Day 28 At The Malheur Occupation: 5 Things You Need To Know

Oregon Public Broadcasting | By David Stuckey, Kimberley Freda

Published January 29, 2016 at 8:03 AM PST

On Thursday evening, the FBI held a press conference at the Harney County Chamber Of Commerce to outline details of the ongoing situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Four people remain inside the refuge south of Burns, Oregon, and although they have stated they are ready to abandon the occupation, ending the 28-day saga in Harney County has been easier said than done.

Here is where we stand today.

Roadtrip Ready: David Fry, one of the more vocal militants still remaining, told OPB the four militants inside have packed their cars and are ready to leave.

Judgment Day: A detention hearing is scheduled for today at the federal courthouse in Portland for the arrested militants who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Many of the arrested militants have little or no criminal history, defense lawyers have argued. On Thursday, from her bench, Judge Stacie Beckerman said, “I’m not going to release anybody from custody, but I’ll entertain it tomorrow.”

Get Out Of Jail Free Card: The four remaining militants desperately want to end the occupation. However, they want to be able to leave the refuge without prosecution. The FBI said it is in constant contact with the militants on negotiations to end the occupation.

Caught On Tape: During a press conference Thursday, officials provided new details about the death of LaVoy Finicum, one of the armed occupiers who was shot by police Tuesday afternoon. The FBI released a video of the confrontation between Finicum and law enforcement which ended in him being shot and killed by a law enforcement officer.

Check Please: Although no official numbers have been released, officials have estimated the daily and weekly cost of the Malheur occupation from the onset. Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said he would bill the occupiers $70,000 per day, while Oregon Gov. Kate Brown estimated the cost at $100,000 per week. This does not include the schools affected by the occupation. Harney County Schools Superintendent Marilyn McBride estimates the occupation is costing the school system an extra $4,000 per day. If any of these numbers are remotely close, the cost of the entire occupation is costing the state millions.

<p>State troopers monitoring the situation.</p> — State troopers monitoring the situation.

Bradley Parks

<p>State troopers block off the road leading to the refuge.</p> — State troopers block off the road leading to the refuge.

Bradley Parks

<p>An Oregon state trooper pulls away from the temporary roadblock toward an FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.</p> — An Oregon state trooper pulls away from the temporary roadblock toward an FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.

<p> </p><p class="p1">An FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.</p> — An FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.

<p>Press stand behind a road block outside the FBI checkpoint after state troopers unblocked the road.</p> — Press stand behind a road block outside the FBI checkpoint after state troopers unblocked the road.

<p> </p><p class="p1">A line of pickup trucks alongside an FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.</p> — A line of pickup trucks alongside an FBI checkpoint outside the refuge.