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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2015)
8 S MOKE S IGNALS OCTOBER 1, 2015 Corn silage spill Tragic Labor Day accident prompts road safety discussion By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Photo by Michelle Alaimo On Tuesday, Sept. 22, a semitrailer spilled a load of corn silage on Southwest Hebo Road, about a mile past Grand Ronde Road heading toward the coast. The accident temporarily closed the road and Grand Ronde Tribal Police Offi cer Ron Wellborn helped with traffi c control. On Wednesday, Sept. 23, NRC Environmental Services Inc. cleaned the spilled corn silage out of the South Yamhill River and off the bank to prevent the silage from going into the river. Accused bank robber arrested at casino Kenneth Alan Fox, 54, was arrested by the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department and offi cers from both the Polk County Sheriff’s Offi ce and Yamhill County Sheriff’s Offi ce on one count of bank robbery on Wednes- day, Sept. 23, at Spirit Mountain Casino. The FBI had fi led a criminal complaint charging Fox with a bank rob- bery that occurred on Sept. 15 at the First Tech Credit Union branch in on Southwest Boones Ferry Road in Wilsonville. According to Beth Anne Steele with the FBI’s Portland offi ce, investiga- tors are working to determine whether Fox may be responsible for similar robberies in the area. The arrest at Spirit Mountain Casino occurred without incident, Steele said in a press release announcing the arrest. Blood Pressure Screening The tragic death of a 12-year-old Tribal youth who was hit by a ve- hicle while crossing Grand Ronde Road on her bicycle has prompted community discussions about how to improve safety on the increasing- ly busy road. Saige Marie Selwyn was hit by a Ford pickup truck near the Grand Ronde Food Bank at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. She was transported by West Valley Fire District ambulance to Salem Hos- pital and fl own to Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She suffered head trauma in the accident and after two weeks of fi ghting for her life, she walked on on Monday, Sept. 21. The accident and ensuing commu- nity reaction sparked conversation at the Wednesday, Sept. 16, Tribal Council meeting about bicycle safety, vehicles speeding on Grand Ronde Road and possibly reducing the speed limit on the thoroughfare that connects two state highways. Saige was mentioned in invoca- tions before General Council and Tribal Council meetings. Many prayers were offered by friends, family and community members on several Facebook pages and a candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, near the bike memorial on Grand Ronde Road. The bike memorial sprung up on the west side of Grand Ronde Road just north of the Grand Ronde Food Bank and lime green ribbons – her favorite color – decorated mailbox posts, fences and utility poles along the road. On Friday, Sept. 25, Tribal Coun- cil released a statement that read: “Tribal Council has contacted Polk and Yamhill counties about im- proving pedestrian safety on Grand Photo by Michelle Alaimo A bike memorial was started for Saige Selwyn on Grand Ronde Road near the crosswalk where she was struck by a pickup while crossing in the crosswalk on her bicycle on Monday, Sept. 7. After two weeks in the hospital, she walked on on Monday, Sept. 21. Ronde Road. Tribal Council held a work session on Sept. 22 to discuss crosswalk improvements and a request to reduce the speed limit on Grand Ronde Road and Salmon Way for community safety. The Tribe has ordered fl ashing lights for crosswalks along Grand Ronde Road. They will be installed in the coming weeks. “Tribal Council and the General Manager's Offi ce are working with Education, Social Services and law enforcement to provide education- al courses and helmets for Tribal youth. Tribal Council will continue to keep the community updated on progress in making the area a safer place to live.” The accident was investigated by the Grand Ronde Police Depart- ment and the department’s fi nd- ings were reviewed by the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Offi ce. “At this time there is no evi- dence to fi le any criminal charges,” said Grand Ronde Police Chief Al LaChance. Best of Beans! Free Hands-on Cooking Class BONUS! Take home ingredients to make one of the recipes at home. Family Health Fair at Winema Place Join us Screening Information The Community Health Education Center (CHEC) at Salem Hospital is teaming up with the Marion-Polk Food Share to provide a free blood pressure screening at Iskam Mekhmek Haws in Grand Ronde. Emergency food is still available this day during normal pantry hours. Date: Friday, October 16 th Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Iskam Mekhmek Haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde Cost: Free For questions, please call the CHEC at (503) 814-2432. Tuesday October 20 5:30pm Iskam MǝkʰMǝk-Haws Marion-Polk Food Share is an equal opportunity provider. Sign up TODAY! ! Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities,