by Pat Caldwell/For The Observer

In the past seven decades the population in Union County showed a steady, though modest, growth, but now the area appears to be well into a trend where the dominant age group is older and grayer.

The long-term development appears to be tied to two similar — yet distinctive — factors: the aging Baby Boom generation and economics.

Statistics released by the Oregon Employment Department in 2010 illustrated the local area sustained moderate growth from 1940 onward.

“The county has a slow growth pattern. But the age structure has changed. All of the growth has been in the upper age categories,” Jason Yohannan, regional economist with Oregon Employment Department said.

Elgin Stampeders honored for contributions to the community 

by Trish Yerges/For The Observer

ELGIN — The Elgin Chamber hosted a sellout, awards banquet Tuesday, where five citizens, one organization, one business and the Elgin Stampeders were honored for outstanding contributions to the community.

“This year’s theme, ‘Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats’ celebrates the Elgin Stampedes’ success and recognizes its economic stewardship to the community of Elgin,” said Chamber President Kem Brainerd, who emcee’d the event. “By working together with other local organizations to make Elgin a better place.”

Guest speaker and Stampede Director Bud Scoubes spoke about the Stampeders’ local contributions. In 2012, their expenditures were $187,000 and much of that money paid for services and goods provided by local businesses.

by Dick Mason/The Observer

La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze has received a strong job performance evaluation and a three-year contract extension.

The La Grande superintendent was recently praised in a letter from the school board summarizing its critique of his job performance. The letter was read at a board meeting Wednesday by board chair Joe Justice.

“Through your professionalism, leadership and personal example you have inspired the school district staff, school board and district patrons to keep the education of students at the forefront of what we do,” Justice said in a portion of the letter. 

The letter also commended Glaze with providing leadership which is “visionary and fiscally sound, his attention to legal and policy issues and continued communication with district constituents and business, civic and educational leaders.

by Dick Mason/The Observer

A La Grande man standing in an eastbound lane of traffic on Island Avenue was critically injured Thursday night when he was struck by a motor vehicle. 

Richard Higgdon, 48, was transported by air ambulance to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after being hit by a vehicle driven by Teresa Bundy, 41, of La Grande at about 7:45 p.m., according to police. 

Bundy and a passenger in her vehicle, Nadine Abbott, 60, of La Grande were not injured. 

The accident occurred near the intersection of Island Avenue and Interstate 84. Higgdon was standing in the right hand lane of traffic. 

Multiple agencies responded to a traffic crash Thursday evening involving a passenger vehicle and pedestrian struck in the right eastbound lane Island Avenue near Interstate 84 in La Grande.

According to the Oregon State Police, preliminary information indicates at approximately 7:45 p.m. a passenger car driven by a 41-year old female was eastbound on Island Avenue in the right lane
when the car struck an adult male standing in the traffic lane. The pedestrian was critically injured and was transported by air ambulance to an undisclosed hospital. Alcohol is being investigated as a
contributing factor on the pedestrian's part.

The involved vehicle stopped at the scene and the driver and 60-year old female passenger were not injured. Both were cooperative with the investigation, police said.

OSP troopers from the La Grande Area Command office are conducting the investigation. OSP is being assisted by La Grande Police Department, Union County Sheriff's Office, La Grande Fire Department and ODOT.

The names of the pedestrian and vehicle occupants are expected to be released today, according to OSP.

by Kelly Black/For The Observer

UNION — The Union City Council declined to raise ambulance service fees Monday night.

A resolution to increase emergency service fees in order to cover costs associated with operations failed to receive council support. Ambulance service fees have not been changed since April 2010.

The current fee for a basic ambulance run is $1,000 and the proposed new fee would have been $1,400. Advanced care runs would have seen a $200 increase. The ambulance currently charges a patient $17.75 per mile and the proposed new fee would have hiked the rate to $20 per mile. Other increases were for ambulance cleaning, aid calls and a community fee.

by Bill Rautenstrauch/For The Observer

There’s a good chance water and sewer rates will be going up in La Grande soon, and continue to rise through the next decade.

During a work session Monday night, the La Grande City Council heard a report from Howard Perry of the local engineering firm Anderson-Perry & Associates. Perry presented information on a recent study of the water and sewer systems, one that recommends a 5 percent hike for sewer in each of the next 10 years, and 10 percent for water.

by Dick Mason/The Observer

 A $1.2 million roof replacement project is set to begin soon in the La Grande School District.

Work will start in mid-June and will involve the replacement of roofs at La Grande High School, Greenwood Elementary School and Willow Elementary School. The need for roof replacement is greatest at LHS and Greenwood.

“The roofs we have at La Grande High School and Greenwood have lived beyond their life expectancy. They are starting to leak which is leading to mold, mildew and rotting,” said La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze.