On this day, May 5, 1903, James Beard, US culinary expert, author (Delights & Prejudices), was born in Portland, Ore.
Also on this day, May 5, 1945, A Japanese balloon bomb exploded on Gearhart Mountain in Oregon, killing Mrs. Elsie Mitchell, the pregnant wife of a minister, and five children after they attempted to drag it out the woods in Lakeview, Oregon. The balloon was armed, and exploded soon after they began tampering with it. They became the 1st and only known American civilians to be killed in the continental US during World War II.
Also on this day, May 5, 1945, Bly minister Archie Mitchell, his pregnant wife Elsie, and five children from Mitchell's Sunday school class were on a Saturday morning picnic. Thirteen miles northeast of Bly, or about sixty miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Mitchell parked the car, and Elsie and the children headed to Leonard Creek. Mitchell later remembered: "As I got out of the car to bring the lunch, the others were not far away and called to me they had found something that looked like a balloon. I heard of Japanese balloons so I shouted a warning not to touch it. But just then there was a big explosion. I ran up there--and they were all dead." It was a Japanese balloon bomb. They were 70 feet tall with a 33-foot diameter paper canopy connected to the main device by shroud lines. Balloons inflated with hydrogen followed the jet stream at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
Andrew Shearer has been appointed
After serving the Springfield community for nearly a year as Interim Chief, Springfield City Manager Nancy Newton
has appointed Andrew Shearer to serve as Springfield’s next Police Chief.
He will be officially sworn in at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 28th.
Shearer brings more than 29 years of law enforcement experience to Springfield, most recently as Assistant Chief of Police with the City of Portland.
When selected to serve as interim, Chief Shearer issued his commitment to working alongside community members, public safety stakeholders and SPD to enhance community trust, improve transparency, and to foster a policing culture based on dignity, fairness, respect, and accountability.
“Ten months ago, I was provided an opportunity to serve the members of SPD and this community. Since then, I’ve witnessed the courage of the men and women of this agency firsthand,†Springfield Police Chief Andrew Shearer said.
He continued, “We should all appreciate their selflessness in the face of danger in order to protect the people of Springfield as well as their courageousness in self-reflection to seek continual improvement. A safe city requires trust and partnership between police and community in addition to a combined commitment to public safety for all. That commitment is strong here in Springfield. I am confident that existing partnerships will strengthen, new ones will grow, and we can achieve even greater successes in this city."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Newton said Chief Shearer not only brought the experience and fresh perspective the City was hoping for in a new Chief, his leadership led the department to make considerable strides to improve the work of law enforcement such as increasing access to information, updating policies and procedures, improving opportunities for the community to engage with the department, providing more officer training, and working to strengthen relationships with underserved communities.
“Chief Shearer’s approach to the responsibilities of Police Chief have been exemplary,†Newton said. “We are very fortunate to have someone with his extensive experience, thoughtful guidance, and compassion serving our community. He embodies the balance we need to ensure we conduct our work based on best practices and accountability, provide proper training and support for SPD; and serve all community members with respect, fairness, and dignity. His steady guidance and exceptional leadership came at the right time, and I am very pleased he is continuing with us in service to the Springfield community.â€
--Bruce Armstrong| Post Date: 2022-03-19 18:10:51 | Last Update: 2022-03-19 19:15:44 |
