NEWS
MyEagleNews.com
Two killed
in Christmas
Day crash
near Ukiah
A5
Monument home destroyed in Christmas fire
Fundraisers
planned to help
Lawrence family
By Rudy Diaz
Blue Mountain Eagle
EO Media Group
Two people were fatally
injured in a single-vehicle
crash on Christmas Day,
according to a press release
from the Oregon State
Police.
The crash occurred
shortly after 3 p.m. at
milepost 53 on Highway
395B, the press release
said. A preliminary inves-
tigation revealed a Ford
Ranger pickup, oper-
ated by James Stroud,
83, of Ukiah was north-
bound when it traveled off
the roadway and rolled.
Stroud and his passenger,
Linda Stroud, 79, of Ukiah
both sustained fatal inju-
ries and were pronounced
dead.
Oregon State Police
was assisted at the scene
by the Ukiah Quick
Response Medics, Uma-
tilla County Sheriff’s Office
and Oregon Department of
Transportation.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
A home in Monument was
destroyed by fire on Christmas
Day.
Monument Fire Chief Kevin
Mitchell said the cause of the fire
was electrical, and no one was
injured in the fire.
Lonnie Lawrence, the owner
of the house, and her son Rod-
ger were not in the building
when the fire
happened, he
said. Law-
rence traveled
to the nearest
neighbor to
report the fire.
Lonnie
Except
Lawrence
for one per-
son who was
out for the holidays, everyone
from the Monument fire depart-
ment responded to the incident.
They took their structure truck
with two people, another truck
with one person, a rescue vehicle
with four people and two peo-
ple arrived in a personal vehi-
cle to help. Mitchell said, when
the crew arrived to the scene, the
manufactured home was fully
engulfed in flames.
“With older manufactured
homes, it doesn’t take long for
them to burn,” Mitchell said.
“There’s not a whole lot the fire
department can do, especially
that far out of town. We tried to
save everything around it, but
that’s about it.”
Lawrence’s house is about a
15 to 20 minute drive from Mon-
ument, according to Mitchell.
The fire burned the house and
almost everything inside, but did
not spread beyond the structure,
Mitchell said.
Jeanne Strange organized a
Gofundme fundraiser to cover
the losses and provide support to
Lawrence and her son.
The account states Lawrence
lost her husband of 50 years to
cancer 12 days before Christmas
this year. Then the fire destroyed
all of their possessions.
Her husband’s ashes were
found in the rubble along with
wedding rings, her husband’s
dog tags, military papers and
medals, several family photos,
a bit of jewelry and some of her
son’s Special Olympics ribbons,
according to the account.
People can go to https://
gofund.me/90779eea to donate
money to the Lawrence family.
A clay pigeon shoot fund-
raiser is scheduled for Jan. 16,
and all benefits will go to the
Lawrence family. The shoot is
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with auc-
tions at 1 p.m., at the property of
Brad and Julie Smith at milepost
9 on Highway 402 near Kim-
berly. Call 541-934-2143 for
more information.
A donation account has
also been set up at the Bank
of Eastern Oregon. Call Jen-
nie Mund at 541-934-2076 for
more information.
Former Monument resident sentenced for sex crimes against two minor girls
By Rudy Diaz
Blue Mountain Eagle
A 25-year-old man was sen-
tenced to six months in jail for
multiple sex crimes against two
minor girls in Grant County.
Gage Seeley, formerly of
Monument, pleaded guilty to
two counts of second-degree
sexual abuse and two counts of
contributing to the sexual delin-
quency of a minor, according to
a plea petition signed Dec. 17.
He was sentenced to 180 days
in jail with
60 months
of
super-
vised proba-
tion, accord-
ing to a press
release from
Grant County
Gage Seeley
District Attor-
ney Jim Carpenter. Seeley was
ordered not to have unsupervised
contact with female minors.
Five counts of second-de-
gree sexual abuse, six counts
of second-degree encourag-
ing child sexual abuse and five
counts of contributing to the sex-
ual delinquency of a minor were
dismissed as part of the plea
agreement.
Carpenter said he offered
to resolve the case with Seeley
serving 46 months in prison fol-
lowed by 36 months of super-
vised probation and post-prison
supervision. The probation
included a psychosexual exam-
ination, following any recom-
mended treatment, community
service hours, fines and fees, and
no unsupervised contact with
minor females, according to the
press release.
Seeley declined the resolu-
tion and requested a settlement
conference, Carpenter said.
In the final deal, if See-
ley violates any of the terms or
conditions of his probation, he
agreed to serve 38 months in
prison along with 36 months of
post-prison supervision, accord-
ing to Carpenter.
Carpenter said, while these
types of sentences and agree-
ments provide a chance to reha-
bilitate, he is reluctant to enter
into these agreements because
defendants who are found in
violation do not follow through
with them and the matter has to
be re-litigated in the future.
Carpenter said the judges
he’s encountered, who are not
bound by the agreement, rarely
follow through with the terms
specified, and they sentence
the defendant to something sig-
nificantly less than to what was
agreed.
of the no contact order.
Dec. 17: A state trooper
was notified by the chief of
the John Day Police Depart-
ment that he had probable
cause to arrest Matthew E.
Sagasar, 36, of John Day for
a restraining order violation.
Moments later, the trooper
observed Sagasar pass him,
driving a black Mercedes car
on Highway 26 in John Day.
Upon relaying to the chief that
the trooper observed the sub-
ject, the chief asked that the
trooper initiate a traffic stop
on the vehicle. The trooper
stopped the vehicle on High-
way 395C in John Day. The
chief of police arrived and
contacted Sagasar and arrested
him for violation of a restrain-
ing order.
Dec. 23: A state trooper
responded to a two-vehicle
crash on Highway 395C near
milepost 93. The investigation
revealed that the vehicle was
southbound on packed snow
and ice between 50-60 mph
when it started to slide. The
driver was unable to correct
the slide. The vehicle crossed
into the northbound lane,
rotating clockwise. The left
rear side of vehicle struck the
left front side of another car,
which had been northbound
but pulled onto the shoulder in
an attempt to avoid a collision.
The car struck on the left front
side was towed by Frontier
Towing. Robert R. Waasdorp,
64, of Hines, who was trav-
eling southbound, was issued
a citation for failure to drive
within lane. The Grant County
Sheriff’s Office and Oregon
Department of Transportation
assisted at the scene.
Dec. 26: A vehicle was
northbound on Highway 395C
near milepost 31 when the
driver lost control while nego-
tiating a corner on slick and
snow-packed roads. The vehi-
cle struck a steep embank-
ment on the east side of the
highway where it came to an
uncontrolled rest. The vehicle
was unable to be driven due
to damage and was taken by
Frontier Towing to their lot.
The driver was uninjured.
COPS AND COURTS
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.
Grant County Circuit
Court
Jonas C. Waite pleaded
guilty Dec. 18 to a count of
conspiracy to commit a class
A misdemeanor–second-de-
gree theft and a count of sec-
ond-degree theft committed
on Sept. 27. He was sentenced
to 20 days in jail, 24 months
of supervised probation, 60
hours of community service
and to pay a $200 fine. A count
of unlawful entry into a motor
vehicle and three counts of
conspiracy to commit a class
C felony were dismissed.
Travis J. Freniere, 34, of
John Day pleaded guilty Dec.
22 to a count of harassment
committed on Dec. 15, 2019,
and a count of fourth-degree
assault committed on July 22.
He was sentenced to 30 days
in jail, 36 months of super-
vised probation and 80 hours
of community service. He
was ordered to pay $250 in
compensatory fines to David
Kreger and $300 in court fees
and fines. A count of strangu-
lation was dismissed.
Grant County Sheriff
The Grant County Sheriff’s
Office reported the following
for the week of Dec. 23:
Concealed
handgun
licenses: 14
Average inmates: 9
Bookings: 12
Releases: 8
Arrests: 11
Citations: 2
Fingerprints: 4
Civil papers: 7
Warrants processed: 5
Assistance/Welfare check:
0
Search and Rescue: 1
Grant County Justice
Court
Violation of basic rule:
Shelby P. Blake, 19, Bend,
Dec. 15, 81/55 zone, fined
$265; Amber Nugent-Don-
ovan, 50, Scottsdale, Ari-
zona, Oct. 20, 75/55 zone,
fined $165; Cody W. Kluser,
21, Redmond, 75/55 zone,
fined $265; Lane J. Pearson,
37, Bend, Nov. 4, 79/55 zone,
fined $265; Robert L. Ledger-
wood, 30, Mt. Vernon, April
29, 74/55 zone, fined $165;
Fredward C. Linville, 46, Sac-
ramento, California, June 26,
75/55 zone, fined $165; Tom-
ica L. Long, 24, John Day,
Feb. 27, 85/55 zone, fined
$265; Christopher Jo Keith,
39, Prairie City, March 3,
62/55 zone, fined $115.
Exceeding speed limit:
Dalton S. Jones, 24, La
Grande, Dec. 1, 60/45 zone,
fined $165; Charles C. Klas-
sen, 34, Forest Grove, Nov.
23, 78/65 zone, fined $265;
Pauline E. Waite, 69, Lexing-
ton, Dec. 10, 38/25 zone, fined
$165; Benjamin J. Alexan-
der, 30, Bend, Sept. 22, 42/25
zone, fined $165.
Driving while suspended:
Timothy L. Keith, 37, Prai-
rie City, March 8, fined $440;
David E. Hall, 26, Mt. Vernon,
April 19, fined $440, April 23,
$440, April 25, $440, May
10, $440, May 15, $440; Tra-
vis J. Freniere, 34, John Day,
June 12, fined $440, July 8,
$440, July 16, $440; Dalton S.
Jones, 24, La Grande, Dec. 1,
fined $440; Timothy L. Keith,
37, John Day, May 16, fined
$440; Cenia M. Garrison, 40,
Port Townsend, Washington,
July 30, fined $440; Christo-
pher Jo Keith, 39, Prairie City,
March 3, fined $265.
Driving uninsured: Tra-
vis J. Freniere, 34, John Day,
June 12, fined $265, July 8,
$265, July 16, $440; David
E. Hall, 26, Mt. Vernon, April
19, fined $265, May 10, $265,
May 15, $265; Elmer R.
Ahendersen, 47, John Day,
Aug. 2, fined $265; Dylan R.
Clark, 28, Nampa, Idaho, Oct.
2, fined $265; Christopher Jo
Keith, 39, Prairie City, March
3, fined $265; Timothy L.
Keith, 37, Prairie City, March
8, fined $265, May 16, fined
$265; Patrick L. Kinsey, 54,
Prairie City, March 18, fined
$265; Benjamin K. Yocum,
20, Terrebone, May 5, fined
$265.
Careless driving–accident:
David W. Burke, 26, Canyon
City, Sept. 17, fined $440.
Failure to install ignition
interlock device: David E.
Hall, 26, Mt. Vernon, April
19, fined $440, April 23, $440,
April 25, $440, May 10, $440,
May 15, $440; David W.
Burke, 26, Canyon City, Sept.
17, fined $440.
No operator’s license:
Danil Germanov, 25, Sunny
Isles Beach, Florida, Nov. 22,
fined $265; Patrick L. Kinsey,
54, Prairie City, March 18,
fined $265.
Illegal alteration or display
of plates: Dylan R. Clark, 28,
Nampa, Idaho, Oct. 2, fined
$265; Byron E. Freniere, 37,
John Day, Nov. 23, fined $265.
Failure to renew registra-
tion: Travis J. Freniere, 34,
John Day, June 12, fined $115.
Operating snowmobile or
all-terrain vehicle while car-
rying firearm or bow: Gary
M. Wylie, 54, Kerby, Nov. 7,
fined $265.
Passing in a no-passing
zone: Karl J. Findling, 56,
Bend, Nov. 14, fined $200.
Registration
sticker
expired: Benjamin K. Yocum,
20, Terrebone, May 5, fined
$265.
Levi T. Brown, was con-
victed of a count of hunting
outside shooting hours and a
count of hunting with the aid
of an artificial light and was
ordered to pay an $880 fine.
A count of assisting in taking
wildlife was dismissed.
Clayton R. Utzig was con-
victed of second-degree crim-
inal trespass and was ordered
to pay a $440 fine.
Austin J. Catron, 19, was
convicted of unlawful pos-
session of pronghorn and was
ordered to serve five days in
jail, 12 months of probation,
40 hours of community ser-
vice and to pay a $100 fine.
The five days in jail will be
served concurrently with his
circuit court cases. His hunt-
ing privileges were suspended
for three years. A count of
waste of game animal was
dismissed.
Oregon State Police
Dec. 13: A state trooper
responded to a reported non-
injury, single-vehicle crash
at milepost 181 on Highway
26. Investigation revealed
that the vehicle was head-
ing westbound, negotiating
a curve, when it lost traction
on packed snow and ice. The
vehicle started to slide, and the
driver was unable to recover.
The vehicle left the roadway
on the westbound side of the
road into a ditch and hit a
rock in the ditch. The vehicle
was towed from the scene by
Doug’s Motor Vehicle Repair.
Dec. 14: While attempt-
ing to locate a 27-year-old
man who had a felony warrant
for his arrest, a state trooper
learned from a 28-year-old
ex-girlfriend of the subject
that he had been continually
trying to contact her since his
release from jail. The woman
showed the trooper a video
the subject sent her, which
showed where he lived and
worked. The trooper notified
another trooper in the Port-
land area. The 27-year-old
man was arrested on Dec. 14
on the felony warrant. A report
is being forwarded to Grant
County District Attorney for
additional charges of violation
Blazing Fast
Internet!
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
19 . 99
$
/mo.
where available
2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE
S219844-1
America’s Top 120 Package
137 E. Main St., John Day • 541-575-1637
1-866-373-9175
DONATE YOUR CAR
1-844-533-9173
FREE TOWING
TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Help Prevent Blindness
Get A Vision Screening Annually
Including Local Channels!
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
for 12 Mos.
Offer ends 1/31/21.
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper,
Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
S222761-1
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME
ASSESSMENT TODAY!
15
%
AND!
OFF
877-557-1912
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
Promo Number: 285
Off er valid August 24, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Special Financing Available
Subject to Credit Approval
190 CHANNELS
Imagine The Difference You Can Make
Ask About A FREE 3 Day
Vacation Voucher To Over
20 Destinations!!!
S222762-1
NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING,
OR YOUR MONEY
BACK GUARANTEED!
Prepare for unexpected
power outages with a
Generac home standby
generator
FREE
MO.
Dispatch
John Day dispatch worked
108 calls during the week of
Dec. 21-27, including:
• John Day Police
Department
Dec. 23: Responded to a
report of telephonic harass-
ment on West Main Street.
Dec. 27: Received a report
of trespassing on Southwest
Brent Drive.
• Oregon State Police
Dec. 23: Received a report
of an injury crash on Highway
395 near milepost 93.
• Grant County Sheriff’s
Office
Dec. 21: Received a report
of assault on South Adams
Drive.
Dec. 21: Received a report
of a domestic dispute on Cot-
tonwood Street.
Dec. 21: Received a report
of harassment on River Lane.
• John Day ambulance
Dec. 21: Responded for a
91-year-old woman who had
fallen on Cottonwood Street.
Dec. 21: Responded for a
74-year-old woman with dif-
ficulty breathing on North
McHaley Avenue.
Dec. 22: Responded for an
83-year-old woman who fell
on Front Street.
Dec. 26: Responded for a
patient with a diabetic emer-
gency on Marysville Lane.
• John Day fire
Dec. 24: Responded to a
grass fire on West Bench.
• Monument fire
Dec. 25: Responded to a
structure fire on Wall Creek
Road.
• Prairie City fire
Dec. 25: Responded to a
report of a tractor fire on East
Sixth Street.
*Terms & Conditions Apply
S222764-1
1-855-536-8838
10
%
OFF
SENIOR & MILITARY
DISCOUNTS
+
5
%
OFF
TO THE FIRST
50 CALLERS! **
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
*For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. ** Offer valid at estimate only. CSLB# 1035795
DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603
233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License#
WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration#
C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383
Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H
S222766-1
Timeshare Cancellation
Get your free information kit
and see if you qualify:
855-385-4473
S222767-1