The La Grande Shakespeare Company invites the community to its season launch party from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at Looking Glass Books’ new location, 1304 Adams Ave., La Grande. The party will also be a meet-and-greet with a stage and screen actor who will star in the company’s production of “Titus Andronicus” in August. For more information, go to www.bigshakes.org or call 541-963-8057.

OTEC Board meets Tuesday in Baker

BAKER CITY — The Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. July 25 at OTEC headquarters, 4005 23rd St., Baker City. On the agenda is a discussion on preparing for the Aug. 21 eclipse, and a decision will be made on policy committee recommendations.

Registration open for Forget Me Not Trot

The 2017 Forget Me Not Trot, which raises funds to promote Alzheimer’s awareness in Eastern Oregon, is planned for Sept. 16. There will be a one-mile “Memory Mile” course as well as a 5K. The entry fee is $25 per person, $20 if registered with a team of four or more. Children age 10 and younger may participate free of charge. The fundraising event begins at 8 a.m. at Wildflower Lodge Assisted Living & Memory Care, 508 16th St., La Grande. To register or for more information, call Wildflower Lodge at 541-663-1200.

Rock painting party set for Thursday

There will be a free rock painting party with the La Grande Rocks “Rock!” Facebook group from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 27 at Birnie Park. Bring something you are working on or some rocks to paint. Paint, brushes, a few rocks and some good ideas will be provided. Space is limited and children must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up or for more information, call Jennifer at 541-786-2245.

Angela Fix to face manslaughter charge

PILOT ROCK — Angela Marie Fix faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Larry Castro of Pilot Rock.

Umatilla County Circuit Court records show the district attorney’s office filed an indictment Friday at 4:53 p.m. accusing Fix of the manslaughter and first-degree arson. Fix, 40, of Pilot Rock, has been in the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton, on a charge of arson following a fire early July 16 that ravaged the Pilot Rock home of Castro. Pilot Rock Police Chief Bill Caldera said Castro’s body was in the home. He was 72.

Her arraignment on the charges was at 8:15 a.m. today in the Pendleton courtroom of Judge Christopher Brauer.

Harvest of Art event seeks entries

MILTON-FREEWATER — Artists from any medium are invited to participate in the 17th annual Harvest of Art.

The art show, which runs in conjunction with the Milton-Freewater Rocks! festival, is Aug 18-20. The show is open to artists from across the region, including Pendleton, Dayton and the Walla Walla Valley.

The entry fee is $25 to $75, and prizes will be awarded in four categories: two-dimensional (drawings, watercolors, prints, mixed media); 3-D (sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts); photography; and student art (under age 18). Each entry must be framed and mounted ready for display and completed within the past year.

The deadline to enter Harvest of Art is Aug. 12. Entry forms are available by calling Blanche Mason at 541-938-5126.

Plea change on tap for murder case

MILTON-FREEWATER — The murder case of Oscar Pastor Garcia Villegas of Milton-Freewater is moving toward a plea bargain.

Villegas, 27, has undergone two evaluations to determine if he is mentally fit and can participate in his own defense, according to Umatilla County Circuit Court records. His attorney, Kara Davis, notified the court of the intent to rely on insanity defense. And District Attorney Dan Primus raised concerns Villegas was trying to fake mental illness.

Villegas’ most recent court hearing was in June to evaluate the status of his case. Circuit Judge Lynn Hampton then set Aug. 10 for the next proceeding — a change of plea hearing.

The state accused Villegas of stabbing and killing his wife, Maria Villegas, 24, and trying to kill their two young children in May 2016 in their Milton-Freewater home. He faces charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and more.