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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2020)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020 THE OBSERVER — 3A LOCAL P UBLIC S AFETY R EPORT L OCAL B RIEFING From staff reports WEDNESDAY THURSDAY La Grande police at about 8:15 a.m. placed a tire boot on a vehicle at Washington Avenue and Fourth Street. La Grande police at 9:22 a.m. received a report of a sexual assault. A caller at 9:36 a.m. reported an abandoned vehicle on Gordon Creek Road, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and tagged the vehicle for removal. A caller at 10:03 a.m. reported vandalism to a vehicle on the 61900 block of Quail Road, La Grande. A second caller about 10 minutes later reported vandalism to a vehicle on the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane, La Grande. Law enforcement took reports in both cases. A Union County sheriff’s deputy at about 1:20 p.m. responded to a disturbance at Grande Ronde Hospital, 900 Sunset Drive, La Grande. The deputy reported the situation was under control. An Elgin caller on the 600 block of North 13th Avenue reported one dog injured another dog. La Grande police at about 4:10 p.m. received a report of a bur- glary at a shop on the 1300 block of V Avenue. Police took a report. The Union County Sheriff’s Of- fi ce at 8:54 p.m. received a report of a possible sex crime in Elgin. La Grande police at 10 a.m. received another report of vandalism on the 2100 block of Gekeler Lane. The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce at about noon arrested a 17-year-old male for fi rst-degree robbery, second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. A caller at 12:28 p.m. com- plained about a pit bull dog on the loose on the 600 block of Sunset Drive, La Grande. The animal enforcement offi cer took the dog to the shelter. A North Powder caller at 1:51 p.m. reported livestock on the loose. Law enforcement advised the owners to get their cow. Emergency services at about 2:15 p.m. responded to a vehicle crash with injuries on the fi rst block of Highway 237, La Grande. An Island City caller at 4:43 p.m. reported fi nding bags of cans on the 10800 block of Walton Road. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and returned the cans. Law enforcement in La Grande at about 10 p.m. re- sponded to a person suffering mental or emotional duress. And fi refi ghters responded to nine calls for medical assis- tance on Thursday and eight on Wednesday. O BITUARIES Virginia J. (Andrews) Wagoner La Grande 1950-2020 Virginia Jeanette Wag- oner, 69, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died Jan. 10 at Wild- fl ower Lodge. At her request there will not be a public service at this time. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Virginia was born Aug. 15, 1950, in Lakeview, to Gilbert and Mary (Holbrook) An- drews. She graduated from high school in Lakeview in 1970. She lived in Baker City for many years and moved to La Grande in 1987. On Aug. 8, 1998, Virginia married Leo Wagoner in The Dalles and they lived in Union for many years before moving to La Grande in August 2019. She was a member of the Union Baptist Church and she enjoyed do- ing beadwork. Surviving relatives include her husband, Leo Wagoner of La Grande; sons, Glen Still of Union and Justin Still of Utah; stepson, Trent Wagoner of Perry; fi ve sisters and three brothers; four grandchildren; and four step- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings. Memorial contributions may be made to Heart ‘n Home Hospice. include her children and their spouses, Linda and Fred Peterson of Athol, Idaho, Wade and Cindy Johnson of Cove, Annette and Jeff Brence of La Grande, Wayne and Sandi Johnson of Cove, and Jill and Gordon Alvey of Athol, Idaho; brother and sister- in-law, Gene and Shannon McKinney of Island City; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchil- dren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Lottie; husband, Frank; and a sister, a son-in-law and two grandsons. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. lovelandfuneralchapel.com. Formerly of Cove 1935-2019 Donna Marie Johnson, 84, formerly of Cove, died Dec. 31, 2019, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a long illness. A funeral was held Jan. 3 in Cove. Donna was born Dec. 20, 1935, in Weiser, Idaho, to Harry J. and Lottie R. (Slyter) McKinney. She married Frank A. Johnson on July 12, 1954. They were married for 57 years. Donna was the head cook for the Cove School District for more than 20 years and was well known for her homemade bread, hot rolls and especially her cinnamon rolls. Her love of cooking made every meal a feast. Donna loved her family unconditionally and was always ready and willing to do anything for them. Her greatest love was for her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. According to her family, though they are sad Donna is gone, they rejoice that she is now singing his praises in heaven. Surviving relatives election. The city in a news release announced the terms for positions 1-4 expire at the end of 2020. Candidate packets will be available, Jan. 31 from city recorder Kayla Rock. Position 1 is for mayor and is a two-year term. Steve Clements is the incumbent. Positions 2, 3 and 4 are councilors and four-year terms. Nicole Howard, Corrine Dutto and Mary Ann Miesner, respectively, hold those seats. To qualify for the council, candidates must have resided in the city of La Grande for at least the six months preceding the election. Nominations are by petition, so candi- dates also must gather signatures from at least 20 registered voters who reside in the city. Petitions are due by 5 p.m. to the city recorder’s offi ce, the second fl oor of city hall, 1000 Adams Ave, March 10. If three or more candi- dates fi le for one position, the city will hold a primary election Tuesday, May 19. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes in the primary, that candidate’s name will appear on the November ballot for the general election. If no can- didate receives a majority, the two candidates with the most votes face off in the general election. For additional informa- tion or to obtain a candidate packet, call city recorder Meetings La Grande • ELGIN — The Elgin School Board will meet Monday. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in room 17 of Stella Mayfi eld School. The high school’s gym bleachers will be one of the subjects discussed at the meeting. Wanda Doud, 93, of La Grande, died Jan. 22 at Wild- fl ower Lodge. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. Thomas S. Hartley La Grande Thomas Stephen Hartley, 79, of La Grande, died Jan. 21 at a local care facility. A view- ing will be held 4-6 p.m. Feb. 3, followed by a Recitation of the Rosary, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. A fu- neral will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 4, also at Our Lady of the Val- ley. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is handling the arrangements. Union Doralee Powell, 84, of Union, died Jan. 17 at her residence. A viewing will be held 5-7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 1, also at Loveland Funeral Chapel. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crema- tory is handling the arrange- Tickets on sale now for annual soup supper LA GRANDE — Shelter From the Storm’s annual fundraising soup supper will be March 7 at the Presbyterian Friendship 10:30 a.m. celebration of life; La Grande First Baptist Church. Feb. 8 Justice Clark: 4 p.m. celebration of life, Presbyterian Friendship Center, La Grande; casual dress preferred. Center, 1204 Spring Ave., La Grande. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Gluten-free and vegetar- ian options will be avail- able. All ages are welcome. Cost for each person is $30. Tickets must be purchased before the event and pre- sented at the door. The name on the ticket does not have to match the person who attends. Tickets are now on sale on www.eventbrite.com and by contacting the shel- ter’s offi ce at 541-963-7226. Shelter From the Storm is a nonprofi t domestic UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER MENU 1504 ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE Jan. 27-31; lunch served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation; others $6 Monday: almond-coconut chicken, rice pilaf or noodles, steamed winter-blend vegetables, baked bread, fresh fruit. Tuesday: Tuesday: beef stroganoff served over rice, steamed vegetables, spinach salad, rolls, fruit. Wednesday: honey-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert (alternate meal: turkey sandwiches). Thursday: Swedish meatballs and country gravy, steamed vegetables, salad greens, rolls, dessert. Friday: fi sh and chips, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh fruit, dessert. UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by Jan. 25 Bertha Thompson: BAKER CITY — Com- missioners from Baker, Harney, Grant, Malheur and Lake counties voted unanimously Monday to appoint Mark Owens, a Harney County farmer, to replace Lynn Findley as representative for Oregon House District 60. Findley, a Republican from Vale, was appointed earlier this month to re- place Cliff Bentz in state Senate District 30. Bentz resigned to run full time for Greg Walden’s seat in Congress. “I am thankful and humbled today to have been appointed to serve as the next state representa- tive for House District 60,” Owens said in a press release. “I look forward to serving the communities and being a voice for east- ern Oregon in Salem.” There were two other candidates for House District 60 — Tom Van Diepen of Baker City, and Tim Smith of Burns. Baker County Commission- er Mark Bennett said neither was present when commis- sioners voted in Ontario. Owens, a Harney County Commissioner, fi led Nov. 4 as a candidate for the House District 60 Republican primary in May. He will be sworn in later this month. The Or- egon Legislature convenes Feb. 3 in Salem. “At the state level, there is a lot of work to be done to protect our way of life in Eastern Oregon and to provide a better path for future generations of Oregonians,” Owens said. “We need to make sustain- able natural resources a top priority. Our kids deserve stronger schools and greater opportuni- ties for their career paths. Families need fi nancial stability instead of living paycheck to paycheck and having to worry about the next tax increase coming our way from Salem. “Most importantly, my top priority and my No. 1 job will be to listen, learn and represent the constit- uents in Eastern Oregon.” Oregon’s unemployment rate drops to 3.7% in December SALEM — The Oregon Employment Department reported the state’s unem- ployment rate may have set a record low. The rate dropped to 3.7% in December, the low- est on comparable records dating back to 1976. The November unemploy- ment rate was 3.9%. Nick Beleiciks, systems and economic analysis manag- er at the Oregon Employ- ment Department, said the rate is “especially striking considering Oregon’s labor force is twice as large as it was 44 years ago.” Many of Oregon’s work- force metrics set records in December, indicating an increasingly tight labor mar- ket. The number of people who were unemployed for less than half a year dropped to the lowest level in at least 18 years. The number of people who were unem- ployed due to a layoff also dropped to the lowest level in the past two decades. The broadest measure of labor underutilization, “U-6,” came in at the lowest rate dating back nearly two de- cades. This measure includes the unemployed plus those who want a full-time job but were working part-time due to the economy. Total non-farm payroll employment grew by 800 jobs in December, follow- ing a gain of 3,800 jobs, as revised, in November. December gains were strongest in leisure and hospitality, which added 2,000 jobs. Several in- dustries added between 300-500 jobs. Two industries declined by more than 500 jobs: Health care and social assistance lost 900 jobs and professional and business services lost 1,600. Oregon’s over-the- year job growth of 1.4% equaled the U.S. job growth of 1.4%, and most of Oregon’s major indus- tries expanded 1-3% since December 2018. Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce warns of scam LA GRANDE — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce reported a potential phone scam. The sheriff’s on Twitter reported receiving several complaints “of a scam alert in Union County us- ing Captain Ward’s name.” The calls came from the Eugene area claiming the recipient needs to pay money to take care of a warrant for missing jury duty. The sheriff’s offi ce advised people not to act on these calls. C OMMUNITY Wanda Doud Doralee Powell Donna M. (McKinney) Johnson La Grande City Kayla Rock at 541-962-1309. Council has four seats County up for re-election commissioners LA GRANDE — Four positions on the La Grande appoint Mark Owens to replace Findley City Council are up for re- L violence and sexual assault organization serving Union County. The SFS mission is to provide services to those who have been impacted by interpersonal violence, sexual assault and stalking through advocacy, educa- tion and awareness. Botany” Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. This class will be in the conference room at the OSU-Union County Exten- sion Offi ce, 10507 N. McAli- ster Road, Island City. For more information and to RSVP for classes, call the Extension Offi ce at 541-963-1010. RSVP for Cove senior No registration lunch by Jan. 29 COVE — The Feb. 4 Cove needed for Family Law Workshop senior meal at Founders Hall at the Ascension School will feature beef stew, peas, biscuits and salad bar with apple pie for dessert. There is a $5 charge per meal. Coffee and tea are available at noon and the meal is served at 12:15 p.m. RSVP by Wednes- day by calling Imie Bristow at 541-568-4545 or Betsy Arnson at 541-568-4902. Master Gardener classes open to community members ISLAND CITY — The Oregon State University’s Master Gardener Pro- gram’s individual classes are open to the community for $5 each. Karen Antell, botanist from Eastern Oregon University, will teach “Basic LA GRANDE — Bruce Anderson, attorney at law, and the Union County Family Law Advisory Committee are hosting a free family law workshop Feb. 12. The workshop is par- ticularly useful for people who are representing themselves in a family law case. Participants will receive answers to com- monly asked questions and information on local court procedures and forms. The workshop begins at 6 p.m. in the Misener Conference Room of the Daniel Chaplin Building, 1001 Fourth St., La Grande. No registration is required. For more information call 541-962-9500, ext. 42. !! lf se ur Yo E V Take care of you. Make sure you’re on target: Retirement Travel Financial goals Aging concerns Women and Wealth Ackerman Hall #208 Alumni Room, EOU campus February 4th @ 6pm d Limite Space fi rst 20: to the REE F Call to reserve yo ur spot! Questions? 541-963-7433 www.walkerwellsfinancialadvisor.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through Client One Securities, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC and an Investment Advisor. Walker-Wells Financial Representative and Client One Securities, LLC are not affiliated. OR license #6224564
