REGION
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Lawsuit seeks
$37.2M from doctor,
St. Anthony Hospital
By PHIL WRIGHT
East Oregonian
PENDLETON — A
Pilot Rock man and his wife
have fi led a lawsuit claiming
St. Anthony Hospital, Pend-
leton, and an emergency
department doctor there
provided substandard care
that resulted in the paralysis
of his legs and lower body.
Gregory Denton and his
spouse Melinda Wachter
seek $37.2 million in all.
Pickett Dummigan McCall,
a personal injury law fi rm in
Portland, fi led the lawsuit on
Dec. 30 in Umatilla County
Circuit Court. The lawsuit
names the hospital and Dr.
Sheldon Olen Wendler as
the defendants.
Accord i ng to t he
complaint, Denton on the
night of July 6, 2019, went
to the Pendleton hospi-
tal with symptoms of back
pain, abdominal pain and
bilateral lower extremity
paralysis. He was 54 and
had a “well-documented
medical history of pelvic
fractures and a deep-vein
thrombosis” and was on the
anticoagulant Coumadin,
according to the lawsuit.
Denton talked to doctors,
received a computed tomog-
raphy — CT — scan and
examinations, and doctors
noted Denton had a history
of abdominal pain, back
pain and gall stones. The
hospital discharged Denton
at around 2:40 a.m. July 7
without determining the
cause of the pain in his back
and abdomen nor the paral-
ysis.
Denton woke July 7 to
more numbness in his legs
and with the pain still in his
abdomen. The conditions
worsened as the day went
on until Denton returned to
the emergency department,
and at about 11:20 p.m. saw
Wendler. By then, accord-
ing to the lawsuit, Denton
had lost all sensation and
motor strength from his
waist down to his feet.
Wendler examined
Denton and noted he was
unable to move his legs. The
doctor at 12:54 a.m. July 8,
ordered CT scans. Another
doctor saw the scans and
noted a lesion on Denton’s
spine that may represent a
tumor. He advised Denton
East Oregonian
A3
M-F Wineries peak with Watermill expansion
By HECTOR DEL
CASTILLO
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
MILTON-FREEWATER
— Interest in wine process-
ing is gaining momentum
in Milton-Freewater with
construction well under-
way to expand the already
massive Watermill building,
on East Broadway Avenue,
providing new winemakers
with a facility they could use
to get started.
The building covers about
100,000 square feet and is
shared by Watermill Winery
and five other small wine
businesses. Expansion will
add about 65% more room
and the potential for a bigger
wine-making hub.
Milton-Freewater City
Manager Linda Hall reported
she has received more appli-
cations for liquor licenses in
anticipation of the Watermill
expansion.
Watermill winemaker
Andrew Brown stated Thurs-
day, Jan. 20, the project is
about 70% complete.
“What we’re looking at is
servicing people who want
to be in the wine industry,
in ways that aren’t provided
in Milton-Freewater at this
time,” Brown said. “Basi-
cally, that’s full service wine
production from receiving to
packaging and everything in
the middle, which includes
fermentation, analysis, aging
wine and barrel.”
Wine processing may not
be new to the Walla Walla
Valley, which was desig-
nated an American Viti-
cultural Area in 1984 and
is now home to about 120
wineries in both Southeast
Washington and Northeast-
ern Oregon. But nestled
within its 502 square miles
is the relatively young and
tiny The Rocks District of
Milton-Freewater.
It’s less than 6 square
miles and already has 33
wine-growing members
since becoming its own AVA
in 2015.
The number of members
keeps going up.
“It’s a very desirable loca-
tion because it’s very distinc-
tive,” Walla Walla Valley
Wine Executive Director
Robert Hansen said. “The
grapes they grow there have
very noticeable and recogniz-
able traits, and there’s very
savory wine qualities that
come from the stones of that
region. I think it’s desirable
due to its uniqueness.”
The Brown family has
undergo a magnetic reso-
nance imaging, or MRI,
scan.
But St. Anthony was
not equipped to perform
an MRI and respond to a
neurosurgical emergency,
the lawsuit states, so Wend-
ler began to arrange to
transfer Denton somewhere
that could help him. At
about 3 a.m. Oregon Health
& Science University, Port-
land, recommended trans-
ferring Denton there.
Wendler at 3:25 a.m.
arranged for a Pendleton
ambulance to take Denton
to OSHU rather than on
an emergency aircraft. But
the ambulance was not
dispatched until 7:30 a.m.
and left St. Anthony at
7:45 a.m. for the drive to the
Portland hospital.
Denton arrived at OHSU
at 11:05 a.m. July 8, and had
an MRI and neurosurgery
consultation. Tests showed
Denton’s blood was too
thin for surgery. The neuro-
surgery department at
4:36 p.m. recommended
reversing his blood’s condi-
tion in anticipation of
surgery.
“Plaintiff was taken to
the operating room with the
hope of decompressing the
spinal cord,” according to
the lawsuit. “Unfortunately,
the procedure failed.”
The spinal epidural
hematoma in Denton’s spine
expanded with continued
bleeding over the course of
days, the lawsuit states, and
by the time the procedure at
OHSU began, the damage
it had caused to Denton’s
spine was irreversible.
Accord i ng to t he
complaint, the substan-
dard care Denton claims
he received resulted in
delays that led to his suff er-
ing neuropathy, nervous
system problems with his
bladder and urination and
permanent paralysis of the
legs and lower body. The
pleading asks for $200,000
in economic damages, $15
million for future treatment
and care and $20 million
for noneconomic damages,
including emotional and
mental pain and distress.
State court records do
not yet show responses
from St. Anthony Hospital
and Wendler.
Greg Lehman, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
From left, Israel Zenteno, Studio Production winemaker; Brian Roy, Watermill Brand wine-
maker; Abe Currin, Studio and Brand cidermaker; and Andrew Brown, founder and general
manager at the expanded production facility in Milton-Freewater, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
long been preparing for wine ing rooms that helps drive
processing to catch on around the industry on our side of
Milton-Freewater.
the Valley.”
Watermill was founded
Interest in the Watermill
in 2005, not long after the facility, according to Brown,
Browns planted their first already has come from wine-
vineyard. That followed makers in Walla Walla as
more than a century
well as other parts of
of family farming and
Oregon and Wash-
commercial apple
ington and even as
growing.
far south as Califor-
“It’s been desired
nia.
by the industry for a
“We’re set up as
long time,” Andrew
to host alternating
Brown said. “I think
proprietors,” Brown
you’re starting to
Brown
said.
“Basically what
see more consumer
interest in the wines that are that means is that people who
produced out of the region, have existing winery licenses
so now it’s a little more possi- in the state of Oregon, or
ble for wineries to put a stake people who want to have a
in the ground and produce winery license in the state of
wines that are recognized.”
Oregon, can actually share
More wine business our space legally. There’s
would mean an increase in some advantages to that, that
competition, but Watermill would make it a better busi-
likes the idea.
ness strategy.”
“The more the merrier,
“What our facility allows
that’s what I say,” Brown is for startups to basically get
stated. “Honestly it’s been licensing without the infra-
something for my family, and structure costs of setting up
for our business, that we’ve a facility or building.”
hoped for over the past 15
Along with increased
years, to really have a core wine production interest in
of winery facilities and tast- Milton-Freewater comes
preparations to enhance the
experience of consumers.
Tasting rooms would
help bring in more tourism
dollars, much like Walla
Walla has generated from its
downtown plaza.
Watermill is expected to
unveil an upgraded patio at
the winery this spring, with
the addition of food service
as well as the return of live
music.
Across the street from the
Watermill Winery is sched-
uled to be a new Los Rocosos
tasting room, with prepara-
tions for an opening this
spring.
And more continues to
develop for Milton-Freewa-
ter wines, according to the
city manager, who is excited
about the possibilities.
“It means notoriety, quite
frankly,” Hall said. “I think
it’ll eventually be a huge
draw. We’re already seeing
increases in the numbers of
businesses that are coming
here with liquor license
applications because of that
facility. Obviously more jobs,
more money at the economy.
Always a good thing.”
Get strong, fast Wi-Fi to work and
play throughout your home. ^
FEEL THE SPEED,
EVEN AT PEAK TIMES.
No annual contract.
Based on wired connection to gateway.
Power multiple devices at once—
everyone can enjoy their own screen.
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
Over 99% reliability.
Excludes DSL. Based on network availability.
AT&T
INTERNET 100
††
45
$
/mo *
Contact your local DIRECTV dealer
For 12 mos, plus taxes & equip. fee. $10/mo equip. fee applies.
Limited availability in select areas. *Price after $5/mo
Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills).
IV Support Holdings
888-486-0359
Limited availability in select areas. May not be available inyour area.
Call or goto att.com/internetto see if you qualify.
INTERNET OFFER: Subj. to change and may be discontinued at any time. Price for Internet 100 for new residential customers & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount. Pricing for first 12 months only. After 12 mos., then
prevailing rate applies. Autopay & Paperless Bill Discount: Discount off the monthly rate when account is active & enrolled in both. Pay full plan cost until discount starts w/in 2 bill cycles. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email
address to continue discount. Additional Fees & Taxes: AT&T one-time transactional fees, $10/mo. equipment fee, and monthly cost recovery surcharges which are not government-required may apply, as well as taxes. See www.att.com/fees for
details. Installation: $99 installation for full tech install, plus tax where applicable. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. ^AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a
BGW210, 5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. ††Internet speed claims represent maximum network service
capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
©2021 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. AT&T and Globe logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.
OFFICE SPECIALIST 2
Prepare for unexpected
power outages with a
Generac home standby
generator
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
877-557-1912
FREE
7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
Limited Time Off er - Call for Details
Special Financing Available
Subject to Credit Approval
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase,
install and activate the generator with a participating
dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
Blazing Fast
Internet!
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
19 . 99
$
/mo.
where available
1/28-2/3
Cineplex Show Times
Theater seating will adhere to social distancing protocols
Every showing $7.50 per person (ages 0-3 still free)
The King's Daughter (PG)
4:00p 6:40p
The Tiger Rising (PG)
9:20p
extra 12:50p showing 1/28-1/30
Scream 2022 (R)
4:10p 6:50p 9:30p
extra 1:30p showing 1/28-1/30
Redeeming Love (PG13)
4:40p 8:00p
extra 1:20p showing 1/28-1/30
2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE
69
$
99
MO.
America’s Top 120 Package
190 CHANNELS
Including Local Channels!
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
for 12 Mos.
1-866-373-9175
Offer ends 4/13/22.
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper,
Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
Careers that make a difference
Work with people with disabilities!
Spider-Man: No Way Home (PG13)
4:20p 7:40p
extra 1:00p showing 1/28-1/30
Sing 2 (PG)
3:50p 6:30p 9:10p
extra 1:10p showing 1/28-1/30
wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850
Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216
www.ImpactOregon.careers
Salary Range: $3,111 - $4,460
Full-Time
Limited Duration
Eastern Oregon
Correctional Institution
in Pendleton, OR
Apply by 1/30/22
https://bit.ly/3I4J19m
