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

ENTERPRISE — The Enterprise Public Library has received a set of new books and resource materials on cancer diagnosis, treatment, survival and support, paid for by a grant from the Oregon Department of Justice.

The materials will be on display and available to the public beginning Tuesday. Cancer Care Resources of Oregon compiled the collection of source books and CDs.

Jack Harmon, 88, Kathleen (Booth) Robinson and George Justice, both 90, left to right, gathered Tuesday for a 72nd reunion of their Enterprise High School Class of 1936. - The Observer/GARY FLETCHER

They were Jack Harmon, 88, and George Justice, 90, both of Joseph, and Kathleen (Booth) Robinson, 90, of Lynden, Wash.

The three enjoyed recounting the old times and remembering old friends.

ENTERPRISE — Eight contested races, six uncontested races and one position for which no one has filed will be on ballots in Wallowa County for the Nov. 4 election.

The field of candidates for offices run from five people vying for a Joseph City Council seat to none running for a Wallowa City Council position that will be determined by a write-in vote.

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE: An impressive team of dedicated Elgin volunteers have been working on the details of hosting and entertaining Cycle Oregon riders during their week-long ride through “The Last Frontier” — 410 miles of awe-inspiring mountains, valleys and high desert country. Front, from left, are Kem Brainerd, Maureen Smolkowski, Kathryn Kennedy. Standing: Christy Piercey, Sheri Wales, Peggy Hayes, Patty Taylor, Cindy Chandler. Not present: Becci Scott, Cheryl Coe and Janet Stafford. - Photo/Trish Yerges

Cycle Oregon was founded 21 years ago. The non-profit organization is dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling.

“A roaring success.”

That’s how Union County Commissioner Colleen MacLeod described the maiden assembly of the Oregon Rural Congress, held August 21-22 in Cascade Locks.

“I’ve had dozens of e-mails from people (who attended) saying, ‘Wow!” she said.

Cove’s “miracle girl’’ again has doctors scratching their heads.

Leukemia patient Linda Pereira is making encouraging progress after receiving a bone marrow transplant in Seattle June 28.

“I’m defying the odds. I have a slight infection now, but the doctors are very happy. They can’t believe it,’’ Pereira said Wednesday afternoon via cell phone from Seattle.

Add a new book to the credits of La Grande fantasy fiction author George Mead.

“And Again,’’ the fifth book in Mead’s series “From Grandeville — A Tale,’’ is now available.

The “From Grandeville — A Tale’’ series follows the story of John Tinker, a Northeast Oregon man in his mid-30s who keeps getting swept off to exotic worlds. Tinker leaves Northeast Oregon in “And Again’’ to rescue one of his closest friends.

In anticipation of Labor Day weekend, the Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla national forests and the Oregon Department of Forestry have decided to keep current public use restrictions in place in spite of recent rain and cooler temperatures.

On Monday, the largest amount of rain recorded locally was a 1⁄2-inch at Aneroid Lake, in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Dennis Winkler, acting fire management officer for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest noted that although recent moisture helped fire conditions earlier this week, warming and drying weather is expected into the weekend.

Interested in brainstorming about the Union County Courthouse’s future?

The Union County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications through Sept. 10 for volunteers to serve on a court facility task force.

The board passed a resolution last week to assemble the task force, following a meeting with Paul De Muniz, chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, on Aug. 13.

FINISHING TOUCH: Jim Bright of Rogers Asphalt levels out the dirt along 12th Street’s newly-constructed sidewalks Tuesday. Street paving will begin soon, with project completion targeted for the third week of September. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

City of La Grande Public Works Director Norm Paullus said the concrete work began last week and was completed on Tuesday.

Paullus said street paving will begin soon. The improvement project is expected to be complete and the street open by the third week of September.