FAMILY
Blue Mountain Eagle
OBITUARIES
Robert Kenneth Warren
Sept. 23, 1951 – May 7, 2021
Robert Kenneth Warren passed away peacefully on May 7,
2021, at the age of 69.
No services are planned at this time.
Bob was born on Sept. 23, 1951, in
Lebanon, Oregon, to Cecil and Mildred
Warren and was raised in Sweet Home,
Oregon, where he graduated from
Sweet Home High School.
He started driving his dad’s log
truck at age 15, bought his own log
truck at 18 and was in the logging busi-
ness for 30-plus years. He moved to
John Day in 1972, where he met his
wife and raised three children.
Bob was preceded in death by his mom and dad.
Bob is survived by his wife, Joni, who was the love of his
life. They were married for 46 years.
He also leaves behind Charles (Pam) Warren of Roseburg,
Oregon; Angela Burgett (James) of Moro, Oregon; Christopher
Warren of Roseburg, Oregon; fi ve grandkids (Cohen, Faith,
Hayden, Joni and Eli); and three siblings (Gary, Pauline and
Dennis).
Memorial contributions can be made to the Blue Mountain
Hospice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon
Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
Teresa Ann Sallee
Feb. 8, 1956 – May 3, 2021
Teresa Ann Sallee, age 65, of John Day passed away May 3,
2021, with her family by her side. A celebration of life will be
held May 15, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Sun-
fl ower Flat outside of Monument, Ore-
gon, with a potluck picnic to follow.
Teresa was born on Feb. 8, 1956,
to Frances Parr-Nichols in Vancouver,
Washington, and attended Monument
High School.
Teresa worked for Valley View
Assisted Living for fi ve years, retiring
in 2020.
She enjoyed reading and spending
time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her mom, Frances Nichols, of John Day,
Oregon; daughter, Sara Williams, of John Day, Oregon; son Jus-
tus and daughter-in-law Lisa Watson of John Day, Oregon; and
another son Matthew Sallee; and seven grandchildren, Skylar
Watson Vogel, Keilon Watson, Kayana McClean, Jaykeb Wil-
liams, Nisha Sallee, Parker Sallee and Preston Sallee.
To leave an online condolence for the family, visit driskill-
memorialchapel.com.
Oregon COVID-19 trends slowing,
but Eastern Oregon remains hot spot
By Gary A. Warner
Oregon Capital Bureau
The latest rise in COVID-19 infec-
tions in Oregon has peaked and is head-
ing down, though Eastern Oregon contin-
ues to have some of the top case numbers
and infection rates in the state.
The Oregon Health Authority released
the weekly COVID-19 risk level num-
bers late Monday morning and the offi -
cial announcement on changes in risk
levels — and restrictions in each county
— Tuesday. Although most counties
remained in the same risk level, Grant,
Lincoln and Wasco counties will move
from high to moderate risk Friday, May
14.
Overall, the numbers show a slight
decline in COVID-19 cases over the
past two weeks, compared to last week’s
report.
The state reported 10,755 new cases
over the two-week period, which equals
252 cases per 100,000 residents. Both are
slight declines over the previous period.
The rate of positive cases remains at
6.4% — state offi cials say anything above
5% has the potential to lead to a rebound
of cases.
Several counties had case rates that
would in the past have pushed them into
the extreme risk category. For large coun-
ties, an infection rate of more than 200
per 100,000 people would place them in
the most restrictive of the state’s four risk
level tiers.
But Brown introduced a new metric
last month that keeps counties from the
harshest limits, including a ban on indoor
dining.
Counties will not be put in the extreme
risk level regardless of their own COVID-
19 numbers if the state overall has under
Blue Mountain Eagle
July 23, 1923 – May 1, 2021
Thelma Louise Kite, age 97, of John Day passed away May
1, 2021, in Mt. Vernon, Oregon. A graveside service was held
May 7, 2021, at the Canyon City Cemetery with Pastor Al Alt-
now as the offi ciant.
Thelma was born July 23, 1923, to
Steve and Clara (Jones) Miller on Pine
Creek in John Day, Oregon. She mar-
ried Melvin Kite in Nevada in 1966 and
was a devoted housewife. She enjoyed
oil painting, fl ower arrangements, fi sh-
ing and gardening. She was also a mem-
ber of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Thelma was preceded in death by
her parents, Steve and Clara Miller;
husband, Melvin Kite; sisters, Erma
Narem and Irene Johnson; brother, Steve Miller; sons, Steve
and Terry Gentis; and grandson, Mike Gentis.
Survivors include her son, Walt (Donna) Gentis of John Day,
Oregon; grandsons, Sherm Gentis of John Day, Oregon, and
John Gentis of Athena, Oregon; and fi ve great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in her honor can be made to the
Cinnabar Adult Foster Care Home through Driskill Memorial
Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
Long Creek Assistant Fire Chief
Peter Case has been chosen by the
Grant-Harney Training Association as
their Instructor of the Year for 2020.
Each year a fi refi ghter from one of
the 10 fi re depart-
ments that make up
the Grant-Harney
Training Association
is selected to receive
the honor of being
chosen as Instructor
of the Year.
“As assistant fi re Peter Case
chief, Case is instru-
mental in creating the annual Long
Creek training calendar,” association
secretary and treasurer Sandra Sut-
ton said in a statement. “He is a great
leader during hands on exercises on
drill night practices. He is currently
training the department’s cadets. He
is a great instructor at teaching ropes
and knots. He is also eager, involved
and patient in teaching fi re prevention
and safety to the local Long Creek
kids.”
In addition to serving as assistant
chief on the Long Creek Fire Depart-
ment, Case is also a Long Creek
ambulance EMT.
In a May 5 article, the Eagle misstated that a one-day-per-
month furlough for non-union Grant County employees
would cause them to lose their health insurance. A furlough
day would not affect insurance. The Eagle regrets the error.
Eagle fi le photo
A Grant County Health Department staff
member reviews a COVID-19 rapid test.
300 hospitalizations for COVID-19. After
that threshold is crossed, an increase of
15% has to be met to hit the extreme risk
level.
As of Monday, the Oregon Health
Authority reported 324 confi rmed
COVID-19 cases hospitalized in the state,
a slight reduction over the last period.
Under the rules, those numbers mean
no counties will be put in extreme risk
level.
Eastern Oregon showed a mixed set of
results under the latest numbers.
Grant County, a hot spot in recent
weeks, showed an overall decline in
cases, but reported positive cases were
up to 10%, twice the level that OHA says
is needed to keep cases from rebounding
sharply.
Umatilla County dropped nearly 10
points to 136.2 cases per 100,000, a rate
that would rank it as moderate risk. The
only downside was an uptick in percent of
positive cases to 5.5% in the new report-
ing period, up from 5% reported last
week.
Baker County’s statistics were trend-
ing down, but remained high compared
to other areas in the state. The county
showed a decline in cases to 47 and a drop
in cases per 100,000 to 277.9 from 360.7
in the previous report. The positive infec-
tion rate is 9%, down from 10.6% in the
last report
Union County held the line for the
most part on cases. It showed a small
uptick in positive test rates, to 2.7% from
2.0%, but its case numbers were almost
identical to the last reporting period.
Cases and rates are up in Wallowa
County and Gilliam County, but the small
population makes for volatile changes in
weekly statistics that are often revised by
OHA when making its announcement on
weekly risk levels.
The new numbers show Central Ore-
gon has among the highest levels of infec-
tion and rates. Deschutes, Crook and Jef-
ferson counties are well above the 200
infections per 100,000 mark. But because
of the statewide metric requirement, they
will stay in the high risk limit level, the
second more restrictive of the state’s four
tiers.
Deschutes County reported 1,069
COVID-19 cases over the past two
weeks, with the cases per 10,000 rising
to 542.6. Also up is the positive test rate,
which at 9% is seen by health offi cials as
a fi gure that could lead to future exponen-
tial growth of cases.
Crook County reported 546 cases per
100,000, a slight increase. But its test pos-
itivity rate fell to 8.6% from 9%. While
still high, the rate is trending in the right
direction.
Jeff erson County also saw its rate per
100,000 rise to 315.3 cases per 100,000,
but its positive test rate fell to 8.5% from
8.9%.
Case named
Colahan sworn in as newest CASA
Blue Mountain Eagle
ing,” Colahan said. “They did a great job in
fi re instructor
helping me prepare for this new role.”
Circuit Court Judge Rob Raschio swore
People interested in volunteering for
in a new Court Appointed Special Advocate the CASA program should contact Melissa
of the year
volunteer, former Harney County District Mesa at 541-620-8824 or mmesa@granthar-
Thelma Louise Kite
CORRECTION
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Attorney Tim Colahan, as the newest CASA
for the 24th Judicial District for Grant and
Harney counties.
“CASA volunteers are critical in ensuring
every child’s right to grow up with dignity in
a safe environment that meets the child’s best
interest,” Raschio said in a statement. “Every
volunteer makes our children safer. I appre-
ciate Mr. Colahan’s support of this court’s
mission of protecting children.”
“Hannah Hinman and Melissa Mesa of
the CASA program provided excellent train-
neycasa.org or Hannah Hinman at 541-575-
5574 or hhinman@grantharneycasa.org.
“We need more volunteers from all walks
of life who wish to ensure children are safe
and families are receiving the necessary ser-
vices from the Department of Human Ser-
vice to be reunifi ed whenever possible in our
community,” Raschio said. “All you need
is a commitment to family and to children!
CASA will provide all the training and con-
tinued support necessary for you to see your
commitment through.”
Project Turnkey organizers to hold
public meetings to discuss grant process
Blue Mountain Eagle
Grant County offi cials working on a grant
to acquire hotels to turn into housing facilities
for people impacted by wildfi res, COVID-19,
and those released from incarceration as they
enter back into society will hold public ses-
sions on Zoom Friday at noon and 6 p.m.
The goal of a transitional living arrange-
ment is to provide a safe, stable living envi-
ronment away from negative infl uences
where new, healthy living habits can be
nurtured and developed, organizer Rhian-
non Bauman said.
“Such residences can also provide the
onsite support and tools needed to cultivate
new relationships, fi nd work and gradually
reintegrate with families, friends and commu-
nity,” she said.
The login information for the noon session is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83879560118?p-
wd=TzZieGZDMEpDeFplT3BXOWs2S2RIZz09
Meeting ID: 838 7956 0118
Passcode: 605095
And the login information for the 6 p.m.
session is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87687552477?p-
wd=UzE1NTM5cU03Y0FHS2dPNytTejdDQT09
Meeting ID: 876 8755 2477
Passcode: 531537
www.eomediagroup.com
Elvin Bernell Webb
December 4, 1931 – May 5, 2021
Elvin Bernell Webb, 89, died May 5 at his son’s home in Mt. Vernon. Elvin was born December 4, 1931, in Copperton,
Utah, the son of Delores (Nichols) and Hermann DeSouza. He was raised in Mt. Vernon, graduating in 1949. After
graduating high school, he attended Eastern Oregon State College. While there, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950.
While serving in the Navy, he met his wife Jane Swartzentruver who also was serving in the Navy. On April 18, 1954
they were married in John Day. Elvin served over 25 years in the Navy retiring in 1974 as a Chief Warrent Officer 3 in
Woodbridge, Virginia. After retirement, he worked as a civilian for the Navy until he and his family moved to John Day in
1979, eventually settling in Mt. Vernon in 1980. Elvin traveled far and wide while serving in the Navy. He was stationed
in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Manassas Park, Virginia; Taipai, Taiwan; Wilmington, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Sasebo,
Japan; and Woodbridge, Virginia. He also served on several different ships during his service. Elvin also worked at the
Pentagon and Navy yard in Washington, D.C. After settling in Mt. Vernon, Elvin worked with his stepfather’s painting
business, taking it over after his stepfather’s passing in 1994. Elvin was also Mayor of Mt. Vernon for two terms. Elvin
loved sports and enjoyed watching his son and grandson play as much as he could. He was a kind person to all. He had a great love for His Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ and for serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was waiting upon the Lord to take him to be with family, especially
his beloved wife, Jane, and daughter Cindy.
Survivors include children Tami (Ed) Lowry of Corvallis; Jerry (Kathy) Webb of Mt. Vernon; sister Darlene (Wally) Muzzy of Richland, Washington; grand-
children, Lindsey Webb of Los Angeles and James Webb of Mt. Vernon; great-grandson, Braeden Webb; step-grandsons, Robert Lowry of Sweet Home
and Corey Lowry of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jane; daughter Cindy; sister Hermalynn (Babe) White; parents Delores and Hermann DeSouza.
Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Memorial chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day. For condolences, visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.com
Paid for by the family of Elvin Webb.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Tuesday ........................................................... 64/44
Wednesday ..................................................... 75/38
Thursday .......................................................... 84/49
Friday ............................................................... 57/38
Saturday .......................................................... 57/35
Sunday ............................................................. 54/38
Monday............................................................ 65/34
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
The third installment of the 2020-21
property tax is due Monday,
May 17th, 2021 by 5:00 p.m.
Payments may be made at the Tax Collector’s Office
at the Grant County Courthouse in Canyon City, or the
payment may be mailed and postmarked no later than
May 17th, 2021. Please remember that delinquent
taxes accrue interest at the rate of 16% per year. If
you have any questions, please call the tax office
at 575-0107 or 575-0189.
PO Box 185
Canyon City, OR 97820
S243973-1
A2
S242317-1
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF M AY 12 - 18
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