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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 11, 2018)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Raschio appointed as interim commissioner By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle The Grant County Court appoint- ed attorney Robert S. Raschio as an interim commissioner through the end of the term held by Commis- sioner Boyd Britton. He was sworn in after the July 3 special meeting adjourned. County Judge Scott Myers said the court received Britton’s letter of resignation on June 30. Myers noted that the court was not obligated to request applications or letters of sup- port to fill Britton’s seat. Myers also noted that it was in the county’s interest to see that the seat was filled as soon as possible in event that he or Commissioner Jim Hamsher were unable to fulfill their duties. Raschio had filed to run for coun- ty commissioner in the May primary election but later withdrew his name. Myers said Raschio told the court at that time that he was willing to fill the seat on an interim basis. Hamsher suggested a three-day delay in the appointment so the court could receive more public input and to provide members of the public a chance to throw their names in the ring. His suggestion was echoed by several people attending the special meeting. Myers said the court had not re- ceived any formal requests from anyone interested in serving as interim commis- sioner. He noted that this was an appoint- ment by the court and not a vote by the Rob public. Raschio While Frances Preston and Mary Ellen Brooks com- mented on the number of people in the county who didn’t know Britton was resigning, Judy Kerr said she supported the court’s decision to ap- point Raschio. Kerr also questioned why Britton had waited until the last minute to announce his resignation. Raschio, 45, earned his bache- lor’s degree at Portland State Univer- sity and law degree at the University of Oregon. He worked for a time as a public defender in Grant County in 2001 before working as an attorney for four years in Burns and seven years in The Dalles. In 2013, the Oregon Public De- fense Commission awarded the con- tract to provide indigent defense ser- vices in the 24th Judicial District to Raschio, and he set up his law prac- tice in Canyon City across the street from the courthouse in 2014. Raschio told the Eagle that he withdrew from the May election af- ter he realized the field was pretty much set with a number of good can- didates. He said he wanted to serve the county. A supporter of the two initiatives to overthrow the ban on recreational marijuana businesses in Grant Coun- ty, Raschio said he had taken note of the big revenue figures for recre- ational marijuana in Colorado and Oregon and felt Grant County was losing out. At the same time, Raschio said he recognized that drug abuse was a problem in Grant County, particular- ly methamphetamine use. The public should support law enforcement, he said, but the public also needs to look at how offenders are sentenced. “We can’t lock the problem away,” he said. Raschio is an appointed member of the county’s Mental Health Advi- sory Board, where he works closely with Community Counseling Solu- tions. He is also chairman of the Oregon Professional Liability Fund, which provides malpractice insur- ance. Raschio told the Eagle he agrees with the court’s participation in the Grant County Digital Network Coa- lition, which seeks to improve inter- net access in the county. Looking ahead, he said he doesn’t like to think in terms of problems but, instead, of positives. Grant County is a small community, and its members support one another, he said. A5 B RIEFLY Highway projects planned this summer Highway maintenance proj- ects are planned in Grant County this summer, which may cause delays of up to 20 minutes. Sign replacement between John Day and Mt. Vernon and Ukiah is expected to be complet- ed in August. The Little Pine Creek cul- vert 2 miles east of John Day on Highway 26 is scheduled to be replaced this summer, completed in September. On Highway 395 between Cape Horn and Long Creek, chip sealing is scheduled to start in July and be completed in Octo- ber. Preventive maintenance on two bridges on the stretch will also be completed. Flood mitigation and bridge footing protection south of John Day at mile posts 4.2 and 7.25 on Highway 395 is scheduled for this summer, to be completed in December. Maintenance patching 13 miles south of John Day is scheduled this summer and will take about two weeks. On Highway 19 between Spray and Picture Gorge, chip sealing is planned to begin in mid-August and take about two weeks. For more information about highway projects statewide, visit oregon.gov/odot. Forest Service replacing culverts Several forest roads will be temporarily closed for culvert replacement between July 9 and Aug. 24. Work will take place on Tinker Creek (Forest Road 3600), East Fork Beech Creek (Forest Road 3200-935) and Wiwaanaytt Creek (Forest Road 2600-102 and Forest Road 2645- 104), according to the Forest Service. The affected project areas will be signed. Travelers may encounter heavy equipment and increased traffic as crews will be hauling rock and other materials to and from the site. Culvert replacement projects are part of an ongoing effort to improve aquatic fish passage on the forest. This work not only increases access to vital habitats for fish and aquatic organisms but also increases the lifespan of the culvert by decreasing poten- tial damage from flooding and preventing debris buildup. For more information on this project, call 541-575-3000 or visit fs.usda.gov/malheur. C OPS AND C OURTS Grant County Circuit Court Elizabeth C. Pace, 41, John Day, pleaded guilty June 28 to possession of meth- amphetamine committed on March 27 and possession of methamphetamine and tam- pering with physical evidence committed on April 28, all misdemeanors. She was sen- tenced to 20 days in jail, 36 months probation, 40 hours community service and $995 in fines and fees. Two counts of methamphetamine deliv- ery, one count of possession of methamphetamine and one count of frequenting a place where controlled substances are used were dismissed. One count of criminal forfeiture was allowed. A charge against Megan H. Long, 25, Prairie City, of criminal conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine committed on Nov. 14, 2016, was dis- missed July 6, based on a mo- tion by the state that it was in the best interests of justice. Christopher Boyer, 29, John Day, pleaded guilty June 28 to felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor third-degree criminal mischief committed on May 27. He was sentenced to 54 months in prison, three years post-prison supervision and $180 in fines and fees. Charges of menac- ing, fourth-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief were dismissed. Grant County Sheriff The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported the following for the week of July 4: Concealed handgun licens- es: 11 Average inmates: 17 Bookings: 10 Releases: 15 Arrests: 2 Citations: 2 Fingerprints: 3 Civil papers: 10 Warrants processed: 1 Asst./welfare check: 0 Search and rescue: 0 June 28: Brian Gregg, 25, John Day, was cited for driv- ing with a suspended driver’s license and no insurance. July 2: Kevin Rodriguez, 19, Nyssa, was cited for under- age alcohol possession. Oregon State Police July 1: Responded to the highways 26 and 19 junction for a report of a vehicle block- ing the roadway. The driver was slumped over the steer- ing wheel, and his 4-year-old daughter was in the vehicle. Blood-alcohol tests were 0 percent, but a search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered methamphetamine, digital scales, drug paraphernalia and a concealed .22-caliber hand- gun. Michael R. Womack, 27, Island City, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless endangerment, meth- amphetamine possession and unlawful firearm possession. July 2: Following a traffic stop in Grant County, a driv- er’s blood was tested for alco- hol, which came up 0 percent. A urine quick test allegedly indicated use of methamphet- amine, and the driver admitted to using methamphetamine. Tyson R. Haack, 35, who was on probation, was given a one- day sanction. July 2: Responded to High- way 26 near the Baker County line for a single-vehicle crash. Wayne Ellis, 50, Nampa, Ida- ho, was transported to the hospital and cited for careless driving. July 4: Following a traffic stop on Highway 26 in Mt. Vernon, Thomas B. Alsup, 58, Prairie City, was cited for driv- ing with a suspended license. July 5: The side of a chip truck turning east from Lower Yard Road onto Highway 26 in John Day split open, spill- ing chips on the highway and blocking the eastbound lane for an hour. July 5: The driver of an eastbound Ford truck fell asleep as he approached the Highway 26 junction with Highway 19. The truck par- tially rolled over and blocked the eastbound lane. The driver received minor injuries but re- fused medical attention. July 6: The driver of a westbound vehicle on High- way 26 lost control near Lay- cock Creek Road after a deer ran out onto the roadway. The vehicle rolled down a steep embankment and came to rest in a field. The driver was trans- ported to the hospital. Justice Court A harassment charge against Frances Preston, 71, Prairie City, was dismissed without prejudice June 8 after the district attorney said the state lacks the resources to proceed with the case. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 206 calls during the week of July 2-8, including: • John Day Police Depart- ment July 2: Responded with Grant County Sheriff’s Office to a grocery store in John Day for a verbal dispute. July 2: Following a traffic stop on Highway 26 near east John Day, Robert W. Hough- ton, 64, Mt. Shasta, California, was cited for speeding, 53/35 zone. July 2: Following a traffic stop on Highway 26 near east John Day, Gisele L. Baker, 76, Dillard, was cited for speed- ing, 50/35 zone. July 2: Responded in the John Day area for a welfare check on a suicidal subject. July 2: Dispatched to the Grant County Fairgrounds for a report of suspicious persons. July 3: Responded to a fraud report at a bank on Main Street in John Day. July 3: Dispatched to a gro- cery store in John Day for a report of a suspicious person. July 3: Responded to laun- dry business in John Day for a harassment report. July 3: Received a report of a rape in John Day. July 3: Dispatched to Sev- enth Street in John Day for a theft report. July 4: Received a report of a mentally ill person causing a disturbance at a restaurant in John Day. July 5: Advised of a theft at a grocery store in John Day. July 5: Received a slander report from West Main Street in John Day. July 5: Advised of a scam or fraud report from John Day. July 5: Warned a skate- boarder for riding on West Main Street. July 5: Received a harass- ment report from West Main Street in John Day. July 6: Advised of harass- ment in John Day. July 7: Received a report of a restraining order violation on North Canyon Boulevard in John Day. July 8: Advised of a re- straining order violation on North Canyon Boulevard in John Day. July 8: Responded to a gro- cery store in John Day for a shoplifter report. • Oregon State Police July 2: Responded to a mo- tor-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Unity. July 5: Dispatched to High- way 395 near the Magone Lake Road junction for a re- port of a vehicle with a trailer stopped in the middle of the road. July 6: Advised of a nonin- jury crash on Highway 26 at Childress Loop. • Grant County Sheriff’s Office July 2: Raymond D. Le- hoski, 39, Texas, was arrested on Humbolt Street in Canyon City on a Grant County war- rant. July 2: After responding to a report of an unwanted person on Nelson Road in Canyon City, Kevin D. Rodriguez, 19, Nyssa, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and minor in possession of al- cohol. July 3: Received a report of a theft on North Humbolt Street in Canyon City. July 3: Advised of a theft on River Estates Lane in Mt. Vernon. July 3: Responded to Ingle Street in Mt. Vernon for a re- port of illegal fireworks use. July 4: Received a report of illegal fireworks use on Sixth Street in John Day. July 4: Responded with John Day police to a grocery store in John Day for a rolling domestic dispute. July 4: Received a report of illegal fireworks use in Mt. Vernon. July 4: Advised of illegal fireworks use on Trafton Lane in John Day. July 5: Received a report of distraught hikers who were stranded at the Strawberry Mountain trailhead and run- ning out of food. July 5: Responded to a bur- glary report on Trafton Lane in John Day. July 5: Dispatched with Or- egon State Police to Highway 26 in Mt. Vernon for a possible assault and suicidal person. July 6: Joined John Day police in an attempt to locate a suspicious person on Highway 395 in Canyon City. July 7: Advised of a live- stock complaint in Dayville. July 7: Received a report of trespassing on South Humbolt Street in Canyon City. July 7: Responded to High- way 26 in Mt. Vernon for a livestock complaint. July 8: Dispatched to South Hall Street in Prairie City for a dispute. • John Day ambulance July 2: Responded to a senior home in John Day to transport a patient. July 2: Dispatched to Uni- ty for a 14-year-old girl with a possible broken arm. July 2: Responded to a se- nior home in John Day for an 85-year-old man. July 3: Dispatched to North Cozart Avenue in Prairie City for an 80-year-old woman. July 4: Responded with Monument ambulance to Top Road in Monument for a 75-year-old man. July 4: Dispatched to Lam- ford Road in John Day for a 78-year-old woman who had fallen. July 6: Responded to a se- nior home in John Day for a 65-year-old woman. July 7: Dispatched to North Johnson Avenue in Prairie City for a 57-year-old person. July 7: Responded to East Main Street in John Day for a 49-year-old man. July 7: Dispatched to High- way 26 in Mt. Vernon. July 7: Responded to a se- nior home in John Day for an 85-year-old man. July 8: Dispatched to West Franklin Avenue in Dayville for a 63-year-old woman. July 8: Responded to Southwest First Avenue in John Day for a 67-year-old woman. July 8: Dispatched to Northwest First Avenue in John Day for a 29-year-old woman. • John Day fire July 4: Assisted Prairie City fire during the fireworks display outside of Prairie City. Thank You Thank you, Boyd Britton, for your 15 1/2 years of service as a Grant County Commissioner. We wish you and Bonnie the best in this new chapter of your lives. Ken & Pat Holliday Ch Don’t Miss Whiskey Gulch Gang’s D EMOLITION D ERBY Sat., July 14, 2018 The Fox Church community would like to thank all who helped make our June fundraiser a success. 7pm; Gate opens at 6pm Our special thanks to Ron Phillips and the Grant County Jammers for the great music and to the Long Creek Historical Society for hosting our potluck. Grant County Fairgrounds Thanks to all who donated and to those that volunteered to work on the Church as well. Big thanks to Jim of John Day Hardware True Value for the donation of all the paint for the Fox Church. The progress we have made could not have been possible without all of you. Top Prize: $2000 Derby car entry fee $50.00 Pit pass $30.00 Car inspections @ 3pm Pre-Sale Tickets: $10 adults, $6 12 & under At The Gate: $12 adults, $8 12 & under Thanks again, Fox Community Church Children under age 6 are 67916 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. FREE For more info call 541-575-0329 or visit www.grantcountyfairgrounds.com 67913
