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Driver had 0.57 BAC in fatal crash
Incident claimed life of Silverton
teen Elizabeth Hoke, 18, last Sept.
Jonathan Bach Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
A driver responsible for a September 2017 fatal
crash north of Monmouth that left two dead had a
blood-alcohol concentration of 0.57 percent, more
than seven times the legal limit, authorities said Feb.
27.
Authorities determined Jacob Bailey, 24, of Dallas,
was at fault for the crash on Riddell Road close to Whi-
teaker Road.
His Acura had crossed the center line and slammed
into a Volvo driven by Elizabeth Hoke, 18, of Silverton.
Both of them died. An investigation closed the road for
about six hours.
"We just received the toxicology report from the
Oregon State Police crime lab," Polk County Sheriff
Mark Garton said Tuesday. "(I've) only seen a couple
BACs that high in my career."
A blood-alcohol concentration of between 0.31 per-
cent and 0.45 percent is considered life-threatening,
according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism.
A person can lose consciousness, alcohol poisoning
can become life-threatening and there is a "significant
risk of death in most drinkers due to suppression of
vital life functions," according to the institute.
Hoke was preparing to start classes at Western Ore-
gon University in Monmouth when she died. In the
wake of Hoke's death, her family set up a memorial
trust in her name with multiple scholarships.
Email jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-
6714 or follow on Twitter @jonathanmbach.
Weeding through
overgrown finances
Silverton teen Elizabeth Hoke was killed in the 2017
crash. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOKE FAMILY
Local woman
celebrates
100 years, 16
kids and a
zest for life
Christena Brooks Special to Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
Marion County is proposing to forgive roughly $6 million of Oregon Garden debt. If executed, the proposal
would trim the garden’s debt down to $2.174 million. MOLLY J. SMITH/STATESMAN JOURNAL
County proposes Oregon Garden debt forgiveness
Justin Much Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
Marion County is proposing to forgive roughly $6
million of Oregon Garden debt with the intent of en-
suring the 80-acre Silverton attraction's financial sta-
bility.
If executed, the proposal would convert money
Marion County provided for the garden over the years
into a grant. That would trim the garden’s debt down
to $2.174 million.
“We bridged it over to where it finally can make a go
for itself,” Marion County Commissioner Sam Brenta-
no said.
This would also free up economic development
funding from the lottery, making it available for other
grants or projects through the county.
"It is the expectation of Marion County that the
City of Silverton, Moonstone Resort and the Oregon
Garden Foundation will develop in good faith a joint
plan to pay off the remaining $2,174,656 in debt and
submit a proposal to Marion County..." the county's
proposal stated.
Several Silverton officials described the offer as
“generous,” as did Oregon Garden Foundation Devel-
opment Director Allison Pennell.
“The Oregon Garden Foundation is grateful for
Marion County's leadership and involvement
throughout the stages of the garden, and this debt for-
giveness proposal is another example of the county's
generosity,” Pennell said.
Silverton City Council will mull over that proposal
“The Oregon Garden Foundation is grateful for
Marion County's leadership and involvement
throughout the stages of the garden, and this debt
forgiveness proposal is another example of the
county's generosity.”
Allison Pennell
Oregon Garden Foundation Development Director
and the direction of the Oregon Garden when it meets
for a March 12 work session. The session will focus on
the city’s role in the debt restructuring proposal,
which includes the portion of the garden debt owed to
the city.
The council appeared somewhat taken aback on
Jan. 8 when Marion County Commissioner Sam Bren-
tano presented the proposal, in which the county
would forgive what is roughly the net amount it has
furnished over the years to keep the entity solvent.
The county money was furnished through lottery
funds, which are earmarked for economic develop-
ment. Brentano said the motive behind the commis-
sion’s offer is simple: county officials want to see the
Oregon Garden succeed, and it won’t if it has to make
large annual debt payments to the county.
Marion County Chief Administrative Officer John
Lattimer said the debt forgiveness coincides with the
repayment of bonds that were issued more than 15
years ago to keep the financially struggling garden
What’s it like in a family with 16 kids?
“Amazing,” “fun,” “a challenge,” “beautiful,” and “a
privilege,” were some of the responses among the
nine grown children gathered last week to celebrate
the 100th birthday of their mother, Silverton resident
Jacqueline Rose Olivo.
“For me … I’m pretty sure God doesn’t like me be-
cause he gave me 10 sisters and one
bathroom, quipped Harold Olivo, Ros-
e’s 12th child, who flew from Italy to at-
tend his mother’s party on March 1.
With quiet amusement, the birth-
day girl, wearing a tiny crown of plas-
tic rhinestones, watched her kids hug
and razz each other throughout the af-
Rose
Olivo
ternoon at 3 Ten Water Restaurant.
She posed for pictures, doled out hugs,
and even quoted the Lord’s Prayer word-for-word af-
ter her family was done with speeches.
“I’m proud of my family – no question,” Rose said.
“It was very hectic raising 16 children, but my family
is built on love and concern for each other.”
For decades, outsiders have been shaking their
heads in awe at the Olivos, wondering what held
them together. Originally from San Jose, Calif., the
family was the subject of news stories and communi-
ty interest long before reality TV came along. If the
Olivo kids didn’t know it then, they do now – their
mother’s love is the invisible ingredient binding their
big clan together.
“My mother is the most amazing mother in the
See LIFE, Page 2A
See GARDEN, Page 3A
Nello Olivo Jr., standing, gives a toast to his
mother, Rose Olivo, at her 100th birthday
celebration in Silverton, along with some of her 16
children. CHRISTENA BROOKS/SPECIAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNE
Willamette Valley Railway needs
business support to restore line
Justin Much Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
More industry, increased carloads and a surcharge:
those three elements would have to converge before
railroad shipping services become available again
south of Silverton.
That’s the understanding shared by stakeholders
in the Willamette Valley Railway, which operates be-
tween Woodburn and Stayton but has not served the
southern portion of the line since the tracks were
compromised during a stormy January 2012.
Stayton City Planner Dan Fleishman represented
Stayton in a meeting that addressed east Marion
County rail service. He said the meeting included a
railway advisory committee and consultant, David
Anzur, hired by the Marion County to assess the rail-
way's viability.
See RAILS, Page 3A
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