Interview with the director of the Mac Senior Center, head of the McMinnville Parks Department and a "party participant"

DRUG SEARCH WARRANT (PHOTO)News Release from McMinnville Police Dept.On October 7, 2015 at 8:30 am The Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team (YCINT) served a search warrant with the assistance of the McMinnville Police Department and Yamhill County Sheriff's Office at 419 NE Johnson Street McMinnville, OR. It should be noted that the residence is approximately a block from the Cook Elementary School property. As a result of the search warrant and extensive investigation by YCINT Detectives the following people were arrested at the residence: * Coker, Beu Ryan 11/28/1994 855 SE Ford Street McMinnville, OR o Unlawful Possession of Meth SRA: $5,000 * McMillen, Russell Sheldon 03/01/1985 419 NE Johnson Street McMinnville, OR o Child Neglect 1 SRA: $5,000 o Endanger Welfare of Minors SRA: $5,000 o Unlawful Distribution of Meth within 1,000 feet of a school SRA: $5,000 o Unlawful Possession of Meth SRA: $5,000 * Peterson, Betty Ilene 06/24/1983 419 NE Johnson Street McMinnville, OR o Child Neglect 1 SRA: $5,000 o Endanger Welfare of Minors SRA: $5,000 o Unlawful Possession of Meth SRA: $5,000 * Taylor, James Arthur 10/17/1972 Transient o Parole Warrant SRA: $0

DEPUTY'S CONCERN AT TRAFFIC STOP POTENTIALLY LIFESAVING (PHOTO)News Release from Yamhill Co. Sheriff's OfficeOn Tuesday, October 6th, Yamhill County Sheriff's Deputy Todd Steele made a traffic stop similar to hundreds, probably thousands of others he had made in his 23 year career. The stop, which was for a suspected impaired driver, occurred about 3:12 p.m. on Hwy. 18 near Cruickshank Road in rural McMinnville. The suspect vehicle had been travelling in the oncoming lane, forcing vehicles from their lane of travel. Upon initial contact, Deputy Steele made an assessment that the 74 year old female driver was not impaired by drugs or alcohol, but something was not quite right. Steele called for medics to respond, believing there may be some type of diabetic reaction taking place. Medics determined that blood sugar levels were appropriate. Steele urged for the woman to be transported, continuing to have a feeling that something was just not right. It was later determined that the driver was suffering from a bleed in her brain and she was admitted for emergency surgery. She is currently in stable condition at OHSU. "Deputy Steele did a fantastic job of trusting that sixth sense he has developed over his career" said Sheriff Tim Svenson. "This situation could have had a completely different result. Decision making like this is what makes Todd one of our most valuable assets and a great example for younger deputies. Our thoughts are with this woman and her family for a quick recovery".

UPDATE - DOUGLAS COUNTY PRESS CONFERENCE - UCC - OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGNews Release from Oregon State Police The Oregon State Police was given the task of investigating the Officer Involved shooting at UCC. Senate Bill 111 requires when deadly physical force is used by police officers that a separate agency investigate the incident. The Oregon State Police concluded the investigation and presented the information to Douglas County District Attorney's Office. The following information was provided by DA Rick Wesenberg: I have reviewed the facts of the case. I have determined the deadly physical force used by the officers against the shooter was justified. I would like to provide the following details pertaining to the investigation: At 10:38 AM Douglas County Emergency Communication received the first 911 call that an active shooter was at UCC. From witness statements and 911 calls, moments before, the shooter had entered the classroom and began shooting students. Detective Sergeant Joe Kaney and Detective Todd Spingath from Roseburg Police Department heard the dispatched call and responded from approximately 5 miles away. Two Troopers from the Roseburg OSP office also responded and all four officers arrived on the campus at 10:44 AM. Upon the arrival of the police officers they heard a volley of shots. The police officers witnessed the shooter in the doorway. Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath were in plain clothes they were not wearing their bullet proof vests as they exited their vehicle. The police officers ran towards the sound of gunfire and attempted to gain a better vantage point of the shooter. Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath knew there were at least 35 students in one of the classrooms and knew if they shot they risked the chance of shooting innocent people. Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath observed the shooter in the door frame of the entrance to Snyder Hall and they witnessed the muzzle flash. The shooter shot several round towards Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath. Seconds later both Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath felt they had a good target. They fired a total of three rounds at the shooter. Two rounds went into the entrance wall of Snyder Hall near where the shooter was standing and one round struck the shooter on the right side. Once the shooter was wounded, he entered the classroom again, went to the front of the classroom, and shot and killed himself. I want everyone to know the selfless acts these officers made in responding to the scene. The officers had little regard for their personal safety and saved many people that day with their heroic acts. Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath used their training and discipline to determine the best time to take a shot at the shooter and once the suspect engaged the police officers he did not shoot another student. These men saved lives this day. The following information was provided by Chief Jim Burge: Before I share profile information about Sergeant. Kaney and Detective Spingath, I would like to express my gratitude to all the public safety personnel who responded to the shooting at UCC. Without the response of the dedicated first responders the magnitude of this event would have been multiplied. As police officers we know that we could be required to put our lives on the line at any time to help protect those in need. The shooting at UCC showed what amazing character your police officers have and how they are willing to risk their lives for our community. Detective Sergeant Joe Kaney is a former Marine and has been employed with the Roseburg Police Department for 23 years. Sergeant Kaney has received a Medal of Honor and Purple Heart for a previous shooting where he was shot in 2005 from the Oregon Peace Officer Association. Detective Todd Spingath is a United States Air Force veteran and has been employed with the Roseburg Police Department for 16 years. Detective Spingath is a recipient of the Medal of Valor for the same 2005 shooting. I am very proud of how Sergeant Joe Kaney and Detective Todd Spingath, as well as all public safety organizations responded and conducted themselves during this ordeal. I, like many other people in this community, consider them to be heroes - they knew that they could be injured or killed during this confrontation as they ran toward the sound of gunfire. I have spoken with both officers and I can tell you they do not want to heralded as heroes - they feel they are only first responders who got there first and did a job they were trained and entrusted to do. Finally, Sergeant Kaney and Detective Spingath ask that the focus of your attention be on the victims and families of this tragedy - not on them. They ask for privacy and the opportunity to settle back into their routine of providing public safety service to this community.

MILL WORKER DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY TRAIN (PHOTO)News Release from Washington Co. Sheriff's OfficeOctober 6, 2015--Sheriff's Deputies responded to Stimson Lumber Mill where a train struck and killed a man. On October 6, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the Stimson Lumber Mill at 49800 SW Scoggins Valley Road. The mill is west of the community of Gaston. Sheriff's Deputies arrived and found Antonio Avalos, 46, from McMinnville had been working in the railyard when it is believed he fell off the front of a moving train. The train was pushing four empty railcars and Mr. Avalos was riding on the front railcar. The tracks are used to transport train cars that carry lumber around the yard. The train was reportedly traveling at slow a speed when the incident occurred. Antonio Avalos did not survive his injuries and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Washington County Medical Examiner responded along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.