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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013
Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878
theworldlink.com
BY THOMAS MORIARTY The World
COQUILLE — A Coos Bay man convicted of multiple felony weapons and assault charges last month will spend five years behind bars, a judge ruled Thursday morning. In a hearing in Coos County Circuit Court, Judge Richard Barron sentenced Jay Kenneth Yarbrough to five years in prison for unlawful use of a weapon, and five years’ probation on the remainder of the charges — unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, fourth-degree assault, possession of destructive devices and a shortbarreled rifle. Yarbrough will be prohibited
By Alysha Beck, The World
BY THOMAS MORIARTY The World
Marijuana dispensary rules are expected in January SALEM — Officials at the Oregon Health Authority will have to decide soon whether medical marijuana cardholders should be allowed to use the drug at dispensaries that will become legal next year under a new state law. An advisory committee discussed that topic and others at its final meeting Wednesday. The state expects to finalize dispensary regulations by next month that will
take effect in March. The debate follows the Legislature’s decision this summer to allow medical marijuana users to purchase the drug from statelicensed stores, which will have to meet standards for the safety of their products and security of their premises. The decision around on-site use divided the 13-member advisory panel. The committee can make recommendations, but final decisions will be left to the Oregon Health Authority, which was given
authority to write marijuana regulations. Some say use of the drug should be allowed at the stores because some patients have nowhere else to safely ingest it, or they derive value from interacting with other people struggling with debilitating conditions. Medical marijuana cardholders living in federally subsidized Section 8 housing, for example, are prohibited from using marijuana at home because the SEE DISPENSARY | A8
from possessing firearms, explosives or explosive components after his release. At sentencing, Yarbrough said he was grieving after the death of his father when he became immersed in “prepper” pursuits. Barron said the Coos Bay man would still have to own up to some serious crimes. “Whether there’s ‘preppers’ all over the world or not, it borders on being ridiculous,” Barron said. “People have grief all the time and they don’t do what you did.” Yarbrough was arrested this summer after Coos Bay police, responding to a request from his wife, entered his home at 148 Hull SEE YARBROUGH | A8
Suspect in sex offense trial is back behind bars
Marshfield’s Katelynn Rossback takes an outside shot during the preseason game against Coquille on Wednesday.The boys and girls both won, giving Marshfield a sweep over Coquille. See the stories on Page B1.
The Associated Press
75¢
Yarbrough is given 5-year sentence
Marshfield sweeps Coquille
BY JONATHAN J. COOPER
■
COQUILLE — An alleged sex offender who failed to turn up for his November trial will finally take the stand in the New Year. Christopher Gannon — who is charged with first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, second-degree sex abuse and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor — is now scheduled for a two-day jury trial Feb. 4 and 5. His trial had originally been scheduled to begin Nov. 19 in the courtroom of Judge Michael Stone. When Gannon failed to turn up, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest. At the time, Gannon’s lawyer, public defender Allen Goldman, said the court had a pretty good idea where his client was, but it ended up taking police more than
three weeks to find him, Officers from Coquille Police Department arrested Gannon on Thursday afternoon in a house in the 700 block of Birch Street, and added an additional charge of third-degree escape. Police also arrested 32-year-old Amber McAllister for hindering prosecution, a Class C felony. A plea hearing is scheduled for Dec. 30 to determine whether charges stemming from Gannon’s failure to appear in November will be combined with the sex offense trial, tried separately or prosecuted at all. If convicted of first-degree online sexual corruption of a child — a Class B felony — Gannon faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Reporter Thomas Moriarty can be reached at 541-269-1222, ext. 240, or by email at thomas.moriarty@theworldlink.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ThomasDMoriarty.
Budget deal doesn’t relax Grinch-like political grip
INSIDE
WASHINGTON — A budget key between agreement Republicans and Democrats. Even President Barack Obama was on board. All without anyone threatening to repeal this or shut down that. Gridlock, however briefly, took
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government shutdown in October. The scene has been no better in the Senate. What remained of that chamber’s deliberative nature blew apart last month when majority Democrats, citing GOP obstructionism, curtailed the Republicans’ power to block some presidential nominees. Republicans have tried this week to do what they can to protest, but Reid’s slate of 11 nominations didn’t appear in peril. Early Thursday morning, the Senate approved the first of those, voting 51-44 to confirm Cornelia “Nina” Pillard to the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
‘Hallucinating’ Dr. Joseph Kiaser, Elk Grove, Calif.
Obituaries | A5
Interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial claims to be schizophrenic and to have seen angels during the ceremony.
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FORECAST
The Associated Press
challenged Sen. Mike Johanns, RNeb. Traditionally effective prods to action are often less so in the divided, crisis-managed Congress. Lawmakers have lurched from sequester to shutdown over spending, national health care and more in the three years since Republicans won control of the House with a sizable group of newcomers reluctant to compromise. Their approach proved costly — to the nation’s credit rating, to Congress’ standing among voters and to the GOP, which took the brunt of public blame for the partial
WORLD
BY LAURIE KELLMAN
an early holiday in the bitterly polarized, Republican-run House. But across the Capitol, the highminded Senate remained in the grip of some of the worst partisan warfare in its history after majority Democrats curbed the Republicans’ power. A round-theclock talkathon is the result, putting no one in the mood for cooperation. Majority Leader Harry Reid threatened to shorten the Senate’s cherished Christmas vacation if need be. A Republican called his bluff. “What’s new about that? What’s even threatening about that?”
DEATHS
So far, the only item politicians agree on is the new budget deal ■
Columbia Circuit. President Barack Obama praised the confirmation of Pillard, the second judge seated on the D.C. Circuit this week, noting that Pillard would give the court five active female judges for the first time. “Throughout her career, Ms. Pillard has displayed an unwavering commitment to justice and integrity,” Obama said. Democrats continued their promised march of confirmation votes on Thursday morning, SEE BUDGET | A8
Rain 50/43 Weather | A8
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