Archives for August 2018

While the United States continues to grapple with the opioid crisis, an addiction-treatment facility in southern Oregon is offering hope to mothers. Joe Wilson is with the Addictions Recovery Center, or ARC, in Medford…

Tag: Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and drug addiction is a deadly issue nationwide. A record 72-thousand people died from drug overdoses in 2017.

A hunter in Union County, found a man who had fallen from his tree stand and was tangled in his safety harness. The man had been hanging upside down… 20 feet in the air… just north of Highway 244 for two days! First responders rushed to the scene, and got him down, and the man wa airlifted to the hospital. The man was clinging to life. His name has not been released, and his condition has not been updated.

Residents of Joseph will vote in November, on whether or not to overturn the ban of the sale of recreational marijuana. 187 signatures were collected in favor of it. Only 87 signatures… or just 10 percent of the registered voters in the City of Joseph… were needed to put the question on the ballot.

Baker City Councilor James C. Thomas resigned last week, just two days after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in connection with his arrest back in June. Thomas’ resignation letter was dated August 22. As per the city charter, City Council will now appoint a replacement to server the remainder of his term, which expires Dec. 31st.

Oregon youths will take the reins in the state’s first gubernatorial debate this October… the first time children and young people guide a forum for candidates. Head of Children First for Oregon Tonia Hunt hopes questions from Oregon’s kids will make for a civil debate …

Discussion got hot and heavy both for and against the Grande Ronde River Greenway Project at a hearing this week, before Island City’s city council. People living near the area of the proposed route expressed fear that having a public path close to their homes will cause problems. Supporters of the plan however, say the Greenway would draw in visitors, boost the local economy, and improve the quality of life of residents. Separate hearings on several other options are planned for sometime over the next two weeks.

Robb Rea is now stepping in to fill the position of Mayor Pro Tem in Island City. Rea has been a member of city council for the past 16 years, and now he is stepping in to add more help due to the absence of Mayor Delmer Hanson, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in July. Hanson is recovering at his home, but has decided to take time away from his duties as mayor to fully recover. Rea will serve until Hanson is able to return.

The Urban Renewal Agency is considering turning a $150,000 loan to the Liberty Theatre into a grant. The move comes after the project has been awarded $875,076… $166,618 of that total coming from the City of La Grande.

The Wallowa Land Trust invites everyone to join in Bird Box Stewardship Day on Friday. Volunteers will leave at 8:30 from the Land Trust’s office in Enterprise, and carpool to the back of the East Moraine to place nesting boxes. Call 541-426-2042 for info.

The Wallowa County Road Department will be fog sealing Hurricane Creek Road from Joseph to Enterprise today and tomorrow. Motorists should expect delays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.