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Update: The current severe thunderstorm warning will expire at 6:45 p.m.
The warning was for Union and Wallowa counties. "The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire," states the National Weather Service. Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines. Each year, lightning strikes...
Smoky skies expected to linger; red flag warning remains in effect
LA GRANDE — Nick Vora, Union County’s emergency manager, knows that every fire season is different: This year, for example, the season roared into high gear much earlier than expected. But every wildfire season produces smoke — and even though Union County doesn’t yet have the huge blazes that are burning in nearby counties, a lot of smoke is flowing into the Grande Ronde Valley. Camden ...
La Grande's Collins to serve as fair parade grand marshal
LA GRANDE — A red-letter moment is approaching for John Collins of La Grande. Collins, a former Eastern Oregon University baseball star who has devoted much of his life to going to bat for the youth of Union County, is set to serve as the grand marshal of this year’s Union County Fair Parade, which begins at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 28.
Local pilot okay after plane crash near La Grande airport
LA GRANDE – A local pilot is okay today after a scary emergency landing near the airport. Union County Dispatch received a call just before 9:00am on July 23 of a plane crash on Bond Avenue and Pierce Road. The pilot was fine and refused medical treatment. The pilot,...
Commissioners approve burn ban for county
LA GRANDE — The Union County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday, July 22, to immediately implement a countywide burning ban. Under the ban, which applies to areas outside incorporated areas in the county, no fires of any kind are allowed except agricultural field burning and gas or pellet barbecues. Nick Vora, the county's emergency manager, told the commissioners the possibility ...
Air quality alert for Oregon Wednesday
An air quality alert was issued in effect until Wednesday at 2 p.m. for Crook, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wheeler counties. According to the National Weather Service, "Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A Smoke Air Quality Advisory has been issued. Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes runny nose aggravate heart and lung diseases and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition."
Outdoor fires banned in La Grande; commissioners mull complete burn ban
LA GRANDE — The La Grande Fire Department has temporarily banned outdoor recreational fires and fireworks in the city. And the Union County Board of Commissioners will consider a request for a complete burning ban at a special meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 22. In a press release issued Friday, July 19, the Fire Department said the ban extends to all recreational fires, cooking ...
Community send-off boosts Union County Little League softball team
LA GRANDE — Tucking into sandwiches and loading cars with gear in the Bi-Mart parking lot on Wednesday, July 17, members of the Union County Little League Under-12 softball team — Oregon’s state champions — prepared to take off, escorted by a fire truck and a police SUV, through downtown La Grande. It was the latest step in a journey that would take the team to San Bernandino, California, for ...
Forecasters issue weekend heat advisory, fire weather watch, for Union County
PENDLETON — Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, warning that weekend temperatures in Union County could reach 110 degrees, have issued an excessive heat warning. The heat warning goes into effect at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, and is in effect until 10 p.m. Monday. The warning extends to Wallowa County as well. In addition, forecasters — warning that "critical" ...
Suspect arrested three times over two days in Union County
UNION COUNTY — A Spokane Valley man has been arrested following a series of incidents involving trespassing and vehicle theft in Union County. George Wayne Brooks, 51, was first arrested on July 9, after unlawfully entering the Oregon Department of Transportation weigh station building near milepost 258 on I-84 eastbound. According to Oregon State Trooper Eric Madsen, Brooks was taken into custody and lodged at Union County Jail on a charge of Criminal Trespassing II.
Fire on Owsley Canyon Road burns 2 acres, threatens one structure
UNION COUNTY — A field fire on Owsley Canyon Road burned 2 acres and threatened one structure on July 17, but no one was injured in the blaze. The fire was called in shortly after 4 p.m., according to Sgt. Jason McKaig with the Union County Sheriff Office. McKaig said that deputies were the first to arrive on the scene. Law enforcement officers made sure no one was at risk before providing ...
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