NORTHWEST
East Oregonian
Page 2A
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Richardson names ousted
officials to top posts
TOP OREGON STORIES OF 2016
By STEVEN DUBOIS
Associated Press
PORTLAND — It was truly a story
for all of 2016. Ammon Bundy and his
followers seized the Malheur National
Wildlife Refuge on the day after New
Year’s and remained in the headlines
through December. Unsurprisingly, the
armed takeover and its aftermath was
overwhelmingly selected Oregon’s story
of the year in the annual vote conducted
by The Associated Press.
Every editor or news director who
submitted a ballot of 10 top stories
included the takeover on his or her
ballot, and nearly everyone had it No. 1.
After that, it was a jumble. The gap
between Bundy and the second-biggest
story — the defeat of Measure 97 —
was larger than the gap between the No.
2 story and the 10th-place finisher.
Here are 2016’s top 10 stories:
KGW-TV via AP, File
In this June 3, 2016, file image, from video provided by KGW-TV, smoke
billows from a Union Pacific train that derailed near Mosier, in the scenic
Columbia River Gorge. The derailment released 42,000 gallons of oil and
sparked a massive fire that burned for 14 hours.
1. Ranching standoff
Ammon Bundy, joined by his brother
Ryan and a small band of followers,
took a “hard stand” against federal
control of Western lands and the impris-
onment of two ranchers. They seized a
wildlife refuge in Harney County and
spent weeks in a slow-motion standoff
with authorities.
The Bundys were eventually
arrested in a Jan. 26 traffic stop that
included the fatal shooting by police
of occupation spokesman Robert
“LaVoy” Finicum. Four holdouts
remained at the refuge until Feb. 11.
Eleven men pleaded guilty ahead of
a fall trial that ended with the surprise
acquittals of the Bundy brothers and five
co-defendants. In an explosive ending,
a team of federal marshals tackled
defense lawyer Marcus Mumford as he
yelled at the judge. Paperwork flew as
Ammon Bundy’s attorney writhed on
the ground, screaming.
The year closed with some defen-
dants trying to withdraw their guilty
pleas and government prosecutors
pressing ahead with a February 2017
trial for seven remaining defendants.
that burned for 14 hours. Protesters and
some government officials said the crash
showed that transporting oil by train is
dangerous, unnecessary and should be
prohibited.
4. Higher minimum wage
Lawmakers boosted the minimum
wage, agreeing to a tiered, geographical
system that gained national attention.
On July 1, Oregon’s minimum wage
increased to $9.50 in rural counties and
$9.75 in urban counties. It was the first
of several increases scheduled to take
effect every July through 2022. In that
final year, Portland’s minimum will be
set at $14.75, smaller cities at $13.50
and rural areas at $12.50.
5. Marijuana legalization
The decision by Oregon voters to
approve recreational marijuana was the
No. 1 story of 2014 and putting it into
practice ranked No. 3 last year. It hit the
Top 5 again in 2016 as communities
grappled with ordinances to regulate the
hours of operation and the locations of
producers, processors, wholesalers, as
well as retailers and medical marijuana
grow sites. Scores of communities
approved local sales taxes on recre-
ational marijuana sales. Some places
that had opted out of allowing marijuana
businesses reversed course.
2. Measure 97
Concerned about paying higher
prices, voters rejected a measure that
would have required corporations with
at least $25 million in Oregon sales to
pay more in tax to help fund education
and other services. Opponents and
supporters of Measure 97 battled
bitterly during the campaign. More than
$43 million was spent, making it the
most expensive ballot measure fight in
Oregon history.
6. GOP victory
Dennis Richardson became the first
Republican to win a statewide race in
14 years with his victory over Democrat
Brad Avakian in the race for secretary of
state. The last Republican secretary of
state was Norma Paulus, who held the
position in the 1980s.
3. Train derailment
A Union Pacific train moving crude
oil derailed June 3 while traveling
through the Columbia River Gorge. The
derailment in Mosier released 42,000
gallons of oil and sparked a massive fire
7. Oracle settlement
The state’s long-running legal battle
against Oracle over the failed Cover
Oregon health exchange reached a quiet
conclusion. Oregon said the company
defrauded the state by charging $240
million for a health insurance website
that didn’t work. After seeking $6 billion
in damages, the state settled for $25
million in cash plus software licensing
agreements and technical support.
Oracle also agreed to contribute $10
million to a state technology education
program.
8. No coal
In a victory for environmentalists,
Oregon lawmakers approved a bill to
eliminate coal from the state’s energy
supply by 2030 and provide half of
customers’ power with renewable
sources by 2040. The legislation made
Oregon the first state to eliminate coal by
legislative action, and placed it among a
handful of other states with renewable
energy standards 50 percent or higher.
9. Trump protests
Progressives in Portland were in
the vanguard of protests following the
presidential election that sent Donald
Trump to the White House. Though
most marchers remained peaceful, some
blocked traffic, vandalized storefronts,
sprayed graffiti and smashed car
windows. More than 100 people were
arrested during two weeks of demon-
strations.
10. Duck dynasty collapses
In January 2015, Oregon played
in the first College Football Playoff
national championship game. This year,
the Ducks won just two Pac-12 Confer-
ence games, capping their worst season
since 1991 with a 10-point loss to, gulp,
Oregon State. The swift collapse of a
team known for its high-octane offenses
and ever-changing uniforms led to the
firing of coach Mark Helfrich.
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
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed major holidays
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
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. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801.
Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, OR. Postmaster: send address changes to
East Oregonian, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801.
Single copy price:
$1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday
Copyright © 2016, EO Media Group
REGIONAL CITIES
Forecast
SUNDAY
Chilly with clouds
and sun
Cloudy, a bit of
snow; colder
39° 28°
30° 18°
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy and
very cold
Frigid with clouds
and sun
8°
14° ؏2°
Bitterly cold with
some sun
10° ؏2°
HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
33° 21°
37° 28°
PENDLETON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
HIGH
LOW
46°
36°
39°
26°
63° (1920) -12° (1968)
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
0.17"
2.29"
1.55"
13.59"
10.09"
13.06"
HERMISTON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
HIGH
Yesterday
Normals
Records
LOW
46°
36°
39°
27°
66° (1949) -13° (1990)
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"
1.24"
1.41"
9.14"
7.17"
9.91"
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today
Sunset tonight
Moonrise today
Moonset today
First
Full
Jan 5
Jan 12
19°
2°
15°
2°
Seattle
41/33
ALMANAC
Yesterday
Normals
Records
26° 10°
Last
7:36 a.m.
4:21 p.m.
9:02 a.m.
7:09 p.m.
New
Jan 19
Jan 27
Today
WEDNESDAY
PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
21°
Spokane
Wenatchee
28/17
28/18
Tacoma
Moses
41/30
Lake
Pullman
Aberdeen Olympia
Yakima 28/20
27/21
43/31
40/29
34/21
Longview
Kennewick Walla Walla
39/31
39/27 Lewiston
37/27
Astoria
33/23
47/35
Portland
Enterprise
Hermiston
40/32
Pendleton 26/11
The Dalles 37/28
39/28
39/30
La Grande
Salem
29/18
41/34
Albany
Corvallis 41/35
41/35
John Day
34/18
Ontario
Eugene
Bend
17/4
41/33
34/19
Caldwell
Burns
21/7
19/-1
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
47
17
34
50
19
26
41
34
37
34
33
29
28
40
44
48
17
41
39
40
35
41
28
31
40
39
34
Lo
35
3
19
35
-1
11
33
23
28
18
16
18
17
28
36
35
4
26
28
32
18
34
17
17
33
27
21
W
r
s
pc
pc
s
pc
pc
pc
pc
pc
c
pc
pc
pc
r
pc
pc
pc
pc
r
pc
r
pc
pc
r
pc
pc
Hi
41
16
28
43
24
21
40
28
33
27
29
24
22
38
43
44
19
36
30
40
31
39
25
23
38
31
34
Today
Beijing
Hong Kong
Jerusalem
London
Mexico City
Moscow
Paris
Rome
Seoul
Sydney
Tokyo
Lo
17
66
37
40
48
34
26
31
27
71
41
W
s
c
pc
c
pc
c
c
pc
pc
pc
s
Lo
26
0
7
31
-7
9
25
13
21
11
12
12
11
27
26
29
7
24
18
24
10
24
12
8
24
19
18
W
sh
sn
sn
sh
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sf
sn
sn
c
sh
sh
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
Sun.
Hi
46
74
51
46
73
37
38
53
47
82
54
(in mph)
Klamath Falls
33/16
Boardman
Pendleton
Lo
21
67
37
34
45
32
35
39
38
69
41
W
pc
pc
s
r
pc
c
pc
s
pc
sh
s
REGIONAL FORECAST
Eastern Washington: Sun will fade behind
increasing cloudiness today. Cloudy with
snow at times tonight.
Cascades: Increasing cloudiness today.
Snow later today and tonight will slow
travel.
Northern California: Morning clouds will
break to allow some sun today. Clear to
partly cloudy tonight.
Today
Sunday
SW 7-14
S 6-12
N 6-12
WNW 6-12
UV INDEX TODAY
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
0
1
1
1
0
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
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
Production Manager: Mike Jensen
541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com
Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.
WORLD CITIES
Hi
41
72
50
47
73
35
32
51
42
79
50
Classified & Legal Advertising
1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678
classifieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com
NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY
Sun.
WINDS
Medford
40/28
Coastal Oregon: Increasing cloudiness
today, rain in the northwest late and tonight
with mountain snow.
Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly sunny
across the south today, increasing cloudi-
ness north. Cloudy tonight.
Western Washington: Cloudy today with
rain this afternoon. Snow level 1,000 feet in
the Olympics.
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 Director: Marissa Williams
541-278-2669 • addirector@eastoregonian.com
Advertising Services: Laura Jensen
541-966-0806 • ljensen@eastoregonian.com
Multimedia Consultants:
• Terri Briggs
541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com
• Elizabeth Freemantle
541-278-2683 • efreemantle@eastoregonian.com
• Jeanne Jewett
541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com
• Chris McClellan
541-966-0827 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com
• Stephanie Newsom
541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com
• Dayle Stinson
541-278-2670 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com
• Audra Workman
541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com
Subscriber services:
For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255
TODAY
PORTLAND (AP) — Cummings, a fiscal analyst
Oregon’s new Secretary of on state technology for
State, Dennis Richardson, the Legislature. He spoke
has named an ousted elec- favorably about his wife’s
tions official to a top admin- project to agency managers
istrative position along with and told them he wouldn’t
a former state
note its problems
manager who was
in budget docu-
tied to a multimil-
ments,
records
lion-dollar tech
show.
failure.
His
inter-
Richardson has
vention sparked
appointed Leslie
complaints that
Cummings
as
led to an Oregon
deputy secretary of
Department
of
state. Cummings
Justice
investi-
managed tech-se-
gation and ethics
curity for the Richardson
commission
Oregon Employ-
probe.
Justice
ment Department until officials declined to pursue
2013, when she resigned charges citing insufficient
after being caught up in evidence, and the ethics case
accusations of nepotism and was dismissed.
wasting millions in public
Leslie Cummings denied
funds.
the allegations investigated
For elections director, by officials and said she
Richardson selected Steve had little to do with the tech
Trout, who held the position project’s failures. Audits that
from 2009 to 2013 under found the undertaking rife
then-Secretary of State with waste were biased, she
Kate Brown. Trout left said.
after Brown faced criticism
After her resignation,
for giving candidates short Cummings found work as
notice that the date of their a senior analyst conducting
election would change — a security and risk manage-
responsibility of the elec- ment audits for the Oregon
tions director.
Department of Human
Richardson, 67, defeated Services and Oregon Health
Democrat Brad Avakian in Authority.
November, becoming the
Trout said Brown, who is
first Republican to win a now governor, asked him to
statewide race since 2002.
resign but said it had nothing
His
communications to do with the election
director, Michael Calcagno, scheduling entanglement.
defended the appointments,
After leaving state
telling The Oregonian/ government, Trout took a
OregonLive that Cummings job as director of election
and Trout are “amazingly innovation at Boston-based
qualified and credentialed.”
startup Clear Ballot Group.
Cummings, who holds In returning to the public
a doctorate in leadership, sector, Trout said he hopes
jointly oversaw a tech project to rebuild trust in elections
to allow businesses to enter by bolstering transparency
unemployment information and applying laws without
with the department. But partisanship.
the system didn’t work
“Elections are under
as planned, audits show. attack in the press and in
That slowed other projects, social media,” he said.
pushed them over budget “I’ve spent my whole career
and forced businesses to trying to defend the election
enter information manually. process and make sure the
Despite the problems, public’s will is reflected in
the project had at least one the votes no matter who the
defender: her husband, Bob winner is.”
0
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
-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: A quick-moving storm system will spread light snow across the Great
Lakes and into northern New England today. Rain will fall farther south across the Ohio
Valley to the Gulf Coast.
Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states)
High 76° in Marathon, Fla.
Low -13° in Afton, Wyo.
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
46
50
46
46
32
51
21
39
62
47
37
40
70
41
42
61
34
25
78
68
42
66
39
55
50
58
Lo
31
42
40
33
10
49
6
35
48
39
22
28
45
26
26
44
9
12
65
60
24
50
23
45
40
45
W
sh
r
pc
pc
pc
r
pc
pc
pc
r
c
c
c
pc
c
pc
sn
c
s
r
r
pc
pc
pc
sh
sh
Sun.
Hi
47
54
50
50
18
61
23
44
66
50
38
40
69
46
38
59
15
23
78
74
43
77
46
59
54
59
Lo
31
50
39
36
1
59
5
29
60
46
31
33
57
23
29
38
1
15
65
69
38
60
40
43
49
46
Today
W
c
r
pc
pc
sn
r
sn
s
sh
c
pc
pc
sh
pc
pc
sh
c
pc
pc
c
c
pc
pc
pc
c
pc
Louisville
Memphis
Miami
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Nashville
New Orleans
New York City
Oklahoma City
Omaha
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland, ME
Providence
Raleigh
Rapid City
Reno
Sacramento
St. Louis
Salt Lake City
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Tucson
Washington, DC
Wichita
Hi
45
49
78
37
26
48
69
44
52
36
45
64
33
41
53
31
42
55
50
27
64
53
41
62
48
46
Lo
35
45
70
22
21
42
64
38
31
22
36
52
30
34
40
8
25
37
27
18
50
43
33
50
38
24
W
r
r
pc
c
c
r
r
pc
pc
pc
pc
sh
sn
pc
pc
s
pc
c
pc
c
sh
pc
pc
pc
pc
pc
Sun.
Hi
48
57
84
37
35
56
74
47
57
42
49
58
41
46
52
21
45
51
46
29
62
52
37
53
52
49
Lo
45
54
74
32
29
53
65
35
49
35
35
47
17
26
46
6
27
34
41
21
54
41
24
39
42
43
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain,
sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
W
r
c
pc
pc
pc
c
t
s
s
pc
pc
r
s
s
c
pc
pc
pc
c
c
pc
pc
sn
r
pc
pc