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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2016)
News Wednesday, March 23, 2016 C OPS & C OURTS Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law enforcement agencies. Every effort is made to report the court disposition of arrest cases. Circuit Court CANYON CITY — The Grant County Circuit Court re- ported the following fines and judgments: • Catherine Lee Morris, 36, was found guilty by jury verdict of driving under the influence of intoxicants, committed on or about Oct. 24, 2015. She was sentenced to jail for 38 hours, bench probation for 18 months and 40 hours of community service, with possible credit for time served, and fined $1,300. Her driver’s license was sus- pended for one year. She was found guilty by court verdict of criminal driving while suspend- ed or revoked, committed on or about Oct. 24, 2015, and fined $220. The court acquitted her of driving uninsured. • Anthony Dale Looney was LETTERS Continued from Page A4 Was county afraid to investigate fire? To the Editor: The citizens of Malheur County voted 90 percent “no” against an Owyhee monu- ment. The leaders of the coun- ty actually wanted to know how citizens felt about the im- portant issue and called for an advisory vote. Did the leaders of Grant County call for an advisory vote on an investigation into the biggest catastrophic event to befall us? It was obvious to those attending a packed courtroom that an investiga- tion into the early stage of the fire was warranted. Some have suggested the court members may have been overwhelmed by the prospect of an investigation. Could it be they were afraid of the re- sults of an investigation and the responsibility they might have to bear in seeing the is- sue through? It is unfortunate our county court members lack the back- bone and concern for citizens that Malheur County leaders have shown. Marc O’Dell Dayville convicted of failure to complete community service, failure to complete Victim Impact Pan- el and failure to pay financial obligations. His sentence was continued with 16 hours of ad- ditional community service and extended 12 months to March 14, 2017. Grant County Sheriff CANYON CITY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported the following for the week of March 11-17: • Concealed handgun licens- es: 14 • Average inmates: 11 • Bookings: 9 • Releases: 15 • Arrests: 1 • Citations: 1 • Fingerprints: 11 • Civil papers: 16 • Warrants processed: 2 • Asst./welfare check: 6 • Search and Rescue: 1 • Travis Palmer, 25, Mt. Ver- non, was cited for driving while suspended-violation and driving uninsured. Sheriff Palmer should resign To The Editor: The following is a partial quote from Sheriff Palmer, speaking about the upcom- ing election: “This isn’t about me. It isn’t about who I am. I want the job back as I believe the Office of Sheriff needs to be run by the people of this county and by some- one who will and has kept THEIR best interests at heart and ...” We believe he is wrong. This election is definitely about him and who he is. It’s about who he has chosen as sheriff to align himself with. It’s about leadership he is expected to provide for a position that is supposed to represent all citizens of Grant County, without bias or the influence of only those who share his personal polit- ical belief. The fact that he stated in the above quote he believes his office needs to be run “by the people of this county” is very concerning. It begs the answer to the ques- tion “Who exactly is running his office?” He was elected with the expectation that he would provide the leadership necessary to enforce laws, work together with all agen- cies in the county, be it gov- Justice Court CANYON CITY — The Grant County Justice Court re- ported the following fines and judgments: • Failure to drive within lane: Maria Oralia Rubio, 47, Walla Walla, Wash., Jan. 18, fined $220. • Driving uninsured: Jus- tin Alan Scheidegger, 21, John Day, Feb. 10, fined $260. • Violation of the basic rule: James A. Gordon, 60, New Pine Creek, 75/55 zone, March 4, fined $160; Joy Ann Van Cleave, 34, Mt. Vernon, 75/55 zone, Feb. 27, fined $160; Alys- sa Shae Bruce, 27, Bend, 67/45 zone, Feb. 26, fined $260. • Austin D. Salvey, Mt. Ver- non, was convicted of third-de- gree criminal mischief. He was sentenced to 20 hours of com- munity service and fined $485. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 130 calls during the week of March 14-20. Along with the various traffic warnings, tres- passing, injured animals, noise ernment or law enforcement, work to keep Grant County a safe, welcoming place to vis- it and live, and provide open and honest answers to any citizen when hard questions need to be asked. None of these expectations have been realized. This is not “Sheriff bash- ing.” Sheriff Palmer’s own words, actions and his inabil- ity to meet these expectations are well documented. The social media evidence is abundant that he is still building a support base of militia-minded people both locally and across the coun- try, which could easily lead to more dangerous incidents such as the recent arrest of Mr. Willingham. These concerns are not about his civic contribu- tions to the community, which he could easily con- tinue as a private citizen, but the lack of leadership and trust he provides as sheriff. Grant County cannot af- ford either economically or emotionally to continue with Sheriff Palmer in office. For the greater good, we would ask that he resign. Steve Schuette Judy Schuette John Day Refuge occupier arrested in Mt. Vernon March 16 threatened to shoot federal agents complaints and juvenile com- plaints, these calls included: • John Day Police: March 15: Arrested a John Day man for a domestic situa- tion. March 19: Cited a Prairie City man for driving without a license. • Grant County Sheriff: March 14: Report of crimi- nal mischief on Apple Road. March 15: Theft reported on South Humbolt Street; arrested a Mt. Vernon man for DUII. March 18: Trespassing re- ported on Bragga Way. • John Day ambulance: March 14: Dispatched for an elderly man who collapsed; re- sponded for a young child with a high fever and a seizure. March 17: Responded for a 90-year-old man with a possible fracture. March 19: Responded for a 72-year-old man with shortness of breath and chest pain. • Mt. Vernon Fire Dept: March 19: Grass fire report- ed on River Estates Lane. Voters should question forest commission candidates To the Editor: I am writing in support of Frances Preston’s letter in last week’s paper (March 16). The voters of Grant Coun- ty need to be asking some very pertinent questions of those that are running for a position on the Public Forest Commission. When you have five members of the Blue Moun- tains Forest Partners run- ning to get on the Public Forest Commission, it looks as though you are trying to stack the Public Forest Com- mission (an elected body of commissioners) with people who have an agenda from an outside organization that is opposed to the interest of the voters of Grant Coun- ty. I have heard that Mark Webb receives about $50,000 to $60,000 a year to be the chairman of the Blue Moun- tains Forest Partners, so it might not be a legal conflict of interest, but it sure looks to me like a moral conflict of interest, to you the voters of this great county. The inter- est of the two organizations are diametrically opposed to Blue Mountain Eagle A man arrested in Mt. Vernon the evening of March 16 reportedly threatened to shoot federal law enforcement agents. Scott Willingham said he would begin shooting federal law enforcement agents Thursday morning if he was not taken to jail, according to a press re- lease from Grant County District Attorney Jim Car- penter. Willingham was arrest- ed at the Blue Mountain Lodge in Mt. Vernon. He produced a rifle and am- munition, which are being held as evidence, accord- ing to the release. each other. Here are the five names that you need to be looking at: Mark Webb, Dave Hannibal, Russ Young, along with current members of the Public Forest Commission that are members of the Blue Mountains Forest Partners, King Williams and Larry Blasing. These five individu- als, if elected, would tip the power to the agenda of the Blue Mountains Forest Part- ners. Think about it! By the way, I’m still hear- ing that Chris Labhart is saying that the Public Forest Commission is self-appoint- ed. Please remember, you, the voters, are the ones that Unclaimed money could be yours Oregonians can search on a free database website Blue Mountain Eagle SALEM — Over a half-million dollars. That’s how much the state of Oregon is safekeeping in unclaimed assets — $564 mil- lion to be exact — and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler is urg- ing Oregonians to find out if they can claim a slice of that monetary pie. “My message to Orego- nians is simple: Come and get it. This money could belong to you,” said Wheeler. Oregon maintains a free database website that allows anyone to learn if they have unclaimed money and prop- erty. The search form is at https://oregonup.us/upweb/ up/up_search.asp. Wheeler cautions people to avoid so-called “finders” who charge to do a search. It’s not only free to search, but free to retrieve any un- claimed assets. “The state is safekeep- ing these assets on behalf of rightful owners, and I want to see more going to Oregon families that it belongs to,” Wheeler said. We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our many friends and family for the overwhelming amount of support during this difficult time. We are so appreciative of the numerous phone calls, prayers, hugs, cards, food and flowers. We are so grateful of those who helped organize Mary’s service; it was a beautiful tribute of her life and we could not have done it without you. We are also so grateful for the special friends/neighbors that fed our cattle and watched over our heifers while we were away. Our hearts may be sad, but we realize how truly blessed we are with love and friendship, and for that we thank you! Pat, Joe & Micki Burke Contributed photo Grant-Harney Training Association President Roy Peterson, left, presents the 2016 Instructor of the Year Award to Ed Studtmann of the Long Creek Fire Department. children and several grandchildren. Over the years, they have fostered several foreign stu- dents who attend the Long Creek School. FS solicits Title II proposals The Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla and Malheur na- tional forests are soliciting year two proposals to be funded under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act. The proposal request is in response to the two-year reauthorization by Congress of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Deter- mination Act in April 2015. Proposals will be accept- ed through Friday, April 1. New Title II projects must be initiated by Sept. 30, 2017, and all Title II funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2018. Nonprofits, local gov- ernments and others are encouraged to propose proj- ects that restore watersheds, decommission or main- tain roads, control noxious weeds or otherwise improve the condition of the forest. Projects do not need to be im- plemented on Forest Service lands, but must show a benefit to national forest resources. Application forms, in- structions and submission guidelines can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/wal- lowa-whitman/workingtogeth- er/advisorycommittees. ticketed the box on the ballet. This then appears to me to be a blatant false statement! There is no way that the Pub- lic Forest Commission is self-appointed. That leaves me wondering what Mr. Labhart has on his agenda that he would be making that kind of statement, or is he just out of touch with the vot- ers of Grant County? Doesn’t it seem a bit strange to you, the voters, as well? Nicky A. Sprauve Grant County Public Forest Commissioner position #2 Canyon City T hank Y ou Blue Mountain Eagle Blue Mountain Eagle He was arraigned Thursday on a felo- ny charge for unlaw- ful use of Scott a weapon Willingham and a mis- demeanor disorderly conduct charge. Prosecutors requested he be held without bail, or with bail of at least $50,000. The court or- dered Willingham held on $35,000 bail. According to The Or- egonian/OregonLive, Willingham participated in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Pro Saw Shop and a Whole Lot More Long Creek fire instructor honored LONG CREEK — Ed Studtmann of the Long Creek Fire Department has been named 2016 Instructor of the Year by the Grant-Har- ney Training Association. Studtmann joined the Long Creek fire crew about a year after moving to Long Creek in 2008. At that time, he was pastor for the Long Creek Community Church, and in 2013, he became pastor of the newly formed New Life Bible Church. His duties with the fire de- partment include serving as the fire chaplain, an unusual position for such a small depart- ment to have. In 2011, after his coaching position with Dayville-Monument ended, he became a vol- unteer driver for the Long Creek Ambulance. He works part time at Juniper Ridge Acute Care Facility and volunteers with Heart of Grant County. Studtmann and his wife, Linda, have six A5 02131 Blue Mountain Eagle STOP BY TODAY FOR INCREDIBLE OFFERS AND UNBEATABLE SERVICE 821 W Hwy. 26, John Day • www.jdpolaris.com