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;
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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.
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