>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden spoke in Enterprise Wednesday. The Observer/GARY FLETCHER

The congressman also stayed to answer questions and he acknowledged that he had introduced a bill to the Senate to give the old U.S. Forest Service building in Wallowa to the city of Wallowa.

The city will in turn dedicate the building to the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center.

SHOWING IT OFF: Outdoors RV owner Ron Nash (right) shows U.S. Congressman Greg Walden the interior of a newly-built trailer at the plant at Pierce Road and Highway 82 outside Island City. The plant formerly housed Fleetwood RV, which went bankrupt earlier this year. Nash bought it to produce a line of trailers designed for the rugged conditions of the Pacific Northwest. - The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

All of the plant’s employees trooped outside in the bright sunshine to have their picture taken with the first trailer ready for shipment to a dealer. Many were cheering.

This new river loop to the left will flow back into the existing channel of the Wallowa River on the right after the restoration has been completed. - Photo/RON OSTERLOH

A project that began as an idea nearly 10 years ago and has been in process since last November will be taking giant steps toward completion next week on a stretch of the river on land owned by Craig and Liza Jane Nichols of the 6-Ranch.

Bob Jensen, center, of The Potter’s House talks to agriculture educators John Jenns of Bend and Jennifer Henning of Lakeview about the art of making Raku pottery following a demonstration he provided. Jenns and Henning are members of the Oregon Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, which recently met in Union County. Association members were provided with a demonstration by Jensen because the process of pottery making relates to processes used in agriculture science and shop classes. The Observer/DICK MASON

Still, within these 80 men and women beat the pulse of Oregon FFA.

The educators were members of Oregon Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, an educational organization that recently met in Union County for three days of classes. Most of its members, who are from all parts of the state, are advisers for their high schools’ FFA chapters.

La Grande police officers Sgt. Dave Sams and Senior Officer Scott Whittington assess a motor home for possible points of entry after receiving a call about a dog left unattended in the vehicle that was parked on Sunset Avenue near the Grande Ronde Hospital. The Observer/TRISTEN KNIGHT

Concerned residents contacted Union County’s animal control unit Tuesday about two separate incidents involving dogs being left in unattended vehicles in 80-degree weather.

The first incident involved a dog left in a Ford Explorer in the Walmart parking lot in the early afternoon, according to Animal Control Officer Becky Maddock.

No one was injured and a La Grande man was arrested in a shooting incident Sunday night at the La Grande Plaza Apartments in the 700 block of 12th Street.

About 8:35 p.m., La Grande police officers and Union County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a possible gunshot fired at 703 12th St.

Del Harper of Summerville, a member of the Grande Ronde Radio Amateur Association, makes contact with stations Saturday at Morgan Lake during the American Radio League’s Field Day. The Observer/DICK MASON

Weekly was not tracking twisters late Saturday morning, but he was twisting his way up rocky Morgan Lake Road.

He was following radio signals to Morgan Lake, taking an unexpected detour on his motorcycle journey through Oregon.

Shovel operator Steve Campbell sets the last log on the bull chain Wednesday at the Boise Cascade sawmill in La Grande. The bull chain carries the log to the debarker, head rig and then through the mill. Photos/JIM WARD

Boise announced last month it was planning to close the mill, which has been an economic mainstay in Union County for decades. An estimated 120 employees are affected.

The last log was put to the saw Wednesday afternoon. John Sahlberg, a media relations specialist in Boise’s corporate office in Boise, said the plant will be mothballed.

COVE — The Grande Ronde Valley now has a second charter school system.

The Cove School Board voted to approve the district’s charter status in a unanimous vote on Tuesday.

Cove becomes the second charter system in the Grande Ronde Valley. Imbler became a charter district last year.

Charter systems are publicly funded school districts that have been freed of some state and federal regulations that apply to all schools. Charter systems are also eligible for substantial grants.