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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

Brookings, Oregon

Convicted murderer re-sentenced in 1988 killings By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot

After spending more than 30 years on Oregon's death row,, a man convicted of raping and killing two German tourists in 1988 now has a chance at freedom. But not if Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier has anything to say about it. After the Oregon Legislature changed the state law regarding aggravated murder in 2019 and the state Supreme Court ruled all inmates on death row that do not qualify based on the new standards must be re-sentenced, David Lynn Simonson had a

new sentencing hearing in Coos County on Monday. Frasier explained that since life in prison without the possibility of parole was not available when the crime was committed, the most he could ask for was life in prison with a possibility of parole after 30 years. "I made the argument based on the facts of the case that if there ever was a case that deserved consecutive sentencing, this was the one," Frasier said. "Judge (Martin) Stone agreed with me." Stone sentenced Simonson to consecutive sentences of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. That means

if Simonson were granted parole on one case, he would still have to serve the second before being released. Maybe. Frasier admitted he was not certain what the state law was in 1988, so there is a chance Simonson could ask for parole. But if that happens, Frasier vowed to fight every attempt in an effort to keep the convicted murderer behind bars. "As long as I'm district attorney, we will appear at the parole board and appeal any parole," Frasier said. Frasier said his insistence on Please see RE-SENTENCED Page A5

Brookings’ “Summer Concerts in the Park” series kicks off June 22

Photo by David Rupkalvis/The Pilot

Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier discusses the re-sentencing hearing for David Lynn Simonson after the convicted murderer was sentenced to consecutive sentences of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

Curry Historical Society Museum hosting book signing

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Grand Illusions, a Portland tribute band celebrating Styx, will perform as part of the free summer concert series in Brookings. The Pilot pop and Cajun music. chairs, blankets and picnic bas“We have an awesome lineup kets to the park and enjoy quality The 27th season of Brookof eight bands that promises live music." ings’ free “Summer Concerts in something for nearly every Graves credited the series’ the Park” series at Azalea Park music fan,” said Scott Graves, continued success to an increase launches with a special Wednesseries promoter for the nonprofit in business sponsorships and day, June 22, evening concert American Music Festival. “There generous crowd donations that and continues on various Sunare some exciting new artists, allows the nonprofit to attract days through Sept. 4, featuring plus the return of fan favorites classic rock, country, bluegrass, from years past. Bring your lawn Please see CONCERT Page A2

Commissioners deliver ARPA grant funds to Brookings Harbor Community Helpers

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In his new book, Dan Edgerton looks at the history of Indian tribes along the Rogue River. The Pilot

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Curry County Commissioners Chris Paasch, John Herzog and Court Boice delivered a check for $60,000 to Pamela Winebarger to help fund Brookings Harbor Community Helpers. The Pilot

The Curry County Board of Commissioners delivered ARPA funds to Brookings Harbor Community Helpers to help provide for critical services in the community. The Brookings Harbor Community Helpers serves upwards of 30% of local residents with

sustainable nutritional resources. With looming inflation putting pressure on households, the Curry County Board of Commissioners felt strongly in support of providing financial relief to the ever growing burden of making sure locals aren’t going hungry. With the award of $60,000, the director of Brookings Harbor Community Helpers, Pamela

Winebarger and her team will be able to invest in offsetting the growing pressure to programs currently experienced by the non-profit. When handed the check, Winebarger said, “Brookings Harbor Community Helpers appreciates the Curry County BOC Please see GRANT FUNDS Page A3

On Wednesday, June 22, between 3-7 p.m., the Curry Historical Society Museum, located at 29419 Ellensburg Ave. in Gold Beach will be hosting Dan Edgerton for a book signing event. He is the author of the newly released War Drums along the Rogue: The Rogue River Indian War, The Rogue River Indian War, 1851-56, volumes 1 and 2. Edgerton takes a fresh look at this epic struggle with thorough, well documented research, introducing primary source documents never- before cited in previous works. Edgerton discusses the evolution of relationships beginning with first contact between the Native Americans and the early frontiersmen. He addresses both inter and intra-tribal rivalry both before and during the problematic relations with the frontiersmen. Edgerton identifies and provides insights into

the cultural characteristics of many of the Indian tribes and bands that played major roles in the conflicts that followed. He fully addresses the causes that led to war. The natives sought to defend their homelands, their cultures, and their ways of life. The chiefs of the various tribes and bands met in annual war councils with the avowed purpose to exterminate the frontiersmen leading to conflict each year from 1851 through 1856. Primary sources link this war to those of the Yakima and Puget Sound Wars in 1855-56. In October 1855, this grand coalition culminated in the nearly simultaneous outbreak of hostilities in three different theaters of war in the Pacific Northwest. Although few authors wrote that a major alliance of Native American nations existed, none could provide conclusive proof until now. The scope and scale of the Please see SIGNING Page A3

INDEX

Latest news can be found online at www.currypilot.com Call us: 541-813-1717 Fax: 541-813-1931

Police Blotter........................................... A6 Crossword................................................ A6 Calendar of Events............................. A5 Classifieds.......................................... A7 Crossword Answers............................ A9

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