The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current, July 25, 2020, Image 3

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The Observer., July 25, 2020, Page 3, Image 3

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Newspaper Page TextRECORDS AND MORE SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2020 OBITUARIES NEWS BRIEFS Panhandle Rodeo and Fair canceled Jack R. Hackney Upcoming local services 1942-2020 • Elgin HALFWAY — Melody Huff tried to remain optimistic that not even a pandemic could stop an event that’s been a Baker County summer tradition for almost a century. The Baker County Fair and Panhandle Rodeo at Halfway was set to celebrate its 99th year during the Labor Day weekend. (The event is separate from the Baker County Fair in Baker City, scheduled for the ﬁ rst week of August.) “We were excited,” said Huff, who’s in her second year as president of the Pine Valley Fair Association. But as the number of COVID-19 cases began to rise in Oregon, and Gov. Kate Brown set a limit of 10 people attending indoor social gatherings, Huff’s opti- mism confronted reality. Last week the Fair Association’s board of directors and members, about 20 people in all, met in Halfway to dis- cuss the situation. Huff said the con- sensus was clear. The association voted to cancel the fair and rodeo. The youth live- stock show and sale will happen on Sept. 6, prob- ably as a virtual event in which children will record videos of the ani- mals they have raised, and bidding done online. Krischele Whitnah, the livestock superintendent, said she is working on the details of that event. Huff said the imped- iments to putting on the fair and rodeo were insurmountable. She said she had talked with organizers of the Haines Stampede Rodeo, which took place July 3 and 4. She said the changes made in Haines due to the pandemic, including sanitizing the bleachers, would not have been pos- sible in Halfway. The reason, she said, is that many volunteers are older than 60, in the higher-risk group for severe complications from the virus. The obstacle for the fair is the limit on the number of people who can attend an indoor event, Huff said. With just 10 people allowed in the exhibit hall the event just isn’t practical, she said. “It’s just not going to work,” Huff said. In addition to the spe- ciﬁ c challenges with the rodeo and fair, Huff said an overriding concern was the possibility that a child could become infected while partici- pating in the fair. Hydropower topic of Brown Bag ENTERPRISE — A virtual Brown Bag Lunch Tuesday, July 28, will feature Matt King, Renewable Energy Pro- gram manager at Wal- lowa Resources Commu- nity Solutions Inc. King will address the fast-growing, small, hydroelectric-generation programs happening now in Wallowa County. Rich Wandschneider, library director at the Joseph Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph, announced the center is going back to holding two Brown Bags each month, and for now they will all be Zoom. To participate in the July 28 presentation, join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/5208664824, with Meeting ID: 520 866 4824. — EO Media Group Jack Raymond Hackney, 77, of Elgin, died July 17 of heart failure. No service is planned at this time. Jack was born Aug. 25, 1942, in Pasco, Washington, to Albert and Rose (DeRan- leau) Hackney. In 1961, he graduated from Grandview High School, where he played football. Jack joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962 and retired as a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served three tours in Vietnam and was awarded multiple medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. Jack spent his retirement traveling on his motor- cycle, visiting campsites July 25 — DAVE MURRILL: 11 a.m. grave- side service, Enterprise Cemetery. — Calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande across the U.S. and Canada, including Nova Scotia. He loved to go on the annual Motorcycle Christmas Toy Run and participated in the Memorial Day Run for the Wall motorcycle ride to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Jack never met a stranger. He was a giving person and was always willing to lend a hand. In 1991, when a F5 tornado hit the Wichita, Kansas, area, he helped 19 of his neighbors repair their roofs before repairing his own. He passed peacefully with his ﬁ rst and last love, Sue Baird, nearby. Survivors include his daughter, Jeanne Beckman of Wichita, Kansas; son, Johnny Hackney of Justin, Texas; stepson, Thai Tran of Arlington, Texas; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sisters, Judy Oberding of Pasco, Washington, and Kathy Roberts of Vancouver, Washington; brother, Gary Hackney of Bur- bank, Washington; and former brother-in-law, Rick Roberts of Richland, Washington. Online condolences PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT TUESDAY 6:17 a.m. — Emergency medical services and the Union County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce responded to the 72400 block of Palmer Junction Road, Elgin, for a trafﬁ c crash. 10:06 a.m. — A La Grande resident reported an ex-boyfriend continued to make unwanted contact. 3:09 p.m. — A caller reported animal cruelty on the 2200 block of Island Avenue, La Grande. The animal enforcement ofﬁ cer arrived, found the animals in question were not in distress and talked to their owners. 7:02 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a possible sex crime. 8:41 p.m. — A resident of the 800 block of West Arch Street, Union, reported dogs that have killed chickens were in the yard. 9:35 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 3200 block of Union Street on a com- plaint about vandalism. Police took a report. 10:19 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the 63400 block of Gekeler Lane, La Grande, to assist ﬁ reﬁ ght- ers with a possible ﬂ are up of a site that was on ﬁ re that morning. WEDNESDAY 12:38 a.m. — A male yelling outside on the 1200 block of Eighth Street, La Grande, prompted a call to police. Ofﬁ cers respond- ed and found the person, who agreed to be quiet. 10:21 a.m. — A caller complained about a code violation on the 2300 block of Jeffer- son Avenue, La Grande. 10:24 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce received a call about animal neglect at Cedar Street and Fifth Avenue, Elgin. 1:01 p.m. — Union County sheriff’s dep- uties responded to the 2400 block of Riddle Road, La Grande, on a report of a domestic disturbance. Deputies arrived and separated the parties. 1:34 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of possible child abuse. 8:56 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce responded to a report of domestic violence on the 300 block of North 10th Street, Elgin. The sheriff’s ofﬁ ce arrest- ed Robert Leon Trump, 52, of Elgin, on accusations of fourth-degree assault and strangulation. THURSDAY 6:31 a.m. — A caller reported a possible transient camp at Pioneer Park, La Grande. Police planned to provide extra patrols for the park. 1:48 p.m. — And the Union County Sher- iff’s Ofﬁ ce received a report of a transient camp in the Umatilla National Forest off Summit Road, La Grande. A deputy will follow up. 3:44 p.m. — A caller in Elgin reported possible sex abuse. A Union County sheriff’s deputy will follow up. 5:57 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce received a report of a domestic disturbance on the 70 block of North Eighth Avenue, Elgin. A deputy responded and explained options. 7:48 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1100 block of Jefferson Avenue for a possible drunk driver. Ofﬁ cers arrested Gerald Orlan Dudek, 77, of North Powder, on accusations of driving under the inﬂ uence of intoxicants, felony driving while suspend- ed and hit-and-run. 9:29 p.m. — A caller reported a mentally ill person was wandering around La Grande in the area of Albany Street and R Avenue. 975-2000 everyone she met. Survivors include her sons, Bailey Allen and Leonydis Andrew of Elgin; partner of eight years, Mart Van Dine; mother, Shawna Roba of Elgin; honorary dad, Glenn Moodenbaugh; brother, Jimm Roba of John Day; sister, Jeannie Little of Hillsboro; grand- parents, Jim and Bettie Currie of Prineville; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Terry D. Mentgen Elgin Terry D. Mentgen, 66, of Elgin, died July 22 at Providence St. Mary Med- ical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. coupled with mask and phys- ical distancing requirements, makes Library Take-Out(side) a lower risk event. If you don’t have a mask, the library will provide one, and library staff will limit the number of browsers at one time. To avoid having to disinfect and quarantine the browsing collection, visitors will need to slip on a pair of food han- dler gloves before they start browsing, which will be avail- able along with hand sanitizer. For those who prefer to place holds online or to call and request items, Library Take-Out(side) remains an option. Go online at www. cookmemoriallibrary.org to place holds on items you want or call 541-962-1339 and tell us what you want. Once your order has been conﬁ rmed, you can pick up your items Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon or 4-6 p.m. For more information about library resources, go to cook- memoriallibrary.org. Eagle Cap Shooters hold AR-15 target shoot ENTERPRISE — Eight AR-15 enthusiasts participated in this year’s AR-15 Target Shoot at the Eagle Cap Shooters Asso- ciation range on Ant Flat Road on Saturday, July 18. Targets were placed at distances of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards. The match required a mixture of standing, sitting and kneeling using various bags and barricades — with participants ﬁ ring 10 rounds per stage. There were two classes: iron sights and scoped riﬂ es. Mike Musia won the scoped blue ribbon and a silver dollar. Steel on the inside where it matters most. Shops Garages Commercial Industrial www.WSBNW.com 855 • 668 • 7211 Sandy, OR S199149-1 Staff photo by Phil Wright Lisa Hill says the outdoor labyrinth she helped create at Fifth Street and Spring Avenue, La Grande, remains a place the public can use to relieve some stress. 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.) MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst Natasha “Tasha” Gail Roba, 35, of Elgin, died July 20 at her residence. At her sons’ request, there will not be a service. Known as Tasha, she was born July 8, 1985, in John Day, to Edward and Shawna (Huggins) Roba. Tasha loved crafting and enjoyed spending time out- doors. She would say her greatest accomplishment was giving this world two wonderful sons, whom she loved very much. Tasha always gave 110% and always put others ﬁ rst. She had kind words for EO Media Group www.lagrandeautorepair.com ACDelcoTSS 1985-2020 • Elgin LA GRANDE — Browsing the stacks at the Cook Memo- rial Library is coming back — in a fashion. “While we continue to ready our building for the day we can ﬁ nally welcome you back inside, we decided we needed to ﬁ nd a way to allow you to be able to browse for books, audiobooks, and movies,” Library director Kip Roberson said in a press release. The La Grande public library is introducing Library Take-Out(side) on Tuesday, July 28 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to coincide with La Grande Farmers Market hours. The “library” will be set up on the sidewalk just outside the main entrance at Fourth Street and Adams Avenue. Browsing will be available every Tuesday afternoon, weather permitting. Outdoor events are safer than indoor events when it comes to contracting the coro- navirus. Roberson in the press release said being outdoors, The Obsever La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR Natasha ‘Tasha’ G. Roba The Observer By Phil Wright LA GRANDE — Lisa Hill recounted when she and a local group created the walking labyrinth a few blocks from downtown La Grande. “We went around and found donated bricks from people,” she said. That was around 2004, she said, and the bricks out- line the walking path in the grassy lot at the corner of Fifth Street and Spring Avenue and lead to a center featuring wooden seating under a young tree. She said she has three regulars who walk the path. Given the stress people are feeling because of the coro- navirus pandemic, Hill said she wanted to remind locals the small park is a place that can relieve stress and bring a sense of tranquility. Hill also said she works to maintain the labyrinth, such as clearing grass and whatnot from the bricks, which are starting to show their age. She said she would welcome any help with that work, and she welcomes anyone to take a moment, walk the path and have a rest in the labyrinth’s center. may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Cook Memorial Library oﬀ ers outdoor browsing Outdoor labyrinth available to public 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 An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey THE OBSERVER — 3A 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed