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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2021)
RECORDS AND MORE TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 OBITUARIES COMMUNITY Briefs Learn about Eastern Oregon transportation programs LA GRANDE — Mem- bers of the North East Area Commissions on Trans- portation and the South East Area Commissions on Transportation will hold a virtual meeting Thursday, Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation announced. The online meeting is open to the public via teleconference and time has been set aside for comments. Agenda Items include updates regarding the Oregon Transportation Commission, ODOT status, transit and the ACT Area Strategy Pilot Project as well as project highlights regarding the Pendleton Eighth Street Bridge, Sumpter all-train vehicle access and the Enhance Funding Program. To join the teleconfer- ence, call 1-971-277-1965 and enter ID #219 705 188#. An area commission on transportation is an advisory body chartered by the Oregon Transporta- tion Commission to help address all aspects of trans- portation. NEACT covers Morrow, Umatilla, Wallowa, Union and Baker counties as well as the Confederat- ed Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; SEACT covers Malheur, Grant and Harney counties and the Burns-Paiute Tribe. For more information, call Tom Strandberg at 541-963- 1330. Media contest highlights safety for young workers SALEM — Oregon high school students can participate in the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition’s annual contest. The aim of the competition is to increase awareness about workplace safety for young workers. Participants will create a brief video or develop a graphic design piece that includes the tag- line: “Work. It can be more dangerous than you think.” The top three entries in each of the two media cate- gories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the fi rst-place winner’s school, club or organization will receive a matching award. The deadline for sub- missions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, examples and resources, go to http:// youngemployeesafety.org. THE OBSERVER — 3A Judith ‘Judie’ L. (Clausen) Martin Upcoming local services Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. Jan. 9 — LYLE HARMON: 2-6 p.m. celebration of life, 1999 Alder St., Elgin. Jan. 11 — TERRI BARNHART: 2 p.m. memorial service, Christ Covenant Church (old school gym in Lostine). — Calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande 2001. In 2013 she moved to Union to be closer to her daughter, Deborah Kennon. Judie loved her job at Loleta Elementary School as a bus driver and a teach- er’s aide. She enjoyed bowling with the women’s league in Fortuna, Cali- fornia. She was a member of Eastern Star and served as president of Los Amigos Club. Surviving relatives 1945-2020 • Union Judith “Judie” Lynn Martin, 75, of Union, died Nov. 22 at her residence. At her request there will not be a service. Known as Judie, she was born Jan. 22, 1945, in Chi- cago, Illinois, to Howard and Eunice (Peterson) Clausen. She resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado, until Jan. 12, 1964, when she married Gary R. Martin. They lived in Loleta, Cali- fornia, until his passing in include her children and their spouses, Dean and Tami Martin of Fortuna, California, and Deborah and Johnny Kennon of Union; four grandchildren and two great-grandchil- dren; and two nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Eunice; hus- band, Gary Martin; and brother, Roger Clausen. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Jessica Winger La Grande Jessica Winger, 39, of La Grande, died Jan. 3 at a local care facility. Arrange- ments are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crema- tory, La Grande. Lois Ebel La Grande Lois Ebel, 85, of La Grande, died Jan. 2 at her home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Ruthann M. Batt y La Grande Ruthann M. Batty, 77, of La Grande, died Jan. 1 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Cre- matory, La Grande. 2020 showed that we fi nd strength when we band together W hile 2020 has brought many challenges, it has also amplifi ed our strengths. During a typical year, we at the MARCE MARTIN UCSCC COORDINATOR Union County Safe Communi- ties Coalition would be holding the Seventh Grade Conference, Drug- Free Relay, town halls, teen movie nights, and supporting commu- nity events. But we were stalled to ensure the health and safety of the community. Despite these halts, we got savvy with Zoom, did some giveaways and partnered with the police department for another suc- cessful Drug Take-Back Day. Although we haven’t been as active externally working in the community, our meetings have continued to be consistent and diligent as we discuss what chal- lenges post-COVID will bring. At the Union County Safe Communi- ties Coalition, we care about our community’s success and resil- ience and our youth, and truth be told, we are worried about our youth and the risks brought on as we try to cope with isolation and social changes. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to look at other major public health issues, such as sui- cides and increases in alcohol and substance use. At the beginning of the year, the UCSCC added a Sui- cide Prevention/Response Coali- tion branch to address mental and behavioral health gaps. Just in time, as COVID-19 is correlated with poor mental health. People cope in different ways when faced with stress and losses, and while some prove to be resilient, others may start using drugs and alcohol, including youth. Data show that early initia- tion of drug use is a strong pre- dictor of having problems with drug use as an adullt, and it can lead to adverse social, behavioral and health problems. It’s this data that keep the coalition banded to work toward positive youth devel- opment. We have strong support and partnerships with the school districts and other organizations, including La Grande Parks and Recreation. Our Youth Council has expressed concerns about vaping trends, so in 2021, we will continue to inform the community of harms and offer fun alternatives that promote wellness and drug- free living. In this time of challenges, it’s important to refl ect, practice grat- itude and be thankful for the often-overlooked entities. We are so grateful for all of our commu- nity supporters. Where would we be without our media outlets updating the community daily on all the critical issues? The hospital and the Center for Human Devel- opment have worked relentlessly to keep up their services to meet the community’s needs and con- cerns. The schools, teachers and administrators provided so much care to the children, and they also deserve a big thanks. COVID-19 has shown that when we fi nd strength when we band together. ——— Marce Martin is the coordinator for the Union County Safe Com- munities Coalition, which works for the prevention of youth alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use in Union County. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FRIDAY, JAN. 1 10:37 a.m. — Local law enforcement received a report of the denial of a fi re- arms purchase at Oregon Trail Trader, 2312 Adams Avenue, La Grande. 11:21 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a report of a fi rearm theft in the area of Alder Street and 14th Avenue, Elgin. A deputy took a report. At the same time, La Grande police received a report of a bur- glary at a residence on the 300 block of 18th Street. An offi cer took a report. 5:54 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of the theft of a vehicle from the 1600 block of Fifth Street. An offi cer made contact, but no one wanted to pursue a case. 8:58 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1500 block of Fifth Street for a domestic disturbance. SATURDAY, JAN. 2 8:23 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1600 block of Spruce Street on a report of a transient camp. Offi cers trespassed one person. 1:46 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Offi ce responded to the 1300 block of Alder Street, Elgin, on a report of an attempted hit- and-run. Deputies arrested a 44-year-old man for disor- derly conduct and reckless driving. 3:21 p.m. — A caller reported indecent expo- sure on the 11600 block of Island Avenue, Island City. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded but did not spot anyone suspicious. 6:14 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of a burglary at a resi- dence on the 65100 block of Dark Canyon Road, La Grande. The deputy took information. 6:36 p.m. — A caller in La Grande reported the theft of his vehicle. An offi cer responded but the caller reported fi nding his car. SUNDAY, JAN. 3 7:48 a.m. — A caller reported a power line was down on the 1500 block of N Avenue, La Grande. An offi cer responded, and a crew from the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative arrived and took control of the situation. 12:24 p.m. — A caller on the 58700 block of Pierce Road, La Grande, reported a dog was in with livestock. A Union County sheriff’s deputy made contact. 5:01 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a careless driver at Willow Street and Adams Avenue. An offi cer coun- seled the driver. 9:26 p.m. — A caller on Foxhill Road, La Grande, reported wildlife stuck in a trap. A Union County deputy explained options. 11:21 p.m. — La Grande police responded to a noise complaint on the 900 block of Lane Avenue. Police told the subject to keep it down. La Grande library has craft kits available for all age ranges T he Cook Memorial Library building in La Grande remains closed for the fore- seeable future. Please call us at 541-962-1339 ROSE PEACOCK COOK MEMORIAL LIBRARY or visit our website, cookmemo- riallibrary.org. The Fourth Street door and phone are answered Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To use our takeout service, place items on hold in the cat- alog or call us. Once we confi rm your order is ready, come to the building, ring the doorbell and we’ll bring your items out to you. We will not have takeout service on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Craft kits for children, teens and adults are available starting Monday, Jan. 4. The children’s kits are “Animal Adventures,” teen and adult kits are fridge magnets. Supplies are limited. Virtual Teen Book Clubs have started; call the library for details. SageCat is the offi cial app for the Sage Library System and provides access to library mate- rials from more than 70 Oregon libraries. SageCat lets you search the catalog, place holds and make renewals. SageCat is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Online card application is available on our website under the “How Do I,” tab. Online resources include free music, movies, ebooks and audiobooks. Visit the Riverside Park Gre- enway Storywalk. Walk the path and read the winter-themed “Stranger in the Woods” by Carl Sams. The book is sponsored by Glenda O’Connor. Vitual Story- time is on our website and You- Tube channel, Cook Memorial Library. Dial-A-Story for all ages con- tinues with new selections. Dial- A-Story can be accessed 24 hours a day, free of charge, by calling 541-624-6339. Genre Book Club for Adults meets online on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. We’ll be reading In the “Heart of the Sea,” the Fishtrap/National Endowment for the Arts Big Read for 2021. Email rpea- cock@cookmemoriallibrary.org for the meeting login. Unable to pick up items at the library? Use Library @ Your Door, in partnership with Rob’s Speedy Delivery. This free ser- vice is for residents within La Grande city limits who cannot physically come to the library due to long- or short-term health concerns. Deliveries are Friday afternoons; orders must be placed prior to 6 p.m. on the pre- ceding Wednesday. Fill out our online registration form or call the library for more information. Mobile and remote printing is now available. To print from home, go to https://tbs.eprintit. com/portal/#/ppl/upload/CML. To print from a mobile device, download the Public Print Loca- tions app. Wi-Fi hotspots and Chrome- Kits are available for check out. A ChromeKit features a Chromebook laptop and a WiFi hotspot. Patrons must be 18 or older, read and sign a borrowing policy and have had a library account in good standing for at least the past six months. Kits will checkout for one week and are not renewable. The library’s Wi-Fi (LGPLWiFi) is on from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The signal reaches to the building’s entrances and the parking lot and does not require a password. Call us at 541-962-1339, ext. 0, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find out more on our website at cookmemorial- library.org. ——— Rose Peacock oversees adult services at Cook Memorial Library, La Grande. Wallowa County food delivery service donates locally FAMILY OWNED The Observer ENTERPRISE — Genuine Wallowa County Provisions, a local food delivery service, pledged when it launched in June to donate $1 of every sale to the food pantries in Wallowa and Enterprise. Founder Kristy Athens reported last week she sent Community Connec- tion a total of $211 for 2020. GWC Provisions works with local producers, including Backyard Gar- dens, Stangel Bison Ranch and Hawkins Sisters Ranch, as well as sourcing food that isn’t available in the county, such as cheese from Umapine Creamery in Milton-Freewater and seafood from Tre-Fin Day Boat Tuna in Ilwaco, Washington. It also is expanding to support local restaurants by offering signature items, such as baked goods from Vali’s Alpine Restaurant and Terminal Gravity’s bot- tled dressings. GWC Provisions delivers to all residences and lodging within a 5-mile range of Highway 82, from the head of the lake to Wallowa. Membership is available, which entitles one to early access to the weekly offer- ings, free delivery and other perks. Genuine Wallowa County showcases hand- made items from Wallowa County artisans via curated gift and subscription boxes. GWC Provisions delivers local food within Wallowa County. Learn more at genu- inewallowacounty.com and www.gwcprovisions.com. 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 northwestfurnitureandmattress.com An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! Nicole Cathey 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
