RECORDS
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021
THE OBSERVER — 3A
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
6:41 a.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a com-
plaint about a possible restraining order violation on the 68600
block of Highway 82, Imbler. Deputies resolved the situation.
8:59 a.m. — A caller reported cattle on the loose in the area of
68800 Craig Loop, Summerville. An animal enforcement offi cer
made contact, and the owner responded to pick up the animals.
9:51 a.m. — A caller reported animal neglect on the 71800
block of Palmer Junction Road, Elgin. An animal enforcement offi -
cer planned to follow up.
11:32 a.m. — A resident on the 1800 block of 26th Street, La
Grande, asked to speak to law enforcement about an ongoing
issue with someone trapping cats. A Union County sheriff ’s deputy
made contact and will follow up.
2:11 p.m. — A caller reported possible animal neglect on the
2000 block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. A Union County sheriff ’s
deputy arrived and warned the owner of the animal.
3:48 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a report
of a suspicious person at Walmart, 11625 Island Ave., Island City.
A deputy responded and arrested Kyle Christopher Blom, 27, on
a Union County warrant for failure to appear, two Malheur County
warrants for failure to appear and on a Washington State Depart-
ment of Corrections warrant charging escape from community
custody.
BIRTHS
4:26 p.m. — La Grande police responded to a residence for a
person threatening self-harm and notifi ed the Center for Human
Development for mental health services.
8:46 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce on a follow-up
cited a Union juvenile for fourth-degree assault.
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
2:25 a.m. — A caller reported a possible burglary at a home on
the 1200 block of Alder Street, La Grande. Offi cers responded and
instead of a burglar found an elderly neighbor, who walked home.
8:53 a.m. — A traffi c stop at Island Avenue and Riddle Road, La
Grande, led to the Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce arresting Dalton
Chase Tanzey, 26, for felon in possession of a restricted weapon and
on a Umatilla County warrant for failure to appear for a weapon
off ense.
11:13 a.m. — A caller reported a possible game law violation at
Morgan Lake, La Grande.
12:45 p.m. — La Grande police responded to a residence on the
2200 block of Fir Street on a report of a disturbance. Offi cers sepa-
rated the parties.
5:17 p.m. — A caller reported a car prowler on the 1500 block of
21st Street, La Grande. An offi cer took down information.
5:43 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1400 block of V
Avenue on a report of a domestic disturbance. Offi cers arrived and
gave options.
Reggie Gibson to celebrate
100th birthday June 27
Eagle Cap Excursion Train returns July 3,
complete with train robberies
ELGIN — After a year’s reprieve due to COVID-
19, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train returns this
summer on Saturday, July 3. The 2021 schedule is
full of opportunities for a train ride beside the Grande
Ronde and Wallowa rivers on the Wallowa Union
Railroad, historically known as the Joseph Branch
Railroad. Further Saturday excursions in July are
planned for July 17, 24 and 31, plus a mid-week train
on Wednesday, July 21.
Season highlights include train robberies by
mounted bandits, a few mid-week runs and many
wonderful chances to enjoy the colorful fall foliage.
The round-trip excursions depart from the Elgin
Depot. To book a ride on the train and excursion
description, go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com/
ridethetrain.
Information is also available by calling the Elgin
Depot at 541-437-3652 or emailing tickets@eagle-
captrainrides.com. According to the website, busi-
ness hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. during the season, plus Saturdays when there is
a train ride.
Contributed Photo
Reginald “Reggie” Gibson will celebrate his 100th birthday with a
party Sunday, June 27, from 2-4 p.m. at the Catherine Creek Commu-
nity Center, housed in Union’s historic Methodist Church. Friends are
invited to stop by and wish Reggie a happy birthday. A light meal,
cake and ice cream will be provided.
UNION — Oregon Junior Golf is coming to North-
east Oregon for the fi rst time, with a tournament set
for June 28-July 2 at the Buff alo Peak Golf Course
in Union. More than 100 of the best junior golfers in
Oregon will participate, and organizers are seeking vol-
unteers to help the event run smoothly and support the
local golf course.
Anyone interested in volunteering for roles such as
walkers, scorers, spotters, greeters and parking assis-
tants are asked to contact Dana at 541-562-5527 or
dana@buff alopeakgolf.com as soon as possible.
ON THE MENU
Two Thursday concert series kick off next
week in Northeast Oregon
LA GRANDE, ENTERPRISE — The Riverside
Concert Series returns this summer beginning July 1 at
La Grande’s Riverside Park. Enjoy free live music from
local artists in the park every Thursday from 6-8 p.m.,
rain or shine (if the weather is bad, the concert will
move to inside the pavilion). The series is organized by
La Grande Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the
La Grande Arts Commission.
The July 1 concert will feature JoJo Mac. There are
a few spots left in the schedule. Local musicians inter-
ested in playing during the series can call La Grande
Parks and Recreation at 541-962-1352 for more details.
In Wallowa County, the long-running Courthouse
Concert Series also kicks off July 1 on the Wallowa
County Courthouse lawn in Enterprise. Featuring local
and regional musicians, these free concerts begin at
5:30 p.m. and are sponsored by the Wallowa County
Board of Commissioners, Wallowa County Cultural
Trust Coalition and the city of Enterprise. The schedule
is posted at www.wvmusicalliance.org.
— The Observer
Union County Senior
Center takeout lunch
menu
Union County kids
free grab-and-go
lunch menu
Pick up 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at 1504 N.
Albany St., La Grande.
For delivery, call 541-963-
7532 before 10 a.m. Age
60+, $3 suggested dona-
tion; all others, $5. Public is
welcome.
Free grab-and-go lunch
for anyone ages 1-18, served
Monday-Friday from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at the Riveria Activity
Center, 2609 Second St., La
Grande. Lunch for adults
is $4.
June 28-30
June 28-30
Monday: tomatoes fi lled
with chicken salad, fresh
fruit, bread, cobbler.
Tuesday: bacon cheese-
burgers, steak fries, fresh
fruit, ice cream.
Wednesday: almond
chicken, rice pilaf, salad
greens, fresh fruit,
dessert.
Monday: mini Joes,
steak fries, veggies sticks,
fresh fruit, Jell-O, milk.
Tuesday: chicken pot
pie, celery sticks, fresh
fruit, ice cream cup, milk.
Wednesday: orange
chicken, rice, green salad,
fresh fruit, fortune cookie,
milk.
FAMILY
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AUTO REPAIR
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EASTERN OREGON
2021
Union
Nellie A. Thompson, 86, of Union, died June 23,
2021, at her residence. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Volunteers sought for junior golf tournament
in Union, set June 28-July 2
The most valuable and
respected source of
local news, advertising
and information for
our communities.
DEATH NOTICE
Nellie A. Thompson
MILESTONE
COMMUNITY
BULLETIN BOARD
GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL
BARTOV: Noah Michael Bartov, June 13, 2021, son
of Michelle Bartov and Jonathan Bartov, of La Grande.
FARMER: Neveah Simane Farmer, June 16, 2021,
daughter of Keana Obechou Remoket and Kentrell
LaVan Farmer, of La Grande.
RAINSBERRY: Beckham Scott Rainsberry, June
16, 2021, son of Marissa Vaye Rainsberry and Kaleb
Thomas Rainsberry, of La Grande. Grandparents are
Amy and Klel Carson and Scott and Nicole Rainsberry.
SAIN-PARSONS: Greycelynn Sain-Parsons, June
13, 2021, daughter of Alicia Parsons and Shane Sain,
of La Grande. Grandparents are Angela Parsons and
Robert Parsons.
SIMONS: Rowyn Rae Simons, June 14, 2021,
daughter of Tierra Lynn Simons and Nicholas Ray
Simons, of La Grande.
PHOTO CONTEST
Voting for ‘People’s Choice’
NOW OPEN
Vote online for People’s Choice from 12:01 am Monday,
June 21 through 11:59 pm Wednesday, June 30.
The winners will appear in the July 8th edition of Go Magazine;
the top 25 will appear online.
Gift cards to a restaurant of your choice will be awarded for fi rst, second and third place.
All photos online at:
lagrandeobserver.com/photocontest
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face cov-
erings and social dis-
tancing at all services.
June 26 — TED
VANDENBERG: noon
to 4 p.m. celebration of
life gathering (lunch pro-
vided), Riverside Park
Pavilion, La Grande.
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.
July 3 — GERALD
CRAWFORD: 2 p.m.
celebration life and pot-
luck gathering, behind
Enterprise Community
Church.
July 5 — JAMES
MAXWELL: 10 a.m.
graveside memorial ser-
vice with Air Force Mil-
itary Honors, Haines
Cemetery.
July 10 — CAROLE
HALVORSON: 1 p.m.
celebration of life, Carole
and Bob’s Starkey ranch
(RSVP to 58310 Grande
Ronde River Road, La
Grande 97850; icyriv-
erranch@gmail.com; or
541-428-2139).
July 18 — RAY
STINNETT: 10 a.m. cel-
ebration of life, Ray and
Patti’s ranch on Morgan
Lake Road, La Grande.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Scott Daniel Baker
November 2, 1963 - June 20, 2021
Scott Daniel Baker, of La Grande, passed away
peacefully, at the age of 57, in his home on Sunday,
June 20, 2021, with his mother and his brother at
his side. A Graveside service was held at Grandview
Cemetery Mausoleum.
Scott was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in
LaGrande, Oregon on November 2, 1963, to Sue
(Daniels) Baker and Ronald Baker. They soon
learned that he was born with an extra chromo-
some and was a carrier of Down’s Syndrome. But a
beautiful family bond was forged around their son, grandson, brother, and
uncle who was slower and more fragile, but whose kindness and devotion
made him the center of the family.
Scott attended Central Elementary School in his youth. When New Day
Enterprises was formed in the early 1970s to support families with devel-
opmental disabilities, Scott transitioned there in order to continue work
on life and socialization skills; it was also a place to work on job skills and
employment opportunities. Scott would also take part in holiday parties,
dances, and bowling events. Central and New Day gave Scott the opportu-
nity to develop friendships with people at work and in the community.
Scott was well-known in Grande Ronde Valley. At a time when people
with disabilities were not seen, Scott was taken into the community and
given the opportunity to socialize with and meet new people. He would be
often seen with his mother, Sue, who had dedicated her life to him; or with
his grandparents, Norman and Ellen Daniels. Scott loved to go up to his
grandparent’s mining claims in the Mormon Basin. He would learn how to
pan for gold, ride horses, and learn how to shoot guns. Scott also enjoyed
fishing with his grandfather in and around the Basin.
Scott was baptized in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in LaGrande and at-
tended services with his family. Scott volunteered to clean and take care of
the church while his mother served on Alder Guide. Scott also participated
in the Special Olympics. When he was younger, Scott participated in track
and field events. As he got older, he shifted to bowling, then ultimately
golf. He participated numerous times at the State Games of Oregon, where
he would become a gold-medalist.
Scott’s true passion was cars and trucks. He enjoyed reading car and
truck magazines and learning about both old and new cars. He really
loved older trucks. Scott had a couple of old junker cars that he enjoyed
tinkering under the hood. He also loved listening to music. He especially
loved The Beatles, and Elvis.
Scott enjoyed his 57 years living in the Grande Ronde Valley. He appre-
ciated the mountains, the trees, and the wildlife. He also liked to go to the
Oregon Coast. Lincoln City was the usual destination. In his youth, Scott
loved the coast, especially the Pixie Kitchen and Pixie Land attractions in
the early ‘70s. He would take his younger brother, Tim, on the rides; he
especially enjoyed the Log Flume ride.
Scott is survived by his mother, Sue Daniels Baker of LaGrande; his
brother, Tim Baker of Aurora, Oregon; his sister-in-law, Sherilyn; his
nephew, Caleb, and niece, Samantha; his cousins, Clay and Darcia Throop,
also of LaGrande.
Scott was an unwitting pioneer of his time. Scott was born with Down’s
Syndrome in a time when people with disabilities were institutionalized.
In Scott’s 57 years, there has been a seismic shift in the philosophy of how
people with disabilities should be treated. Because Scott’s family chose
to raise him in a loving home and gave him opportunities to learn and
to grow, he, in turn, made everyone around him, better people. Today,
children with disabilities are given the opportunity to go to school and
work and truly be a part of the community they live in. Once hidden away
from society, people with disabilities now live, work, go to school, and have
become fixtures in our society. Scott touched many lives, but many lives
also touched him. Scott Baker, and his family, helped to pave the way for
today’s generations on how to live, love, and accept.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuner-
alchapel.com.