Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
Hopson Lyons arson lawsuit settles
A lawsuit against a Lyons man whose neighbors accused him of burning down their house shortly after the 2020 wildfires was dismissed after parties settled out of court.
William “Dale” Hopson and his neighbors Connie and Herman Frieden reached an agreement following a settlement conference June 3 in Marion County Circuit Court. Terms of the settlement were not made public in court records.
The Friedens and their landlord Ajay Property Management LLC sued Hopson Aug. 30, 2022, for $437,975, plus related legal costs. They claimed Hopson burned down the Friedens’ home on North Fork Road Sept. 9, 2020, using the Santiam Fire as cover.
Hopson denied wrongdoing and asked for judgment in his favor and reimbursement for his own legal costs.
Firearm charges dismissed
Charges against a Mill City man accused of shooting a Salem man’s car have been dismissed after prosecutors were unable to convince a grand jury of the allegations.
On May 14, charges of unlawful use of a weapon and second-degree criminal mischief against Michel O’Dale Bristow, 30, were dismissed when prosecutors could not secure an indictment.
Bristow was arrested April 11 for allegedly discharging a firearm on the 800 block of Edina Lane, in Salem, causing more than $500 in damage to another man’s vehicle.
Bristow had been released on his own recognizance, and faces no other charges.
Felony gun threat warrant
Authorities have issued a felony warrant for a Scio man they believe threatened another man with a gun this spring.
Brad William Petersen, 62, was charged May 29 in Linn County Circuit Court with unlawful use of a weapon and menacing. He allegedly used a firearm to place the victim “in fear of imminent serious physical injury,” according to charging documents.
A warrant was issued for Petersen’s arrest and as of press time he remained at large.
