The Wallowa-Union Railroad’s plan to build a rail repair facility is among 11 projects to be looked at April 1 when the Northeast and Southeast Area Commissions on Transportation meet in Baker City.

The commissions are prioritizing projects for the Connect Oregon III program, which will provide $100 million statewide for rail, public transit, air and marine port projects.

The Wallowa-Union Railroad project is one of 11 being considered in Eastern Oregon, and is the only project proposed for Union and Wallowa counties.

ELGIN — Chief of Police Kevin Lynch read the February police activity report to the councilors at the recent city council meeting and requested payment for a Justice Software program.

During February, the police department made five arrests, and wrote 14 traffic citations and seven ordinance citations.

There were 20 incident reports given, and police reserves worked 24 hours, said Lynch.

Award recipients at the EOU Women of Courage and Vision ceremony included, from left, Nancy Knowles, Dawn Schiller, Brynne Morningstar and Linda Densmore.

Hers was a voice that fell silent Dec. 23 when she died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in La Grande at age 45.

Today the popular professor’s voice still echoes at EOU. It echoes in the minds of students and colleagues like art professor Jessica Plattner.

I don’t know why our boys decided to choose up countries.

We have three sons but only the two younger ones were involved, for they were of pre-teen and early-teen age. The older one had other things to do of more importance to him.

It happened while we were at Edelweiss Acres, our Swiss place on the hill.

ELGIN — The city modified its moratorium on new construction after a major leak into the waste water system was discovered and repaired.

In January the council placed a moratorium on all new construction requiring sewer and water hookups after a study performed by Anderson Perry revealed that the lagoons were at their capacity and could not accommodate additional users.

“The ponds were full,” said Mayor John Stover. “But due to a dry winter, the ponds became lower, and we also fixed a major leak of fresh water into the ponds.”

The cost of applying for a liquor license in the City of La Grande is going up, according to a decision by the La Grande City Council Wednesday night.

During its regular session, the council approved a resolution establishing fees for processing liquor license applications. The vote in favor was in line with a recommendation from City Manager Robert Strope.

According to staff reports, the resolution is intended to support reasonable fees yet assess sufficient fees to cover processing costs.

ENTERPRISE — Rumors are running rampant in Wallowa County about who the mother is of the newborn baby found dead near Minam State Park Monday, but local officials are remaining mum.

Wallowa County Sheriff Fred Steen said that he can neither confirm nor deny a rumor that the mother is a 21- year-old woman who lives in La Grande but has ties to Wallowa County.

A county grand jury was supposedly meeting today to review the case.

ENTERPRISE — A former Enterprise woman already charged with theft related to when she served as treasurer of the Enterprise Education Foundation has also been charged with stealing from Wallowa Valley Little League.

Amber Wulff, 32, now of Scio, was arraigned in Wallowa Circuit Court Wednesday. She is facing charges of two counts of first-degree theft, three counts of second-degree theft and four counts of misapplication of entrusted funds. 

The Wallowa Lake Fire District was formed to save homeowners money on their fire insurance. - Observer file photo

The board has asked that all communication between the board and the Joseph City Council, mayor and fire chief be directed through counsel.

The 1960 La Grande High School Tigers basketball team gathers for a photo after clinching a state tournament spot. From left, are Dale Peterson, #52 Gary Voruz, #32 Bob Robeson (the author), Ken Hildebrandt, Buck Corey, #24 Buddy Hilliard, #44 Ron Coleman, Ray Westenskow, #34 Dave Carman, #14 Steve Smith, Jim Hilliard, #50 Rod Chandler and coach Jack Rainey.

Some of my fondest memories were shared with 11 other guys who earned a trip to the Oregon State High School Basketball Tournament in Eugene in 1960. That year we were 20-2 (tied with Hermiston in our conference for the best regular-season record of the 16 teams in Class A competition). To me, the experiences of that season were as rare as live armadillo on a Texas highway.