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Genetic testing confirms wolf
Cougar killed in La Grande By Dick Mason The Observer
A cougar was shot and killed running into a residential area of La Grande late Wednesday night by a member of a law enforcement officer team. The cougar, an 88-poru1d
male between 11/2 and 2 years old, was shot at 11:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Monroe Street and Jackson Avenue. A team of three La Grande Police officers and two Oregon State Police troopers began searching for the animal
after someone had reported to police at 11:15 p.m. of seeing a cougar at Fourth Street and Adams Avenue. The team oflaw enforcement officers was then assembled and began conducting a grid-type search for the big cat.
A fuw minutes later after the search started the cougar was spotted running north through the railroad yard and was shot and killed. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel were then called and took
possession ofthe cougar. Lt. Derick Reddington of the La Grande Police Department credited all members of the tean1 that found the cougar with using excellent judgment and tactics. ''I appreciate their efforts," See COUGAR, 3A
By Katy Nesbitt The Observer
A carcass foru1d outside of Cove last March was confumed to be an Imnaha Pack wolf through genetic testing conducted by the University ofldaho. Oregon State Police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife are continuing the investigation into the death that officials are saying was caused by a criminal act. On the morning of MaTch 16 a call was made to Fish and Wildlife by a person who discovered what appeared to be a dead wolf on private property six miles north of Cove. After taking possession of the 97-pound male animal, state police took it to a local veterinarian for x-rays. The initial examination didn't confirm a cause ofdeath. The subsequent investigation indicates the animal had been dead about one week. Wolf sightings and tracks are not uncommon in the Cove area and Fish and See WOLF, lOA
Wagon train tours area
Cove seeks grant for street repair
Brad Mosher/The Observe r
Dave Vixie and his wife Karen of Paradise, Calif., ride along Grays Corner Road between Cove and Elgin on Thursday as members ofthe Oregon StateWagonTrain.
By Mike Shearer
By Dick Mason
Observer Correspondent
The Observer
COVE - Cove C'ity Council last week voted to apply for a $30,000 grant fur the repair of Haefer Lane. The grant is part of a Special City Allotment from the Oregon Department of Transportation for 2013 and would provide, if approved, funding of up to $50,000 for a street "in vmy poor condition and carrying a high volume of traffic." Councilors decided to go with Cove Public Works Director :Mike Brown's recommendation ofHaefer over other possible needed projects because Brown said the "edges of Haefur are deteriorating." The grant is available to cities with a population under 5,000 and would make funds available after Jan. 1, 2013. In other business at the July meeting, the council heard Brown's recommendation that the city consider switching to the more efficient and accurate water meter readers in the future. He said the "touch read'' meters See COVE, lOA
Do not let the handful of cell phones fool you. - lynn Hansen, Modesto, Calif. These approximately 25 travelers from throughout the United States are dialed into the past. The men, women and children are land to mind, said Lynn Hansen of Modesto, re-creating the Oregon Trail era while turning Calif Hansen said several days ago she expeheads in Union County. rienced an invigorating ride in a wagon being Dressed in mid-1800s-type clothing includpulled up a steep hill. Adding to the exciteing bonnets, long sleeve cotton dresses, rough ment was the knowledge that the horses had cotton shirts and cowboy hats, they are memto maintain their momentum. If they stopped bers of the Oregon State Wagon Train. The moving forward, her wagon might begin sliding old-time caravan is traveling the final portion backward. ofthe route pioneers took to Whitman Mission "It was an E ticket ride," Hansen said, referin the mid-1800s. ring to an term once given to Disneyland's top Members of the party appear so convincing rides. they almost look as if they are from the cast of 'Wagon Train,"the old TV series of five decades Wagon train membeiS bond ago that starred Ward Bond. A heartfelt refrain expressed by Hansen Comprised of about six wagons pulled by and many other wagon train members is how mules and hoTses, the caravan is traveling to closely everyone has bonded over the past Whitman Mission in Walla Walla after starlweek. Dave Vixie, one of the leaders of the party, attributes this to how dependent everying at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center of Baker City on July 8. The wagon train entered one is on each other fur help and how willing Union Coru1ty on Wednesday and on Thursday all members are to assist. He said that in our tl'aveled from Cove to an area on Clarks Creek modern convenience-filled society, too many Road southeast of Elgin. people have the ability to be self sufficient The party is set to reach Walla Walla by July "Self sufficiency can lead to selfishness," Vixie said. 21. This means the travelers will experience a week more ofbone-jarring rides in wagons, Members of the Oregon State Wagon Train meals that often include venison stew and do more than reach out to each other. They are powder biscuits and evenings filled with music also extending a hand to many people passing by, letting them ride for about a mile in their and stories about Oregon Trail pioneers. Some days are so exciting they bring Disney- wagons. Many of the guest riders are children
INDEX Calendar ........ 7A Classified ....... 5B Comics ...... ..... 4B Crossw ord ..... 78 Dear Abby ... 128
WEATHER Health ............ 1 B Horoscope ..... 7 B Lo ttery........... . 2A Reco rd .. ........ .3A Obituaries ...... 5A
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"It was an E ticket ride."
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who eagerly jump into the wagons. The children are welcomed by people like Pat Arends, an educator in Rochester, Minn. ATends said she is learning many things she is looking forward to sharing with her students. An example? Learning how to clean her clothes ¥.ith a washboard. "I was surprised at how clean I got them," she said. Many commented on how tiring life on the wagon train is. Some wonder how Oregon Trail pioneers were able to fight through their exhaustion for the five to six months it took them to reach the Northwest. Marcia Vixie of Milton-Freewater may have the answer. 'They had high hopes - hoping for more farmland, peace and tranquility. That is what drives us, hoping for that elusive dream," she said. The Oregon State Wagon Train, a MiltonFreewater-based company, has been providing rides to travelers for about six years, taking different pioneer routes each summer. Its parties do almost all of their traveling on gravel and dirt roads. A significant portion follow the actual Oregon Trail and other pioneer routes. Dave Vixie, a leader ofthe wagon train, said that when people are on the actual trail pioneers took it has a dramatic impact. "It adds a voice to the narrative," he said. "The closer you are to the original, the greater the impact it has on your relationship to it."
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In the Oregon's most famous mule story, Brenda Overton was world champion driver, not reserve world champ. Also, omitted was thatTuffy was 16 times world champ all-around mule.
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20% chance of
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La Grande, Oregon
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