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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2020)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020 L OCAL B RIEFING Weston woman dies in snowmobile crash WESTON — A 58-year-old woman from Weston died in a snowmobile crash Wednesday evening while trying to tra- verse winter weather conditions to her home, according to a news release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Offi ce. JoLynn Lieuallen was found dead when medics arrived at the scene on Lieuallen Road shortly before 6 p.m. Snowmobile operators and a Uma- tilla Electric Cooperative employee operating a snow cat assisted the East Umatilla County Fire and Rescue and the sheriff’s offi ce in reaching the scene, according to the news release. Family members said Lieuallen had parked at her mother’s house on Pine Creek Road and was snowmobiling to her home on Lieuallen Road due to poor road conditions. A family member became worried after she didn’t check in and went to look for her and discov- ered the crash. The medical examiner authorized release of the body to Burns Mortuary, according to the release. La Grande resident on gov’s list for appointments SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown’s latest submission for appointments to state boards and commissions has two resi- dents from Eastern Oregon. Brown recommended Dwight Dill to serve a partial two-year term on the Task Force on Universal Heath Care. Dill is the former mental health director for the nonprofi t mental health provider Center for Human Development, Inc. And Melissa Porter of Adams re- ceived the governor’s nod to serve most of a four-year term on the state’s Mortu- ary and Cemetery Board. She repre- sents Olney Cemetery of Pendleton on the Cemetery Association of Oregon. The Senate Rules Committee will consider the nominations in February. California man pleads guilty in Union County sex crimes case LA GRANDE — A California man is going to prison for attempted sexual abuse of a juvenile in Union County. Kenneth Austin Walker, 39, of Temec- ula, California, pleaded guilty last week to attempted fi rst-degree sexual abuse and second-degree invasion of personal privacy. Union County Circuit Judge Thomas Powers on Thursday sentenced Walker to 34 months in prison, just shy of three years, minus the time he has been in jail. State court records show the dis- trict attorney’s offi ce in January 2019 brought the case to a grand jury, which handed up a secret indictment charg- ing Walker with fi rst-degree sexual abuse and two counts of second-degree invasion of personal privacy. The state accused Walker of sexual contact with a girl younger than 14 sometime between June 2014 and June 2017 and of look- ing at the girl on two occasions in 2017 while she was unclothed. The U.S. Marshal Service ended up arresting Walker in March on a warrant based on the indictment, and the district attorney’s offi ce arraigned Walker. The case reached a plea deal Jan. 9, according to court records. In addi- tion to the prison time, Walker must serve 364 days in jail for the invasion of personal privacy. He also must serve 26 months of post-prison supervision, including sex offender and substance abuse treatment. Meeting continues review of Boardman to Hemingway line SALEM — The Energy Facility Sit- ing Council resumes its review of the draft proposed order for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line at its upcoming meeting in Hood River. The public meeting begins Thursday at 5 p.m. and reconvenes Friday at 8 a.m. at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, 1108 E. Marina Drive. Boardman to Hemingway — or B2H — is a project to build a 500-kilovolt transmission line across fi ve counties and about 280 miles in Oregon. The council began the discussion on the draft proposed order at its December meeting in Pendleton. The meeting on the project consists of a presentation from Oregon Department of Energy staff reviewing the draft proposed order, comments received on the proposal and responses from Idaho Power, the proj- ect’s applicant, to those comments. This agenda item continues Jan. 24, and the council may provide staff com- ments it would like to see in the proposed order. The council also will review proposal to amend two site certifi cates for the Shepherds Flat South and Shepherds Flat Central wind farms to allow longer turbine blades on the existing towers as well as other upgrades and modifi ca- tions. The full meeting agenda and materi- als are available on the ODOE website: www.oregon.gov/energy/facilities-safety/ facilities/Pages/Council-Meetings.aspx. Gov signs bill benefi ting owners of manufactured homes SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown this week signed House Bill 2896, which makes replacing outdated, ineffi cient manufactured homes more affordable for Oregonians and will help increase the affordable, energy-effi cient housing stock in Oregon. State Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, was a chief sponsor of the bill and touted its benefi ts in a news release. "Keeping Oregonians in affordable homes is crucial to ensure our com- munities continue to thrive,” Smith said. “The funding options created by this bill will enable more low- and moderate-income families to replace their housing without taking on considerable debt. Keeping people in their homes while building a better supply of affordable, effi cient homes is a win-win.” The Umatilla Electric Cooperative, Hermiston, along with other regional utilities, advocated for the passage of HB 2896, according to the release. "This bill is a big win for rural Oregon, ensuring Oregonians can keep and update their homes," said Robert Echenrode, UEC general manager and CEO. "This is a big step forward in the quest to create more affordable and ef- fi cient housing in our communities." C OMMUNITY Meetings • ISLAND CITY — The Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary's January meet- ing will be held Monday, at Island City City Hall. Re- freshments are available at 9 a.m. followed by the meet- ing at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Gerrie Gardner, GRH cardiologist, will be the speaker. All members are encouraged to attend as well as anyone interested. • LA GRANDE — The Board of Directors of the La Grande School District will meet to tour Central Elementary School, 701 H Ave., at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Following the tour at 7 p.m., there will be a regular board meeting in the school's library. Beading workshop led by Roger Amerman JOSEPH — A Plateau- style beading workshop will be held Feb. 7-9 at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph. The 14-hour workshop will be limited to eight students, and beginners as well as ex- perience bead-workers are welcome. The cost is $100 per student, plus materials (approximately $25). Roger Amerman is an enrolled citizen of the Choc- taw Nation of Oklahoma, a former Park Ranger with the U.S. National Park Service and a highly accom- plished artist whose work has been featured through- out the United States, including the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of the American Indian, Washing- ton, D.C. Amerman has developed strong associations and ties with Umatilla, Yakama and the Nez Perce communities through educational and working activities, and he has also written, lectured and taught across the West. Amerman resides on his wife's reservation, the Nez Perce Reservation of Idaho, and lives in Stites, Idaho, where he continues to lecture and teach and do commission work for museums. Workshop participants will learn the basics of "contour" and "lane" bead stitching. The fi nal product will be a beaded neck bag. To register or for more infor- mation go to www.josephy. org or call 541-432-0505. 2020 Master Gardener classes begin next week ISLAND CITY — The Master Gardener Program offered by OSU Union County Extension offers novices and experts an opportunity to expand their knowledge. The 2020 classes begin Tuesday and a variety of classes and workshops are planned. Classes will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost for the full course is $155, and individual classes are open to community members for $5 per class ($10 for week- end workshops). Classes are held in the conference room at the Union County Extension offi ce, 10507 N. McAlister Road, Island City. See the Union County Master Gardeners-Oregon Facebook page for photos, upcoming classes and links to research-based garden- ing. For a Master Gardener course application, go to www.extension.oregonstate. edu/union. For more infor- mation and to RSVP for individual classes, call the Union County Extension offi ce at 541-963-1010. Waste-Pro accepts hazardous waste by appointment LA GRANDE — Waste- Pro, 3412 Highway 30, La Grande, accepts hazardous waste on the fi rst and third Tuesdays of the month. Appointments for disposal between 8:30 a.m. and noon may be made by calling 541-963-5459. Waste-Pro's Hazardous Waste Disposal services are open to residents of Union, Wallowa and Baker counties. For farms and busi- nesses, additional paperwork may need to be completed prior to the appointment. The next scheduled day is Jan. 21. Day-use fees waived on Martin Luther King Jr. Day WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA Forest Service will waive fees at day-use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. fed- eral holiday as a national day of service in 1994 in recognition of King's legacy of service and leadership to gain equality for all Ameri- cans. The Forest Service honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a fee-free day to encourage Americans to get outside and visit their public lands. "On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, whether you're volunteering in your local community or visiting your public lands, we encourage you to refl ect on Dr. King's legacy and how we can con- tinue advancing his dream of opportunity for all," said Glenn Casamassa, Pacifi c Northwest regional forester, in a press release. The Bureau of Land Management also will waive recreation-related visitor's fees also on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On fee-free days, site- specifi c standard amenity and day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived. The other BLM fee-free days for 2020 are Feb. 17 (President's Day), June 13 (National Get Outdoors Day), Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT WEDNESDAY A caller at 7:15 a.m. reported a deer was stuck in a fence at Dry Creek Lane and Summerville Road, Summerville. A Union County sheriff’s deputy respond- ed but did not fi nd the deer. La Grande police at about 7:50 a.m. cited a juvenile for fourth-degree assault. La Grande police at 10:10 a.m. received a request to check on someone suffering a mental or emotional problem. Police talked to the person, who reported being OK. A Union County sheriff’s THE OBSERVER — 3A LOCAL deputy at about 11:10 a.m. responded to a complaint about a careless driver on the 11000 block of Island Avenue, Island City. The deputy contacted the driver and counseled the person. A caller at 2:05 p.m. reported a vehicle crashed and rolled on the 62300 block of Mt. Glenn Road, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and took a report. No one was injured. The Union County Sheriff’s Office at 4:06 p.m. received a report of pos- sible animal neglect at East Bryan and North Main streets, Union. Medics at about 4:25 p.m. responded to a vehicle crash with injuries at Behrens Lane and Black Road, Summerville. The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce at about 8 p.m. responded to a home in Imbler for an “out of control juvenile.” A deputy talked to the people involved and explained options. THURSDAY A caller at 8:01 a.m. cops ex- plained about dogs on the loose on North 17th Avenue, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s deputy at 10:14 a.m. reported a snowdrift created a road hazard on Middle Road, Elgin. La Grande police at 10:38 a.m. warned a dog owner on the 1300 block of X Avenue about barking dogs. La Grande police at 5:08 p.m. received a report of vandalism on the 2600 block of Starlight Drive. An offi cer took a report for criminal mischief. The depart- ment received a second report of vandalism at 6:23 p.m. from the 700 block of Lake Avenue. Police took a report and plan to provide extra patrols on the area. And fi refi ghters responded to 13 calls for medical assistance on Thursday and nine on Wednesday. Traffi c Stopper Staff photo by DIck Mason Sean Burton made this large snowman Sunday after- noon in about 45 minutes at his home on N Avenue and First Street in La Grande with help from his wife, Carly. The snowman, shown here Thursday afternoon, stands between 9 and 10 feet tall. Burton said about one in every fi ve vehicles passing by the snowman slows down or stops to look at it. UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU 1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE Jan. 20-27; lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6 Monday: Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tuesday: beef stew in a bread bowl, cottage cheese, veggie platters, fresh fruit. Wednesday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, steamed caulifl ower, bread, Jell-O, dessert. Thursday: bbq chicken, rice pilaf or noodles, steamed vegetables, bread, cashew pea salad, fresh fruit. Friday: shepherd’s pie, salad greens, cottage cheese, fresh fruit slices, wheat rolls. O BITUARIES Marjorie L. (Woodell) Jarvis La Grande 1918-2020 Marjorie Lola Jarvis, 101, of La Grande, died Jan. 9 at her home. A memorial service will be held in the spring close to her birthdate. Burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery. Ar- rangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. Marjorie was born April 8, 1918, in Summer- ville, to Miles and Katie (Baker) Woodell. She graduated from Imbler High School and from what is now Eastern Or- egon University. Marjorie taught for one year at the Pumpkin Ridge School. On June 11, 1938, she married Joe W. Jarvis in Portland. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska, for 30 years before returning to the Grande Ronde Valley. Marjorie was a member of the Blue Mountain Chap- ter Order of Eastern Star #52 and the Jewel Rebekah Lodge in Summerville. She was the rock of her family. Marjorie enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw puzzles and sewing. She was a Seattle Mariners fan. Survivors include her children and their spouses, Joe and Joni Jarvis of Cove and Kathleen and John Hatton of Imbler; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; sisters, Inez Fries and Ava Paul; brother, Lloyd Woodell; and grandson, J. Wesley Jarvis. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shri- ners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97239. Kevin L. Williams La Grande 1972-2020 Kevin Lynn Williams, 47, of La Grande, died Jan. 9 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho. A me- morial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church. Kevin was born Nov. 29, 1972, in La Grande, to Leo and Rosalie (Nelson) Wil- liams. He was raised in La Grande, attended Greenwood Elementary and graduated from La Grande High School. Kevin was a land- scaper and worked for the Salvation Army Church. He loved fi shing with his nieces and nephews, camp- ing, four-wheeling, playing cribbage and pool, barbe- quing, working on cars and trucks, and attending family reunions. Surviving relatives in- clude his sister and brother- in-law, Leonette and James Shelley of La Grande; six nieces; seven great-nieces and 12 great-nephews; and aunt, Bonnie Bluhm. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Rosalie Williams, and uncles, Willian “Bill” Davis and Benjamin Nelson. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralcha- pel.com. Christine (Lanman) Asla Formerly of La Grande Christine (Lanman) Asla, 67, of King City and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 13 at her home. An obituary is forthcoming. Ar- rangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by Jan. 18 Virginia Linkenhoker: 2 p.m. memorial service, La Grande United Methodist Church; reception follows in the Fellowship Hall. Rick Stephens: 1 p.m. memorial service, Old North Powder Gym; reception follows. Feb. 8 Justice Clark: 4 p.m. celebration of life, Presbyterian Friendship Center, La Grande; casual dress preferred.
