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.
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