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Wednesday November 27, 2024 | Number 48, 135 years
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Fire captain arrested for allegedly luring a minor Lifestyle
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Sports
this individual is asked to call from an officer posing as a disturbed by the arrest of Mr. Cottage the Hood River County Sheriff’s child. The court indictment Houck. Life in Cottage Grove CGHS Football Incredible Office tip line at 541-387-7077.Grove states that the incident happened Given the charges brought Turnaround A South Lane County Fire Hood River Sheriff’s Office in September 2024. The comagainst him in Hood River Wednesday, Oct 9 page 4 &See Rescue captain faces pageMr. 8 Houck has been investigators said they regularlyMostly Cloudy munications were an “explicit SeeCounty, criminal charges including lurconduct undercover operations, verbal description of sexual relieved of duty and placed on ing a child. both full-scale stings and dayconduct,” according to the unpaid administrative leave. The Hood River County to-day chats, targeting child indictment. We are cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office deputies ar- 9, 2024 October | Number 39, 135 $2.00 predators. Houck faces charges that years investigation andwww.cgsentinel.com given this is rested 54-year-old Darron Leslie include Luring a Minor and Of- an ongoing investigation it is The Clackamas County SherHouck of Cottage Grove, Nov. iff’s Office, the Milwaukee Poficial Misconduct 1. inappropriate for us to provide 14 during an undercover operalice Department, the Hood River Houck had been a South Lane further comment at this time. tion. Houck was indicted by the Fire & Rescue employee for 17 Police Department, The Dalles Hood River County Grand Jury years. The following is a statePolice Department, the Wasco John Wooten Nov. 12. He was arraigned in Fire Chief County Sheriff’s Office, and the ment from South Lane Fire & Hood River Nov. 15. His next Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, Rescue Chief John Wooten: court date is 10 a.m. Nov. 26. Courtesy photo from the Hood River Detectives believe there may assisted with the undercover opAccording to court records, County Sheriff’s Office be more victims. Anyone with eration that resulted in Houck’s The District staff and perHouck sought sexual contact Darron Leslie Houck. additional information about arrest and indictment. sonnel are shocked and deeply
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Wednesday
The mental City establishing mini health impact homeless camp at 12th Street facing Oregon’s JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Crews began developing the smaller homeless camp site this week on the vacant lot at 12th Street.
wildland Residential program closing firefighters
Public works crews are in the process of establishing a new CINDY WEELDREYER today.” smaller homeless camp site at the Cottage Grove Sentinel Canino added C. thatRUARK his staff vacant lot on 12th Street in Cottage JEREMY remains steadfast in Sentinel its commitCottage Grove Grove. For 36 years, the big white ment to the wildfire mental season health isof the Cottage Grove City Manager Oregon’s house behind the “umbrella South Lane community, andthis they Mike Sauerwein said the city is expected to continue through trees” on West Main Street has are working the scares state and month, but thewith mental and behind its original Oct. 1 timeline been home to Cottage Grove housing forona the smooth impact ofpartners the season fireis establishing the camp, following residents with severe and persis- transition forbattle BRCblazes residents. fighters who in Lane the Aug. 22 closure and cleanup tent mental illness. County and across the state, and of the 12th Street and Douglas For more than three decades, their families, may last a lifetime, STAFFING SHORTAGES Street homeless camps. During the Courtesy photo South Lane Mental Health according to Jeff Dill, the founder There are a multitude of transition, adjacent Luluas Dog Colorful the visuals such this, are part of the Safe Lane Transportation Coalition’s public of Firefighter Behavioral Health (SLMH) has garnered respect, reasons for the mental health Park at 12th Street has been used Alliance (FBHA). awareness campaign. See more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com both near and far, for its innoprofessional shortage, and rural as a homeless camp site with hours Dill established the FBHA in vative strategies to best serve areas often feel the deficit most, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. clients in a rural setting. One of according to aCanino. “None of us have ever managed He was than Battalion Chief its innovations is the Bohemia The reasons for the a homeless camp before, so we for a fire department in shortnorthwest Residential Community (BRC). age include the higher level of Chicago. knew thatJEREMY date wasC.aRUARK bit aspiraaged to share the “Make A way, the coalition is encouragThe BRC is a unique, hybrid stress and acuity of client mental “I saw our brothers and sisters tional,”Cottage Sauerwein said. “We are Grove Sentinel Plan” campaign on their social ing Lane County residents to program that bridged an adult health the commustruggleneeds from within the devastation that hoping that this week we will be celebrate the holidays safely by media channels by accessing an foster home with a residential theymental saw, so health I went back and got nity environment, able to make the transition. Our A collaborative group of indi- making a plan before drinkonline digital toolkitPHOTO foundJEREMY at C.treatment RUARK / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL home offering housmyease degree became a licensed the of and moving into private goal was to provide folks and with gov- ing alcohol or consuming other SafeLaneCoalition.org/Sober. viduals, organizations counselor,” he said. “We started ing, medication management, Sauerwein and other city officials currently doing, which is providing practice or group practice which The new mini homeless camp aernmental safe and secure place to spend agencies are working intoxicants that can impair driv- Campaign collateral, like drink trackingtherapists EMS and to firefighter therapy, management, a locationcase for folks to spend theand allows be moresuiwill include the same restrictions as have told the Sentinel, that there the night and that’s what we are cides across as the Safe Lane Transportation ing. coasters, are being direct support with are no additional plansdistributed to offer any night from 7 p.m. to 7daily a.m.”living selective of America.” their clients and the former larger camps. doing.” Coalition to reduce fatalities “If you plan to consume and made available to restauskills. This hybrid model is no other long-term sheltering for the Read previous coverage about hours,Behavioral the high ratesImpact of burnout “The same rules will apply,” Sauerwein said city staff was and severe injury crashes in alcohol or said. cannabis, makewill a rants and bars, as well. longer accepted challenges by the state homeless. the homelessness in across the community mental Sauwrwein “The camp According to Dill, firefighters cleaning up the Lulu Dog Park to Lane County. plan beforehand,” Pfefferle said. and, to continue “Cottage Grove will follow Cottage Grove andreceiving follow newstate health field,recognize and the the difficulty often don’t behavioral reestablish it as a dog park. Specific be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The coalition utilizes the funding to serve its residents, “Schedule cabbeorenforced rideshare, FACTS it,” state law asDUII we understand developments at cgsemtinel.com inimpact competing of theirwith work.community and the rulesawill costs of that cleanup and establishthe must transition into strengths and homeless resourcescamp of its designate sober driver or take “We health becomeagencies cultural brainSauerwein said. “That is what we and agency in the Wednesday print editions mental in metro through ouracontracting company, ing the smaller at a foster home or become a resiwashed,” said.require “Whether members’ organizations to public transportation. transCrashes are• doing. To from changeDUII that isare up to of The Sentinel. areas thatDill do not theit’s One Security of Eugene toIf help us 12th Street were not immediately structural or wildland fires. So, we dential treatment home. establish portation limited, 100% preventable. the legislature. The city of Cottage same commute. during this options transitionare period. They available. transportation safety are meant to believe we are supSLMH Executive Director policies, programs and pracGrove hasmost no plans to do any kind consider night • The recent five-year SLMH currently has four are a very spending experiencedthe homeless posed to act strong, brave, be Alison Canino said staff feel of a shelter what we shows are tices. The Safe Lane Transporunfilled therapist positions. help, The with trusted friend or family rolling databeyond (2018-2022) camp amanagement company.” don’t ask for help, and we don’t that changing the BRC to fit adult Outpatient Therapy protation Coalition adopts a harm member.” that, on average, four impaired want to look weak and not ask for either option would not align gram reduction approach and impledriving-related fatalities occur help.”has a waiting list that takes with agency values or mission, two-to-four to schedule ments strategies that address SHIFTING COMMUNITY annually in the central Lane Dill addedweeks that while firefighters an Thethe speed reduction, DUII prevenareintake on theappointment. front lines battling PERCEPTION County metropolitan area, while and they would not be able to maintain the same level of qual- youth therapy program waitlist wildfires, one of the biggest chaltion, and traffic safety education The Safe Lane Transportaan additional nine impaired ity clinical care under a different islenges closed until the agency moves they face is the unknown. and outreach. tion Coalition is working to driving fatalities occur in more system. “It’s how rapidly theses fires can through its current waitlist and shift community perception to rural areas of Lane County— “This program has been move, and can the unknown is where hopefully accept new youth help people understand that it that’s 13 lives that could have is it going to end? Where willTelethis staffed by an amazing team of clients by February 2025. is not acceptable nor safe to been spared by planning ahead fire go to and how long will it last? professionals who have shown health options allow the agency “THE AVERAGE PERSON drive while under the influence for a ride. And that is a struggle,” he said. up during storms and global to serve more clients, but the DOESN’T BELIEVE THAT of alcohol or drugs as part of a • According to current canna- pandemics to provide 24/7 care “So, when you are fighting that technology is not always reliable THE THREAT OF A FATAL fire, you’re trying to do your best county-wide public awareness bis laws in Oregon, it is legal to for our residents,” Canino said. and is not appropriate for the OR LIFE-ALTERING DUII campaign that’s kicking off this possess and use cannabis. How- “South Lane Mental Health lead- to stop it, and yet the wind kicks more up at intensive 60 miles anservices. hour and it drags month. “Make A Plan” is the ever, it is still illegal to operate CRASH APPLIES TO ership is incredibly grateful to positions it “Four furthervacant and further behindmay them. central message of the cama motor vehicle while under the past and present members of our not seem like much, but every THEM.” That aspect of the unknown is very CINDY WEELDREYER / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL paign. influence of cannabis. Bohemia Residential Commuclinician is needed when there difficult in wildland fires. The fireDREW PFEFFERLE, Matchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove. See more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com. “We’re hoping to capture • An elevated blood alcohol nity for going above and beyond are fighters have that stress anxiety, steady waitlists andand limited SAFE LANE people’s attention with catchy, level, no matter how sober for our residents these past 36 and thatelsewhere,” struggle to protect is asaid. very options Canino TRANSPORTATION difficult challenge for the wildland years. Their hard work and memorable messaging, coupled someone feels, can have a “We have intentions to create COALITION firefighters.” dedication set the tone for the with eye-catching, artistic imreal impact on their ability more positions, specifically It is often very difficult for famCOORDINATOR spirit and culture of the South ages that look and feel local to to perform tasks that require ily members of the firefighters to Lane Mental Health that stands Lane County,” Pfefferle said. concentration, such as driving. CINDY WEELDREYER See PROGRAM, Page 6 are, understand what emotions there the way” during the construction helped us meet many of our future Nearly 50 people attended the “The doesn’t “We want to normalize making And the more someone drinks, For Theaverage Cottageperson Grove Sentinel and that many firefighters don’t project. bookstore customers,” Birdy said. Cottage Grove Historical Society’s believe that the threat of a fatal theShe choice to drive, memride a the hardertoitthe is for them to judge express their emotions, according He said he was given an importsharednot a humorous “Farewell Village Green” at In 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle or life-altering DUII crash apbike, or walk in the roadway their level of intoxication. to Dill. ant job of opening the boxes ory they made in the formal Iron the Community Center, Saturday, and her sister Gail opened The plies to them,” Safe Lane Trans- if “We ask the family members alcohol or drugs have been • Adjusting for population, delivered to the guest rooms and Maiden Dining Room that drew Sept. 21. Bookmine they were familiar with to try to understand the cultural,” portation Coalition Coordinator consumed.” Oregon has the third highest recalled how cool he felt driving laughter from the crowd. The internationally famous resort The Village Green. he said. “Be direct. Challenge Drew said. a“Most The working with percentage of fatal the orange golf cart around the “My coalition sister and Iiswere budding was created by Walteraccidents A. Woodard TheirPfefferle father traveled lot andpeowith compassion when something ple believe that they can have a local radio stations andwere outdoor by drunk the property for assigned errands. Years doesn’t look right or doesn’t sound feminists at the time and quite caused (W.A.) and his son,driving Carlton.inSome often brought its matchboxes home couple of drinks use The cannabis advertising companies to share U.S., according to theattended National shocked by the sexism practiced in members of the family and later, another special memory was as keepsakes for hisorgirls. sisright, and do an internal size up, and driveinsafe the campaign throughout Lane Highway Traffic Safety Adminseeing the famous football player, the dining room,” she said. “The shared personal memories. ters were theirand 20’sunharmed, when they which we ask the firefighters to and wethe know true. We County, spanning fromhad Florence istration (2022). Nearly 45% of O.J. Simpson, running on one of the do as well,” he said.” Internal size menu given to a woman no opened Mainthat’s Streetnot bookstore THROUGH THE LENS want proactively Oakridge. all motor vehicle-related fataliup means asking why am I acting resort’s paths. prices on it and foot pillows were and, topeople enhancetotheir income, think to Kris Woodard’s introductory this way, and why am I feeling this through plans atevery time To the delight of those gathered, provided ladies’ uncomfortable Public so agencies, nonprofties in Oregon involve alcohol. worked astheir waitresses the resort. remarks included personal memway? The best thing we can do is they consumeplace alcohol Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard, shoes could and be removed while dinits, media, businesses, “It might was a wonderful to or ories he made through the lens of Courtesy photo ing. Itaswas a very and different era.” drugs.” such alcohol cannabis See more information at www. work and, being new in town, it a 12-year-old who was often “in See LEGACY, Page Health 6 See HEALTH, Page 6 The South Lane Mental logo. As the holidays get underdistributors, are also encourSafeLaneCoalition.org.
Make a Plan campaign launched
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Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort
INSIDE Lifestyles — 3 Obituaries — 4 Death Notice — 4
Opinion — 5 Classifieds — 7 Sports — 8
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