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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 2016)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Boardman adopts chronic nuisance property ordinance Last week the Board- man City Council adopted an ordinance aimed at curb- ing chronic nuisance prop- erties in Boardman. The ordinance defines a chronic nuisance property as property on which three or more nuisance activi- ties exist or have occurred during any 90-day period. Nuisance activities include a range of criminal conduct. Under the new ordinance, violations could ultimately result in abatement of the offenders, and the nuisance property could be secured against unauthorized ac- cess for a varied period of time. The new ordinance becomes effective on Ja. 6, 2017. In other city business, the council approved a reso- lution adopting the Morrow County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is an update to the original plan adopted in 2006. Also, the council discussed waiving the city’s System Develop- ment Charges for another year. This program was started in 2010 as an incen- tive to build more homes in Boardman. The council will further this discussion at January’s meeting. The next meeting of the Boardman City Council will be Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Boardman City Hall. -Continued from PAGE ONE from, but the council agreed plans required by Federal disaster in Heppner. The and voted to move forward. In other business, the council heard from the city manager that a city Christmas tree had been or- dered, arrived and rejected because it was “not accept- able.” Another tree is on its way to be placed next to the Post Office on Main Street. The council heard from Morrow County Planner Carla McLane, who gave a report on the completed Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. All cities in the county are updating their 2006 Emergency Management. “This plan covers all major hazards; of course, Heppner would be most concerned with flooding,” McLane told the council. The purpose of the plan is to recognize potential hazards and what can be done to mitigate them, she said. “In other words, it’s cheaper to replace the culvert in the road rather than replace the road.” She also said it would allow the city to apply for federal grants if there is a council voted to approve the plan. In other reports Hep- pner Fire Chief Rusty Estes reported that November was one of the slowest months he can recall. Estes said there was only one fire, a cooking fire, last month. He also said there were 130 people at the fire hall open house. The council also re- ceived the annual audit report with only minor is- sues and suggestions from the auditors. VA national cemeteries now offering pre-need eligibility determinations WASHINGTON—The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) last week an- nounced it now provides eligibility determinations for interment in a VA na- tional cemetery prior to the time of need. Through the Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program, upon request, individuals can learn if they are eligible for burial or memorialization in a VA national cemetery. VA will review applica- tions and provide written notice of its determination of eligibility. VA will save determinations and sup- porting documentation in an electronic information system to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need. VA operates 135 na- tional cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots in 40 states and Puerto Rico. VA also provides funding to estab- lish, expand and maintain 105 veterans’ cemeteries in 47 states and territories. For Veterans buried in pri- vate or other cemeteries, VA provides headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate their service. Eligible individu- als are entitled to burial in any open VA national cemetery, opening/clos- ing of the grave, a grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a govern- ment-furnished headstone or marker or niche cover, all at no cost to the family. Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and may be eligible for a Presidential Memorial Certificate. See your local veterans services representative for assistance. taled $250. -Ruben Macias, 47, was convicted of Coercion, a County C Felony, and was sentenced to 36 months supervised probation. Pro- bation conditions include substance abuse evaluation, mental health evaluation, risk and needs assessment, no form of contact with the victim, and 120 hours of community service. The defendant is also subject to 180 sanction units with 90 jail units. Fines, fees and assessments totaled $500. DA’s Report Morrow County Dis- trict Attorney Justin Nelson has released the following report: -Mario Morales Jr., 33, was convicted of Posses- sion of Methamphetamine, a Class C Felony, and was sentenced to 18 months supervised probation. Pro- bation conditions include mental health evaluation, risk and needs assessment, 80 hours of community service, and six months of license suspension reserved for later sanctioning. Fines, fees and assessments to- Sheriff’s Report August 18 -Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report of a mo- tor vehicle accident near Basey Canyon Rd./Hwy. 207, Heppner. -Heppner ambulance responded to a report of a 53-year-old female with a possible seizure, conscious and breathing, on Hwy. 74, Heppner. Female was trans- ported to Pioneer Memorial Hospital. August 19: -A male in Heppner advised his boy- friend wouldn’t leave and he wanted him to. -A male in Heppner reported that some time overnight his pickup was broken into at his office. NOW HIRING DRIVERS ROAD COMMITTEE Lexington, OR 97839. -Continued from PAGE ONE keep projects listed and in working order. Anyone who is interest- ed in joining the committee is asked to send a written request to sit on the panel of the Morrow County Road Committee, Attn: Burke O’Brien to P.O. Box 428, The public works de- partment says it recognizes the work of committee members and those who attend road committee meetings, saying it is those volunteers who “make a difference on our 959-mile county road system.” CUTSFORTH RESIGNS -Continued from PAGE ONE so I could take a larger part CITY COUNCIL Last month it was an- nounced that the city had received a $25,000 grant from the Beth and Howard Bryant Foundation for the projects. Cutsforth said the bid came in “higher than we expected,” but she asked the council to move forward anyway, saying she would talk to the contractor to see if there could be alterations to the bring the cost down, or if she would be able to find additional funds. She did not say where the ad- ditional funds might come - FIVE He advised his stereo was ripped out and left in the parking lot and his dash- board was ripped off in his pickup. -MCSO received re- port of someone trespass- ing down by the creek on Chase Street in Heppner. He advised the subjects were throwing rocks at his vehicle. August 21: -Morrow County Sheriff’s Office was advised that a male subject was back at a Heppner residence; he was high on meth, banging on the door, and almost broke the glass door. The caller wanted him removed. MCSO responded and trespassed the subject from the location. -MCSO received re- port that there was a fight going on at a wedding in Irrigon, mostly verbal but possibly going to get physi- cal. MCSO responded and advised that most every- one had gone. The parties said to be involved were contacted and were going to bed. -An Oregon State Po- lice trooper advised he was contacted by an individual driving a Chevy Impala, who stated his partner was in the vehicle that he was following and he wanted it contacted. The trooper advised he contacted the ve- hicle at the Shell station in Heppner and that the driver was known to the trooper the regular council meeting to discuss “personal mat- ters.” Executive sessions are closed to the public. Following the executive session the council took no formal action, and no an- nouncement was made of the resignation by either the mayor or councilmembers. In her letter of resigna- tion Cutsforth said she takes pride in the work the city crew, volunteers and the public have accomplished the past four and one half years she has been manager. “I moved back to Hep- pner over 20 years ago…. I then became city manager in bolstering growth, beau- tifying parks and streets, and helping to plan for our community’s future. I look back on the past four and a half years with pride at what the City of Heppner and the community have been able to accomplish,” she wrote. The nonprofit she plans on running is apparently the Beth and Howard Bry- ant trust fund, which was granted a lease by the coun- cil Monday night to occupy the former Heppner Cham- ber of Commerce office adjacent to city hall. (See related city council story). Chamber annual meeting Jan. 5 Due to the Celebrate Heppner Christmas event this Thursday, Dec. 15, there will be no chamber lunch meeting that day. The next meeting of the Heppner Chamber of Com- merce will be the chamber’s annual meeting on Thurs- day, Jan. 5, at noon in the St. Patrick’s Senior Center dining room. Along with the annual meeting, the chamber will also see a presentation by three Heppner High seniors who have been working with a local business and want to share about their project. Cost of lunch is $10; JoAnn Lear with Pud- ding on the Ritz will cater. Chamber lunch attendees are asked to RSVP at 541- 676-5536 no later than Jan. 2. Community lunch menu St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish volunteers will serve lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Patrick’s Senior Center. Lunch will include roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sliced tomatoes, hot rolls, and hummingbird cake. Milk is served at each meal. Suggested donation is $3.50 per meal. Menu is subject to change. Justice Court Report Morrow County Justice of the Peace Ann Spicer has released the following Justice Court report: -Gerald L. Starr, 54, of Heppner was found guilty of Violating the Basic Rule (VBR) 101/55 mph. His license was suspended for 90 days and he was fined $1,150. -Melanie Starr Eldrige, 23, of Heppner was found guilty of VBR 72/55 mph and was fined $160. -John Lovis Boyer, 60, of Lexington was found guilty of VBR 74/55 and was fined $160. and was the sole occupant. -A male in Heppner reported that a male subject was trespassed from the residence the night before and had returned. No weap- ons were visible but he ap- peared to be on something, possibly meth. A female called back to report that the subject had made it into the residence through the back door. They then told him to leave and he did. The subject then returned but did not make it into the resi- dence. MCSO responded and arrested Jason Leon Bowles, 41, for criminal trespass I. Send out your Christmas wishes to your customers and the community! THE GAZETTE WILL PUBLISH ITS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION DECEMBER 21ST. THE CHRISTMAS SECTION WILL BE PRINTED IN FULL COLOR AND IS A GREAT WAY TO THANK YOUR CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. For more information, or to be included in the Christmas edition, call 541-676-9228 or email megan@rapidserve.net by Monday, Dec. 19th, at 5 p.m.
