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