LOCAL & STATE
BAKER CITY HERALD • THuRsDAY, AugusT 11, 2022 A3
60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
The Bobos
Longtime Baker City res-
idents Dave and Carol Bobo
are celebrating their 60th
wedding anniversary on
Aug. 11.
After meeting in Spanish
class, they were high school
sweethearts and married
in Redlands, California, in
1962. They’ve been Baker
City residents since 1973,
where they raised their fam-
ily of four daughters.
Dave and Carol now have
nine grandchildren and
eight great-grandchildren,
who will be celebrating the
happy couple with a private
party later this month.
Contributed Photos
Dave and Carol Bobo.
Some object to political
comments at Chief
Joseph Days rodeo
Fire erupts in Pendleton flour mill
BY BILL BRADSHAW
Wallowa County Chieftain
JOSEPH — Politically
charged banter coming from
the announcer’s booth and
the rodeo clown at the Chief
Joseph Days Rodeo has
stirred up objections from
some in the audience, even
to the point of decisions to
not return to the rodeo.
David Olmos, of Portland,
said rodeo announcer Jody
Carper should keep his po-
litical views to himself.
“It’s a rodeo, not a Trump
rally, pardner,” he wrote in
a letter to the editor to the
Wallowa County Chieftain.
Olmos said he wouldn’t
return “until you get back
in the saddle of showing re-
spect to all of your patrons.”
Joseph resident Mike Mer-
cer said Carper “needs to
leave his continued cheap
political shots out of the
event.”
He seems to be playing
to a TV audience in order
to improve ratings, rather
than lifting up what makes
the rodeo and this commu-
nity special,” Mercer wrote
in a letter to the editor to the
Wallowa County Chieftain
Another Joseph resident,
Eric Pippert, addressed the
issue in an open letter to the
Chief Joseph Days board.
“This wasn’t my first ro-
deo, but I promise you it is
my last of your rodeo I’ll at-
tend,” adding that he’d heard
similar complaints about
“Jingoistic, dog whistle po-
litical commentary, with a
sprinkling of misogynistic
and racial tropes by the an-
nouncer and rodeo ‘clown.’”
Board President Terry
Jones said he understood
how some rodeo fans might
object, but hopes to elimi-
nate concerns fans may have.
“I’ll visit with our an-
nouncer,” Jones said. “We’ll
deal with it. It’s OK for some
people to say political things
and it’s not OK for others.”
Clown and barrel man
John Harrison defended his
statements.
“We are in the entertain-
ment business. Just like not
all movies, comedians, sing-
ers, music genres appeal to
all people we may not ap-
peal to all,” he said. “The au-
Photos by Kathy Aney/East Oregonian
Smoke pours from the Pendleton Flour Mills on the morning of Wednesday, August 10, 2022 as firefighters work to control the blaze.
BY DAKOTA CASTETS-DIDIER,
ANTONIO ARREDONDO AND
JOHN TILLMAN
East Oregonian
Wallowa County Chieftain
A Tuckerette brings the Ameri-
can flag into the Harley Tucker
Memorial Arena during the
final night of the Chief Joseph
Days Rodeo on Saturday, July
30, 2022.
tograph lines, handshakes,
comments of how much
people enjoyed the show far
outweigh the negative, but
that wouldn’t make a sensa-
tional news story, would it?”
Carper, who bills himself as
the “patriotic announcer,” was
unapologetic in his response
to critics. He said he’s been
criticized in print twice in the
31 years he’s been announcing,
both times in the Chieftain.
“I like to put a little hu-
mor with my announcing
and choose to make fun of
some of the things that are
happening in our country,”
he said. “I understand that
some of the people in this
world cannot take a joke and
they want every event or
concert to only say what they
believe. I don’t think every
comedian is hilarious and I
don’t like the food at every
restaurant. But I don’t waste
my time complaining about
it or trying to cancel some-
one. But that is the beauty of
our country. Everyone has
freedom of speech. It is en-
shrined in the First Amend-
ment of the Constitution.
It’s called an opinion. And
thank God we can have an
opinion in the United States
of America, because there
are a lot of countries that
don’t allow you that privi-
lege. I will continue to stand
up for the red, white and
blue, our military, first-re-
sponders and the greatest
country in the world, the
United States of America.
Sorry if it offends you and
have a great day.”
Jones was a bit philosoph-
ical about the controversy
and eager to see the event
not be controversial.
Philip Edmond Medico
August 25, 1950 ~ February 21, 2022
Philip Edmond Medico was born August 25, 1950 at a US
Army Hospital in Shirley, Massachu-
setts to Philip Simon Medico and
Barbara Whitney. Phil spent his child-
hood years in Massachusetts and
Germany as an Army brat. He was one
of six children. He even lived across
the street from Alice on "The Brady
Bunch".
At 17 Phil joined the Air Force.
During his time at March AB he mar-
ried and had two children, Zachary
and Christina. He later went on to
have two more children in his second
marriage, Joseph and Ryan.
In deciding to leave the fast-paced
California life Phil made his way to Or-
egon where he settled and laid roots
in Sumpter. In 1998 Phil gained an
additional child, Whitney when he married Jenny. If ever a heart
was made for a blended family it was his. He was filled with love
for his family.
On February 21 Phil passed away at home with his family by
his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers
and one sister, as well as his first wife. Phil is survived by his loving
wife Jenny, his three sons Zach (Debbie) Joseph (Jennifer), Ryan
(Rachel); his two daughters Tina (Miles), Whitney. grand-
daughters Tiffany and Emma; great-granddaughter Kayla.
Phil lived very full life and will be very much missed by those
who knew him but we find comfort in knowing he’s never really
too far away.
There will be a memorial with military honors on August 19 at 11
AM at the Sumpter Valley Dredge in Sumpter Oregon. There will
be a potluck gathering of family and friends to share stories and
have a beer in remembrance of him on August 20 at 2 p.m. at
39022 Rhody Rd., Sumpter, OR.
Paid for by the family of Phillip Medico.
PENDLETON — Fire
erupted early Wednesday
morning, Aug. 10, at Grain
Craft flour mill in Pendleton.
By midmorning, first respond-
ers were waiting for the possi-
ble collapse of the structure.
Pendleton Fire Department,
Umatilla Tribal Fire Depart-
ment and Umatilla County Fire
District No. 1 responded to the
scene at 501 S.E. Emigrant Ave.
Soon after, fire departments
from La Grande and Board-
man also were responding.
Pendleton Assistant Fire
Chief Tony Pierotti said this
blaze kicked off at about
4:30 a.m., and all signs point
to the massive structure as a
total loss.
The silos also were at full
capacity of finished grain, he
said, so the fire fuel load was
extreme.
This fire may have burned
through the night.
Pendleton and other fire
departments on Aug. 9 at
2:55 p.m. responded to the mill
on a report of white smoke.
Pierotti said a “rubber boot”
that is part of the sifter may
have caught fire.
Crews had to get a hose up
top to shoot water into a silo to
put out the fire.
Crews were at the mills for
about six hours.
Grain Craft, the third larg-
est flour miller in the United
States, owns the mill and em-
ploys 22 people there. The
company issued this statement:
“Early this morning a fire
erupted at the Grain Craft
flour mill in Pendleton, Or-
egon. There have been no
injuries reported and our fo-
cus remains on the safety and
well-being of our team mem-
A Pendleton
firefighter
sprays
water on
flames
shooting
from the
Pendle-
ton Flour
Mills on the
morning of
Wednesday,
August 10,
2022.
bers and the surrounding
community. We are support-
ing all authorities as they con-
tain the fire and mitigate the
damage where possible. We are
still working to understand the
situation, however everyone is
safe, and we will update when
we have more information.”
“All these other buildings
around are considered expo-
sures,” Pierotti said as firefight-
ers battled the blaze. “Then we
go defensive. It’s gonna come
down, the goal is to make sure
it doesn’t go anywhere else.”
Pierotti also said chlo-
rine tanks at the site were far
enough away they were not an
explosion risk. Still, fire crews
doused the tanks with water as
a precautionary measure.
Buildings at the mill began
to collapse around 9:30 a.m.
Pierotti said there was a concern
about a full building collapse.
“After roof collapse, build-
ing is burning down from the
interior, which works for us,”
he said, “reduces threat to ex-
posed buildings.”
He added firefighters think
the full interior has collapsed
Harvey “Bud” Crim
February 24, 1930 - July 29, 2022
Harvey Clayton (Bud) Crim of
Baker City, OR passed away on
July 29, 2022, at the age of 92, at
home with his family by his side.
Bud was a caring and loyal hus-
band, father, and friend who nur-
tured a long and happy marriage
and friendships that spanned nearly
his entire life.
Bud was born on February 24,
1930, in Weiser, ID. He completed the family of Har-
vey and Faye Crim and sister Darlene. Bud grew into a
fine industrious young man in Baker City, graduating in
1948 and moving away for the first time when he enlist-
ed in the Navy during the Korean conflict.
In 1954, soon after he returned from the Navy, Bud
married his sweetheart Ruthella (Ruthie) Phelps. The
pair were soon blessed with three children: Debbie, Lou
Ann, and Clay. Bud instilled his values of hard work,
dependability, and caring in his children, always lead-
ing by example. Bud’s career was in banking, where, at
Pioneer Bank, he started as a teller and worked his way
up to President.
Bud and his wife Ruthie also showed their children
how to have a good time. The young family spent sum-
mers skiing, swimming, and fishing with friends at
Brownlee Reservoir. In 1964 the Crims bought their
first cabin in Granite to join Ruthie’s twin sister and
family. At Granite, Bud and the whole family honed
their love of hunting, fishing, and motorcycles.
The loved ones left behind include daughter Lou Ann
Charbonnier, son Clay Crim and his wife Theresa, and
son-in-law Milo Goss and his wife, Toni. Grandchildren
include MJ Goss and his wife Becky, Tony Charbonni-
er, Kristin Charbonnier, Caleb Crim, Jacob Crim, and
Lucas Crim. Great-grandchildren include Miles Goss,
Owen Goss and Lily Goss.
Preceding Bud in death includes his wife Ruthie, his
mother and father, daughter, Debbie Goss, and sister,
Darlene Hunnicutt.
Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners
Hospitals for Children through Gray’s West & Co. Pio-
neer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, OR 97814.
To leave an online condolence for the family of Bud,
please go to www.grayswestco.com.
but could not confirm because
no one has gone inside.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s
Office brought in its search and
rescue drone to look for hot
spots, according to Pendleton
police Chief Charles Byram, as
firefighters continued to pour
water on the north side.
Resources also are pull-
ing back and sending outside
agencies back to their jurisdic-
tions,
“They feel like it’s under
control enough,” he said.
Pendleton Fire Lt. para-
medic Jared Uselman was one
of the people working with
the drone. He said the whole
building is a shell, and on the
south side where there are
office spaces is where there’s
fires. Pendleton fire was not
sending in people because the
risk of collapse was too high.
Umatilla County closed
the courthouse, 216 S.E.
Fourth St., and the emer-
gency prompted the closures
of roads in a four-block ra-
dius about the mill. Umatilla
County Commissioner John
Shafer said the county opened
the courthouse to rehab fire-
fighters.
The Oregon Department
of Human Services reported
it closed its office in the state
building at 800 S.E. Emi-
grant due to the fire. Staff
were working remotely and
attempting to contact and/or
reschedule people with in-per-
son appointments.
John Mahoney
September 29, 1970 - August 1, 2022
On Monday, August 1, 2022,
John “Hops “Mahoney, beloved
father of three, brother, and son,
passed away in his sleep at age 51.
His trip through St Peter’s gates
was guided by his beloved dogs,
who were sent ahead to scope out
the best place to play basketball.
A graveside service and in-
terment was held at Mount Hope
Cemetery in Baker City, Oregon, on Thursday, August
11, at 10 a.m. A celebration of his life followed at his
family home in Baker City, Oregon.
On September 29, 1970, John came hopping into the
world. He would continue to fearlessly go after life,
sometimes to the trepidation of those closest to him.
John’s life was one adventure after another, visiting
the Oregon coast as often as he could. The pleasures of
the coast, like beaches, shops, and the aquarium, were
his favorite. Otherwise, he could be found sitting at
Mo’s with a bowl of chowder and fresh bread or reading
a book while he watched the storm roll in.
John, who is survived by his sons, Brenden and
Tyran, were the light of his life and the greatest source
of joy he had. His soul would shine when he got to see
or speak to them. His greatest regret about leaving us so
soon will be the moments he will miss with them.
He was generous and handed out time when he ran
out of money. His siblings Joy, James, Jeffrey, and Jac-
queline, knew his love. They would go on to be his
game rivals, co-conspirators, biggest fans, and toughest
critics.
John leaves behind friends that span the globe. He
would be up at all hours playing online. He was never
the one to say he was too tired for a friend in need.
He is preceded in death by his dogs, Bernie 1, 2, and
Stalker, his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and
Francesca, whom he lost to COVID.
Survivors include his sons: Micah Johnson and his
son of La Grande, Oregon; Brenden Mahoney of Belle
Chasse, Louisiana; and Tyran Mahoney of Bend, Ore-
gon; parents Mary Jo and Greg Mahoney of Baker City,
Oregon; siblings Joy Mahoney and John McManimie
of Portland, Oregon; James and Donessa Mahoney of
Baker City, Oregon and their children Mackenzey and
Zane, Jeffrey Mahoney and fiancé Jessica of Salem, Or-
egon, Jacqueline and John Miller of Renton, Washing-
ton and as Hops always called their dog, C-Lover.
Memorial contributions may be made to the GBS
Foundation International (Guillain-Barre Syndrome)
through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500
Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
To leave an online condolence for the family of John,
please visit: www.grayswestco.com.