La Grande Observer · Union, OR
LA GRANDE — The 77th annual Farmers Merchant Banquet recognized Union County farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders. The Union Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event. Donna Beverage with the chamber said the banquet Nov. 10 at Eastern Oregon University’s Gilbert Center celebrated the people, families and businesses keeping agriculture strong in Union County. John Petersen and Cassie Miller-Petersen received the Good Steward of the Year Award at the ceremony. The other awards were: Ecological Restoration of the Year: Russ and Mary West. Distinguished Service to Union County Agriculture: Bill Merrigan. Forest Service of the Year: Laine Smith, with Treetop Forestry. Young Famer of the Year: Random Glenn. Ag Woman of the Year: Dian Frish, with the Pumpkin Patch. Cattleman of the Year: Bob and Ann Hulden.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — A local school district made strides in improving student attendance during the 2025-26 school year The La Grande School District announced on Nov. 10 it received the Hoa Nguyen Equity Impact Award for Most Improved Regular Attendance from the Oregon Department of Education in the mid-sized school district category. The award recognizes districts making measurable progress in attendance and giving students the opportunity to succeed. “La Grande School District extends its gratitude to its agency partners, students, staff, families and community members whose collective efforts have made this achievement possible,” the district wrote in the release. The Oregon Department of Education presented the award to the district at La Grande High School, recognizing LGSD’s efforts to improve student attendance and its commitment to create a welcoming environment. State representatives emphasized that regular attendance means more than students showing up for school every day.
La Grande Observer · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORLA GRANDE — The city council will hold two work sessions Monday, Nov. 16, to discuss projects. Councilors will first meet at 6 p.m. to talk about the Morgan Lake Conduit Project with representatives from the Oregon Water Resource Department and Schnabel. Then starting at 7 p.m. the council will meet with department directors to have a discussion on the project list. Both work sessions will be at La Grande City Hall, 1000 Adams Ave., and streamed live on the city’s Youtube channel. Community members are welcome to attend work sessions, however, there is not typically time set aside for public comment or questions. The council does not come to decisions during or vote at work sessions.
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.
Lake County Examiner · La Grande, OR
Nearby: La Grande, ORThe North Lake High School girls volleyball team is bringing home the big trophy.The fourth-seeded Cowgirls defeated No. 2 Dufur in four sets, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, to claim the Oregon School Activities Association's Class 1A championship Saturday night at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.It was the first state volleyball title for North Lake (20-5 overall).“It was a battle, that’s for sure,” North Lake coach Kayleigh Fivecoat told OSAAtoday. “It’s just been wild. They weren’t going to give it to us.”Cowgirls junior Viktoria Baker and senior Acacia Roth were first-team all-tournament selections, with senior Emma Baker a second-team pick.Roth led the Cowgirls with 19 kills in the championship match, with Dillynn Puckett adding 14, Viktoria Baker 13 and Emma Baker 12.Fivecoat admitted she was concerned after the Rangers won the second set.“They have three very, very good hitters,” Fivecoat said. “They were picking our defense apart.
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.
The Wallowa County Chieftain · Wallowa, OR
Nearby: Wallowa, ORJOSEPH — A small earthquake, albeit the strongest in Northeastern Oregon in more than 30 years, was recorded late Monday, Nov. 9, in Wallowa County southeast of Joseph. The quake, recorded at 11:43 p.m., had a magnitude of 4.3, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network operated by the University of Washington and University of Oregon. The epicenter was near Carrol Creek, a tributary of Big Sheep Creek about 3 miles east of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road and about 12 miles southeast of Joseph. The quake happened about 7.5 miles underground (the initial report stated 1.5 miles). Doug Gibbons, seismic lab coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, said that based on the network’s historical database, Monday’s temblor was the strongest in Northeastern Oregon since a magnitude 4.0 quake on Oct. 27, 1994, about 7 miles southeast of Halfway. Gibbons said on Tuesday morning, Nov.
The Wallowa County Chieftain · Wallowa, OR
Nearby: Wallowa, ORENTERPRISE — Wallowa County has not one but two opportunities for people to improve their balance, flexibility, strength and cognition, all of which are important as people age. Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise offers Balance Level I and Level II classes, which Emily Whitesides, physical therapist at the hospital, teaches. Natalie Butz, an occupational therapist at the hospital, also has been a co-instructor. Each level lasts eight weeks and then begins again. The classes meet Tuesday and Thursday at Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise. Level I meets 1-2 p.m., and the second class meets 2-3 p.m. Whitesides said the first level class is a transition from physical therapy, or outpatient rehabilitative services, and for people, “who are just wanting to explore their level of balance, strength, flexibility and cognition.” She advised people to take Level I before taking Level II.
Baker City Herald · Baker City, OR
Nearby: Baker City, ORPOLICE LOG Baker City Police Arrests, citations SECOND-DEGREE THEFT, SECOND-DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASSING: Kyle Andrew Waldron, 41, Baker City, 5:05 a.m. Nov. 12 in the 3500 block of Pocahontas Road; cited and released. Accident reports Nov. 12, 7:49 p.m. in the 200 block of Campbell Street; accident with property damage.
Baker City Herald · Baker City, OR
Nearby: Baker City, ORBAKER CITY — A judge has ordered a mental health evaluation for Jonathon Russell Romine, the 45-year-old Baker City man tased twice by Baker City Police after he fled from officers and resisted arrest on Oct. 25. Judge Matt Shirtcliff in Baker County Circuit Court signed an order on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a mental health consultation for Romine, who has been in the Baker County Jail since his arrest. His bail is $200,000. A day earlier, on Nov. 9, Romine’s court-appointed attorney, Kyra Rohner, submitted a notice to the court stating that she was not sure Romine was mentally able to proceed in the criminal case. Romine had been scheduled to enter a plea to several charges on Nov. 16, but Shirtcliff canceled that and instead scheduled a hearing, to consider Romine’s mental condition, on Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. Baker City Police arrested Romine about 2:35 p.m. on Oct. 25 near Albertsons grocery on Campbell Street.
Baker City Herald · Baker City, OR
Nearby: Baker City, ORBAKER CITY — A Baker City man accused of hitting a letter carrier in the head with the stock of a BB gun in Baker City nearly two years ago has pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a federal employee using a dangerous weapon. Randy Warren Kahn, 50, has been in federal custody since he was arrested in December 2024. Kahn, who initially pursued an insanity defense but earlier this year withdrew that defense, was in a federal mental health treatment center in Missouri for several months in 2025 and 2026. Kahn pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, according to federal court records. He has not been sentenced, according to records. The maximum sentence is 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000, according to the plea agreement. Kahn admitted that on Dec. 14, 2024, in south Baker City he fired a shot from a BB gun when mail carrier Junya Uemura was delivering packages to Kahn’s home.