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
