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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 27, 2020)
RECORDS AND MORE THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 COMMUNITY Briefs Check out your child’s school materials, Chromebook this week LA GRANDE — Materials for La Grande School District students in fourth through eighth grade who are begin- ning the year in comprehen- sive distance learning will be available to pick up Aug. 27-28. From noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 7 a.m. to noon Friday, one person per family may come to the child’s school to check out materials including school supplies, Chromebooks and other technology. The same schedule applies to all La Grande Learning Academy students, from kindergarten through 12th grade. The virtual academy is based at the former Willow Elementary School, 1305 N. Willow St. La Grande High School students enrolled in comprehensive distance learning may stop by LHS for Chromebooks and other materials Thursday, Aug. 27, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Some of these details previously were reported incorrectly. The Observer regrets the error. Art center seeks supplies LA GRANDE — In prepara- tion for reopening its doors next month, Art Center East, La Grande, is seeking dona- tions of cloth or disposable face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes. To make arrangements to drop them off, email Darcy at darcy@ artcentereast.org. Registration open for Ladd Marsh free youth pheasant hunt SALEM — Youth hunters (age 17 and younger) can sign up now for ODFW’s free pheasant hunts happen- ing around the state this fall, including at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area outside La Grande on Sept. 19-20. ODFW and partners stock pheasants at these special hunts that give youth a head start on regular pheasant seasons, which don’t begin until October. As with all other ac- tivities, COVID-19 safety measures will be in place including social distancing and mask requirements (during check-in). All hunters are also provided eye and ear protection and hunter orange clothing. Register by logging in to the youth’s account at MyOD- FW’s licensing page. Then go to Purchase from the Catalog and look under the Category tab for Class/Workshop/Out- door Skills. Hunts are listed alphabetically by city name. Registration is only online. For further details on the Ladd Marsh event, email kyle.w.martin@state.or.us or call 541-963-2344. These events are open only to youth who have passed hunter education. This year, that includes youth hunters who have completed the workbook or online course; the fi eld day requirement has been postponed due to the pandemic. An adult 21 years of age or older must accompany the youth to supervise but may not hunt. The hunts are free, though participants need a valid hunting license ($10 for youth 12 and older, free for age 11 and under) to hunt. Youth hunters age 12-17 also need an upland game bird validation ($4). Licenses and validations will not be sold at the events. OBITUARIES Brian D. Osborn La Grande Brian D. Osborn, 51, of La Grande, died Aug. 24 at Grande Ronde Hos- pital. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. Marilyn R. (Jackson) Rice 1938-2020 • La Grande Marilyn R. Rice, 81, of La Grande, died June 19 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements were han- dled by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. A cel- ebration of her life will be held Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. in the Riverside Park Pavilion. Those who wish to join and honor her are welcome. Marilyn was born Sept. 2, 1938, in Mound City, Illi- nois, to Mildred and Wilbur Jackson. She was orphaned at the age of 6 when both of her parents died of TB and lived with family for the rest of her childhood. Marilyn was married twice. The fi rst marriage ended in divorce and the second in the death of her husband. Marilyn was working in a hospital in Illinois when a nurse encouraged her to go to nursing school. She graduated with an RN degree from Shawnee Col- lege in 1982. She worked in the ICU at Anna Illi- nois Hospital until age 60 when she moved to Oregon. She briefl y worked in Bend before moving to La Grande. Marilyn worked at Evergreen Vista and Ever- green Health and Rehab before going to work on the night shift on the med/ LA GRANDE — The La Grande Parks and Rec- reation Department on Wednesday, Aug. 26, announced is is starting an after-school program. The move is to address “an overwhelming commu- nity need as outlined by the results of our community survey,” according to the press release from McKayla Nitz, the city’s recreation supervisor, to help provide child care to families during the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the restrictions to curtail the spread of the virus, the city will be able to serve 15 children a week, the press release stated, and registration will be week by week and fi rst come, fi rst served. Registration also will open for the next week each Tuesday. The child care is at the Riveria Activity Center, 2609 Second St., in the classroom behind the gym surgery fl oor at Grande Ronde Hospital in 2001. She retired from GRH more than 10 years later and stayed in La Grande. Marilyn’s interests included baseball. She was a big Cardinals fan. She loved to read, espe- cially history. She enjoyed working puzzles, watching game shows and gaming on her computer. She liked a variety of music, classical to heavy metal, and collected praying mantis treasures. Marilyn loved cats and had many throughout her life. They gave her much comfort. Marilyn loved to garden and cook. She created treats from her kitchen to give friends and neighbors, including apple butter, won- derful spice mixes and a Upcoming local services tery, La Grande; bring your own seating. Aug. 29 — MIKE MAY: 4 p.m. memorial service, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande. Aug. 30 — MARILYN RICE: 5 p.m. celebration of life, Riverside Park Pavilion, La Grande. Aug. 28 — JOYCE STEVENS: 11 a.m. out- door funeral, Cove Baptist Church; 1 p.m. graveside service, Grandview Ceme- special cocoa mix. Although Marilyn never had children or much family in her life, a group of the nursing staff she worked with became her family. She called them her — Calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. “tribe.” Marilyn also was fortunate to have helpful neighbors. She was very thankful for their friend- ship. She was a kind and loving friend who touched many lives. We can all take action to help prevent suicide e all have heard stats in the media about the increasing number of deaths by suicide in Oregon. My work for the past 18 years has been in know what we are looking for. When we start to rec- ognize the signs and guide that person to the right treatment at the right time, there will be an amazing shift in our community. Each one of us can learn to rec- the signs AARON GRIGG ognize of emotional and CENTER FOR HUMAN mental health chal- DEVELOPMENT lenges, including signs of depression, the trenches working to anxiety and trauma that can prevent those deaths. There lead to thoughts of suicide. are many things that lead to We can learn key words suicide, but all stem from and key questions that can mental and emotional ill- be used at key times to help nesses. Culturally, we are those around us. If we all not good in this country at did this, the whole com- caring for our mental and munity could be part of the emotional health. We are solution. better at meeting the needs In this coming year, the of our physical health. I Union County Safe Com- understand this. It is much munities Coalition and easier to fi x what we can the Suicide Prevention/ see. Response Coalition will be However, the reality is partnering with schools, that we can see the effects law enforcement, county of mental and emotional and city offi cials, behav- ailments every day if we ioral health providers, W PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT MONDAY, AUG. 24 8:47 a.m. — La Grande police responded to a complaint about vandalism on the 1600 block of Adams Avenue. 9:36 a.m. — A La Grande resident in the area of Jakob Avenue and 18th Street asked police to send extra patrols due to loud parties. 10:43 a.m. — La Grande police responded to a report of a fi ght on the 1200 block of Hall Street. Police arrested Jesse Joe Shodin, 46, for violating a restraining order. 1:05 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a burglary at a residence on the 1200 block of Greenwood Street. 5:12 p.m. — A caller reported possible dog neglect on the 2600 block of Bearco Loop, La Grande. About 30 minutes later, police received a report of suspicious circumstances on the same block. 8:47 p.m. — A caller reported a female pulled a child harshly at Candy Cane Park, La Grande. An offi cer responded and found the child was fi ne. TUESDAY, AUG. 25 11:49 a.m. — La Grande po- lice received a report of possible dog abuse on the 2300 block of Q Avenue. 2:10 p.m. — A caller reported an abandoned vehicle on Bond Lane, La Grande. 2:11 p.m. — A caller reported an abandoned vehicle at Sum- merville Road and Highway 204, Summerville. 2:23 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1800 block of 26th Street on a report of a run- away juvenile. An offi cer found and arrested the juvenile. 5:02 p.m. — A Union County deputy reported vandalism to a building on the 100 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. 7:50 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 500 block of Adams Avenue on a report of people fi ghting. Offi cers warned the people involved. 10:45 p.m. — A caller report- ed someone may be breaking into a moving truck on the 1300 block of Jefferson Avenue, La Grande. Law enforcement ar- rived and found the person was an employee and working. Recent Oregon State Police citations and arrests: Aug. 18 — Oregon State Po- lice stopped a black Kia Optima at 10:51 a.m. for traffi c viola- tions on the westbound side of Interstate 84 near milepost 268. The trooper subsequently cited Christopher Michael Oak, 46, for misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and heroin and for delivery of meth, a Class B felony. La Grande announces after-school program The Observer THE OBSERVER — 3A from 1-5 p.m., with late pickup until 5:15 p.m. The cost is $60 per week (cost per week will be adjusted for short school weeks) All registrations are online at at www.lagrande- parks.org. Mobile Mobile Service Service Outstanding Computer Repair Fast for & Reliable Open all your Call or Text 24/7 Dale Bogardus 541-297-5831 public health and other community agencies to pro- vide training opportunities for all residents in Union County to better under- stand how to recognize and assist those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Be on the lookout for those opportunities. If you have thoughts of not wanting to continue your life, you are not alone. Many of us have been where you are at. Through support from friends, loved ones and professionals, there is hope and healing. We encourage you to reach out. Even though we are physically distancing at this time, we can still reach out to one another — over the fence, across the yard, by phone, text or video. We can show more compassion. I heard it said once, “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.” We all have trou- bles regardless of our situ- ation, and sometimes it just takes another reaching out with kindness to make a difference. Additionally, Sept. 6-12 is National Suicide Pre- vention Week. I encourage all of us to fi nd ways to be more compassionate toward those around us. Chances are they are struggling. Our words will make a difference. Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. Seek help by calling the Center for Human Development or the Lifeline (see numbers below) if you or someone you know exhibits any of these: talking about wanting to die or kill them- selves, looking for a way Oregon man dies at Anthony Lake EO Media Group ANTHONY LAKE — A 71-year-old western Oregon man died Sunday morning, Aug. 23, at Anthony Lake in an apparent drowning. According to a press release from the Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce, Robert James Akers, who is from Brownsville in the southern Willamette Valley between Eugene and Albany, was on the lake in a kickboat, a type of infl atable watercraft. Anthony Lake is in the Elkhorn Mountains about 35 miles northwest of Baker City. According to the sher- iff’s offi ce, Akers and his wife had been camping near Granite. They drove to Anthony Lake, about 25 miles from Granite, for a day trip. Akers was out on the lake when bystanders on shore noticed that he was having some kind of trouble, according to the sheriff’s offi ce. He then fell from the watercraft. Akers was not wearing a life jacket. All credit cards accepted Baker County Dispatch received a report of the incident at about 11:30 a.m. Two people in a canoe reached Akers after he had been lying face down in the water for three to fi ve minutes,according to the sheriff’s offi ce. The pair in the canoe pulled Akers onto rocks in the lake and began performing CPR. Medical personnel pro- nounced Akers deceased at the scene. FAMILY OWNED “Real Food for the People” Open Fri-Sun Take-out Menu 5pm-8pm Updated Weekly www.tendepotstreet.com 541-963-8766 tendepotstreet@gmail.com 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com STORAGE BUILDINGS www.CountrysideSheds.com Log Cabin Shed on your Wish List? (541) 663-0246 Locally owned and operated for over 25 years Need A Get-Away If your computer is in despair call Outstanding Computer Repair! www.outstandingcomputerrepair.com Refurbished Desktop & Laptops For Sale House calls (let me come to you!) Drop Offs & Remote Services are Available to kill themselves, talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live, talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, talking about being a burden to others, increasing the use of alcohol or drugs, acting anxious or agi- tated, behaving recklessly, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawing or iso- lating themselves, showing rage or talking about seeking revenge and having extreme mood swings. We can all help prevent suicide. For more information or help, contact CHD Crisis at 541-962-8800 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. ——— About the Author Aaron Grigg is the mental health director at Center for Human Devel- opment in La Grande. 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