LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
TODAY
In 1854, Henry David Thoreau’s
“Walden,” which described Tho-
reau’s experiences while living
near Walden Pond in Massachu-
setts, was fi rst published.
In 1934, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt signed an executive
order nationalizing silver.
In 1936, Jesse Owens won his
fourth gold medal at the Berlin
Olympics as the United States took
fi rst place in the 400-meter relay.
In 1944, 258 African-American
sailors based at Port Chicago, Cal-
ifornia, refused to load a muni-
tions ship following a cargo vessel
explosion that killed 320 men,
many of them Black. (Fifty of the
sailors were convicted of mutiny,
fi ned and imprisoned.)
In 1945, three days after the
atomic bombing of Hiroshima,
Japan, a U.S. B-29 Superfortress
code-named Bockscar dropped
a nuclear device (“Fat Man”) over
Nagasaki, killing an estimated
74,000 people.
In 1969, actor Sharon Tate and
four other people were found bru-
tally slain at Tate’s Los Angeles
home; cult leader Charles Manson
and a group of his followers were
later convicted of the crime.
In 1974, Vice President Gerald
R. Ford became the nation’s
38th chief executive as President
Richard Nixon’s resignation took
eff ect.
In 1982, a federal judge in Wash-
ington ordered John W. Hinckley
Jr., who’d been acquitted of
shooting President Ronald Reagan
and three others by reason of
insanity, committed to a mental
hospital.
In 1988, President Ronald
Reagan nominated Lauro Cavazos
to be secretary of education;
Cavazos became the fi rst Hispanic
to serve in the Cabinet.
In 1995, Jerry Garcia, lead singer
of the Grateful Dead, died in Forest
Knolls, California, of a heart attack
at age 53.
In 2004, Oklahoma City
bombing conspirator Terry
Nichols, addressing a court for the
fi rst time, asked victims of the blast
for forgiveness as a judge sen-
tenced him to 161 consecutive life
sentences.
In 2014, Michael Brown Jr., a
Black 18-year-old, was shot to
death by a police offi cer following
an altercation in Ferguson, Mis-
souri; Brown’s death led to some-
times-violent protests in Ferguson
and other U.S. cities, spawning
a national “Black Lives Matter”
movement.
In 2016, at the Rio Games,
Michael Phelps earned the 20th
and 21st Olympic gold medals of
his career as he won the 200-meter
butterfl y and anchored the United
States to victory in the 4x200 free-
style relay. Katie Ledecky earned
her second gold in Rio by winning
the 200-meter freestyle. The U.S.
women’s gymnastics team won
gold for a second consecutive
Olympics.
Today’s Birthdays: Basket-
ball Hall of Famer Bob Cousy is 94.
Tennis Hall of Famer Rod Laver
is 84. Comedian-director David
Steinberg is 80. Actor Sam Elliott
is 78. Singer Barbara Mason is 75.
College Football Hall of Famer and
former NFL player John Cappel-
letti is 70. College Football Hall of
Famer and former NFL player Doug
Williams is 67. Actor Melanie Grif-
fi th is 65. Actor Amanda Bearse is
64. Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull
is 58. TV host Hoda Kotb is 58. Pro
and College Football Hall of Famer
Deion Sanders is 55. Actor Gillian
Anderson is 54. Actor Eric Bana is
54. TV journalist Chris Cuomo is 52.
Actor Liz Vassey is 50. Actor Anna
Kendrick is 37.
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.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022
Joseph sidewalk work to begin
Anticipated
completion on the
entire project is
May 2023
Wallowa County Chieftain
JOSEPH — The long-
awaited project to bring
Joseph’s sidewalks up to
standards that comply with
the Americans with Dis-
abilities Act begins the
week of Aug. 8, according
to a press release from the
Oregon Department of
Transportation.
A contractor, HP Civil
Inc., will begin work on
curb ramps along Joseph’s
Main Street between
Fourth Street and College
Street, and on OR 350/
Wallowa Avenue. Main
Street also is OR 82 and
Wallowa Avenue is also
OR 359.
There will be no work
downtown along Main
Street between Daggett
Lane and Third Street
before Labor Day, ODOT
said.
Anticipated comple-
tion on the entire project is
May. The contractor will
work Monday through
Wallowa County Chieftain File Photo
Oregon Department of Transportation employee Grant Sharp
adjusts his theodolite transit in Joseph on June 25, 2020. Sharp
is part of an ODOT crew surveying and designing new sidewalk
ramps for Wallowa, Lostine, Enterprise and Joseph. The new ramps
are being constructed statewide to make all Oregon highways
compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act. Work has been
done in other cities in the county and is slated to begin the week of
Aug. 8 in Joseph.
Friday.
The work, while wel-
comed, has created con-
cern among the busi-
Hopkins receives noteworthy Lions award
Honor among the
most prestigious
Lions awards given
in the state
By DICK MASON
The Observer
ELGIN — Gerald Hop-
kins, a member of the
Elgin Lions Club, was
absent from the annual
Oregon Lions District
Convention in Springfi eld
earlier this year.
Absent, but far from
forgotten.
One of the most pres-
tigious honors awarded at
the convention, the 2022
state Lions Leadership
Award went to Hopkins,
who missed the convention
for the fi rst time in many
years.
Hopkins, who joined
Lions International in
1973, was rocked when
told later he had received
the leadership award.
“It was
kind of a
shock,” said
Hopkins,
a retired
educator.
Hopkins
Hopkins
said there are
many people
in Oregon with Lions
International at least as
deserving of the honor as
he is, which is given to just
one person a year.
“There are many fab-
ulous people in the state
who are Lions members. It
is a great honor,” said Hop-
kins, who lives in Island
City with his wife, Mary,
who is also a Lions Club
member.
Dan Cosner, a member
of the Island City Lions
Club, said Hopkins is
richly deserving of the
honor. He noted, for
example, that Hopkins
has helped lead the Elgin
Lions Club to greater
heights after joining it
about a decade ago.
“Since he joined the
Elgin Lions Club it has
exploded,” he said.
The Elgin Lions Club
has increased its sup-
port for community
projects and the Lions
Oregon Sight and Hearing
Foundation since Hop-
kins joined. The foun-
dation screens the sight
and hearing of more than
200,000 children and
adults a year. It also pro-
vides eyeglasses and
hearing aids to those in
need.
Kathy Oliver, of
the Elgin Lions Club,
accepted the award on
Hopkins’ behalf at the
convention in Springfi eld.
Oliver has long admired
Hopkins for his dedication
to Lions International and
his compassion.
“He loves it because we
are helping people and that
is what he loves,” she said.
Hopkins has been a
part of the Lions organi-
Friday, Aug. 5, 2022
Megamillions
2-5-29-64-69
Megaball: 18
Megaplier: 3
Jackpot: $52 million
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Jackpot: $34,000
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7 p.m.: 4-3-5-4
10 p.m.: 1-8-4-9
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Powerball
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Powerball: 3
Power Play: 2
Jackpot: $26 million
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Jackpot: $4.4 million
Lucky Lines
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Jackpot: $35,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 6-0-9-9
4 p.m.: 0-8-6-8
7 p.m.: 1-7-3-0
10 p.m.: 2-1-9-4
Win for Life
49-62-75-76
Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022
Lucky Lines
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Estimated jackpot: $36,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 2-1-4-2
4 p.m.: 8-3-4-0
7 p.m.: 3-9-3-9
10 p.m.: 0-2-8-6
zation in Oregon for more
than 30 years. He served
as governor of District
G, which is composed of
all of Eastern and Cen-
tral Oregon in 2006-
07, 2009-10 and 2014-
15. Hopkins is the only
person since the Lions
established an organiza-
tion in Oregon in 1918
to serve as governor for
three terms in the state.
All Lions district gov-
ernor terms are one year
in length.
Hopkins joined the
Lions in 1973 but he
believes he did not
become a Lion until a
few years later when he
took a family that could
not otherwise aff ord pres-
ents Christmas shopping.
The emotions and grati-
tude the family expressed
moved Hopkins deeply.
“That is when I truly
became a Lion,” he said.
“When something happens
which touches your soul,
you become a Lion.”
Board retreat to Boardman a ‘great opportunity’
Eastern Oregon
University board of
trustees visiting
Morrow County
By ANDREW CUTLER
The Observer
LOTTERY
ness community as some
merchants were wor-
ried it would disrupt the
tourist season. The Joseph
Chamber of Commerce
and city government
worked with ODOT to
ensure the work schedule
would create as little dis-
ruption as possible.
After an informational
meeting on the project by
ODOT with local residents
April 4, the city collected
written concerns and
addressed them at the next
week’s meeting.
Pro-Tem Adminis-
trator Brock Eckstein said
April 11 that the new plan
is for work to be done
on sidewalks and ramps
on the south end of town
during the height of the
tourist season. Then,
about mid-September,
ODOT would transition to
working downtown.
ODOT also agreed to
let the city do its own land-
scaping work.
ODOT said that during
construction, travelers can
expect to see minor delays,
lane restrictions, sidewalk
and crosswalk closures and
pedestrian detours.
People are urged to
watch for signs, fl aggers
and work crews.
LA GRANDE —
Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity’s board of trustees is
holding its 2022 annual
retreat in Boardman.
The meetings, which
began Monday, Aug. 8,
will include engagement
with local and regional
business leaders, local rep-
resentatives and regional
stakeholders to discuss the
university’s role in busi-
ness, industry and educa-
tion in the area.
The two-day Boardman
session is part of a larger
program by the board to
conduct fact-fi nding tours
across the region, said Tim
Seydel, vice president for
University Advancement at
Eastern Oregon University.
“The board has been
intentional about going out,
not wanting to do a retreat
(in La Grande). Let’s go
out into the region and
meet with, you know, the
parts of that we serve,” he
said.
Trustees will host a
public reception from
5-6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug.
8, in the SAGE Center Gal-
lery. The public is invited
to attend the reception and
share their EOU stories
and hear comments from
East Oregonian, File
Flags fl utter Jan. 11, 2022, at the entrance to the Port of Morrow
Industrial Park, Boardman. Eastern Oregon University’s board of
trustees will tour the port as part of its annual retreat.
President Tom Insko and
the board’s chair, Richard
Chaves.
“This is a great oppor-
tunity for community
members, alumni and
friends to meet with
trustees and the president
and hear about what we
are doing, and for EOU to
learn more about the needs
of the area,” Seydel said.
During the retreat, the
board also plans to host
panels on economic devel-
opment and education
and conduct regular busi-
ness. A full agenda will
be made available in early
August.
Seydel said the board
previously conducted
retreats in places such as
Ontario, Baker City, Enter-
prise and Pendleton along
with remote sessions.
The outreach sessions
are important to the board,
said Seydel.
“Most of our board is
from the greater Eastern
Oregon region so they all
have a vested interest in
the success of the univer-
sity and what it does and
how we serve the region,”
he said.
The retreats are also
part of the university’s her-
itage, Seydel said.
“This goes back to our
founding, you know, that’s
why we were founded in
1929 is to serve this area,
serve this region,” he said.
Seydel said the retreats
also highlight the amount
of activity — both eco-
nomic and educational —
in the region.
“I think a lot of times
(people) think it’s just a
large, you know, big vast
area with more cows than
people. Like we tell people
on the west side, there is
a lot going on. And when
they get out here, they’re
always amazed,” he said.
The outreach sessions
also provide board mem-
bers with valuable knowl-
edge regarding what area
residents see as crucial pri-
orities for the university.
“What better way to
inform the trustees and
the senior staff at the uni-
versity than to go do it in
person,” Seydel said.
Seydel said, for
example, the trustees plan
on doing a tour of the Port
of Morrow, and the board
will also sponsor panels on
various subjects during the
outreach session.
“One on education,
as you might guess, with
people from the area. And
like Blue Mountain Com-
munity College and the
school districts around the
area and the ESDs,” he
said.
Another panel will
address economic devel-
opment issues, including
challenges with workforce
priorities.
“Because that is where
we hear the largest needs
are particularly in that
region,” Seydel said.
The trustees enjoy the
outreach sessions, Seydel
said.
“They are ‘Hey, who
should we be talking to?
What areas should we be
making sure we cover?’
And they’re usually
jumping right on board and
are helping us out,” he said.
County
OK’s
funding for
public land
projects
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
ENTERPRISE — The
Wallowa County Board of
Commissioners approved
$588,675 worth of projects
on public lands Wednesday,
Aug. 3, with Title II money
received through the federal
Secure Rural Schools Act.
The act provides critical
funding for
schools, roads
and other
municipal ser-
vices to more
than 700 coun-
ties across
the U.S. and
Hillock
Puerto Rico,
funding that
comes mostly
from public
lands.
Commis-
sion Chair-
woman Susan
Nash
Roberts
explained the
three parts of
the act. She
said that Title
I is money
that comes
Roberts
directly into
the county,
75% of which goes to the
road department and 25% of
which goes to schools. Title
II is money that goes to proj-
ects on public lands. Title III
can be used for such things
as the sheriff ’s offi ce and
work it does on the national
forests.
“Years ago when this fi rst
came about, Title III was so
hard to deal with, it was just
onerous, and so Wallowa
County chose at that time not
to do Title III, so all of our
money is split between Title I
and II,” Roberts said.
Each year, the county will
have to decide on how to
divide money up. That would
be aff ected by a hearing later
that morning on the road ser-
vice district voters will be
asked to create in November.
“If folks pass that, we
will be able to separate that
money. This way, the money
goes to the education service
district and the road district,
not the county,” Roberts said.
“They won’t do their formula
anymore and our PILT (pay-
ment in lieu of taxes) money
should increase for the next
couple of years and then
we’ll see after that, because
none of it is set in stone.”
Katy Nesbitt, the county’s
director of natural resources
and economic development,
discussed the process with
the commissioners.
“The county has tradi-
tionally run these projects,
and we vet them and then
give recommendations to
the commissioners,” she
said. “This year, the Forest
Service came out with the
announcement at a diff erent
time of year and gave us too
short a time period to get
all the projects queued up
for the tech committee, but
the standing committee was
able to look at all the projects
on the Wallowa-Whitman
(National Forest) except for
two. It’s noted on there that
they’re not ranked because
they came in later than
our standing committee
meeting .”
Nesbitt mentioned the
vetting process that hap-
pens prior to it going to the
commissioners.
“When something goes
through the RAC — the
RAC being the Regional
Advisory Committee which
Commissioner (Todd) Nash
is a part of,” Roberts inter-
jected. “That Umatilla forest
weed piece we have always
done, so that is something
to indicate to our members
that we would like to see that
move forward if it comes
through the RAC.”
Nesbitt said there should
be a surplus on requests
made for the Umatilla
National Forest.
“On the Umatilla side,
there’s about $85,000 to
spend and we only have
an application for about
$19,000,” Nesbitt said.