A2
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Award honors Oregon Pine work John Day woman
By JUSTIN DAVIS
Blue Mountain Eagle
BEND — The city of John Day
is making moves and gaining state-
wide recognition. The city received the
“Under Construction” Award at the Ore-
gon Brownfi elds and Infrastructure Con-
ference for its work toward the redevel-
opment of the old Oregon Pine site.
The former Oregon Pine property is at
the heart of the city’s plans for the Inno-
vation Gateway, which call for a mix of
retail, commercial and light industrial
uses as well as public greenspace and
amenities.
The conference, organized by the
Northwest
Environ-
mental Business Coun-
cil, was held Oct. 23-25
at the Riverhouse on
the Deschutes in Bend.
Mayor Ron Lundbom
attended the conference
Lundbom
and accepted the award
on behalf of the city.
“The attendees and presenters at the
conference were really impressed by
the sheer volume of projects the city
has going on related to the brownfi elds
redevelopment of the former Oregon
Pine site. The award is recognizing the
amount of eff ort that goes into creating a
suite of projects that all touch this theme
of brownfi elds redevelopment and reha-
bilitation,” interim John Day City Man-
ager Corum Ketchum said.
The award shines a light on the fact
that other cities are talking about John
Day, with many looking to emulate the
things the city has done, Ketchum said.
“We’re setting a role model for rural
revitalization and redevelopment by
doing things like creatively reusing for-
mer brownfi eld sites and restoring them
with community amenities and business
space and working with our local and
regional partners to address issues we’re
all facing and doing things like hous-
ing redevelopment through our urban
renewal agency,” he added.
SHARP RIDGE — A lost hunter
caught out after dark in a remote corner of
Grant County was located quickly, thanks
in part to night vision equipment recently
purchased by the Grant County Sheriff ’s
Offi ce.
Frank Lundstrom, 74, of Prineville was
hunting in the Desolation unit of the Uma-
tilla National Forest on the afternoon of
Thursday, Oct. 27, when he became lost
after tracking a bull elk, according to infor-
mation provided by the sheriff ’s offi ce.
Using a cellphone, Lundstrom contacted
the Grant County Emergency Communica-
tion Center and was able to provide a rough
idea of where he was. After he talked with
Sgt. Danny Konming, offi cers were able
to narrow down his location to an area on
Sharp Ridge, about 16 miles east of Mead-
owbrook Summit on Highway 395 North.
Sheriff Todd McKinley, using night
vision goggles recently purchased with
grant funds, was able to locate Lundstrom
about 12:15 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.
DAYVILLE — The town
of Dayville celebrated the sea-
son in style as around 150 peo-
ple attended the annual Com-
munity Fall Festival on Oct. 14
in the newly renovated Dayville
Community Hall, according to
information provided by City
Recorder Ruthie Moore.
The hall was decorated for
the occasion with artwork by
students at Dayville School.
Attendees shared a potluck
meal featuring soups, stew and
chili along with plenty of salads
and desserts. The city provided
cornbread, rolls and apple cider.
The festivities included a
cakewalk with more than 20
cakes and other desserts as well
as the Pumpkin Anything Con-
test, which received 10 entries
ranging from painted pumpkins
to pumpkin artwork. Jeff Lar-
son took the adult prize for his
pumpkin made of horseshoes,
while the children’s award went
to Shilo Fretwell’s K-2 class for
their pumpkin pictures.
The winners of the town’s
annual scarecrow contest were
also announced, with the lau-
rels going to Lyndee Billar and
family of the Fish House Inn and
the Dayville High School senior
class.
Arlene Joyce (Carson) McGetrick
January 9, 1932 ~ October 28, 2022
Arlene Joyce McGetrick (nee
Carson), 90, of Canyon City, Oregon
passed away on October 28, 2022,
in Boise, Idaho with her son and
daughter-in-law at her side.
Arlene was born January 9,
1932, in John Day, Oregon. She
attended first through eighth grade
at Rebel Hill School in Canyon City
and graduated from Grant Union
High School in 1949. Following
graduation, she married Harley Mc-
Getrick and together they had two
sons, Jerry and Dan. She was proud
of her family and was affectionately
known as “Grandma Lene” to three
grandsons, two step-grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren.
Arlene was a dedicated worker who started working at age 12
and did not retire until age 73. From an early age she ran errands
for several businesses in town. Upon graduation she secured a
full-time position as a telephone operator for the Pacific North-
west Bell Telephone Company. She enjoyed her work at the phone
company until 1965 when the phone system transitioned from
operator assist to dial. She then worked with the local sheriff’s
office and county assessor until 1968 when she became the tem-
porary Canyon City Postmaster. This position paved the way to
her official appointment in 1971. She served as the Canyon City
Postmaster until her retirement in 1992.
Arlene was a proud fourth-generation resident of Grant Coun-
ty. She loved her work as Postmaster serving the local community
and developing friendships that would last throughout her years.
After retirement from the post office, she continued to serve the
John Day community as Grant County Chamber of Commerce Ex-
ecutive Director until 2005. In 2007 she was honored as Grand
Marshall of the ’62 Days Parade.
Arlene is preceded in death by her son Jerry McGetrick, par-
ents Emma and Roscoe Carson, brother Bernie Carson and wife
BZ, and ex-husband Harley McGetrick.
She is survived by her son Dan McGetrick and wife Kel-
ly, grandsons Ian (Kalie), Sean (Elizabeth), Brady (Ariel) and
great-grandchildren Norah, Harvey, Rory and Miles. She is also
survived by her stepdaughter Kathy Ward (Gary), sons Jeff (Re-
nee), Jay (Dany) and their children. Her surviving nieces Mindy
Bryan and Susan Smalley held a special place in her heart.
In addition to her family, she made many dear and wonderful
friends (you know who you are) whom she cherished. The family
wishes to extend our sincere thanks to those who loved and cared
for Arlene throughout the years.
A graveside service will be held at the Canyon City Cemetery
November 5, 2022, at 1:00 pm to celebrate her life. A reception
will follow at the Canyon City Community Hall in Canyon City. To
leave online condolences to her family, please visit www.driskill-
memorialchapel.com. Paid for by the family of Arlene McGetrick.
Lundstrom, whose feet had gotten wet
after hiking through 3-plus inches of newly
fallen snow, had built a fi re to warm him-
self. He was uninjured and in good spir-
its and was transported to a waiting family
member.
The Grant County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
reminds hunters and others that the weather
has changed rapidly over the last week,
bringing winter weather. Anyone travel-
ing in the woods should be prepared to
spend the night in cold, wet conditions
if need be.
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SALEM — With the arrival of cool fall temperatures and wide-
spread precipitation, the Oregon Department of Forestry has declared
fi re season to be over on all districts eff ective Friday, Oct. 29.
The declaration means all wildfi re restrictions are lifted on
ODF-protected lands, including bans on backyard burning and the
use of certain power equipment. However, the department noted in
a news release, some agencies still require a permit for debris burn-
ing, so it’s best to check with your local fi re department before ignit-
ing a burn pile.
So far this year there have been 844 fi res on lands protected by
ODF for a total of 34,105 acres burned, with 96% of those fi res lim-
ited to 10 acres or less. On all lands statewide, there have been 1,975
fi res that burned 436,772 acres.
There was a signifi cant decrease in human-caused fi res on
ODF-protected lands this year, with 1,918 acres burned compared to
the 10-year annual average of 68,479 acres, the department reported.
Prairie woman wins gardening award
PRAIRIE CITY — Sharon Thissle is the
winner of the Green Thumb Garden Club of
Prairie City’s 2022 Gardening Award.
Thissle received a $25 cash prize for having
“an attractive, eye-catching and well-groomed
front yard,” according to an announcement by
the club.
Thissle
OTEC opens scholarship applications
Contributed Photo
Created by Lyndee Billard and family, this scarecrow was one
of the winners in Dayville’s annual scarecrow contest. For more
photos from the Dayville Community Fall Festival, see the on-
line version of this story at MyEagleNews.com.
The guest of honor at
the event was Nick Ducote
of Ducote Consulting in La
Grande, who wrote roughly $2
million worth of grants to help
fund the century-old commu-
nity hall’s renovation.
The hall’s new tile wall,
adorned with more than 150
tiles, was revealed for the fi rst
time. The tiles were sold during
the town’s Fourth of July cele-
bration as a fundraiser for the
hall. Proceeds from a silent auc-
tion held during the fall festi-
val will go toward maintenance
costs for the building.
Attendees also got a chance
to check out the hall’s time cap-
sule. Plans call for the capsule
to be sealed for 25 years and
opened in 2047. Among other
things, the capsule will con-
tain letters to each of the school
classes of 2047 and photos
depicting life in 2022.
Demis “Renee” Bjonberg Thiede
November 5, 1954 ~ October 6, 2022
Renee Thiede, age 67 of Prairie
City, Oregon passed away peace-
fully on October 6, 2022 in her
home with her loved ones by her
side.
Renee Thiede was the wife of
Dick Thiede and daughter of Wil-
liam “Bill” Bjonberg and Florance
E. Jones Bjonberg. She was born
in Heppner, Oregon.
Renee grew up in Bates, Ore-
gon until the mill shut down and
her family moved to Prairie City,
Oregon. After high school Renee
moved away. After she retired in
Prineville she moved back to Prairie City, Oregon with her hus-
band.
Renee loved hunting, fishing, gardening and anything out-
doors. She was always up for an adventure. Renee accomplished
a lot in her life but she was most proud of her three daughters,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Renee was preceeded in death by her father William “Bill”
Bjonberg her mother Florance E. Jones and her brother Har-
land “Buzz” Bjonberg. Renee is survived by her husband Dick
Thiede of Prairie City, Oregon, daughter Kettery “Katie” Swader
and husband Nick of Stanwood, Washington, daughter Abba of
Prairie City, Oregon and daughter Estelle Esparza and husband
Nick of Prineville, Oregon, and brother Fred Bjonberg and wife
Sue of Yelm, Washington. She also leaves seven grandsons, one
granddaughter and four great-grandchildren, and many friends
and relatives.
There will be a graveside service for Renee on November 5,
2022 at 11:00 am for family members only.
Celebration of life will be held at the Legion Hall Post 106 in
Prairie City, Oregon following the service. All of Renee’s family
and friends are invited.
Paid for by the family of Renee Thiede.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 43/26
Thursday .......................................................... 51/30
Friday ............................................................... 54/32
Saturday .......................................................... 53/36
Sunday ............................................................. 51/34
Monday............................................................ 60/40
Tuesday ........................................................... 43/29
FRUITLAND, Idaho —
A Grant County woman has
died in a single-vehicle crash,
according to information from
the Idaho State Police.
Regina Roberts, 64, of
John Day succumbed to inju-
ries sustained in the crash,
which happened at 2:48 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26. Her iden-
tity was released by the Pay-
ette County Coroner’s Offi ce
following notifi cation of next
of kin.
According to the Idaho
State Police, Roberts was
driving west on Interstate 84
about a mile from the Ore-
gon state line when her 1995
Ford Explorer went off the left
shoulder of the freeway and
rolled into the median.
The crash remains under
investigation.
ODF declares end of fi re season
Dayville celebrates autumn’s arrival
Blue Mountain Eagle
Blue Mountain Eagle
LOCAL BRIEFING
Night goggles help locate missing hunter
Blue Mountain Eagle
dies in crash
BAKER CITY — The OTEC Member Foundation is accept-
ing applications for academic, trade school and lineman scholar-
ships, as well as to attend its annual Washington, D.C., youth tour.
The foundation, the charitable arm of the Oregon Trail Electric
Cooperative, funds a number of academic scholarships.
The OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship Program will award schol-
arships to four incoming freshmen at Eastern Oregon University in
La Grande. The scholarships cover four years of tuition and fees
at EOU.
In addition, $5,000 academic scholarships are available for
graduating high school or homeschooled seniors, returning stu-
dents and adults looking to attend college.
For those looking for a career in the trades, the foundation
awards $5,000 lineman school scholarships and $2,500 trade
school scholarships.
The deadline to apply for academic scholarships is Feb. 28,
while lineman school and trade school scholarship applications
will be accepted until funds are exhausted. Application materials
are available online at otec.coop/scholarships.
The foundation is also accepting applications from high school
and homeschooled juniors for the 2023 Rural Electric Coopera-
tive Youth Tour. Those selected will receive a one-week, all-ex-
penses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 17-23. Participants will
visit historical sites, meet congressional leaders and build leader-
ship skills while they learn about electric co-ops.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Applications can be found
online at otec.coop/dc-youth-tour.
Holiday vendor class begins
SALEM — The Oregon Regional Innovation and Accelera-
tor Network is off ering a free series of online classes for entre-
preneurs planning to hawk their wares at seasonal bazaars.
Oregon RAIN’s Holiday Market Vendor Bootcamp is a
series of four Tuesday and Thursday Zoom classes to be held
from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, 9, 14 and 16. The brown
bag sessions will cover tips and tricks for making the sale,
becoming an approved vendor at local markets and designing
your perfect setup, concluding with a show and tell pitch day.
The deadline to sign up is Friday, Nov. 4. Registration is
available online at https://tinyurl.com/4z57kjsk.
Blue Mountain Eagle
DEATH NOTICES
Arlene Joyce McGetrick
Arlene Joyce McGetrick, age 90, of Canyon City passed
away Oct. 28, 2022, in Boise, Idaho, with her loving family by
her side. A graveside service will be held at the Canyon City
Cemetery Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at the Canyon
City Community Hall in Canyon City. To leave online condo-
lences for the family, please visit www.driskillmemorialchapel.
com.
Gary William Lieuallen
Gary William Lieuallen, 87, of John Day passed away Oct.
25, 2022, at Valley View Assisted Living. To leave an online
condolence for his family please visit, www.driskillmemorial-
chapel.com.
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF N OV . 2-8
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cloudy
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showers
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showers
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