LOCAL
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020
THE OBSERVER — 3A
Local man dies in avalanche in Elkhorns
EO Media Group
County Sheriff's Travis Ash said.
Ash said Stephens and three others
were riding snowmobiles in the upper
pars of the Rock Creek drainage when the
avalanche happened, trapping Stephens.
None of the other three riders, who
were friends or relatives of Stephens,
BAKER CITY — A local man died
Saturday after an avalanche hit him
and his snowmobile high in the Elk-
horn Mountains.
Richard Delbert Stephens, 33,
was trapped in a snow slide, Baker
was hurt, Ash said.
Baker County Dispatch received a
call about the fatality at 6:04 p.m.
Ash, who was attending the Baker
County Chamber of Commerce Awards
banquet, said he immediately mobilized
a search and rescue team.
Weather takes down power in Grande Ronde Valley
Observer staff
LA GRANDE — The
winter weather knocked
out power Sunday in por-
tions of the Grande Ronde
Valley.
The Oregon Trail Electric
Co-Op’s online map of
power outages Monday
monring showed the
problem affects anywhere
from 101-500 customers
in Elgin and upwards of
100 members north of the
town, Elgin callers Sunday
evening reported down
lines near the 73500 block
of Gordon Creek Road and
in the area of the 73100
block of Palmer Junction
Road, according to informa-
tion from the Union County
Sheriff’s Office.
The utility cooperative
in a news release Sunday
night reported multiple
power outages affected the
area, and crews are heading
out to work to restore power.
“We apologize for this
inconvenience and appre-
ciate your patience,” the
news release stated.
To report the loss of
power or the cause of any
outage call 1-866-430-4265.
L ocaL B riefing
From staff reports
Teach for a cause —
instructors wanted
LA GRANDE — Art Center East, La
Grande, offers weekly classes to Shelter
From the Storm clients through a grant-
funded program, but the center needs
teaching artists to begin next week.
The center seeks instructors to teach
a two-hour evening class one time, or on
a regular basis (for example, once per
month). Dates are flexible and can fit
your schedule. All artistic and wellness
topics are welcome. Classes must be
stand-alone, make-and-take style using
supplies available in the ACE studio.
Only Shelter From the Storm can at-
tend the classes.
Compensation is $5 per student per
hour with a class minimum of three
students (so you will make a minimum
of $15 per hour, $30 per class — more
depending on attendance).
Interested potential instructors should
contact ACE as soon as possible by email-
ing info@artcentereast.org with “Shelter
Teaching Artist” as the subject line.
Informational meeting
addresses Buffalo Flats
Stream Restoration Project
UNION — An informational meeting
on the Buffalo Flats Stream Restora-
tion Project is Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. in the
S.E. Miller gym at Union Elementary
School, 166 W. Dearborn St.
The Union Soil and Water Conserva-
tion District announced it is leading a
planning effort to investigate the physical
and biological conditions of Catherine
Creek and Little Creek upstream of
Union. This effort will develop strate-
gies to improve fish and wildlife habitat
conditions while looking for opportuni-
ties to address flooding concerns of the
local community and provide benefits for
agricultural operators.
The district recognizes the complex-
ity of the natural river system and
the potential for impacts on the local
community, according to the announce-
ment, and will carefully consider the
ramifications of design alternatives in
this process. The purpose of this meeting
is to provide the local community with
information about the conservation plan-
ning effort, address specific concerns and
solicit public input that can guide project
development.
Scholarship available to
Union County senior girl
heading to EOU
LA GRANDE — Applications are now
being accepted for the 2020-2021 Union
County PEO Tri-Chapter Scholarship.
This $3,000 scholarship is awarded
annually to a graduating senior girl
from Union County who will attend
Eastern Oregon University, La Grande.
Applications are available from coun-
selors at Union County high schools.
Applicants are evaluated for academic
achievement, community service, finan-
cial need and commitment to higher
education.
Three local chapters of PEO, a phil-
anthropic organization dedicated to the
education of women, fund the scholarship.
The application deadline is March 31.
c aLendar
•LAGRANDE—Mem-
bers of the La Grande High
School Class of 1954 gather
for lunch the third Wednesday
of the month. This month’s
gathering begins at 11:30
a.m. Jan. 15 at Cock ‘n’ Bull
Villa Roma in Pat’s Alley 1414
Adams Ave., La Grande.
•LAGRANDE—The
Cook Memorial Library
Commission will meet in
regular session Thursday
at 2:30 p.m. in the Library
Archives Room. Contact Kip
Roberson, library director, at
541-962-1339 or kroberson@
CookMemorialLibrary.org
for more information. The
library is at 2006 Fourth St.,
La Grande.
Bingo raises funds for
Alzheimer’s Awareness
Foundation
LA GRANDE — An
evening of bingo, snacks
and prizes will benefit the
Alzheimer’s Awareness
Foundation. The event
begins Friday at 6 p.m. at
Grande Ronde Retirement
Residence, 1809 Gekeler
Lane, La Grande. The cost is
$10 per player for 10 games.
Call 541-963-4700 to reserve
your spot.
Take the Vibrant You
2020 health challenge
LA GRANDE — Nature’s
Pantry and Mountain Valley
Fitness and Health invite
community members to take
the Vibrant You 2020 New
Year’s Health Challenge.
The free four-week challenge
begins Sunday and con-
cludes Feb. 15. Registration
is required, but there is no
cost to participate. For more
information and to sign up
call Nature’s Pantry at 541-
963-7955 or stop by the store,
1907 Fourth St., La Grande,
by Tuesday.
A challenge launch meet-
ing will be Tuesday at 6 p.m.
for those wishing to take
advantage of the program.
The challenge will include
guidance from health profes-
sionals, discounts at Na-
ture’s Pantry and Mountain
Valley Fitness, social media
accountability, prizes, a mid-
way checkpoint meeting Jan.
30, and an awards meeting
Feb. 18. All meetings will be
streamed online.
Saturday’s Meet
My Coach Day is
mandatory
LA GRANDE — The
city of La Grande Youth
Basketball League’s manda-
tory Meet My Coach Day
will take place Saturday at
the Riveria Activity Center,
corner of Second Street and
Y Avenue, La Grande. Play-
ers in first, second and third
grade will meet their coaches
at 9 a.m., and players in
fourth, fifth and sixth grade
should arrive at 9:30 a.m.
Literacy Center offers
free tutoring to all ages
LA GRANDE — Cook
Memorial Library’s Lit-
eracy Center is now open
from 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The center is available to
all ages, offering opportuni-
ties to improve reading and
comprehension, math and
other basic skills through
written material, games and
computers. Services include
homework help, English as
a Second Language, tutor-
ing and GED (high school
equivalency) preparation
as well as free materials
on parenting, kindergarten
readiness and finding and
keeping employment.
Walk-ins are welcome. Tu-
toring also may be arranged
by calling 541-962-1339. All
Literacy Center services are
free. More details in English
and Spanish are available at
the library’s website: www.
cookmemoriallibrary.org.
Blanket drive aims to
keep community warm
LA GRANDE — The
Center for Human Develop-
ment is conducting a blanket
drive through Feb. 28 to help
all community members stay
warm this winter. Blankets
and monetary contributions
may be dropped off between
8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-
Friday at the center, 2301
Cove Ave., La Grande. For
more information, call 541-
962-8800.
An Elgin resident at 7:15 a.m. reported a
prowler on the 300 block of North 17th Ave.
A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded
and arrested Dustin John Mathis, 28, on a
felony warrant for violating probation in a
case involving charges of burglary, theft and
felon in possession of a firearm.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office at
about 8 a.m. responded to the 10700 block
of Emily Drive, Island City, on a report of a
domestic disturbance. Deputies arrested a
man on a Multnomah County warrant for
hit-and-run.
A caller at 11:21 a.m. at Walmart, 11619
Island City Ave., Island City, reported a small
child was asking for money. A Union County
sheriff’s deputy responded and counseled
two people about the matter.
La Grande police at 11:26 a.m. received a
report of possible child abuse.
A Union resident on the 300 block of West
Chestnut Street called at 12:06 p.m. and
requested a sheriff’s deputy to deal with an
ongoing issue with a neighbor. The deputy
talked to the person and explained options.
La Grande police received a report at
4:48 p.m. about obstructions at Sixth Street
and N Avenue.
SUNDAY
The Union County Sheriff’s Office at
8:14 a.m. received a report of a possible
missing person and contacted the search
and rescue team,
A Union County sheriff’s deputy at about
12:10 p.m. responded to a home on the
Trainings target opioid
addiction and treatment
LA GRANDE — Two La
Grande-based health organi-
zations are working together
to help health works address
opioid addiction.
The Northeast Oregon
Area Health Education Cen-
ter and the Northeast Oregon
Network have partnered to
sponsor “Opioid Addiction &
Treatment: A Training for
Traditional Health Workers”
this winter and spring in
Eastern Oregon. The sessions
are geared toward communi-
ty health workers and other
traditional health workers
so they can engage with pri-
mary care and other practi-
tioners as effective members
of the treatment team.
The two-day workshops
will provide an overview
of the science and social
impacts of opioid addiction
on individuals and families.
The two most immediate
trainings will be Jan. 30-31
in Pendleton and Feb. 27-28
in Ontario. To register or
for more details, go to www.
neonoregon.org/upcoming-
trainings.
67100 block of End Road, Summerville, for
a burglary alarm. The homeowner was not
aware of setting off the alarm.
La Grande police at about 12:40 p.m.
responded to a request to help find a miss-
ing juvenile runaway. Police took the youth
into custody.
An Elgin caller at 4:12 p.m. reported
a careless snowmobile driver. A Union
County sheriff’s deputy responded but did
not find any snowmobilers.
The sheriff’s office at 5:24 p.m. received
a complaint about a vehicle pulling a sled
with juveniles on the 500 block of North
15ht Avenue. A deputy checked the area but
did not find anyone.
And La Grande firefighters responded to
10 calls for medical assistance on Sunday,
seven on Saturday and 11 on Friday.
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
Justice J. Clark
La Grande
1978 - 2020
Justice John Clark, 41,
of La Grande, died Jan. 2
at his residence. A celebra-
tion of his
life will be
held at 4 p.m.
Feb. 8 at the
Presbyterian
Friendship
Center. The family prefers
casual dress.
Justice was born Feb.
6, 1978, in La Grande, to
Jerry and Durinda (Lee)
Clark. He graduated from
La Grande High School.
Justice was married to
Gina Alexander for 19
years.
Justice was employed
with Meadow Gold and
Miller’s Home Center. He
enjoyed four-wheeling, RC
cars, playing Ping-Pong,
cooking and spending
time with his friends and
family.
Surviving relatives
include his son, Lincoln
Clark of La Grande;
sister and brother-in-law,
Jade and Joaquin Grant;
brother, Jeremy Clark of
La Grande; and several
aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in
death by his parents, Jerry
and Durinda.
Online condolences may
be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralcha-
pel.com.
Marjorie Jarvis
La Grande
Marjorie Jarvis, 101,
of La Grande, died Jan. 9
at her home. An obituary
is forthcoming. Arrange-
ments are entrusted to
Daniels-Knopp Funeral,
Cremation & Life Celebra-
tion Center.
Kevin L. Williams
La Grande
Kevin L. Williams, 47, of
La Grande, died Jan. 9 at
St. Luke’s Boise Medical
Center, Idaho. An obituary
is forthcoming. Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crema-
tory will be handling the
arrangements.
UPCOMING FUNERALS
AND VISITATIONS
Sponsored by
Jan. 18
Virginia
Linkenhoker:
Dylan Greene
La Grande
Dylan Douglas Greene,
27, of La Grande, died Jan.
9 at Grande Ronde Hospi-
tal. At his request, there
will not be a service.
Surviving relatives
include his mother, Joy
Sanders of Lincoln City;
father, Mark Greene of
Prineville; brother, Devan
Greene of Lincoln City; sis-
ter, Destiny Greene of La
Grande; and grandfather,
Harlan Scott of Elgin.
2 p.m. memorial service,
La Grande United
Methodist Church;
reception follows in the
Fellowship Hall.
Feb. 8
Justice Clark:
4 p.m. celebration of life,
Presbyterian Friendship
Center, La Grande;
casual dress preferred.
Bernard “Bernie” Sherwood, 78
P uBLic s afety r ePort
SATURDAY
o Bituaries
March 24, 1941 - December 23, 2019
La Grande resident
Bernard “Bernie” Sherwood,
78, died December 23, 2019
in La Grande, Oregon. Bernie
was born on March 24, 1941
in Miami, Florida to Bernard
and Lois Stoner Sherwood.
He attended grade school
in Redwood City, California
and Cove, Oregon. In 1955
his family moved to Fair-
banks, Alaska and he graduated from Lathrop High
School in Fairbanks in 1959.
His claim to early fame was a stunning rendition of
Elvis Presley in the 1957 Arctic Capers Talent Show
at Lathrop High School. In 1962 he married his high
school sweetheart, Carol Ann Kahler, now of Wash-
ington City, Utah. He was working for Pan American
Airlines in Fairbanks when he and his family were
transferred to California in 1969. Bernie loved cars and
tinkering and loved his jobs in the Aviation Industry.
He worked for Pan American Airlines, Evergreen Air-
lines, and Polar Airlines. Upon retirement he returned
to Cove, Oregon. Bernie was a loving father, grandfa-
ther, great-grandfather, brother, and a good friend to
many. He will be missed.
Bernie is survived by his four wonderful children:
Jina Sherwood, of Medford, Oregon; Laurie Sherwood
Johnson (Mark), of Gilbert Arizona; Douglas Sher-
wood (Brian) of Henderson, Nevada; and Amber Sher-
wood Johnson (Jonathan) of Gig Harbor, Washington;
and his grandchildren: Ryen Sherwood (Jina); Kacie,
Conner, Ryan, and Sammy (Mark and Laurie); Arin,
Aubrey, James, Julia and Aidan (Amber and Jon).
Great grandchildren: Oakley and Sawyer Zink (Kacie).
He also leaves behind his sisters, Susan Sherwood
Wilken (Gary) of Fairbanks, Alaska and Robin Sher-
wood Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado and nieces and
nephews Matthew Wilken, Allison Wilken Curry, Kar-
en Wilken and Bobby Wilken all of Fairbanks, Alaska
and Leah Smith Kennedy of Fort Collins and Greg
Smith of Bend, Oregon.
Also surviving Bernie is a brother, Tommy Rowen,
from Kingman, Arizona. They recently found each
other and were joyfully reunited. Brothers from the
same mother!
Bernie was preceded in death by his mother, Lois
Stoner Sherwood in 1943; his father Bernard LeRoy
Sherwood Sr. in 2003 and his stepmother June Shaffer
Sherwood in 1993.
A private family and friends gathering was held in
La Grande, Oregon at the Loveland Funeral Chapel.
He was laid to rest in the Cove Cemetery, in Cove,
Oregon on Friday, January 3, 2020.
Medicare, Auto, Home
insurance and Annuities
www.reed-insurance.net
Kevin Reed