Back in high school, Dan Nelson will tell you, he certainly wouldn’t have been voted most likely to become a police officer. Steve Baska, who later become his captain at The Dalles Police Department, remembered spotting young Nelson one day, sporting an 11½ inch green Mohawk on top of his lanky 6-foot-5-inch frame, and thinking, “Who is that freak?” But after five years in the military, Nelson joined the department and became the kind of officer people requested by name.
The moon's shadow passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but the halo-like solar corona, was reported Monday to have been the most watched celestial event in human history. Millions across the United States travelled to key viewing areas and tens of thousands came to Central Oregon, many passing through Wasco County.
When the police chief heard that the Chronicle would be interviewing retiring The Dalles Police Capt. Steve Baska, the chief’s immediate — and correct — response was, “Oh no!” Baska is famously, delightfully, unfiltered. His 31 years with the city police enabled him to wryly observe, and comment upon, the foibles of humanity.
Editor’s Note: This is the first of two-parts looking back on community events and government decisions in 2016: JANUARY • Members of the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office went to Harney County to help provide law enforcement protection following the Jan. 2 armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge there. The 41-day takeover ended in early February.
Looking back on July 31, 2016, from the archives of The Dalles Chronicle.
The Wasco County Commission is mulling adoption of state legislation that would exempt property taxes for families of first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Starting off a homeless summit last week was Kevin Moynahan, who lives by the Community Meal site on Pentland Street that is seen as “ground zero” for the homeless problem. He wrote a sharp letter to the city a year ago, expressing frustration about hearing, day and night, screaming and fights going on by their house on Second Place. They also had litter and human waste left behind by people of all ages, from babies to toddlers to teenagers to older people.
Pat Ashmore, deputy superintendent of the Oregon State Police in Salem, has been appointed police chief for the City of The Dalles. Ashmore resides in The Dalles and is a native of The Dalles.
Police are cautioning people to be aware of scammers who are targeting citizens in The Dalles and Wasco County and are falsely claiming to be with law enforcement.
