Heppner gazette-times., July 13, 2011, Image 1

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HEPPNER
Forest service agent comes under gunfire
Law enforcement still investigating
By Andrea Di Salvo
A U m atilla N a­
tional Forest service agent
working in the line of duty
came under gunfire in the
Mallory Creek area last
month.
The agent, who
prefers to remain unnamed.
5(K
azette
imes
VOL. 130
NO. 28
8 Pages
is a hydrologist who had
gone into the Mallory Creek
area to place a temperature
monitoring device in the
stream on Thursday, June
16. According to forest ser­
vice ranger Todd Buchholz,
the man was working in a
remote area, having parked
his truck and driven an ATV
about 5 miles into the rug­
ged wilderness.
About 2 p.m., the
agent had his waders on and
was in the process of plac­
ing the device in the stream
when he heard five or six
gunshots; he then heard bul­
lets whizzing overhead.
The agent took
cover behind a nearby tree.
When he heard more bullets
hit the tree, he removed his
orange vest, hardhat and
white shirt, all o f which
provided vishal targets for
a potential shooter. He then
left the tree and hid in the
underbrush until dark.
When the agent
missed his sign-in time,
which was around 6:30
p.m., the forest service and
Morrow County Sheriff’s
Office (MCSO) initiated
search and r escue.
They agencies lo­
cated the forest service
employee around 1:30 a.m.
on Friday, June 17. He was
unharmed but sunburned,
dehydrated and severely
shaken. All of the agent’s
equipment, including the
ATV, was recovered.
The forest service
and other local officials
then started investigating
the cause of the shooting.
“ We didn’t know
what it was, but our first
thoughts were a drug-traf­
ficking organization, be­
cause we’ve had grow sites
in that neck of the woods in
the past,” said Buchholz.
F o re s t s e rv ic e
crew s w ere jo in e d by
MCSO in com bing the
area for signs of marijuana
grows or other suspicious
activity. State and federal
law enforcement joined the
search on Saturday. Search­
ers found nothing.
Buchholz says law
enforcement is still inves­
tigating the area but, as of
this time, has found nothing
to indicate the cause of the
gunfire.
High algae levels found in Willow
Creek Reservoir
High algae levels in-home water directly from can produce symptoms of
found in Willow Creek Res­ Willow Creek Reservoir are num bness, tingling and
ervoir prompted a health advised to use an alterna­ dizziness that can lead to
advisory issued yesterday tive water source because difficulty breathing or heart
by Oregon Health Author­ private treatment systems problems and require im­
ity’s Public Health Division are not proven effective mediate medical attention.
and Morrow County Health in removing algae toxins. Symptoms of skin irritation,
Department officials.
However, public drinking weakness, diarrhea, nausea,
Wednesday. July 13,2011
Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon
Water monitoring water systems can reduce cramps and fainting should
has confirmed the presence algae toxins through proper also receive medical atten­
of blue-green algae that can filtration and disinfection. If tion if they persist or wors­
produce toxins harmful to people on public water sys­ en. Children and pets are
humans and animals. These tems have questions about particularly susceptible.
The public will be
algae levels are likely to treatment and testing, they
be associated with danger­ should contact their water advised when the concern
no longer exists.
ous toxin concentrations supplier.
With proper pre­
in the water, according to
Oregon health of­
World Health Organization ficials recom m end that cautions to avoid water
guidelines.
people who choose to eat contact, people are encour­
S w a llo w in g or fish from w aters where aged to visit Willow Creek
inhaling w ater droplets algae blooms are present Reservoir and enjoy ac­
should be avoided, as well should remove all fat, skin tivities such as camping,
as skin contact with water and organs before cooking hiking, biking, picnicking,
by humans or animals.
since toxins are more likely catch-and-release fishing
and bird watching. Boating
D rin k in g w ater to collect in these tissues.
from Willow Creek Res­
Additionally, pub­ is safe as long as speeds do
ervoir is especially danger­ lic health officials advise not create excessive water
ous. Oregon Public Health that people should not eat spray, which could lead to
officials advise campers freshw ater clam s from inhalation risk.
For local informa­
and other visitors that tox­ Willow Creek Reservoir.
ins cannot be removed by Crayfish muscle can be tion contact the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers’ Willow
Carmelo Di Salvo scoops lemon gelato out of the Di Salvo's boiling, filtering or treating eaten, but internal organs
gelato machine in their kitchen station at Howe's About Pizza. the water with camping- and liquid fat should be Creek Natural Resource
Management Office at 541 -
discarded.
style filters.
- Photo bv Andrea D i Salvo
Exposure to toxins 676-9009.
People who draw
leadership, both from Re­ to bake, though, and used
gent University in Virginia her own cooking experi­
Beach, VA. For relaxation ence to help Carmelo craft
and creativity, though, he their unique recipe before
retreats to the kitchen to launching their product at
prepare traditional family the local farmers’ market.
“But Roy’s prop­
The city o f Hep­ a public hearing— which
“We actually found
favorites and experiment
erty
comes
out into the
was
held
Monday—
for
the
pner and Sally and Danny
with gourmet concepts. So, our first recipes online,”
road,”
one
person
in the
council
to
grant
them
use
of
McBride have apparently
he says, creating an artisan says Andrea. “We didn’t settled a disagreement over the easement.
audience said. “If he puts
ice cream became an off­ find anything that we loved,
After much discus­ up a fence on this property
the use of city owner right-
though. We kept modifying
shoot of that.
of-way by the McBrides on sion, the city instructed line, nobody is going to
A ndrea, a Hep- and tweaking and modify­ Kirk Street in Heppner.
the McBrides to move the get across the bridge (over
pner native, admits that ing some more until we
At the co u n cil’s materials and small RV off Willow Creek at the end of
she doesn’t have a drop
See ITALIAN ICE CREAM/
monthly meeting in Hep­ the right-of-way and that no Kirk Street),” it was pointed
PAGE SIX
of Italian blood. She loves
pner on Monday, Sally building would be allowed. out.
In other business,
McBride was present to dis­ Vehicles would be okay, the
cuss her and her husband’s council said. Sally McBride the council declined to act
usage of the right-of-way said she understood and that on an offer of $5,000 for the
next to property on which she and her husband would “HUD house,” which the
move the small RV and the city now owns at 160 Chase
they now live.
The dispute arose shed a few feet to get off of Street. The city bought
except in vehicles on im­ the following firefighting
the house for $1 from the
equipment is required while when the city of Heppner the easement.
proved roads.
In a related matter, Housing and Urban Devel­
-Open fires are pro­ traveling in a motorized paid for a survey of Kirk
hibited, including camp­ vehicle in the forest (ex­ Street, which lies west of Roy and Shirley Clark, who opment and immediately
fires, charcoal fires, cook­ cept on federal and state Court Street, and found that own property on the other put the property up for sale
ing fires and warming fires, highways, county roads and the McBrides had a small side of Kirk Street, were with Sykes Real Estate in
except in designated areas. driveways): one shovel and RV parked on a portion of at the meeting and pointed Heppner. The council said
Portable cooking stoves us­ one gallon of water or one the easement between Kirk out that the survey, which it would continue to accept
ing liquefied or bottled fuels 2-Vi pound or larger fire Street and Willow Creek, was completed by the city offers on the house and
are allowed. Open fires are extinguisher. Exceptions as well as a small shed and in May, showed that part look at any others at its next
allowed if conducted in are all-terrain vehicles and some construction material. of the property now being council meeting.
In other business,
compliance with a valid motorcycles, which must A neighbor had apparently used as city road is actually
the
council
instructed the
owned
by
the
Clarks.
complained
to
the
city
that
be equipped with an ap­
burning permit.
city
manager
to begin so­
“
T
hat
ro
ad
has
their
use
of
the
right-of-way
-Chainsaw use is proved spark arrestor in
liciting
bids
for
reconstruct­
been
there
for
as
long
as
was
causing
difficulty
in
prohibited between 1 p.m. good working condition.
ing
the
well
casing
on city
we
have,”
Clark
said.
“Why
using
Kirk
Street.
-Use of fireworks is
and 8 p.m. Chainsaw use is
well
3
down
to
60
feet.
It is
mess
with
it
now,
as
long
as
The
M
c
B
rid
e
s,
permitted at all other hours prohibited.
currently
at
35
feet
and,
be­
everyone
can
use
it
as
they
who
live
next
door
in
a
-Cutting, grinding
if the follow ing firefighting
cause
of
poor
water
quality,
always
have,”
he
said.
larger
RV
on
the
comer
of
equipment is present with and welding of metal is pro­
“If we let people the city has been mandated
each operating saw: one ax, hibited between 1 p.m. and Kirk and August Streets,
encroach
on right-of-way, by the State Drinking Water
have
been
using
the
ease­
8
p.m.
At
all
other
times
the
one shovel and one 8 oz.
then
we
would
set a prece­ Program to do the recon­
ment
for
quite
some
time,
area
is
to
be
cleared
of
flam­
or larger fire extinguisher.
dence
and
everyone
could struction.
until
the
survey
revealed
mable
vegetation
and
the
In addition, a fire watch is
-See RIGHT OF WAY/PAGE
do
it,”
Mayor
Les
Paustian
the
true
property
lines.
At
following
fire
equipment
is
required at least one hour
FIVE
said.___________________
that
time
they
asked
for
required:
one
ax,
one
shovel
following the use of each
and one 2-Vi pound or larger
saw.
-Use of motor vehi­ fire extinguisher in good
cles, including motorcycles working order.
-Mowing of dried
and all-terrain vehicles, is
prohibited except on im­ grass with power-driven
proved roads and except for equipment is prohibited
use by a landow ner and em­ between the hours o f 10
ployees of the landow ner on a.m. and 8 p.m., except
ntil further notice
their own land while con­ for the commercial culture
ducting activities associated and harvest of agricultural
Morrow County Grain Growers
with their livelihood.
-See FIRE PREVENTION/
- P o s s e s s io n o f
PAGE FOUR
Local couple brings taste of Italy
to Heppner
Heppner residents
don’t have to travel to Rome
for a taste of a traditional
Italian dessert, thanks to lo­
cal entrepreneurs Carmelo
and Andrea Di Salvo.
The couple, who
owns and operates Di Sal­
vo’s Italian Ice Cream, has
been churning out their
frozen treat for south Mor­
row County since August
o f 2009. It was an idea
Carm elo had been pon­
dering for a while. When
he found himself between
jobs, though, it seemed like
the perfect opportunity to
give his dream a try.
“I’ve been in busi­
ness and management for
many years and have made
the companies I work for
a lot of money,” says Car­
melo. “This company is
different not only because it
is ours, but it combines my
passions for entrepreneur-
ship and Italian food.”
Both of those pas­
sions run deep. Carmelo,
who grew up surrounded
by his Italian family in
Buffalo, NY, has an MBA
in entrepreneurship and a
doctorate in organizational
City and landowners settle Kirk
Street right of way dispute
Central Oregon District tightens
fire prevention restrictions
The onset of high
wildfire danger has prompt­
ed Oregon Department of
Forestry to tighten public
fire prevention restrictions
in its Central Oregon Dis­
trict. Effective at 6 a.m.
on July 9, regulated-use
restrictions will take ef­
fect in the district, which
encompasses 12 counties
including Harney, M or­
row, Grant, Wheeler, Gil­
liam, Umatilla, Hood River,
Wasco, Deschutes, Crook,
Jefferson and Lake.
D istrict Forester
G eorge Ponte said that,
while the cool, wet spring
has delayed the onset of
fire season, conditions are
changing fast.
“The warmer, drier
and breezier w eather is
drying out the vegetation
quickly,” he said. “The
Central Oregon District is
currently experiencing high
fire danger, and we expect it
to bump up to extreme over
the next few days.”
“ Regulated use”
places the following restric­
tions on activities in the
forest:
-Smoking is pro­
hibited while traveling.
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Monday* Friday 7am - 6pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm
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