Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — About 2,600 customers in La Grande were without power for about 25 minutes on the morning of Nov. 12, according to Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. The outage was likely caused by high winds in the area, OTEC Communications Manager Shiraz Mukarram said. Linemen were able to quickly troubleshoot the issue and restore power. OTEC restored power to all affected members by 8:28 a.m., according to the cooperative.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — Those looking for some handmade charm when checking off gifts from their holiday shopping list are in luck. Art Center East’s 18th annual Handmade Holidays Makers Market returns Nov. 20-21 at 1006 Penn Ave. in La Grande. The weekend market features a wide range of goods and artwork created by local and regional artisans. “ With this market, everything has to be handmade,” Gallery Director Jennifer Durr said. “ There’s no resale. There’s no MLM. There’s no selling other people’s handmade products. It’s the makers selling their own handmade goods.” This year’s market showcases 24 artists and artisans, according to Durr, offering a huge selection of gifts. Items include leather, woodworking, artisan foods, fiber arts, ceramics, glass, clothing, jewelry, blacksmithing, home decor, bath and body products, art prints, paintings, cards and much more. Admission is free on Nov. 20 from 4-8 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — Dr. Lewis Wright’s new practice, Wright Family Dental, is now open at 2502 Cove Avenue, Suite D in La Grande and welcomes new patients. Raised in La Grande, Wright is the son of Wade Wright, a retired biology teacher at La Grande High School, and Lezlie Wright. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Eastern Oregon University in 2021 and graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry in June. Wright and his wife, Alaina Wright, an occupational therapist, live with and care for her grandparents, retired dentist Dr. Russell and Mrs. Marlene Kilpatrick of La Grande. Wright said Dr. Kilpatrick remains one of his professional mentors. “My wife and I are so excited to be back home and to be serving the community we really love here,” Wright said. During his last year in dentistry school, the faculty at OHSU School of Dentistry awarded Wright the Implant Dentistry Award as the best student in that category in his class.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — Veterans can enjoy a free meal Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Blue Mountain Bistro at Grande Ronde Hospital. GRH welcomes veterans and active duty military to enjoy the free meal as a thank you for their service, the hospital announced in a press release. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Mountain Bistro, which is inside Grande Ronde Hospital, 900 Sunset Drive, in La Grande. “Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifices of our military members, past and present,” Director of Communications and Marketing Karrine Brogoitti said. “We’re grateful for all they’ve given, and it would be our honor to serve them.” No reservation is required. The menu includes a variety of options, including barbecue tri-tip with au gratin potatoes, Philly cheesesteaks, chili, fresh salad bar selections, personal pizzas and hamburgers.
Blue Mountain Eagle (John Day) · Prairie City, OR
Nearby: Prairie City, ORCANYON CITY — The John Day man facing charges of murdering a 41-year-old Lincoln City woman in February 2025 will spend the rest of his life at the Oregon State Hospital. Gary Cavan, 43, was the subject of a stipulated facts trial Friday, Nov. 6, in Grant County Circuit Court. Judge Robert Raschio presided over the trial and found Cavan guilty except for insanity. The state accused Cavan of the brutal killing of his former girlfriend, Janelle Klaar, after workers at the John Day Motel on Feb. 28, 2025, discovered her badly beaten body. That sparked a search for Cavan that ended with his arrest March 5, 2025, at the old Sag’s Motel along Highway 26 outside Prairie City. The state charged Cavan with second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree burglary and one count each of second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and second-degree criminal mischief in relation to Klaar’s death. Cavan has been in the custody of the Grant County Jail since his arrest.
