baked beans, cookies.
Friday: old fashioned hamburger, seasoned fresh greens,
fresh fruit.
An Independent
Insurance Agency
Reed & Associates for
excellent service LOCALLY!
Nicole Cathey
10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City
541-975-1364
Toll Free 1-866-282-1925
La Grande
1957-2020
Peter James Mino, 62, of
La Grande, died Jan. 2 at
his residence. At his request,
there will not
be a service.
Peter
was born
Jan. 14, 1957,
in Wilming-
ton, Delaware, to James
and Eva (Joseph) Mino.
He also resided in New-
port Beach and Highland,
California, and in La
Grande. Peter graduated
from Pacifi c High School
and later attended San
Bernardino Valley College.
Peter was an archi-
tectural draftsman. He
was an intelligent, witty,
charming man. A rolling
stone and a lover of travel
and adventure, Peter was
most known for his rebel-
lious attitude and his huge
heart. You could call him
anytime, anywhere, and he
would drop everything to
be there for you. The beach
was his home. His heart
was his children, grand-
sons, mother and brothers.
Anything Peter did, he did
full throttle. He could lift
any spirit in the darkest of
times, and his beacon will
forever be missed.
Surviving relatives in-
clude his children, Christine
Dixon and husband, Jake,
and Michael Mino and
girlfriend, Alyssa Wright, all
of La Grande; mother, Eva
Mino of Redlands, Califor-
nia; brothers and sisters-in-
law, David and Ilene Mino
of Redlands, California,
and Tony and Susan Mino
of Harker Heights, Texas;
three grandchildren; and
three nieces.
He was preceded
in death by his father,
James Mino, and uncles,
Dale Rogers and Paul
Mino.
Online condolences
may be made to the fam-
ily at www.lovelandfuner-
alchapel.com.
Leal W. Graham
La Grande
Leal W. Graham, 92,
of La Grande, died Jan.
9 at his home. Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crema-
tory will be handling the
arrangements.
Dylan D. Greene
La Grande
Dylan Douglas Greene,
27, of La Grande, died
Jan. 9 at Grande Ronde
Hospital. Loveland Fu-
neral Chapel & Crema-
tory will be handling the
arrangements.
UPCOMING FUNERALS
AND VISITATIONS
Sponsored by
Jan. 11
Stewart Hunt:
11 a.m. funeral,
Enterprise Baptist
Church.
Jan. 18
Virginia
Linkenhoker:
2 p.m. memorial service,
La Grande United
Methodist Church;
reception follows in the
Fellowship Hall.
Stewart Lionel Hunt
April 29, 1931 - December 30, 2019
Stewart Lionel Hunt, a resident of Enterprise, Ore-
gon, passed away on Monday the 30th of December at
Wallowa Valley Senior Living.
He was born to Stewart F. Hunt and Alice Pouliot
Hunt, their first born, in Los Angeles, California.
Stewart attended Washington High School, and
Harbor College. His employment for 35 years was with
the City of Los Angeles at the Department of Water
and Power, where he worked in the drafting depart-
ment and achieved the recognition of being a checker.
Stewart discovered the scenic Wallowa Valley with
his family and life long friends Bob and Willa Eytchi-
son.
After many summer vacations to Wallowa Lake and
the campground, he finally achieved a dream of retir-
ing in Enterprise,Oregon.
Stewart’s passion was his Love for Ford Trucks and
particularly the Model T. Auctions, swap meets and
salvage yards were often the backdrop for quality time
spent with his family, grandchildren and good friends.
Stewart didn’t participate in many sports, but took
up cross country skiing and riding his bicycle around
country roads.
Stewart has a strong commitment to the Lord. He
was a member of the First Baptist Church in Enter-
prise. If you visited with him, you would see his Love
for his Lord. He would often break out in song reflect-
ing his faith.
Stewart was in the US Army for a short while, and
received an honorable discharge after an injury.
He was survived by his spouse, Jo Anne Garrison
Hunt, Son John Stewart Hunt, of Cypress, California,
Daughter Jeanette Marie Sams of Enterprise, Oregon,
and Son Gary Howard Hunt of Riverside,California.
His sister Ruth Sundquist residing in Colorado, Grand-
children:
Ernest J Sams , Boise Idaho, Tiffany Sams Cox of
Anaheim, California, Evan John Sams of Joseph, Ore-
gon, Chadwick Leroy Sams of Scappoose,Oregon, John
Stewart Hunt Jr of San Diego,California.
Great Grandchildren :
Jacob,Ethan, Eli of Boise,Idaho
Kalon Cox of Anaheim, California
Olive and London Sams of Joseph, Oregon,
Kendra and Kiera Sams of Scappoose, Oregon.
A Memorial service in his honor is Saturday, Janu-
ary 11, 2020 at 11 am at the Enterprise Baptist Church.
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insurance and Annuities
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Kevin Reed