These are the latest significant local and regional developments of the coronavirus outbreak. Look for more comprehensive coverage of these and other COVID-19 stories on our website, www.lagrandeobserver.com, and in subsequent issues of The Observer.
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UNION COUNTY — The doors to their dining rooms may be closed, but this is not preventing Union County restaurant owners from opening their hearts to hundreds of local children during the COVID…
WASHINGTON — Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has urged the U.S. Department of the Treasury to do everything in its power to reassure U.S. banks and lenders they are prepared to provide relief to…
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LA GRANDE — The La Grande School District is launching a website to help its students go the distance this spring.
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PORTLAND — Arlene Schnitzer, a philanthropist who gave away more than $150 million to thousands of civic projects in Portland and helped bring arts in the city to another level, has died. She was 91.
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SALEM — In mid-March, one statistic defined how ill-prepared Oregon was for the expected surge of coronavirus patients: It led all states with the lowest number of staffed hospital beds per th…
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LA GRANDE — The La Grande City Council unanimously declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening. The move was the first of several actions the council took in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
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LA GRANDE — While Gov. Kate Brown's "stay home, save lives" order is necessary, isolation can make it difficult to maintain good mental health.
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PORTLAND — With a public comment period on the operation of Bonneville Power Administration’s 14 hydropower generating dams ending April 13, officials are working to dispel widely held misconc…
SALEM — State officials don’t trust the data they’ve been providing about Oregon hospitals’ capacity to handle COVID-19 patients, and has stopped providing that information.
SALEM — Oregonians are slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, state officials announced Wednesday.
Hansell hospitalized with blood clots
LEBANON — Bill Lapschies’ granddaughter Jamie Yutzie said he has a contagious smile tucked behind his pale blue surgical mask.
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LA GRANDE — Oregon Connections Academy, a public accredited online school, is in a solid position entering April in the midst of COVID-19.
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Wallowa Memorial Hospital (WMH) collaborated with the Wallowa County Commissioners and Wallowa County Sheriff today to produce and post an 8-minute Public Service Announcement video summarizin…
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LA GRANDE — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received an upgrade in the form of computers for its vehicles.
PENDLETON — Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery is lending a hand in the fight against COVID-19 by trying to help you keep yours clean.
Look for more comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 stories on our website, www.lagrandeobserver.com, and in subsequent issues of The Observer.
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LA GRANDE — Oregon Department of Transportation crews and contractors are beginning work on a project that will significantly dull the troubles caused by jackknifed trucks in Ladd Canyon.
SALEM — Younger Oregonians are quite concerned about coronavirus compared with older Oregonians, according to new research.
SALEM — Hospital workers in Oregon are astounded at the community response to an effort to provide those on the front lines of the coronavirus fight with protective masks.
ENTERPRISE — Subtle tremors Tuesday afternoon from a 6.5 magnitude earthquake about 15 miles north of Stanley, Idaho, rumbled through Northeast Oregon.
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Following Gov. Kate Brown's executive orders banning gatherings due to the COVID-19 outbreak, local governments and organizations have canceled events and made changes to operations.
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LA GRANDE — Union County is up to three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, and the Oregon Health Authority reported neighboring Wallowa County now has its first case, while nearby Umatill…
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LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University Foundation announced its largest ever scholarship award, a $700,000 fund to provide various amounts to more than 200 students during the 2020-21 academic year.
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LA GRANDE — As local community centers close due to COVID-19, those who gathered there are looking for new places to meet.
These are the latest significant local and regional developments of the coronavirus outbreak. Look for more comprehensive coverage of these and other COVID-19 stories on our website, www.lagra…
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COVE — Construction of the Cove School District’s $1.8 million dining hall is complete, but more building work is on the campus’ horizon.
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LA GRANDE — Union, Wallowa, Baker and Umatilla counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation received funding from the Oregon Health Authority to help local public he…
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LA GRANDE — The likelihood that Oregon’s public school closure will continue beyond April is real. So real, the Oregon Department of Education is requiring school districts to take a historic step.
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LA GRANDE — Union County has two new cases of the COVID-19 virus. One of them involves a Barreto Manufacturing crew member at the company’s Hot Lake plant.
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JOHN DAY, PENDLETON, and BAKER CITY, Ore. – The Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests are temporarily closing all developed recreation sites, to align with direction from sta…
As if the arrival of COVID-19 was not enough to worry about, late Tuesday afternoon at about 4:55, subtle tremors from a 6.5 magnitude earthquake about 15 miles north of Stanley Idaho rumbled …
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BOISE — A large earthquake struck north of Boise Tuesday evening, with people reporting shaking in Baker and Union counties.
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LA GRANDE — The COVID-19 pandemic has many people looking into the rearview mirror, back to when a more deadly virus had people talking about quarantines and face masks.
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LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University is going fully digital for the remainder of the school year.
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LA GRANDE — The economic downturn due to COVID-19 is hitting a major Union County employer hard.
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SALEM — Oregon as of Monday afternoon has 606 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since January.
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LA GRANDE — The term meals on wheels often is associated with seniors but now takes on additional meaning for Union County School Districts during the COVID-19 outbreak.
SALEM — Oregon State Police provided answers to a number of questions regarding the enforcement of Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order to “Stay Home, Save Lives” to limit the spread of COVID-19.…
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These are the latest significant local and regional developments of the coronavirus outbreak. Look for more comprehensive coverage of these and other COVID-19 stories on our website, www.lagra…
ENTERPRISE — The Rotary Club of Wallowa County is taking steps to get the word out about restaurants and other businesses that remain open amid the COVID-19 shutdowns.
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LA GRANDE — The Oregon National Guard delivered 150 military cots along with blankets and hygiene packs Friday morning to Grande Ronde Hospital. Local public and health officials Wednesday exp…
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LA GRANDE — The COVID-19 crisis has Art Center East in La Grande facing a grim reality.
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These are the latest significant local and regional developments of the coronavirus outbreak. Look for more comprehensive coverage of these and other COVID-19 stories on our website, www.lagra…
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ENTERPRISE — Rumors that Wallowa County is being flooded with visitors fleeing COVID-19 outbreaks in more populous areas appear to be just that — rumors that confirm social media is not the be…
Federal funds available to avoid layoffs
SALEM — The Oregon Department of Justice is accusing four convenience stores of price-gouging on its sales of toilet paper, bottled water and surgical masks.
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SALEM — EO Media Group, the parent company of The Observer, Baker City Herald and 11 other newspapers across Oregon, announced on Wednesday it is laying off 47 employees.
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Gov. Kate Brown said the far-reaching executive order she issued this week should not stop immediate families from motoring for relaxation or driving to a trailhead, as long as they maintain p…