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IN HEALTH 5. FITNESS, 6C
STUDENTS 'EFFORTSMAYHELP HOWMUCHDIDINSURANCERATES PUTCHIEFINSTATUARYHALL INCREASE?IT'SCOMPLICATED
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SLED SPRINGS RAPPEL BASE UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE
EATESTtrtt et'OSED r
• Wallowa County &e base on the Forest Service choppingblock Closure's impact
By Katy Nesbitt The Observer cE
E•a
Tim MustoerrheObserver
Union County Circuit Court Judge Brian Dretke points out the tentative floor plan some aspects of the new Union County courthouse. The county is slated to break ground in February on the new courthouse.
By Kelly Ducote, The Observer
Union County's circuit courtjudges have long awaited the chance to call a new courthouse home. The county sought two bond levies in the 1990s after the original county courthouse was condemned and the courts moved into the old St. Joseph Hospital building. Both bonds failed, but it was the startofa story ofperseverance. Judges Russ West and Brian Dretke are happy that story is finally coming to a close. 'This has been an ongoing process for 20 years," said Dretke, who recalls working with West, then district attorney, on garnering support for a bond levy in the early 1990s
as adeputy districtattorney. In 2013, the county got word that the Legislature had
approved a $2 million allocation for a new Union County Courthouse. Part of the wait was over. In the year since, the new courthouse has been a source of contention and controversy in the community, primarily because the county intends to site the facility on the footprint of Shelter From the Storm, a nonprofit that works to help victims of domestic violence. The SFS advocacy centerisslated to berazed, though no demolition date
has been set. cWewant to see the community work with the shelter,"West said this week. The judge said he has explored possibilities to help minimize the impact as the shelter finds a new home, such as ofFering video link servicesto clients.Courtstaff can also help SFS clients who need assistance with restraining orders,West said. cWewant to work with them," he said. "And we have been working with them," Dretke added. At the same time, the judgesarelookingforward to
working in an efficient space not limited by its original construction, as the Joseph building is. The county intends to break ground on a one-story building in February. ''What we like about ithe new courthouse design) is No. 1, it's one story, but it honors the original courthouse,"West sald. Judges and county commissioners have come under fire for promoting a one-story design. Shelter supporters have claimed that a two-story design would allow the SFS center to remain, but that is SeeCounty / Page 5A
ENTERPRISE — Closure of a fire base in the remote fire-prone reaches of northern Wallowa County has local residents on edge. Word ofadecision made well over ayearagoto close
the Sled Springs heli-rappel base has sent a ripple through a community that knows the importance of putting out wildfires while they are small. According to a briefing paper from the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Regional Offtce, the decision was made in June 2013 to consolidate the Sled Springs Rappel Base with the Blue Mountain Rappel Base in La Grande. The move is scheduledfor2016.The briefsaid See Closure / Page5A
Approximately 19 jobs would be lost in Wallowa County if Sled Springs Rappel Base is allowed to close.
THANIt',SG IVING DAY
)p78 Cherise Kaechelerrhe Observer
La Grande Police Officer Ralph Graffunder conducts a traffic stop Thursday
Work goes on during holiday • Police oficers enjoy slow holiday By Cherise Kaechele The Observer
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INDEX Calendar........7A Classified.......1B Comics...........7B Crossword.....3B Dear Abby ... 10B
WE A T H E R Health ............6C Outdoors .......1C Horoscope.....3B Record ...........3A Lottery............2A Spiritual Life..6A Obituaries......3A Sports ............SA Opinion..........4A Television ......3C
MONDAY •000
Saturday
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36 LOW Rainattimes
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The police department typically has two officers on duty. Sometimes they have three at events and during holidays when they expect more calls.
CONTACT US
Fu l l forecast on the back of B section
Friday
While family and friends gathered around the table, enjoying their favorite fixings on Thanksgiving, La Grande Police Offtcer Ralph Graffunder was out patrolling the streets and keeping an eye on the community. Graffunder began his shift at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving morning and ended it at 6 p.m. SeeHoliday / Page5A
On patrol
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29/18 Somesun
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ROTARY CLUBS FINANCE HIGH SCHOOLEDUCATIONS •000
541-963-3161 Issue 143 3 sections, 26 pages La Grande, Oregon
Email story ideas to newsC~lagrande observer.com. More contact info on Page 4A.
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