LOCAL
A2 — THE OBSERVER
TODAY
In 1901, President William
McKinley was shot and mor-
tally wounded by anarchist Leon
Czolgosz at the Pan-American
Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
(McKinley died eight days later;
Czolgosz was executed on Oct.
29.)
In 1909, American explorer
Robert Peary sent a telegram
from Indian Harbor, Labrador,
announcing that he had reached
the North Pole five months earlier.
In 1943, 79 people were killed
when a New York-bound Pennsyl-
vania Railroad train derailed and
crashed in Philadelphia.
In 1949, Howard Unruh, a resi-
dent of Camden, New Jersey, shot
and killed 13 of his neighbors.
(Found to have paranoid schizo-
phrenia, Unruh was confined for
the rest of his life; he died in a
Trenton nursing home in 2009 at
age 88.)
In 1972, the Summer Olympics
resumed in Munich, West Ger-
many, a day after the deadly hos-
tage crisis that left eleven Israelis
and five Arab abductors dead.
In 1975, 18-year-old tennis star
Martina Navratilova of Czecho-
slovakia, in New York for the U.S.
Open, requested political asylum
in the United States.
In 1991, the Soviet Union recog-
nized the independence of Lithu-
ania, Latvia and Estonia.
In 1997, a public funeral was
held for Princess Diana at West-
minster Abbey in London, six days
after her death in a car crash in
Paris. In Calcutta, India, weeping
masses gathered to pay homage
to Mother Teresa, who had died
the day before at age 87.
In 2001, in a dramatic shift, the
Bush administration abandoned
the Clinton-era effort to break up
Microsoft.
In 2002, meeting outside Wash-
ington, D.C. for only the second
time since 1800, Congress con-
vened in New York to pay homage
to the victims and heroes of Sep-
tember 11.
Ten years ago: President
Barack Obama conceded only
halting progress toward solving
the nation’s economic woes, but
vowed in a Democratic National
Convention finale, “Our problems
can be solved, our challenges
can be met.” Drew Peterson, the
former Illinois police officer who
gained notoriety after his much-
younger wife, Stacy, vanished in
2007, was convicted of murdering
a previous wife, Kathleen Savio.
(Peterson was later sentenced to
38 years in prison.)
Five years ago: Hurricane Irma,
the most powerful hurricane ever
recorded in the Atlantic, pounded
Puerto Rico with heavy rain and
powerful winds; authorities said
more than 900,000 people were
without power. A California parole
panel recommended parole for
Leslie Van Houten, who at 19 was
the youngest of Charles Man-
son’s murderous followers in 1969.
(California Gov. Jerry Brown later
blocked her release.)
One year ago: Support pro-
grams for Americans still being hit
hard financially by the pandemic
expired, including one that pro-
vided jobless aid to self-employed
and gig workers; the Biden admin-
istration’s $300 weekly supple-
mental unemployment benefit
also ended. The Taliban said they
had seized the last Afghan prov-
ince that hadn’t been in their con-
trol after their blitz through the
country in August. A lawyer for
actor Jean-Paul Belmondo con-
firmed that the actor, star of the
French New Wave film “Breath-
less,” had died at 88.
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.
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TuESday, SEpTEmBER 6, 2022
Mount Emily Fire contained
The fire has been
determined to be
human caused
By ISABELLA CROWLEY
Commissioners
to consider proposed
mining expansion
The Observer
LA GRANDE —
Fire crews made sig-
nificant progress on the
Mount Emily Fire over the
weekend.
The 5.4-acre fire,
approximately 5 miles
north-northwest of La
Grande, is now listed as
contained. The listing
was made at 7:55 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 4, according
to Hunter Pretucci, of
the Blue Mountain Inter-
agency Dispatch Center.
“We don’t anticipate
any more growth of the
fire,” Pretucci said Sept. 5.
A 10-person U.S
Forest Service crew with
four engines is now on
the fire.
Oregon Department
of Forestry firefighters
were initially combating
the blaze with the Forest
Service but have left the
scene. A helicopter was
County
to discuss
Hot Lake
Rock Quarry
By DICK MASON
The Observer
Oregon department of Forestry/Contributed Photo
Fire and smoke is visible on Mount Emily through the trees on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The 5.4-acre fire,
approximately 5 miles north-northwest of La Grande, was listed as contained on the evening of Sept. 4.
used to help fight the fire
on Sept. 3.
The cause of the fire
remains under investiga-
tion. Pretucci said though
that it has been determined
to be human caused.
The fire, 5 miles north
of Interstate 84, did not
threaten any structures. It
was first reported around
11 p.m. by a member of the
public Friday, Sept. 2.
█
Reporter Dick Mason contributed to
this report.
Wallowans urged to detail hailstorm damage
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
WALLOWA — Wallowa resi-
dents whose property was damaged
in an Aug. 11 hailstorm were urged to
quickly fill out forms giving as much
detail as possible on what would
become their claims during an emer-
gency meeting of the Wallowa City
Council on Thursday, Sept. 1.
More than 100 Wallowa residents
turned out to hear what local, state
and federal officials are trying to do
to help them rebuild in the wake of
the hailstorm that left many buildings
and vehicles seriously damaged.
“We need more information on
your needs,” said Kathleen Cathey, a
field representative for U.S. Sen. Ron
Wyden.
Cathey advised residents to com-
plete the forms distributed at the
meeting as soon as possible, as there
is a two-week deadline to get them
in. However, if the forms aren’t com-
plete, she said, additional information
can be added later.
Elected officials helping
Wallowa County Commissioner
John Hillock was present at the
meeting and noted that state Sen. Bill
Hansell, R-Athena, and state Rep.
Bobby Levy, R-Echo, are actively
seeking help for the community.
Mayor Gary Hulse said he had con-
tacted the state Office of Emergency
Management two days after the
storm, and that afternoon he heard
from Gov. Kate Brown’s office. Hulse
also has asked for a public informa-
tion official to help him and the city’s
recorder, Carolyn Harshfield, field the
many telephone calls they’ve been
handling since the storm.
Cathey said that as Hulse and
Harshfield are trying to answer ques-
tions over the phone “for 850 people,
one every 15 minutes, somebody’s
going to get missed.”
She agreed support was
widespread.
“You have captured the attention
and support of everybody in Oregon,”
she said.
Contractors ready
Construction contractors also were
there to offer advice and prepare to
repair and rebuild homes.
Will Lehr, of Enterprise, who pre-
viously lived in Wallowa, is a recently
retired general contractor who was
Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain
Wallowa Mayor Gary Hulse, standing, fields questions from Wallowa residents on
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at an emergency meeting at the Wallowa Senior Center on
damages their homes suffered during the Aug. 11 hailstorm.
organizing other contractors to come
to the aid of Wallowa.
Several contractors cautioned resi-
dents not to be taken in by those who
may promise more than they would
deliver.
“We’d rather underpromise and
overperform,” one of the contractors
said. “That way we’ll be friends with
you.”
Lehr assured those in attendance
that each of the about 10 contrac-
tors present was proficient in at least
one area of construction. Another
contractor noted that since he is pri-
marily a roofer, if there’s someone
who largely focuses on siding it
would be best to subcontract to that
contractor.
“That way we’ll get it all done
quicker,” he said.
An insurance agent also urged
property owners to make sure any
contractor they deal with is licensed
in Oregon. Some may be licensed in
multiple states, but it’s critical they
also be licensed to work in Oregon.
One member of the audience asked
if the nearby Boise Cascade mill in
Elgin could be prevailed upon to sell
plywood at cost to residents. Hulse
said the mill already had donated a
considerable load.
The contractors also addressed the
concerns of property owners who are
overwhelmed by the detailed paper-
work and bureaucracy of dealing with
insurance companies.
“That’s our job,” Lehr said. “We
know how to do that.”
He was asked if the group of con-
tractors was complete and said he is
open to having more join the recovery
efforts.
“You can never have too much
help,” he said.
Wide variety of aid
Several officials from various
agencies also told Wallowans they
were available to help.
Connie Guentert, of Wallowa,
executive director of Community
Connection of Northeast Oregon
and until recently the manager of the
Enterprise office, emphasized that
Community Connection has multiple
resources available, including food,
transportation and household mate-
rials. She urged contacting the Enter-
prise office directly.
Dr. Elizabeth Powers said both
Winding Waters Medical Clinic and
Wallowa Memorial Hospital could
help with mental health needs, noting
that the community has experienced a
traumatic event in the hailstorm.
A list of resources was circulated
at the meeting and copies would be
made available at city hall, Com-
munity Connection, the senior
center and elsewhere around town.
It includes contacts and sources to
receive and make donations, bed-
ding, a possible tax break from the
county Assessor’s Office, food banks,
housing, transportation, veterans ser-
vices, legal aid and state resources,
and contact information for var-
ious building contractors, window
replacement, carpet cleaning and tree
services and auto repair.
Search and rescue building
NEWS BRIEFS
La Grande Main Street Downtown
seeks executive director
LA GRANDE — La Grande Main Street Downtown
is seeking an executive director.
The local pro-business nonprofit in an announcement
Thursday, Sept. 1, stated it is looking for applicants with
excellent verbal and written communication skills, public
relations and managerial abilities and a strong adminis-
trative background. The executive director would “coor-
dinate downtown revitalization activities using the Main
Street 4-Point Approach.”
Previous nonprofit experience is a plus, with a back-
ground in event planning, small business development or
volunteer recruitment and management.
The position “requires a dynamic, outgoing team
player with proven ability to multitask and work inde-
pendently” with the ability to work with the private and
public sectors, according to the announcement, Appli-
cants should have experience working with and for
a board of directors and committees and experience
writing grants. The position is 40 hours a week with an
annual salary range of $42,500-$47,500, depending on
experience and qualifications.
LA GRANDE — Mining
activity at Hot Lake Rock
Quarry, 8 miles southeast of
La Grande, could increase in
the future.
The Union County Board
of Commissioners is consid-
ering approving an ordinance
that would allow the amount
of rock being taken out of Hot
Lake Rock Quarry to expand
significantly. The board will
hold a public hearing on
Ordinance 2022-0 Thursday,
Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. in the east
meeting room of the Joseph
Building, 1106 K Ave., La
Grande.
The session may be
attended in person, online
via Zoom or by phone. For
access information and
links, go to www.union-
county.org/commissioners/
agendaminutes and click on
the Sept. 8 meeting.
The ordinance would
amend the Union County
Comprehensive Land Use
Plan to permit the expanded
rock mining. The county
planning commission con-
ducted a hearing on the ordi-
nance last month. During the
meeting, the planning com-
mission voted to recommend
the board of commissioners
approve the ordinance.
The Hot Lake Quarry
mining site is on Boothman
Ranches property a mile west
of Highway 203 and south
of Hot Lake Lane. The loca-
tion contains large volumes
of basalt rock. The site is
approximately 40 acres, and
information Union County
provided indicates there is
500,000 tons of rock for every
5 acres of extracted material.
The quarry, which is
mined by LJH Construction,
of La Grande, provides rock
that meets Oregon Depart-
ment of Transportation stan-
dards for road sanding,
asphalt mix and base rock
material, according to infor-
mation the firm Materials
Testing & Inspection pro-
vided to the county.
The planning commis-
sion approved the request for
the amended comprehensive
use plan on the condition that
no mining, blasting or exca-
vation of aggregate mate-
rial be conducted between
Dec. 1 and March 31 in any
given year to minimize dis-
turbances to wildlife, upland
birds and waterfowl. The
planning commission also
stipulated that no new access
roads could be built in order
to minimize the impact on
wildlife.
Those who have expressed
opposition to allowing
increased mining at the site
include David Moyal.
The La Grande resi-
dent is concerned about the
possible negative environ-
mental impact the increased
mining could have and said
he believes there is no need
for it.
“I do not believe there is
a shortage of gravel in the
county,” Moyal said.
If interested, submit a resume, cover letter and three
references to jobsearchdowntown@gmail.com, or send
them to La Grande Main Street Downtown, Attn: HR,
102 Depot St., La Grande, OR 97850. The cover letter
should include a concise summary of work experience
and how it is suited to Main Street and the revitalization
of downtown La Grande.
Nobody injured in Union County garage fire
UNION — Nobody was injured in a garage fire on
Miller Lane between Hot Lake and Union on Sunday,
Sept. 4. Crews from the Union Rural and the La Grande
Rural fire departments responded to the fire, which was
reported at about 10:45 p.m. A total of about 15 fire-
fighters combated the blaze.
Two people were in the neighboring home the garage
was next to and both escaped unharmed, according to
Frank Maestas, assistant chief of the Union Rural Fire
Department. The garage was seriously damaged and the
home suffered some smoke damage.
The fire was controlled within 30 to 45 minutes. The
cause of the fire is under investigation.
— The Observer
The county board at the
Sept. 8 meeting also will dis-
cuss the Union County Search
and Rescue building project.
The board is set to vote on
awarding a bid to a contractor
to complete the building. The
work involves installing doors
and a north wall and finishing
the building’s concrete floor
and electrical work.
A portion of the money for
the work comes from federal
pandemic relief funding.
Work on the building
at 63838 Highway 203, La
Grande, started in March
2019, and until now volun-
teers provided all of the labor.
Between 1,400 and 1,500
hours of volunteer labor
have gone into the project,
according to Fred Haw-
kins, director of the building
project and a member of
agency’s board of directors.
