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TUESDAY EDITION
March 8, 2022
Skier
dies
after
crash
Accident happens
on northwest slope
of Gunsight Peak
By DICK MASON
The Observer
NORTH POWDER
— A student attending a
Washington college died
following a ski accident
on the northwest slope
of Gunsight Peak, south-
west of the Anthony Lakes
Mountain Resort’s ski
area, on Saturday, March
5.
Ella Carr, 20, was
severely injured after
losing control and
crashing into trees,
according to a Union
County Search and Rescue
press release.
The accident was
reported at 11:22 a.m.
March 5 after a person
Carr was skiing with
called 911, according to
Union County Search and
See, Skier/Page A6
Shining
a light on
addiction
Shine A Light prayer
vigil series seeks to
address opioid problem
in Union County
By DICK MASON
The Observer
LA GRANDE — Four
months ago Jay Devin lost
his grandson due to an
opioid overdose in Central
Oregon.
The loss turned the La
Grande man’s life upside
down.
“After it happened I
blacked everything out
for weeks,” Devin said. “I
blame myself because I
was not there to help my
grandson.”
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
Union’s Kaylin Nowak (23) hoists the Oregon School Activities Association Class 2A tournament trophy as teammates celebrate. The Union Bobcats defeated the
Salem Academy Crusaders 52-38 on Saturday, March 5, 2022, to win the OSAA Class 2A State Basketball Tournament at the Pendleton Convention Center in Pendleton.
A PIECE OF
history
Union ends school’s 73-year
title drought in basketball
By DAVIS CARBAUGH
The Observer
P
ENDLETON — In 1949, a gallon of gas cost roughly 27
cents. Harry Truman was president, and George Mikan led
the Minneapolis Lakers over Red Auerbach’s Washington
Capitols in the NBA Championship.
That same year, the Union boys basketball team won the
school’s last state championship in basketball. After a 73-year
hiatus without a title on the hardwood, the Union girls basketball
team made history Saturday, March 5, in winning the fi rst-ever
girls state championship in a 52-38 win over Salem Academy at the
Pendleton Convention Center.
“It feels like a movie right now,” Union senior guard Audrey
Wells said. “It feels surreal.”
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
ABOVE: Union Head Coach Jordan Klebaum-Johnston hoists Berklee John-
ston following Union’s win over Salem Academy. BACKGROUND: Union
fans cheer during the fi rst half as the Union Bobcats defeated the Salem
Academy Crusaders 52-38 on Saturday, March 5, 2022, to win the Oregon
School Activities Association Class 2A State Basketball Tournament at the
Pendleton Convention Center in Pendleton.
PLUS: LA GRANDE BOYS LOSE HEARTBREAKER
Tigers battle back from 15-point defi cit in the fourth quarter to tie the game
late in regulation, but Banks’ Cooper Gobel sealed the game with a three-
point basket as time expired. Page A9
See, History/Page A6
See, Vigil/Page A6
WEATHER
INDEX
Classified ......B2
Comics ...........B5
Crossword ....B2
Dear Abby ....B6
Home .............B1
Horoscope ....B4
Local...............A2
Lottery ...........A2
THURSDAY
Obituaries .....A5
Opinion .........A4
Sports ............A9
Sudoku ..........B5
Full forecast on the back of B section
Tonight
Wednesday
24 LOW
30/6
A bit of snow
A.M. snow
showers
EOU MASK MANDATE TO BE LIFTED MARCH 12
CONTACT US
541-963-3161
Issue 29
2 sections, 16 pages
La Grande, Oregon
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to news@lagrande
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on Page A4.
Online at lagrandeobserver.com