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By Katy Nesbitt
evidence of wolves between upper Cherry Creek to Sled ENTERPRISE — A 500-pound Springs for a few years, but this calf killed by wolves was found is the first known attack on livelate Wednesday afternoon in stock by wolves in the Chesnimnorthern Wallowa County. nus wildlife unit. Holly Akenson, a biologist Rod Childers of the Oregon and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Cattlemen's Association wolf committee said there has been commissioner, was on a goshawk
The Observer
survey when she discovered the dead calf offForestRoad near Coyote campground. "It was pure coincidence that I went down that drainage," said Akenson. She said as she was wrapping up her work Wednesday afternoon she saw, and followed, wolf tracks. She then saw
ravens on the kill. Later she said she saw two wolves by the road. Akenson said when she found the calf she saw no other cattle around it and the ones she did see didn't seem particularly stressed out. "She's pretty in tune with naSeeWolves / Page 5A
• Above-average temperatures forecasted to subside as below-normal temps move in
• Pittsburg Fire continues to grow in Hells Canyon, another fire starts near Wallowa Inside
Katy Nesbitt The Observer
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ENTERPRISE — A new A f i re near wildfire, dubbed the Cougar B a ker City F ire, flared up Thursday burn e d around 4 p.m. south of Waln e a rly lowa. The fire was held at 20 3 ,300 acres acreslastnight. and closed 'They hit it really hard Interstate with single engine air tank8 4for about ers," said Jodi Kramer, public two hours information officer for the Thur sday Wallowa-Whitman National a f t ernoon. Forest. Page 7A Willy Crippens of the Wallowa-Whitman said four SledSprings rappellerswere assigned to the fire Thursday night, and today there will be an additional 10 helitack crew members a 20-member hand crew. Crippens said the Cougar Fire is on the national forest close to the Eagle Cap Wilderness and is surrounded by old fire scars. 'The spread potential to the north is really limited," said Crippens. The Hurricane Creek Fire that broke out Monday morning is still at 120 acres. Crippens said about five acres burned Thursday SeeFires / Page 5A
Chris Baxter /The Observer
Taysha Hodge, foreground, works to pull weeds in the shade at Eastern Oregon University where she studies and works on the grounds. Her boss, DavidYoder, background, advises his staff to work the hotter parts of campus during the morning when it's not as hot and then to move to the shade during the afternoon.
"We try to do the hotspots on rise that he keeps an eye on everyone. "Have common sense," he tells his campusin the morning and then go workers."People will get overheated in into the shade once the heatstarts." the sun, but there's never been any sig-
By Cherise Kaechele The Observer
La Grande may still be reeling from thenearlytriple-digittemperatures over the last two weeks, but there's a cooldown — Dave Yoder, Eastem Oregon University campus grounds coordinator in sight. Temperatures for July and August are, the whole region will experience below on average, in the mid-80s.The average forthismonth sofaris92 degrees,said normal temperatures. Ann Adams, assistant forecaster for the Sunday's forecast calls for a high of National Weather Service out of Pendle77 degrees, which is possibly a bit cooler than normal, Adams said. ton. "La Grande has been experiencing Those outside in the heat are encourabovenormal temperatures because ofa aged to drink a lot of water and stayin relatively strong ridge ofhigh pressure the shade as much as possible. And the that has positioned over the western Eastern Oregon University grounds region,"Adams said."It's slowly moving keepersare advised to dojustthat. aWork in the shade," Dave Yoder, EOU eastward. The hot temperatures are at the center of the ridge and will slowly campus grounds coordinator said.aWe shift and move to the east of us." try to do the hot spots on campus in the The warmest day this month was July morning and then go into the shade once 14 when it reached 99 degrees, she said. the heatstarts. "As the ridge intensifies or strengthaWe can also go through the sprinklers — to check them," he said jokingly.awe're ens, that thermal ridge shifts around wherever it happens to center on and it adult enough to run through the springets dry and hot especially for us inland," klers." Adams said. However, as the lead groundsman, YodThe La Grande area has experienced er makes sure to tell his workers to drink above normaltemperatures,butin the water and stay in the shade. He also next six to 10 days that will shift and makes sure that when the temperatures
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nificant health issues related to the heat." Kelly Burgess delivers drinks for CocaCola. He said most of his shift is done outside — at least half of it, he said. "I drink a lot of water and have other drinks in the truck,"he said."But I try not to drink the pop." Burgesssaid hisshift startsat4 a.m . and goes to 2 p.m. He travels between La Grande and Baker City and said this is the warmest it's been that he can remember. Stayingindoors,though,isideal. Short Stop gas attendant Brittany Seavert said it's not bad working outside because she's abletogoinside between customers. "I'm not stuck outside all the time," she said.aWe're not super busy constantly, so I can go inside and get water." Seavertsaid herbossallows herto wear clothes that she's comfortable in, and especially in the heat, she's wearing running shorts and a tank top to help her keep cool. She said it's been busier on the frozen SeeHeat / Page 5A
Water rates
raisedby 6 By Kelly Ducote The Observer
La Grande residents will soon be paying $6 more a month for their water. The La Grande City Council, on a 6-1 vote, approvedraisingwater userfeesfrom $16.04
to $22.04 a month. City Water Superintendent Lee Mannor said the increase will bring in an additional $514,000a yeartobe used for operations, maintenance and future capital improvement projects on the system. Councilors emphasized to city stafF that they would like to see its financial assistance program adverti sed sothatmore residents are aware they may be eligible for discounted rates. 'The last we checked there weren't many people ienrolled in the program)," Mannor told the council."It's possible people don't know." A 20-percent discount is available to lowincome residents as outlined by the federal poverty guidelines. SeeRates / Page 5A
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Fu l l forecast on the back of B section
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
57 bOW
88/54
88/54
Partly cloudy
Sunny with a breeze
541-963-3161 Issue 86 3 sections, 24 pages La Grande, Oregon
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