Community comes together to clean

The Union County Sheriff’s Office requested a ‘no host’ clean up day last Friday off Forest Road 3120 after individuals caused major damage to the area.

“We did not realize the amount of trash and damage that had been done to the area until we arrived that day,” said Sheriff Cody Bowen. “It was the worst many of us had ever seen.”

A total of three vehicles, four RV trailers and several tons of garbage were removed. And work is still not finished.

“I have asked the Forest Service to temporarily close off this location until we can completely remove all the hazardous trash and rehab the area,” Bowen said. “I will let the public know when we have another clean up day scheduled. Be warned if you are found at any time to be partaking or contributing to this kind of lawless and disgusting behavior you will be arrested immediately.”

Bowen said he has agreed to provide extra patrol in the high traffic areas.

“This behavior is what will ultimately get our forests shut down for all of the citizens that enjoy our natural resources responsibly. I’m asking every citizen who enjoys our forests to help my office prevent this from happening,” Bowen said.

Report any criminal activity to the USFS office, or to the UCSO at 541-963-1017.

Thank you to Waste Pro who donated the dumpster and trailer loads of trash that was picked up; B&K for metal and multiple vehicle removals; BLW Construction for the dump trailer, excavator and several employees labor; La Grande Les Schwab Tire Center for the donation of garbage bags; Local Forest Service employees for time and labor.

And thank you to everyone who came to help clean up our community. We couldn’t do it without you!

The community gathered near Forest Road 3120 to clean the area that was trashed after multiple encampments.

Search

Popular Posts

  • One in custody following pursuit
    One in custody following pursuit

    Cody Trace Hamlin is in custody following a pursuit through La Grande and ending on the interstate. At 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Hamlin was arrested on a felony warrant charging first-degree kidnapping, Second-degree assault, Second-degree robbery, and Third-degree assault. He was also charged with attempt to elude on foot, attempt to elude in a vehicle…

  • Human Skeletal Remains Found outside of La Grande

    Weathered human skeletal remains were found outside of La Grande on Sunday. The Major Crimes Team was called out to investigate. The remains are unidentifiable and incomplete but are being collected by the Oregon State Crime Lab. They will work on identifying the remains or finding the gender and age of the remains. This is…

  • One man is dead after UTV accident

    One man is dead after an accident between a UTV and a vehicle on Hunter Road and Booth Lane outside of La Grande. On Sunday at 7 p.m., dispatch was notified of an injury accident. When the Union County Sheriff Deputy arrived on scene, he learned the victim had been driving his UTV near the…

Categories