News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Mark Kolberg is recovering at his father's home in Portland from a severe beating he suffered at the hands of unknown assailants in Sisters on November 7.
"I'm doing all right," the 21-year-old told The Nugget on Monday, December 2. "My biggest thing is that one front tooth of mine."
One top incisor was broken off at the gum-line; another was broken by about two-thirds. Kolberg said that bumping the most deeply broken tooth causes excruciating pain. He has undergone extensive dental work already, with more on the horizon.
The young man also suffered some hairline cracks in his jaw and on the left cheek, but those are expected to heal on their own.
Kolberg's father Doug said his son took 30 to 35 stitches in various facial cuts. The worst cut -- requiring 20 stitches -- was where Kolberg's lower teeth were pushed through his lip.
Doug Kolberg said a reconstructive surgeon from Bend "did a masterful job in sewing up that hamburger mess on his lower lip."
According to Doug Kolberg, there was some muscle injury and considerable scarring.
An investigation into the beating is ongoing.
Kolberg was riding his bicycle along Camp Polk Road north of Main Avenue that Thursday night, after drinking beer at a local bar, when a pickup truck with several occupants approached.
Kolberg reported that the occupants yelled at him and he yelled something back at them. The truck stopped and at least two men jumped out.
"They just kind of pushed me off my bike and I was on the ground so quick... it just happened so quick," Kolberg said.
Kolberg said that at least one person held him while another hit him. Then, when he was on the ground, someone kicked and stomped him.
"I think that's what got my face so bad," he said. "I don't really remember much."
Kolberg has moved back to Portland permanently.
"I think I'm just going to go back to school and stay with my dad and just take it easy for a little bit," he said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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