The vehicle fled the scene and sheriffs deputies immediately located and started pursuing the vehicle. Service with Honesty, Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Firmness, Fairness The investigation is on-going, and any further releases will be done through the Union County District Attorneys Office. Hamilton also faces charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Be Nice. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. We're Hiring! "There's a lot of drugs in Union County, and they are not all in Elgin," said Shafer, who operates an excavation business with her husband, Dick. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Oregon Online Genealogy Records Contents 1 County Information 1.1 Description 2 Union County, Oregon Record Dates 3 County Courthouse 4 Historical Facts 4.1 Record Loss 4.2 Boundary Changes Be Truthful. Invalid password or account does not exist. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The court in May stayed the proceedings in the case against Lees co-defendant, Steve Edward Hamilton, 66, of La Grande, pending the outcome of Lees case. Union County authorities today said they are searching for a La Grande man suspected in the killing of a woman whose remains were found July 24 in eastern Oregon. This is an active investigation by the La Grande Police Department, the Union County Sheriffs Office, and the Oregon State Police. Share with Us. Reference case number SP22181738. Tyrom Theis worked at Leather's Oil Company in Gresham during the 1990s. Create a password that only you will remember. All people featured here are presumed innocent. An independent source of exclusive news and insight about state government delivered conveniently by email each Friday to subscribers. The individual, Demus Montez (36) of Hermiston, Oregon was later confirmed to be the outstanding suspect from Sundays pursuit and Officer Involved Shooting incident and was taken into custody by the Union County Sheriffs Office with the assistance of the Oregon State Police. New data are added each year in late fall. The scourge of illicit drugs is worsening in this town of 1,700, said Barbara Eckstein, 25, a bartender at Sig's Saloon in Elgin. On July 24, children playing at a pond south of Elgin city limits along Pumpkin Ridge Road found a human hand, which led investigators to the remains of Shannon M. McKillop, 51. 6, 2017 April 7, 2017 At the time the two were divorcing. Hamilton in March pleaded guilty to two counts of hindering prosecution for providing Lee with transportation and concealing physical evidence. Sign up to receive news directly to your desktop. Court records show Circuit Judge Thomas Powers on Tuesday signed a order finding Lee unfit to proceed, The Observer reported. On July 24, children playing at a pond south of the Elgin city limits found a human hand, evidence which led investigators to the remains of Shannon M. McKillop, 51. Back on 13 August 2021, a couple was attacked in their home in Salem, Oregon, by a masked assailant who broke in armed with a knife, the Marion County . If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. The name Kip Kinkel is one most Oregonians are familiar with. The Union County Sheriffs Office mission is to provide Professional Law Enforcement If possible, block the number on your phone. Click the bell icon in the nav bar, at any time to change your settings. Unfortunately there is nothing local law enforcement can do. Unsolved Mysteries - unioncountysheriff.us Return to Programs Unsolved Mysteries If you believe that you might have information about an unsolved crime, contact us, and together we can bring justice to victims in our county. A few of the most notorious Oregon serial killers who are almost always present within these lists are the following: Dayton Leroy Rogers, also known as the "The Molalla Forest Killer," who murdered 7-8+ women from 1983-1987; Gary Ridgway, also known as "The Green River Killer," who was convicted of murdering 49 women from 1982-1998 in Oregon and Lee was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in January 2020 while in custody at the Union County Correctional Facility, La Grande. Apply Now. [CDATA[ Union County - Oregon Elections Economic Development SBA Press Release Baum Industrial Park Business Oregon Emergency Services Air Quality Emergency Preparedness Sign up for Emergency Notifications Miscellaneous Employment Opportunities Local Public Safety Coord. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. He now faces two charges of first-degree murder. Assumed Business Names Registers 1913-1964 Series documents the registration of business names with the county clerk or recorder. Upon arriving on the scene, law enforcement found an adult female deceased. What other crimes have occurred in Oregon in your lifetime? The Union County Major Crime Team was activated with the OSP Criminal Division taking the lead role. She feels it's once again safe to walk around town, she said. Name: Date: Victims: Location : A: Robert James ACREMANT: Oct./Dec. Bobby Jack Fowler was one of the most infamous serial killers to ever reside in the Pacific Northwest. Our Search and Rescue Unit is a very active and highly trained organization of volunteer citizens, which we call on frequently to assist those in need. UNION COUNTY, OR (May 25, 2022) - Oregon State Police is reporting that on Monday, May 23, 2022, at approximately 7:25 P.M., law enforcement received a call from an individual reporting a homicide. As a result, additional law enforcement was called to the scene and a perimeter was set up. On Saturday, police used chain saws to clear underbrush and trees from the area where Scaramuzzi's and Johnston's remains were found. racist or sexually-oriented language. Lee, 73, was to face a Union County jury in November on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder more than a year after pleading not guilty. Share with Us. Packets have also been sent to all local high schools. Union County has a total population of 26222 and was formed in 1864. That's not our job.". 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. The court canceled the murder trial after Dr. Michael Saul Farris, a Portland-based psychiatrist, determined Lee was danger to himself or others because of a mental disorder and requires hospital care due to the dangerousness and the acuity of symptoms of the disorder, according to the judges order. "It is kind of one of the things that was going to happen.". Contact Us 704-283-3500 Send a Message. The County Commissioners feel that Law Enforcement is an important part of a safe, livable county and have supported our efforts by allowing us the funding needed to have well trained, equipped, and professional Deputies. You will receive your first email soon. The Oregon City community was rocked in 2002 after two young girls went missing. Threats of harming another Union County, Oregon - General County Info Union County, Oregon Home Page General information about Union County Population: 24,406 Area: 2,037 sq. Finally, in August 2002, a suspect was confirmed. The sheriffs office detained Mason on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at approximately 3 a.m. following an initial investigation at his residence, 68381 Chumos Road, outside Elgin, where Williams also resided. We won't share it with anyone else. We won't share it with anyone else. Use the 'Report' link on "I did it," Cook said on camera to a King (5) news crew from Seattle while being led to the Thurston County jail in handcuffs, "and I apologize highly to all the families and everyone affected.". During the course of the pursuit, occupants in the suspect vehicle fired rounds at the pursuing law enforcement vehicles, which ultimately disabled one patrol vehicle. //]]>, Under 2,000,000 ReadersEvery Day Since 2004. Invalid password or account does not exist. An independent source of exclusive news and insight about state government delivered conveniently by email each Friday to subscribers. Final Death Data These data represent final statistics on deaths in Oregon. Union. Newest reporter to The Observer. For more true crime tales from the Beaver State, check out our previous article: 6 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In Oregon That Will Leave You Baffled. Police uncovered the bodies of the two girls on Weaver's property, and were able to arrest him. If you see them, do not try and apprehend them yourself as they are most likely armed and dangerous. OSP Troopers along with Union County Sheriff Deputies responded to a residence in unincorporated Union County. ELGIN The Union County Sheriffs Office is investigating a double homicide outside Elgin. The county was named for the town of Union, which had been established two years before and named by its founders for the "Union" of the states during the Civil War. Union County Oregon Sheriff Overview. Cook, 42, was arrested near Rainer, Wash., in August in connection with the killing of three people in Elgin then confessed to the crimes to a television camera crew. March 1, 2023, at 5:31 p.m. Los Angeles Police Union Proposes Limits to 911 Responses. The main suspect was Christian Longo, the father and husband of the victims. The state has accused Lee of killing Williams in November 2018 at her home in Cove. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. We work closely with and appreciate the efforts of our partnering agencies, the La Grande Police Department and the Oregon State Police. The Union County Sheriffs Office will transfer Lee to the Oregon State Hospital. The four had been seen together in mid-July. Hours for registration are Monday-Friday from 8-5. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Grande Ronde Valley from Indian Rock Contacting the Marine Deputy Residents said all four are part of a longtime subculture of drug users centered in the Elgin area. LA GRANDE Ronald Dwight Lee of La Grande is headed to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem instead of to a murder trial for the death of his wife Loretta Williams. BigBarn Internet RadioBest mix of Classic Rock & Country, William Hudson's Carpet Sales Inc.Hardwood, Carpet & Ceramic Tile606-598-5952, STEVIE & THELMAFURNITUREWE FINANCE! The Oregon State Trooper involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave per department policy pending the outcome of the investigation. During the robbery, Theis shot and killed the three female employees who were working at the time: Mary Beth Wheeler (25), her mother-in-law Rosealie Fey-Girtz (51), and Virginia Kay Endicott (47). Cook faces charges of murder in the death of McKillop and two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Scaramuzzi and Johnston. This class meets the requirement to get an Oregon Concealed Permit. Former reporter with the La Grande Observer and Union County native. Sign up to receive news directly to your desktop. OCN provides news and information to keep communities informed about crime in their area. Final death data is shown in the next section below. Gregory Alvin Cook, 42, was arraigned today in Union County Circuit Court on three counts of aggravated murder, one count of abuse of a corpse, and one of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Hospital staff reported being alarmed by Downs' calm demeanor. Final data has undergone extensive quality assurance and editing procedures. Don't Threaten. This is based off of the average number of violent crimes committed, compared to . Gregory Alvin Cook, 42, was arraigned today in Union County Circuit Court on three counts of aggravated murder, one count of abuse of a corpse, and one of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The following are some of the more dangerous Most Wanted individuals in Union County, the state of Oregon and the United States. Three days later, the body of three-year-old Sadie Longo was found nearby. These three men were all members of the skinhead gang East Side White Pride. Law enforcement later cleared the scene. Choose wisely! Union County authorities arrested Gregory Alvin Cook, a 42-year-old house painter, in connection with a triple homicide near Elgin. The state accused Lee of killing Williams in November 2018 at her home in Cove. Cook confessed to a King (5) news crew from Seattle the he committed the murders, saying "I did it" as he was led to the Thurston County jail in handcuffs. In 1988, Mulgeta Seraw, a 27-year-old Ethiopian student, was beaten to death with a baseball bat by Kenneth Mieske, Kyle Brewster, and Steven Strasser. This individual was lodged in theUnion County Jail. Unfortunately there is nothing local law enforcement can do to assist you because these calls do not originate in Union County. If you would like to file a complaint about a scam call the Oregon Department of Justice at 877-877-9392 or visit their website at www.oregonconsumer.gov. Would you like to receive our breaking news? A suspect was taken into custody without incident. Union County Bookings. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Information on this page was obtained from the website of Union County Jail, which is public domain. UNION COUNTY, OR (July 20, 2022) - The Oregon State Police is reporting that on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 8:38 A.M., a Deputy with the Union County Sheriff's Office contacted an individual sitting along Highway 82 outside of Elgin, Oregon. He now faces two charges of first-degree murder. He was linked by DNA evidence to the murder of two teenage girls and also became the prime suspect in the disappearance of two other teenage girls who were murdered in 1992. ClayCoNews May 25, 2022 UNION COUNTY, OR (May 25, 2022) - Oregon State Police is reporting that on Monday, May 23, 2022, at approximately 7:25 P.M., law enforcement received a call from an individual reporting a homicide. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive. Thank you! Champaign County Kevin Neal has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1997 murders of his 11-year-old stepdaughter and his 4-year-old stepson. Error! If you've got a news tip, send it to news@lagrandeobserver.com. At the time, Cook blamed methamphetamines. 9/21 61 Views. Be Proactive. It was later discovered that the I-5 Killer was Randall Woodfield, a gifted athlete and well-liked former student at Portland State University. person will not be tolerated. Would you like to receive our news updates? A drop box will be located in Union County at 1105 K Avenue, La Grande, Oregon. After he was suspected of stealing $50 from the company, he left his job as station manager. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Travis Proctor. Application period still open. If you live here or are thinking about visiting we hope you enjoy our beautiful County and feel safe here. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. LA GRANDE Ronald Dwight Lee of La Grande is headed to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem instead of to a murder trial for the death of his wife Loretta Williams. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"81nAoiJxAC7UiVfHItG99EsOJZnlWuRb_yaLX8j61C4-1800-0"}; "This was a rough little town, loggers and sawmillers," said. 2019 Union County Weed List; 2020 May Election; 2020 UCED Business Summit; 2022 Business Assistance Grant; 2022 General Candidate Statements; . But state court records show Circuit Judge Thomas Powers on Tuesday, Oct. 6, signed a order finding Lee is unfit to proceed. "It changes who you are as an individual when you're under the influence of that stuff for days and weeks at a time," he said. Be Truthful. LA GRANDE The Union County Circuit Court made progress in the murder case against Gary Mason. Then, two suitcases containing the bodies of two-year-old Madison Longo and Mary Jane Longo were found. While law enforcement was responding to the scene, it was learned that an employee of the business confronted the suspects.