Press Releases
Courtesy of The Newport News TimesJul 16, 2008
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office paired with the Newport-based Army recruiter on Saturday July 12, in an effort to convey information to jail inmates about the possibility of serving in the U.S. armed forces.
This effort is another step by the sheriff's office to allow incarcerated individuals the opportunity to give back to the community. Staff Sergeant Justin Morlock of the Army recruiting office in Newport gave some of his own time to the project and was on hand to provide information to all interested individuals. Over a time frame of two hours, Morlock was able to contact more than 30 inmates, out of which three were found to be eligible for military service. Though the eligibility numbers were smaller than expected, the effort was still worthwhile, according to the sheriff's office, and has the potential to become a regularly scheduled program within the jail.
Deputy Steve Frey worked with Morlock during his visit to the jail.
Jul 09, 2008
A man has been convicted of attempted aggravated murder for shooting at a Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy in June of 2007.
Kory Christian Pederson, 37, of Dayton went on trial in Lincoln County Circuit Court June 23. At the conclusion of the week-long trial, a jury found him guilty on all charges, which included attempted aggravated murder, unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, pointing a firearm at another, menacing and possession of cocaine.
On Wednesday, July 2, Pederson was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed in this case.
Just over a year ago, on June 16, 2007 Deputy Chris Miller contacted Pederson, who was camping illegally in Lost Creek State Park, a day-use area south of Newport. Pederson came outside of his motor home and became uncooperative and threatening. When Miller attempted to detain him, Pederson returned to the motor home and retrieved a .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun. He fired at Miller, who had followed him into the motor home. The shots narrowly missed the deputy, who was able to return fire. One round struck Pederson in the hand, knocking the gun to the floor.
After medical treatment, Pederson was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
The Lincoln County Major Crime team, made up of officers from the sheriff's office, Newport Police, Oregon State Police, Lincoln City Police, Toledo Police and the District Attorneys Office conducted the investigation.
Jul 09, 2008
On June 10, Corrections Corporal Mike Wheeler, left, received his Intermediate Corrections Certification. Wheeler has been employed with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office since 1992, when he was hired as a patrol deputy. In 1998, he transferred to the jail division as a corrections deputy, and then in 2003, he was assigned the duties of field training officer. Last year, Wheeler was promoted to the position of corporal. Requirements for receiving the intermediate certification include years of experience, training and education hours.
June 12th, 2006:
The Lincoln County Deputies Association (LCDA) is pleased to announce that it has reached a contract agreement with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson. The new contract was reached with only a few changes for the upcoming three-year period, which begins July 1, 2006 and expires June 30, 2009.
Members of the Association are also pleased to announce that this is the first time in recent history that the Association has been able to come to a contract resolution without going through the much lengthier processes of mediation and, in some cases, arbitration. The Association is grateful for the current support it enjoys from the Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson.
Items of interest in the new contract include some improvements in medical coverage for the members and a 4.1% pay increase for the first year to be followed by costs of living increases for the subsequent two years until the contract expires. In 2003, the Association prevailed in an Unfair Labor Practice suit against the County when the latter unlawfully altered medical benefits even though bound by the then current contract not to make such changes. Members of the Association see this year's contract settlement as a movement toward a more progressive employee/employer relationship.
Some concessions on the part of the LCDA were also made. Deputies gave back a monthly stipend awarded them in the 2003 Unfair Labor Practice that had been set in place to help offset the reduction in benefits suffered by the employees.