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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2021)
RECORDS AND MORE Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Community Briefs Regional DAR chapter in-person gathering set BAKER CITY — The regional Lone Pine Tree Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will resume in-person meetings Friday, March 12, at noon at the Sunridge Inn, Baker City. The group alternates meetings between Baker City and La Grande. Visitors are welcome. A no-host lunch is offered prior to the meeting. All health-safety precautions will be followed regarding face masks and social dis- tancing. Island City will resume water and sewer service disconnection ISLAND CITY — The city of Island City will resume the practice of disconnection of utility services for unpaid wa- ter and sewer bills beginning Wednesday, March 17. The city temporarily suspended disconnections due to COVID-19. To avoid disconnection, delinquent residents must contact city hall immediately to pay their past due amount or set up a repayment plan to avoid disconnection. Call city hall at 541-963-5017 for information. Meals on Wheels needs drivers LA GRANDE — Commu- nity Connection of Northeast Oregon Inc. seeks volunteers to be Meals on Wheels drivers. For more informa- tion, call Sydney Gleeson at 541-963-7532, ext. 1104. Honors Union County students earn collegiate honors Klancy E. Poor, of Union, earned a place on the Uni- versity of Wyoming honor roll for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. To qualify for this distinction, students must have been enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours and earned a 3.4 or better grade-point average. The University of Wyoming, in Laramie, provides undergraduate and graduate programs to 12,249 students. James Thurman, of La Grande, ranks among the top 2% of students in his college at Iowa State Univer- sity. Thurman is a freshman enrolled in the College of En- gineering. The university was founded in 1858, in Ames, as the Iowa Agricultural College with classes in agriculture and mechanical arts, now called engineering. — The Observer Lottery Megabucks: $2.7 million 11-13-18-24-27-35 Powerball: $138 million 11-31-50-52-58 — PB 18 x4 Mega Millions: $55 million 10-11-17-27-54 — MB 20 x2 Win for Life: March 6 14-44-46-52 Pick 4: March 7 • 1 p.m.: 5-3-7-0 • 4 p.m.: 1-1-0-8 • 7 p.m.: 1-9-8-4 • 10 p.m.: 0-0-5-3 Pick 4: March 6 • 1 p.m.: 5-9-9-2 • 4 p.m.: 3-2-7-6 • 7 p.m.: 6-6-3-4 • 10 p.m.: 3-6-2-0 Pick 4: March 5 • 1 p.m.: 0-0-8-5 • 4 p.m.: 4-3-6-6 • 7 p.m.: 4-6-8-2 • 10 p.m.: 7-8-6-0 DELIVERY ISSUES? If you have any problems receiving your Observer, call 541-963-3161. The OBserVer — 3A Obituaries Patricia C. (Hill) Greene Upcoming local services 1927-2021 • La Grande Patricia Caroline Greene, 93, of La Grande, died March 1 at a local care facility. At her request, there will not be a service. Patricia was born Sept. 5, 1927, in La Grande, to Benjamin and Marion (Barnes) Hill. She married Clayton Loyd Briggs and later divorced. She then married Ken Greene. Patricia was a devoted mother. She enjoyed gar- dening, knitting, sewing and reading. Her greatest joy was being a volunteer grandparent at the Union Elementary School. Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. March 13 — LORI GREENWAY: 3 p.m. memorial service, Enter- prise First Baptist Church. March 19 — RAY- Surviving rela- tives include her chil- dren and their spouses, Anne and Gene Tro- MOND JOHNSON: 11 a.m. graveside service, Summerville Cemetery. March 20 — CHARITY HENRY: 11 a.m. memorial ser- vice, La Grande Church of Christ. April 24 — BECKY ROBERSON: 2 p.m. celebration of life, Elgin Community Center. — calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande baugh of Enumclaw, Washington, Jeanne and Joe Gonzales of Union, Clay and Hoi Briggs of Ave Maria, Florida, Ken Briggs of Union, Tony and Lisa Briggs of Union, and Kit and Ron Blevins of Newport; daughter-in-law, Sandra Briggs; 15 grandchil- dren; and 18 great-grand- children and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son, Bob Briggs, and parents Ben- jamin and Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shri- ner’s Children Hospital, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3095 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Meri L. Olmstead La Grande Meri L. Olmstead, 75, La Grande, died March 7 at her home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. Grant G. Tsiatsos La Grande Grant G. Tsiatsos, 68, of La Grande, died March 6 at Wildflower Lodge. Arrangements are by Love- land Funeral Chapel & Crematory. James ‘Jim’ Romine La Grande James “Jim” Romine, 63, of La Grande, died March 4 at his home. Arrangements are by Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Crema- tion Services, Halfway. Public Safety Report FRIDAY, MARCH 5 SATURDAY, MARCH 6 10:02 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of a possible drug law violation on the 1500 block of 21st Street. An officer made contact and will follow up. 11:44 a.m. — An Imbler resi- dent on the 1000 block of Crescent Lane reported the theft of a license plate. A deputy made contact and explained options. 5:04 p.m. — A caller reported a domestic disturbance on the 3000 block of Walnut Street, La Grande. An officer responded and deter- mined there was a disagreement over property. The officer will follow up. 9:56 p.m. — La Grande police responded to Bud Jackson’s Eatery & Taps, 2209 Adams Ave., La Grande, on a report of a fight. An officer took a report. 12:31 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about noise on the 600 block of 12th Street. Officers warned tenants to keep it down. 10:37 a.m. — A caller reported possible animal neglect on the 62300 block of Leffel Road, La Grande. An animal enforcement officer will follow up. 11:02 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible sex crime in Elgin. 4:24 p.m. — Local law enforce- ment received a complaint about parking on the 2700 block of Cherry Street, La Grande. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded and told the subject to move the vehicle. 7:53 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1700 block of Walnut Street on a report of pos- sible gunshots. Officers resolved the situation. 11:46 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 800 block of Main Avenue on a report of a suspicious female. She left, but police later found her and took her to Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande, for mental health reasons. SUNDAY, MARCH 7 7:39 a.m. — A caller reported possible animal neglect on the 900 block of Crescent Road, Imbler. An animal enforcement officer made contact and will follow up. 2:05 p.m. — Union County sheriff’s deputies responded to Walmart, 11619 Island Ave, Island City, for a domestic disturbance. Subjects stated they were arguing. The deputies determined the situa- tion did not rise to the level of man- datory arrest. 2:40 p.m. — A caller reported juveniles shooting a BB gun on the 1200 block of Hall Street, La Grande. An officer made contact and will follow up. 5:30 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a malfunc- tioning traffic light at Portland Street and Island Avenue. The dis- patch center notified the Oregon Department of Transportation about the light. 9:59 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1300 block of Pratt Street on a report of a tres- pass. Police arrested Fram Sion, 43, of La Grande, for two counts of unauthorized entry into a vehicle, two counts of attempted unautho- rized entry into a vehicle and two counts of criminal trespass. Cook Memorial Library shelves overdue fines The Observer LA GRANDE — Cook Memorial Library, La Grande, no longer will assess overdue fines on any library materials effective April 1 and will forgive all outstanding overdue fines patrons may have accrued. Upon the recommen- dation of the Cook Memo- rial Library staff and the Library Advisory Commis- sion, the La Grande City Council passed a resolution Wednesday, March 3, abol- ishing library overdue fines, the library announced in a press release. “The library is com- mitted to providing equal access to every member of our community and elim- inating fines offers all of our patrons a fresh start to rediscover the library and all that it has to offer,” Cook Memorial Library Director Kip Roberson said in the release. “By elim- inating fines, the library is removing barriers and making access easy, equi- table and enjoyable for everyone.” The release stated that by eliminating overdue fines, the library aims to employ more effective methods to encourage the return of items, reengage patrons Ben Lonergan/EO Media Group, File Effective Thursday, April 1, 2021, Cook Memorial Library, La Grande, will cease assessing overdue fines on any library materials. The city council agreed to the recommendation, which furthers the library’s goal of providing equal access to every member of the com- munity. “By eliminating fines, the library is removing barriers and making access easy, equitable and enjoyable for everyone.” — Kip Roberson, Cook Memorial Library director who may have stopped using the library due to out- standing overdue fines, and more creatively use staff time and resources. The elimination of overdue fines does not include charges — past or future — for lost or dam- aged items. According to the library’s announce- ment, patrons with fees for lost or damaged items must return the items or pay for their replacement or face possible collection attempts. Along with more than 35,000 books, Cook Memo- rial Library also has DVDs, audiobooks, Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops, STEM kits and other items available for check out. The library also gives patrons access to multiple digital ser- vices that stream movies and TV shows, eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines. The Cook Memorial Library building, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande, reopened Monday, March 1. The library limits patrons to half an hour for browsing and checkout or one hour for library computer use. Patrons also must wear masks for entry. The library is open on weekdays. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the doors open to at-risk and older patrons at 10 a.m., to all patrons at 11 a.m., and the building closes at 5:30 p.m. On Wednesday, the library is open to all patrons from noon to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the library at 541-962- 1339 or visit the library online at www.cookmemo- riallibrary.org. EOU education department offers hybrid learning, extends application deadline The Observer LA GRANDE — Working educators have a new path to a bachelor’s degree in elementary edu- cation from Eastern Oregon University, La Grande. In addition to on-campus and onsite cohorts, the Col- lege of Education at EOU has developed a hybrid cohort open to students throughout the region, the university announced in a press release. This format allows students to com- plete most of their course- work online and engage in practicum placements without relocating. Matt Seimears, dean of the College of Educa- tion, in the release said the idea was born last spring when remote learning tools became prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That first cohort proved the innovative platforms could deliver high-quality teacher training remotely. “This will allow stu- dents from all over the state and beyond the opportunity to pursue this program,” Seimears said. “You get the flexibility of remote education with the stability of in-class instruction.” Students interact with peers from a variety of contexts and loca- tions, expanding discus- sion and building a pro- fessional network along the way. Students who already work in schools as paraprofessionals or in other roles can complete their practicum require- ments at their current site and maintain employment while progressing toward a degree. The release emphasized that two-year program pri- oritizes equity and access, with tailored pathways for transfer students. Under- graduates can qualify for elementary-level endorse- ments in Multiple Subjects and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Fac- ulty members partner with school districts to pro- vide ongoing support while developing a teacher-to- teacher network. “The one-on-one guid- ance our staff and fac- ulty offer students is one- of-a-kind,” adviser Kylie Evans said in the release. “The College of Educa- Turning 65, paying too much or want to compare your options? An Independent Insurance Agency tion programs at EOU are grounded in theory and industry-based experiences.” She said the new hybrid cohort is to provide the same initial teacher prepa- ration found on campus in a synchronous, online or hybrid-remote format. Growing interest in the hybrid model led adminis- trators to extend the appli- cation deadline from March 1 to April 1. Contact Kylie Evans at krevans@eou.edu for more information or visit eou. edu/undergraduate-elemen- tary-education. Applicants begin by submitting an EOU application for admission at eou.edu/ admissions/apply. La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR 975-2000 www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS Get Trusted, Friendly, Expert, Medicare Insurance Help admin@kereed.net Nicole Cathey 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City 541-975-1364 Toll Free 1-866-282-1925 www.reedinsurance.net Kevin Reed