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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2017)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 County firefighters answer call to help California A dozen were sent to fight blazes By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department A dozen firefighters from Clatsop County have been sent to Ven- tura County, Calif., to fight growing wildfires. From left to right: Amy Lenz, Brandin Smith, Flint Helligso, Justin Perdew, Tanner Rich, Chris Dugan, Ron Tyson, Dallas Ritchie, Genesee Dennis. Front row: Matt Benedict, Angels Perez and Katie Bulletset. Clatsop County firefighters were among the many from Oregon deployed to help Southern California battle mul- tiple blazes Wednesday morning. A dozen firefighters from six depart- ments around the county will be teamed up with another task force from Marion County and spend at least 16 days fight- ing fires in Ventura County near Los Angeles, said Lewis & Clark Fire Chief Jeff Golightly. Firefighters include Ron Tyson of Olney Walluski Fire & Rescue District; Amy Lenz, Dallas Ritchie and Troy Aaron and Baden James Biddle Ocean Park teen sentenced for robbery of pizza delivery driver Oct. 22, 1965 — Nov. 25, 2017 Sept. 12, 2004 — Nov. 25, 2017 Bainbridge Island, Washington Troy Biddle, 52, and Baden Biddle, 13, School. Last month he tried out and made the passed away on Nov. 25, 2017, in a car acci- seventh grade Woodward Middle School bas- ketball team, as well as the Roots dent in San Pablo, California, in traveling basketball squad that was which Troy’s brother-in-law and to be coached by Troy. Baden’s uncle, Daryl Horn, 50, It was no surprise that early on and Troy’s nephew and Baden’s Baden developed a love for sports, cousin, Joseph Horn, 14, also died. The family had been together especially football, basketball and over the holiday weekend, and baseball. Undoubtedly, because of were driving home from an annual Troy’s enthusiasm for all sports father-son basketball tournament, and natural ability, coupled with when the car driven by Jared Horn, the Horn family’s deep roots in 19, who survived the accident, sports, Baden started playing on Baden James and was struck by another car. By all teams through parks and recre- Troy Aaron Biddle ation as soon as possible. accounts, everyone had an amaz- ing day at the tournament, not only Baden’s skills in any given playing basketball but also laughing, making sport may have taken several years to develop, new friends, and reconnecting with others. but his sense of friendship, teamwork, respect Troy was born in 1965 and raised in Asto- and everything else that it takes to be a good ria, Oregon. He graduated from Astoria High teammate was present from the beginning. School in 1983, earned his bachelor of science Baden’s positive attitude made him the con- degree from the University of Oregon in 1988, summate teammate and friend. Baden cannot only be defined by his love and a juris doctorate from Willamette Univer- sity in 1998. As a lifelong Ducks fan, while at of sports, although he could rattle off the latest UO, Troy was also an active member of Phi sports news and statistics at will. Baden also Delta Theta fraternity, where he made a num- had a great ear for music, played guitar, and ber of close friends. listened to everything from classic rock to rap. Troy attended Willamette School of Law, Like his father, Baden had an analytical mind, following a career with Durham & Bates in was incredibly observant, possessed a sharp Portland, Oregon, and in Seattle, Washington, wit and, although somewhat reserved, was qui- where he started the company’s first maritime etly self-assured for his age. And, like his mom, Baden seized every insurance practice. It was at the first day of law school orientation, in 1995, when he met and opportunity to create memories with friends, became friends with Amanda Horn, who years and never took himself too seriously. The spar- kle in Baden’s eyes, bright smile, gentle per- later he would marry. Following law school, they both clerked for sonality, and creative sense of humor will be the Lane County Circuit Court judges, lived in deeply missed by his family, friends, teachers Redondo Beach and practiced law in Southern and community. California, and ultimately settled in Bainbridge Troy Biddle and Baden Biddle are survived Island, Washington, in 2007 to raise their two respectively by their: wife and mother, Amanda children, Baden James Biddle and Devon Isa- Horn, Bainbridge Island; daughter and sister, bel Biddle. Devon Biddle, 10, Bainbridge Island; mother While he practiced at several regional and and grandmother, Judy Benson, Astoria; national law firms after moving to Washington, brother and uncle, Todd Biddle (Debbie), Port- earlier this year he and two colleagues formed land; niece and cousin, Ashley Gram (Chris), their own firm, Carroll Biddle & Bilanko. This Portland; father-in- law and grandfather, Dan move, along with his partnership in a heated Horn (Betsy), American Canyon, Califor- glove company, Chaval Outdoor, showcased nia; sister-in- law and aunt, Denise Horn, and nephew and cousin, Jared Horn; and niece and Troy’s entrepreneurial spirit. Troy possessed a strong sense of commit- cousin, Greta Horn, Napa, California. ment to his family, friends and community. Other surviving family members include Over the years, he devoted a great deal of aunts and great-aunts Jan Benson of Portland energy to coaching as an extension of his love and Joyce Benson of Astoria, uncle Jim Ben- of sports and knack at helping people define, son of Astoria, and cousins Alyssa San Juan (Jayson) of Everett, Washington; Beth Tubbs set and achieve their goals. While Troy enjoyed cycling, river rafting (Eric) of Seattle, Washington; and Erin Jack- and other outdoor adventures, he may have son (Casey) of Gearhart, Oregon. Troy and Baden were preceded in death been happiest at home with friends and family, where his quick wit, coupled with deep insight by father and grandfather, Ronald Biddle, and critical listening, could shine. Troy was a and mother-in-law and grandmother, Helen relationship-builder, and he loved connecting Lautenschalger. Troy and Baden’s lives will be remembered his family with his many friends, from frater- nity brothers to childhood friends to colleagues on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the and his Bainbridge Island community. Bainbridge Island High School Commons; and After attending Odyssey, a multiage school on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. at The program on Bainbridge Island from second Loft at the Red Building in Astoria, Oregon. through sixth grades, this fall Baden Biddle In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be excitedly started seventh grade with his team- made to the Troy and Baden Biddle Memorial mates and other friends at Woodward Middle Fund located at Wells Fargo branches. By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian An Ocean Park, Washing- ton, teenager was sentenced Wednesday to more than 4½ years in prison after admit- ting to robbing a Sahara Pizza delivery driver in June. Christopher Joe Reimers, 17, pleaded guilty to sec- ond-degree robbery after reaching a deal with the Clat- sop County District Attor- ney’s Office. He originally also faced charges of first-de- gree robbery, first-degree bur- glary, second-degree theft and strangulation. Reimers and Hart Holden Stone, 20, of Astoria, ordered a pizza to an Emerald Heights home where one of them used to reside. When the driver approached the door, Reimers placed him in a chokehold while Stone grabbed a cash bag and fled. Astoria police arrested Stone shortly after, but Facebook.com/DailyAstorian WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 NO DINNER A juvenile green sea turtle found stranded Sunday morn- ing near Fort Stevens State Park has died. The 20- to 30-pound tur- tle was discovered by a ranger at the mouth of the Columbia River near the South Jetty. Green sea turtles typically inhabit tropical waters, so find- ing a young Pacific green tur- tle is “very rare,” according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Advisor Laura Todd. The species is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. When the green sea turtle arrived for treatment, aquar- ium staff administered flu- ids, obtained blood samples and conducted a physical assessment. This is the third turtle found recently on the coast. The Oregon Coast Aquar- ium is in the midst of rehab- bing an olive ridley sea turtle found in Ilwaco, Washington, in late November. Turkey, the female olive ridley found on Washington’s Benson Beach 80 th y a d h t r i B ck e i R n Ke You are invited to the Annual Christmas WHITE ELEPHANT Party! Saturday December 9 th 4P until g M one Christmas Dinner Turkey with all the trimmings S UNDAY , D ECEMBER 10 TH Starting at 4 PM until 8 PM Gifts valued at $10 or less Call us for more information & FREE to all Veteran’s & Their Families Donations Welcome!!!!!!! ASTORIA AMERICAN LEGION 1132 Exchange Street | 325-5771 Reimers’ criminal history includes convictions for dis- orderly conduct, theft, menac- ing and assault. He has been lodged in a Cowlitz County, Washington, jail, where he has accrued several behavioral violations. James Lee von Boeck- mann, Reimers’ court-ap- pointed attorney, said he and a defense investigator recently had a heart-to-heart conversa- tion. After the conversation, Reimers apologized individ- ually to employees at the jail. Reimers also cited a troubled upbringing after Brownhill prodded him for a response. “You need to understand you can change that. Just because you didn’t have the best upbringing doesn’t mean you have to be a criminal,” Brownhill said. “You’re get- ting special treatment because you’re young and we all have hope that you can improve yourself and contribute to society.” The Daily Astorian Clatsop Post 12 Friday , Dec . 8 th Reimers escaped after toiling through blackberry bushes, Chief Deputy District Attor- ney Ron Brown said. Author- ities located him a few days later. Stone pleaded guilty to sec- ond-degree robbery last week and was also sentenced to 4½ years. He will serve the prison time concurrently with a sep- arate case in which he admit- ted to burglarizing the Astoria Coffeehouse & Bistro a few days before the pizza robbery. During Reimers’ sentenc- ing, Circuit Court Judge Paula Brownhill chided him for not fully articulating what crimes led to his guilty plea after she had asked. He also denied having contact with Stone. “You’re 17 years old, you just pled guilty to a rob- bery and you have nothing to say?” Brownhill asked. “I’m not encouraged about your chances for success when you’ve started off on the wrong foot here.” Turtle found near Fort Stevens dies Happy Follow us on Facebook! Gearhart Fire Chief Bill Eddy said two of his firefighters are on the task force, and said he was happy Clatsop County could help. “During our summer, the state of California sent resources to Oregon to assist us in our fight, we are proud to be able to return the favor and hope we can make a difference,” Eddy said. At the Gearhart City Council meet- ing Wednesday, Mayor Matt Brown asked firefighters to be safe and praised their readiness to serve in the midst of the holiday season. “They’re so ready to go and serve, even though some of them are going to be there possibly until Christmas,” Brown said. “They didn’t even hesi- tate to say, ‘Hey, we’re going down to help out.’” Justin Perdew of Knappa Fire District; Brandin Smith and Flint Helligso of Lewis & Clark Fire Department; Tanner Rich and Angels Perez of Gearhart Vol- unteer Fire Department; Chris Dugan, Genesee Dennis and Katie Bulletset of Seaside Fire Department and Cannon Beach Fire Chief Matt Benedict. This will be the third time local fire- fighters will have deployed this year to aid with fires outside of the county. As of Wednesday, multiple fires have prompted officials to issue evac- uation orders for nearly 200,000 peo- ple in Southern California and have destroyed nearly 200 homes, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Accord- ing to the office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, 150 Oregon firefighters are in California. 503.738.7763 • 2490 Hwy 101 N., Seaside Open at 11:00am • Closed Mondays Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium A turtle that washed ashore near Fort Stevens has died. that arrived at the Oregon State Aquarium on Thanksgiving, is still undergoing treatment. Sea turtles are not found on Oregon or Washington state beaches unless stranded, Sally Compton, the public relations coordinator with the aquarium, said. Cold water temperatures, changing current and harsh storms wash the hypothermic turtles ashore. TO THE $ 7-Day Pass... ONLY 30 The NW Connector is your ticket to the Oregon Coast. No car, no problem. Bike the coast?...why not! Short stay long stay... okay! Explore the scenic Oregon Coast with the NW Connector’s daily, round trip buses running from Astoria to Yachats. Affordable three and seven-day passes with unlimited FREE transfers all along our beautiful coast. Plan your trip at: www. nwconnector .org (Oh yeah...did we mention we’ve got bike racks?)
