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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2019)
PREDATORS ber general election. Commissioners said they already had some qual- ified people in mind that could be appointed, but they would also advertise they were taking appli- cations for Justice of the Peace appointment. “We need public awareness to let people know we are taking applications,” said Commissioner Don Rus- sell. He thanked Spicer for telling the commissioners early that she was retir- ing. “Thanks for the time. Six months will give us lots of time to get the best applicant and forward to the governor’s office for appointment,” he said. The governor’s office makes the final choice, but the commissioners are able to give recommendations. The person filling the position doesn’t necessarily have to have a law degree for the job. Approves jail contract with Umatilla Co. In other business the commissioners discussed the jail contract with Umatilla County. Umatil- la County has a jail and rents spaces out to Morrow Count for its inmates. The county pays $438,000 per year to reserve at all times 20 daily beds to house Mor- row County prisoners. Ad- ditional spaces, if available, can be rented for $60 per day. The fee covers only in- carceration and not outside inmate medical or mental needs performed by other than jail staff. Sheriff Ken Matlack was at a July 3 meeting of the commissioners to dis- cuss, among other things, the jail contract, and he said Morrow County has needed more beds than in the past because more Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 17, 2019 -- SEVEN -Continued from PAGE ONE cars scattered around the punching a hole in the oil commissioners heard from people are being arrested. Matlack said one change he has noticed is that there is a “significant number” of mentally ill people his department is coming into contact with and these are people they would rath- er not incarcerate. “They won’t be prosecuted so we don’t have to lodge these people,” Matlack said. He said his officers are doing a good job finding criminals and solving crimes which is a reason the arrest rates are up. Working to clean up junk cars Matlack also discussed the efforts his office is mak- ing on code enforcement such as junk cars on prop- erties. He said there is an officer working code viola- tions halftime now so those citations are going up. He also discussed efforts to take out some of the junk county. Commissioner Don Russell has been an advo- cate recently for trying to clean up some of the old junkers around the county and he said the county may be starting a program where a car crusher will come into communities and crush old vehicles and then haul them off. Russell said they are looking at October 1 to bring in the crusher and maybe use the old Kinzua Mill site as a staging area where junk cars could be towed, crushed and hauled off. Matlack said it cost $100-$125 to tow a vehicle to the crushing site. Russell said interest in the crushed cars depends a lot on scrap metal prices at the time, but right now it is $112 per ton high enough to get a crusher in. Russell said Devin Oil said they could take care of the fluids in the car such as pan and capturing the oil in a vehicle. He also said Les Schwab has a tire shredder that might be available. He said tires and fluids have to be removed before the crusher will take the ve- hicles. “It’s amazing how many abandoned cars there are in the county,” Russell said. “I didn’t realize until I started working with the sheriff on this problem.” Russell has been working with some organizations to arrange funding such as the Willow Creek Valley Economic Development Group in South Morrow County which has com- mitted $5,000 towards the cleanup effort. “I’d like to get rid of them all (the junk cars) if we can find the dol- lars,” he said. Fair looking good In other business the Fair Secretary Ann Jones who said things are looking good for this year’s event. Jones said they have had such good sponsorship this year that there will be no admission charged to get in the fair. It will be free. The booth will be up at the entrance but for infor- mation only. She said all the entertainment has been confirmed but they are still looking for local groups that would do activities to give the kids more to do. Jones said it looks like exhibits are going to do well this year “The barn is going to be full.” She said they expect more small ani- mals like turkeys coming in this year. Jones also asked the commissioners if they would consider a stint in the dunk tank. She said the tax assessor Mike Gorman had volunteered. issue. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port on Willow Creek Rd, Heppner that RP found a wallet. Turned over to off duty deputy. -MCSO received a re- port on Ione Gooseberry Rd, Ione that her grand- daughter borrowed her ve- hicle yesterday and has not returned it. RP wants to report the vehicle stolen. No action taken. RP located vehicle in Hermiston. -MCSO received a re- port at Northwestern Motel on N Main St, Heppner that subject has been walking through RV park. RP claims he stole his chainsaw pre- viously. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that a black Dodge pickup lit up its tires all the way down the street. Driver was warned for traction and speeding issues. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Paterson Ferry Rd, Irrigon of agitated male that made threats of getting a gun and shooting his family and/or law enforcement. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a suburban with black quarter panels went by and punched it in front of his house. -MCSO received a re- port at St. Patrick’s senior center on N Main St, Hep- pner that there is a vehicle behind the senior center with taillight broken and pars of it in the parking lot. -MCSO received a re- port on NE Elder St, Hep- pner that across the street at a trailer RP believes there is a domestic. -MCSO received a re- port at NW Gale St, Hep- pner that there is a blue trailer in a vacant log and there are stray cats there. -MCSO received a re- port on I 84 W, Boardman that an elderly man in a silver Dodge Caravan is driving very slowly and at time on the shoulder. RP is concerned this might be a medical issue. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that a 73-year-old is having difficulty breathing, just had surgery today on left shoulder. Transported to GSH. Sheriff’s Report (cont.) Continued from page six... April 18 (cont.): Mor- row County Sheriff’s Of- fice received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that a light gold Kia Sol sped through towards Tenth. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon High School on SE Wyoming Ave, Ir- rigon that his kids found a wallet on the street in front of the high school. There is a DL inside. Dep- uty responded and returned property to the owner. -MCSO received a re- port on Chase St, Heppner that his black lab mix is missing. Approx. 9-year- old female. -MCSO received a re- port at Northwestern Motel on N Main St, Heppner that subject has been walking through the trailer park, wearing jeans and a shirt and his hair is a mohawk. RP claims he stole his chainsaw previously. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that RP saw a gold pickup speeding down street east towards Tenth St. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Division St, Irrigon that someone has broken into her house. April 20: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on SE Sec- ond St, Irrigon that there are cows in her yard. Does not want them in her pasture as they have ringworm. Cow owner was located and is en rt to get them. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that he saw a dog running around the area. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at Northwestern Motel on N main St, Heppner that subject has been causing problems recently and RP would like him trespassed from the motel. Male is at the RV park now. Drion Donner was notified of trespass from multiple lo- cations. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Kristen Dr, Irri- gon that son is being disre- spectful, he no longer lives there and refuses to leave. -MCSO received a re- port on Hwy 730, Irrigon that a semi was following too closely, forced her to the side of the road and passed in the middle lane. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a maroon Chevy Cruise with dealership plates was playing loud music. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at Pioneer Memorial Hospital on NE Pioneer Dr, Heppner that a guy with a grey and black pickup is parked in the middle of the street and has not moved. Advised is around a blind corner. Deputy responded and spoke with male subject about road blocking. -MCSO received a re- port on SW Nevada Ave, Irrigon that it looks like someone drove through his property last night and tried to steal some items. MCSO made contact, after further investigation it looks like they missed a corner. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a dark blue Aero- star van was speeding down SE Utah. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at Bucknum’s on N Main St, Heppner that a blue minivan damaged her green 98 Dodge Ram 2500. Victor Edward Marlitt was issued citation for DWS, driving uninsured and hit and run with bail of $5,000 and lodged at UCJ. -MCSO received a report on SE Utah Ave, Irrigon that on Califor- nia or Knapp there is loud music that has been going on for a couple of hours. What bothers him is they keep changing the volume. Deputy made contact with homeowner, they agreed to turn it down. -MCSO received a re- port at Port View Apart- ments on Columbia Ave NE, Boardman that neigh- bors directly above them are fighting and the whole apartment is rattling. BPD and MCSO responded, only males drinking in the apart- ment, no crime at this time. Neighborhood Center to hold bag sale Saturday The Neighborhood Center at 441 N Main St in Hep- pner will hold a bag sale on Saturday, July 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. Fill a brown bag full of clothing, shoes, books, CDs and DVDs during this special sale. Proceeds from the sale will help purchase food for the food pantry. -MCSO received a re- port on W Eighth Rd, Irri- gon of 94-year-old female with chest pain. Trans- ported. -MCSO received a re- port on Estate Loop, Irrigon that 31-year-old male is disabled, has a shunt and it is malfunctioning, male is hallucinating. Transported to GSH. April 21: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report at Boardman Ave NW/Columbia Ave NW, Boardman of seven shots semi auto near the area. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on SW Second St, Irrigon that there is a horse on her property that is not hers. Horse was returned to is owner. -MCSO received a re- port at Columbia Ln, Irri- gon of dogs at large. Own- ers warned for dogs at large. -MCSO received a re- port that Nicolas Lander- os Garza was arrested on UCCC warrants. Subject lodged at UCJ, no bail. -MCSO received a re- port on Hwy 74, Lexington that a family of foxes is living in a culvert outside of Lexington. Fox and babies are funning on the highway. -MCSO received a re- port at Maple Crest Apart- ments on Wilson Rd SW, Boardman that another male attempted to hit him. They had been drinking. Negative contact at the door. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that a brown Toyota turned up the radio before RP’s house and turned it down after he passed. RP feels it was intentional. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a red Chevy pickup with a black hood had loud music playing down SE Utah towards Tenth. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Cannon St, Hep- pner that Gina Tortalani is on her property. RP advised she grabbed her arm and was yelling and screaming at her. MCSO responded, located and gave courtesy ride to Tortalani. -MCSO received a report at Heppner Main Street Park on N Main St, Heppner that 14-year-old female is feeling nauseous and weak. Patient refusal. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Ir- rigon that a maroon Jeep Cherokee came through the turkey shoots on what the RP believes in private property. -MCSO received a report at Bella Vista Es- tates on Paul Smith Rd, Boardman that a couple is fighting, sounds physical. Parties separated. -MCSO received a re- port on SE California Ave, Irrigon that roughly 20 minutes ago they thought they heard a gun shot but just walked outside and her daughter’s window is shattered. -MCSO received a re- port on I 84 W, Boardman that three motorcycles are passing each other at vary- ing speeds. Referred to other agency. April 23: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on I 84 E, Echo of a traffic hazard. Semi lost bumper, shat- tered, causing a bit of an April 24: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on Depot Ln, Irrigon of 74-year-old male with possible heart attack, has defibrillator. Transported to GSH. -MCSO received a re- port at Ella Rd/Immigrant Ln, Ione that a hawk may have been shot. Hawk was turned over to Blue Moun- tain Wildlife. Under inves- tigation. -MCSO received a re- port that UCSO requests assistance, they have a boat under the Columbia Bridge that is taking on water and has two people inside. ODFW was able to locate the boat. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon Learning Center on Columbia Ln, Irrigon that a student is going around the school looking for his backpack and is causing an issue. -MCSO received a re- port at NW Morgan St/W Sperry St, Heppner that horses are out. Horses were put back in. Agricultural, Construction, Commercial and Home Loans We’ve got you covered. Plus Friendly Branches where you can bank! Come visit us. 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