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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 2017)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 27, 2017 ODOT prepares for winter conditions ODOT crews in east- ern and central Oregon are preparing for winter storms, expected to create challenging winter driving conditions. Travelers are advised to check road and weather conditions at TripCheck. com before hitting the road. Links to winter driving safety tips are also avail- able on TripCheck under the “Road and Weather” tab at the top of the website. Just open the “Winter Trav- el” and “Winter Driving Safety” drop down menus where you’ll find helpful messages. Here are a few to keep in mind: - Be ready to use your chains. Be patient. Go slow. - Turn off cruise con- trol. Never use cruise con- trol in wet, icy, snowy or slippery conditions. - Expect a long com- mute that could last hours. You never know when weather or traffic incidents will cause the road to be closed for extended periods. - Along with snow and slick conditions, expect vis- ibility to be limited. - Make sure your wip- ers, headlights, turn signals, heater, etc. are in good working order. - Keep fuel tank full (in case you get stuck in road closure). - Keep cell phone charged. - Avoid following GPS navigation directions onto remote or unfamiliar road- ways if detoured off of the main highway. Most routes not considered main high- ways are not maintained in winter conditions. - Carry emergency sup- plies (water, food, warm clothes, flashlight, etc.) - Increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. - Use extra caution and keep safety in mind when installing tire chains along the side of the roadway. Other drivers may not be able to see you clearly. - Drive according to conditions of the road, re- gardless of posted speed limits. - Don’t abandon your vehicle, even in the shoul- ders. It could be towed at your expense. - Keep a watch on weather conditions through- out the day in anticipation of the next snow storm which could make current road conditions worse. - At the end of your trip, wash off your vehicle to remove mud, snow, road salt and deicer residue. Know Before You Go: Call 5-1-1 or visit www. TripCheck.com for the lat- est real-time traffic updates and camera views of Or- egon’s highways. Outside of Oregon, travelers can call 503-588-2941. c h r is t ma s s ea s o n Me s s a g e s JUVENILE DEPT -Continued from PAGE ONE ing the entire case load. This is a critically needed position,” the memo added. Meier also said that 98 percent of the juveniles in the system are from the north end of the county, while the department of- fices are in the south end with two thirds of the staff “office bound” there. Com- missioner Jim Doherty said he was in favor of the job change. “I like boots on the ground,” he said in reference to adding another field worker to deal with ju- veniles. “We need to realize that with a growing county we are going to have more issues,” added Commis- sioner Melissa Lindsey. Doherty also wanted to be sure the request would totally eliminate the assis- tant position and not add more cost and staff to the department, pointing out that the two positions were “like oil and water.” Meier assured the commission- ers saying the eliminated position’s work would be “spread around the office,” and handled by other em- ployees. In other business at the meeting the commission briefly discussed a pro- posed contract with Crow Engineering to handle facil- ity planning for the north end. The county is con- sidering what to do about needed new facilities for county offices and services in Boardman and Irrigon. The commission authorized the county administrator to sign documents related to the agreement. No contract was made public however. In other business at an earlier Dec. 6 meet- ing the commission had heard from Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager Tom Wolff about an apparent breakthrough in resolving a dispute about how elec- tric power would be trans- ported, or “wheeled” from a proposed new windfarm in the county. CBEC and Umatilla Electric, UEC, have been in a legal dispute about which co-op would handle the wheeling when the new Wheatridge Wind Farm is constructed in the next year. In a letter to the commission Wolff said, “the transmis- sion line that will transmit the project’s output to the Bonneville grid is to be constructed and owned by the local electric utility – in mid-Morrow County this is Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative.” Wolff presented a map, (he was also in attendance at the meeting) showing the following power line construction route: “it will run from a switchyard and collector substation on Strawberry Lane at the southern end to the Onion Plant road in the north – Cascade Specialty Lane? UEC is to build the line on northward, within their ser- vice territory, to the Port of Morrow complex,” Wolff’s letter said. The letter went on to say that the windfarm builder, NextEra Energy, is “providing CBEC with compensation to property owners for this transmis- sion line route. Morrow County will be compen- sated the same as the other property owners for the use of the land – ie county road right-of-way. “Be assured this transmission line is being planned and designed in conjunction with the “one Utility Corridor” concept for north Morrow County. It will be built to accom- modate future renewable energy projects and their need to transmit electrical power to the Bonneville grid along the Columbia River,” the letter said. port on I 84 E, Boardman that they hit a large rock with their truck and would like someone to pick it up. Referred to other agency. December 3: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that a blue Ford Ranger extended cab 87 or older flew down the road. RP reports that he yelled at the driver this morning to slow down and now it is occurring again. -MCSO is meeting OSP in Arlington to transport transient to Pendleton for mental health appointment. -MCSO received a re- port at Wilson Ln/Bomb- ing Range Rd, Boardman that a female Jack Russell/ Chihuahua was found on Bombing Range. Extreme- ly skinny, looks partially blind, has a sweater on, long finger nail, extremely dirty. Advised they will be taking the dog to Oregon Trail Vet Clinic tomorrow and will post it on Facebook as well. -MCSO received a re- port pm Toms Camp Rd, Boardman that person go- ing to school in Ione, lives in the Boardman area with grandparents posted on Instagram that she took 12 pills. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that an older blue extended cab chrome strip Ford Ranger was speeding through the area. -MCSO received a re- port at Threemile Canyon Farms (office) on Three- mile Rd, Boardman that he just had a semi fly past the guard shack and is parked in the yard near the weigh station. Tried banging on the sleeper and he is not responding. He would like assistance because he is 217 North Main St., Heppner, OR Phone 676-9158 • Floral 676-9426 not supposed to be there. Christopher Alvin Fuller was trespassed from Three Mile Canyon farms per deputy on scene. -MCSO received a re- port on W Fourth Rd, Ir- rigon that there are cows loose in property running down the road and through the orchard and onto the neighbors property. December 4: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on W Sperry St, Heppner that a dog is barking constantly and he would like a deputy to respond and deal with it. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on Kunze Ln/Mountain View Dr, Boardman that there is a horse brown in color in the road and he wit- nessed someone almost hit it. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Park Pl, Irrigon that she needed a deputy because she was attacked. Female advised male at- tacked her when she went to his residence to get her things. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Paterson Ferry Rd, Irrigon that there is a male having breathing problems. Trans- ported to GSH. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon High School on SE Wyoming Ave, Irri- gon that there is a stalking issue. Under investigation. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Paterson Ferry Rd, Irrigon that she is coming to get her children and she has a threatening message from her mother-in-law. Would like to speak to a deputy about getting an escort. Ad- vised RP unable to provide escort without a court order. RP picked up the children. Editors note: The following Christmas message was in- advertently omitted from the December 20 edition of the Gazette-Times Christmas Message 2017 So much effort goes into preparing for Christ- mas. We bake. We shop. We wrap. We decorate. We sing. We worship. We lie awake with anxious thoughts. It’s all good, ex- cept for that last bit. But then another Christmas comes and goes and nothing really changes. Most of us do after Christmas exactly what we did before—eat, sleep, work, play, spend, sing rarely, consult with God in times of crisis only. What if each of us did things differently this year? What if, instead of focus- ing all our attention on the run up to Christmas, we used that day to mark a beginning--as a launching pad rather than a place to land? What if, on Decem- ber 26 and every day after, we began to share more freely, sing more often, pray without ceasing, give away more of our time, look out for others first and be more deliberate about spreading the good news of God’s love for all of creation? Michael Curry, Presid- ing Bishop of the Episcopal Church, posted a stirring Christmas message this year that highlighted a poem written by Howard Thur- man, an African-American theologian, educator and civil rights leader until his death in 1981. Thurman’s poem, “Now the Work of Christmas Begins,” cap- tures my point exactly, and says it far better: When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart. May peace flourish, and music fill your heart. Rev. Katy Anderson The Shared Ministry of All Saints Episcopal & Hope Lutheran Sheriff’s Report The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information: December 1: Morrow -MCSO received a re- one has been bitten. -MCSO received a re- County Sheriff ’s Office port on NW Gale St, Hep- received a report at Hwy pner that there is graffiti on port at Columbia River 207 Echo/Butter Creek Rd the sidewalk in front of her Ranch on Kunze Ln, Board- man that a female is staying that a newer car was seen residence. on the side of the road out -MCSO received a re- there that has a warrant in a field. RP drove past the port at Cain Ln, Irrigon that issued out of their county. -MCSO received a re- car, saw the interior light there is a fire, appears to be come on. Seems like they someone burning tires and port on NW Gale St/NW Church St, Heppner that are out there waiting for uncontrolled. something. RP thought it -MCSO received a re- a dog is barking all day. was suspicious. port at Washington Ln, Ir- Attempted contact, under -MCSO received a re- rigon that there is a puppy investigation. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Pat- in the road. Puppy looks to erson Ferry Rd, Irrigon that be a couple of months old port that RP accidently RP is keeping an eye on the and appears ill. Unable to threw away her passport neighbor’s house and saw a locate owner. Transported and driver’s license and would like us to be aware male leaving with a duffel puppy to pet rescue. bag. Josh (unknown last) -MCSO received a re- in case anyone uses it. lives in the park and RP port of a structure fire on December 2: Morrow believes he is taking items Columbia Ave, Boardman, County Sheriff’s Office re- from the residence. appears to be shop or ga- ceived a report Oregon Trail -MCSO received a re- rage. Library on N Main St, Hep- quest on Tower Rd, Board- -MCSO received a re- pner that he just drove by man Intertribe Enforcement port on SE Cowins St, Hep- the library in Heppner and would like extra patrol pner that four or five dogs there were several children around their building north come out of the yard and that appeared to be beating of I 84 on Tower Rd. They chase people on the walk- up on each other. have had some vandalism ing trail that leads up to the -MCSO received a that they have taken a case dam. City hall advised the report at Ione School on on. dogs are not licensed and no Spring St, Ione that there is a silver pickup that pulled behind the shop at the high school and has been sitting there for about an hour. RP finds it suspicious since there is nothing there. The driver was sleeping there until the tournament tomor- row. -MCSO received a re- port at Columbia Ln/Pater- son Ferry Rd, Irrigon that a vehicle is totaled. Ernest Hollingsworth was issued a citation for careless driving. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a gray Ford Escape and a white Landcruiser were speeding on gravel like they were chasing each other headed towards tenth on the gravel. -MCSO received a re- NOW HIRING DRIVERS - THREE port at Bank of Eastern Oregon on N Main St, Hep- pner that person came with a found debit card. -MCSO received a re- port at Sinclair station on W Main St, Lexington that one of her employees went into the bathroom this morning and noticed that one of the ceiling tiles looked a bit off and climbed up to check it and found a loaded air soft pistol. -MCSO received a re- port on Magic Garden Ln, Irrigon that she is hearing subject calling for help, he has cancer. RP has called his caregiver and she is on her way but the RP is tired of hearing him yell and wants an ambulance to come out. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Paterson Ferry Rd, Irrigon that there appears to be a domestic going on. He be- lieves the male was hitting the female with a pistol. RP gave false report in order to get a response, he wanted to report fishing poles stolen. Warned for filing a false report. -MCSO received a re- port on N Main Ave, Ir- rigon that an assessor from LaGrande was at the loca- tion and advised the front door was kicked in and it appeared transients are liv- ing in it. -MCSO received a re- port that UCSO arrested Ja- cob Michael Spaulding on probation violation. Lodged at UCJ, no bail. -MCSO received a report that Monica Lee Longoria was arrested on Umatilla County probation violation. Lodged at UCJ, no bail. -MCSO received a re- Sunday Dec. 31st Monday Jan. 1st HAPPY NEW YEAR Remaining Christmas Merchandise 50% OFF -Continued on PAGE FIVE
