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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2021)
RECORDS AND MORE TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 COMMUNITY Meetings LA GRANDE — The La Grande Rural Fire District’s board will have a budget committee meeting Tuesday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the fi re hall in Island City. Call 541-910-3114 for more information. Briefs Imbler School Board candidate forum is Wednesday IMBLER — The Imbler School District is hosting a forum for the candidates running for school board Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the high school. The forum will give people an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn a bit about each one. Masks and social distanc- ing are required. ‘ScreenAgers’ virtual events set LA GRANDE — The Union County Safe Communities Coalition invites parents and other community members to view a free livestream of the movie “ScreenAgers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” Thursday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. A virtual Q&A session will follow the viewing. A second fi lm, “ScreenAgers: Next Chapter, Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience,” will livestream Tuesday, May 11, at 6:30 pm. To register for the virtual events, go to www.ucsafecommunities.org/ upcoming-events. For more infor- mation, email ucsafecommunities@ gmail.com or call 541-963-1068. Public can view ballot counter test LA GRANDE — The public is welcome to observe the “Logic and Accuracy” test of the ballot counter that will be used for the May 18 special districts election. This test will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, at the Union County Clerk’s Offi ce, 1001 Fourth St., Suite D, La Grande. Space is limited, but as many observers as possible will be accommodated. Call the clerk’s offi ce at 541-963-1006 for more information. RSVP for next takeout Cove senior meal COVE — The Cove senior meal program is off ering takeout lunches on the fi rst and third Tuesday of the month. Due to restrictions in place caused by the coronavirus pandemic, meals are picked up in front of Founders Hall instead of be- ing served inside. The lunch will be handed out from noon to 12:30 p.m. Enter the driveway in front of the Ascension Founders Hall on Church Street from the north. The menu for Tuesday, May 18, is baked chicken, mac and cheese, peas and carrots, green salad, rolls and peach cobbler. There is a $5 charge per meal. If you haven’t been contacted, call Imie Bristow at 541-568-4545 by Wednes- day, May 12, to order your meal. Mark A. Strickland 1960-2021 • Elgin Mark Allan Strick- land, 61, of Elgin, died April 20 at his home. Arrangements are by Mun- selle-Rhodes Funeral Home, Milton-Freewater. Mark was born Jan. 17, 1960, in Walla Walla, Washington, to Steve and Betty Lou (Postlewait) Strickland. He attended Milton-Freewater schools. Mark worked for the city of Milton-Freewater at the age of 16. When he moved to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, he worked at various jobs including for Heavenly Valley Ski Resort as a snowcat mechanic and for var- ious construction fi rms. Mark later worked for his brother, Kim Strickland, for many years then started working for himself. He loved to do concrete work, sprinkler systems, chain link fences, pole buildings and numerous decks and remodels. Mark met his future wife, Pam, in Elgin. They were married April 8, 1994, in La Grande and had three children: Michael, Shelby and Shannon. Mark also had a daughter from a previous marriage: Shayley. Mark’s passion was fi shing. He also loved his hound dogs that he used for bobcat hunting. He loved hunting season. He was an archery hunter and enjoyed hunting with his son and daughters. Mark purchased a sailboat and enjoyed sailing and fi shing on Wallowa Lake. Surviving relatives include his wife, Pam, of Elgin: daughters and sons- in-law, Shayley and Chad Fisher of Milton-Free- water, Shelby Strickland of Junction City, Kansas, and Shannon and Josey Murry DELIVERY ISSUES? If you have any problems receiving your Observer, call 541- 963-3161. EOU hosts math conference The Observer LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon Uni- versity math professor Amy Yielding recently cohosted the Pacifi c Inland Mathematics Undergraduate Confer- ence for college students to present their original math research. This was the fi rst year EOU hosted the event, which more than 13 col- leges and universities attended April 10. Cash prizes went to the top speakers thanks to the Pacifi c Northwest Section of the Math- ematical Association of America and Pi Mu Epsilon. Learn more about the EOU mathematics pro- gram at eou.edu/math. OBITUARIES of Elgin; mother, Betty Lou Wales, and father, Steve Strickland, of Mil- ton-Freewater; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gini and Bob Davis and Rhonda and Cliff McReynolds; brother, Kim Strickland; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael; grandparents; and two aunts and one great-aunt. To leave an online con- dolence visit www.mun- sellerhodes.com. Charlene V. (Smith) Hall 1948-2021 • Formerly of La Grande Charlene Valetta Hall, 72, formerly of La Grande, died April 28 at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick, Washington. A graveside service will be held May 5 at 1 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery, La Grande. Charlene was born Sept. 14, 1948, to Harvey and Ida (Sherman) Smith in La Grande. She spent her childhood in La Grande, graduating high school in 1966. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Eugene “Butch” Hall on Dec. 31, 1966. She was wid- owed in 2011. Through their years together Charlene and Don raised two children: Rhonda and Jeff . They had the opportunity to travel and live many diff erent places. Her greatest joy was the time spent with her grandchildren. Charlene’s favorite place to spend time with family and friends was the beach. Surviving relatives include her children, Rhonda and Jeff ; three grandchildren; siblings, Carl and Christine; sis- ters-in-law, Linda, Jacque and Monaca; and broth- er-in-law, Jay. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, Harvey and Ida; and siblings, David, Maxine and Roger. Upcoming local services Cecle R. DeFries Center, Union. May 22 — BRUCE HILDE: noon memorial service, Skyview Ceme- tery, between Pendleton and Pilot Rock; cele- bration of life lunch fol- lows (RSVP by May 8 by emailing BruceHildeMe- morial@gmail.com). May 23 — CECLE DeFRIES: 2 p.m. cel- ebration of life, Union High School football fi eld (casual dress preferred). June 26 — DAVID COUNCIL: 1 p.m. cel- ebration of life, North Powder City Park. June 26 — SALLY TOUCHE-MOSER: 1-3 p.m. celebration of life open house, 404 Depot St., Enterprise. June 27 — MERI OLMSTEAD: 1 p.m. memorial service, Riv- erside Park Pavilion, La Grande. — calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande 1997-2021 • Union Cecle Rex “Jr.” DeFries, 23, of Union, died April 27 as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Union County. A celebration of his life will be held May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Union High School football fi eld. Casual dress is preferred by the family. Cecle was born July 17, 1997, in Brighton, Col- orado, to Nick DeFries and Addie (Savoie) Ham- mond. He resided in Union and graduated in 2016 from Union High School, where he participated on the wrestling, football and track teams. Cecle served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry PV2. He proudly received the Army Ser- vice Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal. Cecle was employed as a farmhand. While in high school he was an FFA member, and he loved to weld, show animals and drive tractors. His favorite activities were hunting, fi shing, being outdoors and fast driving. He lived like there was no tomorrow. Cecle was a loving father, son, brother and friend and made an impact on those he met. He played rough and tough but had a kind, caring heart and soul. His daughters brought out the best in him. He loved his mama and his daughters with every ounce of his being. Surviving relatives include his daughters, Payton and Aurora DeFries of Baker City; mother and partner, Addie and Rick Hammond of Union; father and partner, Nick DeFries and Katie Sim- Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services. May 5 — CHAR- LENE HALL: 1 p.m. graveside service, Grand- view Cemetery, La Grande. May 7 — BOB GREGORY: 2 p.m. graveside service, Grand- view Cemetery, La Grande; view the lives- tream at www.loveland- funeralchapel.com (click on “Funeral Videos” near bottom of home page). May 8 — DONNA DOUD: 11 a.m. grave- side service, Summerville Cemetery. May 17 — JERRY BROOKSHIRE: 2 p.m. graveside service, Union Historic Cemetery; recep- tion follows at Cath- erine Creek Community mons of Union; siblings, Caitlin DeFries of Union, Jordan DeFries of Union, Tyler DeFries of Union, Levi Hammond of La Grande, Ty Hammond of La Grande, and Hailey Hammond of Union; aunts, Kira Martinez, Shanna Riomondo and Becca Rio- mondo; uncles, Chris DeFries and wife, Can- dice, Eddie Savioe and Levi Tatkenhorst; grand- mother, Georgeann Savioe; grandparents, Debbie and Ralph Riomondo, Jim and Connie DeFries, and Jerry and Carol Hansen; and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his grandfa- ther, George Donahou; great-grandmother, Bar- bara DeFries; and great- grandfathers, Charlie DeFries and Roy Wilkes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Bob W. Gregory La Grande Bob W. Gregory, 92, of La Grande, died May 1 at his residence. A grave- side service will be held May 7 at 2 p.m. at Grand- view Cemetery, La Grande. Attendees must wear a mask and practice social distancing to meet COVID-19 guidelines. The graveside service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend; go to www. lovelandfuneralchapel. com and click on “Funeral Videos” near the bottom of the home page just before 2 p.m. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Lottery Megabucks: $2.1 million 27-34-35-39-40-42 Powerball: $129 million 35-36-47-61-63 — PB 3 x3 Mega Millions: $319 million 8-19-26-48-49 — MB 5 x3 Win for Life: May 1 8-28-33-54 Pick 4: May 2 • 1 p.m.: 8-5-2-0; • 4 p.m.: 3-6-8-6 • 7 p.m.: 4-2-0-1; • 10 p.m.: 1-4-2-6 Pick 4: May 1 • 1 p.m.: 3-8-5-5; • 4 p.m.: 1-5-8-0 • 7 p.m.: 9-0-4-7; • 10 p.m.: 9-3-1-1 Pick 4: April 30 • 1 p.m.: 2-6-4-7; • 4 p.m.: 6-0-2-8 • 7 p.m.: 5-1-9-7; • 10 p.m.: 9-8-1-7 THE OBSERVER — 3A FRIDAY, APRIL 30 9:30 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a report of a pos- sible sex crime in Union. 10:55 a.m. — A caller complained about a dog on the loose at Sixth Street and O Avenue, La Grande. An animal enforcement offi cer responded and returned the dog to its owner. 10:58 a.m. — A caller complained about two dogs at large at Crook Avenue and Second Street, La Grande. An animal enforcement offi cer responded and took the dogs to the Blue Moun- tain Humane Association shelter, La Grande. 4 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a report of horses on the loose on the 1000 block of West Birch Street, Union. 9:22 p.m. — A caller reported a possible distur- bance on the 90 block of North 17th Avenue, Elgin. A Union County sher- iff ’s deputy responded and determined the subject had mental health issues. The person denied any assistance. 9:55 p.m. — La Grande police received a report about someone threat- ening to damage vehicles on the 300 block of 20th Street. An offi cer made contact and provided extra patrols. SATURDAY, MAY 1 4 a.m. — La Grande police responded to a res- idence on the 1800 block of G Avenue on a report of a loud party. The subjects turned off the music. 11:56 a.m. — A caller reported a fi ght at Walmart, 11619 Island Ave., Island City. A Union County sheriff ’s deputy responded and separated the parties. 12:14 p.m. — La Grande police stopped a vehicle on the 3000 block of Island Avenue, La Grande, and arrested Tyler Ray Ruiz, 25, of La Grande, on a probation violation with an addi- tional charge of driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. 1:15 p.m. — A caller reported a theft from a storage unit at a residence on the 500 block of Center Street, North Powder. A Union County sheriff ’s deputy responded and took information. 3:41 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a report of someone trying to break into a residence on the 100 block of North 17th Avenue, Elgin. A deputy responded and trespassed a person from three residences. 10:02 p.m. — A caller reported a possible theft of a vehicle from the 1900 block of Cedar Street, La Grande. An offi cer con- tacted the caller. 11:25 p.m. — A Union County sheriff ’s deputy contacted an Elgin resi- dent on a report of suspi- cious activity. The deputy took information and issued a warning for the misuse of 911. La GRANDE AUTO REPAIR SUNDAY, MAY 2 1:03 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a report of a pos- sible underage drinking party on the 500 block of Center Street, North Powder. A deputy coun- seled subjects at the scene. 5:37 a.m. — A caller reported the theft of a vehicle from the 500 block of Second Street, La Grande. An offi cer made contact and took information. 10:41 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the intersection of 21st Street and L Avenue for a vehicle crash. Police subsequently arrested Lance William Couvil- lion, 20, for fi rst-degree hit-and-run, fi rst-degree criminal mischief and driving under the infl u- ence of intoxicants. 4:19 p.m. — A Union County sheriff ’s deputy responded to a report of trespassers on the 11200 block of Keltz Lane, La Grande. The property owner gave them two days to get off the site. 7:56 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of juveniles throwing rocks on the 1700 block of Washington Street. An offi cer responded but did not fi nd the youths. 8:36 p.m. — A caller reported an intoxicated person walking in the road on the 1700 block of Gekeler Lane, La Grande. An offi cer arrived and advised the person to stay off the road. 975-2000 The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. www.lagrandeautorepair.com MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE eomediagroup.com Joe Horst ACDelcoTSS A Smarter Way to Power Your Home. REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!* (844) 989-2328 *Off er value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately. Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY! 877-557-1912 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! 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