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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2016)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Idaho Power looking for buy-in on solar from customers Prosecutor says Ryan Bundy hatched jail escape attempt PORTLAND (AP) — A federal prosecutor says Oregon standoff igure Ryan Bundy was working on a plan to escape from a Portland jail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Barrow dropped the bombshell at a hearing Monday in which Bundy and his brother Ammon sought to be released as they await trial on charges stemming from the January takeover of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon. In trying to show Ryan Bundy is a light risk, Barrow said deputies searching Bundy’s cell in April found torn sheets braided together in a 12- to 15-foot rope, as well as extra towels, pillow cases and food. Bundy denied he was attempting an escape, telling U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones it is “self- serving speculation” and “simply not true.” Barrow said Bundy’s excuse to jailers was that he’s a rancher and was practicing braiding. In court, release them. The brothers also face the possibility of being sent to a Nevada jail, where they are accused of taking part in a standoff with federal agents at the ranch of their father, Cliven Bundy. Judge Jones noted that Ammon Bundy seems unlikely to lee the country. The Emmett, Idaho, resident has a wife, six children, owns a leet-maintenance business and resides on a property that includes an orchard with 240 apple trees. But the judge worried about him returning for trial. “He might want to hole up like his father did for two years,” he said. “I’m still concerned about that.” Ammon Bundy took the stand late in the hearing, explaining that he and the other occupiers took action to protest the imprisonment of two Harney County ranchers and publicize their belief that the federal government has taken unconstitutional control of too much Western land. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File In this Jan. 8 ile photo, Ryan Bundy walks through the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns. A U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the trial of Ryan Bundy and others charged in the occupation will remain in Portland. Bundy told the judge he used the rope and towels for additional comfort. Court records show Bundy hasn’t been charged with any crime related to the episode. The leading igures in January’s takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge have been behind bars for nearly six months. They contend the 41-day occupation was a peaceful protest, and getting out of jail will help them prepare for their September trial on conspiracy and weapons charges. To win release, the brothers must convince Jones they are not a danger to the community and will return to Oregon in September. Jones said he’ll decide Tuesday whether to BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Power electrical utility is proposing the construction of a solar power project that would be funded by customers who take out subscriptions to guarantee it gets built, the company said Monday. The company recently iled an application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to launch the project on land southeast of Boise, which would be the state’s irst utility-owned solar power production facility. The 500-kilowatt solar project would involve the installation of solar panels on an area the size of two foot- ball ields and power about 730 homes, said company spokesman Brad Bowlin. It would be a so-called “community solar project” aimed at attracting customers who can’t install solar panels on their homes because they rent, live in communities with rules prohibiting solar panels or have houses shaded by trees. Most of the project’s $1.2 million construction cost would be paid by customers who take out subscriptions, said Bowlin. If approved by the commis- sion, Idaho Power would offer about 1,500 subscriptions costing $740 per 320-watt solar panel. Buyers would receive credit for their portion of the solar array’s output on their monthly bill over the 25-year life of the project. “There are a lot of folks who are interested in solar power, and especially locally generated solar power,” Bowlin said. Bowlin said the subscrip- tion-based business model is aimed at assessing whether there’s enough interest in building the solar project. The utility has 516,000 BRIEFLY Superintendent steps down amid lead scandal PORTLAND (AP) — The superintendent of public schools in Portland, Oregon, is stepping down from her role, effective immediately, after the release of a scathing report on the district’s handling of high levels of lead found in schools’ drinking water. Carole Smith has been superintendent since 2007. Several weeks after the lead scandal at two Portland schools broke this spring, she announced plans to retire within a year. But Smith sped up her departure to Monday after the release of the indings of an independent probe. It concluded the district’s efforts to test water, ix problems and notify the public have been inadequate for 15 years. Tom Koehler, school board chairman, said in a statement that oficials will select Smith’s interim replacement this summer while searching for a permanent leader. Man dies going over 100-foot Lava Canyon Falls STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — The body of a 25-year-old Beaverton, Oregon, man has been recovered from Muddy River after he slipped and went over the 100-foot high Lava Canyon Falls. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Ofice received a 911 call on Sunday reporting that James Fowler was trying to across the river just above the falls when he stepped on a partially submerged rock Penitentiary has died at a local hospital, but oficials are not yet releasing any details. The Oregon Department of Corrections issued a release Monday that said 27-year-old James Howland died unexpectedly and that the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is conducting an investigation. Howland was taken off site for medical care on Friday and was pronounced dead Monday afternoon, oficials said. Oficials said no other details were available. Howland has been in the custody of the Department of Corrections since August 2014 and was serving time for four counts of unlawful use of a vehicle in the irst degree out of Marion County. and the swift water swept him over the falls. The site was about 20 miles northeast of Cougar, Washington in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Oficials say that Fowler’s body was seen loating face down below the falls. A witness tried to reach Fowler but the rugged terrain turned him back. Search crews aided by a ixed-wing aircraft searched Sunday night and Monday morning. At about 12:30 p.m. Monday, Fowler’s body was recovered. His body was taken to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Ofice. State penitentiary inmate dies at local hospital SALEM (AP) — An inmate at the Oregon State Didn’t receive your paper? Call 1-800-522-0255 before noon Tuesday through Friday or before 10 a.m. Saturday for same-day redelivery — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 Ofice hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays To subscribe, call 1-800-522-0255 or go online to www.eastoregonian.com and click on ‘Subscribe’ East Oregonian (USPS 164-980) is published daily except Sunday, Monday and Dec. 25, by the EO Media Group, 211 S.E. 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Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group REGIONAL CITIES Forecast WEDNESDAY TODAY A t-storm around this afternoon Partly sunny and nice 81° 57° 85° 55° THURSDAY FRIDAY Sunshine and beautiful Sunny and beautiful Mostly sunny PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 90° 62° 86° 59° 88° 55° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 86° 60° 89° 56° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 76° 89° 108° (1960) 60° 59° 43° (1915) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date Trace 0.80" 0.18" 7.32" 5.00" 7.79" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE Yesterday Normals Records HIGH LOW 80° 90° 109° (1960) 64° 59° 43° (1945) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.01" 0.30" 0.13" 4.94" 3.25" 5.86" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today Full Last July 19 July 26 New Aug 2 91° 59° 92° 58° Seattle 75/58 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 94° 64° 5:25 a.m. 8:38 p.m. 8:20 p.m. 5:19 a.m. First Aug 10 Today SATURDAY Spokane Wenatchee 78/58 81/60 Tacoma Moses 74/56 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 85/57 77/53 67/57 72/55 86/56 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 73/57 81/61 Lewiston 87/60 Astoria 84/60 69/57 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 77/61 Pendleton 76/50 The Dalles 86/60 81/57 83/60 La Grande Salem 78/52 77/57 Albany Corvallis 76/54 77/54 John Day 81/50 Ontario Eugene Bend 93/61 78/52 73/47 Caldwell Burns 90/60 83/45 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 69 80 73 63 83 76 78 79 86 81 78 78 75 83 63 67 93 85 81 77 78 77 78 74 76 81 86 Lo 57 48 47 51 45 50 52 53 60 50 42 52 50 57 53 54 61 60 57 61 46 57 58 47 60 61 56 W c t pc pc pc t pc t pc pc s pc pc pc c pc s pc t pc t pc pc t pc t pc Hi 70 82 80 64 83 78 82 83 89 86 82 81 78 90 64 67 90 89 85 78 85 81 80 78 77 86 88 Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Lo 56 44 49 52 45 50 52 51 56 51 43 50 48 58 52 55 58 58 55 61 47 57 56 45 59 62 59 W pc s pc pc s s pc pc pc s s s s pc pc pc s pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc Lo 72 81 68 70 52 66 70 67 73 58 75 W t c s s t sh s s pc pc pc Wed. Hi 77 90 85 85 71 79 91 86 89 67 83 Lo 72 82 69 61 51 63 64 68 74 57 72 W r c s t t r t s t r pc WINDS Medford 83/57 (in mph) Klamath Falls 78/42 Boardman Pendleton REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Clouds breaking for some sun today, except variable cloudiness across the north. Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today; a thunderstorm in spots across the north and near the Cascades. Western Washington: Times of clouds and sun today with a shower in places. Partly cloudy tonight. Eastern Washington: Partial sunshine today; an afternoon shower in spots in the north. Cascades: Partial sunshine today with a stray shower. Northern California: Low clouds followed by sunshine at the coast today; plenty of sunshine elsewhere. Today Wednesday SW 6-12 WNW 4-8 SW 6-12 WNW 4-8 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 2 4 7 NEWS • To submit news tips and press releases: • call 541-966-0818 • fax 541-276-8314 • email news@eastoregonian.com • To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email community@eastoregonian.com or call Tammy Malgesini at 541-564-4539 or Renee Struthers in at 541-966-0818. • To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries: email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian. com/community/announcements • To submit a Letter to the Editor: mail to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. • To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-966-0838 • sports@eastoregonian.com 6 4 COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Wed. WORLD CITIES Hi 78 90 85 89 73 78 94 88 88 74 85 Classiied & Legal Advertising 1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678 classiieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com Multimedia Consultants • Jeanne Jewett 541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com • Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com • Dayle Stinson 541-966-0806 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com • Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com • Audra Workman 541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • Chris McClellan 541-966-0802 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com • Amanda Jacobs 541-278-2863 • ajacobs@eastoregonian.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES Local home delivery Savings off cover price EZPay $14.50 41 percent 52 weeks $173.67 41 percent 26 weeks $91.86 38 percent 13 weeks $47.77 36 percent *EZ Pay = one-year rate with a monthly credit or debit card/check charge www.eastoregonian.com Corrections The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake in the paper, please call 541-966-0818. ADVERTISING Advertising Director: Jennine Perkinson 541-278-2683 • jperkinson@eastoregonian.com Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 customers in Idaho and eastern Oregon. Those who don’t want to participate will not face any charges for the project, Bowlin said. The amount of energy that would be generated by the solar project is a tiny fraction of the 3,200 megawatts the company is occasionally called on to supply on a hot summer day. Much of that is supplied by the company’s 17 hydroelectric projects on the Snake River and its tribu- taries, as well as coal and gas plants, which can produce less expensive power than solar energy. Bowlin warned that partic- ipants won’t save money on their monthly energy bills except for a tiny monthly deduction over 25 years that pays back the initial $740 solar project construction subscription cost. “This is intended for folks who want to support the development of solar energy,” he said. Meanwhile, the company will learn more about solar energy as costs to produce it decline and regulations come into force requiring reductions in carbon emissions. The commission will decide whether the project’s business model is good for the state and consumers, commission spokesman Gene Fadness said via email. It wants to make sure customers “will feel their investment makes sense from both an economic and an environmental perspective,” he said. A decision is likely in the fall. If the project is approved, Idaho Power will advertise the program. It would be built by June unless customers take out less than about 1,200 subscriptions, meaning the project would probably not go forward, Bowlin said. By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press 2 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: Locally heavy storms will extend from Virginia and southeastern Maryland to Tennessee and Iowa today. Storms will dot the Southeastern and Southwestern states as showers cool part of the Northwest. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 109° in Needles, Calif. Low 24° in Bodie State Park, Calif. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 92 93 84 88 97 94 92 81 90 86 87 83 96 91 84 97 65 88 89 94 88 91 93 107 96 85 Lo 70 72 70 66 62 76 60 64 75 63 70 62 80 65 64 74 54 72 77 77 69 71 76 84 77 63 W pc t s pc t t s pc t t s s s pc s pc sh t sh t s t pc s pc pc Wed. Hi 92 93 81 86 95 97 90 80 89 86 85 87 100 97 87 97 64 95 89 97 86 92 96 108 98 87 Lo 69 73 69 67 62 75 63 66 74 64 73 66 80 64 68 75 50 72 76 77 72 72 78 85 77 65 W pc pc s s pc pc s s t s t s s pc s pc sh pc pc pc t t pc pc pc s Today Hi Louisville 91 Memphis 97 Miami 90 Milwaukee 85 Minneapolis 87 Nashville 93 New Orleans 93 New York City 85 Oklahoma City 94 Omaha 91 Philadelphia 88 Phoenix 106 Portland, ME 77 Providence 84 Raleigh 90 Rapid City 98 Reno 88 Sacramento 85 St. Louis 95 Salt Lake City 100 San Diego 77 San Francisco 68 Seattle 75 Tucson 98 Washington, DC 90 Wichita 96 Lo 73 79 79 68 74 73 79 67 73 78 69 88 55 61 70 65 56 55 77 75 67 55 58 78 71 76 W t pc sh s s t t s pc pc s pc pc pc t pc s s pc s pc pc pc t pc pc Wed. Hi 92 99 89 84 92 96 93 82 98 99 85 108 80 81 88 104 91 87 96 99 79 69 77 101 87 99 Lo 73 80 78 72 77 73 79 69 74 79 68 89 59 63 68 67 58 54 80 74 68 55 58 80 72 78 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W pc pc sh pc t pc pc s s pc s pc s s pc pc s s t pc pc pc pc t s s