Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2017)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, June 7, 2017 A3 Police train in defusing mental crisis situations 18 receive CIT training certificates By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Local officers and other emergency personnel are bet- ter equipped to handle situa- tions when facing individuals experiencing mental crises. After training for 40 hours over four weeks, 18 local law enforcement officers and oth- er emergency first responders graduated in May with Crisis Intervention Team certifica- tion. CIT certification train- ing coordinator Rick Brunk from the Boardman branch of Community Counseling Solu- tions organized the classes, which mainly took place at the John Day Fire Department conference room. The instruction provided a toolbox of techniques to calm tense situations, including Contributed photo Local law enforcement officers and other emergency first responders gather after completing a 40-hour crisis intervention team training with Rick Brunk, left, the CIT certification training coordinator of Community Counseling Solutions in Boardman. collaboration with the Com- munity Counseling Solutions mental health team. “We help them recognize the symptoms of mental ill- ness and help them look for ways to manage mental health crises,” said Brunk. One class he taught, called City receives $100,000 grant “Crisis Cycle,” gave insight into what may contribute to a person with a mental illness becoming upset, and what can help that person feel safe. Brunk said they look for alternatives to arrest, if pos- sible, when the person is pre- senting with indicators of a mental health condition and arrest can be deferred. Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer said dealing with people who have mental health issues in the communi- ty has been a concern for law enforcement, and the training offered some ways to handle those incidents. “(The training) gave us some different techniques on how to talk to people who might be going through a mental health crisis, getting them the right resources,” Palmer said. “If we can use our techniques to defuse the situation, and if we don’t have to make an arrest — it may be a medical or a men- tal-health crisis — some- times bringing them to jail may not be the best solution. It’s not what we’re looking for.” He added, “We’re learning to handle this a little different- ly than we have in the past.” Linda Mills, a licensed so- cial worker with Community Counseling Solutions who helped coordinate the train- ing, said research indicates officers who receive CIT training have fewer encoun- ters which result in violence, injury and death — not only against themselves, but oth- ers. The full-day classes were taught on Thursdays with fi- nal instruction on Friday, May 12. Instructors included some local experts, including Grant County Undersheriff Zach Mobley, Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Erich Timko who is a drug recognition spe- cialist, CCS counselor Laura Brunton, Grant County Dis- trict Attorney Jim Carpenter and several others. The classes wrapped up with scenario-based training held at Humbolt Elementa- ry School where officers and other first responders could test their skills in common crisis situations with help from volunteer role players. Seasoned instructors and mental health clinicians were on hand to give immediate feedback. John Day Police Officer Scott Moore said he found the training helpful. He said they learned how to recognize symptoms of mental illness as well as psy- chosis from drug use. “The tools we learned help de-escalate situations with ways to talk to them and ap- proach them,” he said. They were also given phone numbers of people who specialize in mental health. “The main goal is to get them the help they need,” he said. Agencies with individuals receiving training included John Day Police Department, John Day Emergency Com- munications Center, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Correctional Facility, Grant County Com- munity Corrections, Grant County Parole and Probation, Community Counseling Solu- tions and Blue Mountain Hos- pital District. FISHIN’ FOR FUN! Local agencies host Kids Fishing Derby By Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle John Day is looking into purchasing the building, at 131 W. Main St., which currently houses four business, Naturally Yours, Etc., Karen Barntish LTC and H & R Block, and six apartments upstairs, only one of which is occupied. After being approached by and meeting with business owners, John Day City Manager Nick Green submitted an application for the $100,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant. $2 million restoration, the city would need to seek fund- ing from state, federal and non-profit sources, he said. The project would offer improved housing for resi- dents, increase the property tax base and beautify Main Street, he said. A proposed design for the building would result in four 1,200-square foot commercial spaces with improved stor- age, restrooms and energy ef- ficiency as well as a mountain chic look. The second floor would be converted into con- dos with improved lighting, energy efficiency and afford- able prices for landlords and renters. The grant is intended to “acquire, rehabilitate and con- struct buildings on properties in designated downtown areas statewide and facilitate com- munity revitalization that will lead to private investment, job creation or retention, estab- lishing or expanding viable business or creating a stron- ger tax base,” according to Oregon Parks and Recreation. The department award- ed 27 matching grants worth $2,355,700 in amounts rang- ing from $17,500 to $100,000. Youth reeled in fun during Saturday’s Kids Fishing Der- by at McHaley Pond in Prairie City. The event drew 63 kids and about as many parents, grandparents and older sib- lings. Wayne and Rhonda Ber- nard of Prairie City, along with their Yorkshire Terrier named Tuffy, watched their young grandchildren fish from camp chairs. “It’s fun,” Wayne said. “I used to fish out here when I was a kid.” “It’s one of the best things to happen in Grant County for the kids,” Rhonda added. “It is so much fun watching the little kids — it’s absolute- ly fantastic. It’s a great fami- ly affair.” Five-year-old Orean Maurer of John Day fished with his sister, Evangeline, age 3, with help from their mom, Alexandria. “I felt a tug!” he ex- claimed. On the other side of the pond, 9-year-old Kayden Moles of John Day caught a small trout, which he re- leased, then a couple minutes later reeled in a keeper. His biggest catch of the day, at that point, was 15 inches long. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife had fish- ing gear on hand for those who needed a pole or bait. Kids also had the option of Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Five-year-old Orean Maurer and his sister, Evangeline, 3, were among 63 children casting their lines Saturday at McHaley Pond in Prairie City during the Kids Fishing Derby. Their mother, Alexandria, and baby brother, Freidrick, watch nearby. filling out a Free Fishing Day Passport Book, adding stick- ers as they completed a list of activities. Eight-year-old Erin Do- nathan of Prairie City made a colorful fish print, and 9-year-old Keilon Watson of John Day completed a Chi- nook salmon puzzle. Other stations includ- ed salmon life cycle brace- let-making and a spin-the- wheel question-and-answer game. The Malheur National Forest had a booth about fire prevention, which included a visit from Smokey Bear. “We really want people to know that the pond is open to the public,” said Confed- erated Tribes biologist Emily Davis. She said they welcome visitors to fish anytime. “We’re glad people now know where it is and have the opportunity,” she said. McHaley Pond is locat- ed a half mile east of Prairie City; turn right at the Forrest Conservation Area sign (a sign reads “office”) and fol- low a dirt road to the pond. Nine-year-old Kayden Moles of John Day catches another trout at Saturday’s Kids Fishing Derby held at McHaley Pond in Prairie City. Eight-year-old Erin Donathan of Prairie City makes a fish print with help from Alexandra Reinwald of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The event was sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Ore- gon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Malheur Na- tional Forest. JOHN DAY VIDEO & ELECTRONICS for all your SONY TV’s, Audio, Video & Cameras 541-620-4255 We offer service now 24/7 from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am. COVFEFE: Cabs Operate Very Fast & Economically For U. Enjoy. Richie Colbeth, Owner/Operator Let our family of Pharmacists serve you! 05745 A TTENTION G RANT C OUNTY V ETERANS : Did you know there may be VA benefits available for you as a result of your spouses’ military service? See your Grant County Veteran Services Officer today for more information, located at Grant County Court House. Jeff Wilcox Call 541-620-8057 for an appointment Open: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10am-4pm by appointment. 05171 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 05755 The Eagle Rylan Boggs 05737 The city of John Day was awarded a $100,000 Main Street Revitalization grant. The city applied for the grant in March to purchase and revitalize the Weaver Complex on Main Street. The building, at 131 W. Main St., currently houses four busi- ness, Naturally Yours, Etc., Karen Barntish LTC and H & R Block, and six apartments upstairs, only one of which is occupied. The building is owned by Mary Weaver, ac- cording to etc. owner Sherrie Rininger. John Day City Manag- er Nick Green said the city council has not yet deter- mined whether the city will purchase the property. “We have not decided yet to make an offer,” Green said. “We are still doing our due diligence.” The city has 12 months to decide if they want to use the grant to purchase the property, according to Green, who said they may reach a decision during a June 13 city council meeting. Green said he has been dealing with closing the Or- egon Pine transaction and has moved this project to the back burner. The Oregon Pine property is a 53-acre proper- ty on the John Day river be- tween Patterson Bridge Street and Seventh Street purchased for $519,000 for future eco- nomic development. The city is looking at pur- chasing the downtown build- ing for $247,750. The grant can only be used for this pur- chase and requires a $147,000 match. The city would be- come the landlord and, at normal rental, see a return on their investment within six years, according to Green. Though the $147,000 invest- ment is in the upper limit of the city’s financial exposure, Green said it was a safe in- vestment. To complete the roughly Thank You I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone that attended my Open House Retirement Party at City Hall. I was truly blessed by the many friends that came by to wish me well on my retirement as the City Clerk for the City of Prairie City. Thank you so much for the many cards, gifts, flowers, and well wishes. A special thank you to the City Council and staff for the fond farewell and the thoughtful, very generous gifts. I am going to miss all of you. Lyn McDonald 05760 Give us a call today 541-676-9158 - Heppner 541-384-2801 - Condon We welcome the opportunity to visit with you about our services! Heppner & & Condon Heppner Condon
