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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 2018)
REGION Wednesday, February 28, 2018 East Oregonian Outside Lifeways consultant in observe mode By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian As Lifeways works to make changes to its crisis services, it will have some help from the outside. Paul Flanders, a licensed therapist and crisis worker who most recently spent more than 24 years at Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness, has joined Lifeways as a consultant. He will spend the next few months observing and making suggestions to the Umatilla County mental health service. Lifeways was put on notice by its parent organization, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc., in January, after widespread dissatisfaction about the service’s response to people in crisis. Law enforcement officials in the county had expressed frustration that they had been tasked with taking care of people in crisis, a responsibility several local police chiefs said should fall to Lifeways. As a result of the fallout, Lifeways was directed to hire an outside consultant — Flanders — to help make changes to its services. In an interview last week, Flanders said he spent the first week observing Life- ways’ processes Flanders in both Hermiston and Pendleton, as well as meeting with stakeholders such as law enforcement, hospital and county health officials. “The big dynamic in all these situ- ations is the quality of relationships, especially in dealing with crisis situa- tions,” he said. “It really takes coordi- nation and communication in each of those events.” Flanders said he has been encour- aged by the Lifeways staff he has met. “I think they have a genuine commitment and desire to deliver good services, and I think that’s true at all levels,” he said. Flanders said at this point, he is still observing and getting a sense of the organization. “I have made specific recommenda- tions, but I don’t think that’s appropriate to put in the paper,” he said. “This is going to be an ongoing process.” While Flanders has spent much of his time so far making observations at the administrative level, he said he will be utilizing his crisis service back- ground, as well. “Not necessarily on-site, though I’m not opposed,” he said. “Yesterday, I was in the dispatch room as they dealt with a crisis situation, offering suggestions. As far as going out on situations, I don’t anticipate it, but I’m not opposed to it.” He said other than being hired, he has not received any specific recom- mendations from GOBHI. “I am optimistic,” he said. “It is hard when there are not specific objectives or measurables other than improvement of services. But the attitude and desire to improve is there.” HERMISTON Aggravated assault, kidnapping land man in jail By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian Hermiston police responded to a call Monday at the Townhouse Villa apartments on Southeast Fourth Street near Safeway and arrested a man they say assaulted his girlfriend and two other people who tried to stop him. Officers arrested Jon-Christian Stubblefield, 39, on three counts of fourth-degree assault, as well as kidnapping and coercion, and took him to the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton. Officers said Stubblefield attacked his 38-year-old girlfriend and dragged her by her hair. When a 68-year-old woman and 61-year-old man tried to intervene, Stubblefield punched them in the face, according to police. They initially declined transport to the hospital, but later went in their own vehicle. Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said they were treated for bruises and one received stitches. The kidnapping charge, Edmiston Stubblefield said, was because Stubblefield forcibly moved his girlfriend. “Any time you take someone from one place to another,” he said. “As well as, in this case, dragging somebody by their hair for a distance.” Edmiston said he did not know how this conflict between Stubblefield and his girlfriend started, but he has had encounters with the police for domestic abuse multiple times in the last few Page 3A PENDLETON Police search for missing EO employee Pendleton resident and from a family vacation East Oregonian employee Saturday night, and police Drew Langton is missing, reported a witness saw him and Pendleton leave his North police are trying Hill residence at to find him. approximately Langton, 29, 11 a.m. Monday. has worked as That was the last a page designer report police have for the East of anyone seeing Oregonian since Langton. 2013. He did P o l i c e not show up for “pinged” his cell- work Monday phone and found Contributed photo afternoon. it was off, Roberts Friends, family Drew Langton said. Investigators and coworkers are also trying attempted to contact to follow other leads, but Langton, but no one has he said he could not reveal reached him. those at this time. Pendleton Police Chief Langton is 5 feet 8 Stuart Roberts said police inches tall, weighs 180 began looking for Langton pounds and has blue eyes. after 8 p.m. Monday. He drives a 2006 black Roberts said officers Ford Freestyle with Oregon contacted people who could plate 627KEN. Police ask provide information about anyone who sees Langton where he might be and also to contact the local 24-hour spoke to neighbors. dispatch center 541-966- Langton returned home 3650. years. Police most recently dealt with Stubblefield in 2016 for a domestic dispute with the same woman. At that time, Stubblefield was not arrested though the victim was taken to Good Shepherd Hospital. Edmiston said because of the nature and number of injuries Stubblefield inflicted, the case will likely be presented before a grand jury. In a press release posted on Facebook, Edmiston said the recent upward trend in aggravated assault numbers in Hermiston has concerned the department. In 2017, he said, Hermiston Police experienced 36 incidents of aggravated assaults, with suspects ranging in age from 17 to 48 years old, and victims ranging from 6 to 64 years old. In these situations, he said, HPD officers made arrests 86 percent of the time. COMMUNITY BRIEFLY Happy hour highlights Triple Nickles PENDLETON — A special History Happy Hour will include a presentation about the Triple Nickles. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion — aka the Triple Nickles — an elite all-Black paratrooper unit was deployed to Oregon near the end of World War II. The Triple Nickles jumped their way into Oregon history in 1945 during a secret mission known as “Operation Firefly.” Robert Bartlett, a professor from Eastern Washington University and a member of the Triple Nickles Association, will share about the group and how Pendleton played a role. In addition, he will share about a proposed historical marker located in Pendleton to commemorate the 555th. The free event is Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Oregon Grain Growers brand Distillery, 511 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton. The event is sponsored by the Travel Information Council’s Oregon Historical Marker Program, in partnership with Travel Pendleton and the Pendleton Air Museum. For more information, call 541-276-7411. String quartet presents free concert PENDLETON — The Umatilla Student String Quartet will perform a public concert as part of the Associated Chamber Music Players’ “Worldwide Play-In Weekend” The free event is Saturday 2/28 Cineplex Show Times $5 Classic Movie • 12:00 PM Glengarry Glen Ross Black Panther (Pg 13) 7:00 3D 4:00 10:00 15:17 To Paris (PG13) 4:20 6:40 9:20 Peter Rabbit (PG) 4:30 6:50 9:30 Game Night (R) 4:50 7:10 9:40 Fifty Shades Freed (R) 5:00 7:20 9:50 * Matinee Pricing wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216 at 7:30 p.m. at Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pendleton. The members of the string quartet include Tyler Simpson, violin; Ithea Engum-Coral, violin; Kristen Gregg, viola; and Jenna Harrison, cello. Each are participants in the Oregon East Symphony’s Playing For Keeps education program and receive coaching from local cello instructor Loree Tucker- McKenna. The ACMP Worldwide Play-In Weekend is an annual celebration of the joy of chamber music. The grassroots event unites people by their common love of chamber music. Participants host play-ins worldwide in creative ways, in groups small and large, in settings informal and structured. For more information about the Associated Chamber Music Players, visit www.acmp.net. Sports boosters announce steak feed, auction HERMISTON — The 39th annual Hermiston Booster Club steak feed is this weekend. The event, which includes a silent auction, raffle and live auction, is Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston. The doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available at mkt.com/ hermistonsportsboosters or the HHS athletic office or the door. A special Seahawks raffle ticket is $25, which features a trip for two to a Seahawks game. Also, a $100 professional sports raffle offers airfare for two from a major airport and two lower-level seats to a baseball, football, hockey, basketball or golf event. Only 100 tickets will be sold. For more information, call Stacy Hunter at 541-564-4208 or hermistonsportsboosters@ gmail.com. Chamber Travel Club discusses Croatia trip HERMISTON — The Hermiston Chamber of Commerce Travel Club invites the public to learn more about an upcoming trip to Croatia. The nine-day adventure includes round-trip airfare from Portland, 12 meals, a professional tour director, motor coach transportation, admission per itinerary, STUDENT OF THE WEEK LYDIA HURTY Senior - Stanfi eld Secondary School Lydia is an outstanding student and citizen here at Stanfi eld Secondary School. Academically, Lydia ranks second in her class, with an overall GPA of a 3.87, while balancing a full load of college coursework. In May, she will be graduating as our Salutatorian and with our most rigorous high school diploma option, a Stanfi eld Honors Diploma. Days later, she will also participate in the commencement ceremony at Blue Mountain Community College, where she will receive her AAOT degree. She is one of two seniors at Stanfi eld who is graduating this spring with both a high school diploma and college associate’s degree, attaining 90 college credits while in high school. In addition to her academic excellence, Lydia is a member of National Honor Society and is an integral part to our school’s FFA chapter. Through her leadership in FFA, she was on the team that went to nationals in Indianapolis in 2016. Recently, she won the district Co-op quiz and chaired our Parli Pro team to a second place district fi nish. Lydia will be attending Eastern Oregon University this fall, where we know she will continue to shine! Proudly Sponsored By: comprehensive sightseeing and baggage handling. Participants will visit Old Dubrovnik, Zagreb-Zadar Split and Plitvice, all while staying in first class hotels. The journey begins Oct. 30, 2018. For more information, people are invited to attend an information session Thursday, March 8 at 4 p.m. at the chamber office, located in the Cornerstone Plaza, at 1055 S. Highway 395, Ste. 111, Hermiston. Ryan Campbell with Chamber Explorations will be on hand to answer questions. For more information, contact Debbie Pedro at 541-567-6151 or debbie@ hermistonchamber.com. File photo Grass dancer Enoch Crane of Mission dances during a past powwow at BMCC in Pendleton. BMCC sets workshop, powwow PENDLETON — The public is invited to learn more about various dance categories and hear the different types of songs heard at a powwow. The Powwow 101 Workshop is March 7 at noon in Morrow Hall Room 100 at Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton. There is no admission charge. Also, the BMCC Powwow is March 8 at 6 p.m. in the college’s McCrae Activity Center, which is also free. For more information, contact Annie Smith at asmith@bluecc.edu or 541-278-5935. ENTER TO WIN AT THE 19 TH ANNUAL PA FREE RK ING PRESENTED BY: HEAD & HORNS COMPETITION GRAB THAT TROPHY from your wall, garage or attic and bring it to the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show at the First Interstate Bank Center and Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Official Record Book scorers will measure it and prizes will be awarded. YOU COULD WIN GREAT PRIZES including a brand new Fort Knox Defender Safe, Model 6031. Valuable prizes are awarded and provided by Federal Premium Ammunition, Bushnell, Fort Knox, Danner, Final Approach, Gerber and Ruger! MARCH 1-4, 2018 First Interstate Bank Center and Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center • Redmond TROPHY CATEGORIES: Black Bear • Mule Deer (Typical & Non-Typical) • Blacktail Deer (Typical & Non-Typical) • Whitetail Deer (Typical & Non-Typical) • Mt. Goat • Rocky Mt. Elk (Typical & Non-Typical) • Roosevelt Elk (Typical & Non-Typical) • Pronghorn • Cougar • Bighorn Sheep • Moose SHOW HOURS Thurs - Fri ..........12 noon – 8 p.m. Sat. ....................10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sun. ...................10 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE PARKING * Credit cards welcome. $1 fee will be charged per transaction. ADMISSION * Adults................................... $12 2-day pass ........................... $18 After 4 p.m. ............................ $6 Military ** ........................2 for 1 Juniors (6-16) ........................ $5 Children 5 & under ............. FREE * *Proof of military ID. Good all days. WEEKDAY DISCOUNT COUPONS available at participating Les Schwab Tire Centers and Bi-Mart stores. Discounts may not be combined. For more information about Head & Horns, call 541-530-2749. For complete contest rules and prize packages, show info, coupons, directions, and daily seminar schedules, visit: www.thesportshows.com
