La Grande Observer Daily Paper 08-18-14

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN SPORTS, 8A

SEAN MANNION, LEFT,AND DEVON ALLEN GEAR UP FOR UPCOMING CAMPAIGN IN STATE, 7A IN WEATHER, 8B

CANREPUBUCANSTAKECONTROLOF MISS OURIGOVERNOREMPHASIZES THEQREGQNSENATEINNQVEMBER? INVES TIGATIQNINTQSHQQllNG SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES SINCE 18

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Grocery store

REPLACING ACULVERT, RESTORING

proposal on tap By Kelly Ducote The Observer

The La Grande Urban Renewal Agency will consider

allocating up to $500,000 in funding for a new grocery store Wednesday night. The agency, on a 4-3 vote, in May authorized Urban Renewal District Manager Robert Strope to enter into negotiations with the parties who seek to open Market Place Family Foods at 1912 Fourth Stu where Blockbuster once sat. The city has proposed a

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$500,000 loan that would convertto a grantifcertain conditions are met by theparties,proprietorAl Adelsberger and grocer Troy Berglund, who also operates Mt. Joseph Family Foods in

Joseph. According to a staffreport, thedraftagreement to be considered this week has been agreed to by the applicants, but their legal counsel have not had time to review the language. The motion for approval of funding includes SeeGrocery / Page5A

Kelly Ducote/TheObserver

Oregon Department ofTransportation Environmental Coordinator Howard Postovic, left, and biologist Christian Jilek discuss the merits of an upcoming project to replace a 1970s-era culvert that blocked fish passage in Ladd Creek southeast of La Grande. The project launches this week with a public meeting Thursday at the Region 5 headquarters in La Grande.

• Ladd Creek culvert replacement to reopen more than 10 miles ofhabitat for Chinook, steelhead By Kelly Ducote The Observer

In the 1970s when Interstate 84 was constructed through Ladd Canyon, Chinook salmon and steelhead lost nearly 14 miles of spawning and rearing habitat due tothe installation ofa 25-foot vertical culvert. A projecttoreplacethatculvert about five miles southeast of La Grande will launch this week with an open house at the Oregon Department of Transportation Region 5 Headquarters Thursday. ODOT Project Leader Ken Patterson said bidding will begin this winter for the projectto be completed during the 2015 construction season. Construction will interrupt travel on Ladd Creek

Road, which is one reason ODOT has called for a public meeting. "It'san im portant road forthe Wallowa-Whitman National Forest," Patterson said.ewe want to explain the benefits of the project." ODOT Environmental CoordinatorHoward Postovitsaid construction crews will have to make up a nearly 26-foot difference because of the current drop. The new culvert will have a 75year life and will provide a more natural habitat for fish. "The inside will have natural stream bed material, "Postovit said. Christian Jilek, ODOT Region 5 biologist, said Chinook and steelhead historically spawned in Ladd SeeCulvert / Page5A

ANSWER MAN DICK MASQN

Does John Fogerty have a link to Troy) Kelly Ducote/TheObserver

ODOT Region 5 Biologist Christian Jilek looks down the 25-foot drop Ladd Creek currently takes right off Interstate 84 about 5 miles southeast of La Grande. A project will soon correct the drop and restore fish passage in the area.

Yes. Fogerty, best known as thelead singer and guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival, has18 acresofland in the Troy area, according to Wallowa County Clerk Dana Roberts. The land was purchased in three parcels ranging from five to eight acres. The land is officially owned by the Fogerty Revocable Trust. Fogerty has performed several times in Troy, including November of 1985 when he playedata localdance, according to a website chroniclingthe artist'scareer.The website's address is www. ccr-tri bute.sverige.net. Fogerty also played in Troy at the Troy Inn on Nov. 16, 1987,according toinformation collected via YouTube. At least five YouTube posts have SeeMason / Page5A

WILDFIRE SEASON

Wildfiremanagers:Brones a threat tofirefighters ue•

• l Drones in air space over fires could interfere with suppressio n effortsin region

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By Keith Ridler The Associated Press C

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The Associated Press

Wildfire officials say there's been an increase in hobby aircraft flying in and around wildfires. Hobbyists should check to make sure they are legally flying their drones.

INDEX Classified.......4B Comics...........3B Community...6A Crossword..... 5B Dear Abby .....SB

WE A T H E R Home.............1B Record ...........3A Horoscope.....5B Obituaries......3A Letters............4A Opinion..........4A Lottery............2A Sports ............SA Movies...........3A Sudoku ..........3B

EDNESDAY •000

BOISE, Idaho — Drones fl ying over wildfires could lead to firefighter injuries and force retardant bombers to becalled off, wildfire managers say. At least three drones have flown within

Fu l l forecast on the back of B section

i Tonight ' 56bOW A thunderstorm possible

Tuesday

88/50 Sunny

or nearrestricted airspace intended for wildfire fighting aircraft so far this year, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise announced Friday. That's up from one incident last year. cWe're seeing an increase in people wanting to film from a distance with hobby aircraft," said spokesman Mike Ferris, noting wildfires are often buzzing with low-flying planes and helicopters."If you had one of these would you fly it near an airport?" SeeDrones / Page 5A

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 99 2 sections, 18 pages La Grande, Oregon

CELTIC FESTIVALCOMING TO FAIRGROUNDS •000

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La Grande Observer Daily Paper 08-18-14 by NorthEast Oregon News - Issuu