October 2023
City Desk
Drain Citizen Commitees at Risk
Drain - In Recent months, there has been
an effort on the part of Drain City Counsel to
elliminate the Citizens Commitees that have
worked for many years to steer and manage
those resources and facilities.
It is the contention of the Drain Council
that these are redundant efforts and their aim
is to consolodate the management and con-
trol, without the input of involved citizens,
It seems unlikely that eliminating dedicated
and involved citizens, who are pivotal in the
long running standings of these institutions,
from the conversation will bring any benefit
to the community at large.
The Drain Cemetary Commitee and the
Drain Civic Center Commitee, both are
staffed with long time residents who are
invested in the community. If the City saves
money and loses sight of issues that are
important to its citizens, what’s the upside?
The City Council meeting of September 11,
showed that there may be a widening divide
between governemt and citizens.
Government
Yoncalla Volunteer Water
who you’re local
Conservation Request has Ended Know
Representatives are!
Yoncalla September 29:
The City of Yoncalla would like to thank
the users of our water system that conserved
water during our voluntary conservation
request. The City of Yoncalla is dropping
our voluntary conservation request at this
time, however, conservation of water is
never a bad thing and always encouraged.
During the summer months the city has
located and repaired several large leaks
throughout our water distribution system,
upgraded our Adams Creek dam, and
worked with our engineering firm to find
solutions for water storage throughout the
future summer months. We are committed
to providing safe and readily available
water to all users of our system. We
understand that the community water
supply is an essential resource that plays a
vital role in the well-being and prosperity
of our community.
If you have any questions, please contact
Yoncalla City Hall at (541) 849-2152.
“our liberty depends on the freedom
of the press, and that cannot be lim-
ited without being lost.”
-Thomas Jefferson to Dr. James Currie, January 28, 1786
Fire restriction for Douglas County Elkton City Hall
is now a level 1 - low fire danger
Now Allowed all day:
Non-Industrial Power Saw Use: When
allowed, each saw being used must have
a shovel and a fire extinguisher of at least
8 ounce capacity. A firewatch of at least
one hour is required following the use of
each saw.
Cutting, Grinding, or Welding of Metal:
When allowed, is restricted
to areas that are cleared of flammable
materials and a charged garden hose or a
2 1⁄2 pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher
must be immediately available.
Cutting, Trimming or Mowing of Dried,
Cured Grass
The use of battery or electric string
trimmers and the culture and harvest of
agricultural crops is exempt from this
requirement.
Power Driven Machinery not specifically
mentioned above and used for any non-
industrial improvement or development on
private property is restricted. Each piece
of equipment must have a shovel and a 2
1⁄2 pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher.
A one hour fire watch is required once
work has completed for the day
Mildred Whipple Library Book Sale
Benefitting Nor4th Douglas Schools Food-Drives
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple
Library, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organiza-
tion, have a self-serve used book sale in
the lobby of the Drain Civic Center year
round. The money raised from this book
sale helps us support the library in many
ways. We help fund programming includ-
ing summer reading performers, sponsor
children for the Dolly Parton Imagination
Library, purchase books for the collection,
and so much more.
However, all the money raised from our
book sale during the month of October
will be donated to the North Douglas El-
Page 5
ementary and Middle School food drive
for Thanksgiving food baskets. Then all
the money raised during the month of
November will be donated to the North
Douglas High School food drive for their
Holiday food baskets. For the entire month
of December all the books are free! We
are looking for a way to let local residents
know about this and hope that your paper
can help spread the word!
Thank you,
Valarie Johns, Vice-President
Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library
541-231-7901
366 First Street, Elkton
Regular Meeting of City Council
September 14, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
Flag Salute
Regular Meeting of City Council:
1. Call to order
2. Minutes/ Bills
3. Visitors:
4. Communications:
5. Public Input:
6. Business New & Old:
City Report
TMDL
NHMP
Ordinance No. 182 Park Rules &
Regulations
Notice of Admin Review
7. Goals Short Term/Long Term
8. Good of the order
UPCOMING EVENTS: Regular Council
Meeting October 12, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
Man Arrested in Tualatin for the Murder of Oakland Woman, Terry Dean
OAKLAND, Ore. – September 8, 2023, a
man was arrested in connection to the murder
of Terry Lea Deane, 78, of Oakland.
Deane’s death on August 12th was reported
as a suspicious death at a home in the 400
block of Coltrin Lane in Oakland. The Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office said investigators
determined the death was a homicide. In the
subsequent investigation, detectives identified
Dwayne Michael Lauka, 45, as a suspect in
her murder.
Lauka was arrested in Tualatin on Friday
and was taken to the Douglas County Jail
for second degree murder. According to the
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, more charges
are expected in the coming days.
Story by Milo Van Elder
Dwayne Lauka is a homeless person
from the Washington County area with
ties to the greater Portland area. He also
frequents Douglas and Josephine Counties
under several aliases. Those aliases include
Sammi Alameer, Jason Myers, Dwayne Lauk,
Dwayne Michael Luaka, Dwayne Michael
Alshargabi-Lauka and Michael Eugene West.
Following Lauka’s arrest, detectives are
urging anyone with information on Lauka or
his movements between Aug. 11 and Sept.
8 to contact DCSO at (541) 440-4458 or by
emailing dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us.
The case is still under investigation and no
further information is available at this time.
Drain
Mayor: Erin Sparhawk
Council Position #1: Grant Vaughan
Council Position #2: Kevin VanPelt
Council Position #3: Katie Decker
Council Position #4: Aaron Lymath
City Council Meetings:
10/09/2023 - 6:00pm
11/13/2023 - 6:00pm
12/11/2023 - 6:00pm
City Administrator: Jeni Stevens
Yoncalla
Mayor: Kathleen Wertz
Councilors:
Dan Wagoner
Gene Vroman
Harold Gilpin
Bryce Wertz
Council Meetings:
2nd Tuesday / month 6pm City Hall
City Administrator: Jennifer Bragg
Elkton
Mayor: Daniel Burke
Council President: Joan Smith
Council Members:
Kim Moore
Dan Shepherd
Sandra Galli
Council Meetings:
2nd Thursday, 8:30am
Next Council Meeting:
September 14, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
Public Works Supervisor: Gary Trout
State & Federal
Oregon House Representative:
District 02:
Virgle Osborne
Oregon State Senator:
District 1:
David Brock Smith
U.S. Senate Oregon:
Jeff Merkley
Ron Wyden
U.S House of Representatives:
District 4: Val Hoyle
Secretary of State::
LaVonne Griffin-Valade
Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum
Governor: Tina Kotek
It is important to know your repre-
sentation in your State, Districts and
Municipalities. REMEMBER it is vital
to your freedoms to vote.
If you would like to have your own
towns municipal officers listed
please send title & names only to
citydesk@ndherald.com