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The Canyon Weekly April 16, 2014
Volume 5, Issue 16
Your local news source for the North Santiam Canyon
Serving the communities of Lyons, Mehama, Elkhorn, Mill City, Gates, Niagara, Detroit, Breitenbush, Idanha and Marion Forks
eNRG Kayak company wins grant for Mill City life jacket loaner station
This year, there will be a new addition to the community of Mill City, thanks to a recent grant that Sam Drevo, owner of eNRG Kayaking, Tim Widmer and We Love Clean Rivers applied for and won this last month.
Sea Tow foundation graciously offered Life Jackets to be used for anyone in need to enjoy their float down the river. It started last year during eNRG Kayak the Santiam’s first year guiding and teaching out of the eNRG Kayak and Rafting shop in Mill City. Local Guides Tim Widmer and Eric “Ducky” Monroe noticed a trend on two stretches of river. During peak season many people sampled the river unguided and unprepared. The few close calls they witnessed from private boaters usually was the result of improper gear that was not meant for fast moving currents, and lack of personal flotation devices. “85% of all (cont’d on page 3)
Party at Packsaddle gets outed by Twitter On April 11, the Marion County Sheriff's Office began receiving tips from its community partners about a large party with underage drinking set to take place somewhere in Marion County. The party was said to be organized via Twitter and to have a trend of #ProjectNat. The Sheriff's Office attempted to be proactive and try and prevent the party from happening so using our social media we broadcasted the party's information and contacted the party's organizer trying to make him aware of the consequences of his actions. At 9:30pm that night, the party was located at Packsaddle Park. When deputies arrived they found a stage, a bon fire, alcoholic beverages and several party goers. Deputies also lo-
cated the party’s organizer Nathaniel Gray, age 19, of Salem. Mr. Gray was uncooperative with deputies and as a result of his actions he was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct, furnishing alcohol to a minor, offensive littering and providing a place for minors to consume alcohol. In addition to his criminal charges the Sheriff's Office has been informed that the Gates Fire Department may seek penalties for its reimbursement from Mr. Gray for its response to extinguish the bonfire. Marion County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for its outpouring of tips that lead us to the early intervention of this event.
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Lyons resident organizes city councilor recall
An effort to recall Lyons City Councilor Mark Orr has begun in Lyons, said organizer Jessica Ritchie. An informal petition has been signed by 30 residents so far, which she said she obtained in a very short time frame. The effort comes in the wake of three city staff who resigned last month. Each of them cited Councilor Orr as the reason for an ongoing hostile work environment. Former city manager Mary Mitchell was one of those who resigned. “The city no longer functions as a whole to benefit all citizens, but rather has become dedicated to spending an inordinate, unprecedented amount of time and energy dealing with the whims of a single contentious city council member.” Other councilors have had significant problems with Orr, as well. Like Mayor Dan Bur- (cont’d on page 5)
Woman dies in Mehama accident
On April 16 at 2:45 p.m., a 2000 Chrysler 3000 fourdoor driven by Barbara Ann King, age 54, from Lyons, was traveling northbound on Highway 226 at a high rate of speed when it traveled through a stop sign at the intersection with Highway 22E. The vehicle continued straight across the T-intersection and crashed through a guardrail. It went airborne for approximately 70 feet before crashing into an unoccupied parked flatbed truck at Gene’s Meat Market parking lot. King was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was using safety restraints. OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation. An OSP collision reconstructionist is assisting, and investigators are looking into if the driver had a medical emergency that may have contributed to the cause of this crash. OSP was assisted at the scene by Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Lyons Rural Fire Protection District, and ODOT. Photograph - Oregon State Police
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