A2
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Library, county court Monument students
are back in class
change schedules
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
CANYON CITY — The
Grant County Court and Grant
County Library are making
some schedule changes.
Starting Feb. 16, the Grant
County Court will begin hold-
ing its regular meetings on
the fi rst and third Wednes-
days of each month, rather
than the second and fourth
Wednesdays.
The
court
members
approved the change during
their meeting on Wednesday,
Jan. 26.
Laurie Stinnett, the county
court administrator, told the
Eagle in an email that, since
the decision does not take
eff ect until later in the month,
the court will transition to the
new schedule by meeting on
the second and third Wednes-
days, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16.
Meanwhile, the Grant
County Library has changed
its hours of operation.
According to head librar-
ian Chris Ostberg, the library
will now be open from 11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Monday through
Thursday. Previously the
library was open until 7 two
nights a week.
Ostberg told the Eagle that
she asked the County Court
to approve the change based
on when the library’s patrons
check out books and use the
computers.
Ostberg said she noticed
the library is busier during the
day than during the evening
hours.
Two days into the library’s
new schedule, Ostberg said
she was beginning to notice
more people coming in
during their lunch hour to
check out books and use the
computers.
While there were con-
cerns from the court that not
everyone could use the library
during the day, Ostberg said
she could always review the
data and adjust the hours again
if necessary.
“So far,” Ostberg said, “it
(change in hours) is really
going well.”
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
MONUMENT — Mon-
ument School District
returned to in-person learn-
ing this week after moving
to distance learning during
the week of Jan. 24 due to
an uptick in COVID-19
cases.
In a Thursday, Jan. 27,
press release, Superinten-
dent Laura Thomas said
the district worked with
the Grant County Health
Department and determined
that it would return to reg-
ular in-person classes Mon-
day, Jan. 31.
Thomas told the Eagle
that the district had also
paused sporting activities
in addition to in-person
classes.
However, with the return
to in-person classes, sports
will resume.
According to the Oregon
Sports Activities Association
website, the Dayville/Mon-
ument boys and girls bas-
ketball teams forfeited fi ve
games due to the closure.
Thomas did not immedi-
ately respond to a question
about whether the school
plans to make up those
games.
Late last year, the Oregon
Health Authority reported a
COVID-19 outbreak associ-
ated with Monument School
that totaled six cases among
students, staff and/or vol-
unteers, but that outbreak
was declared resolved last
month.
When asked what gave
her the confi dence that it
was safe to return to in-per-
son classes, Thomas told
the Eagle that she has been
in consultation with county
health offi cials.
“During our week of dis-
tance learning,” Thomas
noted, “I continued to work
closely with the Grant
County Health Department
to monitor any positive
COVID cases and associated
quarantines connected to the
school to determine when it
is best to return to in-person
instruction.”
Brogan McKrola plea hearing postponed
By STEVEN MITCHELL Blue
Mountain Eagle
CANYON CITY — The
plea hearing for a Mt. Vernon
man accused of 20 sex-related
charges and 10 other off enses
spanning a period from
2015 to 2020 has again been
postponed.
Brogan C. McKrola, 22,
was scheduled to enter pleas
Jack Bennett
May 15, 1948 – December 23, 2021
It is with great sadness that the
Bennett family announces the death
of Jack. He passed away at home sur-
round by the love of his life, his wife
Merna and stepdaughter Brittany.
Jack spent 16 years working in the
maintenance department at Idaho Pow-
er before he retired to spend more time
with his family.
Jack loved spending time outdoors
as he loved to hunt and fish. High Valley
was one of his favorite places to go.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents William and Geral-
dine Bennett and his sister Linda.
Jack is survived by his wife Merna Bennett, his son and
daughter in-law Jack Jr and Lori, his stepdaughter Brittany Davis,
stepson Benjamin and his wife Ariel Davis and the apple of his eye
his grandson Liam.
As per his wishes there will be no service but his ashes will
be spread by his family at a later date. Paid for by the family of
Jack Bennett.
S280684-1
Carolyn Hoeffner
July 3, 1930 ~ December 23, 2021
Carolyn Elizabeth Borgard Hoeffner passed away December
23rd 2021 at her home in White
Salmon, Washington, at the age
of 91. A Memorial Service will be
Saturday, February 19th at Prairie
Baptist Church, Prairie City, Oregon
at 1:00pm.
Carolyn was born July 3rd, 1930
to Lester and Mary Ellen (Law) Bor-
gard in Coquille, Oregon. She was
the oldest of their three children.
Both parents died before Carolyn
was 12, and she and her brothers
moved to Corvallis, Oregon to live
with relatives. In Corvallis, Carolyn
met and ultimately married William
Karl Hoeffner on August 26th 1950. They moved various places
over the years as Bill worked for the J.C. Penney Co., eventually
settling in Eugene, Oregon until his retirement. Upon Bill’s retire-
ment in 1992 they moved to Prairie City, Oregon, where they lived
until Bill’s death in 2014. Shortly after, Carolyn moved to White
Salmon, Washington.
Carolyn was well known as a great cook and she enjoyed enter-
taining and practicing hospitality. She loved to grow and arrange
flowers and do cross stitching. Before moving to Prairie City, she
was a prolific oil painter, but slowed down as she grew older. In
her later years, she returned to drawing and watercolor painting as
she produced and gave away hundreds of greeting cards.
At a young age, Carolyn accepted Christ as her Savior, and
was an active member of her local church, wherever she was
living at the time. She faithfully served in many capacities, but
especially enjoyed singing in the choir and being the snack lady
for Awana. She knew God to be trustworthy, and that there was
nothing that ever happened to her, that He did not know about and
take her through. Her life verse was Eph. 2:8-9.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Linda (Steve) Montgom-
ery, Atotonilco, Mexico, son, David (Jannet) Hoeffner, Prairie City,
Oregon, son, Mark (Janell) Hoeffner, White Salmon, Washington.
Also 16 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Carolyn was
preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and her husband.
Paid for by the family of Carolyn Hoeffner.
S280683-1
in two cases against him at a
hearing in Grant County Cir-
cuit Court on Monday, Jan.
24. A motion hearing has been
rescheduled for 9 a.m. on April
22.
McKrola’s defense attor-
ney, Robert Moon, told the
court that McKrola was not
ready to enter a plea. How-
ever, he requested a hearing on
a motion he fi led to have sepa-
rate juries, which Special Dep-
uty District Attorney Tobias
Tingleaf is pushing the court
to deny.
For his part, Tingleaf is ask-
ing the judge to consolidate the
cases.
With charges dating back
to 2015, some witnesses have
now scattered across the coun-
try, Moon said.
In one case, McKrola
stands accused of six counts
of fi rst-degree rape, one count
of fi rst-degree kidnapping,
one count of fi rst-degree sod-
omy, one count of fi rst-degree
unlawful sexual penetration,
one count of attempted fi rst-de-
gree sodomy, four counts of
fi rst-degree sexual abuse, one
count of second-degree sexual
abuse, three counts of third-de-
gree sexual abuse, one count of
luring a minor and one count
of harassment, along with two
counts of fi rst-degree aggra-
vated animal abuse.
The alleged crimes were
committed between June
1, 2015, and Dec. 4, 2020,
according to a secret indict-
ment fi led May 25 in Grant
County Circuit Court by Tin-
gleaf, a senior assistant attor-
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Seneca CyberMill plans open house
SENECA — Grant
County’s fi rst CyberMill
will hold a two-day open
house this month.
Located at 300 Barnes
Ave. (Highway 395) in Sen-
eca, the CyberMill is a free-
to-use internet cafe with
broadband access. With
three computer terminals,
big-screen video moni-
tors, a conference room and
other amenities, the facil-
ity is available for remote
workers, entrepreneurs or
anyone who needs a high-
speed internet connection.
From 4 to 8 p.m. on
Wednesday and Thursday, Feb,
16 and 17, visitors can tour the
CyberMill, learn what it has to
off er and enjoy free refresh-
ments. For more information,
go to gccybermill.com.
Opened in November by
the nonprofi t organization
Cyber Mill Grant County,
the facility is the fi rst of at
least three planned for Grant
County.
Additional CyberMills
are expected to open this
year in Prairie City and John
Day.
Tickets available for Lake Creek gala
LOGAN VALLEY —
Tickets are on sale now for
the 2022 Lake Creek Youth
Camp Gala.
The third annual fund-
raiser will be held April 2
in the Trowbridge Pavilion
at the Grant County Fair-
grounds, 411 NW Bridge
St., John Day.
The event features a
tri-tip dinner, live music,
games, drinks by Spitfi re
Cocktails and live, silent
and dessert auctions. All
proceeds go to benefi t the
Lake Creek Youth Camp,
a nonprofi t facility on the
Malheur National Forest
with cabins, RV spaces and
tent sites for youth groups,
families and individuals.
According to board mem-
ber Aimee Rude, the organi-
zation’s biggest needs include
four new cabins, a new gener-
ator shed, a solar array and a
picnic shelter.
Tickets cost $20 in
advance or $25 at the door.
Advance tickets may be pur-
chased at the Grant County
Planning Department, 201 S.
Humbolt St., Canyon City;
Rude Logging, 861 W. Main
St., John Day; or State Farm
Insurance, 101 W. Main St.,
John Day.
John Day students make dean’s list
LA GRANDE — Four
students from John Day
have been recognized for
academic achievement by
Eastern Oregon University.
Samantha
Choate,
Victoria Coalwell, Fal-
lon Weaver and Kalli
Wilson
were
named
to the fall dean’s list at
EOU.
To qualify for the honor,
students must maintain
a grade point average of
3.5 or higher while com-
pleting a minimum of 12
credit hours of graded
coursework.
Blue Mountain Eagle
DEATH NOTICES
Balbina G. Escudero
Balbina G. Escudero, 93, of John Day died on Jan. 20
at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. A Mass of Christian
Burial was held on Thursday, Jan. 27, at St. Elizabeth Catho-
lic Church in John Day. Interment will follow at St. Andrews
Catholic Cemetery in Canyon City. Memorial contributions
may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital through Drisk-
ill Memorial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR
97845. To light a candle in her memory or to off er online
condolences to Balbina’s family, visit www.driskillmemori-
alchapel.com.
About Obituaries
News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The
paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is subject
to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected
and republished as paid memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published
as paid memorials. Send obituaries by email, offi ce@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244;
or mail, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire
about a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710.
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Jesse Cates
Warren Lee Wilson
January 25, 2022
December 15, 2021
Jesse Cates died peacefully, with his children by his side, on
January 25, 2022  in Brush Prairie, Washington. He was 87 years
old.
Jesse was born in the town of Disautel in the Okanogan Valley
near Omak, Washington, the youngest of five children born to
Viletta Fulford and John Cates. His siblings were Bertha Wells,
Sadie Wells, and Alvin and Donald Cates. 
On the advice of his brother Don, at age 19, Jesse came to
the John Day Valley to work in the woods. He remained a logger
for most of his working life. In 1957 he married Dorothy Cohoe
of Mt. Vernon, where they settled and had two children. In 1971
they relocated to Tualatin, south of Portland, to run a Mobil ser-
vice station. They returned to Grant County in the 80s and lived
most of the rest of their days on 30 wooded acres above Canyon
City. Back in Grant County, Jesse returned to logging and, in the
summers, worked as a commercial salmon fisherman in Prince
William Sound, Alaska. He was known as a hardworking man, an
avid fisherman, and a good neighbor who would do anything for
friends and family. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting,
and fishing all over the southeast corner of Oregon and up and
down the Oregon coast. 
Jesse was preceded in death by his wife, and siblings Sadie,
Donald, and Alvin. He is survived by his two children, Jon Cates
and Tammy Stotik. Paid for by the family of Jesse Cates. S280681-1
Warren Lee Wilson, 81,
passed away peacefully at
his home in Seneca of natu-
ral causes on December 15,
2021.  Services will be held
at a later date (time/date/
place to be announced).
Warren was a loving
husband and father and
friend.
He was preceded in
death by his wife Louise;
children Tracy Wilson &
Warren Wayne Wilson; par-
ents Cleo and Vera (Hamil-
ton) Wilson.
Warren is survived by
his children Teresa Chaffe,
Tammy Nielson and Steven Wilson; grandchildren Arley Wilson,
Tiffany Daniels, Alisha Wilson, Sandera Wilson and Dixie Rector;
10 great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfu-
S280441-1
neralhome. Paid for by the family of Warren Wilson.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 44/24
Thursday .......................................................... 45/23
Friday ............................................................... 43/24
Saturday .......................................................... 45/28
Sunday ............................................................. 44/32
Monday............................................................ 39/29
Tuesday ........................................................... 37/27
ney general
with the Ore-
gon Depart-
ment of Jus-
tice who is
prosecuting
the case on
McKrola
behalf of the
Grant County
District Attorney’s Offi ce.
The indictment listed at
least nine diff erent alleged
victims, for six of whom the
related charges were said to
involve “forcible compulsion.”
Two of the alleged victims
were said to have been “inca-
pable of consent by reason of
mental incapacitation,” and
two were minors at the time of
the alleged off enses.
Thirteen of the charges are
Measure 11 off enses, which
carry mandatory minimum
sentences of at least six years
with no possibility for any sen-
tence reduction.
The animal abuse charges
allegedly occurred between
July 1 and Sept. 30, 2020, and
involved the unlawful torture
and killing of a porcupine.
In the other case, McK-
rola is accused of fi rst-degree
rape, fi rst-degree sodomy,
fi rst-degree sexual abuse,
second-degree kidnapping,
three counts of strangulation
and furnishing alcohol to a
person under 21.
Those crimes allegedly
took place on Dec. 20, 2020,
and involved a single vic-
tim, according to an amended
indictment fi led March 1 by
Grant County District Attor-
ney Jim Carpenter.
LOCAL BRIEFING
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