NORPAC Stayton plant to close
On Aug. 22, NORPAC Foods joined Quincy Foods and Hermiston Foods
in filing voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
As part of the bankruptcy provisions, NORPAC entered into an asset purchase agreement with Oregon Potato Company under which OPC, headquartered in Pasco, Washington, will acquire substantially all of the company’s assets, according to online information.
“NORPAC is pleased to have found a partner who shares our vision and will ensure the best possible future for our growers, employees, customers and partners,” Shawn Campbell, CEO of NORPAC Foods, said in an article on potatopro.com.
“Our business operations will continue as normal through the bankruptcy process.”
The transaction is expected to close within 60-90 days, and is subject to customary closing conditions, federal regulatory and Bankruptcy Court approvals.
NORPAC is a farmer-owned cooperative of family farms representing over 200 growers on more than 40,000 acres of land in the Willamette Valley. The company has worked to improve farming and food processing practices since its inception in 1924. The company has prided itself on quality, with the ability to pick and pack fruits and vegetables in less than four hours, according to its website.
In 2016, NORPAC opened a new facility in Salem and moved its headquarters from Stayton. Reportedly due to its age, the Stayton plant is not part of the OPC agreement. The plant is scheduled to close the end of October.
A meeting of creditors will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 at the U.S. Trustees Office, 620 SW Main St., Room 223 in Portland. Creditors are welcome but not required to attend the meeting.
— Mary Owen
SWAT intervenes on domestic disturbance
At approximately 10:41 p.m. on
Aug. 16, deputies were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of NE Crest Street in Sublimity.
When deputies arrived, they encountered an intoxicated male who had allegedly struck the victim in the head with a liquor bottle. Deputies were able to help get the victim to safety before the suspect barricaded himself in the residence.
Over the next few hours, deputies attempted to get the suspect to surrender peacefully.
After those efforts were unsuccessful, the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to the scene at close to 2 a.m. Negotiators from the Tactical Negotiations Team made numerous attempts to engage with the male and to convince him to surrender. SWAT Tactical Team members made entry into the residence and were able to take the suspect into custody on multiple charges.
The suspect has been identified as Michael Ducommun, 54, from Sublimity. He was been taken to an area hospital for an evaluation followed by incarceration at Marion County Jail. Charges included Assault III, Assault IV, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
The victim, a 49-year-old Sublimity woman, was treated and released at an area hospital.
The SWAT Team is comprised of deputies from all four divisions of the Sheriff’s Office; Enforcement, Institutions, Community Corrections, and Operations. They are joined on this multi-agency team by officers from the Woodburn Police Department.
Feed My Starving Children plans food packing on Oct. 26
The Santiam Canyon Feed My Starving Children MobilePack will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26 in the Field House at Stayton High School. The organizers’ goal is to raise $25,800 which will allow them to pack 108,000 meals and feed 298 children. Those meals will be sent to children in need around the world. Last year’s meals went to The Philippines and Thailand.
Community members have five opportunities to assist: set up on the evening of Friday, Oct. 25, help pack on Saturday by signing up for a two hour shift from 8 – 11a.m., 11 a.m. – 1p.m., or 2 – 4 p.m., or they are also welcome to help with clean up from 4 – 6 p.m.
Sign up to volunteer or donate at give.fmsc.org/santiamcanyon.
Auxiliary finalizes plans for Fall Fashion Show
Santiam Hospital Auxiliary will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m. to finalize plans for the annual Fashion Show to be held on Oct. 17 at the Stayton Community Center. Proceeds from the show help fund auxiliary projects.
All ticket sale funds and unsold tickets are to be turned in to Mary Duncan or Deb Meyers. Committee chairpersons will report on their progress and ask for help if needed. Donations for the prize drawing can be turned in at this meeting.
Volunteering or donation inquiries
can be directed to Mary Lou Hazelwood, 503-769-5685, or
Pat Spaeth, 503-769-3381.
Tickets for the Fashion Show can be purchased from Auxiliary members, Santiam Hospital reception desk, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services office, Mary Duncan, 503-769-5221, Deb Meyers, 503-769-2696, or on line at www.staytonevents.com.
