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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2017)
A10 News wallowa.com December 13, 2017 Wallowa County Chieftain Joseph leaves marijuana legalization to voters By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain The Joseph City Coun- cil said no to both a recre- ational and legal marijuana dispensary in the city lim- its Dec. 7. The council also voted to accept the resigna- tion of Rodd Clark, who cited personal reasons for stepping down. Sean Flanagan and Michelle Kramer, partners and owners of the The Peace Pipe, a Joseph store that sells smoking accessories and art, made their second request this year to allow them to sell pot. Their first appear- ance resulted in an indefinite tabling of the issue, as the city already has an ordinance on the books that prohibits selling of marijuana within 1,000 feet of areas children are known to congregate, which effectively includes the entire city limits. Kramer did most of the talking. Mayor Dennis Sands asked her for projections of possible revenue for the city. She said that the city of Huntington’s demograph- ics offered the closest match, and that city had received $150,000 in revenue from the state. She offered that even a conservative estimate of Joseph’s potential would be $100,000 if it instituted the three percent sales tax allowed by law plus a per- centage from the state tax. Kramer also reiterated an offer the couple made previ- ously: The proposed dispen- sary would pay the city the three percent tax on a monthly Crash kills Molalla man A two-vehicle crash Dec. 7 claimed the life of a Molalla man on Highway 351 at Mile- post 5.5. Around 2:20 p.m., Oregon State Police and emergency per- sonnel responded to the report of a crash at Wallowa Lake. Preliminary investiga- tion revealed that a 2000 Sil- ver Dodge Caravan, operated by Michael Paul Sprissler, 63, of Molalla, was south- bound when he veered across the highway into the path of a white 1996 Ford F250 pickup, operated by James Anthony Burton, 59, of Joseph. The Ford hit the driver’s side of It’s not Christmas without new pajamas! Luxurious robes Cozy flannel pajama sets the Dodge. Sprissler was fatally injured and pronounced deceased at the scene. Burton was not injured. The highway was closed for about four hours while Troopers investigated the crash scene. State patrol was assisted by the Wal- lowa County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Fire and Rescue and Oregon Department of Transportation. Speed and icy road con- ditions are being investigated as possible contributing fac- tors in the crash. Investigation continues and more informa- tion will be released when available. State patrol reminds driv- ers that winter conditions are now upon us and to travel with extreme care. Slow down and watch for ice in shaded areas. Check the emergency equipment in your vehicles including the safety equip- ment needed such as chains and snow tires to travel into Oregon’s snow zones. basis, so the city wouldn’t be forced to wait for quarterly distribution from the state. She added what the cou- ple saw as an opportunity for job growth, which included 15-20 growers and man- ufacturers of edible, extractions and such. “We’re going to need County snares ATV with wolf deterrent grant By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain Wallowa County has received a $29,000 grant to help its ranchers with nonlethal wolf deterrents in their struggle against livestock depredations. The grant was a result of a $30,000 contribution from the federal government to the Oregon Department of Agri- culture, which was required to provide matching funds before distribution. The county’s commission- ers received a call from the state asking them to request a piece of the pie, as two of the four eligible counties did not apply. County commissioner Susan Roberts didn’t hesitate to make sure the county got its seat at the table. Roberts said that fladry, best described as a red flag fence, only works as a tem- porary deterrent. The com- missioner went the more per- manent route of buying range rider Greg Jennings a new Yamaha Wolverine ATV and a trailer to ride the range. The new ATV has a cab, Steve Tool/Chieftain The county’s latest non-le- thal wolf deterrent. This Ya- maha Woverine is Wallowa County’s answer to wolf depredations. The coun- ty’s range rider, Greg Jen- nings, will put this to use as he roams the county’s cattle country searching for signs of wolf presence. winch and heater to make the riding more comfortable for Jennings, who was happy with his upgrade. “I’m sure it will be nice and handy, a lot nicer than the four-wheeler. I can throw stuff in the bed and still have lots of room,” he said. “It has another seat so I can take someone with me if I need to.” Commissioner and rancher Todd Nash, whose herd has Soft, fluffy slipper socks FIRE Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm Continued from Page A1 Uptown Clothing & Accessories in Downtown Josepn 12 S. Main St. * 541-432-9653 Improve Your Quality of Life with Therapy • • • bud tenders, security staff, contractors and we’ll need outside sources for com- puter systems,” she said. “There’s a lot of job cre- ation that’s not within the industry.” Kramer also addressed concerns the council might have, noting she has a child of her own and does not want marijuana in the hands of children and the pro- posed dispensary would have ample security to pre- vent that. She also said that crime statistics were ambig- uous at best and that Ore- gon would need more time to accurately assess crimi- nal activity associated with firemen and then ran back to get the 757-9 Hyundai wheel loader to pull the Hyster out of the building. On the way over I told BJ the brakes on the Hys- ter could be locked up, but BJ had a plan all figured out. He’s a good worker.” Firemen attached chains to the mast of the Hyster, and Arborgast lifted it and dragged it out with the wheel loader. Campbell reported the fork lift fire appeared to be electri- cal. There was no water dam- suffered more than one con- firmed depredation, approved the purchase as well. “It was for nonlethal and had to be used,” Nash said. “Greg had just about worn out his four-wheeler, and he’s been exposed to the weather on it. I think it’s a good use of funds.” The county spent around $17,000 on the Wolverine and plans to buy a couple of more radio receivers so range riders can more effectively commu- nicate with ranchers about wolf locations. Keeping the funds in the county was important. The ATV was purchased from Out- law Motor Sports in Enterprise, who appreciated the business. “It’s really great that the county supports local busi- nesses, and we’re glad Greg’s job will be more comfortable,” said co-owner Dustin James. Roberts said that the remaining $12,000 will need to be spent before Jan. 31 of next year or the funds will be for- feited. She added that a Jan. 12 meeting of the wolf compensa- tion committee will determine how the remainder of the funds are used. age to the building, and no visi- ble fire damage to the structure though thick smoke filled the business and smoke damage had yet to be assessed. The Deals said they are lucky. The building has a huge exhaust fan that was put to work and other fans were sta- tioned throughout the building. Starmer said she spotted the fire as she turned off of Truck Route Road onto Douglas Street, approaching her second stop of the morning with the Head Start bus. “Sitting clear up in my bus I could see gray smoke pouring out of every place smoke could marijuana legalization. The petitioner asked the council to consider a medical dispensary for the sake of its citizens who otherwise have to make a long painful drive to obtain marijuana. Kramer also said it’s been shown it can be useful for people try- ing to wean themselves from opiates. Sands thanked the couple for the presentation but rec- ommended taking no action. He did suggest gathering sig- natures and putting a mea- sure on the ballot to let the citizens of Joseph decide. “We really believe in this,” Kramer said. “We’re going to keep fighting.” FOR THE RECORD Dec. 4 5:46 a.m. –– A 911 caller reported a traffic crash in rural Lostine. 9:13 a.m. –– Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a theft complaint in Wallowa. 11:03 a.m. –– Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a criminal mischief report in Wallowa. 4:52 p.m. –– An injured deer on Hwy. 82 in rural Enterprise was reported via 911. 6:05 p.m. –– A report of an injured deer on Hwy. 82 near Lostine was received. Dec. 6 10:52 a.m. –– A phone scam was reported in Enterprise. 1:20 p.m. –– Credit card fraud was reported to Enterprise Police Department. 8:12 p.m. –– Wallowa County Circuit Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Dalton Daniel McKay, 24, of Adams, Ore., on a charge of probation violation. Original charge was furnishing alcohol to a minor. Dec. 8 2:45 a.m. –– Enterprise PD investigated a report of a miss- ing juvenile. The subject was located. 9:57 p.m. –– Joseph FD responded to a report of the smell of fuel in a home in Joseph. No leaks or spills were found. Dec. 9 4:24 p.m. –– Complaint of an abandoned vehicle in rural Lostine. come out of that building,” she said. “I told teacher’s assistant Julie Spang, who rides with me and buckles the little kids in, to call 911.” Spang had to leave the bus at that moment to meet a child, so Starmer made the calls. “I hadn’t even pulled away from that stop and Mason Hafer and Travis Goebel were already at the site,” Starmer said. “I knew the response was going to be really fast.” All citizens involved shrugged off the notion of any heroics. “We were just doing what we do in Wallowa County,” Tanzey said. Reduce arthritis pain with Aquatic Therapy Improve daily living skills with Occupational Therapy Control pain and even avoid surgery with Physical Therapy WALLOWA COUNTY Health Line Ask your physician today if you can improve your quality of life with aquatic, physical or occupational therapy & start feeling better now! We treat you like family 601 Medical Parkway, Enterprise, OR 97828 • 541-426-3111 • www.wchcd.org Wallowa Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity employer and provider. WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN CONTEST Week 13 football contest winner is Kristi Wade with 12 correct picks! Congratulations to LYLE JENSEN of La Grande who won this year’s Grand Prize of $200. Also a big THANK-YOU to all of our 2017 football contest advertisers! Keycode Entry Weight Room • Cardio Women’s Circuit • Tanning 202 W. Main, Enterprise 541-426-0313 519 W. North Street, Enterprise 541.426.3413 Mon-Thurs 9 to Noon/1-5pm; Fri. 9-1
