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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2020)
RECORDS AND MORE SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Meetings Daniel B. Girdner • LA GRANDE — The Blue Mountain Translator District Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. via phone and video confer- ence. Members of the public may participate via phone (dial Conference Number: 253- 215-8782 and use Meeting ID: 89434971892). The meeting will be streamed live at www. bmtd.org/now. Meeting mate- rials will be posted online prior to the meeting at www. bmtd.org/public-notice. 1969-2020 • Formerly of Cove Honors La Grande residents earn master’s degrees SALT LAKE CITY — Sabri- na Coggins and Shauna Kret- schmer, both of La Grande, earned a degree from West- ern Governors University. Coggins received a master of science degree in nursing, leadership and management (BSN to MSN). Kretschmer received a master of science degree in special education. WGU is an online, nonprofi t university and has graduated more than 190,000 students from across the country since its inception in 1997. Designed to meet the needs of busy working adults, WGU’s com- petency-based model makes it possible for students to set their own study schedules. Daniel Bryan Girdner, 50, formerly of Cove, died May 28. Daniel was born Dec. 17, 1969, in La Grande and grew up in Cove. He earned a degree in drafting and worked for a time for an architect. Daniel loved basketball and was a Phoenix Suns fan. One of his greatest moments was going to Russia where he taught basketball to kids attending a camp in Siberia. When Daniel was diag- nosed with muscular dys- trophy, he quickly learned lessons in perseverance, endurance and humility. Daniel had a sincere heart for others. He was an inspi- ration to everyone he met, and everyone was his friend. Family meant every- thing to him. Daniel had a quirky sense of humor and a great laugh and was spontaneous with his antics. His faith in God was what gave him the strength to face each day with his contagious smile. He leaves behind a legacy of strength and determination. Surviving relatives include his parents, Robert and Charlotte Girdner; sisters, RuthAnn Zigler, Sharon Markum and Nancy Acord; brother, Ste- phen Girdner; three nieces and nine nephews; and eight great-nieces and six great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Esthermarie. THE OBSERVER — 3A PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Upcoming local services WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 8:03 a.m. — A caller reported a stoplight was malfunctioning at the intersection of Island Avenue and Walton Road, Island City. The dispatch center advised the Oregon Department of Transportation about it. 1:59 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a report of neglected horses on the 800 block of North Eighth Avenue, Elgin. 2:27 p.m. — A caller reported goats on the loose on the 69500 block of Heritage Lane, Cove. The animal enforcement offi cer contacted their owner, who agreed to retrieve them. 3:39 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of two dogs inside a hot vehicle on the 3000 block of Island Avenue. The vehicle was gone by the time the animal enforcement offi cer arrived. 5:11 p.m. — A caller reported dogs in a hot car on the 1900 block of Cove Avenue, La Grande. The animal enforce- ment offi cer resolved the problem. 5:33 p.m. — A caller reported Aug. 2 — KEITH WALKER: 1 p.m. outdoor memorial service, Spring Creek. Aug. 15 — PAUL WAGONER: 11 a.m. celebration of life, Indian Rock; casual dress pre- ferred. Aug. 29 — MIKE MAY: 4 p.m. memorial service, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande; please wear masks and respect social distancing. — Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Menus Brief Ladd canyon paving starts Sunday LA GRANDE — The free- way improvements in the Ladd Canyon area will con- tinue with concrete paving the night of Sunday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Aug. 6. Crews will work from about 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., and electrical work will continue for lighting and a weather information system. Work crews also will close the eastbound slow lane one evening this week to smooth out the bumps in that lane going through the work zone. ODOT also asks drivers to use caution on the Ladd Creek Road off-ramp, which will have a gravel surface un- til paving work in late August or early September. THURSDAY, JULY 30 7:50 a.m. — Cattle were loose in the area of the 62100 block of Igo Lane, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and contacted the owner of the cattle. 1:46 p.m. — A Union resident on the 400 block of East Fulton Street reported possible mail theft. 4:23 p.m. — A caller reported loose livestock in the area of the 69500 block of Heritage Lane, Cove. 6:27 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of animal abuse on the 500 block of Detroit Street, Elgin. The subjects were not abusing the dog, but the deputy warned them for trespassing. 11:48 p.m. — La Grande po- lice received a complaint about a loud party on the 1200 block of V Avenue. Real ID now available by appointment Union County Senior Center lunch menu Pickup 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 suggest- ed donation; all others, $5. AUG. 3-7 Monday: pork sliders, steak fries, coleslaw, fresh fruit, cookies. Tuesday: chicken pot pie, salad greens, cottage cheese, fresh fruit, cookies. Wednesday: honey-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad, fresh bread, fruit, dessert. Thursday: hand-crafted pizza, Caesar salad, fruit, cookies. Friday: turkey-bacon-av- ocado wraps or shrimp croissant sandwiches, broc- coli-raisin salad, fruit, chips. a dead cow at Union Junction Lane and Curtis Road, Union. 6 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a report of a burglary on a non-residen- tial structure on the 73000 block of Catherine Creek Lane, Union. By Sabrina Thompson The Observer Photo contributed by Robin Maille Robin Maille sews masks to help provide 1,000 masks for the La Grande School District. Sewing up 1,000 masks for La Grande schools By Sabrina Thompson The Observer LA GRANDE — Com- munity members and busi- nesses have made at least 290 masks for students and staff in the La Grande School District. Oregon State Univer- sity Extension Service Family and Community Health Program is leading the effort to provide cloth masks for the upcoming school year with Robin Maille, an assistant pro- fessor of practice in the program, coordinating the project. The La Grande School District initially asked Maille to help fi nd 1,500 masks, but lowered the amount to 1,000. “You can be creative with these cloth masks,” Maille said. “These masks are more sustainable and a good investment.” Maille has received donations from businesses and community members and is sewing masks to help add to the collection. She also helps those making masks with getting fabric and materials. She said it is important to have masks available for those who may not have one or for those who forget them. “A lot of kids will come already with masks, but kids lose things all of the time,” Maille said. “Having a stock of these masks will be important when people forget or lose their own.” The La Grande School District will start the year with distance learning, but Maille said she still is col- lecting masks for when the school district does reopen. “We are going to reopen at some point, so this is a good way to be prepared,” Maille said. SALEM — Oregonians can obtain Real IDs when renewing or applying for driver’s licenses or identi- fi cation cards. Real IDs came out of the Real ID Act that Con- gress passed in 2005 to establish federal secu- rity standards for driver’s licenses and other forms of identifi cation. Starting in October 2021, anyone entering federal build- ings, nuclear power plants or boarding a commercial airliners will have to show either a military ID, stan- dard ID and passport or a Real ID. Oregon is the last state in the union to comply with the federal law. The Oregon Legisla- ture objected to the fed- eral unfunded mandate and passed a bill banning the state from spending any money to become Real ID compliant. The Legislature in 2017, how- ever, passed a bill that Sen. Bill Hansell spon- sored to allow Oregon to move toward compliance. The Republican from Athena said Real ID is not a requirement but has benefi ts. “If you don’t want it, you don’t have to get it,” Hansell said. “I think, though, that it is going to be a real asset to Oregonians.” Obtaining a Real ID for the fi rst time requires an in-person appointment at an Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Services offi ce and proof of iden- tity, proof of Social Secu- rity number and proof of address. “Appointments are how we’re limiting the number of people inside DMV offi ces for safe social dis- tancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” DMV spokesperson David House said. “We are requiring appointments for all forms of ID issu- ance and a few other ser- vices that must be done in person, but all other ser- vices must be done online or by mail. We have no idea how long we’ll need to limit in-person visits and by appointment only, but it’s likely to be months because we have a huge backlog due to COVID-19.” The DMV issued 10,990 Real ID licenses, permits and ID cards from July 6-27. This is 35% of the 31,342 issuances of all types of cards during that time. The DMV estimates one-third of Oregonians are choosing the Real ID option. Collaboration serves Pacifi c Islander community FAMILY OWNED The Observer Masks and food boxes were distributed to the Pacifi c Islander community by mem- bers of the Eastern Oregon Chapter of the COFA Alliance National Network, with help from donated food from Community Connection and Nella Mae’s Farm. northwestfurnitureandmattress.com Photo submitted by Eastern Oregon University the Eastern Oregon Chapter of the COFA Alliance National Network worked with other partners and dis- tributed more than 14,000 masks to historically mar- ginalized community mem- bers in Eastern Oregon. In addition, Commu- nity Connection of North- east Oregon helped provide much-needed food boxes to families, serving more than 300 people altogether, and Nella Mae’s Farm, Cove, donated fresh produce for marginalized families and Eastern Oregon University students. The Howard Family Steel on the inside where it matters most. Shops Garages Commercial Industrial www.WSBNW.com 855 • 668 • 7211 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City Sandy, OR An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 S199235-1 LA GRANDE — When the pandemic hit Union County and the sudden surge in numbers escalated, Union County became a priority for Pacifi c Islander leaders statewide, according to a press release from Eastern Oregon University. Organizations such as the COFA Alliance National Network and United Territories of Pacifi c Islanders Alliance Portland worked with Oregon Health Authority and the state’s Asian Pacifi c Islander Com- munity Support Sub-Com- mittee to collaborate on addressing the needs of Pacifi c Islanders in Union County, some of whom “were experiencing micro- aggression and stigma in addition to the lack of basic needs from COVID-19 impacted unemployment issues,” the press release stated. Through these efforts, 30,000 masks were brought to Union County to help support communities of color and other vulnerable populations. Members of 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 would like to thank everyone for the calls, cards, flowers and moral support with the loss of our beloved son and brother. Paul will always be a part of our lives. Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
