RECORDS
Thursday, February 16, 2017
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
TUESDAY
1:01 a.m. - Staff at Upper Columbia Mill, 77200 Poleline
Road, Boardman, notified emergency services their wood dust
and bark piles caught fire.
7:49 a.m. - A caller told Umatilla police someone stole her
stepson’s cellphone from high school, and that they tracked it to
a house on Columbia Boulevard, Umatilla.
9:17 a.m. - A Pilot Rock resident on Northeast Elm Street told
police a dog jumped her fence again and killed her cat.
10:29 a.m. - The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office took a
report for the theft of a trailer from Klaus Road, Hermiston.
12:53 p.m. - A Hermiston man on Southeast Sixth Street
asked to speak to police about problems with a neighbor and
suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
2:25 p.m. - A man, possibly intoxicated, yelled at people from
the trees between Bi-Mart, 901 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton,
and the next-door First Community Credit Union.
2:34 p.m. - A guest at Comfort Inn & Suites, 77514 S.
Highway 207, Hermiston, told police he received a call at his
room from someone who demanded his personal information
under the threat of forcing him to leave the hotel.
3:35 p.m. - A man told Hermiston police he bought a vehicle
with an Oregon title, which came back clear, but when he tried to
transfer the title and get insurance he found out the vehicle was
stolen out of Hermiston. He asked to speak to an officer.
3:47 p.m. - The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office received a
report from Locust Mobile Village, 1501 N. Elizabeth St., Milton-
Freewater, of a vicious pit bull that chased a girl.
4:29 p.m. - Hermiston police issued a warning after a caller
on Northwest Dawn Drive reported “two people doing something
in the backseat” of a vehicle.
5:13 p.m. - Morrow County sheriff’s deputies responded to
a report of a break-in and theft at a home at Riverview Mobile
Home Park, Irrigon. The victim reported the culprit probably is
his ex-girlfriend.
6:23 p.m. - A woman on Southwest Jay Extension,
Pendleton, told law enforcement her daughter’s boyfriend stole
a vehicle.
7:54 p.m. - Pendleton police responded to a 9-1-1 call about
a domestic disturbance between a husband and wife at a home
on Southeast First Street.
10:35 p.m. -Two cars racing near Milton-Freewater prompted
a 9-1-1 report. The caller said the cars headed east on Ballou
Road, blew through the stop sign at Highway 339 and kept on
toward Highway 11.
Competition, demographics
concern lottery director
The Oregonian/OregonLive
PORTLAND — One of
Oregon’s critical revenue
sources, the Oregon Lottery,
could be in jeopardy.
Aging players, increasing
competition from tribe-oper-
ated casinos and a shrinking
retail base threaten to
cut into revenue the state
budget counts on, lottery
director Barry Pack told the
House Revenue Committee
Tuesday.
The
lottery,
with
more than 3,900 retailers
statewide, is projected
to contribute nearly $1.2
billion to state coffers this
biennium. About half of that
goes to education, according
to Pack’s presentation. The
rest pays for economic devel-
opment, parks and natural
resources and gambling
addiction treatment.
Lottery sales took a hit
2007, when lawmakers
passed a bill to ban smoking
in bars, and the recession
dealt it another blow, Pack
said. Though sales have
begun to recover, they
haven’t returned to pre-
recession levels.
The biggest problem
facing the state’s lottery,
Pack said, is one facing
lottery programs throughout
the nation: The players are
getting older, and young
people aren’t as interested as
lottery officials would like.
“They’re looking for
skill-based games, they’re
looking to play on their
mobile devices,” Pack said.
“So I think one of the future
revenue risks is how do we
stay current with the player
base, and how do we reach
out across broader demo-
graphics to attract a different
set of players than may be
playing now?”
Between the state lottery
and tribal casinos, Oregon
has reached market satura-
tion in terms of gambling,
Pack said. And instead of
asking current players to
play more, the state is hoping
to develop new games to
lure in new customers.
“Any future growth is
going to have to come from
new product offerings,”
he said. “It’s not just about
bringing in more retailers,
or being able to tap players
for our current product
offerings.”
But Rep. Cliff Bentz,
R-Ontario, worried that
video lottery, which brings
in 70 percent of the state’s
lottery revenue, amounts to
a regressive tax.
According
to
data
presented by Pack, 43
percent of percent of the
state’s new video lottery
players make less than
$40,000 a year, compared to
33 percent for Oregon adults
overall.
“It looks as though we
can anticipate if we continue
this effort (video lottery),
we’ll consistently be taking
half of lottery from people
that are under $40,000
income,” he said.
Meanwhile, the compe-
tition, especially from tribal
casinos, is getting stiffer.
Pack said the state expects
lottery sales to drop $100
million a year when the Ilani
Resort near La Center opens
this spring.
A proposed casino in
Jackson County and a poten-
tial Grand Ronde entertain-
ment center in Wood Village
could also cut into the state’s
earnings, he said.
Gentrification in the
Portland area also poses
challenges for the lottery:
As older, spacious neigh-
borhood bars are sold and
torn down to make room for
mixed-use developments,
the bars and pubs that
replace them have less room
for the games, Pack said.
While
the
Oregon
Lottery is losing retailers in
Portland’s urban core, some
are moving to the suburbs,
he said.
All of these factors
contribute to uncertainty for
the state lottery. “We just
don’t know what’s going to
happen,” Pack said.
Rep. Greg Smith, R-Hep-
pner, asked the director
to look into the effects of
decreasing the amount the
lottery pays to players.
On average, video lottery
games pay out as much as
94 percent of the time, Pack
explained. Smith wondered
how a decrease in this
rate — maybe a decrease
of 1 percentage point for a
two-year period — would
affect the lottery.
East Oregonian
OBITUARIES
Timothy E. Newtson
Darin James Skaggs
Helix
October 15, 1957-February 5, 2017
Pendleton
May 14, 1985-February 10, 2017
Timothy E. Newtson
Tim went to work for
was born at St. Anthony’s Daniel Construction, which
Hospital
in
Pendleton, later became Fluor Daniel
Oregon, to Phyllis LaFarge Construction. He worked his
and Robert Billette on way up and became foreman
October 15, 1957. His early for a large crew. Tim worked
childhood was in
on large projects
the city of Rieth,
in
California,
where he attended
Louisiana, South
first grade. His
Dakota, Colorado,
father
passed
Texas and other
away in 1962.
states
building
Phyllis
married
bridges,
dams,
Ray Newtson, who
and factories. His
raised Tim from
biggest job was in
the age of five.
Louisiana building
They moved to
modules for oil
Mission and Tim
refineries
that
went to school Newtson
were floated on
at Washington in
barges through the
Pendleton.
Panama Canal to Alaska.
At the age of nine Tim
Tim loved to hunt and fish
played Little League base- on his trips home between
ball. At Helen McCune Jr. jobs with family and friends.
High he became interested
While working in Texas,
in motocross and racing, but Tim was diagnosed with
baseball was his number one diabetes and became too ill
interest. Tim continued his to continue working. He took
sports interests at Pendleton a summer off and lived in
Sr. High, playing football and his trailer at Big Creek, then
baseball, earning letters all moved to Sandhole-North
three years. He also played Juniper Canyon and spent the
baseball for the American next couple of years farming
Legion Teams each summer. with King-Temple. As Tim’s
His senior year he was disease progressed, he moved
drafted by the Cleveland to Helix in 2001. He enjoyed
Indians, but Tim decided to taking care of his place until
continue his education.
a serious fall in 2005, which
He
attended
Mesa put him in a wheelchair. Tim
Community College in passed away in La Grande,
Mesa, Arizona, and played Oregon, on February 5, 2017,
for two years on the Mesa at age 59.
Pirates baseball team, where
Tim was preceded in death
he received notoriety and by his father Robert Billette
awards for his ball playing. (1962), stepsister Marsha
He was awarded a full base- (Dayton) Hart (1985), and
ball scholarship at Mesa State his stepfather Ray Newtson
College in Grand Junction, (2016). He is survived by
Colorado, where he majored mother Phyllis Newtson and
in recreation management. sister Cindy (Robin) Severe,
He played on the Mesa and stepsister Susan (Jack)
Mavericks baseball team for Bascomb.
two years and was drafted
Donations can be given
by the Pittsburgh Pirates. to the Helix Community
He had received numerous Church, the Diabetes Foun-
injuries and decided not to dation, or the charity of
pursue a career in baseball, your choice in care of Burns
but instead to seek a career in Mortuary, P.O. Box 489,
heavy construction.
Pendleton, OR 97801.
DEATH NOTICES
Gordon Bissell
Walla Walla
May 1, 1929-Feb. 13, 2017
Gordon Bissell, 87, of Walla Walla died Monday, Feb.
13, 2017, in College Place, Wash. He was born May 1, 1929.
Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater is in
charge of arrangements.
Marianne Elizabeth Czyhold
Walla Walla
Dec. 10, 1937-Feb. 12, 2017
Marianne Elizabeth Czyhold, 79, of Walla Walla died
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in Milton-Freewater. She was
born Dec. 10, 1937. Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in
Milton-Freewater is in charge of arrangements.
Dolores ‘Jean’ Pinney
Hermiston
June 5, 1926-Feb. 15, 2017
Dolores “Jean” Pinney, 90, of Hermiston, died Wednesday,
Feb. 15, 2017, in Hermiston. She was born June 5, 1926, in
Weed, Calif. Arrangements are pending at Burns Mortuary of
Hermiston
LAS VEGAS — A federal agent
testified Wednesday that he saw a
“sniper” behind a concrete barrier on
a freeway overpass pointing a mili-
tary-style weapon at him while a crowd
of protesters in a dry river bed called
for the government to release Nevada
rancher Cliven Bundy’s cattle in April
2014.
Bureau of Land Management Special
Agent Michael Johnson told a U.S.
District Court jury hearing a third day
of evidence in Las Vegas that he’ll never
forget the feeling of fear, and that that he
“absolutely” felt his life was in danger.
“There was a man with binoculars
right next to him. He would periodically
pop up,” Johnson said, adding that he
Darin James Skaggs,
31, of Pendleton died
Friday, February 10, 2017,
at Seattle, Washington. A
graveside service will be
held on Saturday, February
18, 2017, at 11
a.m. at the Heppner
Masonic Cemetery,
Heppner, Oregon.
A luncheon and
gathering
will
follow
at
the
Heppner
United
Methodist Church.
Darin was born
May 14, 1985, at
Heppner, the son of
Robert Skaggs and Skaggs
Wendy Skillicorn.
He was raised and attended
school in Heppner where
he graduated from Heppner
High School.
He worked at farming
and sales and was residing
in Pendleton at the time of
his death, following a long
and courageous battle with
his illness.
Darin loved the outdoors,
the
Seattle
Mariners,
spending time with family
THURSDAY, FEB. 16
WICKHAM, JANET — Viewing from 2-5 p.m. at Burns
Mortuary, 336 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
FRIDAY, FEB. 17
MARCUM, MAXINE — Celebration of life service at
11 a.m. in the chapel at Burns Mortuary, 685 W. Hermiston
Ave., Hermiston.
WICKHAM, JANET — Graveside services at 1 p.m. at
Skyview Memorial Park, 70116 S. Highway 395, Pendleton.
OBITUARY POLICY
The East Oregonian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can in-
clude small photos and, for veterans, a flag symbol at no charge.
Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctuation and style.
Expanded death notices will be published at no charge. These in-
clude information about services.
Obituaries and notices can be submitted online at www.eastorego-
nian.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@eastoregonian.com, by fax
to 541-276-8314, placed via the funeral home or in person at the East
Oregonian office.
For more information, call 541-966-0818 or 1-800-522-0255, ext. 221.
“There was a man
with binoculars right
next to him. He would
periodically pop up.”
— Michael Johnson, BLM agent
also saw the man he termed a “spotter”
using a monocular range-finder to judge
the distance between them.
Johnson testified he took cover for
more than an hour behind a portable
generator trailer, and never raised his
handgun or AR-15 rifle at the overpass
or at unarmed men, women and children
in the wash below.
On Tuesday, another bureau agent,
Rand Stover, testified for the prosecution
that he too felt his life was threatened.
Under questioning by defendant
Todd Engel, who is serving as his own
lawyer, Johnson said Wednesday he
saw other federal agents with weapons
pointed toward protesters.
Engel tried to establish a timeline
suggesting government officials were
first to draw weapons.
No shots were fired during the tense
standoff, and the cattle were eventually
released.
Six defendants who prosecutors say
wielded weapons are now standing
trial on charges including conspiracy,
firearm offenses and assault on a federal
officer that could get them more than
100 years in federal prison.
Bundy and sons Ammon and Ryan
Bundy are due to stand trial with two
other men as a second group, after the
first trial is over.
and friends and elk hunting
with his grandpa.
Survivors include his
mother, Wendy O’Rell and
her husband Glenn of Walla
Walla, Washington; father
Rob Skaggs of
Pendleton; brothers
Eric Skaggs and
his wife Shawna,
and R.J. Skaggs,
both of Pendleton;
paternal
grand-
parents Frank and
Janice Skaggs of
Heppner; maternal
grandparents Lynn
and Carlene Skil-
licorn of Mountain
Home, Idaho; and
many aunts, uncles, nieces
and nephews.
Memorial contributions
to help with final expenses
may be made to the Darin
Skaggs Memorial Fund, c/o
Bank of Eastern Oregon,
P.O. Box 39, Heppner, OR
97836, or at any Bank of
Eastern Oregon branch.
Sweeney
Mortuary
of Heppner is in care of
arrangements.
Fredric ‘Fred’ Talbott
Union
August 12, 1926-January 28, 2017
Fredric “Fred” Talbott,
90, of Union passed away on
Saturday, January 28, 2017,
at Grande Ronde Hospital.
A memorial service
will be held later in
the spring.
Fred was born
on August 12,
1926, in a small
house on Getta
Creek, Idaho, to
Platt and Alberta
(Holbrook) Talbott.
His mother, later
that next spring,
packed him and
his brother Everett
in apple crates on
the back of a mule
to the Snake River
then loaded them Talbott
up in a pickup
and
drove
to
Grangeville, Idaho, for birth
certificates.
Fred grew up in the
canyons of the Snake and
Imnaha. Fred graduated
from Joseph High School
and joined the U.S. Army
during WWII and served
in the Pacific. On June
9, 1948, he married Vera
Warnock and they had two
daughters. He later married
Saonni Witty and gained
four stepsons.
His life had taken many
turns from a cow hand
to working with the U.S.
Forest Service for 23 years,
always with the help of a
horse, mule or a dog. At the
age of 12, he learned to shoe
horses and did so until the
age of 80. There was never a
horse or mule in three coun-
ties that Fred did not know.
With the Forest Service,
he would ride the Wallowa
Mountains checking the
grass
allotments
and, in the winter,
he would travel
and put on packing
demonstrations
for everybody. He
loved people and
was always the first
to help whenever
he could. Everyone
that knew Fred has
a story to tell.
Fred is survived
by
his
wife,
Saonni; daughters
Debra
Brown
(Steve) of Union,
Ore., and Lorri
Dinger
(Craig)
of Eureka, Kan.;
stepsons Brett Witty of
Enterprise,
Ore.,
Kim
Witty (Deb) of Ellensburg,
Wash., and Richard Witty
of New Mexico; sisters
Irene Duckett of Prineville,
Ore., and Marjorie Tripp of
Texas; brother Bob Talbott
of Cottonwood, Idaho;
five grandchildren, Cinda
Rodgers and partner Len
Walters, Ramus Rodgers
and partner Erika Boldrin,
Jessica Hulse, Cheyanna
Slack and Ryan Witty; and
nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memo-
rial contributions can be
made to a charity of your
choice.
Online
condolences
may be made to the family
at
www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com
MEETINGS
UPCOMING SERVICES
BLM agent testifies ranch standoff gunman aimed at him
By KEN RITTER
Associated Press
Page 5A
THURSDAY, FEB. 16
ECHO CITY COUNCIL, 4
p.m., Echo City Hall, 20 S. Bo-
nanza St., Echo. (541-376-8411)
HERMISTON IRRIGATION
DISTRICT, 4 p.m., Hermiston
Irrigation District office confer-
ence room, 366 E. Hurlburt Ave.,
Hermiston. (541-567-3024)
UMATILLA COUNTY SPE-
CIAL LIBRARY DISTRICT, 5:15
p.m., Pendleton City Hall second
floor jury room, 501 S.W. Emi-
grant Ave., Pendleton. (Dan Feil
541-276-6449)
PENDLETON
PLANNING
COMMISSION, 7 p.m., Pendle-
ton City Hall council chambers,
501 S.W. Emigrant Ave., Pend-
leton. (541-966-0201)
St., Irrigon. An executive session
may be called to discuss legal
issues. (Lisa Baum 541-922-
3814)
ECHO SCHOOL DISTRICT,
6 p.m., Echo Community School,
600 Gerone St., Echo. (541-376-
8436)
HELIX CITY COUNCIL, 7
p.m., Helix City Hall, 119 Colum-
bia St., Helix. (541-457-2521)
PENDLETON YOUTH COM-
MISSION, 7 p.m., Intermountain
ESD office, 2001 S.W. Nye Ave.,
Pendleton. (541-276-6711)
FRIDAY, FEB. 17
No meetings scheduled
MONDAY, FEB. 20
2/16
WEST EXTENSION IRRIGA-
TION DISTRICT, 9 a.m., Irrigon
Fire Department, 705 N.E. Main
Cineplex Show Times
LOTTERY
THE BIG COUNTRY
$5 Classic Movie
2/22
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Mega Millions
07-11-33-60-68
Mega Ball: 15
Megaplier: 5
Estimated jackpot: $38
million
Lucky Lines
02-06-11-13-FREE-20-21-
27-31
Estimated jackpot:
$40,000
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 2-6-7-2
4 p.m.: 6-8-1-1
7 p.m.: 4-3-3-9
10 p.m.: 4-1-5-0
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Pick 4
1 p.m.: 3-2-9-7
The LEGO Batman Movie
(PG)
2D 4:50 7:10
3D 9:30
A Dog’s Purpose (PG)
4:30 6:50 9:10
John Wick: Chapter 2 (R)
4:20 7:00 9:50
Fifty Shades Darker (R)
4:00 6:40 9:20
Rings (PG13)
4:40 7:20 9:40
Credit & Debit Cards accepted
Cineplex gift cards available
* Matinee Pricing
wildhorseresort.com
541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216