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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 2020)
LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2020 NEWS BRIEFS COMMUNITY Meetings • COVE — The Cove City Council will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Cove City Hall, 504 Alder. The city encourages connecting to the meeting virtually. Instructions will be available Monday, April 13, at www.cityofcove.org. • ISLAND CITY — The city council of Island City will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, at city hall on Island Avenue. A limited number of people will be allowed to attend in-person. Those who attend must observe the social dis- tancing practice of staying at least 6 feet from others. Written comments for topics to be discussed should be dropped off at city hall or emailed to karen@islandcity- hall.com prior to the meeting. Correction Union Baptist holding drive-in Easter service The Spiritual Life page on 5A in Thursday’s Observer incorrectly listed the times for the service at Union Baptist Church. The church’s Easter service will be a drive- in service starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to arrive around 10:45. Audio and video from the service will be available on the church’s website, www.unionbaptistoregon. org, the following evening. EO Media Group staff Cove man wins more than $6,000 COVE — When Jason Hagey of Cove and his coworker stopped off for a cup of coffee, he decided to check his Oregon’s Game Megabucks ticket with the Oregon Lottery Mobile App. “I scan the ticket and all these bal- loons start showing up on the screen,” Hagey said Hagey in a news release from the Oregon Lottery. “I thought I had won a free ticket, but I won $6,200! I scanned it at the Minute Mart where we got coffee, and sure enough, I won. I’m ahead.” Hagey, who is an elec- trician, said with the Oregon Lottery offi ces being temporarily closed due to efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, he decided to mail in his $6,215 winning ticket. He also said with everything going on in the economy, he is going to save his win- nings for now. To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lot- tery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offi ces. Offi cials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 sit- uation closely. If players have a win- ning ticket, they can fi ll out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, www.ore- gonlottery.org/about/claim- prizes, and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form. Players who have win- ning tickets of $50,000 or more must make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery offi ce in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets. “It was the fi rst time I had won that much, and the fi rst time I mailed it in. I was impressed with the turnaround time and how fast I got the winnings,” he said. Ron Williams of Herm- iston agreed. “When I mailed my $22,000 Lucky Lines winner, I registered it and put insurance on it,” Wil- liams said. “I may con- tinue doing that after this. It saved me a four-and-a-half- hour trip one way in my truck.” Williams said he is a “faithful” player and that he, too, is going to be holding on to his winnings. “I have won a big prize on Keno, and now Lucky Lines,” he said. “Good things happen in threes, so I am going to try for Power- ball next.” The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lot- tery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted fi nancial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org. Wallowa County governments learn new ways to function ENTERPRISE — Local governments in Wallowa County are adjusting to clo- sures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wallowa County Courthouse is closed to the public with a list of staff people to contact and their phone numbers posted on the door. County employees are considered essential workers and remain on the job. However, busi- ness should be conducted over the phone, said Com- missioner John Hillock. The county will begin con- ducting commission and other meetings via ZOOM, he said. The Enterprise City Council will meet Monday but also will invite partic- ipation via the online app GoToMeeting. City council committee meetings have been canceled until further notice. Joseph canceled all its city council meetings until further notice, according to City Manager Larry Braden. The Lostine City Council now meets online. Residents are learning how to pay bills and take part in city council meetings via Google Meets. Local offi cials recognize these are unusual times and with serious consequences. “Not everybody’s going to come out of this whole,” Wallowa County Commis- sioner Todd Nash said, “and I don’t say this lightly.” PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT VA Our Heroes WEDNESDAY 8:35 a.m. — La Grande police received a report about a break-in at a shed on the 1500 block of S Avenue. 9:04 a.m. — A La Grande caller reported vandalism on the 1100 block of Benton Street. 9:22 a.m. — A Summerville caller asked to speak to a Union County sheriff’s deputy about a gun regulation matter. The deputy contacted the caller and explained options. 12:20 p.m. — Grande Ronde Hospital, 900 Sunset Drive, La Grande, reported an accidental gunshot. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and took a report. 2:44 p.m. — A caller reported juve- niles causing a safety hazard on the 200 block of South 12th Street, La Grande. An offi cer responded, talked to the youth and warned them for driving an all-terrain vehicle in the city limits. 3:51 p.m. — An Elgin resident reported a burglary on the 1300 block of Baltimore Street. A Union County sheriff’s deputy contacted the caller and will follow up. 11:32 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1400 block of Adams Avenue on a report of loud music, but the scene was quiet upon arrival. Union County Senior Center takeout lunch menu Pickup from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande For delivery, call 541-963- 7532 before 10 a.m. Age 60+, $3 suggested donation; all others, $5 April 13-17 Monday: taco bar, Mexi- rice, salad greens, sour cream, avocado, chips and salsa, fl an. Tuesday: hot Italian sandwiches, broccoli salad, chips. Wednesday: hon- ey-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, steamed green beans, Jell-O, rolls, dessert (alternate meal: BBQ chicken). Thursday: sweet and sour meatballs over rice, spinach salad, rolls, dessert. Friday: bacon cheese- burgers, steak fries, sliced fruit, cookies. THE OBSERVER — 3A Staff photo by Dick Mason Curt Moody of La Grande salutes the staff of the Veterans Affairs Com- munity Based Outreach Clinic on Thursday morning. The Army veteran displayed his support for the staff members of the La Grande clinic for about 20 minutes. THURSDAY 3:45 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of a domestic disturbance on the 1500 block of Adams Avenue. Offi cers separated the parties and deter- mined they had been arguing. 8:45 a.m. — A caller on the 64000 block of Mount Glen Road, La Grande, reported a dog harassing livestock. An animal enforcement offi cer responded, tethered the dog and left a business card for the dog’s owner. 11:51 a.m.— La Grande police arrested a 15-year-old boy on two Union County juvenile warrants — one for unlawful possession of a fi rearm and the other for second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. 12:59 p.m. — The Union County Sher- iff’s Offi ce received a report of vandalism at the Mount Glen Cemetery, La Grande. The sheriff’s offi ce took down informa- tion and will follow up. 3:51 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1100 block of Adams Avenue for a burglary of a garage. An offi cer took a report. 6:34 p.m. — A Union caller on the 500 block of East Arch Street reported a dog bit someone. An animal enforcement offi cer will follow up. 7:16 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a report of a domestic disturbance in the area of 20 Highway 294, Elgin. Deputies could not respond due to the road closure, so the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Offi ce handled the call. 11:28 p.m. — A caller complained about too much noise on the 1500 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. Offi cers responded and warned people at the scene for being loud. OBITUARIES Robert P. Clemens Formerly of Union and La Grande • 1936-2020 Robert Peter Clemens, 83, formerly of Union and La Grande, died March 19 at his home in Meridian, Idaho. Known as Bob, he was born Aug. 9, 1936, in Loma Linda, Cali- fornia, to Elton Clarence Sr. and Francica Adelina (Espi- nosa) Clemens. He spent his early years in Burns, where he learned much about horses, cattle and ranching from his uncle Buck Clemens. Bob’s family moved to Union, where he attended Union High School, grad- uating in 1954. At UHS he was very active in sports, and it was there he met his future wife, Virginia Ann Westenskow. Bob and Ann were married in the Logan LDS Temple on April 14, 1955, and Bob remained an active member throughout his life. Bob and Ann raised three sons, David, Lyle and Dean, and one daughter, Shelley. They established their home in La Grande in 1959. Bob loved his chil- dren dearly. In 1957, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country honorably. Fol- lowing his military ser- vice, he developed Clemens Contracting and had much success building homes throughout Eastern Oregon. After retiring, Bob and Ann served a mission for the LDS Church in Gal- veston, Texas, where Bob’s outgoing nature made him a beloved missionary. They also commuted to Boise to serve faithfully as ordi- nance workers in the Boise Idaho Temple. Bob developed a love of fl ying, and after obtaining his personal pilot’s license, he enjoyed fl ying his Cessna over the Blue Mountains. He had a talent for working with his hands and was often fi xing or building something in his shop. Bob had an amazing work ethic and taught his children the value of hard work. A gifted storyteller, he mesmerized his children and grandchildren with detailed memories from his past. Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fi sherman. He enjoyed having a small ranch of cattle and horses. For sev- eral summers, he organized and led his family on pack trips into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. He also took several of the local Scouts on high adventure trips into North Minam Meadows. Surviving relatives include his wife of 64 years, Ann, of Meridian, Idaho; sister, Shirley Brink- hoff of Vancouver, Wash- ington; daughter-in-law, Sheri Clemens; sons and daughters-in-law, Lyle and Rhonda of Okla- homa City, Oklahoma, and Dean and Michelle of Star, Idaho; daughter and son- in-law, Shelley and Erich Sontag of Eden, Utah; and 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sib- lings, Elton Jr. and Theda; La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR 975-2000 www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. and eldest son, David. Kenneth Richter Union Kenneth Richter, 80, of Union, died April 9 at his home. Arrangements by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. Penelope ‘Penny’ S. (Wagner) Paul La Grande • 1942-2020 Penelope “Penny” Sue Paul, 77, of La Grande, died April 5 at her residence. A service will be held at a later time. Known as Penny, she was born Dec. 14, 1942, in Fremont, Nebraska, to Arnold and Dorothy (Vogelsang) Wagner. Penny attended Midland Lutheran Uni- versity. She married Gene Paul. Penny was employed as a secretary for a local church for 20 years. She enjoyed reading, watching squirrels in the yard and watching TV. Penny was a member of the American Red Cross and received many awards for her ser- vice. She was also the largest fan of the OSU foot- ball team. Surviving relatives include her husband, Gene. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Dorothy. Esther L. (Birks) Hurst Summerville • 1937-2020 Esther LaVonne Hurst, 82, of Summerville, died April 7. Private interment will take place at the Sum- merville Cemetery. Esther was born June 4, 1937, in Bakersfi eld, California, to Clarence and Norma (Sommerfi eld) Birks. She lived in Bakersfi eld, where she attended high school. Esther met her future hus- band, Carrel Hurst, on a blind date while he was stationed at Fort Irwin. Esther and Carrel were married Nov. 10, 1955. They moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where they had three of their fi ve chil- dren: Sherry, Curtis and Gene. They moved back to California and made their home in Morgan Hill, where they had two more children: Greg and Lanna. In 1971 Esther and Carrel moved to Elgin, and in 1981 they settled in Summerville. Esther spent her working years as a CNA in both Gilroy, California, and at Grande Ronde Hospital. She was a very loving and caring nurse. Her compassion for others was a refl ection of her love for Christ. Esther enjoyed working on family genealogy, knit- ting baby blankets for her grandchildren and cooking for her family. Animals had a special place in her heart and she always had room for any that needed a home. Esther was a strong, independent woman with quick wit and a “spicy” attitude, but she loved her husband and family. She would take charge and have fun doing it. Surviving relatives include her husband, Carrel; sons and daugh- ters-in-law, Curtis and Lillie Hurst of Summer- ville, Gene and Kathleen Hurst of Eagle, Idaho, and Greg and Shuree Hurst of Pullman, Washington; daughter and son-in-law, Lanna and Andy Dollar of Kennewick, Wash- ington; sister, Ruth Young of Bakersfi eld, California; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Moosman; par- ents, Clarence and Norma Birks; and siblings, Walter, Florence, Dorthy, Lillian, Upcoming local services are pending due to efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Russel, Betty and Emil. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Virginia Johnson La Grande Virginia Johnson, 98, of La Grande, died April 6 at her home. Arrangements by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. Gene Lake La Grande Gene Lake, 99, of La Grande, died April 3 at his home. Arrangements by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebra- tion Center. FAMILY OWNED PACIFIC NORTHWEST ALASKA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, IDAHO, MONTANA REACH 3 million Pacific Northwesterners with just One Call! n PNDC CLASSIFIED - Daily Newspapers 29 newspapers - 1,187,980 circulation Number of words: 25 l Extra word cost: $10 Cost: $540 (Runs 3 consecutive days including wkds.) n PNDN 2x2 DISPLAY - Daily Newspapers 27 newspapers - 1,016,864 circulation Size: 2x2 (3.25”x2”) Cost: 1x 2x2: $1,050 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 More info: Cecelia@cnpa.com or call (916) 288-6011 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com