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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2020)
COMMUNITY TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Briefs Wyden announces virtual town hall Thursday PORTLAND — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden will have a live online town hall on June 25 hosted by Town Hall Project for residents of Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Morrow counties. To watch the virtual regional town hall beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, go to the Town Hall Project’s Facebook page. A link there to the video is available to people who don’t have a Facebook account. Residents of Uma- tilla, Union, Wallowa and Morrow counties who would like to participate by asking Wyden a question can email info@townhallproject.com for instructions. Wyden has postponed in-person town halls until there are clear-cut public health guidelines that a large open-to-all public meeting poses no unusual health risk for Oregonians. The virtual June 25 town hall hosted by Town Hall Project is the fi fth in a series of six regional town halls Wyden is planning for Oregonians throughout the state until in-person town halls can safely resume. UC Democrats plan virtual membership meeting LA GRANDE — The Union County Democratic Party will have a membership meeting July 1. The virtual meeting will be held via Zoom begin- ning at 6 p.m. To register for the meeting, call Randy Knop at 541-562-6289 or send your email contact information, address and phone number to rknop@eoni.com. Details are available at www.union. oregondemocrats.org. Learn about Girls Scouts at online meeting THE OBSERVER — 3A Deborah D. (Dinesen) Brock 1960-2020 • La Grande Deborah Dawn Brock, 59, of La Grande, died June 18 at her residence after fi ghting a valiant battle with cancer. A viewing will be held 9-11 a.m. June 24 at Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande. Masks are requested, and no more than fi ve people at a time will be permitted in the chapel. A graveside ser- vice will begin at 2 p.m. the same day at the Enterprise Cemetery. A memorial ser- vice is planned for July 6 in La Grande. Deborah was born July 10, 1960, at Fort Hood, Texas, to Leslie Eugene and Barbara Ann (Morris) Dinesen. She resided in Yuma, Arizona, during her youth; in Gillette, Wyo- ming, as a young adult; and in La Grande for the last 18 years. She married Elbert Brock on Oct. 13, 1999, in Buffalo, Wyoming. Although Deborah’s life was fraught with med- ical illnesses, which caused much suffering throughout her life, she was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and wife. She cherished her nieces and nephews. Surviving relatives include her mother and stepfather, Barbara and Errol Roberts of La Grande; sisters, Cynthia Lynn Vliem and husband, Dave, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Melodie Anne Dinesen of La Grande, and Stephanie Hope Shaul of La Grande; brother, Steven Lee Dinesen of Boise, Idaho; and fi ve nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Merl and Anne Morris; father, Leslie Eugene “Denny” Dinesen; and hus- band, Elbert Brock. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. John L. Driessen 1943-2020 • Elgin John Leo Driessen, 76, of Elgin, died June 13 at his home. At his request there will not be a service. A family gathering will be held later in the summer. John was born July 17, 1943, in Great Falls, Mon- tana, to Leo Donahue and Eleanor Gunvar (Hemstad) Driessen. John was an only child and grew up on the family farm outside of Conrad, Montana, in a one-bedroom house. From the time he was three years old John slept in the bunk- house, and in the summer he and his grandpa Hem- stad enjoyed many laughs while his grandpa stayed with the family. John worked in mining, farmed most of his life and was a great mechanic. He loved music, camping, fi shing and gold mining. In his 76 years, he never met a person who was a stranger. John played the guitar and accordion and loved to dance, and no one could jit- terbug like he could. In 1965 John married Sharon Mitchell. The couple enjoyed a shared love of music and were in a band in their early marriage. They had two children, Shawna and Lee, and raised them on the family farms in Plummer and Weiser, Idaho. Their children have many memories growing up of snowmobiling, fi shing, road trips and musical gatherings at the family home. John worked and man- aged the experimental farm from 1987-2000 for the USDA, Agricul- ture Research Service in Pullman, Washington. While there he assisted in the design and performed nearly all the construction of three experimental cross- slot no-till drills, which have become an important part of soil conservation in the agricultural industry. John was excited and proud of his involvement in this project. In 2012 John married Jan Bauer in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They enjoyed dancing, camping and fi shing trips with family and belonged to a gold mining club. They also LA GRANDE — Due to the sudden Union County out- break of confi rmed COVID-19 cases, the La Grande’s Parks and Recreation Department closed all park restrooms, Veterans’ Memorial Pool and Summer Day Camp programs. Morgan Lake remains open. Updates will be posted on the pool’s Facebook page and at www.lagrandeparks. org. Union County Farm Crawl on hold LA GRANDE — The Union County Farm Crawl originally scheduled for June 28 has been postponed due to the pandemic. Organizers hope to reschedule for late August, but the event may not take place again until 2021. La Grande Elna J. Hendricks, 90, of La Grande, died June 22 at her residence. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Gail P. Brandt La Grande Gail Patricia Brandt, 62, of La Grande, died June 20 at her residence. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Marilyn R. Rice La Grande Marilyn R. Rice, 81, of La Grande, died June 19 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by Love- June 24 — DEBORAH BROCK: 9-11 a.m. viewing (masks requested), Love- land Funeral Chapel, La Grande; 2 p.m. grave- side service, Enterprise Cemetery. June 26 — ELAINE BAUM: 2 p.m. graveside service, Hillcrest Ceme- tery, La Grande. June 27 — EUNICE SKILLINGS: 11 a.m. fu- neral, Bramlett Cemetery, Wallowa; 1 p.m. potluck, Wallowa Lions Park. — Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Elaine Baum Formerly of La Grande Elaine Baum, 90, for- merly of La Grande, died June 19 at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. June 26 at Hillcrest Cemetery. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. SATURDAY Translator district sends out annual notices Pool closed, summer camps stalled Elna J. Hendricks Upcoming local services PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT PORTLAND — The regional Girl Scouts council, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, has planned an online meeting June 25 at 6 p.m. for inter- ested girls and their parents. The organization continues to offer virtual activities and adventures during the pan- demic. For more information on the meeting and opportu- nities available, go to www. girlscoutsosw.org or email answer@girlscoutsosw.org. LA GRANDE — The Blue Mountain Translator District has mailed out annual 12-month signal liability no- tices. If you received a notice from BMTD, your property is considered liable because it is located within district boundaries, or outside of district boundaries and the presence of an antenna has been verifi ed. Payment or ex- emptions must be submitted to BMTD by May 31, 2021, to avoid the enrollment of BMTD’s $100 service charge on property tax statements in fall 2021. For more infor- mation, visit www.bmtd.org or contact the BMTD offi ce at 541-963-0196 or bmtd.org@ gmail.com. loved karaoke and laughing together. Jan took great care of John while he was sick. Surviving relatives include his wife, Jan of Elgin; daughter and son- in-law, Shawna and Randy McKinnis of Imbler; son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Sandy Driessen of Mid- land, Texas; stepson and spouse, Brian and Shelly Graham of Midvale, Idaho; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren plus one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. In lieu of fl owers, dona- tions may be made to your local dementia or Alzhei- mer’s organizations. EO Media Group fi le photo Nearly 1,800 acres of the East Moraine on the left side of Wallowa Lake now is under public ownership, and the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership is seeking public input on managing the forest. Wallowa Lake moraine group seeks public input The Observer ENTERPRISE — Wal- lowa County is asking people who use the East Moraine Community Forest on Wallowa Lake to help shape its stewardship. The Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership, composed of the county, Wallowa Land Trust, Wallowa Resources and Oregon Parks and Rec- reation Department, pur- chased the nearly-1,800 acre forest in January to protect it from develop- ment. Now with the land in public ownership, the partnership is developing management plans for for- estry, grazing, cultural resources, habitat and rec- reation, and according to the press release from the Summer solstice sky partnership, it is time for members of the public to weigh in on that manage- ment as well. Since its inception in 2011, the partner- ship has been dedicated to maintaining sustain- able working landscapes of forests and rangeland to contribute to the local economy and rural ways of life; providing public access respectful of the landscape and its scenic beauty; and protecting open space for wildlife, recreation and natural resources. “The county has a unique opportunity and responsibility to balance multiple landscape uses and potentially model these uses for future county projects and for other communities in the rural West,” stated the press release. “The information pro- vided through this survey will inform the plan and paint a more comprehen- sive picture of how the property has been used, where management oppor- tunities and challenges may occur and how we may address challenges with creative solutions.” To facilitate public comments, an online survey is available at https://oregon.qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_0IM- JPceytL5gYIt until July 17. For a paper copy, con- tact the WalloWa County Board of Commissioners offi ce at 541-426-4543. FAMILY OWNED 10:44 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1900 block of H Avenue on a report of a domestic disturbance. Police arrested Tyler John Sheridan, 29, on accusations of domestic violence, including fourth-degree assault and interfering with making a report. 12:20 p.m. — A La Grande resident told police about a tran- sient camp at Island and Adams avenues. 2:27 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2200 block of Island Avenue for a person causing a disturbance. Police did not fi nd a suspect. 5:06 p.m. — Law enforcement responded to the 11000 block of Mulholland Drive, Island City, for a domestic violence call. La Grande police and Union County sheriff’s deputies separated the parties and found the situation did not rise to the level of a crime. 7:10 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of vandalism to a vehicle on the 2300 block of Adams Avenue. 9:19 p.m. — A caller reported loud bangs at South Fourth and West Grande streets, Union. Another caller complained about a loud bang at Union Street and Harrison Avenue, La Grande. And at 10:18 p.m. a third caller reported a loud bang in the area of the 700 block of L Avenue. SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. — A caller reported a person in a mental crisis on the 100 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. Police responded and found the person was fi ne. 2:11 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of vandalism on the 1900 block of Third Street. An offi cer responded and determined there was no crime. 5:37 p.m. — A caller reported a suspicious odor in the area of the 2600 block of May Lane, La Grande. An offi cer determined the scent came from welding. 5:48 p.m. — A caller on the 2900 block of Misty Avenue, La Grande, reported fi nding a tortoise. 9:36 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the area of Union Street and Polk Avenue on a complaint about loud fi reworks. 11:07 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the 300 block of East Bryan Street, Union, on a report about a domestic disturbance. The deputy took down information. 11:13 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 300 block of 20th Street for vandalism and counseled two people. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. LESS STRESS MORE FUN! PROTECTING our Residents during this Pandemic 1809 Gekeler Ln. La Grande Ellen Morris Bishop/EO Media Group The Milky Way rises over Enterprise at about 11 p.m. Sun- day. Red hues may be due to smoke from large fi res in northern California and Arizona. 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-963-4700 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
