Homeowners Get Their Wish, Sex Offenders Must Leave Halfway House

Angry neighbors cause the county to back off from a plan they had already agreed with.

Salem-News.com

(SHERIDAN) - A halfway house for sex offenders opened in Sheridan earlier this month. But because the mobile home drew so much community opposition, a Yamhill County sheriff's department official says it will now close.

The house, operated by Stepping Out Ministries, which operates two similar facilities in Salem. In Sheridan, west of McMinnville, it had a triple-wide mobile home.

Lt. Ken Summers says it's not going to work for them in that home, adding that the five men will be gone shortly.

Last week, Summers and other deputies cut short a community forum as angry residents protested against the halfway house.

Summers said officials were working on how and where to place the offenders.

Summer said some have been offered spots at a work-release center, and the community corrections department is working to place the others.