NEWS
MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Fire contained to single building
at Allison Guard Station
Fire near Juntura grows to 9,000 acres
Blue Mountain Eagle
A wildfire near Juntura grew rapidly
after being reported Sunday afternoon,
reaching 9,000 acres by Tuesday.
The Indian Creek fire is burning
northwest of Highway 20 about 13
miles east of Juntura, according to the
Bureau of Land Management’s Vale
District. It is 10% contained.
A Type 2 incident management team
took control of the suppression efforts
Tuesday morning.
Vale District crews worked well past
midnight Sunday, extinguishing spot
fires, cutting dozer lines and grading
existing roads in the area to establish
firelines. Nine aircraft dropped retardant
to slow the fire’s spread on Sunday.
The blaze was reported about
12:45 p.m. near Jonesboro. Its cause is
under investigation.
A5
The Vale District is seeking the
public’s assistance regarding the fire’s
cause. It started along Highway 20 near
Milepost 203. If anyone saw the fire
when it was very small, or noticed any
suspicious activity in that area prior to
the fire, or has factual information about
the start of the fire, they are encouraged
to call Vale BLM firefighters at 541-
473-6374. Or they can call the WeTip
hotline at 1-800-472-7766. The call is
toll free and anonymous. Volunteers
from the Juntura Rangeland Fire Pro-
tection Association initially worked on
the fire, along with six single-engine air
tankers, three multi-engine tankers, 10
fire engines, three bulldozers and two
20-person hand crews.
Strong winds helped the fire grow
from about 1,000 acres at 6:30 p.m.
Contributed photo/Al Crouch
to an estimated 5,000 acres by 9 p.m.
The Indian Creek Fire on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday.
Blue Mountain Eagle
No one was injured in a fire
that was contained to a single
building at a firefighter guard
station Friday on the Malheur
National Forest.
Smoke was reported in the
main bunk house at Allison
Guard Station, which houses
wildland firefighters through-
out the summer, on the Emigrant
Creek Ranger District at about
1:30 a.m. Friday, according to a
press release.
Employees began putting
the fire out with fire extinguish-
ers. The fire was contained to the
main bunk house, which is pre-
sumed to be a total loss, and no
other buildings were damaged.
The cause of the fire is under
investigation. The forest requests
that the public refrain from visit-
ing the site until the investigation
is completed.
Allison Guard Station was
one of many Forest Service
facilities constructed during the
1930s by the Civilian Conser-
vation Corps. It was originally
a ranger station until the 1950s
when it became a fire guard
station.
Before the fire, this was
one of the most intact CCC-era
ranger stations in the region,
according to information from
the Malheur National Forest.
The fire warehouse, which
became a bunkhouse, was likely
constructed in 1937.
COPS AND COURTS
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.
Grant County Circuit
Court
Gregory L. Baxter, 58,
pleaded guilty Aug. 13 to felon
in possession of a firearm com-
mitted on Feb. 19. He was sen-
tenced to 30 days in jail.
Robert L. Crosby, 33,
pleaded guilty Aug. 13 to unau-
thorized use of a vehicle and
second-degree theft committed
on Nov. 3. He was sentenced to
nine months in jail, 24 months
of supervised probation, 40
hours of community service and
ordered to pay $8,626 in restitu-
tion fees and $1,352 in compen-
satory fines to Carl S. Stinnett.
Counts of first-degree theft, sec-
ond-degree theft and third-de-
gree theft were dismissed.
Kevin E. Mason, 26, pleaded
guilty on Aug. 13 to strangula-
tion constituting domestic vio-
lence, fourth-degree assault
constituting domestic violence,
menacing constituting domes-
tic violence, menacing, resist-
ing arrest and second-degree
disorderly conduct committed
on July 25. He was sentenced
to 110 days in jail, two years
of probation and 180 hours of
community service. Two counts
of fourth-degree assault, a count
of second-degree criminal mis-
chief and a count of harassment
were dismissed.
Two counts of harassment
against William J. Collier Jr.,
allegedly committed March
10, were dismissed on Aug. 13
based on a motion by Grant
County District Attorney Jim
Carpenter because the alleged
victim no longer wants to pur-
sue the case and is protected by
no longer being in a relation-
ship with the defendant, along
with a lack of state resources
and calendaring concerns due
to COVID-19.
A count of fourth-degree
assault constituting domes-
tic violence and two counts of
fourth-degree assault, allegedly
committed June 3, were dis-
missed on Aug. 13 based on a
motion by Carpenter because
it was in the best interests of
justice.
A count of second-degree
criminal trespass committed
Nov. 15, was dismissed on Aug.
12 based on a motion by Car-
penter because it was in the best
interests of justice.
A count of first-degree fail-
ure to appear committed June
16, was dismissed on Aug. 13
based on a motion by Carpenter
because plea negotiations warrant
that this matter be dismissed.
Valerie N. Hendrix violated
her probation conditions for
failure to complete community
service work, failure to pay and
failure to complete anger man-
agement. On Aug. 17, she was
sentenced to engage with treat-
ment, community service work
and enter a payment plan within
seven days of judgment. Her
probation was also extended 12
months.
Grant County Justice
Court
Violation of the basic rule:
Brieanna E. Sumey, 21, Day-
ville, March 12, 72/55 zone,
fined $140; Christina M. Dav-
enport, 48, Bend, May 25, 74/55
zone, fined $165; Matthew H.
Katakura, 36, Redmond, July
17, 75/55 zone, fined $165;
Brogan C. McKrola, 21, Logan,
Utah, July 7, 75/55 zone, fined
$165; Chad J. Spring, 26, Battle
Ground, Washington, May 25,
84/55 zone, fined $265; James
E. French, 58, Terrebonne, Aug.
5, 71/55 zone, fined $165; Jer-
emy E. Lien, 45, Salem, July 9,
72/55 zone, fined $140.
Exceeding speed limit: Tyler
R. Cornell, 34, Mt. Vernon,
Washington, July 29, 45/25
zone, fined $165; Matthew M.
Phlaum, 34, Baker City, July 8,
78/65 zone, fined $265; Sarah
L. LeClaire, 40, Prairie City,
March 12, 76/55 zone, fined
$165; Tommy J. Skiens, 73,
John Day, July 16, 35/25 zone,
fined $115; Clayton L. Hughet,
26, Seneca, July 13, 75/65 zone,
fined $165; Gregory A. Wells,
61, Moses Lake, Washington,
July 20, 39/25 zone, fined $165;
Hernan C. Mendoza, 41, Pasco,
Washington, July 13, 75/60
zone, fined $225.
Driving uninsured: James R.
Morris, 48, Stockton, Califor-
nia, July 18, fined $265; Cher-
ryl A. Rankin, 50, Mt. Vernon,
March 12, fined $265.
Failure to use safety belt:
Lori Moodie-Cotta, 18, John
Day, June 1, fined $115.
Careless driving—accident:
Jay J. Moore, 24, John Day,
July 24, fined $440.
On Aug. 7, the court granted
a judgment for Ray Klein
Inc., Professional Credit Ser-
vice, against Shanley Cobb for
$776.01.
On Aug. 7, the court granted
a judgment for Ray Klein Inc.,
Professional Credit Service,
against Isaac A. Moore of Mt.
Vernon for $1,048.82.
On Aug. 7, the court granted
a judgment for Ray Klein Inc.,
Professional Credit Service,
against Andrew M. Johnson for
$995.88.
On Aug. 7, the court granted
a judgment for Ray Klein
Inc., Professional Credit Ser-
vice, against Harlan Egli for
$2,572.54.
Oregon State Police
Aug. 9: OSP conducted a
traffic stop on a known sus-
pended driver. During this con-
tact, evidence of criminal activ-
ity was observed. The driver
consented to a search of the
vehicle. The search yielded a
.357 revolver in a hidden com-
partment, user quantities of
methamphetamine, two digital
scales with methamphetamine
residue, packaging material and
other drug-related parapher-
nalia. The driver also had two
small daggers concealed. The
driver, Steven L. Simmons, 41,
is a convicted felon. Addition-
ally, the driver had $360 cash
on his person. The driver’s pas-
senger, Kristy L. Freilinger, 40,
of Creswell had a misdemeanor
warrant for a probation violation
out of Lincoln County. Lincoln
County requested Freilinger be
cited and released with a future
court date. The vehicle was
left with Freilinger. OSP trans-
ported Simmons to the Grant
County Jail where OSP lodged
him for felon in possession of
a firearm, unlawful possession
of methamphetamine—com-
mercial drug offense and felon
in possession of a restricted
weapon. OSP also issued Sim-
mons citations for a driving
while suspended violation and
driving uninsured.
Aug. 10: While completing
a vehicle tow release, OSP con-
ducted a computerized records
check on Mackenzie R. Clark,
24, of Prairie City and learned
that he had a warrant for his
arrest. Dispatch called and con-
firmed the arrest warrant, but
due to the COVID-19 situa-
tion OSP was asked to cite and
release the subject. The subject
was issued a citation to appear
on Aug. 24 before the Grant
County Justice Court for the
arrest warrant.
Aug. 11: OSP took Clif-
ford L. Nelson, 39, into cus-
tody without incident in Day-
ville. Nelson had two felony
arrest warrants for his arrest
along with three Class A mis-
demeanor arrest warrants out
of Jackson County. Nelson had
also absconded from Jackson
County Probation Department.
He was transported to the Grant
County Jail and lodged on the
warrants.
Aug. 12: OSP was advised
by Oregon Department of
Transportation of a cold motor
vehicle crash versus an elk on
Highway 395C at milepost 34.
ODOT told OSP no one was
around the vehicle, and the
crash had occurred sometime
during the night. A check of
Grant and Harney county dis-
patch centers revealed no driv-
ers reporting the crash or the
disabled Chevrolet pickup. The
vehicle was later towed from
the scene by Frontier Towing as
a hazard/abandoned vehicle.
Aug. 13: OSP investigated a
noninjury, two-vehicle crash on
Highway 26 near milepost 174
in the city limits of Prairie City.
A driver was issued a citation
for failing to yield right of way
at an uncontrolled intersection.
Both units involved were driven
from the scene.
disorderly conduct on Canyon
Boulevard.
Aug. 14: Responded to a
noninjury crash on Southeast
First Street.
Aug. 14: Cited Jessica A.
Resch, 28, of Bend for driv-
ing while suspended and for no
insurance on Highway 26 near
milepost 161.
Aug. 15: Cited Ibrahim Jar-
daneh, 47, of La Grande for
speeding, 51/25 zone, on High-
way 26.
Aug. 15: Cited Ernest W.
Dawson III, 45, of Pendleton
for driving while suspended
and no insurance at a business
on West Main Street.
Aug. 16: Received a report
of theft on Ford Road.
Aug. 16: Cited Natalia E.
Yazzie, 28, of Canyon City for
driving without a license.
• Oregon State Police
Aug. 14: Received a report
of a rollover crash with no inju-
ries on Highway 26 near mile-
post 134.5.
Aug. 14: Received a report
of domestic dispute on High-
way 26.
Aug. 14: Advised of a
motorist that needed assistance
on Highway 395 near milepost
65.
• Grant County Sheriff’s
Office
Aug. 10: Received a report
of theft on Highway 26 in John
Day.
Aug. 11: Jamey A. Macke-
bon, 41, of Seattle, Washing-
ton, was arrested on a Grant
County warrant on South Hum-
bolt Street.
Aug. 12: Received a report
of an assault on North Johnson
Street.
Aug. 13: Received a report
of a noninjury crash on North
Main Street on Highway 26.
Aug. 13: Received a report
of theft in Prairie City.
Aug. 14: Received a report
of animal abuse on Dan’s Creek
on Bates Highway.
Aug. 14: Responded to a
search for a 93-year-old woman
with dementia on Highway 26.
• John Day ambulance
Aug. 10: Responded to an
infant who was not breathing
on Ingle Street.
Aug. 14: Responded for a
23-year-old man who was vom-
iting blood on Northwest Third
Avenue.
Aug. 15: Dispatched for a
man with high temperature and
high blood pressure on East
Fifth Street.
Aug. 15: Dispatched for a
man with dizzy spells on Valley
View Drive.
Aug. 15: Responded for a
71-year-old woman with low
blood pressure on South Bridge
Street.
Aug. 16: Along with Prairie
City ambulance, responded for
an 84-year-old man with stroke
symptoms on North River
Road.
• Monument ambulance
Aug. 10: Responded for a
54-year-old man with a reaction
to a bee sting on Manny Neal
Road.
• Mt. Vernon Fire
Aug. 14: Fire chief
responded to a report of an ille-
gal fire on Highway 26.
• Granite fire
Aug. 11: Responded to a
wildfire in the Granite area.
Dispatch
John Day dispatch worked
201 calls during the week of
Aug. 10-16, including:
• John Day Police
Department
Aug. 10: Arrested Valerie
N. Hendrix, 44, of Seneca on a
Grant County warrant during a
traffic stop on Highway 26 near
milepost 166.
Aug. 10: Cited Juan Vargas
of John Day for maintaining a
residence as a nuisance on Can-
yon Boulevard.
Aug. 12: Cited Sean C.
McGee, 23, of John Day for
Steel on the inside where it matters most.
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