A7
THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020
Trial team quits Stone case over dispute
By MICHAEL
BALSAMO and
ERIC TUCKER
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The
four lawyers who pros-
ecuted Roger Stone quit
the case after the Justice
Department overruled them
and said it would take the
extraordinary step of low-
ering the amount of prison
time it would seek for Pres-
ident Donald Trump’s long-
time ally and confi dant.
The departures on Tues-
day raised immediate ques-
tions over whether Trump,
who earlier in the day had
blasted the original sen-
tencing
recommenda-
tion as “very horrible and
unfair,” had at least indi-
rectly exerted his will on a
Justice Department that he
often views as an arm of the
White House.
The department insisted
the decision to undo the
sentencing recommendation
was made Monday night —
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo
Four lawyers who prosecuted
Roger Stone, pictured, quit
the case after the Justice
Department overruled them
and said it would lower the
amount of prison time for
Stone.
before Trump’s tweet — and
prosecutors had not spoken
to the White House about it.
Even so, the departures of
the entire trial team broke
open a simmering dispute
over the punishment of a
Trump ally whose case has
long captured the Repub-
lican president’s attention.
The episode was the lat-
est to entangle the Justice
Department, meant to oper-
ate free from White House
sway in criminal investiga-
tions and prosecutions, in
presidential politics.
The four attorneys,
including two who were
early members of special
counsel Robert Mueller’s
Russia team, comprised the
entire Justice Department
trial team that won convic-
tions against Stone last fall.
Each had signed onto a
Monday sentencing memo
that recommended between
seven and nine years in
prison for Stone, who was
convicted of lying to Con-
gress, witness tampering
and obstructing the House
investigation into whether
the Trump campaign coor-
dinated with Russia to tip
the 2016 election. None
lent their names to a Tues-
day memo that called the
original recommendation
excessive.
The departures leave
in limbo the resolution of
a case that was one of the
signature prosecutions of
Mueller’s team and that cut
to the heart of his mission
— to determine whether
the Trump team had access
to nonpublic information
about Democratic emails
hacked by Russian oper-
atives and provided to
WikiLeaks.
Trump was back on the
attack late Tuesday, slam-
ming the original sentenc-
ing recommendation and
questioning the judge over-
seeing the Stone case. And
by early Wednesday, he had
tweeted a congratulations to
Attorney General William
Barr “for taking charge of a
case that was totally out of
control and perhaps should
not have been brought,”
suggesting the prosecutors
had gone rogue.
lar season with home games
against Tillamook (0-5) and
Valley Catholic (3-2).
Columbia scores
payback with win
over Knappa boys
Banks holds off
Astoria boys, 53-44
Almost four weeks after
Knappa’s thrilling 52-49 win
over the Knights Jan. 15 at
Knappa, Columbia Christian
got its revenge with a 59-42
win over the Loggers in a key
Northwest League boys basket-
ball showdown Monday night.
The two teams could meet
again in the post-season, either
in a seeding game or at the state
tournament.
After fi nishing the league
season Wednesday at home
vs. Nestucca, the Loggers will
host a fi rst round state playoff
(date and opponent to be deter-
mined) before making the trip
to Pendleton.
In Monday’s game, the
Knights held a 26-19 halftime
lead and increased it to 44-25
with 1:30 left in the third quar-
ter, and still led 53-39 with just
2:33 left in the fourth.
— The Astorian
PREP HOOPS ROUNDUP
Valiants edge
Seaside girls, 48-43
Seaside had a great
opportunity to move up in
the Cowapa League girls
basketball standings Tues-
day night, but came up just
short at Valley Catholic.
The Valiants jumped out
to a quick lead, then held on
for an eventual 48-43 win
over the Lady Gulls.
Valley Catholic improved
to 3-2, a half-game lead on
Banks (3-3), while Seaside
dropped to 2-4. The Lady
Gulls have games remain-
ing with Tillamook (0-5)
and Banks. Seaside defeated
both teams in the fi rst half of
league play.
“We battled back but
could not quite get over
the hump,” Seaside coach
Mike Hawes said of Tues-
day’s loss. “Right now, with
some injuries and experi-
ence, we’re running six deep
and the kids just plumb get
worn out. I have nothing but
praise for their effort.”
Ruby Douglas and Lilli
Taylor scored 16 points apiece
for Seaside, which trailed
16-11 after one quarter. The
teams played evenly (32-32)
over the fi nal three quarters.
The Gulls struggled
from the 3-point line (2-for-
12) and the free throw line
(3-of-10), which made the
difference.
“If we could have cor-
ralled a few more rebounds,
made a few more free
throws, held (Josie) Nap-
oli in check just a bit … but
it didn’t happen,” Hawes
said. “Ruby (11 rebounds)
is playing well enough to
be on a fi rst name basis with
the coaches. ‘Guard Ruby.’
She kept us afl oat, and Lilli
almost got us back to square,
but the six that played all
played well and hard.”
Seaside boys pound
Valley Catholic
Headed for a league
championship showdown
against Banks next week,
the Seaside boys basketball
team tuned up with a 60-39
win Tuesday night at Valley
Catholic.
Beau Johnson scored a
game-high 16 points, and
the Gulls scored their second
blowout victory of the sea-
son over the Valiants. Sea-
side won the fi rst encounter
on Jan. 24, 77-25.
The Gulls had three
other players in double fi g-
ures: Ryan Hague with 14,
while Brayden Johnson and
Stephen Snyder scored 10
apiece.
Astoria girls beat
Banks, lock up
league title
With two games left in
an eight-game league sea-
son, the Astoria girls locked
up a Cowapa League cham-
pionship Tuesday night,
with an easy 50-31 win at
Banks.
The Lady Fishermen
overcame another slow start
and some foul trouble along
the way, but had the game
well in hand with a big 17-8
lead at halftime.
Astoria continues to look
unbeatable as it approaches
the post-season, improv-
ing to 6-0 in league fol-
lowing its ninth straight
win (13th against Oregon
competition).
Astoria’s
Brooklynn
Hankwitz spent nearly half
the game on the bench in
foul trouble, but still scored
a game-high 14 points
before fouling out early in
the fourth quarter.
Kelsey Fausett fi nished
with 12 points and Hai-
ley O’brien added 11 for
the Lady Fishermen, who
urned a 6-4 defi cit into a
12-6 lead, and were never
seriously threatened after
that.
With a 19-2 overall record
and ranked third in the latest
OSAA rankings, the Lady
Fishermen fi nish the regu-
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Astoria was within fi ve
points of Banks in the fourth
quarter, but a strong fi n-
ish for the Braves helped
Banks post a 53-44 win over
the Fishermen in a Cow-
apa League boys basketball
game Tuesday night.
After falling behind 17-4
to start the game, the Fisher-
men gradually fought their
way back in, tying the game
at 41-41 with just over two
minutes remaining in the
fourth quarter.
From there, “Banks just
went on a tear and fi nished
better than we did,” said
Astoria coach Kevin Goin.
“But I’m super proud of
guys for coming back the
way we did, and we had
every chance to win it. We
just ran out of gas at the
end.”
Jacob Slifka scored 24
points as the only Banks
player in double fi gures,
while Astoria’s M&M boys,
Xander Marincovich and
Colton McMaster, scored 11
and 10 points.
The Fishermen fi n-
ish the league season with
two games at home, with a
chance at landing a league
playoff spot with wins
over Tillamook and Valley
Catholic.
Ilwaco, Washington
1938 — 2020
M. Jack Cullimore, was always the one people
81, passed away on Feb. turned to for advice and a
6, 2020, at his home in supportive shoulder.
Jack was also
Ilwaco, Wash-
incredibly gener-
ington, after a
ous with his time
cruel battle with
and his abilities.
amyotrophic lat-
Quietly, and ask-
eral
sclerosis .
ing nothing in
He leaves behind
return, he under-
his beloved wife,
took charitable
Margarita,
an
projects
large
extended fam-
and small in the
ily and a life-
communities
time of friends
who loved him M. Jack Cullimore where he lived.
He was pas-
dearly.
Jack was born in Salt sionate about his work,
Lake City, Utah, and spent and equally passionate
his childhood in s outhern about his favorite pas-
Idaho and Utah. Jack was time: fl ying. Jack’s family
a graduate of the Univer- and friends enjoyed many
sity of Utah and Wood- exciting fl ying adventures
in his Grumman Tiger.
berry University.
A celebration of life
He joined the Army,
where he served for six remembering Jack will be
years, some of the time held Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
in Iran. He went on to a at the First United Meth-
very successful career in odist Church, 1076 Frank-
graphic design in s outh- lin Ave. (11th Street and
ern California, establish- Franklin), in Astoria,
ing long-term relationships Oregon.
Penttila’s Chapel in
with widely known clients
such as Sunkist Growers Long Beach, Washington,
and Fruit Growers Supply. is in charge of the arrange-
Jack was fun, and ments. An online guest
funny, a fi rm friend who book is available at pentti-
never met a stranger. He laschapel.com
OBITUARY POLICY
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can include a small photo and, for veterans, a fl ag sym-
bol at no charge. The deadline for all obituaries is 9 a.m.
the business day prior.
Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctua-
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be published at no charge. Notices must be submitted by
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Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at Dai-
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The Astorian offi ce, 949 Exchange St. in Astoria.
For more information, call 503-325-3211, ext. 257.
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EQUIPMENT , INC.
SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS
Looking to close out the
league season on a roll, the
Knappa girls basketball team
took a big step toward a top
four fi nish in the Northwest
League standings.
Knappa went on the
road and defeated Colum-
bia Christian 34-28 Monday
night, helping the Loggers
improve to 5-9 in league
play.
MONDAY
M. Jack Cullimore
CLATSOP
POWER
Knappa girls defeat
Knights, 34-28
SUNDAY
OBITUARIES
34912 HWY 101 BUS • ASTORIA
503-325-0792 • 1-800-220-0792
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
48 40
48 41
48 41
A brief shower
Breezy with rain
Periods of rain
or two
49 40
A little rain
49 40
50 41
50 41
A chance of rainShowers aroundA chance of rain
Aberdeen
Olympia
47/40
47/40
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
47/37
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Tuesday
Tonight’s Sky: Low in the west
at sunset, Mercury reaches its
highest point in evening sky.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 47/33
Normal high/low .................. 51/37
Record high .................. 66 in 1934
Record low .................... 21 in 1905
Precipitation
Tuesday ................................... 0.12”
Month to date ........................ 4.80”
Normal month to date ......... 2.97”
Year to date .......................... 22.94”
Normal year to date ........... 13.17”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Time
4:11 a.m.
4:23 p.m.
8.8 10:32 a.m. 1.0
7.8 10:37 p.m. 0.6
Cape Disappointment
3:47 a.m.
3:55 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 7:23 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 5:38 p.m.
Moonrise today ........... 11:32 p.m.
Moonset today ............ 10:03 a.m.
Last
New
First
Full
3:58 a.m.
4:07 p.m.
Warrenton
4:06 a.m.
4:18 p.m.
Knappa
4:48 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Feb 15 Feb 23 Mar 2
Mar 9
3:01 a.m.
3:08 p.m.
8.8 9:40 a.m.
7.7 9:48 p.m.
1.3
0.8
9.1 9:59 a.m. 1.1
8.1 10:08 p.m. 0.6
9.2 10:16 a.m. 1.1
8.2 10:21 p.m. 0.7
9.0 11:33 a.m. 0.9
8.0 11:38 p.m. 0.5
9.0 9:11 a.m.
7.9 9:17 p.m.
1.3
0.8
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
62/33/r
45/26/r
24/1/sn
46/26/s
32/18/pc
83/71/pc
61/39/s
69/47/pc
84/71/s
53/30/r
68/48/s
58/45/pc
63/35/r
48/28/pc
28/9/pc
18/10/s
52/37/s
49/20/s
82/70/pc
60/43/s
69/47/pc
85/68/s
33/17/pc
72/48/pc
61/45/pc
40/21/s
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
49/36
Hermiston
The Dalles 53/37
Enterprise
Pendleton 44/29
53/36
50/37
La Grande
44/31
47/36
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
43/31
Kennewick Walla Walla
51/36 Lewiston
52/36
45/39
Salem
Pullman
50/27
Longview
48/40 Portland
46/39
41/30
Yakima 44/31
45/37
Astoria
Spokane
43/31
Corvallis
49/36
Albany
47/37
John Day
Eugene
Bend
48/36
48/28
47/32
Ontario
49/31
Caldwell
Burns
48/25
49/32
Medford
52/36
Klamath Falls
51/25
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
43/28/pc
51/39/sh
48/42/r
46/35/r
48/40/sh
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
42/26/c
53/42/c
47/43/sh
49/38/sh
48/40/sh
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
51/39/sh
50/38/sh
48/41/r
48/37/sh
45/38/r
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
51/40/sh
50/37/sh
48/41/sh
50/38/sh
50/39/sh