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FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Oregon February SNAP benefi ts issued early
Blue Mountain Eagle
Oregonians participating
in SNAP were issued Febru-
ary SNAP benefi ts Jan. 18,
roughly two weeks earlier
than normal.
Oregon was instructed to
do this by USDA due to a
quirk of the federal govern-
ment shutdown, according
to a press release from Ore-
gon Food Bank.
Oregon SNAP partici-
pants should be aware that
no additional benefi ts will
be issued in February. Just
like normal, these SNAP
benefi ts do not expire and
will remain on the card until
a household uses them.
New applicants can still
apply for SNAP and receive
benefi ts. These are being
processed normally and will
continue to be accepted in
February.
For Oregonians who
need to take action on their
SNAP case in January (such
as an Interim Change Report
or Recertifi cation), clients
should complete that as soon
as possible. These are being
processed as normal. SNAP
households that turn in this
paperwork will receive
their February benefi ts as
soon as the paperwork is
processed.
The timing of March
SNAP benefi ts is unknown
due to the shutdown.
As of now, the govern-
ment shutdown is not affect-
ing the way people receive
other nutrition assistance
like school meals, WIC or
food pantries.
DHS offi ces are open
with normal hours since
they are state, not federal,
offi ces.
For additional food
resources, anyone may call
2-1-1 or fi nd a food pan-
try at oregonfoodbank.org/
fi ndfood.
If someone has a prob-
lem with their SNAP case,
they may call the Public
Benefi ts Hotline of Legal
Aid Services of Oregon,
1-800-520-5292.
John Day colder than normal in December
Blue Mountain Eagle
Temperatures in John
Day averaged colder than
normal during the month of
December, according to pre-
liminary data received by
NOAA’s National Weather
Service in Pendleton.
The average temperature
was 29 degrees, which was
3.1 degrees below normal.
High temperatures averaged
37.1 degrees, which was
4.6 degrees below normal.
The highest was 54 degrees
on Dec. 21. Low tempera-
tures averaged 20.8 degrees,
which was 1.6 degrees
below normal. The lowest
was 1 degree on Dec. 6.
There were 28 days with
the low temperature below
32 degrees. There were eight
days when the high tem-
perature stayed below 32
degrees.
Precipitation totaled 0.94
Oregon Trail Electric
Cooperative has started a
new incentive program for
its members to upgrade
their wood-burning devices
to more effi cient heating
options.
The cooperative is offer-
ing two separate rebates —
one for members wanting
to retain their woodstoves
and one for those wanting to
remove their woodstove.
Susie Snyder, OTEC’s
supervisor of energy pro-
grams, said the incentive
program is a win for mem-
bers, the local community
and the cooperative.
“We know there are areas
Doug G. Bunch
Doug G. Bunch, 82, of Prairie
City, passed away at Blue Moun-
tain Hospital on Jan. 17. A cele-
bration of life will be held at the
B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge No. 1824
in John Day, Saturday, Jan. 26,
at 2 p.m. with food provided. A
private inurnment will be held at
the Prairie City Cemetery on Fri-
day, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m.
Doug was born to Lawrence
and Harriett Bunch on Jan. 10,
1937, in Lime, Oregon.
He married Mary Hoff, and they had three children,
Matt, Tom, and Michele. He later married his wife of
44 years, Fran Fairbanks. Together they raised her two
sons, Mike and Jeff Fairbanks.
Doug worked for the Oregon State Patrol/Fish and
Game Department. He retired from the Oregon Tele-
phone Company in 2004. He was initiated into the
John Day Elks Lodge in 1960 and was awarded the
fi rst “Elk of the Year” of the lodge in 1970. He became
a lifetime member in 2003.
He is survived by his children; brothers, Ray, Mike
and Lou; and by numerous grandchildren, great-grand-
children, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws whom
he loved very much.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Tom and
Duane; and his sister, Darleen.
Memorial donations may be made to the John
Day Elks Lodge No. 1824 through Driskill Memorial
Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
To leave an online condolence for Doug’s family,
please visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
Contributed photo
December was colder than normal in John Day. Above-average temps are expected in January.
inches during December,
which was 0.30 inches below
normal. Measurable precip-
itation was received on nine
days with the heaviest, 0.21
inches, reported on Dec. 2.
Precipitation in 2018
totaled 8.79 inches, which is
4.38 inches below normal.
Since October, the water year
precipitation at John Day has
been 3.07 inches, which is
0.51 inches below normal.
Snowfall totaled 11.5
inches with at least 1 inch of
snow reported on fi ve days.
The heaviest snowfall was
3.0 inches reported on Dec.
27. The greatest depth of
snow on the ground was 3
inches on Dec. 27.
The outlook for Janu-
ary from NOAA’s Climate
Prediction Center calls for
above-normal
tempera-
tures and below-normal
precipitation.
Normal highs for John
Day during January are 42.5
degrees, and normal lows are
23.5 degrees. The 30-year
normal precipitation is 0.98
inches.
OTEC offering incentives for effi cient heating options
Blue Mountain Eagle
OBITUARIES
on our system that are strug-
gling to meet EPA’s air qual-
ity standards, and this new
program gives a little more
reason to invest in a new
heating system,” she said.
Snyder said members
will receive $650 if they
add an electric heat pump
and retain their woodstove
and $800 if the woodstove
is replaced with an electric
heat pump. If the heat pump
is purchased from a local
vendor, there’s an additional
$50 rebate on top of that.
“Mini-split heat pumps
are a very effi cient form of
electric heat for our mem-
bers that can help keep costs
down while improving the
air quality particularly on
The most valuable and
respected source of local news,
advertising and information for
our communities.
www.eomediagroup.com
the low air quality days,”
Snyder said.
Members interested in
more information can con-
tact their local OTEC offi ce
for more information.
“This rebate won’t last
forever,” Snyder said. “So,
this is a good time for mem-
bers who have been thinking
about upgrading their heat-
ing systems to give us a call
and let us see how we can
help them.”
Snyder said there is an
added incentive for mem-
bers in Harney County.
Members in that county can
receive additional rebates
from the county by upgrad-
ing their woodstove to a new
certifi ed woodstove, pellet
stove or other Harney Coun-
ty-approved heating device.
“Harney County recently
received a grant from the
Oregon Department of Envi-
ronmental Quality to com-
bat wood smoke and help
improve the county’s air
quality,” Snyder said. “We
are partnering with Harney
County to get the word out
about these different rebates
by using bill stuffers.”
Harney County is offer-
ing 20 rebates with a max-
imum rebate of $750
offered per replacement
device. Members in Har-
ney County interested in
more information can con-
tact Howard Weathers at
541-573-6024.
Clara Belle Smith
Clara Belle Smith, 91, of John Day passed away Jan.
9 at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. The time and
location of services will be determined at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Driskill Memo-
rial Chapel. To leave an online condolence for the family,
visit driskillmemorialchapel.com.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain
Eagle. The paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Infor-
mation submitted is subject to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with
incorrect information may be corrected and republished as paid memorials.
Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid memorials. Send
obituaries by email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail, 195 N.
Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about
a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710.
Three students make
OSU honor roll
Blue Mountain Eagle
Three students were
named to the Oregon State
University fall term honor
roll.
Jessica Carter of Sen-
eca, a sophomore studying
animal sciences, earned a
straight-A average.
Michel Sprouffske of
Free yoga class Saturday
Blue Mountain Eagle
Ashley Stevick will
teach a free yoga class from
10-11 a.m. the last Satur-
day of each month begin-
ning Jan. 26. Classes will be
held at the Canyon Moun-
tain Center, 767 E. Main
St., John Day. Mats will be
available for use. All are
welcome. For more infor-
mation, call Stevick at 406-
431-2802, email ashley.ste-
vick@gmail.com or visit
ashleystevickyoga.com.
Prairie City, a senior study-
ing hospitality manage-
ment, earned a 3.5 grade
point average or better.
Jennifer McCloskey of
John Day, a senior study-
ing applied visual arts,
earned a 3.5 GPA or better.
Students must carry at
least 12 graded hours of
course work to qualify.
CORRECTION
In a Jan. 16 article, the Eagle reported dispatch man-
ager Valerie Maynard received an award. The John Day
City Council recognized all the dispatchers from the
John Day 911 Emergency Communication Center for
30 years of service. Maynard, who worked for the cen-
ter for 15 years, accepted the plaque on behalf of all the
dispatchers.
The Eagle regrets the error.
Junior Wayne Lissman was born in Nelson, Nebraska on Jan. 7, 1925. He died in
Burns, Oregon on Jan. 12, surrounded by loving family. He was preceded in death by
his parents, Della Webb and Henry Lissman; his sisters Evelyn Lovell and Kathleen
(Babe) Dennis; his brother, Raymond Lissman; and his son-in-law Mike Violette. He
is survived by his wife, Phyllis Mae Lissman; his brother James (Betty); his daughter
Elaine; his son Larry (Lydia); and by his son Henry (Roxie Ann). He is also survived
by four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.
Wayne married his high-school sweetheart, Phyllis Mae Smith, on Oct. 5, 1943
at the Episcopal Church in Lander, Wyoming; they had been married 75 years at
the time of his death. In 1944, Wayne “shipped” to the Pacific where he fought in
World War II as part of the 503rd Parachute Infantry that spearheaded the liber-
ation of the Philippine Islands. He was part of the force that captured the “Rock
Fortress” on Corregidor Island, a military action noted for it’s fierce battles and
strategic importance in opening Manila Bay for maneuvering by Allied Forces. He
distinguished himself as a paratrooper, earning many medals and a Presidential Citation for bravery as he and his comrades in arms
won control of the Philippine Islands; an important step leading to the end of the war.
Upon returning to civilian life, Wayne lived in Denver, Colorado and in Nyssa, Burns, Seneca and Hines, Oregon. He worked
as a mechanic, farmer, heavy equipment operator and truck driver in the construction and logging industries. He also managed a
construction crew that weatherized homes in Harney County, Oregon.
Wayne spent his leisure hours working and playing with his children and grandchildren and was as proud of them as they are of
him. Wayne’s home was a “bit of a community center” as his children’s friends frequently congregated there to enjoy his warmth,
humor and attention.
Wayne will be remembered for his work ethic, wisdom, patience, positive outlook on life and for his dry-wit; but mostly for his
caring and kindness for everyone with whom he had contact. He loved many, and was loved by all who knew him. There will be
public notice for Celebration of Life services to be held at a later date in Burns. Wayne will be interred in the family burial spot at
the Hilltop Memorial Cemetery in Nyssa, Oregon. Wayne’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers friends and acquaintances make
donations to local organizations providing support and or services to military veterans.
Paid for by the family of Junior Wayne Lissman
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 46/31
Wednesday ..................................................... 46/32
Thursday .......................................................... 48/36
Friday ............................................................... 44/32
Saturday .......................................................... 49/34
Sunday ............................................................. 47/33
Monday............................................................ 37/28
24/7 F ORECAST
A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122
R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM
NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY
162.500 MHz
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF J AN . 23-29
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Afternoon
rain
Mostly
sunny
Partly
sunny
Mostly
cloudy
Clouds
and sun
Mostly
cloudy
Plenty
of sunshine
47
47
48
55
53
43
49
35
32
29
33
26
20
26