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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2016)
REGION Tuesday, February 23, 2016 East Oregonian MILTON-FREEWATER Page 3A BOARDMAN City’s ‘brightest diamonds’ honored Woman escapes from the ex who kidnapped, assaulted her By MARCIA AKES For the East Oregonian The Community Building was packed Saturday evening for the WK 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU$UHD Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet: Dazzling Diamonds “An Evening Filled with Brilliance.” Man of the Year honors went to Dr. Norman Saager, whose list of accomplish ments were conveyed by Larry Anderson, last year’s winner. Anderson explained that Saager returned to 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU DIWHU college and his dad signed him up for membership in almost every organization in town. That started his volun teering “and he has never been able to kick the habit.” In 1990, Saager was named Junior Citizen of the Year. The owner of Broadway Family Dental Care is a consistent sponsor for schools, sports teams, youth clubs and local organizations and events. He helped start WKH0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU'RZQ town Alliance (MFDA), GRQDWHGRI¿FHVSDFHDQGKDV served as executive director. “He has a passion for helping the community ... which is contagious for anyone around him.” Saager wasn’t able to attend the event because of family vacation. Woman of the Year Judy Chesnut was truly surprised when enough had been revealed that she realized she was the winner. Jennifer Anderson, last year’s honoree, noted that the retired school teacher continues to mentor and coach when needed. Chesnut is involved in her church as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, secretary and serves on the commission on ministry. She LVDPHPEHURI3(20) Chamber Ambassadors and on the board of the MFDA. Walking in the annual Crop Walk, she helps raise funds Saager Lonai Chesnut Silva Drury for the hungry; and she can be seen working at the Muddy Frogwater Festival as well as on various other community projects. “She does not just sit back and watch others do, she leads.” Other award winners included: Ben Silva: Junior Citizen. Silva was recog QL]HGIRUDOOWKHVHOÀHVVWLPH he puts into the youth of the community coaching foot ball, wrestling and baseball. Vivian Jorgensen: Golden Pioneer. Jorgensen has been a volunteer in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for almost 50 years. She has EHHQD+OHDGHUDQGVFKRRO volunteer, taught First Aid classes for the Red Cross, visits the elderly, and has knitted hundreds of stocking caps, lap robes and afghans for veterans and active military. Charles Robertson: Golden Pioneer. The \HDUROG :RUOG :DU ,, veteran made substantial contributions to agriculture in the region, coached Little League, was a member of the Jacycees and Masonic Lodge, served on the Eastside School Board and helped repair the school when needed. Kathy Lonai: Educator. Students writing in support of the Ferndale second grade Jorgensen Abigail Biggs, Hill teacher said they could tell she really cared about them. Years later, she still recognizes them when they meet somewhere. Lonai has taught for 27 years and is a ¿UP EHOLHYHU WKDW KHOSLQJ a student become a strong reader helps equip them for life. Sadie Drury: Agri-Busi- ness. Drury joined Seven Hills Vineyard as their viti culturist in 2013. Her compe tency and leadership abilities were quickly recognized and she was promoted to opera tions manager. Described as a rare individual and vital leader that has a vision of something beyond what they achieve alone, Drury makes sure the needs of Eastern Oregon wine growers are EHLQJLGHQWL¿HGDQGPHW Abigail “Abi” Biggs: Youth of the Year. Abi’s many activities include helping at the Special Olympics, the Crop Walk, community service projects, and working on houses for the homeless. She is a member of the National +RQRU6RFLHW\0DF+L-D]] Band and her church youth group, and is active in soft ball, basketball and soccer. Abi was voted the 2015 Homecoming Queen by her classmates. Art Hill: Community Service Award. Hill Robertson Amon recently retired as BMCC’s Vice President of Economic Development, has mentored small business owners in Eastern Oregon for the last 15 years, and is an author. Noting his positive attitude and integrity, Hill was recog nized for his support of the 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHU FRPPX nity and volunteer help at various local events. “Art is one of the most dedicated and driven individuals … DQGRQHRIWKH¿QHVWSHRSOH to have on your team!” Debbie Amon: Commu- nity Recognition Award. $PRQ ZDV SDUW RI WKH ¿UVW collaboration when Blue Mountain Community &ROOHJH RSHQHG DQ RI¿FH LQ 0LOWRQ)UHHZDWHULQ,Q 1992, she went to work for %0&& DV RI¿FH VSHFLDOLVW and has helped with count less community events. Amon has received awards and accolades for the many facets of her support and has HYHQ UHFHLYHG ÀRZHUV IURP WKH ORFDO ¿UH GHSDUWPHQW LQ appreciation of her support to them. Julie Culjak was recog nized for her service with the President’s Award from Chamber President Gina Hartzheim. The ceremony ended with Susan Daniels winning the prize of the evening, a 1/3 carat diamond. HEPPNER By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian A Boardman woman escaped a man that kidnapped, strangled and assaulted her this weekend, according to Morrow County Sheriff Ken Matlack. The suspect, Travis Lane Thomas, 44, pleaded not guilty Monday in Morrow County Circuit Court to 11 counts: four RI ¿UVWGHJUHH kidnapping; two Thomas RI ¿UVWGHJUHH assault; and RQH HDFK RI VHFRQG DQG IRXUWKGHJUHH DVVDXOW menacing and strangulation. A caller on Saturday morning at 7:35 asked law enforcement to pick up a woman outside his home on Hill Top Lane, Boardman, according to a written statement from the Morrow &RXQW\ 6KHULII¶V 2I¿FH The woman, the caller stated, was an assault victim “covered in blood and only wearing a coat.” %RDUGPDQ SROLFH RI¿FHU Matt Clinard and Morrow County sheriff’s deputy 0DWW&URZHOOZHUHWKH¿UVW police on the scene, and the Boardman Ambulance took Heather Payne to Good Shepherd Medical Center, Hermiston. There VKHWDONHGWRRI¿FHUVEHIRUH the hospital transferred her to Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, Wash ington, due to a serious head injury. Matlack said she had bleeding in her brain from the assault, and Kadlec treated her and sent her back to Good Shepherd, which expected to release her early Students sew blankets for children’s hospital By KATHY ANEY East Oregonian BRIEFLY Kennewick woman dies in 395 wreck Whoever thinks mathema ticians only ponder formulas, factors and probabilities doesn’t know Troy Morgan. Morgan, who teaches math at Heppner Senior High School, also has a heart for FKLOGUHQVSHFL¿FDOO\WKRVHDW Portland’s Doernbecher Chil dren’s Hospital. He recently RUJDQL]HGDSURMHFWWREHQH¿W the medical center’s young patients. In Morgan’s plan, students would sew blankets for seri ously ill or hurt children at Doernbecher in an effort to make them feel warm, cozy and loved. The children take the blankets with them when they leave the hospital. During two “Mathathon” sewing sessions, students learned to stitch together two VTXDUHV RI ÀHHFH RQ WKUHH sides, turn the blanket inside out and stitch the edges using sewing machines brought to school by community members. “Even people who had never seen a sewing machine were able to make a blanket and make a difference,” said senior Patrick Collins, who sewed before basketball practice. Pam Norton and Pat Doherty tutored the students in how to use a sewing machine. To make it less daunting for some kids, Norton likened the sewing machine pedal to that of a farm vehicle. “The pedal is just like a gas pedal on a tractor,” she told them. “Just ease into it.” Contributed photo Heppner students pose with some of the blankets they made for children at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. After getting them started, she and Doherty just stood back and let them go. “It was pure joy seeing these kids,” Norton said. “They knew they were doing it for a good cause.” Collins, who had no prior sewing experience, admitted, “I was a little out of my comfort zone.” Soon, however, under the guidance of the experienced seamstresses, he had his sewing machine humming. Collins and fellow football and basketball teammate C.J. Kindle shared a machine DQG FRPSOHWHG ¿YH EODQNHWV between them. Senior Wes Putman, another of Collins’ team mates, said he has always relied on his mom for any sewing. He approached the sewing machine with trepi dation. “I’d never touched one before,” said Putman, who completed two blankets. Putman and Collins were among 60 students who cut, pinned and sewed 35 blan NHWV7KRVH¿QLVKHGSURGXFWV joined other blankets and quilts sewn by community members for a total of 57. “I was ecstatic,” Morgan said. “I would have been happy with 10. My goal was 20.” Morgan made the blan NHWPDNLQJ VHVVLRQV LQWR PLQLPDWK OHVVRQV JLYLQJ attention to measuring and calculations. As the students sewed away on their machines, Morgan admitted to a lump in his throat. ³7KHUHZHUHOLWWOHVHYHQWK graders and big football players who had just won the state championship,” he said. “It tugged at my heart.” Morgan said some local children have stayed at Doer nbecher in the past. “Those kids still have their blankets,” Morgan said. 7KLV LV WKH ¿UVW WLPH students have made blan kets. In past years, students raised funds. In 2012, they raised $4,800 and, in 2013, $IWHU D WZR\HDU respite, instead of raising money, Morgan instigated the blanket making, along with asking for donations of school supplies, toys and games. Collins said he wasn’t surprised when his math teacher pitched the blanket idea to students and local seamstresses. “Mr. Morgan is always looking for some way to help somebody else,” Collins said. “He wanted to get the whole community together for the blanket project,” Putman said. “It took off.” Morgan and some students planning on going into medicine will deliver the blankets and supplies to Doernbecher in the near future. ——— Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastoregonian.com or call 541-966-0810. BUCKAROO BOOSTER CLUB FUNDRAISER TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm Set this week. Matlack said Payne was staying alone in a friend’s recreational vehicle in the West Glen Edition of south east Boardman. Thomas was at his motor home at 70072 Kunze Road on the same property where Payne was. Saturday around sunrise, Matlack said, Thomas kidnapped Payne and forced her into his home. The two were previously in a relationship and Morrow County records show Thomas has domestic violence convictions in 2015 for menacing and assaulting her. Thomas bound Payne’s feet and hands, the sheriff said, then assaulted and strangled her. Thomas stepped out around 7:30 a.m. but told Payne he would be right back. Matlack said Payne broke her bonds, grabbed her coat and left out a window. She made it about 100 yards before getting help from residents on Hill Top Lane. Members of the sheriff’s RI¿FHDQG%RDUGPDQSROLFH tried to contact Thomas at his home, Matlack said, but he did not answer the door. So sheriff’s detective Brian Snyder obtained a search warrant. Matlack said Thomas ZDV ZHDULQJ EORRGVWDLQHG clothes and sitting on the ÀRRU ZKHQ RI¿FHUV HQWHUHG the home, and he did not put XSD¿JKWGXULQJWKHDUUHVW Circuit Judge Eva Temple set bail Monday for Thomas at $100,000. He remains in the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton. ® ® Lift away the years. Experience the power an innovative regimen created to target the advanced signs of aging. This premium set reduces the look of deep lines and wrinkles, restores the appearance of lifted contours and recaptures youthful volume. Are you ready to see these amazing results? Contact me to rediscover your youth. Beth Marquardt Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/bethmarquardt • 541-969-0985 LAND & SEA DINNER & AUCTION Over $40,000 in auction items up for bid! Wednesday, February 24 th • $ 25 per person Dinner 5:30-7:00 pm • Auction 6:30 pm Pendleton Convention Center Limited to first 500 tickets sold PILOT ROCK — Alexxyss L. Therwhanger, 20, was SURQRXQFHGGHDGDWWKHVFHQHRIDKHDGRQZUHFN)ULGD\ afternoon on Highway 395 south of Pilot Rock, according to Oregon State Police. At approximately 4 p.m., the Kennewick woman was driving a 1998 Buick Century sedan when it failed to nego tiate a left hand curve in the roadway. The Buick, which was traveling northbound, crossed over into the southbound lane and collided with a 1994 Lincoln Continental. Francis (Frank) Charles Wimberley, 60, of Prairie City, the driver of the Lincoln Continental, was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, by air ambulance with serious injuries. A passenger in Wimber ley’s vehicle, Donnetta Marie Kulis, 54, of Prairie City was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton, also with serious injuries. Highway 395 was closed for approximately an hour and a half. Contributing factors of the crash are still being investigated. OSP was assisted by Pendleton Fire and Ambulance Department, the Pilot Rock Quick Response Team, the Pilot Rock Police Department, Oregon Department of Transportation and Pendleton Life Flight. TRCI inmate hospitalized after assault UMATILLA — An inmate at Two Rivers Correctional ,QVWLWXWLRQZDVÀRZQWRDQDUHDKRVSLWDORYHUWKHZHHNHQG after an altercation with another inmate. Hermiston Fire & Emergency Services responded to a report of “trauma” at TRCI at 12:40 p.m. Sunday. Oregon State Police are investigating the Sunday incident as an assault between two inmates. One inmate suffered serious injuries and was transported by helicopter. Inmate names and additional information has not yet been released due to the ongoing investigation. LET US “MEAT” YOUR NEEDS Box includes: • 2 T-Bones Steaks • 2 Rib Steaks • 2 New York Steaks • 2 Top Sirloin • 1 - 3-4 lb. Boneless Chuck Roast • 5 - 1 lb. Pkg Lean Ground Beef Sampler Box $ 100 (Reg. $125) Tickets available at Big John’s Pizza, Pendleton Athletic, PHS Main Office, Dave’s Chevron and any Booster Board Member. PENDLETON ELECTRIC COMPANY D.A. DAVIDSON & CO. • GORDON’S ELECTRIC INC. McDONALDS of PENDLETON • PAPA MURPHY’S PIZZA McLAUGHLIN LANDSCAPING • THEWS SHEET METAL 541-567-2011 253 W. Hermiston Ave., Hermiston
