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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2021)
FROM PAGE ONE TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021 THE OBSERVER — 5A STEM Continued from Page 1A Kathy Aney/East Oregonian, File Seventeen-year-old Weston-McEwen senior Bailey Munck testifi es re- motely from Pendleton on March 25, 2021, for Senate Bill 649, known as Bailey’s Bill. The bill increases penalties for criminal sexual contact with an underage victim when the defendant is the victim’s teacher. BILL gonian. “I just have a problem with picking Continued from Page 1A and choosing who gets justice.” also doesn’t remember Levy is all in. She the rule being used. hopes to meet Munck, “This is an extremely now 17, and tell her how rare occurrence,” proud of her she is. Sekerak said. “When “It’s criminally wrong this many members of that teachers aren’t held a committee want to to the same high stan- do something, the chair dard as coaches,” she usually works something said. “Children are our out.” greatest assets and we Noble, a former need to protect them.” McMinnville police Levy will testify chief, said he knew on May 18, along with about Hansell, the rule Munck and because “Children are others. he studied While our greatest the rule- testifying book the remotely assets and same way to the he studied Senate Judi- we need to the crim- ciary Com- inal code protect them.” mittee of as a law the Oregon — Rep. Bobby Levy, enforce- Legislature R-Echo ment in March, offi cer. the teenager “It’s in was direct. my nature to get a feel “What is the signifi - for what’s out there,” he cant diff erence between said. a teacher and a coach? Noble said committee Do coaches somehow members tried other carry more authority strategies fi rst. When than a teacher might?” eff orts to urge Bynum she asked the senators. to schedule a hearing “Coaches and teachers failed, they fi nally should be prosecuted resorted to House Rule equally as they both 8.20. Noble said all nine have responsibility for members simply thought students’ safety and the bill deserved to be they both have positions considered. of authority and power “People who we over their students and entrust with our youth players.” must be held to a higher If Munck’s abuser, standard,” he said. DeYoe, had been a “They have to be held coach, he might have accountable.” been convicted of a Rep. Bobby Levy, Class C felony, a crime R-Echo, who is shep- that carries sentences up herding the bill on the to fi ve years in prison House side, felt relief and a $125,000 fi ne. But when the bill became DeYoe wasn’t techni- unstuck. Bynum had cally a coach. Instead, stopped by Levy’s desk DeYoe, 31, got a lighter to let her know the bill sentence. In the plea was moving again. deal, he forfeited his Levy said she had teaching license, ter- communicated with minated his housing Bynum about her rea- lease in Athena and sons for holding up agreed to have no con- the bill, but said, “I’m tact with minors who going to let her speak for are not family members. herself.” He spent a night in the A request to Bynum Umatilla County Jail by the East Orego- and will serve fi ve years nian was not returned probation. He wasn’t by press time. How- required to register as a ever, Bynum told Ore- sex off ender. gonian reporter Chris Adding the words Lehman that she is frus- “and teachers” to the trated about legislation existing law would designed to dial back close the loophole, said the eff ects of Measure Munck and others who 11 that is stalled. She testifi ed that day. This is expressed no reserva- a simple fi x, they said. tions about Bailey’s Bill, “This is a solid bipar- but seemed to be using it tisan bill,” Levy said. “It as a bargaining chip. should pass out of the “I don’t have any House with full support problems with the bill and go to the governor’s itself,” she told the Ore- desk to be signed.” ReMake Learning Days Across America also funded several local events throughout Oregon to enlist caregivers, par- ents and children in STEM activities. Meghan Ballard hosted two such events, May 11 and May 14, in La Grande. One was a visit to Pete’s Pond on Miller Drive, where Ballard and Boy Scout Troop 515 planted native trees and shrubs with the goal of strengthening the water quality and stimu- lating the local ecosystem. “For young learners, and all ages really, getting that hands-on experience really helps cement the con- cepts in their brain,” Bal- lard said. “Being able to see it visually and learn about it through talking and dis- cussions while seeing your peers do it helps out a lot.” The local scouts planted upward of 20 trees and shrubs, including Oregon’s state fl ower, the Oregon grape. GO STEM Hub and Plantworks in Cove donated the plants for the event. On May 14, a younger crowd gathered to take part in an aquatic insect and water quality survey at Pete’s Pond. The pre- schoolers in attendance sampled for macroinverte- brates in the pond and cre- ated arts and crafts. While COVID-19 lim- ited the scope of in-person events, the largely vir- tual STEM Week went 2306 Adams Ave La Grande, OR 97850 (541) 963-8411 We're just west of I-84 (exit 261) on Adams Ave at 20th St. lesschwab.com Davis Carbaugh/The Observer Members of the Boy Scout Troup 515 plant trees near Pete’s Pond in La Grande on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, as part of STEM Week. on smoothly throughout Oregon. “We’ve really focused on being able to provide the resources we would have done in person,” Melville said. “We are holding ses- sions and diff erent events in person, but making sure that we’re following protocols and providing those oppor- tunities online as well.” Among the online resources, GO STEM Hub purchased the license for an online showing of “Picture a Scientist,” a 2020 Tribeca Film Festival selection that documents a new age of women in STEM explora- tion and careers. “I hope they fi nd that they can enjoy sci- ence, math and engi- neering,” Rainboth said of those who participated in STEM Week. “Experi- encing what they’re good at leads to critical thinking, problem solving and career connections.” Learn more about STEM education in Eastern Oregon at www.go-stem.org. RESIDENCY Continued from Page 1A from a pre-production standpoint.” The cohort consists of four former fi lm fes- tival participants and two newcomers. Four of the fi lm- makers reside in Cali- fornia, while Parker Win- ship is from Wisconsin and Karina Lomlin Ripper is from Portland. Samantha Crainich is originally from Alabama and Alex- ander Craven hails from Colorado. The previous roles of these fi lmmakers include directing, producing, acting and working in art departments. Natalie Metzger, a fi lm producer, is using the change of scenery to inspire creativity and experience a new community. “My bread and butter is mostly producing, so switching from the fast pace of producing to slowing down was a big shift,” Metzger said. “Get- ting to know people, get- ting to know the area and hiking through the hills has been magical.” Director H. Nelson Tracey said he hopes the residency program con- tinues and more fi lm- makers can come to know La Grande and experience this creative process. “It feels like there’s a potential for a lot of great stuff ,” Tracey said. “With Chris specifi cally and what he’s creating, there’s a sense of ambition and potential energy here that is not often found in a regional fi lm festival.” WE’RE Hours Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sat: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Alex Wittwer/The Observer From left, Xavier Green, Avery Durr, Lucy Wright and Aria Wright inspect water samples from Pete’s Pond, La Grande, on Friday, May 14, 2021, during a STEM Week event. HERE TO HELP Davis Carbaugh/The Observer The Eastern Oregon Film Festival’s inaugural fi lmmaker residency cohort concludes a meeting Saturday, May 15, 2021, at HQ on Depot Street, La Grande. Festival director Chris Jennings (far left) is in charge of organizing the residency and presenting opportunities for the fi lmmakers. In addition to their work, the fi lmmakers are visiting local restaurants, events, hikes and venues to inspire them during their time in Eastern Oregon. The group visited the La Grande Farmers Market on its opening day Saturday, May 15, and later attended “Love Is a Scandal: An Evening of Anton Chekhov One Acts” at the Elgin Opera House. Jennings and the cohort primarily meet at HQ on Depot Street, La Grande, a creative media studio and live event venue. After vis- iting the farmers market, the group gathered at HQ to have an open discus- sion about logistics of the EOFF and other local fi lm- making opportunities. “I have the mindset of writing a project here, but also coming back and making a movie here,” Tracey said. The group of fi lm- makers also visited the Liberty Theatre on Adams Avenue in La Grande. The 2021 EOFF will host most of its showings at the his- toric venue following the completion of renovations this fall. “It feels like there’s a lot of stuff happening in La Grande, with the Lib- erty Theatre being reno- vated too,” Metzger said. “It feels like there’s this energy here, like a cul- tural hub, which I think is special.” According to the Lib- erty Theatre Foundation, Eastern Oregon University donated 300 seats to be installed in the theater, and Loso Hall on campus will be used for the 2021 EOFF as well. HQ also will fea- ture as a venue for this year’s festival. “The next step is for one of them to come back and make a movie,” Jen- nings said. “If we can create a cycle of that with our programming, then not only are we hitting a tourism aspect but we’re also building a real viable industry.” Near the conclusion of the residency, the cohort will participate in a public forum, discussing the stay in La Grande and fi lmmaking opportuni- ties moving forward. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 21, at HQ. For more information, visit the Eastern Oregon Film Fes- tival’s Facebook page and www.eofi lmfest.com.
