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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2019)
REGION Wednesday, October 23, 2019 East Oregonian A3 Round-Up breaks ground Umatilla National Forest Photo Officials with the Umatilla National Forest said the forest has already received snow this fall, making for treacherous road conditions in higher elevations. Umatilla National Forest cautions visitors about fall forest conditions EO Media Group Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Workers tear up the asphalt parking lot at the former Albertsons site in Pendleton on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the construction of the Pendleton Round-Up’s new multi-use building at the site. Remains in Columbia River could solve old case License plate associated with missing person came from Prosser, Washington By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian HERMISTON — The discovery of a pickup con- taining skeletal remains in the Columbia River near Hermiston could solve a missing person case 26 years old. According to a news release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, a couple recreationally scuba diving on Oct. 17 in the Columbia River at the Hat Rock State Park boat launch reported discovering a sub- merged Ford Ranger pickup with Washington license plates. The vehicle was in approximately 20 feet of water just past the end of the docks. Dispatchers checked the license plate and found the vehicle was associated with a missing person case from the police department in Prosser, Washington, going back 26 years. Maynard Koen, who was born in 1911, according to the sheriff’s office, went missing in August 1993. The sheriff’s office arranged for Columbia Photo contributed by Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Members of the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue of Rich- land, Wash., check out the Ford Ranger they helped recover Saturday from the Columbia River at Hat Rock State Park near Hermiston. The pickup and the remains inside could solve a missing person case dating back to 1993. Basin Dive Rescue of Rich- land, Washington, and D & R Towing, Hermiston, to assist in recovering the pickup. The sheriff’s office, the volunteer dive agency and tow company met Sat- urday at 10:30 a.m. at the site to begin the recovery. Sheriff’s office marine deputies assisted with any boating traffic or other river-based needs. After approximately two hours, the team removed the pickup from the river and hauled it to the sheriff’s office for fur- ther investigation. “Based on the condition of the vehicle and the infor- mation available, it appears likely that this vehicle was submerged in this location at or around the time Mr. Koen was reported miss- ing,” according to the sher- iff’s office. “Further inves- tigation of the interior of the vehicle revealed skele- tal remains and a driver’s license issued to Mr. Koen.” The sheriff’s office also stated the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office will handle positive identifi- cation of the remains. PENDLETON — Local forest officials are urging hunters and forest visitors to use caution and plan ahead when making trips to the forest. Officials with the Uma- tilla National Forest said the forest has already received snow this fall, making for treacherous road conditions in higher elevations. Fall weather can be unpredictable and is a busy time of year on the Umatilla National Forest. Hunting is a primary activity during this time, increasing the number of visitors in the forest. “We encourage forest users to responsibly enjoy their National Forest roads and trails, including plan- ning ahead for a trip to the woods. Responsible use will not only avoid damage of the resources, but also ensure forest visitors have an enjoy- able and safe experience,” said Eric Watrud, Umatilla National Forest supervisor. Prior to heading to the woods, Watrud encour- aged the public to always contact the local district office, check the weather, have a planned route and ensure the area is accessi- ble by knowing what clo- sures or restrictions are in place. He also said when- ever possible, travel in pairs, bring extra clothing, food and water, and make sure that someone knows where you are going. Watrud said it’s important for others to know your planned route in the forest and when you will be returning. Forest users should carry a map and not rely on cell- MORE INFORMATION For more information on current forest conditions, contact the Umatilla National Forest at (541) 278-3716 or visit its website at https://www. fs.usda.gov/umatilla. phones since many areas on the forest don’t have service. There has been pre- scribed burning activities this fall on the forest and visitors should be cautious when entering a recently burned area and be aware of increased hazards, par- ticularly snags, which are recently burned or dead trees, Watrud said. Forest officials ask that visitors do not camp or hang out in a burned area. “Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds,” Watrud said. “Loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creat- ing a falling a hazard.” Additionally, burned veg- etation can also contribute to landslides, mudslides and erosion when rain occurs. The ground in a burned area can also be unstable, due to burned-out roots beneath the surface. After soils and vegetation have been charred, rainfall that would normally be absorbed could run off extremely quickly. “The Umatilla National Forest wants all forest vis- itors to have a positive and safe experience while recre- ating on their public lands,” Watrud said. BRIEFLY New state water manager takes office in Pendleton resources coordinator and water management and con- servation analyst with the department and also worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Kowitz gradu- ated from Western Washing- ton University with a bache- lor’s degree in environmental science. Ivan Gall, Water Resources field services division admin- istrator, said the position of region manager continues to evolve as the department manages water needs while preparing for future water challenges, and Kowitz “is well-equipped to take on such responsibility.” Kowitz is available via email at Chris.C.Kow- itz@oregon.gov or phone at 541-278-5456. PENDLETON — A new state water boss is coming to town. The Oregon Water Resources Department announced the hiring of Chris Kowitz as the North Central Region manager. He will work out of the office at 116 S.E. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Kow- itz replaces Mike Ladd, who retired this year after 44 years with the department. “I look forward to intro- ducing myself to the com- munity and collaborating on water supply solutions,” Kow- itz said in the announcement. He will oversee the work of field staff who measure and distribute water and inspect Free classes this wells in the Umatilla, Lower week on new tenant John Day, Lower Deschutes and Hood River basins, which protection bill primarily span Umatilla, Gil- PENDLETON — The liam, Sherman, Wasco, and Oregon Rental Housing Hood River counties. Kow- Association announced free, itz held positions as a water two-hour classes this week in Pendleton and La Grande on the state’s new tenant protec- tion bill. Senate Bill 608 is a com- plex law that “substan- tially alters the relationship between tenants and land- lords,” according to the announcement from the asso- ciation, and carries high pen- alties for landlord error while causing uncertainty for land- lords and tenants. The association’s classes are free and include handouts for anyone who attends. The Pendleton classes are Thursday, 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at Roosters Coun- try Kitchen, 1515 Southgate Place. The La Grande classes are Friday 2-4 p.m. and 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, part of Community Connec- tion, 1504 N. Albany St. Registration is not neces- sary, but the association sug- gests coming early to secure seating. Also, all the classes are the same, so people only need to attend one of session. And while the classes have handouts, anyone attending should bring their own writ- ing tools and even a clip- board because there will not be tables. ORHA Education, Inc. is a state association dedicated to training and educating own- ers about changes in laws, according to the organiza- tion’s website. Search and Rescue aids two trapped in snow UMATILLA COUNTY — Umatilla County Search and Rescue helped two men who were trapped in the snow for most of the weekend. The sheriff’s office received a call shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday reporting that Reese Merriman, 25, of The Dalles, and Lane Rich- ards, 25, of Hermiston, were stuck in heavy snow on For- est Service Road 3128 in an unheated Razor utility vehicle. Their cellphone was nearly dead, and the depth of snow prevented the pair from wheeling the UTV back to safety. Neither was dressed for winter weather. According to a press release issued by the Uma- tilla County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue prepared a UTV with snow tracks before volunteer Bob English and Sgt. Dwight Johnson responded to the incident. They off-loaded the UTV from another vehicle near Thomas Creek and the South Fork of the Umatilla River, and then headed toward Ruckle Junction at around 1:20 a.m. Sunday. Snow drifts ranged from 2 to 5 feet. The pair drove the UTV within 50 yards of Richards and Merriman at 3:10 a.m. Sunday. Johnson report- edly snowshoed to the men to carve out a walking path through the deep snow. Richards and Merriman, while cold, were not injured. They were transported to Corporation Guard Station Road, and left for home in pri- vate vehicles. — East Oregonian staff VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: EastOregonian.com 10/23 Cineplex Show Times $5 Classic Movie Showing Today @ 12p Uncle Buck Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (PG) 2D 6:50p 4:00p 9:30p Zombieland: Double Tap (R) 5:00p 7:20p 9:40p The Addams Family (PG) 2D 4:30p 6:40p 8:50p Gemini Man (PG13) 4:10p 7:00p 9:40p Joker (R) 4:20p 7:10p 9:50p * Matinee Pricing wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216