Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 9, 2015
- FIVE
Emergency Conservation Program sign-ups ConAgra Foods Lamb
available now
Weston hiring event at
A lack of moisture over vineyards has been reduced
-installing pipelines or county office from now
SAGE Center
an extended period of time below normal to the extent other facilities for livestock until Oct. 1.
has caused producers in
Morrow County to suffer
from the effects of severe
drought conditions. Farms
and ranches experienc-
ing severe drought con-
ditions may be eligible
for cost-share assistance
under ECP. This disaster
program is administered
by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Farm Service
Agency (FSA), which pro-
vides cost-share assistance
if the damage is so severe
that water available for
livestock or orchards and
that neither can survive
without additional water.
A producer qualifying
for ECP assistance may
receive cost shares not to
exceed 50 percent of the
cost of installing eligible
temporary measures. Cost
sharing for permanent mea-
sures is based on 75 percent
of the total eligible cost.
Cost-share assistance is
limited to $200,000 per
person or legal entity per
natural disaster. Approved
practices and measures may
include:
water or existing irrigation
systems for orchards and
vineyards;
-constructing and deep-
ening wells for livestock
water; and
-developing springs or
seeps for livestock water.
Producers who have
experienced severe drought
conditions requiring out-
side assistance to provide
supplemental emergency
livestock water may contact
the local FSA county office.
Requests for assistance will
be accepted at Morrow FSA
To be eligible for cost
shares, practices shall not
be started until a request has
first been filed at the FSA
County Office and an onsite
inspection of the problem
area has been made by COC
or its representative. COC
will review the inspection
findings when considering
the request for cost shares.
To obtain additional
program information or to
schedule an appointment to
file a cost-share application,
contact the county office at
541-676-9011.
Boardman West Plant hiring
for multiple positions at Sept.
11 event
BOARDMAN—Job
opportunities with ConAgra
Foods Lamb Weston in
Boardman will be available
at a Sept. 11 hiring event
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
SAGE Center, 101 Olson
Road, Boardman.
ConAgra Foods is hir-
ing at the Boardman West
Lamb Weston potato plant
for positions including
general laborers, lift truck
operators, packaging op-
erators, and several backup
positions.
ConAgra Foods asks
event attendees to come
interview-ready with a ré-
sumé. Interested parties
also need to apply online at
www.conagrafoodscareers.
com.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service selects Mary Chamber Chatter
Sept. 10 – 2 lowing session, and will
Abrams as new supervisor for Pacific Islands p.m. Thursday,
“safeTALK” Com- hear issues that citizens are
munity Training – Christian interested in.
Fish and Wildlife Office
Life Center: safeTALK is
Saturday, Oct. 2 – 5:30-
Editor’s Note: Mary waterways.
“Hawaii and the Pacific
Abrams grew up in Hep-
pner, the daughter of the Islands are vital for the con-
l a t e B o b a n d M a r i o n servation of wildlife in the
Pacific Region,” said Robyn
Abrams of Heppner.
PORTLAND, OR— Thorson, Pacific Region
Long-time natural resourc- Director. “The Service, our
es manager Mary Abrams partners and the public will
benefit from Mary’s
has been named
proven leadership
Supervisor for the
skills and coopera-
Pacific Islands Fish
tive approach to
and Wildlife Of-
conservation. Mary
fice in the Pacific
played a vital role
Region of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Mary Abrams in protecting habitat
throughout Oregon,
Service. Abrams
succeeds Loyal Mehrhoff, and I’m confident that ex-
who retired from federal perience will translate to
working with public and
service.
Abrams has a strong private lands in the Pacific
background in science, pol- Islands.”
Abrams will assume
icy and international work.
She is currently Director her new duties on Novem-
for the Oregon Department ber 2, 2015. Based in Ho-
of State Lands, which plays nolulu, this 90-person staff
a significant role in the manages complex natural
state’s natural resources resource issues through-
management. In addition out the Pacific Islands,
to management decisions which includes Hawaii,
for about 750,000 acres of America Samoa, Guam
forest, range, agricultural and the Commonwealth
and commercial trust lands, of the Northern Mariana
Abrams also oversees more Islands. The Pacific Islands
than 1 million acres of navi- Fish and Wildlife Office’s
gable and tidally influenced
core responsibilities include
species conservation and
recovery, private lands and
conservation partnerships,
listing and classification of
endangered species, fed-
eral agency assistance and
consultation, and the as-
sessment of contaminants
on natural resources.
“The opportunity to
lead the Oregon Depart-
ment of State Lands over
the past three years has been
richly rewarding. It has
been an honor to serve the
people of Oregon,” Abrams
said. “The opportunity to
contribute to the Service’s
important work in Hawaii
and throughout the Pacific
Islands will, without doubt,
be equally rewarding and
challenging. I look for-
ward to developing a strong
partnership with state and
federal agencies, partners
and the public to address
the conservation challenges
facing Hawaii and the Pa-
cific Islands.”
Prior to her position as
Director for Oregon De-
partment of State Lands,
Abrams worked interna-
tionally, serving as Country
Director for U.S. Peace
Corps in Niger, Rwanda
and Zambia. She was also
Division Administrator
and Senior Water Quality
Specialist for the Oregon
Department of Environ-
mental Quality, as well as
an Environmental Manager
for the City of Portland.
Abrams also served on
the faculty of the Oregon
Graduate Institute where
her research topics included
non-point source impacts
on water quality and soil/
plant interactions.
Abrams has doctorate
and master’s degrees in soil
science from the Univer-
sity of California, Davis.
She earned her bachelor’s
degree in agronomy and
plant genetics from the
University of Arizona.
Abrams and her hus-
band, Gary Cramer, cur-
rently live in Portland, OR,
and enjoy traveling, hik-
ing, gardening and spend-
ing time with family and
friends.
Sheriff’s Report
July 30: -A flying ser-
vice reported an overdue
aircraft, flying from Van-
couver, WA to Richland,
WA that might have di-
verted to the local area, and
requested Morrow County
Sheriff’s Office check at
the Boardman and Lexing-
ton airports. The aircraft
was located in its hangar at
home base.
-A caller in Irrigon re-
ported that there were peo-
ple on the refuge, walking
toward town on the burned
area, who were screaming
and yelling; the caller gave
a description of the couple’s
clothing. MCSO responded
and arrested Leobardo Jac-
quez III, 39, for Violation
of Restraining Order and
Violation of No Contact
Release Agreement, as well
as on a Morrow County
Circuit Court warrant for
Failure to Appear on Ha-
rassment. The subject was
lodged at Umatilla County
Jail with no bail.
-A caller reported a
motorcycle wreck on I-84
East, Boardman. The caller
did not stop but reported a
man and a motorcycle on
the bank. MCSO, Board-
man PD, Boardman fire,
Boardman ambulance and
Oregon State Police all
responded. One individual
was transported to Good
Shepherd Medical Center.
-A female in Irrigon
advised she was on her front
porch and her uncle rode
by and called names and
threatened violence against
the female and her family.
She advised there was a
restraining order in place.
-A caller advised
MCSO that there was a red
vehicle and someone look-
ing for something along
the side of the road, and
they requested the police
be called. The caller called
back and stated that some-
one burned the sister of the
person in the car with acid
and the sister jumped out of
the vehicle onto the side of
the road. MCSO responded
and transported the subject
to Good Shepherd.
-A male in Lexington
stated his dog was just
attacked by another dog;
his dog was torn up and
wouldn’t come to him be-
cause it was so skittish.
The caller requested phone
contact.
-A female in Heppner
advised her elderly mother
was incoherent but breath-
ing; it had started about
three hours ago. Heppner
ambulance responded and
the patient was transported.
July 31: -A female
advised Morrow County
Sheriff’s office that she was
in a motor vehicle accident
near Les Schwab’s in Hep-
pner and requested deputy
contact. She advised that
the other driver was still
there. MCSO responded
and made contact with all
involved.
-A male advised MCSO
that the neighbors of his
rental property in Hep-
pner could smell meth. The
caller said he believed it
was highly explosive and
he would like a deputy to
check into it. Deputy ad-
vised he was in the area and
did not smell anything out
of the ordinary.
-A caller advised there
was a black, extended cab
pickup running all over
Hwy. 74 near Heppner, pos-
sible drunk driver, swerv-
ing and speeding up and
slowing down. The caller
called back and advised the
vehicle was headed toward
Ione. MCSO responded and
made contact with the caller
and located the vehicle.
-A female in Heppner
reported that another fe-
male was intoxicated and
yelling in her face. She
advised the female took off
running between houses
while the caller was on the
phone. MCSO responded
and determined no crime
had been committed.
-MCSO advised that
the major crime team was
activated for Milton-Free-
water.
-MCSO received a re-
port that a female had run
into the bridge on Quaid
St. in Heppner. Katy Leigh
Arnspiger was cited and
released for DUII, .15 blood
alcohol content, and failure
to drive within lane.
August 1: -Morrow
County Sheriff’s Office was
advised by a subject that he
was exceeding the speed
limit in order to get a patient
in pain to St. Anthony. Dis-
patch advised the subject
that he could pull over and
they could send an ambu-
lance, but the caller wanted
to drive straight through.
Oregon State Police was
also advised.
-MCSO, Oregon State
Police, Gilliam County
and Arlington Ambulance
responded to a motorcycle
accident on I-84 eastbound
between Boardman and
Arlington, involving two
bikes, with three people
down and injured. MCSO
was cleared once OSP ar-
rived on the scene.
-A resident in Irrigon
advised MCSO that a male
subject was at the residence
and harassing them. The
caller advised that the male
duct taped signs to the win-
dows and was refusing to
leave. He had been asked to
leave several times. While
the caller was on the line
with dispatch, the subject
left in a Suburban pulling
a boat. Caller advised there
was a restraining order but
the subject contested it and
the judge dropped it. The
caller was worried he would
come back and requested
deputy contact. The subject
was trespassed from two
locations.
-MCSO escorted a sub-
ject off Bucknum’s property
in Heppner.
August 2: -A Morrow
County Sheriff’s deputy
advised he was out with
a male who was urinating
behind Bucknum’s in Hep-
pner. The male was warned
for offensive littering.
-MCSO was advised of
a car on fire in Boardman.
The caller did not know
how or why the car caught
on fire since it was not
working and was just sitting
parked in the grass. MCSO,
Boardman fire and Board-
man ambulance responded.
-A female in Irrigon
advised MCSO that a male
subject was beating up a
female two houses down.
She stated she could hear
the male hitting the fe-
male; she was unsure who
lived there, but the female
was screaming. MCSO and
Boardman PD responded
and determined it was ver-
bal only and that no crime
had been committed.
-MCSO responded to a
complaint about a 16-year-
old female in Irrigon get-
ting physical with family
members and acting irate.
MCSO responded and de-
termined no crime had been
committed.
-Continued on PAGE SEVEN
a three-hour training pro-
gram that prepares helpers
to identify persons with
thoughts of suicide and con-
nect them to suicide first-
aid resources. Most people
with thoughts of suicide,
either directly or indirectly,
invite help to stay safe.
Alert helpers know how
to identify and work with
these opportunities to help
protect life. Powerful vid-
eos illustrate both non-alert
and alert responses. Discus-
sion and practice stimulate
learning. This training is
open to anyone 15 years of
age and older. For further
questions or to confirm at-
tendance, call Sam Fisher at
541-256-0692.
Friday, Sept. 18 – 9
a.m.—Morrow County Vet-
erans Services Town Hall:
Topics related to safety
concerns for veterans and
seniors will be discussed.
To confirm your attendance,
please pre-register by call-
ing 541-922-6420. Public
welcome, most topics will
pertain to veterans, some
information may apply to
all seniors.
Monday, Sept. 21 – 7
p.m. – Senator Bill Hansell
Town Hall – Heppner City
Hall Conference Room:
Sen. Bill Hansell will be
talking about the legislative
session as a whole, legisla-
tion that was passed that
will affect Eastern Oregon
and his plans for the fol-
8 p.m. – Domestic Violence
Services Annual Soup Bowl
Supper and Silent Auction
– Pendleton Convention
Center: Support a fundrais-
er by Domestic Violence
Services – Cost is $25 per
person and enjoy delectable
soups, appetizers and more
and keep the soup bowl. For
reservations or to donate to
their silent auction, please
call 541-276-3322 or visit
www.domesticviolenceser-
vices-or.org.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – 9
a.m. – 5 p.m. Second An-
nual Morrow County Har-
vest Festival – The SAGE
Center, Boardman: Lo-
cal vendors come together
to offer a lot of selection
with homemade or home
grown items to sell. Come
shop local produce, arts
and crafts vendors, taste
local beer and wine. There
will be horse and buggy
rides, pumpkin painting, a
mini horse petting zoo and
more. The event is free and
is a family-friendly event,
check out the SAGE Center
exhibits too.
Saturday, Oct. 10 –
Heppner Booster Club
Steak Feed and Auction
– Heppner Elks Lodge:
Hold the date and plan on
coming out and getting a
great dinner and bidding
on some great ideas that
have been donated. More
information to be provided
at a later date.
DA’s Report
Morrow County Dis-
trict Attorney Justin Nelson
has released the following
report:
-Cody Edward Rankin,
25, was convicted of two
counts of Recklessly En-
dangering another Person,
a Class A misdemeanor, and
sentenced on each count
to 90 days driver’s license
suspension. Of the 180 days
jail time for each count,
a170 days were waived and
the defendant sentenced to
24 months bench probation,
to include 10 days jail time
with credit for time served,
to be served consecutively,
and no contact with the
victims.
Rankin was addition-
ally convicted of a count
of Criminal Mischief II, a
Class A misdemeanor. Ex-
ecution of the sentence of
180 days jail time was sus-
pended and the defendant
sentenced to 24 months
bench probation, to include
no contact with the victim.
Additional counts of
Menacing and Reckless
Driving were disposed
without conviction. Fines,
fees, assessments and res-
titution totaled $500.
-Darrell Dwight Rol-
lins, 48, was convicted of
two counts of Theft II, a
Class A misdemeanor; ex-
ecution of the sentence of
180 days jail time for each
charge was suspended and
the defendant sentenced to
three years bench proba-
tion, to include 30 hours
of community service per
count and no contact with
the victims.
Additional counts of
Theft I were disposed with-
out conviction. Fines, fees
and assessments totaled
$300.
-Brandon James
Vaughan, 33, was convicted
of Harrassment, a Class B
misdemeanor; of the sen-
tence of 90 days jail time,
87 days jail time was sus-
pended and the defendant
sentenced to 24 months
bench probation, to include
30 hours of community ser-
vice, with contact with the
victim governed by court
documents. Fines, fees and
assessments totaled $600.
-Howard Floyd Ban-
croft, 48, was convicted of
Possession of a Controlled
Substance II, a Class C
felony, and sentenced to 18
months supervised proba-
tion, subject to 90 sanction
units with 30 jail units, to
include 80 hours of com-
munity service, with license
suspension to be reserved
for later sanctioning of
probation violations.
An additional count of
Disorderly Conduct was
disposed without convic-
tion. Fines, fees and assess-
ments totaled $673.