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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2016)
18 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sheriff’s office settles with family of dead jail inmate The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office last week settled a lawsuit filed by the family of a man who died in custody at the Deschutes County Jail. The $15 million suit was settled for $1.025 million. Edwin Burl Mays, III, died of a drug overdose in December 2014 while incar- cerated at the Deschutes County Jail. The County will pay $700,000 of the settlement from its Risk Management Fund; the remainder of the settlement will be paid by the County’s insurance company. A County statement noted that the agreement “is not an acknowledgement of liabil- ity or wrongdoing — a fact confirmed by the Oregon Department of Justice’s investigation and also by the terms of the settlement agree- ment, which provides that the County and the individual defendants expressly deny responsibility for the unfor- tunate death of Mr. Mays.” The lawsuit contended that deputies were negligent in handling Mays’ condition. Surveillance video indicated that some deputies mocked Mays. Sheriff Shane Nelson said: “…The Oregon Department of Justice inves- tigation found that the depu- ties performed their duties under their legal obligations to Mr. Mays, and this settle- ment is not an admission of responsibility for the meth- amphetamine overdose by Mr. Mays. The unprofes- sional conduct by some of the deputies on December 14, 2014 was dealt with by the Sheriff’s Office in dis- ciplinary actions in April of 2015.” Nelson said that the Sheriff’s Office has taken several steps since December 2014, adding full-time nurses for 24-hour/seven-days-a- week staffing in the jail. “We have entered into an ongoing contract with a local ER physician, who has reviewed Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures for nursing staff and deputies in both the corrections and patrol divisions. We have updated our policies and procedures and continue to consult with the physician regarding on-going medical questions,” Nelson said. “We have purchased AliveLock Monitoring wristbands for use in the jail, which monitor heart rate and O2 saturation for inmates who need close medical attention. “We have added nalox- one, an antidote for opioid overdoses, to kits for correc- tions and patrol deputies, rec- ognizing the increasing use of opioid abuse in Central Oregon.” The Sheriff’s Office has also added additional auto- mated external defibrillators to the jail and have upgraded the emergency bags in the jail. “We added a medical/ mental health section of the jail during the expansion, to increase the capacity and improve the monitoring of at risk inmates,” Nelson noted. …The Oregon Department of Justice investigation found that the deputies performed their duties under their legal obligations to Mr. Mays, and this settlement is not an admission of responsibility... — Sheriff Shane Nelson Full-color Ad + Mini-Story = Powerful Advertising Be a part of the “At Your Service” Sisters businesses newspaper section that lets people know what’s special about you and your business. 2-week special section in The Nugget January 11 & 18 Each participating advertiser receives a full-color ad both weeks and a mini-story with photo about you and your business in one of the issues. Free design of your ad is included! Save more than 50% — total cost for both weeks is just $245 5 to reserv Ad size 3” wide x 3.31” high Sample ad and mini-story A S & Adult dult ult Puzzles les es E L P M We Get Y Yo our Your ur Bo Books B Fast! Special orders generally arrive in 1-2 days! No added costs - just the price of the book! Have them shipped anywhere in the world! 541-549-0866 252 W. Hood Ave. Sisters, Oregon ren a K l Cal Nugget he T t a 1 4 9 9 - 9 ace! p 4 s 41-5 e your Don’t miss out. Space is limited and it sells out! 30% OFF Plush Toys ease ess r c n I n busi he r u yo ring t n! du seaso slow Paulina uli ulin li a Springs Sp Spr Books Sisters’ Sisters Siste s’ long-stand long-stan long-standing ding g inde ind indep independent bookstore, Paulina Springs has as bec becom cultur tura l h become a cultura cultural hub for the community, offering events with a authors au uthor from uthors m ac acr across the region. On S September 24, Paulina Springs will host former Oregon Gov- ernor Barbara Roberts, who will discuss her book “Death Without Denial — Grief Without Apology.” When Roberts’ husband, Frank Roberts, was dying from lung cancer, she had to look inside of herself as well as beyond herself to fi nd ways to survive what felt unbearable. What Barbara Roberts learned during the fi nal year of her husband’s life, and her subse- quent years of grieving, fi ll the pages of this honest and inspiring new book. Paulina Springs offers games and toys as well as books, monthly sales and a great selection of books — many of which come as staff recommendations.