Election Results
Three seats on the Siuslaw School Board have been decided following Tuesday’s election. Adrian Pollut unseated incumbent John Barnett in Position 2, while Position 4 incumbent Maureen Miltenberger retained her seat over challenger Dennis King. Tom Posegate defeated Maygan Hiatt for the open Position 6 seat. All three winning candidates had publicly opposed the recent banning of the controversial book Flamer, a decision that sparked community debate and appeared to factor into the election. Miltenberger said the book ban likely played a role in voter turnout.
Audio Player“I think the recent decision by the board kind of woke the community up as to what kind of impact a board can have. Some members of the board made the decision based on personal feelings rather than information from experts, and that did wake the community up.”
Posegate, who will join the board for the first time, said he’s eager to get started.
Audio Player“I’m just really excited about this opportunity I have been given to work to help our schools. I feel like I have been given this great responsibility and I’m feeling really humbled, but excited to start working.”
Pollut was cautiously optimistic as results continued to be finalized.
Audio Player“Well, you know it’s important that everybody has their voice heard, and I don’t want to overstep before everyone’s ballot is counted, but like I said we’re feeling— we’re feeling very good.”
Additional Results
In Mapleton, three school board positions went unopposed. Maree Beers, Andrea Milbrett, and Mizu Burruss will serve. For the Lane Community College Board, Jerry Rust defeated Jeffrey Cooper for the West Lane County seat. Port of Siuslaw commissioner races were also uncontested, with Terry Duman, Mike Buckwald, and Bill Meyer continuing their service. The Western Lane Ambulance District had three unopposed candidates: Adam Holbrook, Vanessa Buss, and Mike Webb. The Mapleton Water District had two open seats, but only one candidate. Art Donnelly will fill the lone seat. For the Swisshome-Deadwood Rural Fire District, Christopher Kagelaris and Aradia Farmer were elected. Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue had two open board seats but no candidates. The Mapleton Fire District filled one of its two open seats: Alyssa West will serve Position 4. In Position 5, Rex Pettibon defeated Julie Doran-Lee.
Travel Season
The summer travel season is here, and so are the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, with crashes and fatalities often on the rise. In the past week, multiple ODOT workers have been injured in crashes while working, likely due to drivers failing to slow down or pay attention. Oregon State Police are partnering with ODOT to keep roads safe. Captain Kyle Kennedy encourages drivers to maintain a safe speed, avoid distractions, and never drive impaired. As Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer travel, AAA expects nearly half a million Oregonians on the road. Plan ahead, use TripCheck for road updates, and stay focused.
Eugene Juveniles Arrested for Murder
Lane County Sheriff’s detectives discovered the bodies of a man and a juvenile girl southeast of Oakridge on the evening of May 20th. Investigators determined both died as a result of homicidal violence. By the next morning, Eugene Police SWAT detained several suspects in a vehicle near 7th and Monroe in Eugene, and later arrested another suspect on Irving Road. A 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female, both from Eugene, face multiple charges including first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. Nineteen-year-old Hunter Jesse Kip Barnett was also arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse in the second degree.
