LOCAL
Wallowa.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
IN BRIEF
Fishtrap off ers
summer youth
scholarships
Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain
Kevin McQuead, left, is sworn in Monday, April 12, 2021, as the new chief of police for the city of Enterprise by Gina Birkmeier,
customer service specialist for the city, before the City Council’s regular meeting.
Chief McQuead shares thoughts on new job
Former deputy
‘reintroduces’
himself to
community
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
ENTERPRISE — Enter-
prise now has a new police
chief, since Kevin McQuead
was sworn into the posi-
tion Monday, April 12, at
the monthly City Council
meeting.
The long-time Wallowa
County deputy was hired to
replace former Chief Joel
Fish, who was elected Wal-
lowa County sheriff last year
and took that post in January.
The council’s Police Com-
mittee extended a conditional
off er to McQuead for the posi-
tion in February, contingent
on his successfully passing
several background investiga-
tions. The committee recently
deemed those investigations
concluded and made the off er
offi cial.
McQuead is the husband
of city Administrator Lacey
McQuead, who was not
involved in the hiring process.
Since the chief reports directly
to the committee, there was
deemed no confl ict of interest.
Although
many
in
the county already know
McQuead, he and the Chief-
tain agreed it would be advan-
tageous to reintroduce him in
his new capacity as chief. He
answered a series of questions
via email prior to taking on his
new role.
Chieftain: Where were
you born, raised and attended
school?
McQuead: I was born in
Arizona and raised in Escon-
dido, in San Diego County,
California. I graduated from
Escondido High and attended
college at the local junior
college to study general
education.
C: Tell a little about your
family.
M: I married (the former)
Lacey Shelton in 2011, who
is a local native. Lacey was
raised in Lostine, in the same
house her father was raised in.
My parents reside in Escon-
dido in a house that they built
when I was a young boy. I
have a sister and brother that
also reside in Escondido with
their families. I have four
boys, ages 23, 22, 15, 13. My
two youngest attend Enter-
prise Junior High and High
School.
C: Why did you want to be
Enterprise Police chief?
M: Law enforcement
called to me later in life. I
began my law enforcement
career in 2003 after fi guring
out it was where I was meant
to be. I knew I wanted pro-
gression within my career, but
I didn’t realize how much I
wanted it until I started going
through the application pro-
cess. Writing down my years
of service and accomplish-
ments during those years,
brought reassurance to my
decision to apply for a lead-
ership position. I have a
great boss, friend and men-
tor in Sheriff Joel Fish. I went
to him the minute I had any
thought about applying for the
position. It was my conversa-
tions with both him and my
family that helped me realize
this was the best decision and
a great opportunity.
C: How long did you
work for the Enterprise Police
Department before becoming
a deputy?
M: I worked for the Enter-
prise Police Department from
April 2005 until January 2008.
C: Why did you leave the
EPD for the sheriff ’s offi ce
then?
M: With only fi ve years
of law enforcement under
my belt (including my years
as a reserve offi cer), I saw
the Wallowa County Sher-
iff ’s Offi ce as an opportunity
to expand the variety of calls
and add new experience to
my career. After 13 years, I
still love my career as a dep-
uty, but I am ready for the next
stage, and that’s to be a leader
and mentor for the offi cers of
Enterprise.
C: What do you see as the
most important law enforce-
ment issue for the city?
M: This is to be
determined.
C: Former Chief Fish
made a point of develop-
ing a relationship with kids
at Enterprise school. Do you
plan to continue that?
M: Absolutely; kids are
the future. I take pride in the
relationship that I have with
the youths of this community.
I am excited for the morning
greetings from the students
getting off the bus and to con-
tinue the presence of EPD at
the school. Sheriff Fish, as
well as current EPD offi cers,
have done a great job bring-
ing a positive presence to the
school, a presence that you
will continue to see during my
time as chief.
C: Your thoughts on the
proposed school resource
offi cer?
M: It is a goal of mine to
have a resource offi cer in the
school.
C: Anything else you’d
care to comment on?
M: This is a new “starting
point” in my career and I plan
to be with the city of Enter-
prise until my retirement. I am
fortunate that I get to begin
this process with three incred-
ible, experienced police offi -
cers: Jacob Curtis, George
Kohlhepp and Cody Billman.
I look forward to my career
as police chief and serving the
citizens of this community.
ENTERPRISE — Do
you know a kid who loves
to write? Are you an aspir-
ing writer entering grades
5-12? Fishtrap has several
Scholarship opportunities
for students to attend Sum-
mer Fishtrap this July for
free.
Any youth who is enter-
ing fi fth grade or above
in the fall can apply for
the scholarship through
May 14. Details on apply-
ing are available online
at
https://fi shtrap.org/
youth-scholarships/.
Summer Fishtrap Youth
Workshops are taught by
fun, experienced educa-
tors who will help youths
discover their unique, cre-
ative potential and inspire
them to tell stories in new
and exciting ways.
Wallowa County stu-
dents have the choice to
attend the week of classes
in-person at Joseph Char-
ter School July 12-16 or
online via Zoom. Students
living in all other regions
By BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
WALLOWA — A Wal-
lowa man accused of mul-
tiple counts of sex abuse of
a child in Utah was arrested
March 31 at his Douglas
Street home by Wallowa
County Sheriff ’s deputies,
according to a police report.
Michael Anthony Alexis,
52, was arrested on a
nationwide felony warrant
issued by the district court
in Washington County,
Utah, for four counts of
aggravated
sex abuse
of a child.
Wa s h i n g -
ton County
Detective
Sgt.
Nate
Alexis
Abbott said
T h u r s d a y,
April 8, that the alleged
off enses took place over
about a year’s time from
2019-20. Although he
couldn’t identify the alleged
victim, Utah law indicates
anyone younger than 14 is
considered a child.
“The charge indicates it
was a child,” Abbott said.
He said that after the
alleged crimes, Alexis
apparently relocated to Wal-
lowa County. When the
allegations were brought to
the attention of the Wash-
ington County Sheriff ’s
Offi ce in the past couple of
months and an investigation
was opened, investigators
sought Alexis out.
“We reached out to him
and he was uncooperative,”
Abbott said.
As a result, the dis-
trict court there issued an
arrest warrant and Wallowa
County deputies found and
arrested Alexis.
Sheriff Joel Fish said the
arrest took place without
incident and Alexis surren-
dered willingly.
As of Thursday, the
5-foot, 6-inch, 225-pound
Alexis was still being held
in the Umatilla County Jail
in Pendleton without bail.
Abbott said Washing-
ton County is now in the
process of seeking extradi-
tion from Oregon to Utah
for Alexis to answer the
charges. Alexis could waive
extradition, the detective
said.
Since Alexis has not
been convicted, he is not
required to be registered as
a sex off ender.
Schools
Building Health Families Classroom, Enterprise High School,
Joseph Charter School, Wallowa High School
Businesses/Agencies
Arrowhead Chocolates • Creative Tree Pre-School • Enterprise Animal Hospital
Enterprise Electric • ESD Technology Department • Joseph Electric
Josephy Center for Arts & Culture • Kni-co Manufacturing • Neils Body Shop • Roots Salon
Ruby Peak Realty • Sports Corral • Stangel Bison Ranch • Stangel Industries
Tanzey Forest Management • US Forest Service • Wallowa Community Bank
Wallowa Memorial Hospital • Wallowa School District
Oregon Water Resources Department - Watermaster
Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office • Wallowa County Grain Growers/ Tri-County Equipment
Winding Waters Clinic • Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness
Births
A daughter, Angelina
Lynn Richardson, was born
April 7, 2021, in Enterprise,
to Suzy Ellis and Timothy
Richardson of Enterprise.
Grandparents are Gary
Ellis, Teresa Ellis, Michael
Richardson and Thelma
Vanarsdale.
A son, Conrad George
Maly, was born April 5,
2021, in Enterprise, to
Annika Maly and Geoff
Maly of Enterprise. Grand-
parents are Wes Giesbrect,
Valerie Giesbrecht, Jef
Fellows and Katherine
Fellows.
eomediagroup.com
301 W. Main, Enterprise • 541.426.3177
This week’s featured book
Peaces
by Helen Oyeyemi
107 E. Main St.
Enterprise OR 541-426-3351
bookloftoregon.com • manager@bookloft.org
WINTER
HOURS
DINE I K N E
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Wed. & Thur. 10
Fri. & Sat. 10 am am - 7 pm
- 8 pm
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Now
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SPRING
TIME
FUN
and HVAC Parts & Service
Ed Staub & Sons
Energy Community Service.
201 East Hwy 82 Enterprise, OR 97828
Not just
propane
541-426-0320
Pastor
Archie Hook
You came to us five years ago as our
lay pastor, when we were struggling.
You brought us back together in unity,
bringing hope, deepening our faith, and
strengthening our church family. Most
importantly, you helped us all grow spiritually
by learning to get past ourselves.
THANK YOU
The Rotary Club of Wallowa County wishes to thank the following businesses, agencies,
and individuals for their help in making its April 5th, 2021 Shadow Day another huge success.
Through their cooperative efforts, 41 high school juniors were able to
explore a local career in an area of interest.
can take the writing work-
shops online.
The scholarships are
awarded based on a per-
sonal letter demonstrating
the applicant’s fi nancial
need, age and how being
able to attend Summer
Fishtrap can enrich their
writing.
Learn more about the
scholarships and apply
at Fishtrap.org or contact
Emily Aumann by email
at emily@fi shtrap.org or
by phone at 541-426-3623
ext. 3.
— Chieftain staff
The most valuable and respected source of
local news, advertising and information
for our communities.
Wallowa man held on Utah sex charges
Michael Alexis
accused of
abusing a child
A3
We wish you and Vicqui the best in your new role
at La Grande Christian Church
Join Us!
Sunday, April 25, Pastor Archie’s Last Sunday
9:30 am Last Bible Study
11:00 am Last Worship
Reception with Cake and Coffee after (noon)
All are welcome to attend the worship service, or to stop by for cake and coffee
immediately following – you do not have to be a member of the church . Covid guidelines followed
Enterprise Community
Congregational Church
“The Big Brown Church”
301 NE First St. Enterprise
For more information,
find us on Facebook
or call 541-426-3044