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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 2022)
JOE TOWN RETIRES AFTER DECADES NINE-MAN FOOTBALL n OF SERVICE TO WALLOWA APPEARS TO BE OFF THE TABLE a tur ny e k a T ntho LOCAL, A3 SPORTS, A5 at A akes INSIDE WW W. JA NU AR Y 13 –19 GO EA ST ER NO RE GO N.C OM L , 20 22 n Liste raft es irst D ’ Seri h Watc Cap F Writers E 4 G Eagle eme PA Extr PA G E 3 $1.50 E 8 PAG y See ie Cit Prair ls mura 12 PA G E e ibuted imag ntr dy/Co ea Ju Chels 137th Year, No. 40 Wednesday, January 12, 2022 WALLOWA.COM Bobbie Rhodes Wallowa Senior caregiver says county is ‘home’ ENTERPRISE — Bobbie Rhodes has lived in Wallowa all of her 41 years. “It’s home,” she said, adding that she’s never really considered living anywhere else. She’s a caregiver at the Wal- lowa Valley Senior Living Center in Enterprise, having studied nurs- ing at Walla Walla Community Col- lege after graduating from Wal- lowa High School. She works in the memory care ward, helping resi- dents who have Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia with their day-to- day hygiene, care and keeping their memories active. Rhodes recently shared her thoughts about living in Wallowa County. What’s your favorite thing about Wallowa County? The mountains. They’re beauti- ful. That’s why I like them. What are you looking forward to in 2022? To be healthier. Did you make a New Year’s resolution? No, it seems like I always fail at them. Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? Love and to be with my family. What’s your advice for people who are thinking about moving here? Don’t. We don’t need any more people. They can come and visit, and then go on their way. We have enough (people). I want it to be more like it was back in the old days when we had friendlier people. The county seems to be getting less friendly. — Bill Bradshaw, Wallowa County Chieftain Destiny Wecks will be crowned as Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon during an event at the Elks Lodge in Enterprise on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Jeff Wong/Contributed Photo ASSUMING OFFICE Destiny Wecks offi cially steps into role as Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon By RONALD BOND Wallowa County Chieftain J OSEPH — Destiny Wecks is offi cially in the saddle as Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, a title the former Chief Joseph Days co-queen will hold throughout 2022. Wecks, 18, will be honored during an event at the Enterprise Elks Lodge at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, unoffi cially kicking off a year of promoting the sport she has come to love. “Yes, it’s kind of exciting,” Wecks said during a Dec. 30 interview of settling into the role, “but also (at) the same time a lit- tle nerve-racking … not exactly sure what the year has to bring Robert McLean/Contributed Photo Destiny Wecks, shown with Opie, will be crowned as Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon during an event at the Elks Lodge in Enterprise on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. and what to expect.” One thing Wecks does know is that she will be busy. She has a goal of trying to attend a rodeo almost every weekend, and at each one will be doing what she can to help the events she is attending. “My plan is to go to as many rodeos across the Pacifi c North- west as I can,” she said. “I will be doing grand entry with the other rodeo queens, I can help with selling programs, autograph signing during and after, as well as if they need help in the arena moving cattle, setting up barrels, (or running a) sponsor fl ag. I will be able to speak on radio if other rodeos need it, (or) luncheons for myself promoting tryouts.” It’s the third of what Wecks hopes eventually will be fi ve rodeo titles. She previously has donned a crown in her rodeo career as Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart and Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon. The next one hopefully on the slate is Miss Rodeo Oregon, and the top hope is Miss Rodeo America, which, if garnered, would make her the fi rst Oregonian to hold each honor. Mackenzie Carr Ivie is the only Oregonian to be named Miss Rodeo America. Wecks wants to use her posi- tion in promotion to help the next generation learn about rodeo and the lifestyle of the West. One of her dreams, she said, is “to really See Rodeo, Page A13 Cattle investigation continues Dead wolf found in Wallowa County was likely shot Owner’s wife blames the ranch manager By BILL BRADSHAW Wallowa County Chieftain WALLOWA COUNTY — Wallowa County Sheriff Joel Fish said his offi ce’s investigation con- tinues into possible animal neglect at Dean Oregon Ranches and other cattle stranded in the mountains by snowstorms remains ongoing. “I do not have any specifi c number of cows that have been gathered or died,” Fish said. “The staff for Dean Oregon Ranches are collecting the cattle. Most of the cattle belong to Dean Oregon Ranches.” The sheriff said he expects the investigation to take time as his offi ce gathers statements from those involved. County Commissioner Todd Nash, who is a rancher and often addresses agricultural issues on the Board of Commissioners, said Fish’s statement of Dec. 31 that the county was “moving toward seizing the Dean Oregon Ranch” was not exactly accurate. Nash said it’s the cattle — not the ranch itself — that may be seized and it EO Media Group Craig Stockdale/Contributed Photo This cow had to be euthanized after being stuck in deep snow in the Upper Imnaha area recently. A massive eff ort to rescue the cows and their calves on the Bob Dean Oregon Ranch has been made by ranch workers, county offi cials and volunteers. is unknown if the small number of cattle owned by other ranchers would be included. “We’re looking at seizing the livestock,” Nash said. “We’re in the process of considering that.” He said there is no timeline in sight, as the proper legal mea- sures must be taken, such as Fish’s investigation. “We need to have all our ducks in a row,” the commissioner said. Wife speaks up But Karen Dean, wife of Bob Dean, the owner of the ranch in the Upper Imnaha area where cattle have been freezing or res- cued from it for the past few weeks, was defensive of her ail- ing husband during a telephone interview from her Georgia home. See Cattle, Page A13 Oregon State Police are seeking information about a dead wolf that was found in Wallowa County after apparently being shot by a fi rearm. A citizen reported the wolf car- cass to OSP about 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8. The wolf was along Parsnip Creek Road about six miles southeast of Wallowa. The wolf, which was fi tted with a tracking collar, is a two-year-old female that had dispersed from the Chesnimnus Pack, according to a press release from OSP. The initial investigation showed the wolf had been fatally shot. OSP is urging anyone with infor- mation regarding this case to call the Oregon State Police TIP line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@state.or.us. Refer- ence case No. SP22006179.
