LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
SaTuRday, July 17, 2021
Umatilla
National
Forest
closed
TODAY
TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Saturday, July 17, the
198th day of 2021. There are 167
days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History
On July 17, 1975, an Apollo
spaceship docked with a Soyuz
spacecraft in orbit in the first
superpower link-up of its kind.
ON THIS DATE
In 1821, Spain ceded Florida
to the United States.
In 1862, during the Civil
War, Congress approved the
Second Confiscation Act, which
declared that all slaves taking
refuge behind Union lines were
to be set free.
In 1918, Russia’s Czar Nich-
olas II and his family were exe-
cuted by the Bolsheviks.
In 1936, the Spanish Civil War
began as right-wing army gen-
erals launched a coup attempt
against the Second Spanish
Republic.
In 1944, during World War
II, 320 men, two-thirds of them
African-Americans, were killed
when a pair of ammunition
ships exploded at the Port
Chicago Naval Magazine in
California.
In 1945, following Nazi Ger-
many’s surrender, President
Harry S. Truman, Soviet leader
Josef Stalin and British Prime
Minister Winston S. Churchill
began meeting at Potsdam in
the final Allied summit of World
War II.
In 1962, the United States
conducted its last atmospheric
nuclear test to date, detonating
a 20-kiloton device, codenamed
Little Feller I, at the Nevada
Test Site.
In 1967, after seven dates,
Jimi Hendrix quit as the
opening act for the Monkees
following a concert at Forest
Hills Stadium in New York.
(Although greatly admired
by the Monkees, Hendrix had
received a less than enthusiastic
reception from their fans.)
In 1981, 114 people were
killed when a pair of suspended
walkways above the lobby of
the Kansas City Hyatt Regency
Hotel collapsed during a dance.
In 1996, TWA Flight 800,
a Europe-bound Boeing 747,
exploded and crashed off Long
Island, New York, shortly after
departing John F. Kennedy
International Airport, killing all
230 people on board.
In 1997, Woolworth Corp.
announced it was closing its
400 remaining five-and-dime
stores across the country,
ending 117 years in business.
In 2014, Eric Garner, a Black
man accused of selling loose,
untaxed cigarettes, died shortly
after being wrestled to the
ground by New York City police
officers; a video of the take-
down showed Garner repeat-
edly saying, “I can’t breathe.”
All 298 passengers and crew
aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight
17 were killed when the Boeing
777 was shot down over
Ukraine.
Ten years ago: Japan won
the Women’s World Cup in
Frankfurt, Germany, stunning
the United States 3-1 in a pen-
alty shootout after coming from
behind twice in a 2-2 tie..
Five years ago: Three Baton
Rouge law enforcement officers
investigating a report of a man
with an assault rifle were killed,
less than 2 weeks after a Black
man was shot and killed by
police in the city in a confronta-
tion that sparked protests.
One year ago: Civil rights
icon John Lewis, whose bloody
beating by Alabama state
troopers in 1965 helped gal-
vanize opposition to racial
segregation, and who went
on to a long and celebrated
career in Congress, died at
the age of 80. Militarized fed-
eral agents deployed by Pres-
ident Donald Trump to Port-
land, Oregon, again fired tear
gas to break up crowds of pro-
testers. Oregon’s attorney gen-
eral sued the Department of
Homeland Security and the
Marshals Service, alleging that
unidentified federal agents had
grabbed people off the streets
of Portland with no warrant or
explanation.
LOTTERY
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Megabucks
08-09-13-18-24-44
Jackpot: $5.4 million
Lucky Lines
02-05-09-13-20-21-28-32
Estimated jackpot: $27,000
Powerball
33-46-52-59-62
Powerball: 10
Power Play: 2
Jackpot: $150 million
Win for Life
33-49-52-77
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 7-6-4-2
4 p.m.: 3-9-6-2
7 p.m.: 4-2-2-3
10 p.m.: 2-7-2-7
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Lucky Lines
01-06-12-16-20-22-26-30
Estimated jackpot: $28,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 8-3-3-6
4 p.m.: 1-6-5-8
7 p.m.: 8-6-7-5
10 p.m.: 2-9-1-3
Risk of fire prompts
immediate closure
The Observer
alex Wittwer/The Observer
J.W. Emory, left, with Waylon McClure, Clayton McClure, Darren Rodgers and Brayden Johnston take advantage of the Elgin Corner
Market’s offer of free cold treats on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Dozens of kids visited the store — some more than once — as the store
celebrated its 100th year of business in Elgin.
Elgin Corner Market celebrates 100 years
By CARLOS FUENTES
The Observer
ELGIN — If you’ve
spent much time in the
Grande Ronde Valley,
there’s a good chance
you’ve been to the Elgin
Corner Market.
A staple of the city,
the shop celebrated its
100 year anniversary on
Wednesday, July 14, with
decorations and free ice
cream.
“It’s definitely a fixture
here in Elgin,” owner Brad
McLaughlin said. “Every-
body knows what Corner
Market is and they come
down here for snacks and
goodies, and we try to con-
tribute to causes and be a
good community member.
I think it’s an important
part of the community.”
McLaughlin has been
the market’s owner for 17
years, since he bought the
business from Bill and
Debbie Johnson, who ran
the store for a decade.
“There’s only been five
or six owners in 100 years,
alex Wittwer/The Observer
Elgin Corner Market owner Brad McLaughlin poses for a photo be-
hind the counter on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The store celebrated
its centennial year with gifts of free ice cream to patrons.
which is really not that
much,” McLaughlin said.
“When this store became
available, I had an oppor-
tunity to take over thanks
to my parents’ help.”
Gene Livingston, long-
time customer and Elgin
resident, said the service
is what makes the store so
great.
“I’ve been coming here
for 10 years,” Livingston
said. “It’s an icon, every-
body comes here. It’s a
great store and Brad’s a
great guy.”
Although the exact
day of the anniversary is
unknown, McLaughlin
decided to celebrate on
July 14 because of its per-
sonal significance.
“My dad always would
sit out here and buy
kids ice cream,” he said.
“Today’s his birthday, so
we decided to celebrate
100 years today because
he loved sitting out here on
the bench and buying kids
ice cream bars.”
The market has always
had close ties with the
Elgin community. Ear-
lier this year, the busi-
ness donated the breakfast
supplies for the Firemen’s
Breakfast at the Elgin
Riverfest.
“It’s a good place to
be,” McLaughlin said.
“My wife teaches here at
the elementary school, and
we just love it out here.
The community has been
great.”
Along with the commu-
nity, McLaughlin credits
the market employees with
keeping the store running
smoothly during a pan-
demic and labor shortage.
“It’s hard to get good
people right now, but
we have an exceptional
group,” McLaughlin said.
“Lots of businesses are
trying to hire, it’s kind of
a weird moment, but thank
goodness we have a good
group.”
Elgin council to discuss $2.5 million grant
Funds would help
mitigate the
floodplain impact
on sewer system
By CARLOS FUENTES
The Observer
ELGIN — The Elgin
City Council will hold a
public meeting to discuss
an application for a Com-
munity Development Block
Grant.
Elgin will use the grant
to mitigate the floodplain
impact on its sewer system,
according to Elgin City
Councilor J.T. Thorne.
The city council is asking
the public for its input on
IF YOU GO
What: Elgin City Council
meeting
Where: Elgin City Hall, 790 S
Eighth Ave.
When: 7 p.m., Wednesday,
July 21
the fund’s allocation. The
meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 21, at
Elgin City Hall.
“The purpose of this
hearing is for the city
council to obtain citizen
views and to respond to
questions and comments
about: community devel-
opment and housing needs,
especially the needs of
low- and moderate-income
persons, as well as other
needs in the community
that might be assisted with
a Community Develop-
ment Block Grant project,”
Thorne said in a statement.
The U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban
Development is providing
$12 million for the grants,
which are allocated for
improvements on public
facilities and housing proj-
ects specifically in rural
Oregon communities.
Cities can apply for
grants ranging from
$100,000 to $2.5 million.
Elgin will be applying for
the maximum amount of
$2.5 million, according to
Thorne.
The council estimates
that of the 1,730 residents
who will benefit from the
project, 47% are classi-
fied as low income. Such a
major project might nega-
tively impact some of these
residents, but the city has a
plan to minimize harm.
“Permanent involun-
tary displacement of per-
sons or businesses is not
anticipated as a result from
the proposed project,”
Thorne’s statement said.
“If displacement becomes
necessary, alternatives
will be examined to min-
imize the displacement
and provide required/rea-
sonable benefits to those
displaced.”
If approved for the
grant, funding would
become available in
November 2021. As of
now, there is no timeline
for the project.
NEWS BRIEFS
ODFW removes fishing
limits in parts of Wallowa,
Baker counties
LA GRANDE — The Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife has
lifted size and daily fishing limits in
parts of Wallowa and Baker coun-
ties due to severe drought conditions
and high temperatures, which often
lead to degraded water quality and
increased fish deaths.
In Wallowa County, limits will be
lifted until Sept. 30, when experts
predict that drought conditions will
improve. The limits apply to Honey-
moon Pond, Tee Pee Pond, McGraw
Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond and
Kinney Lake.
In Baker County, limits will be
lifted until Oct. 10 on Phillips Res-
ervoir between Mason Dam and
Hudspeth Road, Thief Valley Res-
ervoir and Powder River between
Thief Valley Reservoir and Phillips
Reservoir.
There are two exceptions to the
rule — bull trout and tiger muskies
must be released.
“ODFW encourages anglers to
keep any fish that they catch not oth-
erwise listed in the exceptions, and
practice ‘if you don’t know, let it go’
in areas you may encounter fish listed
as exceptions,” the fish and wildlife
department said in a statement.
Burn ban proposal
to be discussed
LA GRANDE — The Union
County Board of Commissioners will
meet at 9 a.m. Monday, July 19, in
the Joseph Building, 1106 K Ave., La
Grande.
The county commissioners will
discuss a proposal by La Grande
Rural Department Chief Craig Kret-
schmer for a countywide burn ban.
The ban would mean the use of burn
barrels, now allowed during limited
hours in the morning, and backyard
recreational fires for activities like
roasting marshmallows, also now
permitted, would be prohibited, Kret-
schmer said.
Board of commissioners meet-
ings are now open to in-person
attendance. Meeting participa-
tion will also be available via Zoom
teleconference.
To listen to the meeting, call: (253)
215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 and enter
meeting ID number: 814 2000 6863.
Individuals who do not get through
the first time are encouraged to try a
second time.
Water main break repaired
in Island City
ISLAND CITY — The water
main break in Island City, first
reported Wednesday, July 14, has
been repaired and water service
has been restored to all Island City
residents.
If people find sediment in their
water they should run cold water
until their lines are clear, according
to a news release from the city of
Island City.
The break occurred at about
3 p.m. July 14. Crews shut off water
in different areas of the city until the
break was completely fixed.
— The Observer
PENDLETON — Per-
sistent extreme hot and
dry conditions, large wild-
fires, limited firefighting
resources and concern for
public safety prompted U.S.
Forest Service officials on
Friday, July 16, to tempo-
rarily close the entire Uma-
tilla National Forest effec-
tive immediately.
“The objective of the
closure is to proactively
protect public and fire-
fighter safety as the Forest
continues to actively sup-
press large wildfires on
the Forest, while also
responding to new smoke
reports,” according to the
press release from the Uma-
tilla National Forest.
The fire danger rating
on the Umatilla National
Forest is “extreme.” Hot and
dry conditions have chal-
lenged firefighters battling
the Lick Creek and Green
Ridge fires on the Umatilla’s
Pomeroy Ranger District.
And on July 15 the Elbow
Creek Fire emerged on the
Walla Walla Ranger Dis-
trict, rapidly growing and
threatening nearby commu-
nities. Overnight, humidity
levels have remained low,
allowing fires to spread
actively.
“These conditions have
created an unprecedented
potential for extreme fire
spread and intensity,” the
press release stated. “With
three active large wildfires
on the Umatilla National
Forest, compounded by mul-
tiple active large wildfires
burning across the region,
firefighting resources are
stretched. Forest officials
have implemented the clo-
sure for public and fire-
fighter safety.”
The full closure means
people are prohibited from
entering any part of the
Umatilla National Forest
at any time, including
National Forest lands,
roads, trails and recre-
ational facilities. County,
state or federal roads are
open.
Forest Service per-
sonnel will attempt to reach
as many people as pos-
sible to begin vacating
campsites and informing
anyone camping in the
forest. People should cancel
plans to visit the Uma-
tilla National Forest for the
next several weeks. This
is a temporary closure, the
Forest Service stated, and
staff will assess conditions
and lift the closure once the
conditions moderate.
Violating closures and
fire restrictions carries a
mandatory appearance in
federal court, punishable
as a Class B misdemeanor
with a fine of up to $5,000
for an individual or $10,000
for an organization, or up
to six months in prison, or
both.
A detailed map and
description of the closure
area is available on the
Umatilla National Forest
website and at any national
forest office. Closure bar-
riers and signs will be
posted on the ground.
The National Multi-
Agency Coordinating
Group has elevated the
National Preparedness
Level to 5 — the highest
level of wildland fire
activity — due to signif-
icant fire activity in mul-
tiple areas, an increase
in incident management
team mobilization and
heavy shared resource
commitment to large fires
nationally.
LEARN MORE
LICK CREEK FIRE: inciweb.
nwcg.gov/incident/7615/
GREEN RIDGE FIRE: nciweb.
nwcg.gov/incident/7628/
ELBOW CREEK FIRE: blue-
mountainfireinfo.blogspot.