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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2020)
Weekend of February 8-9, 2020 A3 The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com Robotics students sweep tourney Wasco County 4-H robotics team System Overload earned top awards at last week- end’s middle school VEX tournament in Toppenish, Wash., and brought home the tournament’s top honors: Excellence Award, Robot Skills Champion and Tournament Finalist. “System Overload had an excellent performance at the tournament. Ian Castaneda, Colin Schecter and Jack McAllister are working more as a unified team and putting in a lot of effort to be among the top teams at the tourna- ments,” Coach Jesus Acosta said. The team traveled to the tournament specifically to compete against other middle school teams. Due to fewer middle school teams competing in VEX in Oregon, the team normally competes against high school teams in tournaments. “The team has done well in our Oregon tournaments and was the first team from The Dalles to advance to state. Their coach wanted them to Radio Amateurs host review, exam W7RAGS — Radio Amateurs of the Gorge — hosts its next technician license test review and exam on March 6-7 at the Hood River Fire Department Training Room, 1785 Meyer Parkway, from 5:30-9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The class is free, but there is a $15 examination fee. The class is open to all. The class is limited to 25 and registration is required; for more information or to register, contact Kevin Widener at kevin.widener@gmail.com or 509-528-9565. Hunters invited to share opinions System Overload are, left to right, Jack McAllister, Colin Schecter, and Ian Castaneda. Contributed photo compete against other like- aged students,” said 4-H pro- gram coordinator Lu Seapy. “They are very impressive.” Team engineer and programmer Ian Castaneda said, “We experimented with a new lift system and were excited when it actually that most other teams hav- en’t had.” Their success at the Toppenish tournament has earned them a spot in the “2020 CREATE U.S. Middle School Robotics Championship” in Iowa April 2 through April 4. passed a bill allowing un- documented immigrants to obtain driving privileges in 2019. And in fact, the NORCOR bill came about because of an effort to help the House bridge divides. Recently House Speaker Tina Kotek has asked lawmakers to participate in “caucus exchanges” where rural and urban lawmakers visit one another’s districts to help build understanding of issues important to their communities. As Bonham tells it, he brought Reps. Diego Hernandez and Alissa Keny-Guyer, both Portland Democrats, to meet with NORCOR administrators to discuss the ICE contracts last year. On the way out, they wound up speaking with protesters outside the facility. facilities. NORCOR officials did not respond to inquiries about when the facility’s current contract expires. But several county officials affiliated with the jail testified before lawmakers Monday that they support the bill. Wasco County Commissioner Kathy Schwartz, who serves as vice chair of the facility’s board of directors, told lawmakers “It led to a nice conversa- officials were “committed to tion,” Bonham said. “Two of establishing a sustainable the advocates called me lat- funding structure” for the jail without ICE revenues, if law- er on and said, ‘Would you be willing to meet us again?’ makers are willing to bridge … They raised my awareness the gap in the short term. on some of the long-term Molly Rogers, direc- detainee problems that ex- tor of the Wasco County isted with the ICE contract. Department of Youth Services added that the This is a county jail not meant for long-term detain- facility is hoping to resolve ment, and yet that’s the role “a practice that appears to be not in line with Oregon’s it was serving for just a few sanctuary law.” people.” Under the bill Bonham and Williams wound up sponsoring, NORCOR would be prohibited from renewing or negotiating a contract with ICE during any budget bien- nium in which the legislature allots at least $1.64 million to the facility. The bill would not preempt NORCOR from temporarily accepting ICE detainees who are being transported through The Dalles to other “Very tragic, very sad to see somebody lose their life so young,” said Nisley. At the time of her passing, McLaren was being held in an individual cell within the booking area, under observa- tion by NORCOR corrections deputies. “She was in a cell by herself because she was uncom- fortable,” said Nisley, adding that keeping someone under observation in the booking area is fairly standard for that type of situation. “They can keep a better eye on somebody when they’re in there,” he said. She was being treated by NORCOR medical staff for injuries sustained prior to her entry into NORCOR, according to the press release. Because the death occured in a correctional facility, an autopsy will be conducted Thursday (after press time) by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the incident. Questions should be directed to the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office at www.co.wasco.or.us/depart- ments/district_attorney/in- dex.php or 541-506-2680. Regional jail is unique in state Continued from page A1 acknowledged that it risks setting a precedent that state dollars may be spent on services currently funded by counties. But both lawmakers also point out that NORCOR, with its regional service area, is unique. “There are very reasonable concerns about not only setting precedent that the state would come in and fill county budget gaps, but also real concerns about spending new ongoing money in an unpredictable budget envi- ronment right now,” Williams said. In a legislative session already freighted with deep partisan divides, HB 4121 is also a notably bipartisan bill. The issue of immigra- tion has been a matter of fierce disagreement between Democrats and Republicans in recent years, most recently when Oregon Democrats she died before she could be transported, according to Wasco County District Death will be Attorney Eric Nisley. The woman was identi- investigated fied as 26-year-old Jennifer Continued from page A1 McLaren of Odell. McLaren had been in custody at inside the facility for a female NORCOR since Jan. 24, 2020, on charges originating in that was suffering an appar- ent medical crisis, according Hood River County, accord- to a NORCOR press release. ing to the press release. McLaren was on proba- Upon arrival, emergency crews attempted lifesaving tion from Wasco County efforts, which were unsuc- Circuit Court for an Unlawful Possession of Heroin charge cessful, according to the that was sentenced in press release. September 2018, and her A conditional release probation was scheduled to agreement was created for her to go to the hospital, but end in June 2021. CUSTODY SALEM—ODFW wants to hear what resident big game hunters think about current hunting seasons in Oregon and are seeking comments online at www.oregonbiggameforum. org through March 3. ODFW has been working to review and improve big game hunting seasons and associated regulations for the last several years. “This year we are planning on reviewing our primary deer and elk hunting seasons, which includes general archery and rifle (any legal weapon) seasons,” says Nick Myatt, the ODFW watershed manager leading the review for the agency. “Before we start developing proposed changes to 2021 hunt- ing seasons, we want to collect input from Oregon resident hunters on what their current experiences are with these seasons, what changes they would like to see considered, and what other issues are important to them,” Myatt added. ODFW is working with Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in attitudes toward natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, to host the online forum. all Oregon resident deer and elk hunters are encour- aged to comment. worked.” Acosta said the team is consistently refining mecha- nisms from models and mak- ing them work. “I am excited and proud of how much the team has accomplished over the past months. They have earned many opportunities CONTRACTS 4121 alongside Rep. Anna Williams, D-Hood River, whose district also uses NORCOR to jail criminal defendants or people serving out short sentences. Williams believes the jail’s use as an immigrant deten- tion facility violates Oregon’s sanctuary law, which limits how public resources can be used to enforce immigration law. (A Wasco County judge last year ruled that was not the case.) The proposed legislation, she said, “allows us to have conversations about our sanctuary law and about how we are or are not living up to that as a state … Whether we get it funded or not, that’s a very valuable conversation to have.” HB 4121, which received its first hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, will likely face skepticism during a short legislative session in which leading Democrats are pledging to be judicious about new ongoing expenses. Both Williams and Bonham NEWS IN BRIEF The bill also has support from those who’ve been protesting NORCOR’s contracts with the federal government, according to Judy Zimmerman of the group Gorge Ecumenical Ministries. “Our main concerns are conditions of confinement,” Zimmerman said last week. “That facility was never intended to serve as an im- migration detention center. There are detainees who have been there for years.” THE DALLES CHRONICLE (ISSN 0747-3443) is published twice weekly, every Wednesday and Saturday. Subscription rates: One year print subscription and digital access $55. Six month print subscription and digital access $35.Three month print subscription and dig- ital access $21. Known office of publication, 811 E. Second St.,The Dalles, OR 97058. Pe- riodical postage is paid at The Dalles, Ore- gon. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE DALLES CHRONICLE, P.O. Box 1910, The Dalles, OR 97058. Valentine’s Day Specials MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY YOU VISIT THE HIWAY HOUSE Valentine’s Day at Bargeway Pub Come join us for our Valentine’s Day Specials! Feb 14 & 15 14, 15, & 16 Choose from many exquisite items on our menu such as: Melt in your mouth Prime Rib, Th ick Juicy Steaks, Halibut, Salmon, Large Jumbo Prawns, and Lobster. RESERVATIONS CALL: 541-296-4994 2434 East 2nd Street, Th e Dalles Looking for somewhere new to go? We’re rolling out the red carpet for you and your loved one. 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