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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 2019)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Heppner Library to host events The Heppner Library will host “Mary Poppins Returns” as the featured movie in the park on July 11 beginning at 8 p.m. There is no admission charge and snacks will be provided by Heppner Market Fresh. Teen Week will be held at the library July 16, 17 and 18 beginning at 6 p.m. each night. Teens going into seventh to twelfth grades are invited to attend. Summer reading 2019 will be held July 12 and 19 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Heppner Library, with the summer reading celebration at 11 a.m. on July 25. Crafty Night will be held at the library on July 10 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the library at 541-676-9964 for additional information on any of the events. Sheriff’s Report The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information: April 9: Morrow Coun- April 10: Morrow and is out roaming around. ty Sheriff’s Office received County Sheriff’s Office re- Dogs are back in their yard. a report on Crooked Rd, ceived a report on W Main -MCSO received a Irrigon of an animal neglect St, Lexington that the dog report that Amber Dan- issue. Under investigation. on C St jumped the fence ielle Gomez was arrested -MCSO received a re- again. This is an ongoing is- by Umatilla Tribal PD on port at Columbia Ln/Cedar sue and has attacked his dog MCSO warrant. Lodged at Rd, Irrigon that bus driver before. Deputy responded. UCJ with bail of $6,000. had two cars run his stop RP will take a photo of the -MCSO received a re- sign. violation next time to doc- port at Hwy 207 Echo, Lex- -MCSO received a re- ument it. ington of a disabled vehicle port at Port of Morrow -MCSO received a re- with flashers on. Maintenance shop on Co- port on Hwy 207 Echo, -MCSO received a re- lumbia Ave NE, Boardman Echo that she had a dog port at Mill Zone on Hwy that 47-year-old male fell show up at her house yester- 74, Heppner that he is hav- off truck and hit his head, day. RP wanted MCSO to ing diesel stolen from this doesn’t recall what hap- be aware because she thinks location. Also stating that pened. Patient was trans- it may have jumped out of someone stole a cord of ported to GSH. a vehicle when traffic was firewood. -MCSO received a re- stopped near county line for -MCSO received a re- port at Pioneer Memorial road construction. port on Hwy 730, Irrigon Clinic on Thompson Ave, -MCSO received a re- that a white Nissan pickup Heppner that subject who port on E East St, Lexington with possible intoxicated has a suspended license and regarding a nuisance/aban- driver slipped the side of a has dementia drove him- doned residence. RP would building in Umatilla, pos- self to the clinic. Deputy like options about how the sibly being towed by a red responded. Subjects wife city can deal with it. Under pickup. Unable to locate. was driving. investigation. -MCSO received a re- -MCSO received a re- -MCSO received a re- port at St. Patrick’s Senior port on SW Nevada Ave, port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- Center on N Main St, Hep- Irrigon that neighbor’s dog gon that a two door Chevy pner of a yellow flashing and calves got out. The dog Astro sped through towards light on the 3 rd floor from attacked one of the calves Tenth. the S window. and the rest are still roaming -MCSO received a re- -MCSO received a re- around the area. port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- port at Irrigon Fish Hatch- -MCSO received a re- gon that a two-tone beige ery on Riverview Ln, Ir- port at Mill Zone n Hwy 74, Ford pickup went speeding rigon that there is a lot of Heppner that a vehicle was by about 5 minutes ago. vehicles that appear to be damaged from a pheasant -MCSO received a congregating and is con- strike. report on SE Utah Ave, cerning the RP that there -MCSO received a re- Irrigon that a gold Chevy may be racing in the area. port on Willow Creek Rd, Corsica flew through to- Unable to locate. Heppner that male is on wards Tenth. -MCSO received a re- property, violation of RO, -MCSO received a re- port on NW Esther Ct, Michael R Meligan was port on S First St, Irrigon Irrigon that a 79-year-old arrested for violation of that a cold assault occurred female has a headache and restraining order. this morning. Jasmine Fay is lightheaded. Transported. -MCSO received a re- Manning was arrested and -MCSO received a re- port on Hwy 74, Lexing- lodged at UCJ with bail of port at Pioneer Memorial ton that multiple callers $25,000. Hospital on NE Pioneer report cows out and in the -MCSO received a re- Dr, Heppner that there is a road about a mile out of port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- male subject at the ER that Lexington towards Ione. gon that a gold Yukon sped is intoxicated, not making Several citizens assisted in through towards Tenth. any sense. putting the cows back in the -MCSO received a re- pasture. port at Hwy 207 Echo/Sand April 12: Morrow -MCSO received a re- Hollow Rd, Lexington that County Sheriff ’s Office port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- a semi high centered entire received a report on NE rigon that a GMC Envoy highway. Main Ave, Irrigon that a went through the area with -MCSO received a re- 72-year-old female has the music cranked up. port at Columbia Forest fallen. Transported. -MCSO received a re- Products on Pole Line Rd, -MCSO received a port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- Boardman that a male fell report on W Eighth Rd, gon that a Toyota Celica off off a catwalk into a pit, Irrigon that subject stole Tenth Street sped by again. about 10 feet, possible bro- $4,000 in cash that was in -MCSO received a re- ken hand. Have not moved the RP’s bedroom. port at Loves Travel Stop on him hit his head, possible -MCSO received a re- Tower Rd, Boardman that neck injury. port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- one semi just hit another. -MCSO received a re- gon that a white Volkswa- -MCSO received a re- port on I 84 W, Boardman gen went towards Tenth, port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- of a driving complaint WB could hear the music from gon that a green Jeep Cher- from 151. Not sure if med- Division. okee is speeding through ical issue, almost wrecked -MCSO received a re- the area and flying down a couple times. Referred to port on I 84 E, Boardman the road quite often. other agency. that a silver BMW and -MCSO received a re- -MCSO received a re- black Dodge Charger were port at Northwestern Motel port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- racing on I 84 at a high on N Main St, Heppner rigon that a blue Durango rate of speed, both had WA that subjects are cleaning went past his res at a high plates. sturgeon that doesn’t ap- rate of speed towards Tenth. -MCSO received a re- pear to be legal length and Unable to locate. port that Patrick Alan Greer the season has been closed -MCSO received a re- was arrested and lodged on for two weeks. Referred to port on W 2 nd St, Ione that an Oregon Parole Warrant other agency. she is having an issue with in Montana. Subject was -MCSO received a re- a child and adult that threat- transported to UCJ by way port at 11-13 Hwy 207 ened her. of CCCF. Spray, Heppner that a tree -MCSO received a re- is down across the road. Her April 11: Morrow port on Mountain View husband is headed down County Sheriff ’s Office Ln, Boardman that he has with a power saw. Referred received a report at Bella two large Dobermans in his to other agency. Vista Estates on Paul Smith yard. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- Rd, Boardman that there is -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- a young man screaming. port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a white Nissan flew -MCSO received a re- gon that a red Ford Ranger by towards Tenth. port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- went down towards Tenth -MCSO received a re- gon that there is a brown slowly and then sped to- port at SE Ninth St/SE cattle dog and long-haired wards Second St and turned Idaho Ave, Irrigon that a ve- hunting dog running around right. hicle is playing loud music. in the area. Deputy re- -MCSO received a re- -MCSO received a re- sponded. Dogs went back port at Heppner Main Street port on Depot Ln, Irrigon to their residence. Park on N Main St, Hep- tat a 62-year-old female has -MCSO received a re- pner that there was a male chest pain. Unable to stand port on Washington Ln, tying rope to the trees in the up. Assisted. Irrigon that the neighbor’s park and walking on it. She dog was in her pasture thought it was odd. WATER BILLING -Continued from PAGE ONE if the city was trying to put him out of business. “My goal is not to put you out of business,” said City Manager Kraig Cuts- forth pointing out that in addition to the inoperable vehicles on the property, there are also vehicles re- lated to Brannon’s repair business parked on the street for months in viola- tion of city codes. “I did not make this code,” Cutsforth said, emphasizing he was simply doing his job in enforcing the ordinances. Cutsforth said there is actu- ally a city code prohibiting the parking of vehicles on downtown city streets for longer than two hours, but that ordinance is not being enforced. Brannon believed the whole thing could have been handled better, telling the council the city manager could have come and talked to him first before sending out the threatening letter. He also pointed out that the city itself may be in viola- tion of its own ordinance. The city has shops on both Gale and Willow streets where he thought vehicles were being worked on, and those shops are located within the downtown zone supposedly not allowing re- pair businesses. “That may be,” Cutsforth responded. “I just think this could have been handled better,” Bran- non said. The zoning law cit- ed by the city in its letter to Brannon applies to the “Downtown District” of Heppner on the west side of Willow Creek. Permit- ted businesses in this zone include eating and drinking establishments, entertain- ment, hotel, motel, meeting halls, offices and profes- sional services, nursery and repair and maintenance establishments, (except for auto, truck, tractor and farm implement repair business- es). The fine for operating a prohibited business is $425 per day. Neighbor offers to clean up burned out house In other business the council discussed the burned-out house on Lin- den Way. The city is having difficulty with the owner of the house being able to clean up the burned wreck- age and may have to go in and do the cleanup at taxpayer expense. If the city does the cleanup, es- timated to be a minimum of $18,000, it would then bill the landowner. If the landowner does not pay the bill the city could place a legal lien for the cleanup amount on the property. If still not paid the city could foreclose take the property and sell the bare lot. With lot prices in Heppner it is unlikely the city would be able to recover both the cleanup costs and the legal fees of the lien, foreclosure and sale. Neighbor Jay Keithley said he is interested in the property and would consid- er doing the cleanup work in exchange for ownership of the lot. He said however that because of the large expense of the cleanup he would not pay “one dime” for the property. He wanted to know at what point the city would place a lien on the property. City Attorney Bill Kuhn told Keithley to contact the property owner about trading cleanup for ownership at this time. The city gave the property owner until July 25 to clean up the burned-up debris or the city would move in and do it. Council talks ‘jake brakes’ In other business the council discussed citizen complaints about the use of jake brakes by trucks in the city. Jake brakes are used by trucks but can, if unmuffled, make a loud disturbing noise. The city has a class A violation on the books with a maximum of $1,000 fine for use of unmuffled jake brakes in the city lim- its, and there is also a state law against usage. City Attorney Kuhn said the city should first ask Oregon De- partment of Transportation to put up signs at the edge of town prohibiting the use of the brakes, and then if the problem persists have the sheriff start issuing tickets. WILLOW CREEK DAM -Continued from PAGE ONE from the dam are, of course, not regulated. When high flows occur, the Corp is able to cut back on the outflow from Willow Creek to al- low the large flow from the unregulated Hinton Creek take up more capacity. Of- ficials said at two occasions this spring outflow from the dam was completely stopped to accommodate the increased water down- stream. Officials reminded the crowd of 31 people in attendance that the main purpose of the dam is flood control with the secondary purposes being recreation and irrigation. With the strong flows downstream, some resi- dents were at the meeting to complain about bank ero- sion along the creek when more water is released from the dam. One resident said her property experiences lots of erosion and she has tried different solutions to no avail. “I don’t have huge rip rap rocks or the equipment to put it in to save my banks,” she said in asking if there was help available. “I lose two inches every time there is a water incident,” she said of the bank erosion. She said it has gotten so bad she has had to remove trees whose roots were undermined that used to hold the dirt on the bank. Another person says the garage in her backyard is falling into the creek be- cause of the erosion. Corps officials said it was not part of their mission to monitor or regulate erosion in Wil- low Creek below the dam. Dam Safety and main- tenance Overall safety of the dam structure was also discussed, and officials said there are no problems with the safety of the dam. There are periodic inspections and there are no problems. In February and March of this year a drilling crew came in and drilled into the struc- ture taking core samples for study. Concrete experts then examined the samples to see the condition of the cement. The dam is a roller compacted concrete struc- ture constructed in 1983 and was the first of its kind built in the United States. When asked if acidic water was having an effect on the concrete, experts said there has been some loss of calcification of the concrete but there has actually been a “tightening” of the concrete over the years making the structure more watertight. There is less water seeping through now, “which is a good thing,” they said. Vegetation growing on the face of the dam has al- ways been a problem. In the past the Corps hired people to rappel down the face and remove the vegetation. Recently, however, a herd of goats has been brought in which do a good job of climbing the face of the dam eating the vegetation. Corps officials say they expect to bring back the goats for another cleaning in the future. -MCSO received a re- port that RP’s fiancé went hiking/scouting the area and she has not heard from him Advises it would be within a 50-mile radius of Heppner. Last heard from him at 1530 when he was supposed to be on his way back to Kennewick and had confirmed dinner plans. Does have his phone with him however it is going straight to voicemail. -MCSO received a re- port at I 82/I 84, Hermiston that a semi flipped over, not blocking. -MCSO received a report that Jaden Wayne Orr was lodged at UCJ on MCSO P&P detainer. No bail. -MCSO received a re- port at Heppner Shell Sta- tion, N Main St, Heppner that there is a vehicle with the trunk open at the station. the end of RP’s driveway, on the street with park lights on. -MCSO received a re- port on I 84 W, Boardman that a white International truck has a flat tire and not pulling over, about 70-75 mph. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port on NE Main Ave, Ir- rigon that she had a young adult black lab follow from the area of post office and then home. Dog is in her back yard. MCSO took the dog to pet rescue. -MCSO received a re- port on NE Center St, Hep- pner that subject grabbed his daughter by the arm at the park and then was walking by the house later and told her to shut up. Jon David Hanna was arrested by MCSO for harassment and sex abuse, lodged at UCJ on bail of $7,500. -MCSO received a re- port at Loves Travel Stop on Tower Rd, Boardman that a green Kenworth with a trailer backed into another vehicle. -MCSO received a re- port on NE Seventh St, Irrigon that there is a lot of yelling across the street, throwing of items. RP couldn’t hear what they were yelling about but they have gone inside now. -MCSO received a report at Heppner High School on NW Morgan St, Heppner that a male subject is locked out of his vehicle at the Heppner baseball fields. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a red Ford Focus was playing music loudly. Deputy responded and lo- cated vehicle. Observed no music playing at this time. -MCSO received a re- port of assault at Irrigon Shell Station on E Hwy 730, Irrigon. RP advises her ex-boyfriend. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that a gold Cadillac has speeding up and down SE Utah. Unable to locate. April 13: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on SE Thomas Ave, Irrigon that a white vehicle is parked at -Continued on PAGE SEVEN
