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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2020)
RECORDS AND MORE SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Meetings William A. Tarter • ELGIN — The Elgin School Board will meet Monday, Aug. 17. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Stella May- fi eld School’s auditorium. • BAKER CITY — The Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Aug. 18. Items on the agenda include the ORECA annual meeting, a COVID-19 update and fi nancial projec- tions. OTEC is headquartered at 4005 23rd St., Baker City. For more information, contact Michele Grove, OTEC admin- istrative assistant, at 541-524- 2853 or mgrove@otecc.com. Briefs Attention: Puzzle fans LA GRANDE — The pan- demic has meant lots of time devoted to indoor activities. For many, that includes jigsaw puzzles. If you have worked through the ones you have and are looking for more, Art Center East is hosting a puzzle exchange today, Saturday, Aug. 15. Bring a puzzle and take one home. There is a suggested donation of $5 per puzzle tak- en home or exchanged, all proceeds benefi ting the art center. Face coverings and social distancing required. ACE staff will disinfect puz- zles and surfaces. Donated puzzles are sought to keep ACE’s puzzle library stocked. To arrange a donation, contact Connie Sherrard (connsherr@gmail. com). Two seek Position 6 on LG City Council LA GRANDE — Two men are set to run for the Position 6 opening on the La Grande City Council: John Bozarth and David Moyal. Bozarth is a former member of the council. Moyal works in the fi eld of property man- agement and is a former member of the city’s budget committee. The opening was created when Jim Whitbeck resigned July 1. Voters will decide the race in the Nov. 3 general election. Art Center hosts virtual open mic next week LA GRANDE — The monthly ACE Writing Project gathering at Art Center East for August will be a commu- nity open mic, conducted via Zoom. The free event takes place Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Spectators are welcome. Writers may share fi ve-minute readings from any genre. Sign up begins at 6:45 p.m. Writers and au- dience members may email president@artcentereast.org for an invitation to access the event. William Alexander Tarter, 80, of Weiser, Idaho, and formerly of Elgin, died Aug. 3 from complications of the COVID-19 virus at St. Luke’s Nampa Med- ical Center. Cremation was by All Valley Cremation of Nampa, Idaho. A celebra- tion of his life will be held at a later date. Known by many as Bill, he was born Oct. 7, 1939, in Weiser, Idaho, to George and Nellie Tarter. He and his sister, Nancy, were raised outside of town on Mann Creek. He was a graduate of Weiser High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Bill and his former wife of 40 years, Sharron, raised three children, living in Idaho, Montana and Oregon during that time. Although a cowboy and rancher at heart, he held various other jobs during his lifetime, his favorite being long- and short-haul truck driving. A renowned square dance caller, Bill served as a guest caller at National Square Dance Conventions in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Seattle, Washington. He was also featured and fi lmed at the Birthday 200 Celebration in Missoula, Montana, on July 4, 1976. Surviving relatives include his sister, Nancy Rowen of Weiser, Idaho; daughter, Paula Stringer of Kent, Washington; sons, Mitchell Tarter of Wasilla, Alaska, and E. Scott Tarter of Enterprise; and two granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren. Local students earn place on OSU honor roll The Observer CORVALLIS — The following students hailing from North- east Oregon earned a place on the spring 2020 Oregon State University honor roll. Due to the pandemic, the students completed spring term online. Upcoming local services 1939-2020 • Formerly of Elgin Union County Elgin: Angelica M. Bouska, senior, natural resources. Island City: Marissa N. Arroyo Valenzuela, junior, Spanish. La Grande: Erin R. Alberts, senior, microbiology; Kaylee Aug. 15 — PAUL WAGONER: 11 a.m. celebration of life, Indian Rock; casual dress pre- ferred. Aug. 15 — ALIDEAN McMASTER: 2 p.m. graveside service, Hillcrest Cemetery, La Grande; face coverings required for age 2 and older. Aug. 22 — STAN CASE: 10 a.m. celebration of life, Case arena at 64066 Booth Lane, La Grande; face coverings and social distancing required; watch the livestream at www.lovelandfuner- alchapel.com (click on “Funeral Videos” near bottom of page). Aug. 29 — MIKE MAY: 4 p.m. memorial service, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande; face cover- ings and social distanc- ing required. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12 12:54 p.m. — La Grande police responded to a report of theft of a four wheeler on the 2700 block of Oak Street. The four wheeler was recovered near the residence. 3:14 p.m. — An animal enforcement offi cer responded to a report of a loose dog at First and West Bryan streets in Union. The dog was returned to the owner. 6:54 p.m. — La Grande police arrested Caleb Robert Nelson, 27, at Misty Avenue and 26th Street on a Union Menus 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. 17-21 Monday: pork fried rice, egg rolls, steamed vegeta- bles, greens, fortune cookies. Tuesday: chicken enchila- das, chips and salsa, salad, fl an. Wednesday: pork roast or BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked apples, tomato-cucumber salad, fresh bread, dessert. Thursday: Italian sand- wiches, pasta salad, water- melon, pie. Friday: cheeseburgers, fries, fresh fruit, blonde brownies. LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon Univer- sity’s Outdoor Adventure Program is offering 12 students the opportunity to have their orientation off campus. The fi ve-day adventure in the Elkhorn Mountains includes rock climbing, paddleboarding, biking and hiking around Anthony Lakes. It costs — Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Enterprise: Eyreusalem R. Rooney, senior, biochemistry and molecular biology; Reanna J. Royse, senior, interior design. Joseph: Kacie N. Melville, senior, crop and soil science; Raymond L. Seal, senior, crop and soil science. County warrant for a probation violation on an original charge of felon in possession of a weapon. THURSDAY, AUG. 13 12:10 a.m. — La Grande police responded to a report of someone pulling garbage out of the dumpster and throwing it on the ground on the 2000 block of Cove Avenue. The situation was resolved. 8:14 a.m. — La Grande police cited Mark Alan Paxton, 49, for offensive littering in Max Square. 11:02 a.m. — Animal enforcement offi cers took a report of three abandoned dogs on the 500 block of East Fir Street, Union. 12:03 p.m. — The Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrested Brazin Charles Wellington, 25, on two Union County warrants charging failure to appear on an original charge of theft and failure to appear warrant. 6:13 p.m. — La Grande police arrested Devin Matthew Loree for felony possession of meth and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle at Washington Avenue and Second Street. $125 per person, which includes food and gear from the Outdoor Adven- ture Program. The outdoor excursion a chance for students to get to know one another and fi nd shared interests while seeing a different view of the area compared to the traditional week of wel- come orientation. All out- door skill levels and expe- rience are welcome. OAP Director Michael Hatch said most of the activities will not have to be changed to meet COVID-19 precautions, as they are already distanced. However, masks will be worn when rock climbing or whenever else social distancing is not possible. Mark Loeffl er Elgin Mark Loeffl er, 60, of Elgin, died Aug. 14 at a local care facility. Arrange- ments are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Notice Larry Mitt s George Chandler Recently, Avista requested a decrease in natural gas rates for our Oregon customers. We know you care about your energy costs, so we think it’s important to share this news with you. Larry Mitts, 69, of La Grande, died Aug. 14 at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. George Chandler, 93, of La Grande, died Aug. 14 at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. On July 31, 2020, Avista made five annual rate adjustment filings with the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (PUC) that if approved, are designed to decrease overall natural gas revenue by approximately $1.5 million or 1.6% effective Nov. 1, 2020. These filings have no impact on Avista’s earnings. La Grande La Grande The first natural gas adjustment is Avista’s decoupling mechanism. Decoupling is designed to break the link between a utility’s revenues and customers’ energy usage. Generally, Avista’s natural gas revenues are adjusted each month based on the number of customers rather than therms sales. The difference between revenues based on therm sales and revenues based on the number of customers is surcharged or rebated to customers beginning in the following year. If approved, Avista’s request is designed to decrease overall natural gas revenue by approximately $3.2 million or 3.3%. This rate adjustment is driven primarily by a higher level of customer usage in 2019 due in part to a colder than normal winter. Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints root out invasive and non-native plants at Gangloff Park in La Grande. The second adjustment is the annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) filing. PGAs are filed each year to balance the actual cost of wholesale natural gas purchased by Avista to serve customers with the amount included in rates. This includes the natural gas commodity cost as well as the cost to transport natural gas on interstate pipelines to Avista’s local distribution system. If approved, Avista’s natural gas revenues would increase by approximately $1.7 million or 1.7%. This slight rate adjustment is driven primarily by wholesale natural gas prices, which are slightly higher than the level presently included in rates. Missionaries donate time at Gangloff Park The remaining three miscellaneous adjustments relate to intervenor funding, demand side management program funding, and recovering costs associated with regulatory fees. The combination of those three miscellaneous filings is an increase in overall natural gas revenue of approximately $27 thousand or 0.0% effective Nov. 1, 2020. Submitted photo The Observer LA GRANDE — The Cusick chapter of the Native Plant Society is charged with preserving native plants in Gangloff Park above La Grande. That entails, among other things, rooting out invasive and non-native species. Many community mem- bers have contributed to this effort, including mis- sionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints who added manpower to the task this past week. Elders Peterson, Nelson, Bodily and Gar- diner weeded out chicory, salsify, prickly lettuce and bachelor button among other plants. This was their third visit to work in the park this summer. Due to COVID- 19, Elder Nelson was reas- signed to La Grande from a mission in Chile and Elder Gardner from a mission in the Philippines. The bottom line If all five requests are approved, and you are an Avista natural gas customer using an average of 47 therms per month, you could expect your bill to decrease by $0.71, or 1.3% for a revised monthly bill of $55.69 beginning Nov. 1, 2020. All other customer groups receiving firm natural gas service from Avista would also see decreases. For more information Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to provide copies at our office locations as we usually do. However, copies of our filings are available at www.myavista.com/rates or you can call us at 1-800-227- 9187. This announcement is to provide you with general information about Avista’s rate request and its effect on customers. The calculations and statements in this announcement are not binding on the PUC. For more information about the filing or for information about the time and place of any hearing, contact the PUC at: Public Utility Commission of Oregon 201 High Street SE, Ste. 100 Salem, OR 97301 (800) 522-2404, www.puc.state.or.us This notice contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the notice and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all the factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Shops Garages Commercial Industrial www.WSBNW.com 855 • 668 • 7211 S199238-1 Steel on the inside where it matters most. Sandy, OR An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey Wallowa County The Observer Union County kids free grab & go lunches Pickup 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at Riveria Activity Center, 2609 Second St., La Grande. Free for age 1-18; all others, $4. AUG. 17-21 Monday: chicken strips, veggies, steak fries, baked apples, rolls. Tuesday: taquitos, fruit salad, veggie sticks, cookies. Wednesday: pork roast, salad, fruit, rolls, pudding. Thursday: corn dogs, cole- slaw, fresh fruit, cookies. Friday/LAST DAY BASH: cheeseburgers, fries, sides. sciences. Summerville: Wade R. Mc- Donald, freshman, biochemis- try and molecular biology. Union: Kortnee N. Marriott, senior, biohealth sciences. EOU off ers orientation in the Elkhorns Honors Union County Senior Center takeout lunches N. Blackman, junior, digital communication arts; Nolan M. Clements, senior, fi sheries and wildlife sciences; Garren J. Dutto, sophomore, general engineering; Reid G. Endress, junior, geography and geospa- tial science; Kalsey R. Gaus, senior, agricultural sciences; Kyla Gomes, senior, kinesi- ology; Madison A. Moody, junior, biohealth sciences; Deric T. Mussatto, sophomore, public health; Kylee J. Schelin, senior, kinesiology; Kylee D. Skerjanec, senior, agricultural PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Let ’Er Duck scholarships awarded LA GRANDE — The Let ’Er Duck chapter of the Uni- versity of Oregon Alumni Association awarded schol- arships to two La Grande students. Alex Larvik and Satori Young each received a $1,000 scholarship from the regional chapter. Recipients are either new or returning U of O students. THE OBSERVER — 3A 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
