Kristy Tallman
Gone but not forgotten: Wiley Creek wildfire brings new training, funding to Sweet Home
Many in Sweet Home won’t soon forget the Wiley Creek wildfire of 2023 as it burned through more than 245 acres and filled the skies with smoke for at least a good month.
The wildfire was first reported at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2023, in the Sweet Home Ranger District near Buck Mountain. It was burning just six miles east of town.
Fire crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire and by the end of August, the fire was finally contained. Folks in Sweet Home could breathe just a bit more easily, though not for long as most Oregonians know fire season will quickly return to the region as soon as winter passes.
It’s during those times the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District (SHFAD) works diligently to educate the public, assist in debris removal, and host classes and special training events, all in an effort to ensure the coming season isn’t as bad as the last.
“Wildfire season is just around the corner and we are looking forward to kicking off this program in time to do some prevention before it gets here,” SHFAD Battalion Chief Shannon Pettner said.
Due to the continued threat of wildfires to the area, the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program was created. It was the result of a $408,848 grant announced in May 2023 by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office.
SHFAD was the only fire district in Linn County to receive a competitive grant through the Linn County Juvenile Department – which also provides firefighting services to the community – receiving $101,114.
“The goal of the program is to identify and mitigate hazards in and around the community that make us susceptible to damages sustained as a result of wildfires,” Pettner said in a statement sent to The New Era. “Our community is at risk due to its location in what is known as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). As we saw in the devastating wildfire season of 2020, communities such as ours which are situated near forested areas can be substantially impacted by fire. Our goal is to help landowners prepare their land to better limit fire spread.”
The SHFAD has continued to make further efforts to assist the community in awareness and prevention through training programs they are making available to residents, as well as through efforts to assist community members in property preparations and salvation techniques.
“This grant will allow communities to create proactive, local solutions to lessen the impacts of wildfire,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We know that wildfires can happen anywhere in Oregon. Investing in communities in all areas of our state will bring much needed community risk reduction and resiliency projects and programs to life.”
The second program the district set forth to implement is Fire Corps, a program geared toward bolstering SHFAD’s volunteer ranks and to improve staffing levels and support current firefighters.
“The community’s involvement in fire district functions is vital to the services we provide,” Pettner said. “Over recent years, our volunteer numbers have decreased significantly for a multitude of reasons. While some of our volunteers have retired after 20, 30, and even 50 years of service, others have moved away and still others decided that firefighting was not for them.”
Fire Corps, administered by the nonprofit National Volunteer Fire Council, is a national grassroots effort to help fire/EMS departments enhance their services by engaging with community members to assist with non-emergency tasks.
Utilizing community support helps departments increase their capacity and allows first responders to focus on operational duties, training and emergencies.
Pettner said tasks with which local volunteers could assist SHFAD include conducting fire prevention and life safety education, installing smoke alarms, providing emotional support to community members or Fire District personnel, providing rehabilitation support to operational firefighters on emergency scenes and a myriad of other activities.
“These community volunteers can make a real difference,” she said. “The district is in need of community members who have a desire to serve. The message we want to send out to the community is ‘we have a place for you.’ Whether you want to be a firefighter, help with firefighter rehabilitation on emergency scenes, or help at community events and assist in promoting the district, we have a place for you. Whatever your interests, whatever your physical abilities will allow you to do, we have a place for you.”
She said volunteers will need to meet qualifications – “good moral character, 18 years of age or older, and must not have been convicted of or pled no contest to a felony offense.”
Anyone interested in learning more should contact the SHFAD recruitment and retention officer at (541) 367-5882 EXT 219, or stop by Station 21 at 1099 Long St., Sweet Home.
Moving forward – Fire devastates Fir Lawn Lutheran Church
On Feb. 25, just before 1:30 a.m., Sweet Home police and firefighters responded to a structure fire at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church located at 109 West Holley Road. When they got there, the church’s foyer was engulfed in flames.
No injuries were reported, but damage to the church was severe.
“The building is a total mess,” Patty Holk, a spokesperson for the church, said, noting that the basement area only sustained smoke damage and was expected be able to be cleaned up and put back in service.
“Downstairs is usable more than anything. It’s just a cleaning process.”
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District (SHFAD) Chief Nick Tyler said personnel estimated damage at “$500,000 or more.”
“Damage was extensive,” he said. “It was not just fire damage, but smoke and heat damage throughout a large portion of the building.”
Crews battled the fire and were able to bring it under control within the hour, according to the SHFAD. However, personnel remained at the scene for roughly 3.5 hours. There were a total of 23 firefighters on scene with 10 fire apparatus, including five fire engines and a ladder truck. Preliminary evidence led them to believe the fire was set intentionally.
Members of Fir Lawn Lutheran Church suddenly were left without a home, but that was soon remedied by the kind folks at Sweet Home Methodist Church who opened their doors to Fir Lawn’s congregation, allowing them to hold meetings, and use office and worship spaces during their time of need.
Police said that preliminary evidence suggested the fire was intentional, resulting in an arson investigation in collaboration with the city fire department, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Oregon State Police Arson Unit.
By that Monday, Tyler had heard from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who had reached out to him offering their assistance and support if needed. He expected them to come down to assist in the investigation.
Sweet Home Police Chief Jason Ogden said Capt. Ryan Cummings and Detective Geoff Hamlin would be working on the case trying to develop leads. He also encouraged the community to step forward if they were able to provide any details that may aid in their investigation.
“It’s definitely suspicious,” Ogden said in an earlier interview. “We’re dedicating resources to try to see if we can develop any leads.”
Just a couple months later, they were able to make an arrest. A 36-year-old man was arrested on April 25 in connection with the Feb. 25 arson fire that destroyed a portion of Fir Lawn Lutheran Church.
According to a statement posted April 26 to Facebook, Sweet Home police arrested Andrew Jacob Cartwright on April 25, exactly two months after the fire.
Cartwright was charged with multiple felonies in connection with the fire, which destroyed much of the church. At the time of his arrest Cartwright was already facing charges of third-degree robbery and third-degree theft in connection with a pair of incidents at Serrano’s Taqueria that included the alleged theft of $10 from a tip jar on Feb. 2 at the restaurant, 1502 Long St.
An April 28 filing indicated that Cartwright intended to plead no contest to the arson charge and would be facing a sentence of five years in prison, followed by three years of probation.
The congregation was able to receive some solace in knowing the person who burnt down their church was arrested.
Holk, who has served as a spokesperson for the church in the incident, said that she was “excited” that an arrest had been made.
Three months after the fire, Fir Lawn Lutheran Church members decided to sell it.
Holk said that the congregation, which numbers about 15 active members, has decided “that we cannot financially support that building” and has been negotiating with a real estate agent on how to go about selling it.
According to Holk, the Fir Lawn congregation has continued to meet at the Methodist Church building at 845 6th Ave. Pastor Joe Medley retired from Fir Lawn at the end of 2021 and visiting pastors have led services since then, she said.
Out with the old and in with the new
When the Cedar Shack shut its doors in 2022, it left a notable void to residents who used to frequent the historical burger joint. In September, that void was filled.
After being approached by a group of investors who built the Tallman Brewery in Lebanon, Michelle Daniels took her idea for a business plan and made it a reality.
In less than a year, The Rusty Bucket Tap House opened its doors and menu to Sweet Home in the former building located at 4102 Highway 20. Just like its predecessor, they too have a full menu that features burgers, wraps, salads and appetizers to choose from. Patties are served up fresh, never frozen, and all their food is cooked on a pellet grill.
With plenty of seating available, residents and out-of-town folks can stop in and enjoy indoor or outdoor eating while they sip on a drink from the bar or enjoy their meal. The bar has 12 taps and at the time of their opening had eight signature cocktails.
The restaurant is open to all ages making it very family friendly, even including an outdoor cornhole board available for personal play. The restaurant owner hopes to also host cornhole tournaments in the future.
The Rusty Bucket also runs a 100 member “Mug Club.” If someone buys a mug as an annual subscription, they get 50% off their birthday entree, 10% off Rusty Bucket swag, and 5% off of one entree a month. Mug Club members get a new mug at Rusty Bucket’s annual anniversary.
Daniels, a Sweet Home resident, and her business partner, KayDee McDaniel, own Tipsy Gypsy’s Tap Trailer in town, which they started in 2020. Daniels has been an insurance agent for 15 years and she also works in property management.
Born in McMinnville, she has lived in Sweet Home for 26 years. Her two kids go to school in Sweet Home. The Rusty Bucket employs her daughter as well as five other local high school students.
“We decided to do our own restaurant and bring our Tipsy Gypsy vibe to the Rusty Bucket,” Daniels said. “I really enjoyed going out and about and doing community events and stuff, and then this transpired. And I’m not a ‘no’ person, I’m a ‘let’s do it’ person. What’s the worst that could happen?
“It’s kind of like a sports bar, but family friendly. We just want to make a great place for the community. People are very grateful that we invested in the community and brought in another place for people to enjoy.”
The Rusty Bucket also appeals to local recreation enthusiasts, providing ample parking for boats in-tow. Services include online ordering and a drive thru that amazingly allows guests to pull their boat through, pick up the order and head to the lake.
They’ve totally redone the interior of the building and added a separate building to give more seating and bring a new vibe to a familiar haunt that served community members and loggers for over half a century.
Daniels grew up watching the television sitcom “Cheers,” an ’80s series based in a bar where “everybody knows your name.” Daniels said she hoped The Rusty Bucket would reflect the same friendly, neighborly feel she came to know about a bar in Boston some decades ago.
“I want people to come in here, and we know each other,” she said. “It’s friendly, it’s neighborly. I think the people will find themselves pretty comfortable.”
Other notable headlines of 2023
While perusing the digital format of The New Era, we were able to discern from your views stories that had the most impact on our readers – here were some of those headlines.
LCSO deputies involved in shooting in Cascadia area
Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in an “officer involved shooting” incident on March 21, 2023.
Deputies, Sweet Home police and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District medics responded just after 2 p.m. to an address in the 27200 block of High Deck Road.
The victim was 30-year-old Noah David Colgrove. Investigators stated Colgrove was armed. He died at the scene of the shooting located in an unincorporated community located in the Cascadia area.
LCSO was called to the residence for a disturbance after a call was received by 911 operators. Upon arrival they encountered Colgrove who was armed and the incident resulting in two officers opening fire. Officers reported they attempted to revive Colgrove, however, they were unsuccessful. Officers involved were put on administrative leave.
Manley to leave school district
Forestry teacher to continue ‘Manley Jobs’ video series
Sweet Home High School natural resources and forestry teacher Blake Manley, who founded the popular YouTube series “Manley Jobs,” left the Sweet Home School District at the end of the school year.
“There’s a significant opportunity for me to make a bigger impact across the region,” he said, “and I’m going to take that opportunity.”
The series’ reach led to Manley’s national debut on FOX News’ “Fox and Friends” in September 2021 and, more locally, appearances on such stations as Eugene’s KEZI-TV and Portland’s KPTV FOX 12.
He’s since become a familiar figure in other mediums, as well, from broadcasts to podcasts like “The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast,” “Brian Kilmeade Show” and “Around the House with Eric G.”
It would be this newfound fame and the overwhelming interest it created in Sweet Home that led Manley to pursue his series even further. He wasn’t sure at the time if he would end up here, yonder or there once he left his position with the school, but he assured the community he’d still be there in one form or another.
“If it is one of the jobs that keeps me a little more local, I’ll keep doing what we do here and what you see all the time,” Manley said.
“If it’s one of those other jobs that keeps me less local, I’ve already started feeling out different opportunities for that. But there’s a lot of need and want for the ‘Manley Jobs’ YouTube series to continue on.”
Former area school teachers to launch Lake Town Academy
Two former school teachers are collaborating on a faith-based private school for the Sweet Home and Lebanon area.
Ashley Knight, of Sweet Home, and Molly Haselip, of Lebanon, were holding parent informational meetings for the new Lake Town Academy at House of Glory, 30337 Fairview Road, Lebanon, where the school’s first year would be held in the fall of 2023.
The House of Glory church on Fairview, situated halfway between Sweet Home and Lebanon, offered its building to Lake Town Academy, and enough interest has allowed the women to expand from their original plan of third through eighth grade to pre-K through high school.
“It will be a faith-based school,” Knight said, “but we’re also offering a very different style of teaching that kids aren’t getting at public schools or East Linn [Christian Academy].
She didn’t go so far as to condemn public schools; however, she wanted parents to have better options for their children’s education.
“I just want people to be educated and supported in knowing that it can be so different,” she said.
Arrest made in drug bust near school
A Sweet Home man was arrested May 10 as the result of a drug-related search warrant carried out by local law enforcement agencies at two residences near Hawthorne School. The elementary school, located about a quarter of a mile away, was locked down for two hours during the operation.
Sweet Home police said that “due to the general proximity to the school, types of equipment used for this search warrant, and out of an abundance of caution, we contacted the Hawthorne Elementary School to request that they enter a secure mode during the initial search warrant process.”
Eric Wayne McKnight, 53, of Sweet Home, was arrested on a list of charges: possession/manufacturing/delivering a controlled substance – Schedule 2; manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; felony possession of heroin; delivery of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school; delivery of heroin; felony possession of methamphetamine; delivery of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school; delivery of methamphetamine; and tampering with evidence.
At the time, McKnight remained in Linn County Jail on $200,000 bail.
Vals, sal lead SHHS Class of 2023
Four valedictorians and one salutatorian led the Sweet Home High School Class of 2023 graduation exercises, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Husky Field, 1012 22nd Ave.
Valedictorians Amadia Newcomer, Evan Towry, Zoey Erevia and Brookelyn Burke earned perfect 4.0 GPAs. (To qualify, students must earn an honors diploma, which requires advanced classes in science, math, English and social sciences). Sole salutatorian Quinton Schamp earned a 3.98.
Further update: Crash knocks out electricity in central Sweet Home
A car that collided with a power pole along Highway 20 early June 1 led to a chain reaction of incidents that included widespread power outages and a fire from wiring in City Hall.
Police and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District personnel responded shortly after 6 a.m. to the collision in the 3200 block of Highway 20.
According to a SHFAD statement, damage to the power pole was severe and caused wires to hang low over the westbound lanes of the highway. Power lines became caught on a delivery truck, which caused damage to several power poles and transformers, according to SHFAD, resulting in “power outages to a large portion of Sweet Home.” Traffic lights at the intersection of 18th Avenue and Main Street were out following the collision.
Sweet Home police reported that Kyle Hanscam, 30, of Sweet Home, the driver of the car, was arrested on charges of reckless driving and second-degree criminal mischief. He also was taken into custody due to an outstanding Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear on a resisting arrest charge.
Out-of-control Corvette injures four
The driver of an out-of-control Corvette struck multiple spectators, injuring five and sending three to the hospital during the Cut the Gut burnout event, on July 21, 2023.
The incident happened at 8:08 p.m. at 2210 Tamarack St.
Sweet Home medics transported three of the victims to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, according to Sweet Home Police Department Capt. Ryan Cummings.
Those were Patrick Reining, 34, of Crawfordsville, Fredrick Vancurler, 72, of Lebanon, and a 4-year-old girl from Crawfordsville. The injured that were not transported to a hospital were Amber Remington, 29, of Crawfordsville, and Duke Carda, 59, of Albany.
Sweet Home police, SHFAD and Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
Ivan Brown, 70, of Sweet Home, the driver of the vehicle, a 2018 Chevrolet Corvette, is cooperating fully with police, Cummings said, and there was no indication of impairment during the investigation. He did not believe that alcohol or drug use was a contributing factor.
Downtown painting project kicks off over weekend
Sweet Home’s Downtown Painting Project got up and running Friday, July 14, when a crew of local volunteers, including the Youth Volunteer Corps of Corvallis led by local painting contractor Fitzpatrick Painting, started applying a fresh coat of color to the old City Hall building and Osaka Sushi. Volunteer efforts continued on Saturday and Sunday, despite the heat.
The overall project, a partnership between the City, Portland-based Miller Paint, Fitzpatrick and a number of volunteers, is expected to bring color to more than 45 retail shops, offices and restaurants with a northwest-inspired color palette, including 10 to 12 original murals.
“Our partnership with Miller Paint is allowing us to transform how Sweet Home presents itself to both tourists and residents,” City Manager Kelcey Young said. “We have so much natural beauty and cultural history in our town to share, and we think a refreshed downtown with vibrant storefronts will encourage people to stay longer and help our local businesses to thrive.”
Two residents die in Hwy 20 crash
Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 20 near milepost 19 and Waterloo Drive that resulted in two fatalities on Aug. 23 at about 8:51 a.m.
OSP reported a preliminary investigation revealed a gray Hyundai Elantra driven by Joel William Applebaum, 30, of Sweet Home, was traveling east on Highway 20. A yellow Mitsubishi Lancer, driven by Joy Lavonne Backus, 70, of Sweet Home, was traveling west on Highway 20.
For unknown reasons, the Hyundai left its lane, entered the oncoming lane and struck the Mitsubishi head on. Both drivers were declared deceased when emergency services arrived on scene. Westbound traffic was diverted around the incident and eastbound traffic was moved to a single lane for approximately three hours during the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Lebanon Fire District, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, Oregon Department of Transportation, Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office and Sweet Home Funeral Home.
Drawdown results in thousands of dead fish
Thousands of dead juvenile fish started showing up below Green Peter Dam this weekend, causing concern among recreationists who saw the carcasses floating downstream and gathering in clumps along shorelines.
Reed Fischer, STEP biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the fish were Kokanee salmon that, according to a pathology report, died as a result of barotrauma. Known as decompression sickness or “the bends” in humans, barotrauma is a deadly experience that happens from a rapid change in depth and oversaturation of gas in the blood.
“It looks like that’s what happened to these fish here,” Fischer said. “They had an oversaturation of nitrogen and other blood gasses, and that causes barotrauma, or gas bubble disease. It puts bubbles in their bloodstream and their body cavity.”
Several injured in log truck crash
Three people, including a teenager, are recovering after a log truck crash on Highway 228. It happened at about 6:48 a.m. on Dec. 11.
Oregon State Police said a log truck was heading east on 228 near milepost 19 – near the Linn County Road Department Sweet Home Maintenance Facility – when the trailer flipped on its side and dumped logs into the road. OSP said the truck driver, 27-year-old John Hainz, told them the back wheels of the trailer went off the roadway, causing the trailer to fishtail and swerve before toppling over.
A Chervrolet Camaro heading west, driven by 52-year-old Sweet Home resident Michelle Hagle with the 15-year-old passenger, crashed into the logs in the road, according to OSP. Troopers said a Subaru driven by 25-year-old Kylee Vodden then crashed into the back of the Chevrolet.
OSP said Hagle, the teenager and Vodden were all taken to the hospital with injuries. Hainz, the truck driver, was issued a citation and warning. The crash shut down the highway for a couple hours. ODOT crews cleaned up the logs the next afternoon.