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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2020)
COMMUNITY TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Meetings Jack M. Cochran • UNION — The Union Rural Fire Protection District’s budget committee meeting begins at 7 p.m. today in the fi re hall. Contact Kim George at 541-910-3114 for more in. • LA GRANDE — A public meeting of the Union County Fair Board will be held Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. in the Courtright Building at the Union County Fair- grounds. Due to current social distancing require- ments, there will be a limit of 25 people allowed at the meeting. For more informa- tion, email Heather Rajkovich at rhrajkovich6212@outook. com. • LA GRANDE — The May 27 La Grande School District Board’s work session has been canceled because there are no topics to discuss. Briefs Advice offered on safe practices during Phase 1 reopening UNION COUNTY — While Phase 1 of reopening is now underway, the community is urged to follow social distancing guidelines to continue to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Among the advice being offered, Grande Ronde Hos- pital released a video on its Facebook page highlighting how to continue to stay safe with the Phase 1 reopening plan. Also, Union County Commissioner Matt Scarfo addressed the county’s vulnerable population in a video on the NE Oregon Joint Information Center’s Facebook page. In the video, he states that it will be up to each individual to evaluate their personal risk factors and risk tolerance. People who are older, or have underly- ing health conditions should consider continuing to stay home. Both videos are avail- able for viewing at www. facebook.com/NEOJointIn- formationCenter. City announces reopenings, cancellation LA GRANDE — The City of La Grande Parks & Recreation Department announced the following changes became effective Monday, May 18: • Morgan Lake is open for day use and camping. Restrooms will be sanitized once per day. • All in-town park re- strooms are open and will be sanitized by Parks staff twice per day. Soap and/or sanitizer will be provided in all park re- strooms. Restrooms may be closed again if soap and/or sanitizer is lost or damaged. • The skate park at Pio- neer Park is open with social distancing requirements. • The Pee Wee Soccer league has been canceled. Parents are instructed to check their emails for instruc- tion. Correction Ron Bruce is the owner of Bud Jackson’s Eatery and Taps, La Grande. The Observ- er misidentifi ed the owner in the May 16 edition article, “Union County reopens for business.’’ The Observer regrets the error. Formerly of La Grande • 1936-2020 Jack Melvin Cochran, 84, formerly of La Grande, died May 13 at Hospice House in Kennewick, Washington. Smart Cre- mation is handling the cremation. Jack was born Jan. 3, 1936, in Klamath Falls, to Cliff and Helen Cochran. They moved to La Grande in 1938. During junior high and high school, Jack played every sport possible. He won the Barrett trophy for most outstanding senior ath- lete in 1954, and his name is on the Wall of Fame at La Grande High School. He played minor league baseball for the La Grande Raiders his sophomore through senior years. After high school, he went on to play baseball at Yakima Community College, then transferred to Southern Oregon to play basketball On Aug. 19th 1956, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Janet Marie Coats. They were married for more than 63 years. Jack was a loving husband, father ENTERPRISE — The Enterprise Public Library, closed since the COVID-19 outbreak hit Oregon, will begin reopening in a modi- fi ed fashion Monday. The library will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday-Thursday. Patrons can contact the library for porch or parking lot pick-up of new materials. Some other library ser- vices returning to Wallowa County: The holds function has been turned on for Enter- prise. You can browse the online card catalog and place items on hold, catalog.sage. eou.edu Interlibrary loan also will resume Monday, though it may take longer to fi ll holds because some libraries are The Observer LA GRANDE — The Friends of The Historic Union Community Hall announced on Sunday it received a $5,000 technical assistance grant from The Ford Family Foundation to help establish the former Union United Methodist Church into a community and arts center. The newly formed non- profi t in Union working to establish the former church into a community and arts center. Cherie Kausler with organization said the fund could arrive this week. “We’re pretty excited,” she said. The former Union United Methodist Church, with its outstanding stained glass windows and unique wood-adorned chapel, has been a center for the com- munity for more than 100 years. In addition to church services, the building has been made available to the public for events, classes, weddings and more until its closure in 2019. Saving the landmark building on Union’s Main Street from deteriora- tion will be a monumental Observer fi le photo The United Methodist Church in Union awaits new life as the nonprofi t Friends of the Historic Union Community Hall received a $5,000 grant to study the feasibility of con- verting the church into a new communtiy center. task, according to the press release from the Friends of The Historic Union Com- munity Hall. The local nonprofi t formed after a signature drive in Union resulted in a signifi cant number of com- munity members demon- strating support for the cre- ation of a community and arts center. Kausler said the tech- nical assistance grant will cover the cost of a feasi- bility study about the pur- chase and sustainability of converting the old church into a community center. The organization also reported it is in search of stories and photos about the former Union United Meth- odist Church. If you have any, email image and sto- ries to HistoricUnionCom- munityHall@gmail.com. For more information about The Friends of The Historic Union Community Hall or to support please see https://historicunion- communityhall.blogspot. com/ or email Historic UnionCommunityHall@ gmail.com. Josephy pioneers virtual art exhibit By Ellen Morris Bishop EO Media Group JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will present the upcoming virtual exhibit and catalog, “Three Journeys: Mike Koloski, Leslie LeViner and Mary Edwards.” The exhibit will begin Friday, June 12 and end July 28, with a virtual Zoom celebration on June 19 at 5 p.m. While putting this exhibit together, with COVID-19 stay-home order and the effects it has had on businesses, Edwards said the Josephy Center could offer prints in an online auc- tion to support the Wallowa County Business Fund. Each artist has selected a specifi c piece for the online auction and will be featured on the Josephy Center web- site: www.josephy.org. Bid- ding began Monday and ends on June 19 at 6 p.m. Leslie Leviner is offering “Spring Below Mount Joseph” (original size is 12 inches by 12 inches), Mike Koloski is featuring “Rock Art” and Edwards selected a panorama print. “The Hurricane” (original size 14 inches by 34 inches). Starting bid is $25 and can be raised in $5 increments. In addition to the silent auction, Mike Koloski is offering archival reproduc- not staffed or only partially open. Staff will gather and package those items and contact the patron for pick up, placing items on the front porch at selected times or bringing them to patrons in the parking lot. Those without internet access or who don’t feel comfortable using SageCat can call the library at 541- 426-3906. You also can email enterpl@eoni.com, or message the library via Facebook. All returns must be put in the book drop. Staff is not allowed to take returns from patrons at this time. If Wallowa County remains at the current healthy status, this plan will be in place from Monday through June 8. tions of his painting “Los- tine River – The View from Pole Bridge” to donors who contribute their stim- ulus checks of $1,200 to the business fund. The size will be 14.75 inches by 19 inches and does not include matte and framing. To be eligible to receive a print, donate at Wal- lowa Resources website, www.wallowaresources. org, and type “Josephy Print” in the gift notes box. You also can mail checks to 401 N.E. First St., Suite A, Enterprise, OR 97828. Make the check out to Wal- lowa Resources, and write “WCBF, Josephy Print” under the memo line. JoAnn Rae (Needham) Croteau November 24, 1961 - May 2, 2020 by his parents, Cliff and Helen Cochran. David E. Graham Union David E. Graham, 55, of Union, died May 16 at his residence. Arrangements are being handled by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. An Independent Insurance Agency 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 Upcoming local services are pending due to efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Thomas Renton La Grande Thomas Renton, 74, of La Grande, died May 18 at his residence. Arrange- ments are being handled by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FRIDAY 11:59 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrest- ed David Michael Denham, 27, no fi xed address, for second-degree theft and trespassing, both misdemean- ors, and for second-degree burglary and fi rst-degree theft, both felonies. 1:09 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrest- ed Skylar Hunter Bullard, 18, of La Grande, for misdemean- ors of fourth-degree assault, strangulation and fi rst-degree trespassing. 12:56 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a motorcycle theft on the 1400 block of N Avenue. 4:44 p.m. — A caller report- ed a person was acting dis- orderly at Greenwood Street and Monroe Avenue. Police counseled the subject. 8:50 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1600 block of Albany Street for someone causing a distur- bance. Police warned one person for disorderly conduct. 9:09 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the 700 block of North 10th Avenue, Elgin, for a disturbance and warned two people. 11:18 p.m. — A caller com- plained about a loud party on the fi rst block of Second Street, La Grande. An offi cer responded, and the party-go- ers agreed to keep it down. 11:23 p.m. — La Grande po- lice responded to a call about a rape. Police took a report. SATURDAY 8:16 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrest- ed Mark Alan Paxton, 49, of La Grande, for fi rst-degree theft and second-degree burglary, both felonies, and second- degree theft. 4:12 p.m. — A Union Coun- ty sheriff’s deputy handled a call about two males fi ghting on South Eighth Avenue, Elgin. 6:58 p.m. — A North Powder resident on the 69400 block of Telocaset Lane report- ed a dog chased her calves. 9:06 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a loud party on the 1600 block of Jefferson Street. An offi cer responded and talked to the subjects about the noise level. 11:59 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2500 block of Adams Avenue on a report of vandalism to a vehi- cle. Police cited a 45-year-old man for criminal mischief and trespassing. SUNDAY 5:53 a.m. — La Grande emergency services respond- ed to Standley Lane and Hunter Road for a vehicle crash that may have injured at least one person. 9:35 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1900 block of Third Street on a ha- rassment complaint regarding someone with mental illness. 6:40 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a possible prowler on the 1300 block of O Avenue. Police planned to provide extra patrols. 6:50 p.m. — A caller report- ed an intoxicated pedestrian on the 1000 block of 12th Street, La Grande. An offi cer checked but did not fi nd the person. 7:21 p.m. — Another call to La Grande police reported an intoxicated pedestrian, this time at Washington Avenue and 12th Street. Again, police checked the scene to no avail. 8:35 p.m. — Law enforce- ment responded to the 1800 block of G Avenue, La Grande, for a disturbance, and police warned one person for disor- derly conduct. FAMILY OWNED 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com Starting the funnest phase of your life JoAnn Rae (Needham) Croteau passed away May 2, 2020. She was born to Raymond and Berneva Needham in La Grande, OR on November 24, 1961. On June 13, 1987 she married Ken Croteau of Portland and enjoyed 32 years of marriage to the love of her life. She raised her family in Newberg, OR. JoAnn was a dedicated mother, loving wife and daughter whose kindness and calm demeanor made those surrounding her always feel at ease. JoAnn was an educator; teaching elementary school to the children of Helix, OR and St. Paul, OR over the course of her career. JoAnn was an accomplished gardener and incredible cook who had a talent for bringing her family together with food. Those left to cherish her memories include her mother Berneva, husband Ken, and children Raymond, Lauren and Anthony Croteau. Services will be held at a later date. Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey and grandfather. Jack retired in 1990 from William’s Company after 32 years as “Superintendent Jack.” He and Janet have lived on the Sunwillow Golf Course in Pasco, Wash- ington, for 20 years, where he loved playing golf every day with his friends. Surviving relatives include his wife, Janet of Pasco; son, Jim of Kenne- wick; daughter and son- in-law, Jayne and Jeff Pat- terson of La Grande; two grandchildren; sister, Carole Sawyer of Lake Oswego; and two nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death Union group receives grant for community hall project Enterprise library to resume some services EO Media Group THE OBSERVER — 3A PROTECTING our Residents during this Pandemic 1809 Gekeler Ln. La Grande 541-963-4700 Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed