The Observer paper 01-30-15

Page 1

SNOWMOBILE DESIGNATION IN OUTDOORS 5. REC, 1C

FOREST SERVICE'S NEW POLICYWON'T HAVEANY IMMEDIATE EFFECT ONTHEWALLOWA-WHITMAN NATIONAL FOREST IN HEALTH 5. FITNESS, 6C IN SPORTS, 8A

8FITWAYSTODECREASEYOUR RISKOF GETTINGCANCER

ELGIN WRESTLERENJOYING STRONGSEASONONTHEMAT

THE SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES SINCE 1896

I

-

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

UNION COUNTY GRADUATION RATES

I '•

Tim Mustoe/TheObserver

TaylorTandy, left, writes down notes as BeckyWilson instructs her 11th and 12th grade world literature class on Thursday at lmbler High School.

Katy Nesbitt/TheObserver

Wallowa High School students Jordan Ferre', left, Blyce Melville, middle, and teacher Jeremy McCullouch examine the school's 3-D printerThursday.

• Cattle, other livestock removed from Summervillearea property on Wednesday large seizure

By Kelly Ducote

The Observer

POST STRONG GRADUATION RATES • Imbler, W allowa am ong 12publichigh schoolsstatewidetopostperfectgraduation rates By Dick Mason

averageof72 percent with a 79 percent mark and so did La Grande High School Imbler High School and Wallowa High which had a 74 percent mark. Elgin High School officials learned Thursday that School was just shy of the state average their schools are in elite company. with a 68 percent graduation rate. The Oregon Department of Education Imbler School District Superintendent released statistics Thursday showing Beth Burton credits the perfect graduation Imbler and Wallowa are two of only 12 rate in large part to the emphasis the school district places on developing children's readpublic high schools in Oregon that had ing skills in the primary grades. The goal of perfectgraduation ratesin 2013-14. "It is quite an accomplishment. It is Imbler educators is to get students reading real exciting," said Mitch Frye, a physical at gradelevelby theend ofthirdgrade. oAfter third grade you are reading to education and health teacher at Wallowa High School. learn," Burton said."If you don't have Overall, the nine public high schools good reading comprehension after that, in Union and Wallowa counties achieved you will struggle in every subject." solid graduation rates. Imbler and WalThe Imbler superintendent also said lowa were among five with graduation that the district's size — it has about 325 ratesofatleast90 percent.Close behind students — also benefits students. She was Enterprise at 97 percent, followed by saidImbler'steachersgeta chance to know their students well. Joseph i95 percent), Union i92 percent) 'They know what they think and what and Powder Valley i90 percent). makes them tick," she said."They know Cove High School topped the state their gaps and can design instruction to help fill them." Frye said Wallowa's perfect graduation rate is a credit to the school district's The Observer

stafF, community and students. ewe have a caring stafF that holds our kids accountable," Frye said."Our kids work hard and see the value in education. It is just a hard-working group of kids. They follow through." Enterprise School District Superintendent Brad Royse said his district benefits from its small size. He said this makes it easierforteachersand stafFtoreach out to students who need help. "Kidsare nota number but a name," Royse said. La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze said LHS's graduation rateisup 2.5 percent from 2012-13. "I'm satisfied with our forward movement and improvement," Glaze said. The La Grande School District's improving graduation rate reflects many steps including an emphasis on boosting SeeRates / Page5A

D ozens of animals were Unio n seized by the Union County C o u nty SherifFs OfFrce Wednesday in Sheriff Boyd an allegedneglectcase. Rasmussen SherifFs officials said a said the search warrant was executed Wednesday Tuesday night. Pursuant to se i zure is the warrant, more than 80 the biggest animals were seized Wednes- animal day, Capt. Craig Ward said. se i zure the Among the animals seized office has were 72 head ofcattle, conducted including 22 calves. Mules, sin ce he has horses and pigs were also served as taken from the property on sh e riff. Behrens Lane near Summerville, he said. Ward cautioned the number of animals could change. 'These are not solid See Seizure / Page5A

OREGON LEGISLATURE

The Associated Press file photo

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, and Sen. JackieWinters, R-Salem, chat as the Oregon Senate convenes for the 2014 session in Salem.

Local delegates ready for session

L

• Water, jobs top issues for Hansell, Barreto By Kelly Ducote The Observer

Northeast Oregon's state delegatesare gearing up for a busy legislative session, set to start Monday. State Sen. Bill Hansell and state Rep. Greg Barreto, both in their first terms, say there is much to be done during the session. See Session / Page5A

INDEX Calendar........7A Classified.......1B Comics........... 5B Crossvvord.....2B Dear Abby .....6B

WE A T H E R Health ............6C Outdoors .......1C

Horoscope.....ze Record ...........3A Lottery............2A Spiritual Life..6A Obituaries......3A Sports ............SA Opinion..........4A Television ......3C

ON Y •000

0I

Getting

busy Greg Barreto is working on a couple of drafts for bills. One would freeze property tax rates forthose on Social Security once they retire at 65.

CONTACT US

Fu l l forecast on the back of B section

Friday

Saturday '. -.,

', Sunday

23 LOW

48/25

' 45/34

Clear

Sunny

.

ac< q II

S howers around

CECR EAM — WITHOUT ALL THE CHURNING •000

541-963-3161 Issue 13 3 sections, 28 pages La Grande, Oregon

Email story ideas to newsC~ jagrande observer.com. More contact info on Page 4A.

s I

51 1 5 3 0 0 1 0 0 I

•000

s


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.