State Ousts Leader Of Oregon Amateur Radio Service

OEMLogo_2014-COLOR_mediumOREGON — The state is cutting ties with the head of Oregon’s amateur radio service, Vince Van Der Hyde.

The cut comes after he asked volunteers not to take part in a recent emergency drill — because of bad equipment and control issues.

When Oregon suffers a major earthquake, cell phones, telephone lines and other communication systems may fail — or be overwhelmed. So the state has an agreement with amateur radio enthusiasts to provide a backup system.

That system was scheduled to be tested during a drill last week.

Read more at Oregon Public Broadcasting

Walmart bomb scare results in arrest

On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 10:52 a.m., Officers were called to the parking lot of Walmart at 2750 Woodlands in regards to what appeared to be some type of explosive device. When Officers arrived they located several propane tanks, an extension cord, and a battery charger.

A witness was contacted and he described two subjects in a white colored Ford Mustang who had taken the tanks out of the car. The passenger then left the parking lot and the driver left the tanks in the parking lot and drove out of the area.

Officers cordoned off the area, and requested the Bomb Squad to respond as a safety precaution. The Bomb Squad arrived and inspected the tanks and determined they were not being used as any type of explosive devices. After speaking with the witness and reviewing parking lot video, an attempt to locate was sent to surrounding officers for contact with the white Mustang.

An Officer located the Mustang and attempted to pull it over and driver did not comply. Other Officers in the area in unmarked vehicles located the car and described it as driving on the grass and driving in a reckless manner. The vehicle was monitored and was followed as it moved towards the Brannen homes area, and came to a stop after driving off the roadway and into the wooded area near the 1000 block of Dogwood. The driver ran from the vehicle and was quickly apprehended by Officers in the area.

The driver has been identified as 53 year old Berel David Stolworth of Durango Colorado. Stolworth was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Transport, Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale and Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement. This investigation is currently still under investigation, and further information will be forthcoming.