The Observer Paper 12-17-14

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GO! MAGAZINE,INSIDE

FORTHE NINTH CONSECUTIVEYEAR, LIVING NATIVITYWILL FEATURE INDOOR, OUTDOORWALK-THROUGH EXPERIENCE ' 'i,' „;.",'.' ).'„-'."....-''-.',",.1,"; INSCHOOLS 8r.EDUCATION, 7A: : " IN BUSINESS 8r.AG LIFE,1B '

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SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES SINCE 1896 Follow us on the web

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LA GRANDE SCHOOL DISTRICT LA GRANDE

Timeline set for • Popular train was derailed last December by Union Pacific By Dick Mason The Observer

A cherished La Grande Christmas seasontradition,onederailed a year ago, will be renewed late this afternoon. The Santa Train will roll into La Grande at 4:30 p.m. today, ,• restoringa tradition dating back at least tothe 1960s. Santa will arrive with stockings filled with

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candy and small gifts that will be distributed to children inside the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. "It is just a fun way to start Christmas. I'm excited that it is coming back," said Heather Null, a Central Elementary School parent. The Santa Train came to La Grande annually forat leastsix decades before itwasstopped in 2013. When the announcement was made last year, UP employees said the cancellation was essentially a cost-saving measure. "It was an issue of scheduling in order to meet our customer demands and balance that with our employee resources. We've got that sorted out and are looking forward to ithe Santa Train running)," said Jeff DeGraf, a spokesman for Union Pacific. Look for hundreds of children and their parents to again be at the depot when Santa arrives. The Santa Train is sponsored by the Union Pacific Railroad Employees Club No. 17 and Union Pacific Railroad. "It will be great to have it back," said Josh Rock of the UP Employees Club No. 17. The club has been helping put on the Santa Train for many years. "Itis agrieat thing to be a partof'Rock said. SeeSanta / Page 5A

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school projects • Major work will start this summer By Dick Mason The Observer

Greenwood Elementary School, Island City Elementary School, La Grande Middle School and La Grande High School may be hubs of extensive construction activity next summer. Major building work is set to be conducted at the four schools in the summer of 2015 undera tentative threeyear school district timeline for projects to be financed by

the $31.85 million bond voters approved for the La Grande School District in November. The timeline calls for the construction of two kindergarten classrooms at Greenwood, major renovation work in the LHS gym and auditorium and significant security work at LHS, LMS and Island City Elementary, according to Ricardo Becerril, a seniorprojectmanager at SeeProjects / Page 5A

GMO LABELS

State certifies recount

results The Associated Press

Observer file photo

Barretoayyointedtoag, dusiness,edcommittees

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5 Representative for House District 58 to be sworn in next month Observer file photo

Oregon House SpeakerTina Kotek selected Greg Barreto, right, to serve on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Business and Labor Committee and Education Committee during the 78th Legislative Assembly.

INDEX Business........1B Classified.......4B Comics...........3B Crossword..... 4B Dear Abby ... 10B

WE A T H E R Education ......7A Horoscope.....4B Lottery............2A Obituaries......3A Opinion..........4A

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Record ...........3A Sports ............SA Sudoku ..........3B Wallowa Life..6A Wonderword... 3B

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By Kelly Ducote The Observer

Union County businessman Greg Barreto is ready

to get to work on keyissues in the region, including agriculture, business and education. Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek on Tuesday selected Barreto, representative-elect for District 58, to serve on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Business and Labor

Fu l l forecast on the back of B section

Tonight 30 bow Mostly cloudy

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4 4/3 5 Partly cloudy

CONTACT US

HAVE A STORY IDEA?

541-963-3161

Call The Observer newsroom at 541-963-3161 or send an email to news@lagrandeobserver.com. More contact info on Page 4A.

Issue 151 3 sections, 34 pages La Grande, Oregon

USFSTAKINGAPPLICATIONSFORSUMMERJOBS •000

Committee and Education Committee during the 78th Legislative Assembly. "I'm excited. I'm encouraged," Barreto, R-Cove, said. "I'm looking forward to sitting on the committees." Barreto said he had hoped to be named to the business and ag committees. SeeBarreto / Page 5A

SALEM — Secretary of State Kate Brown has certified recount results showing thedefeatofaballotm easure to require labels on genetically modified foods, officially making Oregon the fourth statein theWest torejectthe idea. Brown certified the final numbers Monday showing Measure 92 was defeated by 837 votes out of more than 1.5 million cast — a margin oflessthan 0.06percent. The close margin automatically triggered the recount. The hand tally showed an additional 167 votes, with a netgain of25 no votes. Proponents conceded defeatlastw eek but vowed to continue their efforts to enact labeling mandates. They have not said whether thegl make another try in Oregon SeeRecount / Page 5A

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