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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2020)
STATE SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 THE OBSERVER — 7A Most Oregon counties get the green light to start reopening 31 of 36 counties can lift some COVID-19 limits By Gary A. Warner For the Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday morning that most Oregon counties will be allowed to take the fi rst step toward lifting emer- gency limits on activity put in place since March by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a phone-in press con- ference, Brown said she realized the decision to reopen some but not all counties would be seen as too little by residents who want to accelerate an eco- nomic rebound and too much by those concerned that it could lead to another spike in infections. “But my job is to make hard decisions, even when they are unpopular,” Brown said. “When it comes to the health and safety of Orego- nians, the buck stops here.” By the end of the day, the partial reopening was approved for 31 of 36 coun- ties. Those getting the green light included all counties east of the Cas- cades, all counties along the Oregon coast and counties in Southern Oregon. In the Willamette Valley, the pop- ulous counties of Lane, Linn and Benton were among those given permission to reopen. While more than two- thirds of Oregon’s 36 coun- ties qualifi ed to reopen, about half of Oregon’s 4.2 million residents live in counties not covered by Thursday’s decisions. The state’s three largest counties — Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas — did not fi le a request, saying they were not yet pre- pared to reopen. They rep- resent nearly 1.8 million residents. Marion and Polk coun- ties, with a combined popu- lation of about 417,000, had their applications rejected because of concerns over high infection rates. Among Oregon’s fi ve largest counties, only Lane County at No. 5, which includes the city of Eugene, can reopen. The patchwork of open- ings means some counties will see restaurants, salons, gyms and other establish- ments returning to business. Brown said the moves were a clear-eyed attempt to balance the sometimes com- peting goals of public health and economic revival from a crisis that has put millions out of work. “The shared goals of good public health and a strong economy are inti- mately connected,” she said. “It’s not an either/or sce- nario. As we reopen parts of our economy, we know and expect that there may be an uptick in new coronavirus cases.” Brown said there will be no assured path to both ensuring public health and allowing the economy to recover in the foresee- able future. She likened the moves announced Thursday as the equivalent of step- ping out on ice without truly knowing how thick or thin it might be underfoot. “Reopening any part of our state comes with risk,” Brown said. “This virus is still very dangerous. Until there is a reliable treatment or a vaccine, unfortunately, we will not be able to go back to life as we knew it.” But the fact that large swaths of the most populous areas won’t see a change has Brown and state offi cials worried residents in those areas could travel to areas such as the Oregon coast, Deschutes County and cities such as Eugene, where they can enjoy relative freedom to eat, drink and socialize. That could expose the open counties to outside infection from counties that remain closed. “We hope that people will stay close to home,” Brown said. Oregon has recorded more than 3,500 positive cases and 137 deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. The state has recorded among the lowest per capita infections and deaths in the nation. About 1.4 million con- fi rmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States, with almost 85,000 deaths through mid-day Friday. Worldwide, about 4.26 million have tested positive and 294,000 have died. Oregon counties were invited last week to submit plans to have some of the restrictions under Brown’s March closure orders lifted. They had to meet stan- dards set by the Oregon Health Authority, including evidence the county could test for COVID-19 and had the staff available to trace the contacts of anyone with a positive result. STATE BRIEFS The Associated Press Man gets 25 years for killing 3 teens in DUI crash SALEM — A Salem man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for driving drunk, speeding through a red light and killing three teens in a crash. Juan Rodriguez-Palacios, 26, was sentenced Thursday for the crash that killed Trinity Watt, 19, of Salem, Madison Capobianco, 19, of Salem, and Makayla Tryon, 18, of Keizer, The Statesman Journal reported. Rodriguez-Palacios was convicted of three counts of fi rst-degree manslaughter, DUI and two counts of third-degree assault fol- lowing a bench trial before Marion County Judge Thomas Hart. Hart found Rodriguez-Palacios guilty on all charges. Watt was driving her friends Capobianco and Tryon for a quick snack run the night of June 2. She went into an intersection with the right-of-way when Rodriguez-Palacios, who was driving at about 85 mph, hit Watt’s vehicle. His blood alcohol con- tent was later tested to be 0.239% blood-alcohol con- tent — almost three times the legal limit of 0.08. The teens died at the scene. Hammonds drop appeal to compete for lost grazing allotments SALEM — Hammond Ranches has dropped a legal challenge against the federal government to com- pete for cattle grazing allot- ments in Eastern Oregon it lost last year. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management can now choose whether the Ham- mond family or one of three neighboring ranches can use the 26,000-acre BLM allotments, The Capital Press reported. Hammond Ranches offi - cials hope that U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the BLM will issue a permit to graze the four allotments as soon as pos- sible, though it’s possible they may not be available for livestock this year, said Alan Schroeder, the compa- ny’s attorney. The agency will con- duct an analysis of quali- fi ed candidates but doesn’t have a specifi c timeframe for awarding the grazing permit, said Tara This- sell, BLM Burns District spokeswoman. In its application, Ham- mond Ranches warned that it would demand “imme- diate compensation” for its range improvements, water rights and intermingled pri- vate lands if BLM awards access to the allotments to another ranch. Man suspected of murder in Washington arrested in Oregon TROUTDALE — Authorities say a man wanted in connection with a murder in Ritzville, Washington, was arrested Thursday after he was hurt in a police pursuit and shootout with Oregon State Police troopers near Trout- dale, Oregon. Police were searching for Grayson D.W. Morris, 26, in connection to a Thursday homicide in Ritzville, KATU-TV reported. Investigators said he was considered armed and dangerous. Interstate 84 was closed at about 10 a.m. just east of Troutdale, where troopers used spike strips on the stolen vehicle the man was driving west on the inter- state, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Offi ce. Morris then aban- doned that vehicle and car- jacked another one, the sheriff’s offi ce said. An exchange of gun- fi re followed and Morris was injured, according to the sheriff’s offi ce. He was taken to a hospital. Authorities haven’t released any further infor- mation about the homicide. Boyfriend charged with murder for teen’s mom, brother deaths ROSEBURG — The boyfriend of a Georgia teen charged with killing her mother and brother in a house fi re was arrested in connection with their deaths. The 17-year-old boy- friend was arrested Thursday after investiga- tors in Georgia and Oregon found evidence connecting him to the deaths. The boy, who lives in Oregon, will have extradition hearings to face murder charges in Georgia, the sheriff’s offi ce said. Investigators said his girlfriend, Candance Walton, 16, set fi re to the home near Forsyth, Georgia, on Feb. 27. Her brother, Gerald Walton, and mother, Tasha Vandiver, were found dead after the fi re. Walton told offi cers she was on her way to Oregon after they pulled her over in Kentucky, while driving her mother’s 2007 Chevrolet Malibu. Parents of baby who died from meningitis sue for $6.3M SALEM — The par- ents of an infant who died from meningitis after he was released from Silverton Medical Center are suing the hospital for $6.3 mil- lion. The wrongful death lawsuit was fi led Friday in the death of 7-month-old Blaize Wheeldon and accuses hospital staff of medical negligence and the negligent infl iction of emo- tional distress. It names a Silverton hospital emergency room doctor and Legacy Health, which operates the hos- pital, as defendants, The Statesman Journal reported. Hospital offi cials said this week they were not aware of the lawsuit, but said it was Legacy Health’s practice not to comment on litigation. RE-ELECT BOYD RASMUSSEN for SHERIFF Sheriff Rasmussen treats everyone with respect and is considerate of varying opinions. He balances that with being firm and taking charge when the situation warrants. Join us in voting for Boyd so he can continue working in the best interests of Union County! Dave and Zee Koza - La Grande "In these uncertain times we need a home-grown man of integrity with steadfastness, strength, experience and judgement to see us through, Boyd Rasmussen is that man." Dan & Nancy McDonald - Summerville “Sheriff Rasmussen has worked hard for the citizens of Elgin to ensure they have the law enforcement they need. He has often gone above and beyond to serve all of us in Union County. Join me in re-electing him Sheriff" Brock Eckstein - Elgin WE SUPPORT SHERIFF BOYD RASMUSSEN Gregory Acres Fred Alexis Walt and Linda Anderson Katherine Austin Martha J. Bailey Greg Barreto Greg M. Baxter Sharon Beck Dan Bellmore Wes and Teri Berry Austin & Jeana Bingaman Ross and Carrie Bingaman Russel and Patty Bingaman Wade and Angie Bingaman Julie Bodfish Jack and Jennifer Boyd Kem Brainerd Jim Brainerd Keith and Helen Brindell Betty Bronson JD and Audrey Cant Christine Carlson Shari Carpenter John Cavin Cathie Clark Wendy Clerget Lynn and Jody Combe John C Cuthbert D.R.C.’s Property Management Inc Aaron and Hilary Dahle Larry and Edna Davidson Loren and Michelle Davidson Joe and Erin Davidson William A & Sharon DeLashmutt Cresta DeLint Ves and Lois Doty Allan and Michelle Duffy Bonnie Dunn Kent Dutson Brock Eckstein Doug and Patty Hislop John and Melissa Fullerton Dixie Hofmann Dr Gerrie Gardner Randy and Pam Glenn Bart Hoffman James and Tracey Gorham Curt and Annette Howell Joaquin Grant Tod and Angel Hull Gordon and Barbara Gribling Brent and Donna Huntsman Gary and Ginny Hager Matt and Melanie Insko Risa Hallgarth Sonny and Mary Jane Johnson Andy and Cindy Hale Don’s Lawn Service (Don Junker) Mr and Mrs Boyd Harmon All Air HVAC Service (Scott Kaber) Mark and Linda Harris Bruce and Karen Kevan Phil and Trudy Hassinger Ken Knott Jamie and Mike Hicks Jim Kopp Lanny Hildebrandt Mike McLean Jim and Rita McMahan Bill and Stacy Merrigan Michelle McKinney Theora Mickey Verl Miller and Kathryn Lusk Glenn and Anita McIntosh Rick and Janice Muilenburg Steve Neumann Maureen O’Connell Craig Nightingale David R. Orcutt Chris and Linda Panike Michael and Tracy Partney Ralph Patterson Tony Pedro Skip Pereira Joseph and Cathy Petrusek Howard and Suzanne Perry Tim and Jenny Phelps Wes and Marie Rampton Mike and Nikki Robertson Amy and Gunnar Rolf Robb Rea G and Val Royes Brett Rudd Todd and Gidget Sannar Terry and Annie Secl Ed Schmittle Lance C. Shoemaker Rick Simmonis Mark Simmons Troy Simmons Wayne and Ernestine Simonis Doyle and Connie Slater Betty Sprenger Linda and Sheldon Strand Andy and Julie Tarvin Billy Taylor Bill Teeter Terry and Kathy Thimmes Alicia Koller Sean White Dave and Zee Koza Tom and Karen Waldrip Ken and Beccy Kramer Don and Lila Waldrop Barney Kuensting Bob and Kathy Walker John Lamoreau Kris and Bud Walker Denny and Colleen Langford Hank Warg Guy and Peggy Weishaar Eric Laurence Mary West (Imbler) Marc Lee Mary West (Elgin) Todd and Melanie Livingston Bev White Lee and Edith Lowe Mike Wisdom Rich McConnell Bill and Linda Whittemore Dan and Nancy McDonald Rich and Rachel Zinzer RESULTS MATTER! Created School Resource Deputy Program (La Grande, Island City, Union, Cove, North Powder) Restarted K9 Program ( Molly ) Instituted Deputy Field Training Program Increased Narcotics Enforcement Increased Volunteer Search and Rescue Funding Yearly Leadership Training for Deputies Updated all Deputy Equipment and Vehicles Enhanced Patrols in Elgin and Island City Improved Security Systems for Union County Jail Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Boyd Rasmussen Sheriff, Rita McMahan, Treasurer, 62436 Mink, Summerville
