LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
TODAY
In 1792, Congress passed the
Coinage Act, which authorized
establishment of the U.S. Mint.
In 1865, Confederate President
Jefferson Davis and most of his
Cabinet fled the Confederate cap-
ital of Richmond, Virginia, because
of advancing Union forces.
In 1912, the just-completed RMS
Titanic left Belfast to begin its sea
trials eight days before the start of
its ill-fated maiden voyage.
In 1917, President Woodrow
Wilson asked Congress to declare
war against Germany, saying,
“The world must be made safe for
democracy.” (Congress declared
war four days later.)
In 1982, several thousand troops
from Argentina seized the dis-
puted Falkland Islands, located in
the south Atlantic, from Britain.
(Britain seized the islands back the
following June.)
In 1986, four American passen-
gers, including an 8-month-old
girl, her mother and her grand-
mother, were killed when a ter-
rorist bomb exploded aboard a
TWA jetliner en route from Rome
to Athens, Greece.
In 1992, mob boss John Gotti
was convicted in New York of
murder and racketeering; he was
later sentenced to life, and died
in prison.
In 1995, after a work stoppage
lasting nearly eight months, base-
ball owners accepted the players’
union offer to play without a
contract.
In 2002, Israel seized control of
Bethlehem; Palestinian gunmen
forced their way into the Church of
the Nativity, the traditional birth-
place of Jesus, where they began a
39-day standoff.
In 2003, during the Iraq War,
American forces fought their way
to within sight of the Baghdad
skyline.
In 2007, in its first case on cli-
mate change, the U.S. Supreme
Court, in Massachusetts v. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, ruled
5-4 that carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases were air pollut-
ants under the Clean Air Act.
In 2020, the number of con-
firmed coronavirus cases world-
wide passed the 1 million mark,
according to a tally by Johns Hop-
kins University. The captain of a
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a
coronavirus outbreak was fired
after widely distributing a memo
pleading for help; Navy Secretary
Thomas Modly said Capt. Brett
Crozier had demonstrated “poor
judgment” in a crisis. (Modly him-
self would resign days later after
facing a backlash over his harsh
criticism of Crozier in remarks to
the ship’s crew.)
Ten years ago: The U.S.
Supreme Court ruled, 5-4, that
jailers may perform invasive strip
searches on people arrested even
for minor offenses. Kentucky won
its eighth men’s national NCAA
basketball title, holding off Kansas
for a 67-59 victory.
Five years ago: Jason Aldean
was named entertainer of the year
at the Academy of Country Music
Awards held in Las Vegas. A’ja
Wilson scored 23 points to help
coach Dawn Staley and South Car-
olina win their first women’s NCAA
championship with a 67-55 victory
over Mississippi State.
One year ago: In his first call
to the president of Ukraine, Pres-
ident Joe Biden underscored U.S.
support for that country, amid
reports of Russian troop move-
ments on Ukraine’s eastern border.
A U.S. Capitol police officer, Wil-
liam Evans, was killed when a man
rammed a car into officers at a bar-
ricade outside the Capitol building
and then emerged with a knife;
authorities shot the suspect, who
died at a hospital.
Today’s Birthdays: Actor
Sharon Acker is 87. Actor Dame
Penelope Keith is 82. Actor Linda
Hunt is 77. Singer Emmylou Harris
is 75. Actor Sam Anderson is 75.
Social critic and author Camille
Paglia is 75. Actor Pamela Reed is
73. Rock musician Dave Robinson
(The Cars) is 73. Actor Christopher
Meloni is 61. Country singer Billy
Dean is 60. Actor Clark Gregg is
60. Actor Roselyn Sanchez is 49.
Country singer Jill King is 47. Actor
Pedro Pascal is 47. Actor Adam
Rodriguez is 47. Actor Michael Fass-
bender is 45. Rock musician Jesse
Carmichael (Maroon 5) is 43. Actor
Bethany Joy Lenz is 41. Country
singer Chris Janson is 36.
LHS Wind Ensemble prepares for state Fund
awards
over $12K
to local
farmers
Members rely on
repetition,
teamwork to hone
performance
By DAVIS CARBAUGH
The Observer
By ANN BLOOM
A GRANDE — A
local concert band is
set to perform at the
statewide level.
The La Grande High
School Wind Ensemble,
fresh off winning the
Greater Oregon League
band festival, is heading
to compete at the OSAA
Class 4A State competition
in Corvallis on Thursday,
May 12. The group took
home top marks at the
district competition,
advancing to the state
championship for the first
time in many of the partic-
ipants’ prep careers.
With numerous sections
to coordinate, the band
members focus on prepa-
ration and teamwork to
perform at their best.
“A lot of hours go into
practice, thinking about
it, listening to songs and
all the preparation,” soph-
omore trumpet player
Shiloh Lynch said. “We
listen to each other and,
as peers, try to help each
other out.”
The Greater Oregon
League district competi-
tion took place at
La Grande High School on
March 18. The Tigers com-
peted against Ontario and
Milton-Freewater, while
also hosting the 3A, 2A
and 1A schools to qualify
separately for their own
state competitions.
Three judges grade the
performances based on a
combined score that takes
into account quality, bal-
ance, blend, technique and
how in tune the band is. La
Grande scored a 79, 80 and
82 to haul in first-place
overall.
“It was really inter-
esting to be a part of and a
good experience to see dif-
ferent bands and how they
direct and play,” junior
euphonium player Alyssa
Moy said. “With winning,
that was also really fun
because we put in months
L
For EO Media Group
alex Wittwer/EO Media Group
Alyssa Moy plays the euphonium during band practice at La Grande High School on Thursday, March
31, 2022. The LHS Wind Ensemble will travel to Oregon State University to compete at the 4A state
competition on May 12.
alex Wittwer/EO Media Group
Band director Alex Justice leads student musicians through
practice at La Grande High School on Thursday, March 31, 2022. The
high school’s wind ensemble, which consists of 26 members, most
upperclassmen, won the district championship in March.
of learning our music and
seeing how we can per-
form musically.”
The ensemble includes
26 musicians. Most of the
group are upperclassmen,
with freshmen and sopho-
mores working their way
up through tryouts to join
the band.
Alex Justice, La
Grande’s high school
and middle school band
director, leads the way for
the wind ensemble in his
second year at the helm.
Justice noted that the band
ramped up its prepara-
tion for the district com-
petition at the conclusion
of winter break, when the
group started learning
their routine.
With the COVID-19
pandemic impacting pre-
vious years’ state competi-
tions, La Grande students
are eager to be surrounded
by the state’s top bands.
“Because it’s state,
we’ll get to see way more
bands and how they play,”
Moy said. “We’ll see how
they experience their
band.”
Ten schools are set to
compete in the 4A com-
petition, and every other
classification also com-
petes at Oregon State Uni-
versity on the same day.
LHS most recently won a
state title in 2007.
“Historically the group
has been very successful,”
Justice said.
In the buildup to
La Grande’s strong
showing at the dis-
trict competition and the
ensuing state champion-
ship, band members noted
that repetition, hard work
and teamwork go a long
way in perfecting the
group’s sound.
“Every rehearsal is
unique in its own way,
because everybody can
make a note longer or
make a note get louder,”
Moy said. “It’s really
about fine-tuning it and
playing it over and over
again. It’s a huge cycle of
repetitiveness.”
Lynch noted that
breaking up into instru-
ment-specific groups helps
the ensemble hone their
sound and make small
adjustments that can have
a noticeable difference
on the overall perfor-
mance. The band practices
daily, working to continue
improving the routine
ahead of its biggest com-
petition of the year.
The La Grande High
School Wind Ensemble
will host a concert at the
high school on May 9,
prior to traveling to Cor-
vallis for the state compe-
tition. For the concert the
band will be playing the
same routine that won first
place at the district com-
petition, which will also
be performed at the state
championship.
La Grande council tackles economic development
Strategic plan includes goals,
objectives and activities for
2 fiscal years
By DAVIS CARBAUGH
The Observer
LA GRANDE — The La Grande
City Council is set to meet in person
for its monthly regular session at
6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6.
The meeting entails three items
on the consent agenda, one public
hearing and two items of new
business.
The council will consider
approval of the economic develop-
ment strategy for 2022-24, which
will be presented by Economic
Development Director Timothy
Bishop. The proposed strategy plan
lays out goals, objectives and activ-
ities for the next two fiscal years
regarding economic development in
La Grande.
The La Grande Urban Renewal
HOW TO ATTEND
The La Grande City Council April regular ses-
sion will be held in person and is open to
the public at City Hall, 1000 Adams Ave. The
council meeting can also be viewed on the
city’s Charter Communications channel 180
or the La Grande Alive website and Face-
book page. Public comments can be sub-
mitted to rstrope@cityoflagrande.org or by
calling 541-962-1309.
Agency and city council previously
met on March 14 in a work session
to review the proposed strategy —
the session went over implementa-
tion of the plan and answered ques-
tions from those involved. The full
strategy plan is available on the
city’s website.
The second item of new business
is considering approval of a personal
services contract for a compensa-
tion survey and pay equity analysis
for represented employees. The city
would pay a total cost of $18,500 to
hire a consulting firm to conduct a
compensation survey.
Council members discussed the
issue of retaining employees, par-
ticularly in public safety and dif-
ficult-to-fill positions, at the 2022
council retreat.
The staff decided that a profes-
sional compensation survey is neces-
sary in order to address the areas of
recruiting, retention and pay equity.
The council will vote on the
approval of an Oregon Liquor and
Cannabis Commission license appli-
cation for La Grande Poker Room on
Fir Street in downtown La Grande.
The poker room opened its doors
in early February and is looking to
add alcoholic beverages to its list of
services.
The consent agenda also includes
the consideration of approval for
a Memorandum of Understanding
between La Grande and the Interna-
tional Association of Fire Fighters
Local 924 for the use of a para-
medic education program for new
hires.
NEWS BRIEFS
LOTTERY
Wednesday, March 30,
2022
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powerball: 11
power play: 3
Jackpot: $222 million
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Thursday, April 1, 2022
Lucky Lines
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Jackpot: $11,000
Pick 4
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4 p.m.: 4-2-1-7
7 p.m.: 5-6-3-3
10 p.m.: 5-1-6-6
SaTuRday, apRil 2, 2022
OTEC announces winners
of trade, lineman school
scholarships
BAKER CITY — Oregon Trail
Electric Cooperative in a press
release announced the recipients
of this year’s trade and lineman
scholarships.
Skyler Perkins, of Cove, was
awarded a $2,500 OTEC scholar-
ship to attend trade school. Ronald
Borello, of Baker City, Harli Grove
and Harrsion Holt, both of John Day,
Maverick Miller, of Canyon City,
and Audrey Walker, of Seneca, also
received a $2,500 OTEC scholarship.
Elijah Banister, Justin Eskew and
Shawn Rasmussen, all from Baker
City, were awarded a $5,000 OTEC
scholarship to pursue careers as
linemen.
Scholarship winners are selected
from a pool of candidates from
OTEC’s service territory in Baker,
Grant, Harney and Union coun-
ties. Scholarship funds come from
unclaimed capital credits.
Cove City Council to discuss
Cherry Fair live music
during April meeting
COVE — The Cove City Council
will meet for its monthly meeting,
discussing two items of new busi-
ness and two items on the consent
agenda, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April,
5 at Cove City Hall.
Following the general public
comment section, councilors will
vote on prior council minutes and
the approval of bills to be paid by
the city.
There are two items on the new
business section, which the council
will consider after the correspon-
dence section. Councilors will vote
on a one-year extension request
by Mace Caldwell, who is looking
to renew a permit for the Rose
Meadow Subdivision.
Additionally, the Cove Drive-In
is requesting a $300 donation in
order to host live music at this sum-
mer’s Cherry Fair in Cove. Amber
Parks, the Cove Drive-In owner,
will represent the business during
the new business section.
Also at the meeting, the council
will discuss the appointment of new
budget committee members, as well
as look ahead at tentatively sched-
uled budget hearings on May 10 and
June 7. Reports from the mayor and
city recorder and a final public com-
ment section will close out the April
regular session.
Public comments can be sub-
mitted via email to cityadmin@
cityofcove.org before 6:45 p.m. on
April 5. Attendees can watch the
meeting virtually at www.goto-
meet.me/CityofCove or listen in by
dialing 1-877-309-2073 (access code
566-891-733).
— The Observer
WALLOWA COUNTY
— Beth Gibans had a
vision.
She envisioned a com-
munity with sustainable
food systems and an abun-
dance of organic pro-
duce and healthy food. If
she were alive today, she
would have seen a part of
that vision achieved as four
businesses were among the
first recipients of the Beth
Gibans Memorial Producer
Fund Award, named after
Gibans who died of cancer
in June.
For more than two
decades, Gibans provided
organic produce to mem-
bers of the Wallowa County
community through her
farm, Backyard Gardens,
and her catering business.
She was generous with her
knowledge and passion for
healthy food and sustain-
able farming practices. She
believed that local food pro-
duction is essential to the
health and well-being of a
community.
Gibans was instrumental
in establishing the Wallowa
County Farmers Market,
served as a board member
and was a regular vendor
at the market. She was a
mentor and friend to many,
as well as a founding board
member of Slow Food Wal-
lowas, according to Lynne
Curry, a member of Slow
Food Wallowas.
In honor of Gibans’ work,
Slow Food Wallowas solic-
ited applications last fall
for projects that demon-
strated an ability to increase
their capacity to produce
and distribute more local
food. The four winners
were announced on Gibans’
birthday, Jan. 22.
Slow Food Wallowas
distributed $12,731 among
the four winners for their
projects.
“We planned to award
$5,000 with this grant, but the
quality of these applications
compelled us to increase that
limit,” Curry said.
The winners and their
projects are:
• Nic Hackney, Evergreen
Family Farm. The co-owner
with partner, Sarah Fischer,
is installing a handline irri-
gation system for their small
organic farm in La Grande.
They also plan to be reg-
ular vendors at the Wallowa
County Farmers Market.
• Ali Lyons and Chris-
tian Niece, Backyard Gar-
dens. As the new owners
of Gibans’ organic produce
business, the couple is repur-
posing a horse trailer to use
as a mobile walk-in-cooler
with attached wash station to
manage farming on a variety
of properties.
• Kristy Athens, Genuine
Wallowa County Provisions.
Athens used the grant money
to purchase equipment for
processing SNAP benefit
payments, the federal nutri-
tion assistance program for
low-income individuals and
families, which will allow
more people to access her
online grocery store.
• Jessica Bass and Adam
McGrath, Lazy Mule Farm.
Powered with draft animals,
this new certified organic
farm is growing garlic, salad
mix, herbs, strawberries and
flowers for commercial sales.
The grant has allowed them
to purchase a greenhouse
and a custom pack shed
building to increase their
efficiency and workflow.
Slow Food Wallowas
has a history of helping
local producers expand and
develop their operations
through its grant program,
which started 10 years ago
with a $3,000 grant to the
Magic Garden.
“Since then, Slow Food
Wallowas has directed
about $23,000 directly
into local food production
thanks to the ongoing dona-
tions from private individ-
uals,” Curry said.