LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
TODAY
In 1861, during the Civil War,
Confederate forces invaded the
border state of Kentucky, which
had declared its neutrality in the
conflict.
In 1783, representatives of the
United States and Britain signed
the Treaty of Paris, which officially
ended the Revolutionary War.
In 1939, Britain, France, Australia
and New Zealand declared war
on Germany, two days after the
Nazi invasion of Poland; in a radio
address, Britain’s King George VI
said, “With God’s help, we shall
prevail.” The same day, a German
U-boat torpedoed and sank the
British liner SS Athenia some 250
miles off the Irish coast, killing
more than 100 out of the 1,400 or
so people on board.
In 1943, Allied forces invaded
Italy during World War II, the same
day Italian officials signed a secret
armistice with the Allies.
In 1970, legendary football
coach Vince Lombardi, 57, died in
Washington, D.C.
In 1976, America’s Viking 2
lander touched down on Mars to
take the first close-up, color photo-
graphs of the red planet’s surface.
In 1999, a French judge closed
a two-year inquiry into the car
crash that killed Princess Diana,
dismissing all charges against nine
photographers and a press motor-
cyclist, and concluding the acci-
dent was caused by an inebriated
driver.
In 2003, Paul Hill, a former min-
ister who said he murdered an
abortion doctor and his escort to
save the lives of unborn babies,
was executed in Florida by injec-
tion, becoming the first person put
to death in the United States for
anti-abortion violence.
In 2005, President George W.
Bush ordered more than 7,000
active duty forces to the Gulf Coast
as his administration intensified
efforts to rescue Katrina survivors
and send aid to the hurricane-rav-
aged region in the face of criticism
it did not act quickly enough.
In 2009, a private funeral service
was held in Glendale, California,
for pop superstar Michael Jackson,
whose body was entombed in
a mausoleum more than two
months after his death.
In 2010, Defense Secretary
Robert Gates toured U.S. bases and
war zones in Afghanistan, saying
he saw and heard evidence that
the American counterinsurgency
strategy was taking hold in critical
Kandahar province.
In 2012, Sun Myung Moon, 92,
a self-proclaimed messiah who
founded the Unification Church,
died in Gapeyeong, South Korea.
In 2019, Walmart said it would
stop selling ammunition for hand-
guns and short-barrel rifles, and
the store chain requested that cus-
tomers not openly carry firearms
in its stores; the announcement
followed a shooting at a Walmart
store in Texas that left 22 people
dead.
Today’s Birthdays: Rock sing-
er-musician Al Jardine is 80. Actor
Valerie Perrine is 79. Rock musi-
cian Donald Brewer (Grand Funk
Railroad) is 74. Rock guitarist Steve
Jones (The Sex Pistols) is 67. Actor
Charlie Sheen is 57. Singer Jennifer
Paige is 49. Actor Ashley Jones
is 46. Actor Nichole Hiltz is 44.
Actor Joel Johnstone is 44. Actor
Nick Wechsler is 44. Rock musi-
cian Tomo Milicevic (30 Seconds
to Mars) is 43. Bluegrass musician
Darren Nicholson (Balsam Range)
is 39. Actor Christine Woods is
39. Actor Garrett Hedlund is 38.
Olympic gold medal snowboarder
Shaun White is 36. Hip-hop singer
August Alsina is 30.
CORRECTION
The Page A1 story “Debt relief,”
published Thursday, Sept. 1,
misstated the cost of tuition and
other fees for Eastern Oregon
University. The estimated total
cost of attendance, including
tuition and fees for on campus
undergraduates at Eastern
for in-state students — which
includes Oregon, Washington
and Idaho — is $25,506 a year,
according to Eastern’s website.
LOTTERY
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022
Megabucks
6-13-29-31-39-40
Jackpot: $5.5 million
Lucky Lines
4-8-10-14-17-21-28-32
Estimated jackpot: $29,000
Powerball
7-8-19-24-28
powerball: 1
power play: 2
Jackpot: $148 million
Win for Life
10-18-59-63
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 1-4-9-6
4 p.m.: 6-6-4-0
7 p.m.: 7-5-5-9
10 p.m.: 6-7-4-2
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022
Lucky Lines
3-8-11-16-19-22-28-30
Jackpot: $30,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 9-5-1-0
4 p.m.: 1-6-5-8
7 p.m.: 8-0-3-7
10 p.m.: 0-9-9-6
SaTuRday, SEpTEmBER 3, 2022
Obstacles are stepping stones
La Grande native
Nicole Lewis
encourages all
to pursue their
dreams
By DICK MASON
The Observer
LA GRANDE —
Rewards await those
who never stop chasing
their dreams, some-
thing Nicole Lewis, a
2004 La Grande High
School graduate and a
2008 graduate of Gon-
zaga University, knows
firsthand.
“My dream growing
up was to be a singer
and songwriter and
work with famous art-
ists,” Lewis said during
a presentation at Central
Elementary School on
Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Lewis did not know
whether she had the
ability to achieve these
objectives, but today an
increasing number of
those in the music world
are believing in her.
Lewis’ talent has caught
the attention of people
like country music
legend Dolly Parton —
in 2021 Lewis opened
a Parton concert at the
Country Music Hall of
Fame and Museum in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Lewis is the author
of hundreds of songs,
some of which have
been recorded by
country music singer
Ben Fuller. Four songs
Lewis wrote were used
in soundtracks of Hall-
mark Christmas movies.
The artist shared her
story as part of a Staff
Wellness program being
put on throughout the La
Grande School District,
one led by Central Ele-
mentary School coun-
selor Teresa Dowdy.
Lewis spoke and per-
Nicole Lewis receives a hug
from Central Elementary
School fourth grader Grace
Leon on Wednesday, Aug.
31, 2022. Lewis had just
completed a presentation for
students and teachers at the
La Grande elementary school.
photos by dick mason/The Observer
Nicole Lewis gives a presentation and performs at La Grande’s
Central Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.
Nicole Lewis performs during a presentation at Central
Elementary School, La Grande, on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.
formed songs at Island
City, Greenwood and
Central elementary
schools plus La Grande
Middle School and
LHS. At each school
she encouraged those
in attendance to not let
challenges get in the
way of pursuing their
dreams.
“Look upon them not
as obstacles but as step-
ping stones,” Lewis said
at Central.
Lewis’ late afternoon
presentation at LHS
had an audience filled
with teachers whom she
thanked for inspiring
her.
“You helped me
believe in myself and in
my dreams, ones which
have shaped my life,”
said Lewis, who now
lives in Nashville and
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
She credits educators
with providing students
the spark needed for
creativity.
“The chance to
express and be creative
starts with teachers.
To be encouraged,
equipped, empowered
starts here,” Lewis said
at LHS.
The musician, who
often writes songs about
family, heroes and com-
munity, said she sees
a parallel between her
career and those of
teachers.
“I’m a singer-song-
writer and I do what I
do because I love music
and I want to say some-
thing important and
inspire people. I think
we’re in the same busi-
ness. You all inspire
kids every day. We have
similar missions,” said
Lewis, the daughter of
Brent and Susan Lewis
of La Grande.
Lewis said the pro-
ducer of the songs she
now records is Kent
Wells, who is also Par-
ton’s producer. This
connection has led to
many conversations
between Lewis and
Parton. Lewis said the
country music legend is
a delightful person to be
around.
“She is self-expres-
sive,” Lewis said. “She
does not hold any-
thing back and she does
everything with such
grace.”
No injuries in late-afternoon field fire
Blaze destroys
72.3 acres
including 30 acres
of standing wheat
By ISABELLA CROWLEY
The Observer
LA GRANDE —
No people were hurt or
structures were damaged
in a field fire off Liza-
beth Lane and Mount
Glen Road late in the
afternoon of Wednesday,
Aug. 31, but the blaze did
do extensive damage.
The fire, which was
reported at 4:37 p.m., was
started by a failed com-
bine harvester, according
to Jim Voelz, of the
La Grande Rural Fire
Department. He pro-
vides the department with
investigative and sup-
port services. The cause
of the combine failure is
unknown, Voelz said.
The blaze burned
through 72.3 acres of
land, including 30 acres
of standing wheat.
Crews from La
Grande Rural Fire
Department, La Grande
Fire Department, Cove
Rural Fire Department,
Union Fire Depart-
ment, Imbler Rural Fire
Department, North
Powder Rural Fire
Department, Oregon
Department of Forestry
and U.S. Forest Ser-
vice responded to the
fire. Union County Sher-
iff’s Office, Oregon State
Police, Union County
Public Works and Union
County Emergency Ser-
vices also responded.
Local landowners and
neighbors came out to
provide assistance.
The fire was listed as
contained at 5:48 p.m.
La Grande City Council to consider ordinance
restricting psilocybin service facilities Sept. 7
Ordinance would act as
a backup if residents
vote no on ban on
November ballot
By ISABELLA CROWLEY
The Observer
LA GRANDE — The La
Grande City Council will con-
sider an ordinance relating to psi-
locybin service centers and a pro-
posed moratorium on short-term
rentals within city limits during
its regular session on Wednesday,
Sept. 7.
parks, and community recreation
facilities or sports facilities used
primarily by those younger than
18. Two facilities could not be
in operation within 1,000 feet of
each other.
They would also be restricted
in a number of other ways,
including hours of operation and
the public view of the storefront.
The ordinance outlines guide-
lines for storage, ventilation and
secure disposal.
These restrictions are similar
to the one the city currently has
in place for marijuana-related
facilities.
Psilocybin service centers
Short-term rental
applications
The psilocybin service center
ordinance would restrict time,
place and manner on facilities
and manufacturing within city
limits, which only be enacted if
La Grande residents vote not to
ban psilocybin in November.
In November 2020, Oregon
voters passed Ballot Mea-
sure 109 with a 56% majority,
which legalized psilocybin in
supervised facilities. Earlier
this month, the La Grande City
Council passed an emergency
ordinance banning psilocybin
service centers, but voters will
get the final say when the pro-
posal appears on the ballot.
If passed, the ordinance would
mandate that psilocybin service
centers cannot be located within
1,000 feet of schools, licensed
day cares, public libraries, public
The city is proposing a tem-
porary moratorium on the accep-
tance of Bed and Breakfast Inn
land use applications, citing that
short-term rental properties are
in direct conflict with the city’s
recently adopted Housing Needs
Analysis and Housing Production
Strategy.
The council defined Bed and
Breakfast Inns as lodgings of 30
days or less, including traditional
bed-and-breakfasts with meal ser-
vice, Airbnb, full vacation home
rentals or equivalent rentals.
This 2019 analysis estimated
the city needs 795 new housing
units within the next 20 years to
accommodate a projected growth
of 1,392 new residents — approxi-
mately 40 new units every year to
meet the prediction. These dwell-
ings range from single- and multi-
family homes to townhome and
duplexes.
Since March 2020, La Grande
has seen the construction of
38 new dwelling units. But the
city’s planning commission has
approved 28 of conditional use
permit applications for Bed and
Breakfast Inns in the same time
frame — resulting in the conver-
sion of 18 new units into short-
term rentals.
The moratorium would apply
only to residential zones within
city jurisdiction and for requests
for a full conversion and use of
a dwelling unit as a short-term
rental. The city asserts that this
halt on applications would allow
time for the completion of tem-
porary or permanent changes in
plans, regulations or procedures
relating to short-term rentals.
During the Sept. 7 meeting,
the council will conduct a first
reading of the proposed ordinance
and will accept public testimony
on the matter.
Executive session
After the regular meeting the
city council will hold an executive
session, which will not be open to
the public. According to Oregon
law, city councils may adjourn
to executive sessions to discuss a
limited number of topics without
the public present.
During this session the council
members will review and evaluate
the work performance of either a
public official, employee or staff
member.
IN BRIEF
North Second Street Bridge
over I-84 in La Grande to
close for paving project
LA GRANDE — The North
Second Street bridge over Inter-
state 84 near the Union County Fair-
grounds in La Grande will again be
closed near the Union County Fair-
grounds next week.
The Oregon Department of Trans-
portation said in a news release
that bicycles and pedestrians,
including those with disabilities,
will be allowed access through the
work zone at all times and work on
the bridge will not affect interstate
traffic.
The closure is scheduled for
Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Wednesday,
Sept. 7, according to the release.
The contractor will be grinding
asphalt and paving both ends of the
bridge. When paving is complete
and the bridge reopens, flaggers will
be controlling traffic to accommo-
date removal of the work platform,
installation of protective screening
and sealing cracks on beams and
supports.
This is a full closure to vehicles
on North Second Street between the
entrance to the fairgrounds, north of
I-84, and Lake Avenue, south of the
interstate. ODOT crews will stage a
detour around the work zone.
There will be one more closure
before work on the bridge is com-
plete, according to the release. The
contractor will need to lift the bridge
to replace and repair support bear-
ings. Once this work starts, the
bridge will be closed for up to three
weeks. The final phase of the con-
structions is slated to start later in
September.
Lane closures, reduced
speeds expected on I-84
LA GRANDE — Work has
begun on Interstate 84 between Ladd
Canyon and North Powder.
The Oregon Department of Trans-
portation said in a news release the
paving project will repair rutted and
cracked pavement on a section of
highway that was last paved in 2003.
Paving will be done between mile-
posts 272 and 285 and will also be
done on the bridges over the inter-
state at Exit 278 and Exit 283.
The contractor will begin paving
intermittent sections of the left-lane
shoulders in both directions, the
release said. Motorists should expect
lane closures and reduced speeds of
55 mph during daylight hours when
work is occurring. Later in Sep-
tember, the contractor will work at
night to reduce impacts to traffic.
The project is scheduled for com-
pletion by Nov. 1.
Join Cove City Council
meeting in person or online
COVE — The city council will
meet for its regular session on
Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Counselors will discuss the soap
box derby, a one-time forgiveness
of a water leak and the annual city
audit.
After the council addresses new
business, the public will have an
opportunity to weigh in on a request
by two residents to temporarily
live in a recreational vehicle while
building a shop.
Mayor Sherry Haeger will deliver
her report on a community apprecia-
tion program.
The meeting takes place at 7 p.m.
in Cove City Hall. It will also be
livestreamed through GoToMeeting.
The link is available on the city’s
website.
Wallowa Lake businesses to
put on benefit for Wallowa
WALLOWA LAKE VILLAGE
— Several businesses are planning a
benefit to help the residents of Wal-
lowa in their efforts to recover from
the Aug. 11 hailstorm that devastated
the town.
The benefit will take place from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.
Greg Jarman, a co-owner of Wal-
lowa Lake Go Karts, said his oper-
ation, as well as the Wallowa Lake
Tramway, Wallowa Lake State Park
Marina rentals, Eagle Cap Chalets
miniature golf and the Matterhorn
Village miniature golf all will donate
proceeds from the day.
“We hope people will take advan-
tage of it and support it,” Jarman
said. “It’s more than just (the money)
going into somebody’s pocket. It’s
going to where it needs to be.”
He said there’s no set goal for the
amount the businesses hope to raise.
“Just as much as possible,” he said.
After the benefit, someone will be
selected to take the proceeds to Wal-
lowa, he said. He agreed it is another
case of Wallowa County residents
taking care of one another.
“We want to stand with them in
their time of need,” he said. “Soli-
darity. That’s us.”
— The Observer