Rescued Woman Faces Criminal Charges
She spent several days trapped in brush alongside a cliff near Sea Lion Caves, now Dallas resident Heather Mounce may spend several years behind bars. Countless manhours and Coast Guard resources were used last August when Mounce was reported missing by her husband, now more is known about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Mounce was indicted yesterday on 96 counts according to the Polk County Itemizer-Observer. Charges against her include identity theft, first degree theft, aggravated theft, and criminal mistreatment. According to records the investigation into Mounce’s activities began about a year ago, just before her disappearance. She will be arraigned on August 14th. Mounce’s charges range in date from September 2013 to july 14. The investigation is still ongoing according to Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton.
Sanctuary Law to Go to Voters
Oregon’s status as a sanctuary for immigrants will go before voters this November. If its laws are repealed, local and state law-enforcement agencies could work more closely with the federal government on enforcing immigration law. Andrea Williams is head of the immigrant rights group Causa and chair of the recently formed Oregonians United Against Profiling, which is opposing the measure. She says these laws were passed more than three decades ago because of cases where people were perceived to be undocumented. Her new group has the backing of businesses such as Nike and Columbia Sportswear.
“It’s a broad coalition of business, labor, faith, civil rights groups and law-enforcement leaders who are coming together because we believe getting rid of this law opens the door to serious civil-rights violations and potentially more racial profiling of Oregonians.”
Oregonians for Immigration Reform, the main backer of this measure, says it will better protect Oregonians from people in the country illegally. Three Republican state representatives sponsored the measure for its signature-gathering phase. Williams notes that the current laws don’t prevent local enforcement from working with federal immigration officials when someone commits a crime.
Country Fair Garners More Arrests Than Last Year
The Lane County sheriff’s Office has tabulated the incidents of interaction between its deputies and participants of the Oregon Country Fair. During the event, July 13th through the 15th they issued 180 citations and made 26 arrests. And used 106 hours of overtime to do it. All stats are up from last years event where the sheriff’s office only used 88 hours of extra patrols and made 15 arrests and wrote 149 citations.
Dunefest Hits the Sands
Festivities continue this weekend in Winchester Bay as off roaders gather for Dune fest. The 6 day event continues through Sunday with races each day for kids through adult and a vendor fair with the latest in Dune ready vehicles, clothing and accessories. The day’s end with night rides and live music. This afternoon and evening’s events will feature a show and shine dune racer vehicle show.
