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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2020)
RECORDS AND MORE Tuesday, december 8, 2020 Obituaries Community Meetings THe ObserVer — 3A Maurice H. Rogers • UNION — The Union School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Plans for bond funded work in buildings will be one of the subjects discussed at the meeting. The public may attend the meeting online via Zoom. For a link to the meeting call the Union School District at 541-562-6115. Briefs City seeks committee members LA GRANDE — The La Grande City Council is recruiting members for a number of its advisory commissions and commit- tees. There are openings in these commissions and committees: Air Quality; Arts; Budget; Building Board of Appeals; Landmarks; Library; Parking, Traffic Safety, and Street Maintenance; Parks and Recreation; Planning; and Urban Renewal Advi- sory. More information and the application form may be found at www.cityofla- grande.org or by calling Stacey Stockhoff, assistant to the city manager, at 541-962- 1309. Completed applica- tions should be returned by noon Dec. 16 for consider- ation during the council’s regular session in January. 1928-2020 • La Grande Maurice Handley Rogers, 92, of La Grande, died Nov. 25 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrange- ments are by Dan- iels-Knopp Funeral, Cre- mation & Life Celebration Center, La Grande. Maurice was born March 6, 1928, in Bridgeport, Nebraska, to Wesley William and Hazel (Bear) Rogers. He was raised and educated in Alliance, Nebraska, and graduated from Alli- ance High School with the class of 1946. He moved to La Grande to work as a warehouseman for Pacific Fruit and Produce, and he met his future wife, Lois DeLashmutt, who worked in the office. Maurice and Lois were married April 9, 1950, at the La Grande First Baptist Church. After their marriage they attended the LA GRANDE — The Union County Sheriff’s Office en- courages residents to have their pets licensed, which helps reunite lost pets and their owners. In December the sheriff’s office is offering a discounted price for the upcoming year. Pet owners need to have a current rabies certificate when purchasing a license. The annual cost to license your dog is $15 for spayed/neutered and $25 if not. During the month of December, it is only $13.50 for spayed/neutered and $23.50 if not. Call 541-963- 1017, ext 266 or ext 382, for more information. Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. — Calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Henry J. Simonis La Grande United Methodist Church. On Aug. 30, 1950, Mau- rice entered the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. After his honor- able discharge on May 31, 1952, he returned to La Grande where he worked for Pacific Fruit & Produce in La Grande and Pend- leton. Later he worked as a delivery person for La Grande Lumber Com- pany and Bronson Lumber Company. Maurice was a member of the American Legion Post #43 and Grande Ronde Relay League (HAM radio). He was an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, building model airplanes and doing crossword puzzles. He played football and track when he was in high school where he set records that stood for many years. Surviving relatives include his children and their spouses, David M. and Dawn of Union, Karen F. and Bob Carroll of Spo- kane, Washington, Cindy L. Malone of La Grande, and Glen W. and Heidi of Lewiston, Idaho; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings; wife of 65 years, 5:57 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of fraud on the 1000 block of 13th Street. An officer took a report. 10:55 a.m. — Local law enforcement responded to the 2000 block of Cove Avenue on a report of tres- passing. La Grande police arrested Christina Hawkins, 46, for trespass, theft and resisting arrest. 4:56 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for a welfare check at a residence in Union. The subject was OK, and the deputy asked the person to contact family members. SATURDAY, DEC. 5 3:04 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1700 block of Clare Street on a noise complaint. A homeowner agreed to turn down their music. 12:32 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1900 block of H Avenue on a report of a domestic disturbance. These subjects were fine, but police warned them for disorderly conduct. Bazaar brings out holiday shoppers 3:49 p.m. — A North Powder caller on the 400 block of Fourth Street reported harassment. A Union County sheriff’s deputy made contact and explained options. 8 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1700 block of Z Avenue on a report of a suspicious person. Police determine the report was unfounded. SUNDAY, DEC. 6 12:15 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane on a report of a disturbance. BILLLIE-JO NICKENS UCSCC Ellen Morris Bishop/For the Wallowa County Chieftain The Chief Joseph Days Christmas Bazaar brought 19 vendors and lots of holiday shop- pers to the Thunder Room on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. “This has been amazing,” organizer Marty Thompson said. “We’re definitely going to do this again next year.” Tree of Giving, Christmas Basket programs underway Wallowa County Chieftain Contributed photo The annual Elks Christmas Basket and Tree of Giving pro- grams are underway in Wallowa County. The programs help those in need to have a Christmas meal and youths who may not otherwise receive gifts. bag with the corresponding gift tag attached. Individuals or families who wish to be a recipient of a Christmas Basket or Tree of Giving gift can pick up a form from Community Connection; Enterprise, Joseph or Wallowa city halls; the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office; Building Healthy Families; or by vis- iting the Facebook Page “Tree of Giving & Elk’s Christmas Basket.” Forms can be turned into any of the aforemen- tioned locations, via email to dys@co.wallowa.or.us, or by mail to Enterprise Elks, P.O. Box K, Enterprise, OR 97828. Complete the form in its entirety to ensure accuracy on delivery day, which will be Dec. 19. Enterprise Elks and community members will deliver the baskets and gifts that morning. People who wish to help with deliveries are encouraged to come by the Elks Lodge. For more information or to help, contact Morgan at 541-263-0327 or send an email to bpoe1829@gmail. com. Any food items left over will be donated to the Wal- lowa County Food Bank. 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City COVID-19 has truly impacted our lives in ways that most of us couldn’t have ever dreamed possible. With all the changes and adaptations our com- munities have endured this year, the Union County Safe Communities Coa- lition would like to urge you to pause, breathe and ask yourself a few very important questions before you get behind the wheel. Have I had enough sleep recently? This one seems easy enough, but for many of us the answer to that is probably no. Sleep is not only essential for our phys- ical bodies to be able to recoup and regenerate, but for our mental health, the ability to continue to adapt and handle changes, and to safely drive to all the loca- tions we are trying to pack into this month. Did you know that driving after only four to five hours of sleep means you are four times more likely to crash? This crash risk is similar to that of someone driving at La Grande Velva E. Fulton, 95, of La Grande, died Dec. 6. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Cre- matory, La Grande. Elvin A. Williams Island City Elvin A. Williams, 86, of Island City, died Dec. 6 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by Love- Union Fern Homan, 94, of Union, died Dec. 6 at her home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Marlon Bryant Elgin Marlon Bryant, 81, of Elgin, died Dec. 3 at his home. Arrangements are by Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Ser- vices, Halfway. Greg Wieck Enterprise Greg Wieck, 87, of Enterprise, died Nov. 30 at Wallowa Memorial Hos- pital. A Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at St. Katherine of Siena Cath- olic Church, with interment to follow at the Enterprise Cemetery. Arrangements are by Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise. 541-975-1364 Police also contacted a mental health provider. The subject calmed down at the time. 11:46 a.m. — Local law enforcement responded to the 2800 block of Cherry Street, La Grande, for a domestic disturbance. Offi- cers found the incident did not rise to the level of a mandatory arrest. Police, however, cited a 23-year-old woman on a Umatilla County warrant for failure to appear on charges of methamphetamine and heroin possession. 12:26 p.m. — A caller reported possible animal neglect on Jimmy Creek Road, North Powder. 2:05 p.m. — A caller reported possible animal neglect on the 2800 block of Second Street, La Grande. The animal enforcement officer responded and took information. 7:57 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Morgan Lake Road, La Grande. A deputy found the vehicle unoccupied and plans to follow up. a 0.08 BAC level. In 2018, there were 15 total crashes involving a drowsy driver with 15 injuries reported for Union County. Please take time this month to get some rest. Did I remember to put my phone on silent or stow it while I’m driving? This can be a tough thing for many of us. It’s just a quick text, maybe you aren’t even responding, but you just want to read the mes- sage that dinged on your phone. Maybe you’ve done it a thousand times before and nothing happened. Unfortunately, it takes only one time for something to happen that could bring tragedy to your life or the lives of others. In 2018, there were 20 total crashes involving a distracted driver with 18 injuries reported for Union County. Please put your phones down and drive without other distractions. How long has it been since I had a drink or used a substance? Impairment can come from a variety of substances; alcohol, drugs, and prescription medica- tions all impact our mind and bodies. When we get behind the wheel, our minds and bodies need to be sharp and ready to react. This time of year wildlife and weather conditions can have serious impacts on driving. Adding impair- ment to this mix can be deadly. In 2018, there were 10 total crashes including three fatal crashes in Union County in which the driver was impaired by alcohol or had been using drugs. As a result of these crashes, there were four total people who died and six who were injured. Please drive sober — you never know whose life you are saving. As someone who per- sonally lost a family member on Christmas Eve as a result of an impaired driver, I ask that you take care of yourselves as 2020 comes to a close. Get your rest, drive without distrac- tion, drive sober and wear your seat belt: this is the best defense against other drivers or obstacles on the road. This year has been full of challenges and obstacles, but with the commitment to safety by each and every driver in Union County, we can end this year with some beautiful memories rather than tragedies. ——— Billie-Jo Nickens is a member of the Union County Safe Communities Coalition and the traffic safety coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Region 5, which covers Eastern Oregon. Enterprise City Council to meet in mid-December Wallowa County Chieftain ENTERPRISE — The Enterprise City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, instead of the usual second Monday, because a key official would be unable to attend on the regular date. The meeting will include department An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey Velva E. Fulton Fern Homan Save a life — take steps to avoid driving impaired There’s no doubt in any- one’s mind that this year has been different than any other year we have experienced. ENTERPRISE — The annual Elks Christmas Basket and Tree of Giving programs are underway in Wallowa County, and according to a press release, more than a dozen organi- zations are teaming up with Randy Morgan of the Enter- prise Elks to help those in need have the ability to have a Christmas meal, and for youths who may not oth- erwise receive any gifts. Organizations including 4-H, FFCLA, VFW and granges, as well as individ- uals, participate in the pro- gram to put together food baskets and gifts for chil- dren 17 and younger. The Tree of Giving, organized by the Depart- ment of Youth Services and the Enterprise Flower Shop, has been up in the shop since Nov. 16, and contains ages and gift suggestions for youths in various-sized families. Individuals are invited to drop by and choose a tag to provide gifts for a child or children. Once a gift is purchased, gift givers are asked to bring unwrapped gifts in a gift Henry J. Simonis, 91, of La Grande, died Dec. 7 at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. land Funeral Chapel & Cre- matory, La Grande. Public Safety Report FRIDAY, DEC. 4 Sheriff’s office offers dog license discount Lois; son-in-law, Butch Malone; and grandson, Galen Carroll. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.danielsk- nopp.com. Dec. 12 — GREG WIECK: 10 a.m. Mass, St. Katherine of Siena Catholic Church, Enter- prise; interment follows at Enterprise Cemetery. Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 reports from city Admin- istrator Lacey McQuead, Fire Chief Paul Karvoski, Police Chief Joel Fish and Shawn Young of the Public Works Department. Under old business, the council will discuss a grant for the ice-skating rink in Enterprise and an update on coronavirus aid. New business items include the “If I Were Mayor” contest for ele- mentary school stu- dents and an agreement between the city and the Department of Land Con- servation and Develop- ment to update Wallowa County’s natural hazards mitigation plan. Medicare, Auto, Home insurance and Annuities www.reed-insurance.net Kevin Reed
