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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2016)
REGION Tuesday, March 1, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A Two Rivers inmate dies after being found unresponsive in his cell East Oregonian Staff photo by Phil Wright Hearts in motion Elementary Team A from Jr. Jam Dance, Pendleton, performs an “I Love Lucy” themed dance routine Saturday at Pendleton High School in the 29th Hearts in Motion Dance Competition. The event is the annual fundraiser for the school’s Rhythmic Mode Dance Team. Jr. Jam chairwoman Kristen LeGore said 350 dancers on 10 teams from across Oregon participated. An Oregon Department of Corrections inmate died Saturday at a Portland-area hospital. The inmate had been incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Insti- tution in Umatilla. The death has EHHQ FODVVL¿HG E\ the Department of Corrections as an unanticipated death and the Oregon State Abbot Police Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an investigation. According to the Depart- ment of Corrections, staff at Two Rivers found inmate Joel Abbot, 60, unrespon- sive in his cell on Saturday. He was taken off-site for medical care at approxi- mately 10:30 a.m. The name of the Port- land-area hospital where Abbot was taken was not released. The DOC said Abbot was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. Abbot had been in DOC custody for nearly 23 years, since March 23, 1993, and was serving a life sentence on one count RI ¿UVWGHJUHH murder out of Deschutes County. According to The (Bend) Bulletin, Abbot was convicted of killing Carolann Payne, who disap- peared in 1985 at the age of 35. Her body was never found. Payne was Abbot’s girlfriend at the time of her disappearance. Abbot was arrested in May 1992 after a prolonged investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s 2I¿FH Next of kin has been QRWL¿HG'2&VDLGQRRWKHU details were available at this time. Two Rivers Corrections institution houses about 1,800 inmates in Umatilla. BRIEFLY HERMISTON — Stripe rust was recently spotted in DQLUULJDWHGZKHDW¿HOGQHDU Hermiston, according to scientists with Oregon State University. ,WLVWKH¿UVWUHSRUWRIWKH fungal disease in Eastern Oregon in 2016. Stripe rust grows on the leaves of wheat plants and can reduce yield in severe cases. Larry Lutcher, soil scientist with OSU Extension Service in Morrow County, said the disease is thus far OLPLWHGWRMXVWRQH¿HOG,W has not yet been found in any dryland wheat. Stripe rust tends to thrive in cool, moist conditions when farmers would otherwise expect a promising harvest, Lutcher said. The last year with substantial rust damage came in 2012. “There’s more rain, more humidity, more leaf tissue and more opportunity for the fungus to grow,” Lutcher said. The early start to rust season suggests farmers should take extra care VFRXWLQJWKHLU¿HOGV/XWFKHU said. Fungicides can help if the infection is found and treated early. 'U\ODQG¿HOGVHPHUJH much later than irrigated wheat. However, growers should be aware of the potential for rust later in the season. Meetings scheduled on forest restoration PENDLETON — The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled a series of meetings for the public to weigh in on an ambitious restoration project on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Ochoco national forests. The Forest Resiliency Project aims to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration in the area, restoring the Blue Mountains to healthier condition and lowering the ULVNRIVHYHUHZLOG¿UHV Foresters would thin a combined 610,000 acres of trees and brush across the three forests, and use prescribed burns to reintroduce the natural role RI¿UHRQWKHODQGVFDSH Treatments would span 13 counties in Eastern Oregon and southeast Washington. Public meetings will be held to share information and discuss concerns among residents. Project leaders will visit the Pendleton Convention Center on Thursday, March 10; the Heppner Ranger District 2I¿FHRQ7XHVGD\0DUFK 15; and the Blue Mountains Conference Center in La Grande. All meetings will run from 6-9 p.m. Public comments will be accepted on the project through April 5. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ forestresiliencyproject or contact Darcy Weseman at 541-278-3755. Tom Insko, Nils Christoffersen reappointed to forestry board PENDLETON — The Oregon Legislature has reappointed Tom Insko and Nils Christoffersen to the state Board of Forestry. The seven-member forestry board is responsible for appointing the state forester and adopts rules regulating forest practices in Oregon. Members are appointed by the governor DQGFRQ¿UPHGE\WKHVWDWH Senate. Insko is the president of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, and a former regional manager of Boise Cascade, which manufactures paper and other wood products. Christoffersen, of Enterprise, is the executive director of Wallowa Resources, a QRQSUR¿WJURXSIRFXVHG on stewardship, renewable energy and business development. Cindy Deacon Jones, a FRQVXOWLQJ¿VKHULHVELRORJLVW from Medford, was also reappointed to the board. 7KHLUWHUPVZLOORI¿FLDOO\ begin Tuesday and run for four years through Feb. 29, 2020. The board is required to meet once per quarter. The next regular meeting will be March 9 in Salem. SALEM — Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) is representing small businesses on another state committee. Smith was appointed by House Speaker Tina Kotek as co-chair of the newly created Special Committee on Small Business Growth. Earlier in February Gov. Kate Brown also appointed him to the Governor’s Small Business Advisory Cabinet. Smith is the only Eastern Oregon representative on both committees. The House committee’s primary goals are to gather LQGXVWU\VSHFL¿FLQIRUPDWLRQ on small business needs, identify solutions to maintain Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/bethmarquardt • 541-969-0985 and grow small businesses in those industries and develop recommendations and draft legislation for the 2017 session. In addition to his legislative duties, Smith is also a small business owner specializing in economic development and commercial DQGLQGXVWULDO¿QDQFLQJ He said in a news release that his hope is to bring “private sector experience and rural perspective” to the committee’s work. Retired educators meet Thursday PENDLETON — Students on the National History Day Team from Griswold High School in Helix will tell about their program during the upcoming Morrow- Umatilla Retired Educators Association meeting. Guests are welcome to attend the no-host gathering Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at The Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, 230 S.E. Court Ave. Pendleton. The event includes a short business meeting. Membership in MUREA is not limited to retired educators but is open to anyone interested in education. For more information, call unit president Bill Mayclin at 541-276-4540. Local author to discuss new novel PENDLETON — Local author Peg Willis will sign copies and discuss her new book, “Rise Above.” A historically accurate novel, Willis tells the story of one man’s quest to reunite with his children following the devastating Hepper Flood of 1903. Presented by the Pendleton Public Library and Armchair Books, the event is Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, 501 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton. The unexpected cloudburst turned an otherwise mild day into one that Heppner would never forget. Willis blends factual accounts and real heroes RIWKH+HSSQHUÀRRGZLWK D¿FWLRQDOVWRU\OLQHDERXW residents impacted by the disaster. For more information, call 541-966-0380 or 541-276-7323. For a book review, visit www. eastoregonian.com/eo/ book-reviews/20151212/ WUDJLFÀRRGEDVLVRIQHZ novel. Sports boosters set steak feed HERMISTON — The 37th annual Hermiston Booster Club steak feed is this weekend. The event, which includes DVLOHQWDXFWLRQUDIÀHDQG live auction, is Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. Tickets are $40 and are available at Eastside Market, the HHS DWKOHWLFRI¿FHRUWKHGRRU For more information, call Joe Thompson at 541-564-5811. BABYSITTING BASICS For babysitters ages 10-15. Learn childcare techiques, children's developmental stages and what to expect, basic first aid and infant and child CPR. $30, includes lunch & all class materials. 9:00am - 3:00pm March 12 or April 2 Must pre-register and pre-pay, call 541-667-3509 SELF DEFENSE Learn self-defense techniques, including: Awareness, home security, verbal de-escalation, evading and escaping maneuvers. This is a contact class. Age 12 and up. Free, but must pre-register. Call 541-667-3509. March 31 • 6:00 - 8:00pm GSMC Conference Center 2 LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S MID-STAGE: This FREE program is designed to provide caregivers with the knowledge, tools and strategies needed to cope with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. March 10 • 2:00 - 6:00pm 37 TH ANNUAL GSMC Conference Room 2 HERMISTON SPORTS BOOSTERS STEAK FEED & AUCTION Saturday, March 5th • 5:30pm Auction starts at 7:00pm Hermiston Community Center UMATILLA — Steve Potts is now the interim chief of the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District. Fred Sheely, chairman of the Umatilla Fire Board, FRQ¿UPHG0RQGD\WKH board had named Potts to the position during its February meeting. Potts has handled most administrative duties for the district since September, when Chief Michael Roxbury went on medical leave. Potts and Roxbury are the only two paid employees of the Umatilla Rural Fire Look simply radiant for your wedding day. Schedule a free makeover. Invite your bridesmaids. Your mom. I can even help with great gifts for your wedding party. Call me today. Smith appointed to second small business committee Potts named LQWHULP¿UHFKLHI all eyes on the bride Beth Marquardt Protection District. 7KH¿UHFKLHIDQG UHFUXLWPHQWUHWHQWLRQRI¿FHU supervise the district’s buildings, equipment and volunteers. Umatilla’s roster includes 20 active volunteer ¿UH¿JKWHUVDQGWKUHHUHVHUYH ¿UH¿JKWHUV Potts became a volunteer ¿UH¿JKWHUZLWK8PDWLOODLQ 1988. He accepted a full-time position as EMS coordinator in 2012 and shifted to recruitment and retention RI¿FHUDIWHUWKHGLVWULFW contracted with Hermiston Fire and Emergency Services for ambulance services. The Umatilla district maintains quick response medical VHUYLFHVDVZHOODV¿UH functions. The Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District Board next meets Wednesday. Roxbury remains on medical leave. FOR TABLE RESERVATIONS, $ 40 per pers on call Paul 541-567-5215 or formore info., call Joe 541-571-4478 Everyone 21 years & over welcome. All proceeds will assist Hermiston High School boys and girl athletic programs. This ad generously donated by LUKE DYNES POWERFUL TOOLS FOR THE CAREGIVER: A FREE program for family caregivers. Build a toolkit for taking better care of yourself while caring for a loved one. Learn how to reduce stress and relax, communicate effectively, reduce guilt and anger, make tough decisions, set goals and problem solve. Must attend the first class. Registration is required as space is limited. Sign up by 3/18. Tuesdays • 4:00 - 7:30pm March 22 through April 26 Call 541-667-3509 a proud community supporter HERMISTONSPORTSBOOSTERS . COM GIFT WITH PURCHASE * © 2016 Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. MERLENORMAN.COM Stripe rust found LQZKHDW¿HOG Receive the gift of gorgeous, glowing skin with these trial-sizes. *FREE with the purchase of two or more Merle Norman cosmetic products. Cosmetic accessories not included. Offer valid while supplies last at participating Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios beginning March 1, 2016. Limit one per customer. We reserve the right to substitute individual components of gift. 1915 Washington St. Baker City TRYING TO QUIT TOBACCO? Contact our tobacco cessation specialist to schedule your free consultation. Call 541-667-3509 for more info or to schedule an appointment. HEALTHY FRIDAYS FREE health screenings & health coaching: Blood pressure checks, weigh-ins, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose. First Friday of each month 9:30 - 11:30am Third Friday of each month 2:00 - 4:00pm GSMC Conference Center 7 (by Education Dept) 541-523-3288 www.merlenormanstudio .com/mn-9053 Information or to register call (541) 667-3509 or email
