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

ENTERPRISE — The Enterprise Education Foundation report at the Enterprise School Board meeting April 7 revealed a successful fundraising effort of $21,000 at the annual dinner auction to be used to fund art and music programs for the district.

“It was very uplifting to see the community support,” said Superintendent Brad Royse.

Who will reign over Wallowa County’s Chief Joseph Days? 

No one knows yet. But the competition is on with three energetic cowgirls frantically selling tickets and preparing for the horsemanship competition scheduled April 19 at 11 a.m. at Harley Tucker Memorial Arena in Joseph.

Paige Bailey, a 16-year-old junior at Joseph High School, is the daughter of John and Cindy Bailey. She plays volleyball and basketball and competes in track as well as participating in FFA, 4-H and student council. She rides a 7-year-old sorrel quarter horse named Smarty.

Leslie LaViner of rural Enterprise participated in the Wallowa Valley Arts Council’s Quick Draw. Artists had one hour in which to complete a work of art. Then the items were silent-auctioned. The council’s next event is the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts June 6-8. The Observer/GARY FLETCHER

More than 100 people attended the event at the Joseph Civic Center.

In its fifth year as a standalone event, Quick Draw was held for the first time in the civic center, project coordinator Joan Madsen of Enterprise said.

Imnaha’s library, which serves about 50 regular patrons, is supported by the Wallowa County Library. Photos/Ron Osterloh

These days librarians are highly competent, versatile multi-taskers who are constantly striving to stay abreast of the latest technology and information for library users while robbing Peter to pay Paul with their limited budgets.

National Library Week, April 13-19, will be celebrated at the Wallowa Public Library on Main Street in Wallowa. Everyone is invited to stop by an open house for cookies and coffee and check out what’s new and cool at the library.

Union County and the Mount Emily Recreation Coalition plan an informational meeting on the proposed Mount Emily Recreation Area at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at La Grande High School.

Coalition spokesman Bart Barlow said the main purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to ask questions about the proposal.

“There will be some brief presentations on where we’re at, but this meeting is mostly geared toward questions and answers,” Barlow said.

Getting snared in credit card traps can be as easy for college students as withdrawing money from an ATM machine.

At EOU, though, it may soon become harder for credit card companies to lure students into such traps.

Eastern’s administration, at the request of its student government, is taking a serious look at putting new policies in place to protect students from credit card companies. The policies would make it harder for companies to contact EOU students in person or via mail.

revived on scene: Emergency personnel prepare to transport Jose Flores of La Grande to Grande Ronde Hospital Friday afternoon following his near-drowning in a storm drain catch basin in a south La Grande neighborhood. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Jose Flores, 45, was discovered shortly before 2 p.m. by three passersby with his upper torso stuck in a storm-drain catch basin. His head was submerged.

The passersby pulled Flores from the catch basin, Lt. Derick Reddington of the La Grande Police Department said. Two of the individuals are in the medical profession, Reddington said.

ELGIN — The Friends of the Elgin Community Center will host their annual auction April 19 at the community center, 260 N. 10th Ave.

Auction paddles will go a-bobbin for the new and good used items that have been contributed by generous Union County donors. It’s a deal for buyers and a tax-deductible donation for a worthy cause.

Some of the items up for auction this year include a new HP Photosmart C8180 printer, scanner and copier, 400 new life jacket preservers for children, one new chest freezer (9 cu. ft.), a David Waln plate, a bag of Science Diet for adult dogs, lawn and pasture seed and a new pocket watch from Don’s Jewelry.

An extra nickel.

Many La Grande School District students will need one in 2008-09.

The board voted Wednesday to boost the price of the district’s lunches by 5 cents in 2008-09.

The increase is needed because of rising expenses. Food prices jumped 4 percent in 2007 and are forecast to rise 3.5 to 4.5 percent in 2008, said Gary Howland, district plant operations director.

They are promoting their 12-week healthy choices program as “Spring Into a New You.”

But two Union County women could be starting their own mini-version of NBC television’s hit reality show “The Biggest Loser.”

“We are offering a weight loss challenge within the program, but not everyone has to do that,” said Mary Acquistapace of Island City.