As a result of numerous complaints of illegal gillnetting on the Columbia River at the Deschutes River Sanctuary, Oregon State Police in conjunction with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, conducted a nighttime river patrol on the night of September 18th, 2017.

Troopers located a boat operating without required lighting in the sanctuary with 3 persons onboard. They also discovered the boaters had an 1100+ foot gillnet deployed in the water in violation of restrictions. In addition to this being a closed area to gillnetting, the length of the gillnet, which extended beyond the sanctuary boundary, exceeded state limitations of 800 feet maximum length allowable. Gillnets are prohibited in the Deschutes River Sanctuary throughout the entire year. Two adults were detained along with their juvenile minor child on the water and subsequently taken to the Celilo State Park for further investigation.

26 year old Lane Meanus and 24 year old Ashley Leslie, both residents of Celilo Village, were arrested for multiple criminal acts.

Meanus was lodged at NORCOR on charges of Commercial Fishing Closed Waters and cited for Operating a Vessel Without Required Lighting.

Leslie was given criminal citations for Commercial Fishing Closed Waters and Taking Fish Without Tribal Identification on Person.

The investigation discovered there were 85 Chinook Salmon and 1 Steelhead taken with a current market value of over $3500.00.

Fish and Wildlife preservation is crucial to the sustainment and healthy population management efforts to the entire Pacific Northwest. The Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife encourage anyone witnessing or with knowledge of fish and wildlife violation to report it via the established tip line.


Attached Media Files: 2017-09/1002/108088/Illegal_fish.jpg , 2017-09/1002/108088/MEANUS.jpg

At about 7:40 p.m. on September 18, 2017, Oregon State Police Dispatch received a call of a green 2003 Ford Windstar van traveling the wrong way on I-84 near milepost 141, east of Arlington. Minutes later at milepost 137, the van was reported to have crashed head-on into a semi tractor-trailer carrying vehicles in the eastbound lanes.

The preliminary investigation revealed the van had traveled westbound in the eastbound lanes and according to witness statements, had been traveling at 55 to 60 mph. The van crashed into the semi head on and came to a rest on top of the concrete center-line divider. The semi caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames, completely blocking the entire interstate for several hours.

The driver and sole occupant of the van was pronounced deceased at the scene and his identity is being withheld pending notification to the family. The driver of the semi, identified as 24 year old California resident, Santos Colunga, was treated for non-life threatening injuries at the scene.

OSP was assisted on-scene by Gilliam County Sheriff's Office, ODOT, North Gilliam Fire and the Department of Environmental Quality.


Attached Media Files: 2017-09/1002/108031/output.jpg , 2017-09/1002/108031/IMG955438.jpg

Clarkston, WA - Clarkston DECA's 10th Annual Red Ribbon Week "Courage to Change", coordinated by students Heidi Hansen, Claire Folsom, and Isaac Mangum, will take place September 25-29, 2017. Lunchtime activities, assemblies, and a tailgate barbecue at the CHS Bantam home football game will educate students on the dangers of drugs and help them pledge to be drug-free.

The three coordinators, as well as the entire Clarkston DECA Chapter, would like to thank Northwest Design for donating 100 themed "Courage to Change" t-shirts. All students are encouraged to wear red at the football game on September 29th, as well as throughout the week.

Wednesday, September 27th at Clarkston High School, CHS DECA will host an assembly with additional assemblies at Highland Elementary and Lincoln Middle School to take place that week. Clarkston DECA Members will provide complimentary hot dogs and drinks, donated by Albertson's, Coke, and Pepsi.

To learn more about Clarkston High School's Red Ribbon Week "Courage to Change", contact CHS DECA Advisor, Lynn Carey, at 509.552.9074.