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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2017)
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Official: Space heater caused blaze that killed 4 29 SHELTER: Site for facility has moved to a new church Continued from page 1 By Gillian Flaccus Associated Press PORTLAND (AP) — A house fire in rural Oregon that killed four children and criti- cally burned three other fam- ily members started with a portable space heater that was being used after a fireplace malfunctioned, a volunteer fire chief said Thursday. Combustible materi- als placed too close to the heater ignited and started the blaze in the tiny timber town of Riddle, Fire Protection District Chief Rich Holloway said in a post on the district’s Facebook page. Holloway did not imme- diately return two calls but City Manager Kathy Wilson confirmed the authenticity of the Facebook post in a phone interview. The fire killed four chil- dren ranging in age from 4 to 13, and devastated the tiny town with a population of fewer than 1,000 people. A component of the fire- place that forces heated air back into the home malfunc- tioned several days before the blaze early Wednesday and the family was using the heater until they could get it repaired, Holloway wrote. “All the burn pattern indi- cators, witness statements, and the statement from the father on first arrival, all col- laborate,” he said. Community members held a candlelight vigil at a church late Wednesday that attracted more than 300 people. Grief counselors were on hand at schools in the South Umpqua School District, where some of the chil- dren attended class, said Superintendent Tim Porter. The three survivors were transported to Portland for treatment of critical burns. James Keith Howell, 39, Tabitha Annette Howell, 38, and Andrew Hall-Young, 13, were in critical condition in the burn center, Julie Reed, a spokeswoman for Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, confirmed on Thursday. In a statement released through Legacy Emanuel, family members huddled at the survivors’ bedside declined interview requests. Killed were 4-year-old Gwendolyn Howell, 7-year- old Haley Maher, 10-year-old Isaiah Young and 13-year-old Nicholas Lowe. Nicholas Lowe was a fos- ter child, said Douglas County Deputy Dwes Hutson. Tabitha Howell is the mother of the remaining chil- dren and is married to James Howell. Howell is the father of the youngest victim and the step- father of the two victims, ages 7 and 10, and the surviving 13-year-old. Use Your Home to Stay at Home WITH A REVERSE MORTGAGE Call Shelley Nelson, , Reverse Mortgage Specialist t 541.385.6112 Ext. 2302 2 NMLS 351571 Shelley.Nelson@ directorsmortgage.net This is not a commitment to lend. Consumer Loan License NMLS-3240, CL-3240 Selling Your Home Call and schedule a home valuation TODAY! “Ross Kennedy was very informative and supportive in helping me to purchase my fi rst home! I’ve known Ross for over 10 years! I emailed him fi rst when I decided to purchase a home last Labor Day! The process went so seamless that I was in my new home on the 23rd of October! Ross was there for me throughout the whole process with all the right answers to my questions! ” when the weather conditions meet a level of risk, deter- mined by a combination of temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and ground sur- face. Guests can call the shel- ter information line at 541- 636-7321 after 2 p.m. to see if the shelter will be open that night. The shelter organizers also have established a Facebook page that everyone is encour- aged to “like” and “follow.” Stories of shelter happenings, current items needed, news of the guests, and a link to the sign-up site are available. The page is Sisters Cold Weather Shelter. Community support for the shelter and its guests continues to be generous. Nourishing and tasty dinners and breakfasts are prepared by volunteers and brought to the shelter. The cooks, the guests, and the monitors all sit down to a family din- ner to share stories and news of the day. If the food runs short, Martolli’s has agreed to provide free pizza to be sure everyone gets enough to eat. Last Thursday, Rio Restaurant provided dinner of chicken verde, rice, beans, and salad. Locals report that the greatest gift to everyone has been the breaking of stereo- types for all those involved — guests and volunteers. From different circumstances, with Jeff Jones Principal Broker 541-480-7201 jeffjoneslcl@ gmail.com PHOTO PROVIDED The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration will host the Sisters shelter through March. a wide range of backgrounds, in shelters from New York to people have joined together Bend, told shelter volunteers to form a caring community that when people are treated of love and support (see com- with compassion, dignity, and mentary, page 16). Local respect, it can be life-chang- businesses and private citi- ing. He said the Sisters shelter zens have stepped up with is doing an outstanding job. “I’ve never seen anything food, supplies, and clothing. Local churches are providing like it,” James said. “You are wrapping your arms around the facilities. Monitors share stories these people. It is amazing.” Monetary donations to the about guests who carry their head a little higher as shelter can be made through they walk down the street. Shepherd’s House Ministries, Physical health has improved which is processing dona- — one resident has report- tions earmarked for Sisters. edly gained 15 badly needed That allows donors to make pounds from the food a tax-deductible donation, since Shepherd’s House has provided. J a m e s , o n e o f t h e 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and Shepherd House monitors the Sisters shelter has not yet who has experience working applied for that status. A Partnership Beyond Your Expectations Stop by and visit with Tiana Van Landuyt & Shelley Marsh. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | 541-548-9180 THIS WEEK’S FEATURED PROPERTY Doug Roberts Principal Broker 541-280-6199 dougrobertsMPS @gmail.com Lana Labuda Principal Broker 541-408-4144 lana@sisters properties.com Ellen Wood Broker 541-588-0033 woode51@ msn.com Katie Cam Broker 971-409-0177 katiercam@ gmail.com 6 69239 9 2399 C Crooked k d H Horseshoe, h S Sisters i ~ $1 $1,350,000 1 3500 0 0 0 Secluded country paradise! 5,025 sq. ft. custom home featuring greatroom, vaulted ceilings, grand fi replace and open fl oor plan. Enjoy 4 bedrooms plus main-level master and guest suites plus den/offi ce. Enviable gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles! Walk-in pantry, large island, dual sinks, 6-burner propane range, pot-fi ller and more! Entertain in the English pub with bar and game room! 10.14-acre zoned horse property with barn for your largest RV. 1/2 mile to National Forest and 1.6 miles to downtown Sisters! Come in or call to learn more about this property or our other listings 290 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm | Sat 10 am-4 pm 541-588-6614 — Jennifer Minke Ross Kennedy, Principal Broker Ro Accr Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Call 541-408-1343 www.myrksolutions.com 541-549-5555 Sisters 541-595-3838 The Ranch Linda Brooksby Broker Sisters Premier Choice for Real Estate 541-977-4488 lindabrooksbylcl VIEW ALL OUR LISTINGS AT METOLIUSPROPERTYSALES.COM @gmail.com Kimberly Gorayeb Principal Broker 541-639-5551 kiminsisters @gmail.com Suzanne Carvlin Broker 541-595-8707 Suzanne@Home InSisters.com Dechen Dawkins Broker 541-241-6619 soldonsisters @gmail.com e Wher er m o cust vice ser fi rst! comes