LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022
TODAY
In 1780, during the Revolu-
tionary War, the besieged city of
Charleston, South Carolina, surren-
dered to British forces.
In 1932, the body of Charles
Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old
kidnapped son of Charles and Anne
Lindbergh, was found in a wooded
area near Hopewell, New Jersey.
In 1933, the Federal Emergency
Relief Administration and the Agri-
cultural Adjustment Administration
were established to provide help
for the needy and farmers.
In 1943, during World War II, Axis
forces in North Africa surrendered.
The two-week Trident Conference,
headed by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt and British Prime Min-
ister Winston Churchill, opened in
Washington.
In 1958, the United States and
Canada signed an agreement to
create the North American Air
Defense Command (later the North
American Aerospace Defense Com-
mand, or NORAD).
In 1975, the White House
announced the new Cambodian
government had seized an Amer-
ican merchant ship, the Maya-
guez, in international waters. (U.S.
Marines gained control of the
ship three days after its seizure,
not knowing the 39 civilian mem-
bers of the crew had already been
released by Cambodia.)
In 1986, the military action-
drama fi lm “Top Gun,” starring
Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis and
released by Paramount Pictures,
had its world premiere in New York.
In 2008, a devastating 7.9 magni-
tude earthquake in China’s Sichuan
province left more than 87,000
people dead or missing.
Ten years ago: Miami’s LeBron
James became the eighth player
in NBA history to receive the MVP
award three times.
Five years ago: Dozens of coun-
tries were hit with a huge cyber-
extortion attack that locked up
computers and held users’ fi les for
ransom at a multitude of hospi-
tals, companies and government
agencies.
One year ago: Israel pressed
ahead with a fi erce military off en-
sive in the Gaza Strip, killing as
many as 10 senior Hamas military
fi gures and toppling two high-rise
towers housing Hamas facilities;
the Islamic militant group showed
no signs of backing down, and
fi red hundreds of rockets at Israeli
cities. Republicans dumped Rep.
Liz Cheney from her House leader-
ship post for her persistent repu-
diation of Donald Trump’s election
falsehoods, underscoring the hold
that Trump retained on his party.
The nation’s largest fuel pipeline
restarted operations, days after it
was forced to shut down by a gang
of hackers. Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and
the Go-Go’s were elected to the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame their fi rst
time on the ballot, leading a class
that also included Tina Turner,
Carole King and Todd Rundgren.
Today’s birthdays: Composer
Burt Bacharach is 94. Actor Millie
Perkins is 86. R&B singer Jayotis
Washington is 81. Country singer
Billy Swan is 80. Actor Linda Dano
is 79. Actor Lindsay Crouse is 74.
Singer-musician Steve Winwood is
74. Actor Gabriel Byrne is 72. Actor
Bruce Boxleitner is 72. Singer Billy
Squier is 72. Blues singer-musician
Guy Davis is 70. Country singer
Kix Brooks is 67. Actor Kim Greist
is 64. Rock musician Eric Singer
(KISS) is 64. Actor Ving Rhames is
63. Rock musician Billy Duff y is 61.
Actor Emilio Estevez is 60. Actor
April Grace is 60. Actor Vanessa
A. Williams is 59. TV personality/
chef Carla Hall is 58. Actor Stephen
Baldwin is 56. Actor Scott Schwartz
is 54. Actor Kim Fields is 53. Actor
Samantha Mathis is 52. Actor Jamie
Luner is 51. Actor Christian Camp-
bell is 50. Actor Rhea Seehorn is
50. Actor Mackenzie Astin is 49.
Country musician Matt Mangano
(The Zac Brown Band) is 46. Actor
Rebecca Herbst is 45. Actor Malin
Akerman is 44. Actor Jason Biggs is
44. Actor Rami Malek is 41. Actor-
singer Clare Bowen is 38. Actor
Emily VanCamp is 36. Actor Mal-
colm David Kelley is 30. Actor Sul-
livan Sweeten is 27.
CORRECTIONS
The Observer works hard to be
accurate and sincerely regrets
any errors. If you notice a
mistake in the paper, please call
541-963-3161.
LOTTERY
Monday, May 9, 2022
Megabucks
7-13-15-21-32-43
Estimated jackpot: $5.3 million
Lucky Lines
4-6-10-14-18-22-25-30
Estimated jackpot: $27,000
Win for Life
39-40-47-67
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 6-7-0-6
4 p.m.: 8-8-8-2
7 p.m.: 8-6-1-4
10 p.m.: 9-2-2-1
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Mega Millions
15-19-20-61-70
Mega Ball: 9
Megaplier: 3
Estimated jackpot: $99 million
Lucky Lines
3-8-10-13-20-24-28-32
Estimated jackpot: $28,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 2-8-4-5
4 p.m.: 9-4-0-7
7 p.m.: 0-7-4-2
10 p.m.: 3-3-1-5
Park again
eyed for
pump track
Enterprise council,
club alter earlier plans
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
Davis Carbaugh/The Observer
Stars with initials of Union County Adult Treatment Court graduates are displayed at the Union County Courthouse on Tuesday, May
10, 2022. The Union County Adult Treatment Court Alumni Association is hosting an illumination walk at Max Square, La Grande, on
May 14, raising awareness of recovery eff orts and successes in the county.
Shining a light on substance abuse
Union County Adult Treatment Court
graduates raise awareness of recovery efforts
By DAVIS CARBAUGH
The Observer
LA GRANDE — A
local drug abuse recovery
program is helping shine a
light on the pressing issue
of overdoses in Union
County.
The Union County
Adult Treatment Court
Alumni Association, a pro-
gram through the Union
County judicial system
for recovered substance
addicts, is organizing a
recovery walk and night of
illumination at 7 p.m. Sat-
urday, May 14. The group
is aiming to spread aware-
ness of recovery options
available, as well as honor
those who have lost their
lives during the increase of
overdoses in Union County
in 2022.
“We’re trying to get
the word out there,”
Union County Treatment
Court Coordinator Kylee
Ingerson said. “We really
do have a strong recovery
community here. We just
want to show them that we
see them and stand in soli-
darity with them.”
Ingerson noted that
the county’s treatment
court alumni associa-
tion was up and running
just before the start of
the COVID-19 pandemic
but the shutdowns lim-
ited the group’s outreach.
With virus case counts low
and events returning, the
group is aiming to high-
light success stories of the
treatment program and
spread awareness of what
resources are available in
the community.
“What we wanted to
do was get out into the
community and let them
know about our pro-
gram,” Ingerson said. “I
don’t think people know
about us, and I don’t think
people know that we are a
resource for individuals in
the criminal justice system
who are struggling with
substance abuse disorder.”
The Union County
Adult Treatment Court
Alumni Association
includes graduates of the
treatment court program,
a joint eff ort that includes
the judicial system, parole
and probation, the Dis-
trict Attorney’s Offi ce and
treatment agencies. Since
MORE INFORMATION
The May 14 event will include an illumination ceremony at Max
Square with candles on sale for $5 each. All are welcome to attend.
Graduates and current members of the treatment court program
will take part in the illumination at Max Square and participate in
a recovery walk along Adams Avenue. Graduates sold mason jars
with candles to local businesses over the last month, which will be lit
during the walk through downtown.
its establishment in 2001,
Union County has seen 191
graduates of the program.
The 18-month program
is primarily grant funded,
off ering services and set-
ting requirements to help
those struggling with sub-
stance abuse get back
on their feet. Conditions
for graduation include
reaching a minimum of
sobriety days, taking part
in outpatient treatment,
participating in commu-
nity care support meetings,
holding a job and paying
off treatment court fees.
“It’s a pretty intense
outpatient process. It’s
more than just your normal
probation,” Ingerson said.
“Once they graduate, a
lot of them have already
turned their lives around
so signifi cantly.”
According to Ingerson,
within three years after
graduation from the pro-
gram, 71% of the pro-
gram’s graduates have not
reentered the criminal jus-
tice system. She noted that
graduates have gone on to
successful careers in the
community, from nurses
and councilors to business
owners.
The illumination event
is the group’s fi rst fund-
raiser, aiming to expand
the potential for more
outreach and counseling
events. Candle sales and
general donations will go
back into the program’s
future outreach eff orts.
Ingerson noted that
in the midst of an uptick
of overdoses in Union
County, raising awareness
in the community is of the
utmost importance.
“Our general public
needs to know that fen-
tanyl is here, it’s killing
people,” Ingerson said.
“I think it’s extremely
important to spread
awareness.”
Eastern names Seimears as interim provost
working with faculty and
staff within the College of
LA GRANDE —
Education regarding this
Eastern Oregon Uni-
change and next steps in
versity has announced
leadership of the college,”
its interim provost fol-
Insko said. “I greatly
lowing an internal search
appreciate the work of the
that included inter-
search committee
views, forums and
and the thoughtful-
feedback.
ness of members of
EOU President
the university com-
Tom Insko named
munity who have
Matt Seimears as
participated in the
interim provost and
search process.”
senior vice presi-
Seimears
Seimears came
dent for academic
to EOU from
aff airs.
Emporia State Univer-
Seimears, who has
sity in Kansas where he
served as Dean of the Col- was professor of STEM
lege of Education at EOU
and science education and
since March 2019, will
associate chair of the Ele-
offi cially assume his new
mentary Education/Early
role July 1.
Childhood Unifi ed/Spe-
“Dr. Seimears will be
cial Education Depart-
The Observer
ment. Seimears has also
taught at the high school
and community col-
lege levels and coached
high school and college
wrestling.
During his tenure
at EOU, Seimears has
actively engaged with
local and regional school
districts, regional educator
networks, and statewide
teacher education associ-
ations. He has worked to
create and enhance pro-
grams to recruit, train and
retain teachers in rural
and urban communities.
“I am thankful for this
opportunity to step into a
new leadership role with
EOU,” Seimears said. “We
have an incredible team in
academic aff airs who will
be invaluable to me as we
work together over the
next year to help students
accomplish their goals of
a university education.”
Provost Sarah Witte
will retire at the end of
June after more than 30
years of service to the uni-
versity and eight years in
the provost’s offi ce.
“Sarah’s greatest
impact has been her
unwavering commitment
to imparting knowledge
to and serving students,”
Insko said.
Seimears will serve
in the interim position
during the 2022-23 aca-
demic year while the uni-
versity conducts a nation-
wide search for its next
provost.
Pancake breakfast will return at Hog Wild Days
The Observer
ISLAND CITY —
After a three-year hiatus,
the annual La Grande
Rural Fire Pancake
Breakfast is set to be held
during Hog Wild Days
once again in Island City.
The La Grande Rural
Fire District will be
hosting the pancake
breakfast from 6-11 a.m.
on Saturday, June 4.
The cost for the pancake
breakfast is $6 for adults
and $4 for kids. The vol-
unteer fi refi ghters will
be serving pancakes,
scrambled eggs, sausage,
orange juice, coff ee and
milk.
“We can serve any-
where from 700 to 900
people at this breakfast,”
said La Grande Rural Fire
Capt. Anthony Swales.
“The fi re department is an
integral part of the com-
munity, and this event is a
good way to give back.”
The funds raised
at the event will go to
other community out-
reach programs, including
the annual Shop with
a Firefi ghter and deliv-
ering meals for Thanks-
giving and Christmas.
The Shop with a Fire-
fi ghter Christmas event
gives students in need an
opportunity to shop for
their families and them-
selves. The meals are
complete — with all the
trimmings — and go
to select families in the
community.
Hog Wild Days and the
pancake breakfast were
canceled in 2019-2021 due
to COVID. Before that,
the pancake breakfast had
been held every year since
1986.
For more information,
contact the fi re depart-
ment at 541-963-6895 or
Swales at 541-910-4851.
NEWS BRIEF
Swigert managing Country
Financial offi ces in Baker
City, La Grande
BAKER CITY — Baker City’s
Country Financial insurance offi ce
is under new management, as La
Grande resident Paul Swigert steps
into the open position.
Swigert has been working for
Country Financial since 2006 and
worked at the Baker City offi ce
from 2009-2010.
Swigert also has worked as an
agent in Grant County, where he
hired local marketing producers Ad
Dad to direct two commercials for
his offi ce.
“Fast forward (to now), the Baker
offi ce became available again, I put
a proposal together for corporate
and they accepted it,” Swigert said.
“Now I have two offi ces, one in La
Grande, one in Baker.
“We have a great customer ser-
vice line that helped pick up the
slack while no agent was present,”
he said.
Country Financial’s Baker City
offi ce is at 2193 Main St. The phone
number is 541-524-9930.
— EO Media Group
ENTERPRISE — The chief
proponent of a pump track to
be built in Enterprise is again
asking the city council to con-
sider property at Enterprise
City Park, according to a press
release following the Monday,
May 9, council meeting.
Angela Mart, president of
the Wallowa Mountains Bicycle
Club, came back before the
council requesting permission
to reconsider the property at the
park.
Councilor
David Elliott
recommended
allowing for a
small parking area
on the east side
McQuead
of the property
across the river
from the park, and allowing the
west side and anything beyond
the parking area to be used for
the track.
City Administrator Lacey
McQuead recommended
making a proposal showing a
site map of the property, con-
sidering ways to separate the
space from the abutting prop-
erty owners. She said she
would facilitate a meeting with
the Public Works Committee,
Public Works Director Shawn
Young and Mart.
The site by the park was
among the fi rst considered for
the track in January, but since
some of the land is in a riparian
zone, other sites were consid-
ered. None of those proved
acceptable.
Disposal fees
In another matter, the council
approved a 20% rate increase
in waste disposal services as
requested by Brian and Amanda
Rahn of Rahn Disposal.
The Rahns requested the
increase because of an increase
in tipping fees at the Ant
Flat Landfi ll. The county is
increasing its rates by 67%.
Elliott asked if the 20% increase
requested by the Rahns would
be suffi cient, and they said they
believe it will.
Executive session
The council held an execu-
tive session to consider infor-
mation or records exempt from
public inspection, as permitted
by state law.
Upon reopening the meeting
to regular session, the council
gave preliminary approval to a
library rental agreement pending
review by the Northeast Oregon
Economic Development District.
After the NEOEDD reviews and
approves the agreement, it will
come back before the council for
fi nal review and approval.
Another matter discussed in
executive session involved an
agreement between the Enter-
prise Volunteer Fire Department
and the city. After review by
the fi re department, it, too, will
come back to the council for
fi nal review and approval.
Both executive session
actions were submitted by city
attorney Wyatt Baum and Lacey
McQuead. She asked that they
be back before the council for
the June council meeting.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• Approved McQuead’s
request to prepare a letter of sup-
port for the implementation of a
Regional Main Street Program.
• Police Chief Kevin
McQuead announced the resig-
nation of Offi cer Cody Billman.
The city will open the posi-
tion for entry level/lateral hires,
with fi rst review scheduled for
June 6.
• Travis Huff man was pre-
sented with an award thanking
him for his 27 years of service
on the Enterprise Volunteer Fire
Department.
• Approved McQuead’s
request to move forward with
research funding options for a
new electrical vehicle charging
station closer to Main Street.
The information will be pre-
sented at the June meeting.
• Scheduled the next council
meeting for June 13.