The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current, August 22, 2020, Image 3

Historic Oregon Newspapers

The Observer., August 22, 2020, Page 3, Image 3

Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR

About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 2020)

Prev Page of 32 Next Prev Issue Next Text PDF JP2 (1.4 MB) Clip/Print Image

Return to Top

Prev Page of 32 Next Prev Issue Next

Newspaper Page TextRECORDS AND MORE SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020 COMMUNITY Briefs Not too late to sign up for Drug Free Run LA GRANDE — The annual Drug Free Run is the main fundraiser for the Union Counties Safe Communities Coalition, a community organization that exists to increase community awareness of youth sub- stance abuse and promote prevention in Union County. Due to COVID-19 and current restrictions, this year’s Drug Free Run will be virtual, meaning participants can run or walk anywhere they choose anytime in August. To register, go to https:// drugfreerun.itsyourrace.com and choose your race: 1 mile, 5K or 10K. After registering, download the app and track your race. The fee, which supports the efforts of the Safe Communities Coalition, is $10 per person, or $25 for families of three or more T-shirts are included in the registration fee and are produced locally. The shirts may be picked up at Community Merchants, 1210 Adams Ave., La Grande, any time after you register. For more information, email ucsafecommunities@gmail. com or call 541-963-1034. Cook Memorial Library introduces Library @ Your Door Delivery Service LA GRANDE — In part- nership with local business Rob’s Speedy Delivery, Cook Memorial Library now offers Library @ Your Door, a free delivery service to La Grande residents who cannot come to the library due to long- or short-term health concerns or physical challenges. Deliv- eries will be made on Fridays beginning Aug. 28. Rob’s Speedy Delivery drivers will deliver any book, audio book, magazine or DVD you want from the library to your home or care facility and retrieve it when they are due or when you are ready to return them. When we deliver your new items, we will pick up your old ones. There is no fee: Rob’s Speedy Delivery is offering this service as a way to give back to their local community. For more information or to arrange delivery, contact the library at 541-962-1339 or complete the form at www.cookmemoriallibrary. org/Pages/Index/182199/li- brary-your-door-delivery-ser- vice. New child care and early education guidelines released SALEM — Parents and guardians who want to know more about how ODE is working to protect their children at child care and school during the pandemic may consult the Oregon Department of Education’s Early Learning Division’s re- cently released “Health and Safety Guidelines for Child Care and Early Education Operating in COVID-19” at https://oregonearlylearning. com/COVID-19-Resources/ For-Providers. The updated guidelines, which take effect Sept. 1, are posted on the web page in English and Spanish. Menus Union County Senior Center takeout lunches 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. 24-28 Monday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable casserole, rolls, fruit. Tuesday: Reuben sand- wiches, potato salad, fruit garnish, light dessert. Wednesday: Swiss-ba- con-spinach tarts, salad greens, fresh fruit, dill bread, lemon sorbet. Thursday: shrimp crois- sant sandwiches or roast beef sandwiches, Greek salad, chips, fresh fruit, zuc- chini-chocolate chip bars. Friday: beef stroganoff, rice, layered salad, rolls, fresh fruit, dessert. THE OBSERVER — 3A Strope earns high marks from city council LG city manager receives an average of 4.48 out of 5 on annual assessment By Ronald Bond The Observer LA GRANDE — Robert Strope has received a raving review from the La Grande City Council. “Robert serves the community with profes- sionalism and integrity. His Strope evaluations by councilors and directors reﬂ ect these qual- ities,” La Grande Mayor Steve Clements said. During a work session Wednesday, Aug. 19, the La Grande city manager earned high marks across the board in a performance review, one that included praise for a budget that kept La Grande in a strong place ﬁ nancially even during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think probably his top score was his ﬁ nancial, his budgetary knowledge,” said Councilor Mary Ann Miesner. “He’s very knowl- edgeable about the budget, and we feel conﬁ dent about his ability to put the budget together.” Miesner added the city ends a year with more money available than it budgeted for because of Strope’s approach. That has proven key Observer File La Grande City Hall is shown in this Observer ﬁ le photo. City Manager Robert Strope in a Wednesday, Aug. 19, work session received high marks for his work in the city, including his handling of the city budget. during the pandemic, as the city was able to put together an emergency loan program for local small businesses that doled out more than 20 loans, Strope said. The city also has been able to set aside $250,000 from the current budget to help with future coronavirus-related issues should they arise. “He’s always had us have a little bit of a safety net,” Councilor Corrine Dutto said. “That was really helpful with COVID, because we were able to offer some small business loans that we were able to deliver much quicker than the state or the federal grants or loans. We were able to help our businesses quickly.” Strope’s assessment had an average score of 4.48 out of 5 on the eight metrics he was scored on, and in 44 of the metrics, his score was either a 4 or 5. “One of the things that I think is really important is you don’t get a good review as a city manager without a great team of folks that work with you,” Strope said. “Much like being a coach of a football team, you’re graded on a large part how the team is per- forming. They do a nice job of making me look good, and more important they do a great job with the city Ceremony to honor servicemen 75 years after their death of La Grande, which is gratifying.” Keeping the city in solid ﬁ nancial positioning has been a high priority for Strope. “The council talked about the importance of being in good ﬁ nancial shape. That is something I take a lot of pride in. It goes back to the team,” he said. “They do a great job man- aging the budget. They are conservative in what they ask for.” Miesner also spoke highly of Strope’s integrity as a straight shooter who won’t tell one councilor a different answer to a ques- tion than another. Upcoming local services The Observer LA GRANDE — A pair of La Grande residents are looking to pay tribute to 15 World War II servicemen who died after the war on the 75th anniversary of the crash that took their lives. The men were onboard a B-24 Liberator returning home to the Northwest on Aug. 25, 1945, just days after Japan’s surrender when their aircraft crashed in the Blue Mountains near Spout Springs, killing all the men in a ﬁ ery explosion. There is no wreckage to mark the location of the crash. The local men orga- nizing the ceremony, Lyle Schwarz and Armen Woosley, coordinated an event three years ago to honor the crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress crash a little closer to La Grande that also took the lives of all onboard. According to a letter from Schwarz, there have been several other mil- itary crashes in the Blues, and there were more than U.S. Air Force photo This Consolidated B-24D Liberator is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. A B-24 Liberator with 15 servicemen aboard crashed 75 years ago just after the end of World War II near Spout Springs. There were no survivors. Two local men are organizing a memorial event Tuesday to honor the servicemen. 52,000 aircraft accidents in the U.S. during World War II. An honor guard from the Oregon National Guard, a playing of taps, a reading of names and an invocation and prayer by Rev. Roger Cochran of La Grande are part of the ceremony. The ceremony will take place Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. For those inter- ested in attending, travel 17.7 miles out of downtown Elgin on Highway 204, then turn right on Balloon Tree Forest Road. From there, drive 1.9 miles, turn left, and drive half a mile to the crash site, which is near the road. Arrows and ﬂ ags will help mark key intersections. Anyone attending should allow extra time to travel forest roads. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 6:57 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce received a report of a restraining order violation in Elgin. 10:09 a.m. — An Island City resident on the 10800 block of Walton Road reported a bur- glary. A deputy responded and took a report. 2:12 p.m. — Denny’s, 2604 Island Ave., La Grande, reported receiving a fake $50 bill. Law enforcement responded and cited Alexander William Dooley, 21, for forgery. 4:49 p.m. — A caller asked La Grande police to conduct a welfare check on someone. An ofﬁ cer contacted the caller and referred them to the Oregon Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services. 6:17 p.m. — A caller reported people were camping by the Grande Ronde River in the area of the 3200 block of Walnut Street, La Grande. THURSDAY, AUG. 20 9:37 a.m. — A La Grande resident on the 2000 block of Fir Street asked to speak to an ofﬁ cer about an ongoing issue of dogs barking. 10:55 a.m. — La Grande po- lice responded to Max Square at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Fourth Street for a disturbance. Police warned one person for disorderly conduct. FAMILY OWNED Stoneware Raku Upcycled Furniture 12:26 p.m. — A caller re- ported a burglary on the 66100 block of Dark Canyon Road, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and took a report. 2:51 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1500 block of Fifth Street on a call about a domestic disturbance. Ofﬁ cers arrived and turned the situation over to the Center for Human Development Inc., which han- dles mental health and other issues. 10:03 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2400 block of Adams Avenue for a domestic disturbance and took a report for a restraining order violation. Come In and to Browse CELEBRATE the Gallery 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. lovelandfuneralchapel.com (click on “Funeral Videos” near bottom of page). “Whatever I’ve heard from him, other councilors have heard the same thing. Any of the directors will tell you the same informa- tion,” she said. “His integrity is implicit in my opinion,” Miesner added, calling that the most important facet to her. Dutto agreed. “He’s a very good leader. He knows all the laws and statutes and regulations so he does not lead us astray in that way,” she said. “Overall, I think the mes- sage was we all appreciated his integrity.” His temperament and even-keel approach — even during the pandemic — were points commented on by the council during the work session. Even in areas the council wants Strope to focus on, the city manager already is working to make improvements. “One of the things we have not completed that they asked me to move up on the priority list is con- solidate all our city poli- cies into a personnel policy handbook,” he said of a move that would put pol- icies that are scattered into one document. “That is something we’ve been working on for a number of months.” The review, Stope said, will be made ofﬁ cial in September. “I’m very happy with him,” Dutto said. “I think he is an outstanding asset to our community.” Aug. 22 — JUSTIN PARKER: 2 p.m. funeral, Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Island City. Aug. 28 — JOYCE STEVENS: 11 a.m. out- door funeral, Cove Baptist Church; 1 p.m. graveside service, Grandview Ceme- tery, La Grande; bring your own chair, face coverings and social distancing required. Aug. 29 — MIKE MAY: 4 p.m. memorial service, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande; face coverings and social distancing required. — Calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande BIRTHS GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL BARTRAM: To Hannah Dawn Clark and Kyle Taylor Bartram, of La Grande, a daughter, Charlie Ann Bar- tram, Aug. 12 at 1 a.m. BLAIR: To Hannah Marissa Blair and Tevin K. Blair, of La Grande, a daughter, Violet Wednesday Blair, Aug. 6 at 4:55 p.m. Grandparents are Kathy Sargent and Spring and Darwin Roberts. FIORITO: To Deven Renee Fiorito and Samuel Rus- sell Fiorito, of La Grande, a son, Calvary Roy Fiorito, Aug. 10 at 8:06 a.m. Grandparents are TedRoy McBride, Kim McBride, Dan Fiorito and Meg Fiorito. Great-grand- parents are Patricia Thomas, Roy McBride and Marilyn McBride. Thank you for the prayers, cards, flowers and food you have so kindly given during our time of loss. The Family of Doug Trice 50 Happy Anniversary th August 5 - 25 thePottersHouseGallery.com Bob & Delorris Goss (August 20, 1970) 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com 1601 6th Street, La Grande corner of 6th and Penn Love ~ Lisa, Cheryl & Family