North Douglas Herald
February 2024
Page 3
DCSO Arrests Transient on 13 Charges
Editorial
By Rusty Savage
And here I am finally getting this February issue out to
all of our readers. Ice-amegeddon 2024, that’s what they
are calling it, and good reason too. Oregon was hit pretty
hard this last January and not everyone saw it coming. I sure
didn’t. And it wouldn’t quit! Here in Drain, we missed most
of the Icy badness but the power outages were simply a pain
in the butt.
Maybe some of you are like the Savages, here, and have
wood heat so at least we didnt freeze. Can’t say the same
for Cottage Grove, Springfield, Eugene and the outlying
areas. They lost power and it seemed to take forever to get it
all back on. In fact there are still a few remote areas, at this
writing, that have not been restored.
And travel was at an all time standstill like I haven’t seen a
very long time around here. I-5 from Eugene to Roseburg
was a standstill for 4 or 5 days. Man those truckers tried
pretty hard but there’s no skating across the ice for those
behemoths.
Although we did not have a prolonged outage here, the on
and off and on again power fluctuations killed one of our
computers here at the office. Another reason we delayed the
February issue by a few days. Between business closures
and some of our vendors delaying services, on top of our
office malfunction, we persevered and here it is.
The North Douglas Herald is excited to announce another
milestone after only 6 months we are increasing production
to 4500 newspapers beginning in March. Last year, in
September, we distributed about 2100 newspapers and by
December we maxed out our 3500 print run and have spread
from Winston to Eugene and from Oakland to Reedsport.
With this months last 3500 run, we will only be able to stock
our, over 30, pick up locations once. Usually we have been
stocking them twice a month. Next month we will be able to
stock twice a month again.
It’s thanks to our readers that we can continue to grow. I
believe the print media is still the best method of bringing
news and information to the public. I think you like to read
a newspaper, as long as it can inform and entertain and that
is our goal here at the Herald. My only caveat is that I want
to hear from all of you good people. I want to bring you
the news that we are scouring the region for, but I want
a personal interaction too. Tell us about your kids school
and sports efforts and achievements, your community
shortcomings and triumphs. Got a fight with City Hall or
great idea for city improvement, tell us about it. Is there
something that may be going on in your area that you can
share with us? It’s your newspaper, what do you want to
see in it?
Not many free newspapers out there that I can see.
The Eugene Weekly has been a free news paper up in
Eugene area for over 30 years and last month they stopped
production, laid off the staff and shuttered the doors.
According to Eugene Weekly’s editor, Camilla Mortensen,,
and EPD public information officer, Melinda McLaughlin,
the paper was a victim of fraud and theft by a former trusted
employee. Reportedly nearly $100,000 was embezzled over
a short period of time and was only discovered after vendors
weren’t paid and paychecks were at risk of bouncing. I
spoke with Camilla and I can tell that the passion over there
is a strong factor in their efforts to continue. Ms Mortensen
plans to be printing a new issue by the end of this week.
Kudos to them.
I also read the New York Times is in dire straights and
cutting back on their production and coverage areas. The
print newspaper business is a tough one. If you appreciate
your free copy of the North Douglas Herald, you can thank
our advertisers. Thank them by supporting them, spend
some money over there, so that they continue to support us.
2 Teenage Shooters Arrested
Lane County Sheriff Serves Warrants
Eugene OR - According to the Lane
County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) two
young males opened fire with handguns
at a passing vehicle on Saturday, January
27, 2024.
At approximately 7:00 a.m., a passerby
in a vehicle asked the two males to clear
the roadway in the area of Nantucket
Avenue and N. Park Avenue, and were
greeted with gunfire. LCSO tells us that
the vehicle was struck multiple times,
and the driver was nearly struck as well.
LCSO reports that nearly 20 rounds were
fired, with the victim nearly being struck,
and at least one round entered a child’s
bedroom window nearby, striking an
interior wall.
One suspect was identified and
surveillance was established at a nearby
residence in the 1300 block of Keller
Street while applying for a search warrant.
Once the search warrant was granted, the
LCSO Special Response Team served
the warrant. Evidence was located that
quickly led to the arrest of one suspect,
and identification of the second suspect.
The first suspect arrested was a juvenile,
who was transported to the Lane County
Youth Services detention facility on
charges of:
Attempted Assault 1
Unlawful Use of a Weapon
On January 29, 2024, LCSO detectives
arrested the second shooter without
incident, identified as Ty Houston
Pflieger, 18, of Eugene. He was lodged at
the Lane County Jail on charges of:
Attempted Assault 1
Unlawful Use of a Weapon
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office
would like to thank the Oregon State
Police and Eugene Police Department
for their assistance, and especially the
many residents who reached out with
information to help quickly solve this
case.
Woman Indicted for Online Social Media Threats
Eugene OR – A federal grand jury has
returned an indictment charging Elizabeth
Ballesteros West, a 56-year-old woman from
Cottage Grove, with one count of transmitting
an interstate threat. This announcement was
made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the
District of Oregon.
The investigation began in late September
2023 when the FBI received an anonymous
tip regarding West’s alleged threats against
coworkers on Facebook. In November 2023, it
was discovered that West also had an account
on X (formerly known as Twitter), where she
was reportedly posting and reposting memes,
videos, and statements containing violent
messages which targeted Black and Jewish
people, as well as immigrants.
West’s online posts included self-produced
photos of firearms, including handguns, a
shotgun, and an AR-style assault rifle. On
January 3, 2023, West admitted to posting and
reposting messages on X containing hateful
and violent rhetoric. She also confessed to
possessing multiple shotguns and AR-15
assault rifles at her Cottage Grove residence.
FBI then, on January 9, 2023, executed
federal search warrants on West’s person,
vehicle, and residence. Seized were 12
handguns, 16 rifles, thousands of rounds of
ammunition, firearm accessories, and a journal
containing writings and drawings featuring
additional hateful and violent statements. As a
result, on January 12, 2023, FBI agents arrested
West without incident at her workplace in
Eugene.
West made her first appearance in federal
court on Thursday, January 18th before a U.S.
Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained
pending further court proceedings. This
investigation involved collaboration between
the FBI, Cottage Grove Police Department,
Eugene Police Department, and Lane County
Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted
by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for
the District of Oregon.
Yoncalla OR - The Douglas County Sheriff’s
Office jailed a transient who had 13 warrants for
this arrest on Friday, January 26th. A DCSO report
said at 5:20 p.m. a deputy contacted 20-year old
Taylor Pennington in the 5000 block of Elkhead
Road in Yoncalla.
According to a resident, Pennington was
among those staying at the residence. After
further investigation, the deputy learned about the
warrants. The sheriffs deputy went up to the house
and attempted to contact the suspect.
Pennington barricaded himself inside a room
and refused to come out. It was learned that the
individual accompanying Pennington was the
victim of a kidnapping case in Medford. She is 17
years old.
After speaking with Pennington for a lengthy
amount of time, he eventually cooperated and came
out. He was placed into custody and secured in a
patrol vehicle. Pennington told the deputy that he
had ingested 2 grams of fentanyl. Shortly after
surrendering, the man became nonresponsive. The
deputy then administered two doses (4 milligrams)
of Narcan. Pennington came to and was transported
to a hospital where he was evaluated and cleared to
be lodged in jail.
Pennington was charged with the long list of
warrants. Bail was set at $132,500.
Cottage Grove OR - On Saturday, January 27th,
the Cottage Grove Police Department discovered a
body at Coiner Park. Two park patrons called 911 at
2:00 pm on Saturday. Officers responded to 1319 E.
Main Street to find the 24-year-old Cottage Grove man
unresponsive. Drug paraphilia was found at the scene.
Officer Ryan Blalack administered one dose of Narcan
(Naloxone) and performed CPR.
According to Cottage Grove Chief of Police Cory
Chase, “There was no foul play involved. The first
officer on-scene observed the male, later identified as
Thomas Lynn Voigt, lying on the table. The officer saw
a glass pipe in one hand and a lighter in the other hand.
We can’t confirm without a toxicology report, but it
appears to be drug related at this point.”
The officer performed CPR until medics with South
Lane Fire and Rescue arrived and continued efforts to
resuscitate Mr. Voigt and he was declared deceased at
the scene. The Chief added, “It’s not being investigated
as a suspicious death at this point.”
The State Medical Examiner’s Office has requested
a toxicology screening. The drug paraphernalia at the
scene was seized as evidence.
According to information officer, Captain Marsh,
there are no further details available at this time.
Man’s Body Discovered in Coiner
Park
CGPD Says No Foul Play
Former DCSO Deputy Arrested Fatal Pedestrian Crash on 101
Roseburg OR —The Roseburg Police
Department conducted an investigation, at
the request of the Douglas County Sheriff’s
Office, of a former Douglas County Sheriff
Corrections Deputy Peter Collins had
embezzled money while serving as the
union treasurer. During the investigation,
Collins, a 44-year-old Roseburg resident,
admitted to embezzling more than $100,000
from the Douglas County Law Enforcement
Association between 2016 and 2023. Collins
was arrested on Tuesday, December 12, 2023
and lodged at Douglas County Corrections.
Collins is charged with 1) five counts of
Aggravated Theft in the First Degree. 2)
five counts of Computer Crime. 3) five
counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.
4) Falsifying Business Records. 5) Forgery
1. 6) Official Misconduct. The Roseburg
Police Department says the investigation is
ongoing.
Fatal Car Crash on HWY 58
Lane County - On the morning of
January 21st, Deputies with the Lane
County Sheriff’s Office responded
to a report of a single vehicle crash
into a muddy field along Edenvale
Road near Highway 58, Pleasant Hill.
Deputies located the driver deceased
underneath the vehicle, a 2014 Nissan
Altima. The driver is believed to have
been the only occupant, and was likely
not wearing a seatbelt at the time of
the crash, resulting in her ejection
from the vehicle. The crash reportedly
occurred sometime the night before,
but was not discovered by area
residents until morning. The driver’s
identity is being withheld at this time.
I-5 Stop yields 100 lb Meth
Douglas County - An Oregon State
Police team with a K9 pulled the vehicle
over around 12:15 p.m. on January 4,
authorities said. The K9 sniffed outside
the vehicle and alerted the troopers
about the drugs.
When the vehicle was searched,
officials said, they found 100 pounds of
crystal meth in large bags in the trunk.
Two people from San Bernadino were
arrested: Edgar Rene Revolorio, 28,
and 35-year-old Surely Nalley Molina
Escalante.
Authorities said the investigation continues.
Florence OR — A pedestrian is dead
following a vehicle-pedestrian crash on
HWY 101 near Honeyman Park. According
to Oregon State Police, at 4:15 a.m. on
January 22, 2024, officers responded to a
vehicle-pedestrian crash on Hwy. 101 near
milepost 193, just south of Florence. The
preliminary investigation indicates that
a southbound Toyota Tacoma, driven by
70-year-old Timothy Shane Sweet, struck
36-year-old Justin Robert Warmuth of
Florence, who was wearing dark clothing
while standing in the middle of the
southbound lane. Warmuth was declared
dead at the scene, Sweet was not injured
and Officials stated that Sweet cooperated
with investigators.
Hwy. 101, near Honeyman Park, was
impacted for approximately 4.5 hours
while officers conducted the on-scene
investigation, as Western Lane Ambulance
and Fire and the Oregon Department of
Transportation assisted OSP at the scene .
ND Park/Rec Manager Charged
Drain OR - North Douglas Park &
Recreation district manager Judith
Charlene Burnett, 38, of Drain, was
arrested Jan. 4 on nine charges related to
theft and fraud from North Douglas Parks
& Recreation.
Burnett faces charges of first-degree
aggravated theft, four counts of fraudulent
use of a credit card and four counts of
computer crime. It is alleged that Burnett
stole more than $50,000 from North
Douglas Parks & Recreation between Aug.
1, 2023, and Dec. 1, 2023. An additional
$1,000 was alleged to have been used on a
credit card belonging to the district during
the months of August, September, October
and November 2023. She is charged with
using a computer systems or network “for
the purpose of committing theft of money
and/or currency.” Burnett was also the
cross country and track and field coach for
North Douglas High School since 2019.
The parks and recreation district is
funded through taxes and grants from local
foundations. Board members with North
Douglas Parks & Recreation did not make
any comment at this time.
She was conditionally released from
Douglas County Jail on Jan. 12 and is
restricted to having no contact with the
parks and recreation district.