Oregon Trail Electric Co-Op was recently honored with a first-place award for its YouTube video productions and a second-place award for its radio program “Your Voice,” which is aired locally on KLBM/KBKR.

The awards, from the Northwest Public Power Association, were both in the Wild Card category.

“It truly is an honor to be recognized,” said OTEC Communications Specialist Michael Howe. “There were a number of worthy entries and for OTEC to receive these honors is quite humbling.”

LOCAL BUSINESS ON DISPLAY: Oregon State fairgoers visit the display set up by Sun Storage of Joseph. The business, owned by Jonathan Monschke and Louis Perry, builds solar array packages and markets them nationwide. Submitted photo

Sun Storage joined its photovoltaic panel supplier, SolarWorld, in representing solar energy at the popular exhibit.

Prominent among the broad variety of technology booths, the solar energy exhibit was a go-to site for those interested in solar power for on- or off-grid application.

Just about anybody can benefit from instruction in money management, most anytime. In a tough recession, people need it even more.

That’s why the Region 13 Worksource Oregon Board is getting set to unveil “Financial Fitness” workshops in Union, Baker and Wallowa Counties.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

In La Grande, the classes will be held 10 a.m. to  noon Oct. 6 and Oct. 8 at the Oregon Employment Department building, 1901 Adams Ave.

In Baker City, sessions are planned 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 and Oct 22 at the Baker County Senior Center, 2810 1/2 Cedar St.

In Enterprise, the workshops  will take place 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 at the employment office, 104 Litch St.

The workshops are free, but pre-registration is required.

Those wanting to attend the La Grande sessions should call 541-963-7111. The Baker City number is 541-523-6331. In Enterprise, call 541-426-4972.

To help promote small businesses, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Procurement Office has created the Small Contracting Program for Construction.

 The goal of the program is to increase economic opportunities for Oregon workers and businesses, diversify the size of companies that are awarded ODOT construction contracts and boost participation in transportation projects.

To do this, a selection of ODOT construction projects valued at $100,000 or less have been set aside for this program. Only contractors who have pre-qualified under the Small Contracting Program for Construction will be eligible for these contracts.

Flu Fighter: The Undetectable Nasal Insert invented by local resident David Foggia could be used as a vaccine delivery system. The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK

David Foggia, a La Grande resident with a penchant for innovation, believes his Undetectable Nasal Insert, invented initially to help people cope with bad odors, has bigger, far more important applications. It could even play a role in fighting flu pandemics.

He’s so convinced, he’s asking the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the device for use as a vaccine delivery system and a pathogen destroyer. And he’s hoping to see the day when health-conscious people everywhere are using it.

 

COVE BINS: Darin Larvik, owner of City Garbage, shows off one of the newly painted recycle bins at the Cove Transfer Station. Observer photos/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

  Recycling simplified in Elgin, Imbler, Cove and N. Powder

City Garbage Service, looking after customers in La Grande and most of Union County’s outlying communities, made some improvements in its recycling program recently with help from Union County.

Recycle bins were refurbished, making it easier than ever for City Garbage customers to know where to put what, and helping City Garbage to cut down on handling costs.

In the past, Oregonians participating in local recycling programs were required to separate items into a bewildering array of bins. It was a time-consuming process.

making improvements: Construction worker Anthony Smith gets ready to hang drywall in the Union Family Health Center’s new dental clinic. North Powder dentist Joel Bender will begin practice at the center this month, after completion of the remodel. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

The South County Health District, formed in May after a vote within the Cove, Union and North Powder school districts, now has responsibility for the Union Family Health Center at Dearborn and Main streets in Union.

The district’s board of directors hopes to make the clinic an even better facility than it was when Oregon Health & Science University ran it. Some improvements have shown up already, but others will have to wait for funding.

BOSS LIFT PARTICIPANT: Eastern Oregon University President Bob Davies laughs at a remark made by a fellow Boss Lift employer at the Orchard National Guard Training Area near Boise. The annual Boss Lift program, an activity of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, brings employers to training sites to see how National Guard and Reserve troops train when they have to be away from work. Behind him is a portable control center for unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles. Photo/RODGER NICHOLS

“Hooah!” we reply, in approved Army fashion. It’s not yet 100 degrees in the desert near Boise, but it feels as if that’s just a matter of time. It’s July 23, and 44 of us are standing in our civvies, paying close attention to an Army National Guard captain.

That morning we had arrived at Gowen Air National Guard base, next to the Boise airport, as part of a program called Boss Lift.

The logo selected by Oregon Main Street Program committee members to mark a variety of downtown promotional materials.

During a work session Monday, councilors agreed that people won’t come to believe in the program and its effectiveness unless tangible improvements start showing up.

So look for bike racks and other amenities to start showing up soon.

helping hands: Wal-Mart associates Amanda Birkey and Sandee Fox (front row) were leaders in the local store’s recent effort to win $5,000 in food and personal hygiene items for Community Connection of Northeast Oregon. Others in the picture include (second row) Community Connection’s Carmen Gentry, Brian Girrard, Carolyn Pierce, Darlene Weber, Sarah Henley, Dody Gray and Melinda McKaig; and (back row) Judy Witherspoon, Sandi Miller, Holly Wanty, Mark Paslay, Jim Russell, Stephanie Jasper and Tiffany Tucker. Assistant Manager Tim Louden stands at far right; next to him is Associate Justin Clark. More than 50 Wal-Mart workers donated their own time in a variety of volunteer activities for Community Connection. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

This summer, local Wal-Mart associates took part in “Volunteerism Always Pays,” the discount chain’s nation-wide effort to help local charitable organizations.

Associates from the Island City store contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to Community Connection, the non-profit agency that offers an array of social services, including a food bank program. Community Connection supplies food banks throughout the region.