Pure Philanthropy: 8-year-old Avary McCann receives a $200 matching donation from Steve Lyon, human resources manager for Boise Cascade, for stuffed animals for the Emergency Department at Grande Ronde Hospital. GRH photo

Girl’s toy drive for GRH Emergency Room benefits littlest patients 

Just 8-years old, Avary McCann waits patiently on the emergency room gurney as some of the more than 200 stuffed animals she has brought with her today are tucked in around her. Her sparkly red shoes and bright blue eyes peek out of the furry pile. Avary smiles shyly for the camera: The photo is a testimony to the truth that no matter how old – one person can still make a difference.

Michael Frasier as Captain Edward Smith. EOU THEATER photo

When Michael Frasier first stepped in to the choir room at La Grande High School, the world was commemorating the 60th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

On Thursday, when Frasier steps onto the stage of the Eastern Oregon University’s McKenzie Theatre, he will be leading the cast and crew in “Titanic, the Musical,” the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of this famous ship. 

Frasier’s latest project, “Titanic, the Musical,” opens on Thursday and runs through Saturday with 7 p.m. performances. There will also be a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. 

The City of La Grande’s budget committee kicked off its annual hearings Monday, recommending approval of a $3.5 million Urban Renewal Agency budget and hearing reports on the general fund.

The committee, comprised of six city councilors and seven appointed citizens, is convening this week to consider both the Urban Renewal budget and a city budget that totals $40 million across all funds.

Students mingle in front of Union High School in the early 1950s. This photo appeared in the 1951 edition of “The Bobcat,” UHS’s yearbook. UNION COUNTY MUSEUM photo

UNION — The construction of Union High School’s main building sparked considerable controversy about a century ago. 

The Union community was divided on where the school should be built. Some fervently believed it should be constructed where the Union Hotel is today, arguing that the school would be more centrally located there, according to “A History of Union County Schools’’ by Stella Edvalson, a book published by the Union County Museum Society.

ELGIN’S NEW SIDEWALKS are being poured on the east and west sides of Eighth Avenue from Alder to Albany as part of a $100,000 ODOT grant the city received to repair damaged sidewalks. Hard Rock Concrete Inc. of Redmond is doing the work. TRISH YERGES photo

ELGIN — The city received a grant of $100,000 from the Oregon Department of Transportation’s bike and pedestrian fund for the repair of damaged sidewalks on Eighth Avenue and Albany.

“The cement (pouring) is going to stop where that new sidewalk had been put in when they did Highway 204,” said City Administrator-Recorder Terrie Richards.

The project encompasses part of Albany and both sides of Eighth Avenue to Alder Street.

The Union School District may have to cut 2.83 positions and four school days in the process of balancing its 2012-13 budget.

The jobs and school days are part of an approximate $250,000 reduction proposal Union School Superintendent Jon St. Germaine presented to his district’s budget committee for consideration Thursday night.

Primary election polls close 8 p.m. Tuesday 

Though there’s still time to cast a ballot, voters in Union County haven’t exactly been turning out in droves for Tuesday’s primary election.

Union County Clerk Robin Church said Monday that in Union County, only 4,011 of 15,308 ballots sent out were returned by 5 p.m. Friday. With polls due to close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, that’s a 26.2 percent return rate.

An Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle lands on the runway at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, following a routine training mission. One or two F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to fly over Grandview Cemetery at noon May 28. U.S. AIR FORCE photo by Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Shirar

It’s official.

An unforgettable salute is in store for the annual Avenue of Flags ceremony at Grandview Cemetery on Memorial Day. 

The City of La Grande’s long-anticipated “Big H” project picked up a full head of steam Wednesday as the Urban Renewal Agency board directed City Manager Robert Strope to issue an intent to award the bid to local contractor Mike Becker.

The massive streetscape project, focusing on an area downtown between Depot and Elm streets and Washington and Jefferson avenues, will include sidewalk, driveway and alley improvements; utility trenching and conduit; ornamental light poles and light pole foundations; and site furnishings including benches, bike racks and trash receptacles.

The capital committee for the restoration of the Elgin Opera House announced they have raised nearly $900,000 thanks to the final award, a $175,000 grant from the Ford Family Foundation.

“We have raised a total of about $900,000,” said Mayor John Stover, who chairs the committee. Stover and his committee have been working on fundraising and restoration details since the fall of 2008.