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September 10, 2014
Volume 5, Issue 37
www.TheCanyonWeekly.com
Salmon return to Breitenbush River A crowd of people gathered in anticipation on the banks of the Breitenbush River last week to witness a historic event. The group erupted into cheers and clapping as the 58 salmon were released into the waters The fish jumped and splashed as if in celebration themselves, as they set themselves upstream to seek the ancient Photo by Tom Robinson spawning grounds and complete their goal of reproducing the species. Not since the 1950’s, when Big cliff and Detroit Dams were completed, had the Salmon been able to return to the area. “The dams were installed primarily for flood mitigation for the Willamette Valley. At the time inside the vehicle. they weren’t really considering the impact on the The crash was witnessed by Gates Fire De- salmon runs,” said Greg Grenbemer, the managpartment firefighter William Allen. Mr. Al- er of the Minto Fish Collecting Facility and the len ran to the vehicle and Mr. Wallace was coordinator of the local efforts to re-establish the found to be deceased with severe injuries. salmon runs. “This effort is long over due, it’s a Mr. Allen was unable to get Mr. Wallace matter now of fixing what we broke.” Fixing the dams in a way to allow the fish out of the burning vehicle. The vehicle became fully engulfed as the Fire Department to return upstream naturally is near imposarrived. At this time, our investigation re- sible, however, as according to (cont’d on page 2) vealed speed could be a contributing factor Photo by Eric Powell, see the vidand Wallace was not wearing a seat belt. eo on www,thecanyonweekly.com There was no indication of drugs or alcohol use. Linn County Deputies were assisted by members of the Gates Fire Department and Mill City Fire Department. North Santiam Funeral Home removed the body from the scene. Mr. Wallace’s obituary is on Page 10 of this issue.
Mill City man dies in single car accident on Kingwood
Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports his deputies are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred during the morning hours of September 6, 2014. The crash was reported in the 50000 block of Kingwood Avenue near Gates at 10:45 a.m. by a nearby resident. The driver, and single occupant of the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was identified as 63-year-old Christopher Finley Wallace of Mill City. The investigation reveals Mr. Wallace had been traveling east on Kingwood Avenue when he lost control of his vehicle near the intersection of Gates School Road. Mr. Wallace's vehicle crossed the opposing lane of travel and struck an oak tree that was approximately 10 feet off the roadway. The Jeep then caught fire, with Mr. Wallace
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