UNION COUNTY â Leaders in some Oregon school districts, including Astoria, are rejecting standardized assessment testing, which normally happens each spring, because of instructional time lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessment testing still is alive this spring in Union County, however, where all six of its public school districts are conducting it through May. Educators in the districts said they believe the tests provide valuable insight.
âThey tell us when we have gaps in our instruction. They drive our instruction,â said Cove School District Superintendent Earl Pettit.
Elgin School District Superintendent Dianne Greif also said assessment test scores are meaningful.
âThey help us develop future instructional strategies,â Greif said.
ISLAND CITY â The COVID-19 pandemic will not sideline Shelter From the Stormâs popular and long-running Soup Supper fundraiser this spring.
Shelter From the Stormâs Soup Supper has been conducted annually for about three decades, and this yearâs event will operate with a twist to allow for social distancing.
âWe wanted to honor the tradition,â said Jamie Landa, executive director of Shelter From the Storm, a nonprofit that provides services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
In past years, Soup Supper participants picked up donated handmade bowls at the event, enjoyed a dinner there, and then took their bowls home. This year, the supper will not serve any soup because of social distancing restrictions. However, donors still will receive bowls and meals.
1949-2021 ⢠Formerly of La Grande
Larry Hughes Masters, 71, of Meridian, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 6 due to an abrupt medical condition. Services will take place at a later date due to COVID-19.
Larry was born Aug. 15, 1949, in La Grande, to Forrest and Alice Masters. He was a graduate of La Grande High School and what is now Eastern Oregon University where he enjoyed varsity sports and competed in baseball and basketball. Following graduation, he had a long successful career in the clothing business that began at Trotterâs in La Grande. This led to sales representative positions for a number of fine clothiers in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Southwest.
IMBLER â The question startled Imbler High School wrestling coach Doug Hislop.
Hislop was riding in a vehicle in late January when he received a cellphone call from Mike Mills, IHSâs principal and athletic director.
âAre you sitting down?â Mills asked.
The Imbler athletic director then delivered stunning news. Mills told Hislop the National Federation of High School Sports named him the National Coach of the Year for wrestling.
Hislop at first thought Mills was kidding.
âI was totally amazed. To think that there are so many great coaches out there and I was selected. I am honored,â Hislop said. âIt boggles my mind. . Some great coaches must have been overlooked.â
UNION COUNTY â In lieu of a traditional parade in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Biden, people gathered in small groups across the nation to take part in a virtual âparade across America.â In Oregon, members of the American Sidesaddle Association with deep Union County roots participated.
Julie Murphy, formerly of La Grande, was one of eight riders who donned costumes themed in Oregonian blue and gold, shampooed her steed and rode in honor of the nation on Jan. 20. Her mother, daughter and grandson joined the parade as well.
âWith the election and everything, how the country is so divided and so split â some of us are Republican, some of us are Democrat, we ride together, weâre great friends â when we were asked if we wanted to participate, we decided representing Oregon was absolutely awesome,â Murphy said. âIt was a great honor to do that. All of us participated just because we love our country. Weâ�