- Information for the Public Safety report and Courts in The New Era is sourced from local law enforcement and fire agencies. Incident details, which may not always be available from agencies in time for publication in our weekly paper edition, are often updated online at sweethomenews.com as information becomes available. Addresses provided generally denote the location of the incident or arrest, occasionally indicating the origin of the call.
- It is crucial to emphasize that our reporting of an individual’s arrest or citation for a crime does not imply guilt. Determination of guilt can only be established through legal proceedings in court. We commit significant effort to following through as cases move through the judicial process.
- Following is a list of abbreviations that may appear in our log reports: LCSO (Linn County Sheriff’s Office); SHPD (Sweet Home Police Department); OSP (Oregon State Police); LCCC (Linn County Circuit Court); LCJC (Linn County Justice Court); SHMC (Sweet Home Municipal Court); LMC (Lebanon Municipal Court); AMC (Albany Municipal Court); LCS (Linn County Supervisory), OSPB (Oregon State Parole Board), FTA (failure to appear); FTC (failure to comply), DV (domestic violence). A roman numeral listed after a charge means that the charge is that numbered-degree: theft I (first-degree theft).
Aug. 24
1:03 a.m. – Stephanie Lais, 35, and Joshua Lueth, 37, both of Eugene, arrested for criminal trespass at Brownsville Christian Church, 100 block N. Main St., Brownsville. Lodged at Linn County Jail. Report taken.
2:35 a.m. – Deputy checked on suspicious individual and vehicles at storage unit, 200 block S. Main St., Brownsville. Learned that individual was loading up to go to Burning Man.
3:18 a.m. – Caller reported suspicious male trying to enter Chewy’s Pub and Grub in 1200 block 12th Ave. Officer responded, contacted male, who said he thought the business was open. He moved along when he realized it was not.
7:40 a.m. – Deputy assisted family with unruly child, 40000 block Mountain Home Dr.
8:08 a.m. – Deputy contacted individuals in motor home parked in 27700 block Ogle Rd., Halsey, in “ongoing issue.” Individuals indicated they would be relocating to Lane County.
11:00 a.m. – Jordan Nicole Swanson, 35, arrested after she turned herself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St., on SHMC warrant for FTC in fraudulent use of credit card case. Cited and released.
12:06 p.m. – Caller reported concerns about “declining mental state” of young man in neighborhood of 40400 block Piper Lane. Wanted information documented.
1:26 p.m. – Individual flagged down officer to report that a juvenile had thrown his phone from Weddle Bridge previous night. Report taken.
2:42 p.m. – Illegal camp located on north shore of Foster Lake, 43700 block North River Dr. Campers moved on.
4:30 p.m. – Individual visited SHPD to report that her windshield had been broken by debris flying out of truck bed in area of milepost 25 on Hwy. 20. Officer responded, information noted.
5:33 p.m. – Kelsey Ciullo, 38, of Sweet Home, arrested on outstanding warrants, 43700 block North River Dr. Report taken.
6:30 p.m. – Cellphone found in water at Lewis Creek Park, 44400 North River Dr. Placed in found property at Sheriff’s Office. Report taken.
8:36 p.m. – Caller reported juveniles doing cookies in gravel lot, Oak Terrace/Holley Rd., damaged her vehicle. Officer responded, juveniles counselled on their actions. Caller declined to pursue charges.
Aug. 23
2:03 a.m. – Gavin Lefevre, 30, of Sweet Home, cited for not carrying proof of insurance, 1200 block 10th Ave., following stop due to lack of headlights.
3:03 a.m. – Deputy checked on individual with scooter in area of 1st Ave./Main St. Learned that individual was checking his scooter’s range and did not require assistance.
7:12 a.m. – Kherev Reeve, 30, of Brownsville, arrested on outstanding LCCC warrant. Cited to appear. 1100 block Oak St., Brownsville. Report taken.
8:09 a.m. – Caller reported male destroying things in house in 1200 block 44th Ave. Officer responded, contacted male who was determined to not be police officer hold candidate. REport forwarded to Linn County Mental Health.
8:36 a.m. – Civil issue reported between renters and logging company in 42500 block North River Rd. LCSO responded, issues resolved.
9:36 a.m. – Caller reported male breaking into residence in 1000 block Main St., stealing money. Officer responded. Report taken for theft I. Loss valued at $1,400.
11:29 a.m. – Deputy checked on motor home parked on Ogle Rd. near Hwy. 228, Halsey. Individuals were living in RV.
11:42 a.m. – Deputy located illegal camp on U.S. Forest Service land, 57000 block Hwy. 20, that had overstayed 14-day limit. Trespass warning left at location.
3:18 p.m. – Caller reported her daughter pushed and hit her in 400 block Boulder Ridge Dr. Officer responded, report taken for harassment. Parties to remain separated through night.
4:14 p.m. – Crash reported in area of Main St./43rd Ave. Officer responded, report taken. Damage under $2,500. Parties exchanged info.
7:37 p.m. – Caller reported people driving too fast in Pioneer Park, 200 W. Park Ave., Brownsville. Deputy contacted “uncooperative” individuals who were trespassed from park.
12:39 p.m. – Illegal camp located on north shore Foster Lake, 43700 block North River Dr. Campers packed up and left.
12:59 p.m. – Deputy issued citation to vehicle parked illegally at Gedney Creek Boat Ramp, 43600 block North River Dr.
8:58 p.m. – Timothy Pepperling, 41, of Lebanon, arrested on outstanding warrants, 43700 block North River Dr. Report taken.
9:53 p.m. – Leslie Iokepa cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, after traffic stop due to lack of headlights. Main St./Clark Mill Rd. Driver’s license seized.
Aug. 22
7:25 a.m. – Nicholas Nathan Nivison, 32, arrested for theft III following report of male stealing items from Thriftway, 621 Main St. Also arrested on multiple LCCC warrants, LMC warrant for FTA in theft case, and SHMC warrant for FTA in trespass case. Cited and released.
10:36 a.m. – Jeremy Wayne Damewood, 47, arrested by OSP on SHMC warrant in reckless driving case. Cited to appear Sept. 10.
12:03 p.m. – Caller reported that vehicle parked in disabled parking spot was blocking another customer from using the spot, Dollar Tree, 2414 Main St. Officer responded, located male who was registered owner of vehicle, counselled him.
12:25 p.m. – Caller reported that male juvenile riding electric scooter on sidewalk in 4900 block Mimosa almost knocked him over. Officer responded, contacted juvenile’s mother by phone and advised her of complaint.
1:51 p.m. – Bradley Marion Pugh, 41, arrested by Lebanon police on SHMC warrant for FTA in hit and run case. Cited to appear Sept. 10.
2:45 p.m. – Kevin Earl Terwilliger, 62, arrested by Lebanon police on SHMC warrant for FTC in driving while suspended case. Cited to appear Sept. 10.
4:53 p.m. – Multiple callers in area of Safeway reported male running with blood on his face in 1300 block Nandina St. Officer responded, contacted male, who was checked out by medics but declined transport and did not want to pursue charges.
7:44 p.m. – Crash reported near Milepost 18 on Hwy. 228. According to OSP, Jacqueline Kim McKinney, driving a Toyota Coaster, missed a driveway and drove into a ditch. Vehicle towed.
8:25 p.m. Driver warned by LCSO for impeding traffic due to low speed on highway, Hwy. 228/Sunset Dr.
9:42 p.m. – Caller reported finding unattended fire in 49700 block Quartzville Rd. Caller put fire out.
10:19 p.m. – Coby James Emmitt, 30, arrested at Linn County Jail for violation of restraining order.
10:51 p.m. – Deputy warned females for illegal camping, 50100 block Quartzville Rd.
11:02 p.m. – Deputy left trespass warning at unoccupied camp just off road in 47400 block Quartzville Rd.
11:26 p.m. – Deputy left trespass warning at unoccupied illegal camp in 46600 block Quartzville Rd.
Aug. 21
7:08 a.m. – Caller reported noise disturbance at new solar site, 34500 block Enos Dr., Brownsville.
7:51 a.m. – Benjamin Todd, 29, of Klamath Falls, arrested for possession of stolen vehicle following traffic stop in 31800 block Oak Plain Dr. According to LCSO, cargo trailer he was pulling was stolen from Klamath Falls. During traffic stop, LCSO located a jet ski reported stolen in Klamath Falls, as well as three ATVs found inside cargo trailer. Todd and passenger David Chapman, 18, of Klamath Falls, both transported to Linn County Jail and charged with possession of stolen vehicle. Investigation ongoing.
8:49 a.m. – Caller reported trailer stolen from 51300 block Quartzville Rd. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.
9:13 a.m. – Shawn Gali, 47, of Sweet Home, arrested on LCSO warrant and cited for SHMC warrant following domestic disturbance in 27300 block Rowell Hill Rd. Report taken.
9:49 a.m. – Neighborhood dispute reported in 38300 block Crawfordsville Dr. According to LCSO, contractors cut down wrong trees.
10:52 a.m. – Deputy responded to civil dispute regarding fence being replaced in 38200 block Hwy. 228, Brownsville.
12:39 p.m. – Caller reported cougar sighted east of Cascadia in 50100 block Hwy. 20, near park.
1:13 p.m. – Caller reported horse worth more than $10,000 stolen, 42500 block North River Dr. Report taken.
Aug. 20
7:42 a.m. – Caller reported disturbance in 1400 block 13th Ave. Officer responded, report taken for kidnapping, assault IV, strangulation and menacing in connection with alleged assault on female. Jacob Scott Fisher, 40, arrested at 3:09 p.m. on Aug. 21 on those charges. Lodged at Linn County Jail.
8:27 a.m. – Natalie Marie DeShazer, 36, arrested for unlawful possession of controlled substance, 3600 block Green River Rd.
10:07 a.m. – Two callers reported they were nearly struck at the intersection of 18th Ave./Main St. by a red pickup headed eastbound on Main St. Officer responded and will be on alert for that vehicle.
11:08 a.m. – Caller reported someone breaking into vehicle on Cascade Timber Consulting land. A deputy was able to determine that an individual had locked themselves out of their car and had broken a window to retrieve their keys. 42900 block Marks Ridge Dr. Report taken.
12:23 p.m. – Caller reported catalytic converter stolen in 1800 block Tamarack St. Officer responded, report taken. Value $245.
5:07 p.m. – Caller reported hit and run in 2800 block Juniper St. Info noted.
6:14 p.m. – John Emery Eggers, 40, of Springfield, arrested on warrant following traffic stop near milepost 25 on Hwy. 20. Transported to Linn County Jail.
7:45 p.m. – Caller reported transients had set up camp in 1400 block 45th Ave. Officer responded, was unable to locate anyone in area, but seized bicycle as found property.
Aug. 19
1:04 a.m. – Susan Marie Ausbun Miller, 51, cited on SHMC warrant for FTA in criminal misconduct case, Weddle Bridge. Cited and released.
3:01 a.m. – Athena Jaques, 49, of Cascadia, arrested for warrant, 45900 block Hwy. 20. Report taken.
8:03 a.m. – Caller reported that a table saw she had borrowed was missing and her ring camera had video footage missing, 1300 block Poplar St. Also, she said, a male had destroyed her floors with a knife over previous several months, 1300 block Poplar St. Officer responded, information noted.
4:30 p.m. – Crash reported in 3000 block Main St., Clark Mill Road intersection. Operators were Trace Lynn Terwilliger, 40, of Sweet Home, driving Chevy S10 pickup, Jerad Allen Olsen, 35, of Sweet Home, driving a 2024 Freightliner dump truck. According to SHPD, Freightliner was traveling westbound on south side of intersection when Chevy pulled out and turned westbound onto Main St., colliding with Freightliner. Terwilliger cited for driving uninsured, failure to obey traffic control device. Randy Dale Ensley, 61, a passenger in Terwilliger’s truck, arrested on SHMC warrant for FTC in disorderly conduct case. Cited and released.
5:23 p.m. – Crash reported near milepost 20 on Hwy. 228. According to OSP, Mercedes work van operated by Rick Duane Douglas, 39, of Sweet Home, was eastbound at approximately 40 mph when Douglas lost consciousness “for unknown reason” and van continued until it came to stop on the westbound side of the highway. Vehicle towed.
7:47 p.m. – Caller reports stop sign down in 1900 block Willow St. Reported that it fell over after children were hanging on it. Officer responded, Public Works placed temporary sign. Investigation ongoing.
8:30 p.m. – Paul Lester Herzberg II, 38, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, following traffic stop on motorcycle on 18th Ave. at railroad tracks.
8:43 p.m. – LCSO received call from concerned parent regarding coaches making school athletes run laps as punishment for poor performance. Parent was informed that this did not break any laws. 32400 block Hwy. 228, Halsey.
9:16 p.m. – Larry John Follett, 49, arrested after he turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St., on LMC warrant for probation violation in driving while suspended case and Linn County warrant for FTC in felon in possession of firearm, probation violation in criminal citation case. Lodged at Linn County Jail.
11:10 p.m. – Caller reported female screaming at people at bus stop at 13th Ave./Kalmia St. Officer responded, determined female was having mental health issues. She agreed to be quiet.
Aug. 18
8:47 a.m. – Deputies responded to report of abandoned boat, 40600 block Dew Rd.
10:$6 a.m. – Caller reported someone had cut hole in fence at Freedom Hill Church, 2470 Main St. Officer responded. Caller requested extra patrol.
11:43 a.m. – Corey Alan Smith, 61, arrested on AMC warrant for FTC in unspecified case, LJC warrant for contempt of court, LCCC for FTA in possession of meth case, SHMC warrant for FTC in failure to perform duties of a driver case, SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
11:45 a.m. – Multiple callers reported juveniles on ATVs speeding in 3700 block Green River Dr., riding on “No ATVs” trails. One caller reported that a juvenile ran into street sign with ATV, then left location. Officer responded, located two 15-year-old and one 16-year-old males, who were referred to the Juvenile Department for hit and run. Parents advised.
12:58 p.m. – Caller reported male had threatened to shoot her, 1100 block Cedar St. Officer responded, report taken for menacing, unlawful use of weapon.
8:09 p.m. – Caller reported $2,500 stolen from safe in 40100 block Hwy. 228. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.
10:48 p.m. – Multiple callers reported stop signs down at intersections of Long St. and 12th, 10th avenues. Officer responded, Public Works to put up temporary signs. Report taken for criminal mischief II. Investigation ongoing.
10:55 p.m. – Caller reported male threw objects at window of McDonald’s, 2000 block Main St. Officer responded, contacted male, who was trespassed.
12:08 p.m. – Aelisha Adrian Devine, 32, arrested by Albany police on SHMC warrant for FTA in disorderly conduct case. Cited to appear Sept. 10.
Aug. 17
1:59 a.m. – Sean Ever Robinson, 41, arrested on SHMC warrants for FTA in trespass, assault and criminal mischief cases, 2200 block Main St. Cited and released.
9:38 a.m. – Stephanie Irene Starkweather, 37, arrested on SHMC warrant for FTA in theft case. Caller had reported female lying in field in area of 3200 block Main St. Cited and released.
11:15 a.m. – Caller reported father’s vehicle had been hit while he was in hospital, 1100 block 26th Ave. Officer responded, report taken for hit and run.
1:20 p.m. – Caller reported overdose in 2800 block Kalmia St. Officer responded, assisted.
1:33 p.m. – Preston Robert Allen Sheppard arrested on Pacific County, Wash., warrant in sexual exploitation of minor case, 1300 block 19th Ave. Lodged at Linn County Jail.
2:55 p.m. – Brent Anthony Prather, 37, arrested on SHMC warrant in trespassing case, SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
3:15 p.m. – Caller reported ATVs operating behind gate near Quarry Park, 3100 block Zelkova St. Officer responded, unable to locate.
3:15 p.m. – LCSO conducted death investigation in 41800 block McDowell Creek Dr. Report taken.
5:55 p.m. – Jade Amasa Waldon arrested on Jackson County Circuit Court warrants in DUII and driving while suspended cases after officer responded to report of male and female setting up camp in 3200 block Main St. Waldon cited and released before they moved along.
6:27 p.m. – Brittany Rae Panknin arrested for possession of fentanyl, 100 block W. Holley Rd. Cited and released.
8:30 p.m. – Caller reported her vehicle was backed into and other driver did not have insurance, Safeway, 1540 Main St. Officer responded. Report taken for damage under $2,500.
9:33 p.m. – Tyler Lee Steagall arrested on AMC warrant for FTA in possession of weapon case, LCCC warrant for contempt of court, 800 block Main St. Cited and released.
Aug. 16
4:53 a.m. – Shannon Rose Daily, 45, of Sweet Home, cited for speeding, 55/35, 100 block W. Bishop Way. Brownsville.
8:45 a.m. – Paige Strilzuk, 41, of Eugene, arrested for burglary I after entering Brownsville home in 37800 block Hwy. 228 by crawling through an unlocked window and using the shower inside. Chloe Lyon, 35, also of Eugene, arrested for trespass I after entering and remaining in same residence. Report taken.
8:50 a.m. – Power pole fire reported in 600 block Main St. SHFAD, SHPD responded.
11:44 a.m. – Caller reported suspicious male asking for access to restricted area in 48300 block Quartzville Rd., then telling caller to call the cops. The suspicious person left the area without any need for law enforcement.
12:03 p.m. – Multiple callers reported disturbance in area of 13th Ave./Kalmia St. Female taken to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital on police officer hold.
1:03 p.m. – Deputies responded to report of fireworks being thrown from vehicle in 44200 block Hwy. 20. Investigation ongoing.
2:11 p.m. – Caller reported teens off-roading up and down road in 1100 block Vista Lane, skidding into neighbors’ yards. Officer responded, contacted teens, who had stopped riding. Grandmother advised of complaint.
4:05 p.m. – Deputy located campers who had overstayed 14-day limit in 51100 block Quartzville Rd. They were packing up when deputy arrived and assured deputy they would be leaving that day.
4:26 p.m. – Teen, 17, cited for operating unsafe vehicle after crash. According to SHPD, Nissan pickup crashed into building at Sweet Home Choppers, 3243 Main St. Officer responded, report taken for MVC injury, damage over $2,500.
4:29 p.m. – Deputy warned illegal campers on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land in 47600 block Quartzville Rd.
5:03 p.m. – Deputies responded to report of fireworks being thrown into roadway from vehicle, 43700 block Wiley Creek Dr. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.
6:40 p.m. – Deputy located trash dump in front of CTC Whiskey Butte 50 gate, 43900 Whiskey Butte Dr. Report taken.
7:43 p.m. – Suspect, not identified in Sheriff’s log, arrested on warrant after caller reported prowler in 26800 block Gap Rd.
8:25 p.m. – Michael Halsell, 37, of Sweet Home, arrested for criminal trespass II after deputies located vehicle trespassing on Weyehaeuser land in 40700 block Upper Calapooia Dr. Report taken.
9:07 p.m. – Raul Ramirez, 54, of Sweet Home arrested for failure to perform duties of a driver after crash in 1000 block Pleasant Valley Rd. No injuries reported. Report taken.
Aug. 15
10:18 a.m. – Caller reported fraud, 26800 block Holly Rd.
4:40 p.m. – Mail theft reported in 47400 block Hwy. 20.
4:57 p.m. – 6:58 p.m. – Suspicious fires reported in 42800, 43200 blocks Marks Ridge Dr., 43900 block North River Dr., 45100 block Quartzville Rd. Arson investigation ongoing.
11:46 p.m. – Teen, 16, of Albany, cited for speeding, 1700 block W. 2nd St., Halsey.