Friday August 14, 2020 $2 McMinnville, Oregon 155th year, No. 64

Yamhill County’s

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News-Register.qxp 5/30/2006 1:41 PM Page 1

Filing deadlines near for candidates in the county’s city races A2

Keeping you connected since 1866

C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S

135 NE Evans, McMinnville | 503.472.6151 | macyandson.comService Provided by Macy & Son Funeral Directors

MCMINNVILLE ELKS LODGE presents “Classic Car Cruise-in”, Saturday, August 22nd, at the Elks Lodge (2215 NE McDonald Lane, McMinnville). The event is free (donations accepted). Car Show from 10:00a-4:00pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase; Breakfast from 8am-10am, BBQ from 10am-2pm.

ARTHRITIS EDUCATION INFORMATION For general information regarding the ‘Walk With Ease’ arthritis education program, please contact Willamette Valley Medical Center Therapy Services at 503-435-6550.

RESOURCES TO HELP EDUCATE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON CORONAVIRUSOregon Health Authority - Oregon.gov/OHAOur Health Oregon - OurHealthOregon.orgYamhill County Public Health - hhs.co.yamhill.or.us/publichealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC.govWorld Health Organization - WHO.int

Showing up, Standing up

By DORA TOTOIANOf the News-Register

i n 2015, Jessica Haney bought her first home in Newberg. The therapist and her three children were cleaning before moving in

when a new neighbor stopped by. Instead of welcoming her, the woman

said, “You need to go right now. I know the owners.”

The neighbor refused to leave until she spoke to Haney’s husband.

Haney is Black; her husband is white. The incident was one of many

racist experiences Haney said she’s encountered in Yamhill County, mirroring the stories told by others who describe discrimination against people of color, currently one-quarter of the county population.

“I carry a master’s degree and am a healer, but the first perception that people see is a Black woman and that she’s aggressive, scary to approach or uneducated,” Haney said.

Now, during a national reckoning on racism, various anti-racist efforts and conversations about race and racism have multiplied in Yamhill County.

In the past two months, protests and rallies have galvanized the community. Residents have brought petitions to school boards, crafted signs and started sometimes tentative, frequently difficult conversations in a state with a lengthy racist history.

A series of Black exclusion laws passed during Oregon’s founding banned slavery, but prohibited Black people from living in the territory. One of the laws also prevented Black people from owning property and making contracts

Oregon was intentionally created as “a racist white utopia” whose origins directly resulted in Oregon being one of the whitest states in the nation and Portland the whitest big city in the U.S., said Walidah Imarisha, a Black studies educator from Oregon.

On a balmy July evening in McMin-nville, about 20 people wearing masks lined up along Adams Street near the library. They stood purposefully, signs declaring, “Black Lives Matter” and “Tu

Brayden Bullock, 14, Valeria Serratos, 14, and Virginia Serratos, 20, all of Dayton, take part in a July 22 Black Lives Matter protest on Adams Street in McMinnville. “We need to make some noise,” Serratos said. Rusty Rae/News-Register file photo

An anti-racism movement awakens in Yamhill County

Independent probe finds no violation of policies By JODIE DeJONGEOf the News-Register

An independent monthslong investigation of allegations against two Linfield University trustees — President Miles Davis and retired NBA All-Star Norm Nixon — found no violations of the university’s anti-harassment and sexual harassment policies, the university  announced Wednesday.

The executive committee of the Board of Trustees said the allegations of inappropriate conduct, made by a faculty member, and claims of a sexual misconduct crisis at Linfield, “are erroneous.”

In a separate statement, Davis wrote: “I am one of the trustees accused of inappropriate behavior. The process has been a learning experience for me.”

The university, which has 1,845 students at campuses in McMinnville and Portland, has been roiled in controversy during recent months by a federal lawsuit that accused former trustee David Jubb, 71, of sexual assault, and criminal charges in Yamhill County Circuit Court against Jubb for allegedly sexually assaulting four students. 

Student and faculty protests urged David Baca, the trustees chair, to resign, saying his continued presence created an unsafe environment.

Additionally, in an 88-18 vote, the faculty expressed  “no confidence” in Baca’s ability to lead. Baca said he has the trustees support and will remain

“Racism isn’t just KKK meetings

and confederate flags. Racism is ignoring Black

voices and diminishing what

they’ve gone through to keep your worldview

the same.”— Brie Padfield

By PAuL DAquILANTEOf the News-Register

The trial for Michael Wolfe, a 53-year-old rural Gaston man charged with killing his 3-year-old son and the boy’s mother, may not be scheduled for months.

Wolfe is  charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree kidnapping in the May 2019 deaths of Karissa Fretwell, 25, and the couple’s 3-year-old son, William “Billy” Fretwell II, who were living in Salem.

Karissa Fretwell was shot to death. Billy’s cause of death has never been released.

Responding to a News-Register record’s request, the medical examiner reported the cause of Billy’s death as “undetermined,” a finding Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry

described as not unusual.

Two Fretwell family members and defense attorneys Dianna Gentry and

Patrick Sweeney of Portland attended a status conference by telephone Wednesday morning in circuit court.

Judge Cynthia Easterday, her staff and two prosecutors — Chief Deputy District Attorney Kate Lynch and Deputy DA Holly Winter — were in the courtroom. Wolfe, jailed without bail, did not participate in the proceeding.

A previous decision by Easterday to dismiss an aggravated murder charge against Wolfe is being appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. The notice of motion, considered an expedited appeal, was filed in mid-April.

Assisted living center sees virus outbreakBy NICOLE MONTESANOOf the News-Register

Two people have died and 26 have tested positive in a COVID-19 outbreak reported at an assisted living center in McMinnville as the coronavirus continues to surge in Yamhill County.

As of Thursday, there were 483 cases in the county, with 10 new cases reported on Thursday. There have been 13 deaths.

The number of new cases in the county has doubled in less than a month, increasing from 241 cases on July 20 to 483 on Aug. 13. Half occurred in McMinnville. Three more deaths were reported in the same time period.

The outbreak at Rock of Ages Valley View Retirement Village has been challenging, Director Delvin Zook told the News-Register. The facility is testing staff and residents weekly, and has divided the care center, to separate COVID-19-positive patients from those who test negative.

“The residents are doing fairly well. Most are asymptomatic,” Zook said. “We just pray our staff will hold up. It’s quite strenuous on all of us, but the good Lord’s pulling us through, so we are moving forward.”

Statewide, health officials said the rate of new infections declined slightly last week, with 2,122 new cases reported between Aug. 3 and 9, compared to 2,278 the previous week. There were 29 deaths reported, which the state noted was a drop from 39 deaths the previous week.

It said the percentage of positive tests also declined slightly, to 5.4%, while hospitalizations remained the same.

As of Thursday, there were 22,300 cases statewide, and 383 deaths.

Marriage of old, new the mission in Yamhill B1

See AWAKENS, A3

Wolfe murder trial, on hold for now, may last six weeks

Wolfe

See WOLfE, A5

See LINfIELD, A5

LinfieLd university

covid-19

august 2020

INSIDE auto repair at a glance you drive it. we fix it.

Enjoy this automotive special feature brought to you by the News-Register Advertising Department and local businesses. Remove the four page outer wrap to find this issue’s regular news section.

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S2 Friday, August 14, 2020 News-Register/McMinnville, Oregon

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at a glance

The cabin air filter, found in most modern vehicles, is part of a car’s heating, cooling and ventilation system. Its main job is to regulate air quality for passengers by preventing pollutants like pollen, gas, smoke and smog from entering the vehicle. The accumulation of debris will inevitably clog up the filter after a while, which is why it’s important to change it regularly. The replacement frequency recommended by the manufacturer is usually indicated in the owner’s manual.

Note that the conditions in which you drive can reduce the lifespan of your cabin air filter. Driving in large, highly polluted cities or along dry, dusty roads can dirty it more quickly. Accordingly, it is recommended to have it checked a few times a year and changed when necessary.

The cabin air filter is usually located behind the glove compartment, but it’s sometimes hard to reach; ask your mechanic to have a look at it next time you have your oil changed. Lastly, in certain cases, unpleasant odors inside your car mean it’s high time for a new cabin air filter.

A vehicle’s exhaust system comprises an exhaust manifold, an oxygen sensor, a catalytic converter, a muffler and an exhaust pipe. Its main function is to carry away the gases generated by your engine’s combustion process, which are dangerous for both humans and the environment.

The catalytic converter plays a vital role in the system by converting harmful substances into water vapor and carbon dioxide. This process makes a lot of noise, but your muffler is there to keep things quiet. Since your car’s exhaust system is mounted underneath the vehicle and exposed to the elements, it needs to be inspected regularly. This is usually done during routine maintenance.

SignS of a problem with your car’S exhauSt SyStem include:

• Black smoke coming out of the tailpipe

• An abnormal vibration in the floor

• A sudden increase in fuel consumption

• Gas smells

• Unusual noise levels

If you notice any of the above, hurry and have your vehicle inspected by your mechanic to avoid major trouble.

The lifespan of a car battery—three to five years, on average—can be significantly shortened by several factors. Common causes for premature battery wear include frequently driving short distances, which doesn’t allow the battery to fully recharge, and prolonged exposure to extreme cold or heat.

Aside from its age, the main signs that your battery is about to die include difficulty starting the engine, dim headlights, and certain electrical malfunctions (e.g. radio not playing loudly, windows are slow to open and close). A light can also appear on your dashboard to indicate a problem with the battery. Furthermore, have your battery checked if it’s leaking, if its fluid levels are low or if its case seems swollen.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, preventive maintenance and regular inspections of your car’s battery are recommended—especially if you’re expecting cold weather or planning a long trip. If you think your battery might be defective, make an appointment with your mechanic right away.

hoW can I tell If my vehIcle’s battery needs replacIng?

What does my car’s exhaust system do?

When should I replace my car’s cabIn aIr fIlter?

auto repaIr

News-Register/McMinnville, Oregon Friday, August 14, 2020 S3

at a glance

If a pool of liquid suddenly appears under your car, its color and thickness can help you establish its origin. A black, oily puddle is probably motor oil, while one that’s yellow and sticky could be power steering fluid. Coolant can be pink, green, orange or yellow and its consistency is somewhat sticky. A red, oily patch is likely transmission fluid. If the leak appears brown and translucent, have your car towed to a garage—brake fluid is probably the culprit. And you already know what windshield washer fluid looks like!

A puddle of colorless, watery liquid coming from the front of your car is usually condensation from the air conditioning system. Leaks like this are common during the summer and aren’t cause for concern.

If your car is leaking and you aren’t sure what’s amiss, err on the side of caution and make an appointment with your mechanic.

Changing your car’s engine oil and oil filter at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer (after a certain number of miles driven) is an essential step in vehicle maintenance.

Engine oil is crucial to the proper function of your car. It keeps the engine lubricated, protecting moving parts from wear and damage and ensuring they work together smoothly. It also keeps things cool by drawing heat away from the engine’s internal combustion chamber. Finally, motor oil prevents dirt and debris from accumulating in the engine.

After a certain number of miles driven, the engine oil in your car becomes contaminated with debris and loses its beneficial properties. This is why it needs be changed routinely. To find out more, ask your mechanic!

you drive it. we fix it.

Brake Wear

Stopping a vehicle in motion ta kes a lot of energy. Your brakes have to absorb and divert the vehicle’s energy in a safe way. The trade-off is that after a certain amount of use, brakes wear out and become less effective. Listen for any whining when bra king. Pay attention to how the car handles while braking, and make note of how quickly the car comes to a complete stop.

Transmission

You can’t go anywhere without your transmission. If you drive a standard, your clutch can burn out if not checked regularly. And automatic transmissions are easy to destroy and costly to replace. With an automatic, the first thing you should do is check the transmission fluid. If the level is low, you might have a transmission leak.

Hose and BelT damage

Even if you don’t know much about engines, you can still pop the hood and take a quick look. The various hoses and belts that you see should all be free of cracks. For those you can’t see, it is still possible to identify potential problems by keeping the hood up, turning on the engine, and listening for unusual sounds. If there are squealing or re peated clanking noises, then there is probably something wrong. 

aC / HeaTer proBlems

Temperature control might not seem like a big deal for some of the year, but it’s indispensable in the summer and winter months. There are a number of factors that could interfere with your AC or heater, but most of them need more than a small examination to locate. To see if there’s a problem somewhere, just turn on the air flow, wait a few minutes, and see what the air feels like. The components of your air conditioning system, including hoses, should be checked regularly for performance levels.

eleCTriCal sysTems

The electrical components of your vehicle are vast. They run throughout it and interact with the on-board computer system. Verify the system by turning on everything inside the car that you can: radio, headlights, interior lights, windshield wipers, power windows, hazard lights, turn signals, clock, etc. Keep an eye on the dashboard lights when you first turn the ignition; everything should briefly light up. If something doesn’t light up (the check-engine light, for example), then you might have an electrical problem, an issue with your fuses or a warning light that has been disconnected, perhaps intentionally.

Fluid leaks

Like the human circulatory system, a car needs a whole network of fluids to keep running. If they are damaged, a number of problems could arise, from loss of air conditioning to weakened brakes or an overheated engine. The easiest thing to do when checking for leaks is to simply look underneath the car. Any puddles or stains on the asphalt could indicate fluid loss.

exHausT sysTem

If there is a big trail of black smoke following behind your vehicle as you drive, your exhaust system needs to be looked at. In addition to making your vehicle under-perform, a faulty exhaust system pollutes the air.

Fuel sysTem

If you find you are getting lo wer gas mi leage on your vehi cle, it may be due to carburetor or fuel system pro blems. Make sure you get them che cked on a regular basis.

• Complete safety analysis

• Complete computer diagnostics

• Handling problems

• Engine problems

• Oil changes

• Tires

• Brake repairs 

• Exhaust systems

• Steering and suspension

• Wheel alignment

• Preventative maintenance

jusT a FeW THingsyour meCHaniC Can do

alignmenT

There are many great ways to check if a car is out of alignment. While driving on a smooth, straight road, hold the wheel very loosely and see if the car begins to pull to the left or right. If the wheel seems to shake or jump around a lot while you drive, then that could also be the sign of a problem.

How do i determine wHat’s causing my car to leak?

wHy are regular oil cHanges so important?

S4 Friday, August 14, 2020 News-Register/McMinnville, Oregon

Try one of these local repair or parts shops when your vehicle needs a little TLC.

AUTOMOTIVE & MARINEChuck Colvin Ford Nissan1925 N. Hwy 99W, McMinnvillecolvinauto.com503-472-6124

_________________________________

Garvin Auto Spa1015 NE Hwy 99W, McMinnvillegarvinauto.com503-472-GARV (4278)_________________________________

Les Schwab Tire Center170 NE Hwy 99W, McMinnvillelesschwab.com • 503-472-4668 _________________________________

Scott’s Automotive2600 NE McDonald Lane McMinnville • 503-472-9622scottsautomotivemac.com_________________________________

Davison Auto Parts503-472-6114_________________________________

J&W Carstarjwcarstar.com_________________________________

Lum’s Buick GMC Cadillaclumsbuickgmc.com_________________________________

Sounds Unlimitedsoundsunlimitedmac.com_________________________________

Steve’s Auto Servicenapaautocare.com/store.aspx?id=703859_________________________________

Waterdog RVwaterdogrv.com

Keep your community fi ring on all cylinders.

Sharing a Commitmentto the Local Community

Look to page B4 for a directory of great local businesses.

newsregister.com/directory

CARLTON

155 N. Yamhill St.

FLORENCE

4480 Hwy 101

LINCOLN CITY

1221 SW Hwy 101

STAYTON

145 N. 3rd St.

SHERIDAN

317 S. Bridge St.

MONMOUTH

373 N. Pacifi c Hwy

REEDSPORT

1480 Hwy 101

TILLAMOOK

2005 11th St.

WOODBURN

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MEHAMA

21385 Santiam HwyMcMINNVILLE 1717 NE Baker St.

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MCMINNVILLEMCMINNVILLE710 NE 3RD ST710 NE 3RD ST

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