A2
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Man gets prison for string of crimes
Blue Mountain Eagle
CANYON CITY — A
Grant County man is headed
to prison for more than two
years after being convicted of
weapons off enses and other
charges and having his proba-
tion revoked for a pair of ear-
lier off enses.
In a bench trial on July 6 in
Grant County Circuit Court,
Christopher Ryan Hoppe, 39,
of John Day was found guilty
by Judge Robert F. Nich-
ols of three counts of felon in
possession of a fi rearm, one
count of felon in possession
of a restricted weapon (brass
knuckles) and one count of
third-degree criminal mischief
(for damaging a door).
The judge found Hoppe not
guilty on two counts of reck-
lessly endangering another
person, and he was acquitted
of three counts of fi rst-degree
theft.
All of those charges
stemmed from a May 25 inci-
dent in which Hoppe fi red at
least one round from a rifl e
after calling 911 to report that
unknown people were sur-
rounding the garage he was
in on Lower Yard Road and
were trying to break in. The
law enforcement offi cers
who arrested him at the scene
found no sign of any intrud-
ers, but they reportedly found
methamphetamine in Hoppe’s
possession.
On Thursday, Aug. 11,
Grant County Circuit Court
Judge Rob Raschio sentenced
Hoppe to 18 months in prison,
with credit for time served, and
two years of post-prison super-
vision. The judge also recom-
mended that Hoppe obtain sub-
stance abuse and mental health
evaluations and that he be
barred from using intoxicants.
At the same hearing,
Raschio revoked Hoppe’s pro-
bation for an auto theft con-
viction arising from a Jan. 28
incident in which Hoppe stole
a vehicle after allegedly threat-
ening the patrons of a Mt. Ver-
non bar with a machete.
With his probation revoked,
Hoppe was ordered to serve
six months in prison and sub-
mit to one year of post-prison
supervision.
In
addition,
Raschio
amended Hoppe’s sentence for
violating his probation on a 2021
conviction for felon in posses-
sion of a fi rearm and second-de-
gree disorderly conduct. For that
off ense, Hoppe was ordered
to serve another six months in
prison followed by two years of
post-prison supervision.
All three sentences are to be
served consecutively.
Hoppe was represented by
attorney Jeff rey C. MacNeilly.
Grant County District Attorney
Jim Carpenter represented the
state.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Sheriff ’s Offi ce makes arrests
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — The Grant
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce made
a pair of busts during a busy
fair week.
Acting on a tip that a sto-
len U-Haul van was in the
area, deputies located the van
in John Day on Thursday,
Aug. 11, and arrested driver
Allen Cramer, 36, of Bakers-
fi eld, California, according to
a press release from the sher-
iff ’s offi ce.
The U-Haul had been sto-
len in the Bakersfi eld area,
By STEVEN MITCHELL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — Firefi ghters
on Friday, Aug. 12, kept an early
June 25, 1958 ~ August 2, 2022
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Grant County Sheriff Todd
McKinley said in the news
release. Additionally, accord-
morning fi re that threatened two
homes near the Grant County
Industrial Park in John Day to
less than an acre.
Grant County Sheriff Todd
McKinley said the John Day
and Canyon City fi re depart-
ments responded to the blaze,
which burned alongside Chim-
ney Gulch Road.
McKinley said favorable
early morning conditions and a
quick response by fi refi ghters
limited the fi re’s spread to grass
and brush alongside the road. He
said the cause of the fi re is under
investigation. McKinley said the
fi re broke out in a place that he
characterized as “odd” with no
apparent signs of ignition.
Martha Meredith
May 4, 1926 ~July 31, 2022
Wife, Sister,
Grandmother, Friend
18 years chasing their kids around the Northwest and supporting
them in whatever they set their mind to. Much of her time with her
family was spent at wrestling matches and ball games (baseball,
volleyball, basketball, football). She always pushed her kids to work
hard, follow their dreams, and treat everyone with love, kindness,
and respect. Lloydene loved making sure they were well fed, al-
ways had whatever was needed, and would drop anything to be
there the second any of them needed her. She loved spending time
with her family no matter what they were doing. Much of their time
was spent in the woods, cutting firewood, on a logging landing,
scouting for hunting season, hunting camp, fishing, sledding, pick-
ing mushrooms, giving driving lessons, or on long Sunday drives
down every dirt road in Grant County. She taught them how to love
each other unconditionally and to always show up for each other
no matter the circumstance. People often commented how lucky
she was to have all of her kids and grandkids live so close to her.
It should come as no surprise why they all live in the same town, it
was her. She had the ability to grow a family with such a powerful
love that all of her kids were drawn back home just to be close to
the family that she and Bill worked so hard to build.
The next chapter of her life was most definitely her favorite. Her
three children blessed her with 9 beautiful grandchildren. Lloydene
was so proud of her children for the families that they had built. She
could see that so many of the lessons that she worked to instill were
being passed on. She spent the last 20 years of her life showing up
to every game, 4-H contest, dance recital, wrestling match, awards
ceremony, graduation, birthday party, and holiday. Even over the
past 3 years when she wasn’t feeling well, she showed up. If she
could not attend in person she would watch online or get text up-
dates. She always took the time to make sure the grandkids knew
how proud she was of them. In the last year of her life, she was able
to love on her first great-grandchild and this brought her so much
joy. Lloydene loved family gatherings and always wanted her large
extended family together for important events. It was common for
Lloydene to host family gatherings with 70+ people, and she loved
every second of it. There was nothing that she loved more than
having all of her loved ones all in the same place sharing a meal and
creating memories.
Lloydene became the woman behind the scenes making the
construction business that Bill and Toby started together stay up
and running. She was constantly doing research, running parts,
paying bills, picking up orders, fixing breakfast and lunch, making
calls, and reminding Bill what was next. She took so much pride
in knowing that Bill and Toby were working side by side making a
living together.
Lloydene is survived by her husband Bill Thomas, daughter
Simmie Waddel (Wade), daughter Shanna Northway (Chris), son
Toby Thomas (Meredith), 9 grandchildren (Trinity Morris (Mason),
Riddick, Adeline, Emmalyn, Jerett, Hunter, Tate, Clive, and Saber),
1 great-grandchild (Stetson), father Ronald Dowdy, brother Lewis
Dowdy (Lenette), and brother Lenny Dowdy(Sherri).
She was preceded in death by her mom, Joyce Dowdy.
Lloydene was a woman of strong faith and conviction. She
wasn’t afraid to die because there was no doubt where she was
going. She fought a very long, hard battle with cancer, but that fight
was never out of fear. She fought for time, time with her family
and friends, time to see her children and grandchildren reach new
milestones, time to help one more person, time to give more advice,
time to give more hugs, and time to touch one more life. Her work
here on Earth is done, but her time up in heaven has just begun.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday August 20th at
11:00 AM at Bill and Lloydene’s home, 840 S. Canyon Blvd John
Day Oregon. Potluck lunch to follow, please bring a dish of your
choice
Paid for by the family of Lloydene Thomas.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 93/56
Thursday .......................................................... 93/57
Friday ............................................................... 93/57
Saturday .......................................................... 92/54
Sunday ............................................................. 90/53
Monday............................................................ 92/58
Tuesday ........................................................... 97/59
Grant County Sheriff Todd
McKinley and his deputies had
a busy fair week with a pair of
busts.
Quick response keeps fi re small
Lloydene Doris (Dowdy) Thomas
Lloydene Doris (Dowdy) Thomas died in her John Day, OR home
surrounded by her loved ones on August 2, 2022 at the age of 64.
She was born in Springfield, OR on June 25, 1958 to Ron and Joyce
Dowdy.
Lloydene lived life to the fullest and fully dedicated her life to
those she loved. Lloydene was an extremely hard worker and al-
ways put others’ needs in front of her own. She was the oldest of
three children and has always cared for her brothers (Lewis and
Lenny) as if they were her own. There wasn’t a person that crossed
her path that she was unwilling to help. She would find a way to help
no matter how great the personal sacrifice was. Lloydene was the
true definition of selfless.
Most people that knew her would say that she was kindhearted,
giving, and loving. People that had the privilege of knowing her well
knew that she was all of those things, and so much more. Her family
and close friends would say that she was tough, relentless, tena-
cious, stubborn, and a fighter. She stood up for what she believed,
those she believed in, and fought for her life up until the very last
second. Lloydene was a natural-born leader that carried herself
in a way that set a positive example for everyone that knew her.
Her character was impeccable, she did the right thing even when
nobody was watching. As we all know it is nearly impossible to be
“good” all the time, but that is exactly what she was.
Lloydene had a passion for music and was an accomplished
musician. Her ability to pick up an instrument and master it was
unmatched. She played the trumpet, French horn, piano, and guitar.
Lloydene passed her musical abilities on to her daughter Simmie
who quickly picked up the trumpet. Her family has fond memories
of singing in the pick-up on every road trip. She was the only one
that sounded good but would encourage the rest of the family to
join in.
Lloydene held many jobs throughout her lifetime, she was al-
ways willing to do whatever she needed to do to make sure her
family was cared for. Her first job was working in the bean fields
with her mom Joyce, who was the bean boss. She could pick pretty
much anything with lightning speed, which came in handy when
she had to clean up the rows her little brothers had creamed. She
then went to work at the golf course as a cook as well as in the pro
shop. After graduating from Creswell High School she worked at a
chicken plant in Cresswell, Oregon while studying early childhood
education. She continued to work at the chicken plant after she and
Bill were married. When Bill and Lloydene moved their family to
John Day in 1990, she took a job as a meat wrapper at Russell’s
Meats. Lloydene soon found her true calling and passion in life
working at the school. She started at Humbolt Elementary working
as a Special Education Aide and finished her career at Grant Union
High School in the special education department. She worked a
total of 27 years for Grant School District #3.
Lloydene’s true passion in life was working with special edu-
cation students. She had a way with students that you cannot be
taught. She would set extremely high expectations for her students
but was there to support their learning every step of the way. She
touched countless lives in her work at the school and achieved
things with students that no other human could have. She inspired
her middle daughter, Shanna to pursue a career in special education
and was so proud that her legacy would continue. She was instru-
mental in building the greenhouse program that continues to give
special education students the opportunity to learn valuable life and
job skills. Her ultimate goal was to teach all of her students how to
be confident in their own abilities and get the most out of life.
On August 12th 1978, Lloydene married the love of her life and
started a 44-year adventure, and boy was it an adventure every sin-
gle day. Bill and Lloydene were married and quickly became a family
of 5. Their first born baby girl (Simmie) was born in 1980, followed
shortly after by their second baby girl (Shanna) in 1983, and finally
their third baby boy (Toby) in 1986. Lloydene and Bill spent the next
Bennett Hall
Blue Mountain Eagle, File
ing to McKinley, Cramer had
federal warrants for his arrest
on other matters.
McKinley added that Cra-
mer had fuel-theft devices and
said those who suspect their
fuel tanks had been drilled or
siphoned should contact his
offi ce.
Earlier in the week, on
Wednesday, Aug. 10, depu-
ties served a warrant on Aus-
tin Chase-Young, 18, who had
been reported as an escapee
from the MacLaren Youth
Correctional Facility in Mar-
ion County, and took him into
custody.
Martha was a talented
musician, majorette, and
homemaker who enjoyed
caring for family, visitors, and
little creatures. She always did
her best to bring joy to those
around her, and to make sure
everyone who visited her
home was well-fed and
comfortable.
She loved going to the beach,
playing the organ, knitting,
humming and singing, lilacs,
mini golf, sunny days and
the color purple.
Paid for by the family of Martha Meridith.
Katherine (Katie) Margaret
Herburger Johns
November 4, 1937 ~ August 6, 2022
Katharine (Katie) Margaret
Herburger Johns was born on
November 4, 1937 to Cedrick and
Sally Herburger in Canyon City,
Oregon. She joined two brothers,
Dave and Jack.
She attended school in Ash-
land and Rogue River, Oregon.
She attended beauty school
in Medford, Oregon after high
school. Following her parents to
Mount Vernon, she worked as a
beautician in John Day.
She married the love of her
life, Jack Johns on September 12,
1959. They had three daughters:
Deena Marie (Steve), Brenda Lee
(Alan) and Kathie Kay (Randy).
Katie was Grandma Katie to her
valued and very loved grand-
children: JR Moore, Thomas Moore, Kyle Christy, Justin Burke,
Emma Burke and Tyree Burke. She also had two great-grandchil-
dren, Heather and Kyle Moore.
Katie was a very talented lady. She was a wonderful wife,
mother and grandmother. Her talents were many, which included
sewing, painting, quilting and cooking. She loved to always have
a project in the works.
Katie was active in the First Christian Church of John Day
along with the Community Church of Fox. She was President of
Aglow Christian Women and was a speaker throughout Oregon
at Aglow meetings. Katie was the president of the Grant Coun-
ty Cowbelles, vice-president of the Oregon Cowbelles, and a 4-H
leader. She taught many sewing classes and lessons. For a period
she taught sewing at the Long Creek School. She enjoyed giving
tole painting lessons also.
Kathie, her daughter, learned tole paining from her mom and
entered her paintings in 4-H for three years and they went on to
State Fair where she won Grand Champion each year.
Paid for by the family of Katie Johns.
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF A UG . 17-23
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Mostly
cloudy
Cloudy
Partly
cloudy
Mostly
sunny
Mostly
sunny
Mostly
sunny
sunny
100
95
92
94
95
89
90
63
63
60
60
59
58
59