- 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).
July 13
12:44 a.m. – Caller reported large group in Thriftway parking lot, 621 Main St., yelling and squealing tires. Officer responded, contacted large group of juveniles,SWH who departed.
8:09 a.m. – Overdose reported in 4600 block Mahogany Lane. Officer responded, victim transported to hospital by medics.
8:13 a.m. – Illegal camp located along Calapooia River in area of Upper Calapooia Dr./McClun Rd. Campers were instructed on proper way to leave area after use.
3:30 p.m. – Caller reported that motorhome parked in area of 10th Ave./Elm St. has been there for weeks and obstructs stop sign. Officer responded, determined that RV did not obstruct sign enough to tow as hazard. Posted with 48-hour notice.
5:37 p.m. – OSP responded to boating collision at Calkins Boat Ramp, 44529 Quartzville Rd. According to OSP, Bayliner rear-ended docked pontoon boat. Due to agitated situation, OSP assisted information exchange. Boat operators’ identities not clear in police report.
7:58 p.m. – Jack E. Counts, 36, arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant for FTA in fraudulent use of credit card case. Cited to appear Aug. 13.
9:59 p.m. – Brian Michael Keegan, 64, arrested for DUII, reckless driving, and cited for unsignaled turn, 41st Ave./Osage St. Cited and released. Chrysler Cruiser impounded.
10:05 p.m. – Eric Encinas, 46, of Cottage Grove, cited on unspecified AMC, LMC and LCCC warrants, 50300 block Quartzville Rd. Report taken.
July 12
12:34 a.m. – Dustin Clarneau, 50, of Lebanon, arrested for criminal trespass II, 27300 block Peoria Rd., Halsey.
7:50 a.m. – Two anglers cited by OSP for fishing without a license at Foster Reservoir. Cassidy Leigh Sullivan, 33, of Sweet Home, cited for no resident angling license. Justin Denherder, 39, city of residence not listed, also cited for angling violation, and cited for four warrants out of Benton County Circuit Court, LCCC, LMC and AMC.
9:09 a.m. – Nathan David Lewis, 33, of Sweet Home, cited for failure to file report of change of residence for sex offender registration and for failure to carry proof of insurance, Fern Ridge/Liberty roads.
10:27 a.m. – Travis Samson, 33, of Sweet Home, cited for driving uninsured, 600 block Main St.
11:02 a.m. – Hunter Ringheimer, 31, of Sweet Home, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, and on unspecified warrant. Shauna Ray Harden, 31, arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant for FTC in eluding police case, FTA in theft case. Cited to appear July 23. 2000 block Main St. Report taken.
12:59 pm. – Marine deputies issued three citations on Foster Lake: James Garland, 39, of Corvallis) cited for failing to carry a Type 4 throwable and for failing to carry certificate of number; Sarah Derrickson, 31, of Albany, cited for failing to have a PFD and was given warnings for no sound signaling device and no Waterway Access Permit; Jared Grose, 46, of Corvallis, cited for child not wearing a PFD.
1:58 p.m. – Caller reported traffic signals out at intersection of Holley Rd./Main St. Outage caused by pole fire in McQueen Drive area, to which Sweet Home fire personnel responded.
3:53 p.m. – Crash reported in 1300 block Main St. between pedestrian, identified as Katherine Walker, and a 2009 Lexus G47, operated by Sherri Gregory, according to SHPD. According to SHPD, Walker hit front of Gregory’s vehicle as she was pulling out and then left location. Walker was later located with minor scrapes to her knee, but refused medical attention.
3:58 p.m. – Marine deputies and OSP trooper rescued couple stranded on Middle Santiam after their kayak was washed away in rapids, 43700 block North River Dr. According to LCSO, the couple were sitting on the rocks enjoying the water when the river level suddenly rose due to a dam release, leaving them stranded on a rock outcropping.
4:25 p.m. – Caller reported that male borrowed vehicle and was supposed to return it several days previously, but was no longer responding to caller. 43500 block Wiley Creek Dr. Vehicle, described as white 2000 Dodge 2500 pickup, entered as stolen.
4:52 p.m. – Caller reported crash in 1500 block Main St. Damages over $2,500. Investigation continuing. Further details unavailable.
8:21 p.m. – Caller reported someone burning weeds in 2300 block Cedar St. Officer responded, contacted responsible parties, who were warned but “uncooperative.”
10:10 p.m. – Ryan Nugent arrested for DUII, reckless driving following traffic stop in 28000 block Ridgeway Rd. Cited and released.
11:45 p.m. – Rudy Inga Soto arrested for driving while suspended, driving uninsured and driving without headlights, 1900 block Main St. Vehicle impounded.
July 11
3:42 a.m. – Calvin Alvin Ames, 59, arrested on LMC warrant, 46th Ave./Main St. Cited and released.
5:03 a.m. – Richard Glenn Leslie, 59, of Springfield, cited for speeding, 54/35, 100 block W. Bishop Way, Brownsville.
9:21 a.m. – Regina Marie Frier, 55, arrested by Corvallis police on SHMC warrant for FTA in placing offensive substance in water case. Cited to appear July 23.
10:46 a.m. – Kristin Mengore, 53, of Cascadia, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured and failure to register vehicle, 27000 block High Deck Rd.
10:58 a.m. – Waylan Bias, 39, of Sweet Home, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, 27000 block High Deck Rd.
1:31 p.m. – Crash reported near Milepost 39 on Hwy. 20, east of Sweet Home. According to OSP, westbound Ford F250 pickup driven by Richard Frances McKay, 41, crossed into oncoming lane due to driver fatigue and collided head-on with eastbound United Parcel Service truck driven by Jamil Karim Braithwaite, 49. Braithwaite was transported by medics to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. McKay was transported by his wife for suspected minor injuries and was cited for careless driving. Both vehicles were towed.
4:05 p.m. – Caller reported pickup that drives recklessly in area of 25700 block Old Holley Rd. Requested extra patrol.
4:08 p.m. – Crash reported near Milepost 19 on Hwy. 20. According to OSP, a Ford Maverick driven by Dayla Elizabeth Rowles, 50, of Lebanon, was turning left off Waterloo Dr. onto Hwy. 20 when it struck a Lincoln Navigator driven by Lindsey Marie Waltman, 43, of Sweet Home, which was eastbound in the A lane. No injuries reported. Both vehicles towed. Rowles cited for several unspecified traffic violations.
4:33 p.m. – Deputy located illegal camp on Army Corps of Engineers property, 48700 block Quartzville Rd. Armando Pimentel, 23, of Sacramento, Calif., cited for violation of fire restrictions.
4:53 p.m. – Caller reported male throwing rocks at vehicles in 3200 block Main St. Officer responded, contacted male who was upset that a car had almost hit him in the crosswalk and was throwing rocks. Male was counseled on his actions.
5:00 p.m. – Deputy located illegal camp Army Corps of Engineers property, near Milepost 6, 46600 block Quartzville Rd. Camp unoccupied at time.
6:41 p.m. – Officer came upon crash in 4100 block Main St. According to SHPD, Andrii Storozhuk 1955 Chevy two-door driven by Melody Hutchinson
8:53 p.m. – Deputies contacted individuals camping on Army Corps of Engineers property, 46000 block Quartzville Rd. They were informed their camp was illegal. They agreed to leave.
9:03 p.m. – Deputies contacted individuals camping on Army Corps of Engineers property, 46700 block Quarzville Rd. They were informed their camp was illegal; they left.
9:10 p.m. – Jordan Nixon, 25, of Sweet Home, cited for no valid operator’s license, careless driving and failure to carry proof of insurance, 700 block Long St.
10:00 p.m, – Deputies contacted individuals camping on Army Corps of Engineers property, 49900 block Quartzville Rd. They were informed their camp was illegal and told to move. They did.
11:25 p.m. – Deputies contacted individuals camping on Army Corps of Engineers property, 48900 block Quartzville Rd. They were informed their camp was illegal and told to move. They did.
11:28 p.m. – Crash reported near Milepost 34 on Hwy. 20. According to OSP, Nathan Allen Race, of Springfield, driving a Dodge AVN, lost control on sharp curve and struck guardrail, sustaining heavy front end damage. No injuries reported. Vehicle towed.
July 10
1:17 a.m. – Jessica Lea Nofziger, 40, arrested on AMC warrant for FTA, 1300 block 44th Ave. Cited and released.
1:53 a.m. – Deputies assisted SHPD in search for missing person in Greenville Rd./Rowell Hill area. Male found alive, transported to hospital. Report taken.
10:14 a.m. – Caller reported that RV parked on curb outside Sweet Home Ranger District headquarters, 1200 block 44th Ave., prevented dump truck from backing into driveway. Officer responded, contacted owner of RV, who agreed to move it.
12:01 p.m. – Deputy found missing man out of Marion County alive and well, 45800 block Old Hufford Dr. According to LCSO, individual was reported missing in Marion County. A deputy patrolling Quartzville Rd. stumbled upon the original reporting person who had already located the family member safe, camping on Quartzville. Report taken.
12:15 p.m. – Katrina Lynn Gray arrested by Albany police on SHMC warrant for FTC in theft case. Cited to appear July 23.
12:35 p.m. – Loa Ann Louise Branton arrested on SHMC warrant for FTA in theft case, LMC warrant for FTA in driving while suspended case, and LCJC warrant in theft case. 600 block 7th Ave. Cited and released.
1:55 p.m. – Shannan Richardson, 35, of Sweet Home, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, 1500 block Main St.
7:23 p.m. – Steven Lee Ballweber, 36, arrested on SHMC warrant for FTC in hit and run case, LMC warrant for FTA in criminal citation case and AMC warrant for FTC in contempt of court case. Also arrested on Albany warrants. Released to Albany police. 1900 block Long St.
7:38 p.m. – Vehicle burglary reported in 44400 block North River Dr. Three fishing poles reported stolen from back of truck. Report taken.
7:47 p.m. – Emma Kelley Simons, 27, of Eugene, cited for speeding, 53/35, Bishop Way/Hume St., Brownsville.
July 9
1:45 a.m. – Timothy Roebuck, 42, cited for driving while suspended, 6000 block Main St.
1:04 p.m. – Lorett May Delaney, 41, arrested on LMC warrant for contempt of court in failure to provide proof of insurance case, 12th Ave./Kalmia St., after caller reported female screaming in location. When officer arrived, female was having argument on phone.
2:16 p.m. – Eric Raymond Shipp, 60, arrested on SHMC warrant for FTA in harassment case, 1400 block 22nd Ave. Cited and released.
5:11 p.m. – Ashley Key Miles, 36, arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant for FTC in theft case. Cited to appear July 23.
5:44 p.m. – Deputies responded to report of female who, according to LCSO, was severely under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, who was trying to drown herself in the Calapooia River in the area of McKercher Park, 37800 block Hwy. 228. According to LCSO, bystanders had to physically fight her to remove her from water before deputies arrived. Medics responded and transported her to hospital for mental health evaluation.
July 8
1:22 a.m. – Lisa Dawn Johnston, 50, arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant in theft case. Cited to appear July 23.
7:03 a.m. – Hannah Meola, 25, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 50/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
7:56 a.m. – Virginia Long, 60, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 53/35, 800 N. Main St., Brownsville.
8:09 a.m. – Justus Hard, 20, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 54/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
8:28 a.m. – Ronald Paden, 69, of Turner, cited for speeding, 49/35, 1Main St./Hausman Ave., Brownsville.
8:37 a.m. – Geoffrey Davis, 48, of Albany, cited for speeding, 63/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
9:08 a.m. – Daniel Pena, 22, of Albany, cited for speeding, 44/25, Main St./Locust Ave., Brownsville.
9:25 a.m. – Landon Frank Gerard, 49, arrested on SHMC warrant for FTC in trespassing case, 1500 block Long St. Cited and released. Kaitlin Chandra Legene Lay, 29, arrested on LMC warrant for FTA in driving while suspended and driving uninsured, cases. Cited to appear Aug. 12.
10:04 a.m. – Jakob Bowyer, 30, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 54/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
11:34 a.m. – Jack Morris, 48, of Eugene, cited for speeding, 56/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
12:50 p.m. – Christina Matlock Delphie, 37, of Albany, cited for speeding, 58/35, Main St./Depot Ave., Brownsville.
1:03 p.m. – Hit and run reported at Sweet Home Post Office, 1300 block Long St. Officer responded, report taken. Victim declined to press charges.
1:19 p.m. – Diane LaRose, 67, of Brownsville, cited for speeding, 54/35, 800 block N. Main St, Brownsville.
1:42 p.m. – Meggan Graton, 30, of Eugene, cited for speeding, 50/35, 1000 block N. Main St., Brownsville.
1:55 p.m. – Caleb Christner, 21, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 79/55, Milepost 18 on Hwy. 99, Halsey.
2:06 p.m. – Lynette Irene Johnson, 46, arrested by Lebanon police on SHMC warrant for FTC in criminal driving case. Cited to appear July 23.
2:12 p.m. – Jill Jones, 85, of Brownsville, cited for speeding, 55/35, 800 block N. Main St., Brownsville.
2:22 p.m. – Marv Dean Cox arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant for FTA in trespassing case. Cited to appear July 23.
2:35 p.m. – Christopher Hood, 30, of Brownsville, cited for speeding, 48/35, driving without insurance, 900 block N. Main St., Brownsville.
2:56 p.m. – Michaela Caruso, 28, of Lebanon, cited for speeding, 51/35, 900 block N. Main St., Brownsville.
7:10 p.m. – Caller reported male making suicidal statements in 1600 block Dogwood St. Officer responded, male voluntarily transported to hospital for evaluation.
8:18 p.m. – Theft reported in 51100 block Quartzville Rd. Wire stolen from well casing on private property. Estimated damage $1,500. Report taken.
9:36 p.m. – Tonya Lydia Seita, 44, arrested for possession of meth, Shea Point, 6300 block Main St. cited and released, transported by medics.
July 7
4:35 a.m. – Timothy Middleton, 66, of Lebanon, cited for driving while suspended, failure to carry proof of insurance, Main St./19th Ave.
5:32 a.m. – Caller reported two individuals possibly attempting to start campfire in 1700 block 9th Ave. Officer responded, noted that fire had been extinguished prior to his arrival. Individuals advised not to start fires. They were to clean up area as well.
6:13 a.m. – Darren Hostetler, 43, of Brownsville, cited for speeding, 79/55, Seven Mile Lane/Glaser Dr.
6:51 a.m. – David Briggs, 24, of Brownsville, cited for speeding, 50/35, Main St./Depot Ave.
7:09 a.m. – Deputy intervened in dispute in 25000 block Springer Rd. involving marijuana plant in planter. Deputy suggested planter be moved to back of property, out of public view.
7:42 a.m. – Juvenile, 16, of Springfield, cited for failure to stop for school bus, 4100 block Main St.
9:24 a.m. – Dana Tate, of Brownsville, cited for dog as public nuisance for trespass, 27900 block Seven Mile Lane. According to LCSO, dogs have been reported running through the neighbor’s property multiple times. Report taken.
12:15 p.m. – Timothy William Pepperling, 41, of Sweet Home, arrested on multiple warrants, for probation violation, 44600 block Quartzville Rd. Transported to Linn County Jail. Report taken.
12:30 p.m. – Crash reported in Halsey City Hall parking lot, 100 W. Halsey St. No injuries reported. According to LCSO, a Ford F-350 pickup operated by Brenda Hinch, 72, of Halsey, ran into the City Hall building while she attempting to park. Deputy was sitting in the parking lot. Minor damage to City Hall building, vehicle.
1:24 p.m. – Theft reported at Going Green, 2252 Main St. Officer responded, report taken for theft II. According to SHPD, an employee at the location said that someone on a bike took a tent ($300 value) and a butterfly habitat ($30 value) out of the bed of the truck.
3:31 p.m. – Tosha Miskey, 34, of Lebanon, cited for driving while suspended, Upper Calapooia Dr./McClun Rd.
6:25 p.m. – Caller reported $500 stolen from his wallet in 1400 block 22nd Ave. Report taken for theft II.
7:26 p.m. – Robert Majors II, 22, of Hines, arrested for menacing, unlawful use of weapon, disorderly conduct II, following report of armed disturbance in Sunnyside Campground, 44900 block Quartzville Rd. According to LCSO, following a physical fight, Majors allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, then pointed it at several individuals before leaving. Transported to Linn County Jail. Report taken.
8:28 p.m. – Lisa Johnston, 50, of Sweet Home, arrested on multiple warrants, 43000 block North River Dr. Report taken.
8:58 p.m. – Chase Merritt, of Sweet Home, arrested on Lincoln County warrant for failure to appear, 22nd Ave./Nandina St. Report taken.