Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 2020)
NEWS MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, July 8, 2020 A5 Risk of large wildfires elevated in parts of West DA: Several alleged Percent of normal precipitation By Brad Carlson EO Media Group Wildfire risk will be above average in much of the West, according to the National Inter- agency Fire Center’s new forecast. July marks the start of the primary wildfire season in the Northwest, Intermountain West and the northern Great Basin. Bryan Henry, fire weather program manager at the Boi- se-based center, said in an inter- view that an unusually wet June — precipitation was 200-400% of average across most of Idaho except in the northern panhan- dle — “will delay the onset of more significant fire activity until mid- to late July.” Idaho’s central mountains, where snowpack and runoff have been well below average, could see some small fires by around July 10, a few days later than usual after some rain in late June, he said. Henry said, in northeast- ern Washington, the northern Idaho panhandle and northwest- ern Montana, precipitation was 50-75% of normal in the second half of June, so “a normal July is expected as the pre-existing conditions continue.” “Areas of emerging concern are northern California, north- % 300 200 150 130 110 June 1, 2020 Through June 30, 2020 100 90 70 50 25 5 Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers Capital Press graphic western Nevada and south- ern through central Oregon,” he said. “Precipitation received over the last month in these areas has been generally below 50% of average, and in some cases less than 5% of average.” That was the case in the San Francisco Bay Area. Temperatures across most of the West have been about 2 degrees above average over the past two months, Henry said. In his forecast for July through October, he said the potential for significant large fires, burning total acres exceed- ing long-term medians, is above normal in the Northwest, North- ern California, Hawaii and the northern Great Basin. It’s nor- mal in the northern Rockies, Alaska and Southern California. The Northwest’s cool, wet weather in June delayed some fuel curing, but will be followed by conditions that are warmer and drier than average through September — increasing the risk of large fires, particularly in central Oregon and central Washington, Henry wrote. Conditions expected to be warmer and drier than normal should elevate fire risk in north- ern California and Hawaii, he wrote. Dead fuels at all ele- vations are expected to be dry enough to carry fire. Fine-fuel loading was 100- 300% of normal across parts of Nevada, Arizona, Utah and southern Idaho as July began, and patchier in parts of southern Utah and Idaho. The chance of thunderstorms will increase through July in the northern Great Basin, with some periods of gusty winds, precipitation and lower tem- peratures as low pressure con- tinues to track, Henry wrote. This will prevent much of Idaho from being critically dry during much of July. thieves identified Anyone with information about recent thefts should contact the sheriff’s office Blue Mountain Eagle Grant County’s dis- trict attorney has released the names of several peo- ple believed to be involved in thefts, stemming from an investigation that began in September. “By admission and the recovery of some of the sto- len items, alleged perpe- trators include (a 14-year- old boy), Austin Catron, Tanner Walczyk and oth- ers,” District Attorney Jim Carpenter said in a press release. “Items stolen are likely being taken out of the county to be sold and traded.” Carpenter said Grant County has experienced an uptick in thefts, includ- ing the thefts of chain- saws, firearms, tools and other equipment. These thefts are currently being Tanner Walczyk Austin Catron investigated by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Other agencies that have provided valuable assistance include the John Day Police Department and the Oregon State Police, he said. The investigation has been ongo- ing since September 2019. The District Attorney’s Office is currently wait- ing for the finalization of the investigation. Residents and others with informa- tion regarding recent thefts are encouraged to contact the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at 541-575-1131, or notify Grant County Dis- patch at 541-575-0195. Carpenter encouraged residents to lock their cars and homes, not leave valu- ables in plain sight and be vigilant in watching out for themselves and their neighbors. Human-caused fire near Kimberly destroys house, burns just over 30 acres By Rudy Diaz Blue Mountain Eagle A house was destroyed by a human-caused fire near Kimberly July 1. The John Day Inter- agency Dispatch Center received a report of a fire about 6 miles west of Monu- ment at a residence on High- way 402 at about 1 p.m. July 1. The fire was was con- trolled at 8:05 p.m. Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District Public Informa- tion Officer Christie Shaw said the fire was human- caused, but it was still under investigation. She said the fire burned a little over 30 acres, and most of what was burned was grass and brush in terms of the wildland fuels. ODF was assisted by type 1 helicopters avail- able from federal partners, seven wildland engines, a local landowner’s bulldozer, a bulldozer from ODF and assistance from the Monu- ment Fire Department. “By early evening last night, we had gotten it fully lined so some of the lines are dozer lines and some of the lines were hand lines where they couldn’t get to with the dozer,” Shaw said Thursday. “Once they finished securing that line and once the spread of the fire has stopped, they began to mop-up and con- tinue those activities today.” Monument Fire Chief Kevin Mitchell, who responded to the call as ODF, said there were no injuries at the incident and Monument fire had a truck at the scene. Mitchell added that defensible space around a home is important to protect a house from incidents like this where the grass is three to four feet tall and near the house. The driver of the vehicle that was following the white SUV began backing up not seeing a another vehicle which was struck. The driver that was fol- lowing the white SUV left the scene, calling 911, while being followed by the white SUV for several miles. The driver of the vehicle that was hit was unin- jured, pulled off the highway and called 911 to report the incident. The unidentified male subject was identified as Pat- rick La Monte Burns, 50, and a report will be forwarded to the Grant County District Attorney for menacing, reckless driving and reckless endangering. Avenue. July 4: Received a report of a 3-year-old wandering around alone on West Main Street. • Oregon State Police July 4: Advised of cattle on the roadway on Highway 26 near milepost 137. July 5: Responded to a report of an injured deer on East Main Street. • Grant County Sheriff’s Office June 30: Along with John Day and Long Creek ambu- lance, dispatched for an elderly man with a bladder issue on Trout Road. June 30: Received a report of theft in Prairie City. July 2: Received a report of theft in Canyon City. July 5: Received a report of a burglary on Ingle Street. • John Day ambulance June 30: Responded for a 78-year-old woman who had become unresponsive on Can- yon Mountain Trail. June 30: Responded for an 82-year-old woman who was unresponsive on East Fifth Street. • United States Forest Service July 5: Responded to a request from a campground host to remove campers who were refusing to leave on Bull Prairie. • Seneca ambulance July 5: Responded to a 70-year-old man with arm pain on Park Avenue. COPS AND COURTS Arrests: 1 Citations: 0 Fingerprints: 4 Civil papers: 17 Warrants processed: 3 Assistance/Welfare check: A count of harassment and second-degree criminal tres- pass against James W. Cook Jr., allegedly committed Dec. 17, was dismissed on July 1 based on a motion by Grant County District Attorney Jim Carpenter because of the wishes of victims and a lack of state resources. A count of harassment and second-degree disorderly con- duct against Charles E. Wil- liams, allegedly committed Feb. 1, was dismissed on July 2 based on a motion by Car- penter because the victims are protected and a lack of state resources. A conviction on appeal of first-degree sexual abuse against Bradley D. Moles, allegedly committed Feb. 1, 2016, was dismissed June 29 based on a motion by Carpen- ter because Moles’ jury convic- tion was not unanimous and the United States Supreme Court ruled that jury verdicts in crim- inal trials must be unanimous. Carpenter said in the motion that the state has decided not to pursue retrial. Grant County Sheriff The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported the following for the week of July 1: Concealed handgun licenses: 7 Average inmates: 10 Bookings: 10 Releases: 9 Search and Rescue: 0 Grant County Justice Court Violation of the basic rule: Mackenzie J. Coggin, 28, Enterprise, May 13, 70/55 zone, fined $165; Ronald B. Borello, 57, Sumpter, June 9, 74/55 zone, fined $165; Daniel C. Sigler, 66, Irvine, Califor- nia, June 10, 75/55 zone, fined $165; Ted W. Law, 72, Bed- ford, Kentucky, June 8, 68/55 zone, fined $165. Exceeding speed limit: Noah R. Schultz, 28, Mil- waukie, March 25, 91/65 zone, fined $440; Daniel R. Cook, 55, Canyon City, April 29, 48/30 zone, fined $140; Philip J. Milburn, 49, Ontario, May 4, 74/65 zone, fined $140; Dakota L. Wolfer, 20, John Day, May 21, 45/35 zone, fined $140; Michael N. McGarry, 67, Prai- rie City, May 4, 74/65 zone, fined $140; Sylvia R. Sweeney, 60, John Day, Jan. 24, 53/35 zone, fined $165; Alexander J. Titus, 26, Prairie City, 79/65 zone, fined $265; Dessiree M. Sutton, 47, Kimberly, June 10, 55/40 zone, fined $165. Driving while suspended: Sylvia R. Sweeney, 60, John Day, Jan. 24, fined $440; Jared J. Baker, 25, John Day, May 16, fined $440, Jimm E. Roba, 45, John Day, June 7, fined $440. Driving uninsured: Sylvia R. Sweeney, 60, John Day, Jan. 24, fined $265; Jared J. Baker, Experience the freedom of home ownership! Let us help you find your dream home. Amy Denman Principal Broker Fred Danielle Winegar Courchene Broker Broker Mike Moore Debbie Brown Broker Broker COUNTRY PREFERRED, REALTORS TEAM 331 W MAIN ST JOHN DAY, OR 97845 541-575-2710 Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 126 calls during the week of June 30 to July 5, including: • John Day Police Department June 30: Along with Long Creek ambulance, cited Caleb Vielme, 31, for driving while suspended and uninsured. July 1: Morgan Westphal, 22, was cited for driving while suspended on Highway 395. July 1: Received a report of trespassing in John Day. July 2: Received a report of criminal mischief on Seventh Avenue. July 3: Arrested Greg L. Whatley, 33, of John Day for driving under the influence on Main Street. July 4: Received a report of attempted rape on First A MAN WAKES UP in the morning after sleeping on... an advertised bed, in advertised pajamas. He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR, have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE. Then it’s too late. AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK? DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it! 7 7 S197097-1 Wendy Cates Principal Broker Oregon State Police June 28: OSP stopped a vehicle for speeding, failure to use headlights and failure to drive within lane on High- way 26 near milepost 162. On contact, the driver, Mariah N. Boyd, 22, had glassy, blood- shot eyes. There was a strong odor of an alcoholic bever- age coming from the vehi- cle. She admitted to consum- ing a couple shots of whiskey. The driver consented to field sobriety tests and showed fur- ther indicators of impairment. OSP arrested the driver for driving under the influence of intoxicants. OSP left the vehi- cle at the scene with two of the driver’s friends. OSP trans- ported the driver to the Grant County Jail. Boyd submitted to a breath test, which indicated a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.12%. OSP issued the driver a citation for DUII-Al- cohol and lodged her at the jail. June 28: OSP responded to a serious injury crash on State Route 19 near mile- post 109. A caller was report- ing a rollover crash with one occupant ejected. Investiga- tion revealed the driver, Colton J. David, 24, Monument, was traveling northbound on State Route 19 when he lost con- trol of his vehicle and went into a small ditch, rolling his car and ejecting his passenger, a 21-year-old man. The driver had glassy eyes and a moder- ate odor of an alcoholic bev- erage coming from his breath. The driver admitted to drink- ing one beer. The passenger was transported via Life Flight to Kadlec Regional Medi- cal Center in Richland, Wash- ington, and then transferred to Oregon Health & Science Uni- versity in Portland with serious injuries. The driver was trans- ported by ground ambulance to Blue Mountain Hospital. Hos- pital staff drew a blood sam- ple that indicated a BAC of 0.248%. A search warrant was obtained to seize all blood and urine samples from the hospi- tal as well as new samples from the driver. The driver had been discharged from the hospital prior to OSP’s arrival, and OSP was unable to reach the driver to obtain new samples pursu- ant to the warrant. The vehi- cle was seized as evidence and towed by Doug’s Towing to a secure location. Investigation is ongoing. July 1: OSP investigated a reported driving complaint that had been received on June 28 on Highway 26 near milepost 155. Investigation revealed a vehicle was following a white SUV westbound on High- way 26 when the unidenti- fied man in the white SUV abruptly stopped on the high- way, stepped out of the white SUV and charged towards the vehicle that was following. S193239-1 1 Grant County Circuit Court 25, John Day, May 16, fined $265. Following too closely: Cherith R. Sheedy, 44, John Day, March 10, fined $225. Failure to drive within lane: Michael J. Weedman, 73, Salem, June 11, fined $265. Failure to register vehicle: Kyle L. Hand, 29, Dayville, Feb. 8, fined $220. Baylee K. Metcalf was con- victed of misrepresentation of age by a minor after a plea of not guilty. The defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $440. Blue Mountain Eagle MyEagleNews.com S197425-1 Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law enforce- ment agencies. Every effort is made to report the court dispo- sition of arrest cases. Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710 DP HOME ENTERTAINMENT 137 E. Main Street, John Day 541.575.1637
