News
Blue Mountain Eagle
C OPS & C OURTS
Arrests and citations in
the Blue Mountain Eagle are
taken from the logs of law en-
forcement agencies. Every ef-
fort is made to report the court
disposition of arrest cases.
Oregon State Police
• Nov. 7: At about 10:30
p.m. an officer responded to a
call of a vehicle crash near mile
post 15 on Highway 395C and
arrested Talyn James Cole El-
liot, 28, of Seneca for driving
under the influence of alcohol.
He was arrested and transport-
ed to Grant County Jail where
he blew a .10 percent blood
alcohol content.
Grant County Sheriff
CANYON CITY — The
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
reported the following for the
week of Nov. 3-9:
• Concealed handgun li-
censes: 10
• Average inmates: 19
• Bookings: 13
• Releases: 18
• Arrests: 1
• Citations: 1
• Fingerprints: 7
• Civil papers: 5
• Warrants processed: 2
• Asst./welfare check: 3
Justice Court
CANYON CITY — The
Grant County Justice Court re-
ported the following fines and
judgments:
• Violation of the basic rule:
James L. Larsen, 41, Pendle-
ton, 71/55 zone, Oct. 21, fined
$135; Michael Jose Acosta,
26, Madras, 75/55 zone, Nov.
7, fined $160; Patton William
Carter, 63, Long Creek, 75/55
zone, Nov. 3, fined $135;
Stephen Michael Walker, 24,
Medford, 75/55 zone, Sept.
29, fined $160; Israel T. Scott,
36, 81/55 zone, Oct. 21, fined
$260; Katherine Serafin Le-
hew, 55, Kennewick, Wash-
ington, 74/55 zone, Oct. 24,
fined $160.
• Exceeding the speed limit:
Brock James Blankenship, 39,
Baker City, 75/65 zone, Oct.
19, fined $135; Bradley Kevin
Lay, 52, San Ramon, Califor-
nia, 75/65 zone, Oct. 19, fined
$160; Debra Sue Lambeth, 61,
Canyon City, 38/25 zone, Oct.
11, fined $135.
• Failure to drive within
lane: Bonnie Mae Nance, 82,
Prairie City, Oct. 5, fined $260.
• Semi-trailers exceeding 53
feet: Efren Ramirez-Lopez, 42,
Hermiston, Oct. 5, fined $110.
• Operating motor vehicle
while using mobile communi-
cation device: Kristina Lynne
Setchfield, 50, Bonney Lake,
Washington, Oct. 6, fined
$160.
• Second-degree trespass:
Patrick Allen Canon, Indepen-
dence, fined $325.
• Second-degree disorderly
conduct: Craig Nels Weberg,
Canyon City, 12 months pro-
bation, 20 hours community
service, no direct contact with
the victim, no intoxicants,
fined $425.
• Minor in possession of
alcohol while operating a ve-
hicle: Dillon Glen Winters, 19,
John Day, driver’s license sus-
pended one year, fined $435.
Dispatch
John Day dispatch worked
92 calls during the week of
Nov. 7-13. Along with the
various traffic warnings, tres-
passing, injured animals, noise
complaints and juvenile com-
plaints, these calls included:
Nov. 9: Took a report of a
lost Chihuahua in Mt. Vernon.
• John Day Police
Nov. 7: Assisted OSP with
searching for drunk driver
involved in an accident and
arrested a 28-year-old Seneca
resident for DUII.
Nov. 9: Dispatched to a re-
port of a suspicious subject in
front of Humbolt Elementary
School. Arrested a 27-year-old
John Day resident on a restrain-
ing order violation.
Nov. 10: Arrested a 64-year-
old for disorderly conduct.
Nov. 11: Advised of a loose
horse in Prairie City. Respond-
ed to a complaint from a man
bitten by a dog.
• Grant County Sheriff
Nov. 7: Received a report of
criminal mischief at the court-
house.
Nov. 8: Dispatched to re-
port of restraining order vio-
lation. Dispatched to report
of phone harassment. Took a
report of a stolen pipe in Can-
yon City.
Nov. 10: Advised of kids or
young adults shooting.
Nov. 11: Took a report of a
theft at Tidewater.
Nov. 12: Responded with
JDPD and OSP to a report of
a domestic dispute involving a
firearm on the Grant/Wheeler
County line.
Nov. 13: Responded with
OSP to a report of kids throw-
ing rocks at buildings near the
old Mt. Vernon middle school.
• John Day ambulance
Nov. 11: Responded to Mt.
Vernon for a woman who had
burned her stomach.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
A5
Public records lawsuit against
Sheriff Palmer dismissed
Blue Mountain Eagle
A judge has dismissed the
public records lawsuit filed
by The Oregonian newspaper
against Grant County Sher-
iff’s Office and Sheriff Glenn
Palmer.
Grant County Circuit Court
Judge William D. Cramer Jr.
dismissed the lawsuit with
prejudice Nov.
3, though the
dismissal does
not preclude The
Oregonian “from
Sheriff
submitting
a
Glenn
request for at-
Palmer torney fees and
costs.”
The Oregonian and its re-
porter Les Zaitz filed a com-
plaint against the sheriff’s of-
fice, Palmer and Deputy Sally
DeFord in May requesting that
the court declare certain re-
cords to be public records and
to compel their disclosure.
Neither Palmer nor The
Oregonian have responded to
emailed questions about the
lawsuit dismissal as of Tues-
day morning.
Survey crews collecting data in John
Day for Highway 395 sidewalk project
Blue Mountain Eagle
Survey crews working
for the Oregon Department
of Transportation will be in
the John Day area during the
month of November and ear-
ly December collecting data
for a new sidewalk upgrade
project
The sidewalk will be con-
structed along the west side of
Highway 395/South Canyon
Boulevard between South-
west Sixth Avenue and Grant
Union Jr./Sr. High School,
according to an ODOT press
release.
Travelers may experience
minor delays as crews, orange
cones and survey signs appear
along the route. The survey
measurements and documen-
tation will be used to develop
plans and specifications, with
the project going out for bid late
2018. Sidewalk construction is
expected to occur in 2019. Traf-
fic impacts due to survey work
will be minimal, but drivers are
cautioned to watch for, and be
mindful of, crews and equip-
ment in the area.
Art teacher plans trip overseas
Blue Mountain Eagle
Grant Union Junior-Senior
High School art teacher JJ
Collier is organizing a trip to
Ireland, Wales and London for
March of 2018.
Students in grades 7-12 are
invited to join the traveling
group, as well as parents, staff
members and other residents.
The cost of the 9-day trip
is $3,200 and Collier said
those interested in joining
will need to contact her by
the end of the month to lock
in that price. The group will
visit sights such as the Blar-
ney Castle in Killarney, St.
Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin
and Palace of Westminster in
London.
For more information,
email Collier at collierj@
grantesd.k12.or.us, or leave a
voicemail for her at the school
541-575-1799, ext. 36.
K YO U
N
A
H
T
John Day works toward wastewater agreement
By Rylan Boggs
Blue Mountain Eagle
The city of John Day hopes
to reach a new wastewater
agreement with Canyon City.
The John Day City Coun-
cil at its Nov. 8 meeting dis-
cussed terms for a five-year
sewer agreement with Canyon
City. After fruitless negotia-
tions between the two cities in
February, Canyon City began
paying less than John Day had
budgeted to receive.
John Day City Manager
Nick Green attended an Oct.
18 Canyon City City Council
meeting to convey underpay-
ing for wastewater treatment
was unacceptable. Canyon
City Mayor Steve Fischer
explained the Canyon City
Council felt they were being
handed a bill without a clear
understanding of what they
paying for. Both parties left
the meeting with the intention
of moving forward by work-
ing together.
The Council discussed the
proposed five-year agreement
and decided to present it to
Canyon City City Council at
its meeting on Nov. 15.
The council also discussed
a dog ordinance designed to
combat the number of dog
complaints in and around
John Day. The council re-
ceived a coordinating draft of
the ordinance and decided that
it would not meet the needs of
the city. They decided instead
to continue education efforts
and work against dog owners
who let their animals wander
without supervision, accord-
A TTENTION G RANT
C OUNTY
V ETERANS :
Did you know a service-connected
disabled veteran is entitled to
FREE use of Oregon State Parks?
See your Grant County Veteran Services
Officer today for more information,
located at Grant County Courthouse.
Open Mon, Wed, & Fri, 10 am - 4 pm,
by appointment. Call 541-575-1631
Debbie Ausmus
245 South Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
OPEN WED. & THUR.
9 am - 5 pm
541-575-1113
24 hrs/7 days wk
debbie.ausmus@
countryfinancial.com
Free: Everyone is Invited to the 10th
Annual Prairie City Community Wide
Thanksgiving Feast
Where: Prairie Teen Center
ceived a $100 donation from
the city of John Day. The pa-
rade is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10.
• City Manager Green
submitted a Rural Advantage
Grant application to the EPA.
The “Cool and Connected”
grant would be used to boost
broadband services and revi-
talize main streets. The grant
application included letters of
support from state Sen. Ted
Ferrioli and Governor’s Re-
gional Solutions Team Repre-
sentative Scott Fairley.
We would like to thank the generous
sponsors of our Diamond Hitch
Mule Ranch Concert Season, We
had Della Mae, Rabbit Wilde and
Ghost Town Blues Band thanks to:
Johnny Creek Ranch
Great Expectations Hunting Preserve
Mike Stovall Concrete
Real Estate Outback
Dayville Cafe
1188 Brewing
Riverbend Motel
In the Sticks Juniper Mill
Boyer’s Cash Store
Longview Ranch
Apricot Apiaries
Fossil Mercantile
In last month’s newsletter I mentioned
that the Transient Room Tax dollars have
been increasing steadily each quarter for
the past four years, and 2016 is no
exception. I believe that part of this due
to the Chamber’s proactive approach to
our mission goals and to an active
advertising program which is coupled
with the Oregon Tourism Commission.
DBA as Travel Oregon, they’ve also
experienced six years of accelerated
growth and economic impact reaching
new heights in revenue for the state.
Independent finding indicate that travel-
related spending in Oregon increased by
nearly $500 million last year to achieve a
record $10.8 billion in revenue. The travel
and tourism industry continues to drive
economic development in the state and
is helping to build strong and sustainable
local economies. Last year 27.7 million
overnight visitors traveled to Oregon
destinations, increasing hotel/motel room
demand. With all of our beauty in Grant
County, including many popular
attractions, more and more people are
deciding to visit and see what we have to
offer. Our next Solar Eclipse Planning
meeting will be on December 14th at
4:00 p.m. at the Canyon City community
hall. And don’t forget to let the Chamber
office know about any available rooms,
RV spots or acreage that you might like
to rent out for the event. We have two
available ad spots open on this
newsletter if you’re interested in one of
them. It costs $200 per year, helps the
Chamber offset advertising dollars and it
is tax deductible. The next guest
speakers are Elise Delgado and Amy
Stiner from the South Fork John Day
Water Shed Council, who will be sharing
their goals on future and on going
projects. Hope to see everyone there.
We wish all of you a Happy
Thanksgiving. Enjoy your friends and
loved ones. We have much to be thankful
for.
— Jerry Franklin, President
145 W Front Street
When: 1:00 pm Thursday, November 24th
Come And Enjoy A Traditional
Thanksgiving Meal
Contact: 541-820-3696
ing to Green, who called the
issue a “pervasive problem.”
In other council news:
• Neal Ledgerwood was
appointed to the Planning
Commission. Ledgerwood, a
retired Road Department em-
ployee, has lived in the area
his whole life and wrote that
his motivation for joining the
planning commission was to
“sustain common sense on the
Planning Commission.” He
will begin his four-year term
on Jan. 10.
• The Timber Truckers
Light Parade asked for and re-
04830
(Monthly meetings are open to the public
and held on the 3rd Thursday of each
month, 11:00 a.m. at the Chamber of
Commerce office and 12:00 noon at the
Outpost Restaurant.)
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