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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2019)
A2 FAMILY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 12, 2019 EO Media Group to purchase La Grande, Baker City papers EO Media Group EO Media Group’s pres- ence in Oregon is set to get even stronger. Pending court approval, the Eagle’s parent company will be adding two more newspapers to the fold with the expected additions of the La Grande Observer and the Baker City Herald, Heidi Wright, chief operat- ing offi cer of the EO Media Group, announced last week. “We’re excited to wel- come the La Grande Observer and Baker City Herald into the EO Media Group family,” Wright said. “Our family-held company has deep roots in Eastern Oregon since 1908.” The reported purchase price was $775,000 for the two papers. Fourth-gen- eration EO Media Group owner Kathryn Brown of Pendleton said she is excited about the purchase. “My cousins and I are committed to keeping local journalism alive in the rural communities we serve,” she said. “We look forward to providing credible and rel- evant news to Union and Baker counties for many years to come.” Wright said that if all goes well, the sale will be completed July 1. Western Communica- tions Inc. owns the two Eastern Oregon newspa- pers, along with the Bend Bulletin and a few other EO Media Group photo Pending court approval, EO Media Group will be adding two more newspapers to the fold with the expected additions of the La Grande Observer and the Baker City Herald, Heidi Wright, chief operating offi cer of the EO Media Group, announced last week. publications in Oregon and California. The corporation fi led for Chapter 11 bank- ruptcy protection in Jan- Aviation Day introduces sixth-graders to fi eld of fl ight said the expectation is the court is going to give the approval. Western Communica- tions previously fi led for Chapter 11 protection in August 2011, following a three-year dispute with the Bank of America, the company’s largest credi- tor at the time. The com- pany emerged from Chap- ter 11 protection in April 2012. Earlier this year, the motor failed on the 53-year-old press that had long printed the La Grande Observer and the Baker City Herald. Since then, the two newspapers have been printed on the East Oregonian’s press in Pendleton. uary. Lawyers for West- ern Communications told the bankruptcy court the plan was to sell property and buildings, according to court records, and in a hear- ing last week said all the newspapers had offers. “A few weeks ago, the (EOMG) put in a bid to take over ownership of the papers in La Grande and Baker City,” Wright said. “These towns are in close proximity to the company’s other publications on the east side of Oregon, which makes this a great oppor- tunity to strengthen news coverage for all of Eastern Oregon.” The bankruptcy court has the fi nal say in accept- ing EOMG’s offer. Wright May slightly colder than normal Blue Mountain Eagle By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Aviation Day at the Grant County Regional Air- port in John Day introduced over 62 fi fth- and sixth- grade students to the facets of fl ight, including explor- ing the fi eld as a possible future occupation. “It’s about exposing the students to a variety of career paths in aviation,” said airport manager Haley Walker, who organized the event with Didgette McCracken, Oregon State University Open Campus coordinator. Students from Hum- bolt Elementary, Dayville School, Prairie City School and four homeschooled stu- dents attended fi ve morning and fi ve afternoon sessions. McCracken said besides the classes, Aviation Day also introduces students to the facility. “We want kids to see what a great airport we have,” she said. Volunteers from the Grant County Airport Com- mission, Oregon Depart- ment of Aviation and local pilots lent a hand instructing the students. Local pilots assisting included Kathy Stinnett, who taught about general aviation and the labeling on runways, and Bob Bag- The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Kristal Hansen, right, is one of many volunteers helping at the May 16 Aviation Day at the Grant County Regional Airport in John Day. Prairie City senior Jake McHatton, also standing, assisted the group of sixth-graders at the fun paper-airplane segment. gon Department of Aviation. A total of 20 volun- teers were present, includ- ing Ashley Armichardy of Blue Mountain Community College, who spoke about college and career readi- ness, and a Southwest Air- lines fl ight attendant. Some volunteers traveled from Salem, Bend and Boise to share their expertise. The event was a collab- orative effort between the airport, Oregon State Uni- versity Open Campus and the Grant County school districts. “The goal of the day is to showcase the variety of careers aviation can provide through hands-on, interac- tive learning,” Walker said. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Humbolt Elementary sixth-graders Hannah Vaughan and Mallory Lusco earn their wings during the May 16 Aviation Day at the Grant County Regional Airport in John Day. ett and Doug Ferguson, who talked about Grant County Air Search with a discus- sion on safety — students in their session earned “wings” (small pins to wear). Stinnett, Bagett and Fer- guson are all members of Air Search, Ferguson as chairperson. Bagett and Fer- guson are also members of the Grant County Airport Commission, and Ferguson is on the board for the Ore- Wherever this Summer takes you, take Us Along. Temperatures in John Day averaged slightly colder than normal during the month of May, according to preliminary data received by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton. The average temperature was 52.4 degrees, which was 1.9 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged 66.9 degrees, which was 1.9 degrees below normal. The highest was 82 degrees on May 12. Low tempera- tures averaged 37.8 degrees, which was 1.9 degrees below normal. The lowest was 21 degrees on May 1. There were four days with the low temperature below 32 degrees. Precipitation totaled 1.86 inches during May, which was 0.04 inches below nor- mal. Measurable precipi- tation was received on 11 days with the heaviest, 0.63 inches, reported on May 20. Precipitation this year has reached 6.63 inches, which is 0.34 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at John Day has been 9.70 inches, which is 0.17 inches below normal. The outlook for June from NOAA’s Climate Pre- diction Center calls for above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipita- tion. Normal highs for John Day rise from 73 degrees at the start of June to 83 degrees at the end of June. Normal lows rise from 43 degrees to 48 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 1.43 inches. OBITUARIES James T. Mael James T. Mael, 77, of Monument died Nov. 4, 2018. A military service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Monument Cemetery, followed by a potluck luncheon at noon at the Monument Senior Center. Memorial donations may be made to either Silent Wave Horse Rescue, Kim- berly, or Hope 4 Paws, John Day, through Driskill Memo- rial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, 541-575-0529. Norman DeJong Norman DeJong, 77, of Prairie City passed away June 1 at his residence. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Hospice through Driskill Memo- rial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97814. To leave an online condolence, visit driskillmemorialchapel. com. Theodora Marie Richardson Theodora Marie Richardson, 81, of Prairie City passed away June 1 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Arrange- ments have been entrusted to Driskill Memorial Chapel of John Day. To leave an online condolence, visit driskillme- morialchapel.com. Contact us if you’re traveling to another state or out of the country. We’ll make sure you’re all set. 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. Information 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. 541.676.0201 Father’s Day on the Train! Gold Rush Bandits to Rob Train! Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16 Download BEO MOBILE Summer Solstice Dinner Train Saturday, June 22 for Apple & Android. Tickets online or call 800.323.7330 Schedule & Descriptions www.eaglecaptrainrides.com Member FDIC Last Week’s Temps John Day ...........................................................HI/LO Tuesday ........................................................... 78/46 Wednesday ..................................................... 84/49 Thursday .......................................................... 58/45 Friday ............................................................... 55/39 Saturday .......................................................... 63/40 Sunday ............................................................. 74/41 Monday............................................................ 83/48 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 UNE 12-18 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Partly sunny Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Sunny Clouds and sunshine Sunny Sunny 90 84 82 83 82 83 86 58 54 52 53 49 47 44