BAKER CITY HERALD • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 A3
LOCAL & STATE
Massive traffic smash-up blocked I-84 for
most of the day on Monday, February 21
how many personnel were on
scene. Good Shepherd Med-
ical Center in Hermiston re-
ported it did not receive any
crash victims.
BY ANDREW CUTLER, DICK
MASON, ERICK PETERSON,
ANTONIO SIERRA, ALEX
WITTWER AND PHIL WRIGHT
EO Media Group
PENDLETON — The Hy-
att family on Monday, Feb. 21,
was heading west on Interstate
84, bound for their home in
Yelm, Washington, when they
became involved in one of the
biggest traffic smash-ups in
Eastern Oregon in years.
Marjorie, a kindergarten
assistant, her husband, Carter
Hyatt, a vocational therapist,
and their son, Jacob, a soph-
omore in high school, were
returning from a trip to Utah,
where they were a part of
their daughter’s engagement,
including picking out her
dress and ring.
“We had a wonderful week-
end,” Carter said.
On the way back in their
Nissan Pathfinder, they
stopped in Boise to spend the
night of Feb. 20 with Jacob’s
brother, then headed out the
morning of Feb. 21 for the fi-
nal leg of the trek home.
Marjorie was asleep, Jacob
was in the backseat watching
one of “The Lord of the Rings”
movies and Carter was driving.
He said they were going to stop
at the rest area at Deadman
Pass, near milepost 229, when
he saw jackknifed semitrailers
on the road ahead.
“I kind of swerved,” he re-
called. “I was able to miss a
couple of cars and trucks.”
But he tapped the brakes, he
said, and lost control of the car.
The front of their Nissan
smashed into the rear driver’s
side of an Amazon semitrailer.
The collision tore apart the
front of the car, and the engine
ended up on the asphalt.
But the Nissan’s safety fea-
tures worked well, Carter
said. The air bags, seat belts
and crumple zones protected
the family.
“We’re all pretty much fine,”
Marjorie said.
The Hyatts were part of a
series of crashes that began at
around noon near milepost
230 and involved as many as
98 vehicles, according to press
releases from the Oregon De-
partment of Transportation
and Oregon State Police. And
Hospitals at the ready
Elaine LaRochelle, inci-
dent commander at Grande
Ronde Hospital in La
Grande, activated the hos-
pital’s incident command
system, according to a press
release from Mardi Ford,
public information officer.
“We are preparing to sup-
port any patients sent our
way with emergency services
and medical care,” Ford said
in the release. “We do not
have any news on distribution
of patients to be sent our way.
However, we are prepared to
assist in this emergency. We
are cooperating fully with all
regional partners, including
our media contacts, to do
Antonio Sierra/East Oregonian what we can to keep everyone
Emergency crews respond to the scene of a mass crash involving doz- informed. Our primary mis-
ens of vehicles Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, on Interstate 84 about 21 miles sion, however, is to provide
emergency services and med-
east of Pendleton.
ical care to patients in need.
while the total number of in-
Once we know more, we will
OSP. The Hyatts heard those
jured was unknown, OSP as of crashes, too.
issue an update.”
late Feb. 21 had not reported
Emily Smith, director of
“Bam, bam, bam,” Carter
any fatalities in the pileup that Hyatt said. “They just kept
communications for St. An-
stretched for a mile.
thony Hospital in Pendleton,
hitting.”
reported that as of 3 p.m., the
Marjorie said the sounds
Interstate 84 shuts down
hospital received six patients
were unnerving. They stayed
The mass crash shut down
from the crash.
in their vehicle, even without
the westbound and eastbound heat, for protection.
“The patients’ statuses are
lanes of the freeway in Eastern
unknown at this time,” she re-
Capt. Merle Laci with the
Oregon. Eastbound remained La Grande Fire Department
ported, “and no information
closed Feb. 21 between Exit
said two ambulances and one on ages etc. is available to the
216, 6 miles east of Pendleton, rescue rig were on scene from media at this time.”
and Exit 265 at La Grande,
Smith also explained how
Union County, with crews
while westbound was closed
St. Anthony responds to these
from Union and Island City
to between Exit 374 at Ontario fire departments on standby.
kinds of crises.
and Exit 216.
“When we receive word
The La Grande Fire Depart-
Oregon State Police, lo-
of an incident like this, the
ment sent eight personnel to
cal law enforcement, fire and
hospital activates Code D, or
the scene.
medics from agencies through-
As of 3:35 p.m., rescue ve- disaster response,” according
out Umatilla and Union coun- hicles and ambulances from to Smith. “Available staff (off-
ties responded, along with help the La Grande Fire Depart-
duty) are called and asked
from Walla Walla County in
to come in based on current
ment had returned to the
Washington. Pendleton Fire
personnel needs as well as
station, according to Laci.
Chief Jim Critchley said the
La Grande Fire Department staffing for the next shift. Pa-
wrecks stretched for a mile.
tients are seen in the Emer-
confirmed they had trans-
The Hyatts described the re-
gency Department as well as
ported three individuals
sponse as impressive.
other care areas of the hos-
from the scene to Grande
Responding officers were
pital as appropriate for their
Ronde Hospital.
notified of additional crashes
Nick Oatley, spokesperson level of injury. We have an
while they were arriving, and
extensive disaster plan that is
with Umatilla County Fire
then once on scene, officers
District No. 1, confirmed the drilled with local emergency
could hear crashes occur-
Hermiston-based fire depart- response teams to ensure we
ring behind them, according
are prepared for situations
ment also responded, but
to a press release from the
like this when they arise.”
he did not have specifics on
Rep. Owens’ bill to limit governor’s power stalls
BY BENNETT HALL
Blue Mountain Eagle
CRANE — An effort by an Eastern Or-
egon lawmaker to rein in the governor’s
emergency powers may be effectively
dead, at least for now.
Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, said in an
email update to constituents on Friday,
Feb. 18, that House Joint Resolution 206 is
stalled in the House Rules Committee and
that the committee chair has said it will
not get a hearing before the 2022 Legisla-
ture adjourns.
“I introduced and sponsored this bill, so
I’m disappointed it didn’t move forward
this session,” Owens wrote in the email.
“Until there’s a change from the top down,
I will continue to pursue legislation that
brings accountability to our government.”
According to a summary on the state
legislative website, the measure was re-
ferred to the Rules Committee after its first
reading but has gone nowhere since. It has
not yet had a committee hearing, and no
hearings or floor votes are scheduled.
HJR 206 would amend the state Con-
stitution to limit both the governor’s
ability to declare an emergency and the
special powers the governor could wield
under an emergency declaration.
It also would limit an emergency dec-
laration to 30 days, with counties — not
the governor — having the power to ex-
tend the declaration within their borders
in 30-day increments. County govern-
ments would also have the power to re-
duce, but not expand, the state powers
Councilor
Continued from Page A1
She said her hope as a
councilor was to lend a new
voice, a different generational
view and possibly an alter-
native perspective to the sev-
en-member Council.
“My commitment until
March 1, is to help support
any way I can with the transi-
tion, especially to the boards
and commissions I sit on to-
day,” she said.
“My original desire for tak-
ing part in council doesn’t
change. I continue to have
many friends, family, local
business owners, educators,
city staff, self employed he-
roes, hospital workers and
more and who I will always
want to see succeed in our
Brown has extended the state of emer-
gency several times since then.
State-imposed measures aimed at
curbing the spread of COVID-19 have
helped keep Oregon’s infection and
death rates from the coronavirus lower
than in most other states.
But they have also sparked pushback
from many Oregonians angered by
school closures, masking requirements,
vaccine mandates and business restric-
tions.
Local control emerged as a hot-button
issue for Grant County residents in Au-
gust after Brown made an about-face on
Blue Mountain Eagle, File her June 30 executive order, which handed
State Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, speaks
over public health decisions to counties
amid a resurgence of COVID-19.
to constituents on Nov. 10, 2021, at the
With case counts soaring from the rap-
Squeeze-In Restaurant and Deck in John Day.
idly spreading delta variant, Brown issued
granted by the emergency declaration
a flurry of new executive orders requiring
within their borders.
masks in schools, inside state buildings
Other provisions would prohibit the
and, finally, all indoor public spaces.
governor from retaliating against any
Those moves drew the ire of Grant
county that did not fully extend the
County leaders, who signed onto a let-
emergency declaration and give the Leg- ter from the Eastern Oregon Counties
islature the power to terminate an emer- Association calling for local control of
gency declaration.
school districts.
Finally, before taking effect, the pro-
In addition to Owens, Sen. Lynn Find-
posed constitutional amendment would ley, R-Vale, is also listed as a chief spon-
require approval by a majority of Oregon sor of HJR 206. Other chief sponsors of
voters.
the measure are Reps. Jessica George,
Oregon has been under a state of emer- R-Keizer; Lily Morgan, R-Grants Pass; E.
gency since March 8, 2020, when Gov.
Werner Reschke, R-southern Klamath
Kate Brown announced plans to take ex-
and Lake counties; and Sens. Dick Ander-
traordinary measures to protect Orego-
son, R-Lincoln City; and Kim Thatcher,
nians from the COVID-19 pandemic.
R-Keizer.
great community.”
Sells urged the remaining
six councilors to replace her
“quickly.”
“Encourage others to ap-
ply and select an individual
who deeply cares for the fu-
ture of our community,” she
said. “Someone who can come
in with new ideas, interests,
questions, perspective and
understanding to help you
push forward. We mustn’t put
personal needs above com-
munity needs — and you’ll
need all seven voices to get
through the next challenges
that lie ahead.
“I also encourage our com-
munity to get more involved.
Know who you are voting for
on the ballot, attend council,
county and board meetings,
learn about the changes that
are coming up in your com-
munity, and speak out in pub-
lic hearings — it really makes
a difference to get involved.”
The most recent vacancy
on the Council, created when
Lynette Perry resigned in Au-
gust 2021 due to health issues,
remained unfilled for about 4
months, until councilors ap-
pointed Dean Guyer on Dec.
14, 2021.
Sells concluded by thanking
those who supported her as a
councilor, and those who she
met during her tenure.
“I’d also like to thank those
who haven’t agreed with me, as
you’ve challenged and encour-
aged me to stand up for what
I believe in, and what I believe
those who voted me in also
stand for,” she said.
®/™ © 2020 Maytag. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. D200134XX
2036 Main St., Baker City • 541-523-6284 • ccb# 219615
BOOST STAIN FIGHTING
PERFORMANCE
A PUSH OF THE EXTRA POWER BUTTON BOOTS STAIN FIGHTING
ON ANY WASH CYCLE WITH A DUAL-TEMPERATURE WASH.
Pendleton Convention Center
provides respite
The Hyatts said emergency
personnel checked on them of-
ten, and they appreciated that.
And many of the other people
in the crash helped each other,
they said, offering water and
making sure people were OK.
“There were people, regular
people,” Marjorie Hyatt said.
“All that was really nice.”
When school buses arrived
to carry the Hyatts and so
many more off the mountain,
they said they had to cross
the median to the eastbound
lanes. Marjorie banged her
knee on the fence, but fire-
fighters were right there to
help. And when they got on
the bus, she said, the Oregon
State Police trooper who was
the person to check on them
assisted them onto the bus.
The buses took groups to
the Pendleton Convention
Center, where its manager, Pat
Beard, said while the facility
was holding events that day,
it opened rooms for the peo-
ple in the crash and provided
what hospitality it could while
they waited for rides from
family or friends or made ar-
rangements for other accom-
modations.
The center also served as a
base of operations for law en-
forcement, Umatilla County
Public Health and more.
Beard praised the coordina-
tion he witnessed between the
different groups.
The Hyatts were among the
last from the crash to still be
at the convention center that
evening. Bags of chips and
other snacks lined the long ta-
bles of the large room. A fam-
ily member was on the way to
help get them home, they said,
probably around 7 that night.
The Nissan, as far as they
knew, still was at the site of the
crash. Carter said all their lug-
gage was in the car, so he an-
ticipated making a trip back to
gather their belongings.
The Hyatts said they had
never experienced anything
like this emergency, and
they did not want to be in
another. But their concerns
were for others.
“I hope everyone gets out,”
Marjorie said.
Books
Continued from Page A1
Here is one example:
• Genre: historical romance
• Recommended for: lovers
of Shakespeare retellings
• First line of the book:
“Benedick Scott was on his
way to freedom or profound
failure or, if the usual order of
things held up, both.”
• Chosen by: Missy
Each label also has the
book’s barcode, so patrons
can check it out and still not
know the title.
After finishing the book,
readers are asked to return
the bookmark with responses
to questions — and a chance
to win a prize.
“You rate your date,” Gram-
mon said.
The questions are:
• What was your first im-
pression? (love at first sight,
interesting, meh, or no chem-
istry)
• Describe your date in one
word.
• Would you go on a sec-
ond date with this author?
(definitely or we’re gonna be
just friends).
The “Blind Date with a
Book” started Feb. 7 to pre-
cede Valentine’s Day, and
selections included quite a
few historical and contempo-
rary romance. Genres have
branched out to other selec-
tions, such as graphic novels
and horror.
As books are checked out,
Grammon and Snyder se-
lect new ones to wrap for the
display.
“We’ve definitely had fun
with this one,” Grammon
said.
The program ends March
14.
Grammon hopes that this
“blind date” approach will
introduce readers to a book
they might not otherwise pick
up.
“That’s the goal,” she said.
OREGON CAPITAL
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Raiden James Leroy Monges
June 16, 2020 - February 15, 2022
Raiden James Leroy Monges, 19
months old, received his angel wings
on February 15, 2022, surrounded by
the love of his family and friends at
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in
Baker City. A celebration of life/re-
ception will be held at the Baker Elks
Lodge on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at
2:30 p.m. Raiden’s favorite foods -
spaghetti and macaroni and cheese
- will be served as we share memories of our sweet boy.
Raiden made his dramatic debut into this world on
June 16, 2020, around 4 a.m. via emergency C-section in
Baker City, Oregon. He weighed in at 5 pounds, 9 ounces
and was 19½ inches long. Raiden was born with blue
eyes and a full head of fabulous hair that he grew out
during his life.
Raiden had many nicknames including Bubs,
Bubbi, lil man, Raisin, and lil Raisin Bran. His sister
Maddilynn liked to call him “Raiden James.”
At 7 months old Raiden experienced his first seizure.
These seizures continued to worsen and by 9 months old
he was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of
epilepsy.
Raiden enjoyed giving “knuckles” and would always
greet you with a “hi!” He had the type of smile that could
bring a smile to anyone. One thing he did not like was
wearing socks.
Some of his favorite things included cats and trying to
pick them up, hiding the remote, eating pork rinds, soft
things and throwing things into the trash can. He had fun
playing with his sissy, being chased, cuddles, playing with
dolls, getting tickled, stomping around in shoes, trying to
dress himself and dancing. He would often yell, “Moom-
mmyy”! Raiden loved water and baths, growling at dad-
dy’s tattoos, listening to music with daddy and watching
the “Princess and Frog” with mommy. He liked spending
time with papa watching “Moana” every day when mom-
my and daddy were at work and was papa’s little buddy.
He also liked packing nana’s chew, knocking on the door
and yelling for Mimi (his nana), foot rubs and putting his
feet on mommy’s face. Raiden especially loved giving
kisses to mommy, daddy and sissy. He was a kind-hearted
boy who had the biggest of hearts.
He was preceded in death by his grandma Charity
Monges and grandpa Vernon Koos.
Raiden is survived by his loving parents Kaylalynn
and Micheal Monges; sister Maddilynn Monges; nana
Tori Benintendi and papa Mark Benintendi; grandpas Bill
Monges and Brad Parson; great-grandparents Hazel and
Terry Benintendi, Ron and Juanita Streifel, and Helen
Reid; uncles Tyler Koos, Keven Koch, and Justin Ben-
intendi; aunt Ashley Hughes; cousins Peyton and Harper
Hughes, Asher, Ariah, Kelly and Chasity Rexine and Ca-
sey and Damien Monges; special furpal, his pup Azazeal.
For those who would like to make a memorial dona-
tion in honor of Raiden the family suggests the Dravet
Syndrome Foundation through Tami’s Pine Valley Fu-
neral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Half-
way, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at
www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.