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Oregon Governor Says Harney County Will Need Time To Heal

NWNews | By Chris Lehman,
Chris Lehman
Published January 27, 2016 at 2:47 PM PST
At least 40 miles of Highway 395 were shutdown after militants were arrested while traveling to John Day from Burns to host a community meeting.
Dave Blanchard
/
OPB
At least 40 miles of Highway 395 were shutdown after militants were arrested while traveling to John Day from Burns to host a community meeting.

As law enforcement increases its activity surrounding the occupied Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Governor Kate Brown said her primary concern continues to be the safety of Oregon residents.

The governor praised local Harney County officials for their leadership during the armed occupation, which began January 2. But she said their work won't be over once the occupation is over.

"I would encourage them to speak with folks in the community and figure out what is the best way for the community to move forward,” Brown said. “But clearly this community is going to need time to heal."

Brown's comments come in the wake of a shooting Tuesday evening that killed one member of the militant group. Seven others were arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court in Portland Wednesday. The governor wouldn't comment about whether she knew in advance about Tuesday's planned arrests of the occupation leaders.

Other militants continue to occupy the refuge headquarters southeast of Burns.

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Visit OPB News for the latest on the stand-off in Burns, .

Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network
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Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
See stories by Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
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