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From sport to business, lll WURA hears trails proposal, 10A SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA CO U N T IES SINCE 1896
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• Santa's ready to hit the Anthony Lakes slopes
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•GO! NORTHEAST OREGON MAGAZINE
OREGON WOLVES
• Several ideasQoatedM onday could alleviate city's budget woes Inside
By Kelly Ducote The Observer
• Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission removes wolves from state endangered species list How they voted In a 4-2 vote following a marathon daylong meetingMonday, Oregon Fish and Wildlife commissioners signaled agreement with a staff recommendation to remove endangered species act protections for all of Oregon's 81 known gray wolves.
La Grande's Fiscal Committee left its latest meeting with at least a strong hope thatitmay beable to address the city's budget shortfall without service cuts. City Councilor John Bozarth came to the meeting Monday night with three ideas Bozafth th a t, combined with Urban Renewal under levies over five years, could save the city from making any changes to services. An under levy of Urban Renewal is estimated to benefit the city's general fund
The Island City City Council approved 15 conditions a controversial trucking company must meet. Page 2A
by about $200,000 a year. First ofBozarth'sideasis to reduce the city's building maintenance program, which See Cuts / Page5A
Oregon Department of Wildlife photo
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Monday voted to remove the gray wolf from the Oregon endangered species list. Photos byKelly House, The Oregonian
he gray wolfhas lost its place on the Oregon endangered species list The Oregon. Fish and Wildlife Commission on Monday voted to remove the animal from the list in a move that changes little about current wolf management but opens up the possibility for a controlled wolfhunt in the future In a 4-2 vote following a marathondaylong meeting, commissioners signaled agreement with a stafF recommendation to remove endangered species act protecti ons for allofOregon's 81 known gray wolves. Several commissioners said they would have preferred to remove the animals from the list only in Eastern Oregon, where most of them reside. However, state statute only makes room for statewide endangered species decisions. Commissioners directed Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stafF to work with lawmakers to consider a billto change that statute. They also directed stafF to work on a proposal to See Wolves / Page 5A
Oregon Department of Wildlife photo
Several Oregon Fish and Wildlife commissioners said they would have preferred to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list only in Eastern Oregon, where most of them reside.
W EAT H E R Horoscope.....6B Sports ............7A Lottery............2A State............. 11A Obituaries......3A Sudoku ..........3B Opinion..........4A Wallowa Life..6A Record ...........3A Wonderword... 3B
Full forecast on the back of B section
Tonight 16 Low
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Call The Observer newsroom at 541-963-3161 or send an email to news@lagrandeobserver.com. More contact info on Page 4A.
Issue 148 3 sections, 36 pages La Grande, Oregon
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Union voters may be given the opportunity to decide whether the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes is allowed in their city. Page 10A
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Grande Ronde Hospital proudly welcomes
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COVE — The Cove City Council may alter its course on marijuana. The council took a big step Tuesday toward opting out of Measure 91, the measure Oregon voters passed in 2014 legalizing the sale of marijuana forrecreational purposes. The council, after taking input from the public, conducted a first reading of an ordinance calling for the city to opt out. A second reading of the ordinance is set be conducted at a Dec. 22 council meeting. If the council approves the second reading, the ordinance would take efFect immediately under an emergency clause that would be invoked by the council. See Cove / Page5A
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RIDAY IN OUTDOORS BOWLING ALLEY BRINGS IN COMPETITORS •
Inside
By Dick Mason The Observer
INDEX Business........1B Classified.......4B Comics...........3B Crossword.....6B Dear Abby ... 10B
Covemay change course on Measure 91
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