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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2020)
COMMUNITY SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Meetings • LA GRANDE CITY COUNCIL — The La Grande City Council will meet in a special session Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m., to conduct a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant funding. Any person may submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting. Written comments must be received by 9 a.m. May 18. Public comments should be emailed to rstrope@cityofl a- grande.org. The meeting will be avail- able for viewing via the city’s scheduled Charter Commu- nications channel 180, on the La Grande Alive website at https://lagrandealive.tv/ city-events, or on the Eastern Oregon Alive.TV Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ EasternOregonAliveTV. — A work session of the city council will immediately follow this special session. In work sessions, the council infor- mally discusses topics and does not make decisions or vote. Per ORS 192.670(1), coun- cilors will be participating by electronic communication. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work session is for the sole purpose of conducting busi- ness on the agenda. Public comments will not be enter- tained at the session but the meeting will be available for viewing via the online options outlined above. The work ses- sion agenda includes discus- sion of the phasing plan for fi nishing the Adams Avenue Streetscape project downtown and the costs of completing the side streets. — On Tuesday, May 19, the city council will again meet in special session, begin- ning at 6 p.m., to approve the minutes of Monday’s special session. Per ORS 192.670(1), some councilors will be par- ticipating by electronic com- munication. Public comments will not be entertained, but the session may be viewed on Facebook Live at the following link: www.facebook.com/ CityofLaGrande. • BLUE MOUNTAIN TRANS- LATOR DISTRICT, LA GRANDE — The Blue Mountain Trans- lator District Board of Direc- tors will convene for a reg- ular meeting Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. In compliance with Executive Order 20-16, the meeting will be held via phone and video conference. Members of the public may participate via phone (confer- ence number: 253-215-8782; meeting ID: 81635105239). The meeting also will be streamed online at BMTD’s Facebook page. Materials will be posted at www.bmtd.org/public-no- tice prior to the meeting. • ELGIN SCHOOL DISTRICT — The Elgin School District Board of Directors will have a regular meeting Monday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. via phone. Prior to the session at 6 p.m., the budget committee will meet, also via phone. For more information, call Denise Ludwig at 541-437-1211. THE OBSERVER — 3A Leo B. Wagoner Union • 1950-2020 Leo B. Wagoner, 69, of Union, died April 22 at his home in Wildfl ower Lodge in La Grande. A memo- rial service will be held at a later time. Leo was born May 25, 1950, in La Grande, to James and Essie (White) Wagoner. He was raised along with nine siblings on Wagoner Hill in Summerville and attended school in Imbler from fi rst grade through graduation. After graduation, Leo began working for the Union Pacifi c Railroad, where he worked until an injury forced his early retirement. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fi shing, gathering mushrooms and picking huckleberries. Leo lived by the motto “The rougher the road, the better the berry picking.” He also enjoyed spending time swapping stories with his friends at the Union County Senior Center. Surviving relatives include his son and spouse, Trent and Katina Wagoner of La Grande; stepsons and spouses, Les and Paula Webb of La Grande, Darin Webb of Rockaway Beach, Glen and Heather Still of Union, and Justin Still of Monticello, Utah; brothers and spouses, Bill and Roma Wagoner of Hawaii, Paul and Barbara Wag- oner of La Grande, Lenny and Connie Wagoner of La Grande, Myron and Judy Wagoner of Kenai, Alaska, and John Wagoner of Man- teca, California; sisters and spouses, Trula and Wayne Wallace of Sum- merville, Raylene and Ted Wagner of Warden, Wash- ington, Becky and John Weygandt of Willamina, and Jane and Gary Stroud of Washington, Utah; and 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Andrews Wagoner, and parents, James and Essie 8:20 a.m. — A caller reported a safety hazard because a line was down on the 1600 block of Sixth Street, La Grande. An offi cer checked it out and found it was a phone line and not a power line. 11:57 a.m. — A person waved down a Union County sher- iff’s deputy at South Seventh Avenue and Cedar Street, Elgin, and reported a child who was alone. The mother, however, turned up in short order. 2:41 p.m. — A caller reported an unattended toddler on the 2500 block of Adams Avenue, See independent films online while supporting a local organization By Sabrina Thompson The Observer LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon Film Fes- tival is collaborating this year with the Ashland Independent Film Festival in showcasing independent shorts and fi lms. While the La Grande- based festival still plans to hold its own event in the fall, movies lovers can enjoy independent fi lms online May 22-June 14 via the Ashland group’s “Vir- tual Festival.” Visit the membership page of the EOFF’s website, www. eofi lmfest.com, for a link to the online movie fest, which includes a discount for a subscription. “We wanted to provide Observer fi le photo Filmmakers J.J. Hill and Liberty O’Dell discuss their fi lm, “Out of Character, at the 2019 Eastern Oregon Film Festival. The La Grande festival has partnered with the Ashland Independent Film Festival, which is providing a virtual fi lm fest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. content at a special rate and for each of these fes- tivals we partner with to reach out to their mem- bers and remind people we are still here,” said Molly Kreuzman, communica- tions coordinator for the Ashland festival. EOFF director Chris Jennings said the local fes- tival typically partners MAY 18-22 Monday: chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed vegetables, Caesar salad, fresh fruit, ice cream. Formerly of La Grande James “Jack” Melvin Cochran, 84, of Pasco, Washington, and formerly of La Grande, died May 13 at Chaplaincy Hos- pice House in Kennewick, Washington. Sandra L. Benson with other organizations to build an audience and maintain efforts to become a well-known regional arts event. With COVID-19 restric- tions in place, Jennings said, it has been diffi cult to fundraise for the October festival. Partnering with Ashland’s festival provides EOFF with a way to gain By Phil Wright The Observer LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University announced it is accepting applications for fall 2020 housing. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern Oregon Universi- ty’s Residence Life Offi ce has adapted its plans for fall 2020. “We want to provide an experience as close to the ‘college experience’ as possible relative to what the conditions may be,” Director of Housing Jeremy Jones said. The university expanded cleaning practices within dining services and resi- dence halls, and on-campus dining services now offer takeout. The amount of space at the university, he said, means “we do social distancing naturally.” Still, EOU took steps to provide students with more space at residence halls. “We decreased the number of students per room and the number of occupied rooms per hall to increase the amount of space per student,” Jones said. La Grande. An offi cer helped return the child home. 7:54 p.m. — La Grande responded to a call about a domestic disturbance and trans- ported one person to Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande, for a mental health hold. 9:24 p.m. — People making too much noise on the 1600 block of Willow Street, La Grande, prompted a call to po- lice. An offi cer responded and counseled the people involved. THURSDAY 2:33 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the Super 8 by Wyndham, 2407 E. R Ave., for people who should not be on the hotel property. Police tres- passed two subjects. 8:10 a.m. — A truck broke off low-hanging tree branches that landed in the road at Spruce Street and Madison Avenue, La Grande. 12:56 p.m. — A Union caller on the 400 block of Lincoln Street reported a vehicle theft. 1:28 p.m. — A caller reported a burglary at a residence on the 700 block of Birch Street, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s deputy will follow up. 2:12 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded NOW HIRING NOW HIRING Tuesday: Reuben sandwiches, potato salad, fruit garnish, light dessert. Wednesday: tender beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed vegetables, rolls, carrot-raisin salad, dessert. Thursday: croissant sand- wiches (choice of turkey or shrimp) with cream cheese and tomato, pasta salad, fresh fruit. FAMILY OWNED Friday: chicken strips, steak fries, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh fruit, cookies. NOW HIRING: NOW HIRING SEASONAL WORKERS starting wage $17.65 an hour ------------------- INTEGRITY SAFETY RESPECT EXCELLENCE That’s how We Do business. while building careers . Apply at bc.com/careers 90 S 21st Ave, Elgin, OR 97827 Boise Cascade is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply. 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com Upcoming local services are pending due to efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. La Grande The celebration of life for Sandra L. Benson planned for June 4 has been postponed. Sandra, 72, of La Grande, died March 2 publicity and garner addi- tional support. Kreuzman said she is hoping Ashland Indepen- dent Film Festival also can become a resource for fes- tivals such as EOFF in tackling the virtual land- scape of hosting fi lm festi- vals. Jennings said EOFF and other fi lm festivals are working to position them- selves to be digital events if bans on large gatherings remain. Having Ashland Independent take on the challenge early could be valuable in providing guid- ance on how to hold these events. “We want to keep the festival. It will happen to some degree and in some capacity,” Jennings said. “Our submissions are strong. It may be lighter/ leaner as fundraising has been diffi cult, but we are still excited. This partner- ship opportunity is good for Ashland and good for us.” EOU opens housing applications for fall 2020 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 dona- tion; all others, $5. James ‘Jack’ M. Cochran Eastern Oregon Film Festival partners with Ashland Independent Film Festival PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT WEDNESDAY Wagoner. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. EOU can make the adaptations, he said, because all of the resi- dence halls are suite-style or apartment layouts, and there are no com- munal bathrooms or other high-density spaces. The residence halls also provide a signifi cant amount of square footage per student, which Jones said is above what is recommended. at her residence. Arrange- ments are under the direc- tion of Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. FURLOUGHS Continued from Page 1A required many businesses to close. This devastated the state’s revenue picture because Oregon relies on the state income tax for the majority of its funding. School district offi cials in Oregon do not know how much less funding schools will receive in 2020-21. Mendoza, however, said state offi cials have told school districts to expect a 17% cut. Such a cut would cost the La Grande School District about $2.55 million. Mendoza said on the bright side the school dis- trict has a strong reserve fund, which could go a long way toward buffering the need for budget cuts. Mendoza said the school district has been working since March to reduce expenditures, freezing all hiring and not fi lling vacan- cies from resignations and retirements. School offi cials will have a much better idea of how much state funding the dis- trict will receive in 2020-21 after the state releases its May 20 revenue forecast. The forecast will play a major role in determining the 2020-21 budget, which the school district’s budget committee will receive at its fi rst meeting on June 3. The committee will have the option of approving the budget at that meeting or meeting again on June 10 and June 17. The budget committee is responsible for approving a budget proposal that goes before the school board, which will vote on adoption June 24. A S Y OUR to the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane, La Grande, on a report of a duckling by itself. The deputy rescued the little water fowl, which turned out to be a gosling. 5:50 p.m. – La Grande police responded to the 1500 block of X Avenue on a report of continuing harassment. An offi cer talked to the caller and explained options. 11:26 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a possible domestic disturbance on the 2300 block of Q Avenue. Offi cers determined there were people arguing. �oise ��s��de �� � ��s� ��e ���in� �� ����� ����� �������� �u�� ��� ���� �oise ��s��de �� � ��s� ��e ���in� �� ����� ����� �������� �u�� ��� ���� C OMMISSIONER • Fiscal Responsibility • Support Small Business • Accessible to Public WORKING FOR ALL OF UNION COUNTY Paid for by Beverage for Commissioner DONNA BEVERAGE FOR C OUNTY C OMMISSIONER WE HAVE MOVED MOVE VED TO ISLAND CITY! �� �oise ��s��de� we �now ou� e���o�ees ��e ou� Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC �os� ���u�b�e �sse�s� �o we Dr. o��e� �o��e�i�i�e ��� �nd 541-963-WELL ��e�� he���h �nd �in�n�i�� bene�i�s �o �oin ou� �� �oise ��s��de� we �now ou� e���o�ees ��e ou� �os� ���u�b�e �sse�s� �o we o��e� �o��e�i�i�e ��� �nd ��odu��ion �e��� www.DrHugulet.com ��e�� he���h �nd �in�n�i�� bene�i�s �o �oin ou� ��odu��ion �e��� Chiropractic Services DOT Physi Physicals Drug Testing Prolotherapy �oise ��s��de �� � ��s� ���e��. ��e �n�e��i��. �es�e��. ���e��en�e. st ���in� �� ����� Island City, Oregon �n�e��i��. ���e��en�e. 10505 ���e��. West 1 �es�e��. Street, reet, Suite B, ����� �������� �h��’s how we do do business. business. �h��’s how we �u�� ��� ���� �ui�din� �o��uni�ies whi�e bui�din� ���ee�s. �ui�din� �o��uni�ies whi�e bui�din� ���ee�s. �� �oise ��s��de� we �now ou� e���o�ees ��e ou� ����� �� b�.�o�����ee�s �os� ���u�b�e �sse�s� �o we o��e� �o��e�i�i�e ��� �nd �� � ��s� ��e� �nd ���in� �� ����� ��e�� he���h �in�n�i�� bene�i�s �o �oin ou� ��odu��ion �e��� ����� �������� A Very Sincere and Special Thanks to ALL ����� �� b�.�o�����ee�s who made this ����� move possible: �n�e��i��. ���e��. �es�e��. ���e��en�e. �� � ��s� ��e� ���in� �� �h��’s how we do business. �ui�din� �o��uni�ies whi�e bui�din� ���ee�s. �oise ��s��de �o�o �us� be in��uded ����� �������� ����� �� b�.�o�����ee�s ��n�in� � uni�ue e�e�����hin� desi�n Alpha Technologies Contracting – Blue Summit Realty Group – o ��u��es�ed ���ou� �o �he �e��� ��in�ed in �o�o� Mountain West Moving & Storage Patty Glaze ��so �����hed� �oise ���e�s ��s��de �o�o �us� be in��uded you say e�e�����hin� All Phase Electrical Contracting True Construction ��n�in� – � (can uni�ue desi�n o ��u��es�ed ���ou� �o �he �e��� AWESOME): John Wagner; Ken H; Carter’s Custom Cleaning ��in�ed in �o�o� Scott D; Kade K; Shad G; Kenny D. R&A Fire Extinguisher ���e�s ��so �����hed� And a host of other “behind the sc scene” helpers – You know who you are! �� � ��s� ��e� ���in� �� ����� ����� �������� �oise ��s��de �o�o �us� be in��uded ��n�in� � uni�ue e�e�����hin� desi�n o ��u��es�ed ���ou� �o �he �e��� ��in�ed in �o�o� ���e�s ��so �����hed�
