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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2016)
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Oregon standoff: Call for supplies By rick Bowmer Associated Press BURNS (AP) — The occupation of national wild- life area by a small, armed group upset over federal land policies stretched into its sec- ond week as the mother of the group’s leader asked support- ers to send supplies — every- thing from warm blankets to coffee creamer. The group that seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon’s high desert country on January 2 planned no media briefings. It was quiet at the entrance to the refuge Sunday. The leader of the occu- pation, Ammon Bundy, has repeatedly rejected calls to leave buildings at the refuge despite pleas from the county sheriff, from many local residents and from Oregon’s governor, among others. He has said the group will leave when there is a plan to trans- fer control of federal land to locals. So far, the authorities have not moved in to remove Bundy’s group. Ammon Bundy is the son of rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a 2014 Nevada standoff with the government over grazing rights. On Saturday, Ammon Bundy’s mother, Carol Bundy, sent an email to sup- porters asking them to send her son’s group supplies from a list of more than 80 items, including sleeping bags, wool socks, cigarettes, toiletries, food, coffee and “French Vanilla Creamer.” An Oregon state legisla- tor met with the group on Saturday, despite requests from local officials that he not do so. Rep. Dallas Heard, a Republican from Roseburg, talked with the group, The Oregonian reported. Heard’s legislative district is in west- ern Oregon, outside the area where the standoff is occur- ring. Rep. Cliff Bentz, the Republican state representa- tive whose district includes the wildlife refuge, told Heard not to come because it would be “inappropriate.” Harney County Judge Steven Grasty, another local official, says he too advised Bentz against the visit. Grasty said Bentz and five other out-of-state elected officials from Washington, Idaho and Nevada accompanied Heard. It wasn’t clear who the other elected officials were. Heard did not return a call Sunday from The Associated Press. Also Saturday a separate group of armed men arrived but left several hours later after occupation leaders told them they weren’t needed. The Pacific Patriot Network showed up Saturday in a convoy of about 18 vehi- cles, carrying rifles and hand- guns and dressed in military attire and bulletproof vests. They said they were there to help with security. They departed the refuge area after LaVoy Finicum said the net- work’s help was appreciated, but “we want the long guns put away.” The standoff is the latest flare-up of tensions over fed- eral management of Western lands. The federal government manages most of the land in many Western states, includ- ing 53 percent of Oregon. While ranchers and others object to what they say are unfair rules, environmental- ists say mining, logging and ranching have run roughshod for decades on public land and left a legacy of pollution for taxpayers to clean up. Geese and kids... 25 The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors New from Éminence Organic Skin Care... Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil Firm, hydrate, and combat free-radical damage with this collagen-boosting oil. Diminishes appearance of fi ne lines and wrinkles. Visit our website to learn more. Stop by for a free sample. Essentials Skin • Hair • Nails 541-480-1412 | 541-588-6271 | 492 E. Main Ave. | Mon-Sat Flexible Hours | www.SistersEssentials.com NOW OFFERING WELL PUMP SERVICE! FREQUENCY DRIVES • MOTOR CONTROLS • PUMPS 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE A Division of Curt 541-480-1404 • Zach 541-420-8170 WWW.PEAKPUMPANDMOTOR.COM photo by Diane goble ...playing together at cliff clemens Park. CCB#178543
