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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2018)
The Blue Mountain Wright’s three titles EAGLE help Grant Union girls to second-place Grant County’s newspaper since 1868 state track finish Page B1 CLASS OF Kaylee Wright of Grant Union clears the bar to win the 2A girls high jump Saturday at the OSAA state track and field meet in Eugene. 2018 EO Media Group/Kathy Aney PAGES A8-A9 C ONGRATS TO W edNesday , M ay 23, 2018 G RANT U NION AND HOME - SCHOOL GRADUATES ! • N o . 21 • 22 P ages District opts not to arm teachers School board agrees now is not the time By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle The idea of arming teach- ers was put to rest after the Grant School District 3 school board reached con- sensus May 16 that now was not the best time to make that policy change and it was bet- ter to pursue other options. Chairwoman Chris Cro- nin recognized the numerous steps taken by the adminis- tration since she sat on the board, including installing cameras and new locks, and she said she appreciated all the public input on improv- ing school safety from many diverse sources. “This is clearly a subject this community is interested in,” she said. Cronin noted the strong feelings on both sides and said the idea had come be- fore the board three times already. “We’ve been listening,” she said. www.MyEagleNews.com R EMEMBERING THE FALLEN Now was not the time to change policy to al- low teachers to be armed, Cronin said. Chris The district Cronin would face “significant costs,” and teachers were already “stretched thin” and facing scheduling difficul- ties. She noted that no school staff told her they wanted to be armed. The district’s proposed budget includes funding for a school resource officer, and opportunities for partner- ships with law enforcement, more training and building improvements had come out of the discussion, Cronin said. Board Vice Chairman Zach Williams, who had brought up the idea of arm- ing school teachers or staff during the board’s March 21 meeting, following the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjo- ry Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida, said he agreed with Cronin. See TEACHERS, Page A11 • $1.00 Memorial Day service planned Monday in Prairie City By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle F or many Americans, Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died in war. But it’s also a time to honor those who served and have passed on even if they were not a casualty in battle. While Americans have visited cem- eteries since their country’s founding to honor those who died in war, an of- ficial day of remembrance is a more recent creation. Decoration Day was established in 1868 in part to honor the 600,000 soldiers who died on both sides in the Civil War. A century later, Congress official- ly approved the name “Memorial Day” and moved its date from May 30 to the last Monday in May. This year it falls on May 28. See FALLEN, Page A12 The Eagle/Richard Hanners Barbara Howell Reynolds, who was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Prairie City, is buried next to her husband, Vernon, an Army veteran, in the Prairie City Cemetery. Contributed photo Pete Baucum was 18 when he attended Army basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1942 during World War II. Voters overturn Grant County marijuana ban Myers wins close bid for re-election as county judge Blue Mountain Eagle Marijuana businesses will soon be legal in Grant County. An initiative to repeal the county’s ban on marijuana businesses secured 53 percent of the votes, according to the final un- official election results re- leased May 15 by Grant County Clerk Brenda Percy. Of 3,179 votes counted, 1,687 voted to allow mar- ijuana-related businesses that the state considers legal with 1,492 votes against it. Incumbent County Judge Scott Myers won a close bid for re-election against County Commissioner Jim Hamsher. Myers won 1,653-to-1,584 for anoth- er term. In the race to fill County Commissioner Boyd Britton’s seat, Sam Palmer and Gordon Lar- son will move on to the November ballot. Palmer received 42 percent of the vote, 1,394, and Larson received 34 percent, 1,133, according to early results. Archie Osburn received 504 votes, Tanner Elliott received 183, Dave Rose received 40 and Richie Colbeth received 39. Incumbent Justice of the Peace Kathy Stinnett has secured re-election with 76.6 percent of the vote against challenger Harold Preston, who re- ceived 23 percent. See VOTERS, Page A11 Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. The holiday commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. We thank them for their service to our country. srant County Veteran Services • 530 E. Main St., Suite 5, John Day • 541-620-8057
