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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2018)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, January 24, 2018 Aging facilities plague the school district By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle The gym floor at Grant Union Junior-Senior High School in John Day is buck- ling, but no im- mediate solu- tion is at hand, Superintendent Curt Shelley told the Grant School District Curt board Jan. 17. Shelley “We can’t sand it down. There’s not enough wood left, and we’d hit nails,” he said. School staff had dealt with leaking steam pipes in the gym last fall, but the source of the moisture causing the southeast corner of the gym floor to warp turned out to be an ice machine. Shelly said he’s looked at the pros and cons of submitting a claim to the school district’s insurer, which might deny the claim. He also felt sure the problem fell outside the scope of a seismic upgrade project for the gym next year — although he was concerned about the safety of the roll-away bleach- ers during an earthquake. The Eagle/Richard Hanners Light reflects off the buckled gym floor at Grant Union Junior-Senior High School Jan. 22. Moisture from plumbing for an ice machine caused the problem, according to Grant County School District Superintendent Curt Shelley. Basketball players cross the damaged floor area during games, but so far the buckled floor hasn’t posed a safety haz- ard, he said. In other school board news: • An annual audit report was presented by Cara Wilber, from the Oster Professional Group office in Burns. Wilber noted that the school district’s Public Employees Retirement System funds showed a significant net liability — growing from $1.8 million last year to $4.8 million this year. Wilber said the big increase resulted from a rate increase in the actuarial tables, and the net liability is expected to increase again next year. It’s a long-term financial problem that plagues school districts and cities across the state. Shelley noted another long- term concern is the school district’s aging buildings, with steam-heating and roof prob- lems always looming. “We’re in good shape now, but I wish we had newer facil- ities,” he said. “We’re putting Band-Aids on our buildings.” Board Chairwoman Chris Cronin credited “good fiscal management over the years” for the school district’s success. • Shelley said it “raises my hackles” to read about Ore- gon’s 48th-place ranking for graduation rates for the second year in a row. According to fed- eral figures, 74.8 percent of stu- dents in the state’s class of 2016 earned diplomas within four years of starting high school. That’s 1 percent higher than for the class of 2015. Shelley noted that Oregon has stricter graduation require- ments than other states, and Grant County’s graduation rates are higher than the rest of the state. • Shelley told the board he wasn’t sure how the school dis- trict would be impacted if the Measure 101 ballot measure fails. The ballot measure pro- vides for certain assessments or taxes on health care insur- ance and the revenue of certain hospitals to provide funding for Medicaid expansion. “I sure would like to see some stable funding in the state of Or- egon,” he said. “It would help ensure stable employment.” A5 Lost motorist found on forest road Stuck in the snow near Ukiah Blue Mountain Eagle A 52-year-old woman from Starr, Idaho, was found stuck in the snow on a Forest Service road near Ukiah after she was reported missing by family members. According to the Oregon State Police and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Ruby Pike left Portland Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m. and was ex- pected to arrive in Idaho by 10 p.m. Pike told a family member she planned to take a scenic route, and her last contact was with her hus- band at 4:13 p.m. Pike said she would call him when she reached Ontario, but she never did. The sheriff’s office was notified Pike was missing at about 8 a.m. the next day. A ping from her cell- phone placed Pike around 10 miles south of Ukiah. An extensive search by Grant Ruby Pike County Search and Rescue and OSP troopers from John Day, Baker City, La Grande, Pendleton and Ontario be- gan around noon. Two Grant County dep- uties located Pike’s white Toyota Tundra pickup truck stuck in snow on Forest Road 52 near milepost 35 at 7:58 p.m. Pike was found inside the truck and in good health. She was transport- ed to Ukiah where she was checked by ambulance staff and reunited with her family. C OPS AND C OURTS Grant County Circuit Court Misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and ha- rassment against Jeramie M. Lambeth, 45, John Day, were dismissed Jan. 17 following a motion for a judgment of dismissal by Grant County Chief Deputy District Attor- ney Mara Houck. The charges involved a July 13 incident. Lambeth earlier was found guilty except for insanity Jan. 11 in Malheur County Cir- cuit Court for misdemeanor charges of recklessly endan- gering another person and disorderly conduct following a July 24 incident in Ontario. Mark Crawford, 38, Mt. Vernon, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to knowingly hunting elk with a .22-caliber rifle and knowingly hunting elk with- out a valid tag, both misde- meanor wildlife violations, on March 18. He was sentenced to 24 months probation and 60 hours community service, and fined $300. His hunting license was revoked for three years. Alexander C. Ringe, 28, Hermiston, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to unauthorized use of a vehicle, a felony, committed Nov. 23. He was sentenced to six months in jail and one year of post-prison supervision. Neal Allen Burch, 39, Prineville, was convicted Dec. 11 based on an Alford plea of felony second-degree sexu- al abuse committed Jan. 17, 2016, and felony second-de- gree sexual abuse constituting domestic violence committed Oct. 1, 2011. He was sen- tenced by Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Michael C. Sullivan to 80 months in prison and 120 months of post-prison supervision. He was ordered to have no con- tact with the victims in the two cases or any minors, to register as a sex offender and undergo recommended treat- ment and not to frequent or visit places that exist primar- ily for the enjoyment of chil- dren. Kent A. Vannorsdall, 25, Prineville, pleaded guilty to felony unauthorized use of a 1984 Chevrolet pickup truck April 5, 2016. He was sen- tenced to 20 days in jail and 24 months supervised proba- tion and ordered to pay a $200 fine and $4,959 in restitution to the victim. His driver’s li- cense was suspended for one year. Grant County Sheriff The Grant County Sher- iff’s Office reported the fol- lowing for the week of Jan. 18: Concealed handgun licens- es: 9 Average inmates: 12 Bookings: 4 Releases: 3 Arrests: 2 Citations: 0 Fingerprints: 3 Civil papers: 14 Warrants processed: 1 Asst./welfare check: 6 Search and rescue: 0 Bronco. Both drivers were transported to the hospital. According to lab results, Wal- lenstein’s blood alcohol con- tent was 0.438 percent, and she was cited for DUII alco- hol, assault, reckless driving and failure to stay within the lane. Justice Court Dispatch The Grant County Justice Court reported the following fines and judgments: • Driving while suspended: James S. Byrd, 44, Albemarle, North Carolina, Dec. 31, fined $435; Melanie L. Camarena, 45, John Day, Nov. 21, fined $435; Travis A. Palmer, 27, Mt. Vernon, Nov. 26, fined $435. • Driving uninsured: Mel- anie L. Camarena, 45, John Day, Nov. 21, fined $260; John E. Guthridge, 54, Burns, Dec. 18, fined $260. • Violation of the basic rule: James. S. Byrd, 44, Al- bemarle, North Carolina, Dec. 31, 72/55 zone, fined $160; Rodney D. Tachen- ko, 62, Baker City, Dec. 9, 77/55 zone, fined $260; John E. Guthridge, 54, Burns, Dec. 16, 76/55 zone, fined $260; David K. Dethman, 56, Jan. 5, 75/55 zone, fined $165. • Exceeding speed limit: Debra J. Bryant, 63, Bates, Jan. 8, 76/55 zone, fined $220. • Failure to carry proof of financial responsibility requirements: John E. Guth- ridge, 54, Burns, Dec. 16, fined $260. • Failure to properly use safety belt: Jessica J. Hunt, 23, John Day, Dec. 28, fined $75. • Unlawful operation of vehicle: Kristin M. Nodine, 32, Mt. Vernon, Nov. 23, fined $220. • Failure to drive within lane: James S. Byrd, 44, Al- bemarle, North Carolina, Dec. 31, fined $260. Oregon State Police Jan. 14: Responded with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to a home in John Day where a woman was warned for unlawfully pos- sessing a screech owl found injured on the highway. Jan. 17: Advised of a cow on Highway 26 near Fields Creek Road. Jan. 18: James A. Ryan, 58, Baker City, was stopped on Highway 26 and arrested for failing to report a change of address as a sex offender. Jan. 18: Report of a semi- truck hauling fuel jackknifing on Highway 26 near Dixie Summit. Jan. 18: Advised with John Day police and Grant County Sheriff’s Office about a sus- picious person and vehicle in Seneca. Jan. 21: Responded to a motor vehicle accident on Highway 26 near Pine Creek Road. A westbound black BMW driven by Lau- ra B. Wallenstein, 33, Prairie City, was traveling at high speed and struck a blue Ford John Day dispatch worked 144 calls during the week of Jan 15-21. Along with the various traffic warnings, trespassing, injured animals, noise complaints and juvenile complaints, these calls includ- ed: • John Day Police De- partment Jan. 15: Responded for an unwanted subject on East Main Street in John Day. Jan. 15: Dispatched to West Main Street in John Day for a harassment report. Jan. 17: Responded to a hit-and-run report on Main Street in John Day. Jan. 17: Report of an as- sault at a senior living facility in John Day. Jan. 18: Cited a minor in possession of alcohol in John Day. Jan. 18: Report of harass- ment in John Day. Jan. 18: Toby Dreyer, 35, John Day, was cited for fur- nishing alcohol to minors on East Fifth Avenue in John Day. Jan. 19: Report of ongoing trespassing at an unoccupied home on Northwest Bridge Street in John Day. Jan. 19: Responded to a restaurant on Main Street in John Day for a theft of ser- vices report. Jan. 20: Report of a distur- bance on Violet Street in Mt. Vernon. Jan. 20: James Haney, 38, Boise, Idaho, was cited for speeding 84/65 zone on High- way 26 near Indian Creek Road. Jan. 20: James M. Han- cock, 43, Canyon City, was cited for driving with a sus- pended license and no insur- ance on West Main Street in John Day. Jan. 20: Responded to West Main Street in John Day for an unattended death. Jan. 21: Dispatched to Highway 26 and Pine Creek Road for a vehicle accident. • Grant County Sheriff’s Office Jan. 15: Responded to Middle Fork Lane in Bates for a fraud report. Jan. 15: Dispatched to the Mt. Vernon post office for a suspicious person. Jan. 16: Responded to Lit- tle Indian Creek Road in John Day for an unattended death. Jan. 16: Dispatched to Widows Creek Road in Mt. Vernon for a harassment re- port. Jan. 17: Advised of a horse at large on Dog Creek Road in John Day. Jan. 18: Responded to Main Street in John Day for a dispute report. Jan. 19: Advised of a do- mestic dispute on Marysville Road. Jan. 19: Responded with John Day police to West Main Street in John Day for a dis- pute. Jan. 20: Received a report of identity theft. Jan. 20: Dispatched to a convenience store in Mt. Ver- non for a report of criminal mischief. • John Day ambulance Jan. 15: Responded to a senior living facility in Prairie City for an 80-year-old man. Jan. 15: Dispatched to Lit- tle Canyon Mountain Trail for an elderly woman with possi- ble pneumonia. Jan. 15: Responded to a senior living facility in Prairie City for a 79-year-old man. Jan. 16: Dispatched to a senior living facility in Prairie City for an 82-year-old man. Jan. 16: Responded to a senior living facility in John Day for a woman with short- ness of breath. Jan. 17: Dispatched to a senior living facility in John Day for a woman with flu-like symptoms. Jan. 18: Responded to a senior living facility in John Day for a 65-year-old wom- an. Jan. 18: Dispatched with Monument fire and ambu- lance to Highway 402 for a man with diabetic issues. Jan. 19: Responded to West Main Street in John Day for a 54-year-old woman. Jan. 19: Dispatched with Long Creek ambulance to Long Creek School for a 14-year-old with a possible dislocated hip. Jan. 21: Responded to Reynolds Road in Prairie City for a woman in labor. Jan. 21: Dispatched to East Main Street in John Day for a 65-year-old male who had fallen. Jan. 21: Responded to West Main Street in John Day for a 10-month-old infant who was choking. Jan. 21: Dispatched to Southwest First Avenue in John Day for a 58-year-old woman. • Mt. Vernon fire Jan. 20: Responded to a flue fire on Highway 26. HOSTILES (R) In 1892, an Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory. FRI & SUN (12:45) (4:10) 7:10 9:40 MON- THURS (1:20) (4:10) 7:10 9:45 MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE (PG-13) Young hero Thomas embarks on a mission to find a cure for a deadly disease known as the “Flare.” FRI & SUN (12:45) (4:00) 7:00 9:35 MON- THURS (1:20) 7:00 9:45 12 STRONG (R) Under the leadership of a new captain, the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11 must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban. FRI & SUN (12:30) (4:20) 7:20 9:30 MON- THURS (1:20) (3:30) 7:20 10:00 $9 Adult, $7 Senior (60+), Youth 36633 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. OSU Extension Seryice Open House January 26 th , 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Come see us at our new location: 116 NW Bridge St., John Day 7-8 ...Meeting with County/City Government 8-9 ...Tree Care & Maintenance ~ Jerry Galland 9-10 ...Youth STEM Activity ~ Kristal Hansen 10-11 ...Interior Decorating ~ Kattie Piazza 11-12 ...Grazing Behavior for Land Management ~ Dr. Dave Bohnert 12-1 ...Lunch (chili, cornbread, cinnamon rolls) 1:30-2:30 ...Healthy Trees, Healthy Forests ~ Bob Parker 2:30-3:30 ...Blue Mountain Land Trust ~ Marti 3:30-4:30 ...Open Campus Educational Opportunities ~ Didgette McCracken 5-7 ...5olunteer Appreciation Social Hour Silent Auction 4-H Fundraiser hosted by Jozie Rude STOP IN ANYTIME! Open for building tours and program information all day. Baker City 2830 10th St. 541-524-0122 Every other Monday in John Day at Blue Mountain Hospital 170 Ford Rd. 541-575-1311
