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Photo courtesy of ODFW Mule deer at the feeding site landlocked within Foster Ranch.
Foster Ranch Recognized For Wildlife Stewardship
Foster Ranch’s commitment to wildlife stewardship and cooperation with ODFW was recognized with the 2011 Riley Freeman Award by ODFW and the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association during the December annual OCA Convention in Bend.
The Foster Ranch near Baker City is owned by Don Foster and his family. His longstanding commitment to wildlife began in the early 1980s, when the Elkhorn Mountains’ growing elk herds were wintering on or near private agricultural land, eating expensive haystacks meant for cattle.
The damage could have led to a reduction in the elk herd, but thankfully a solution was found. ODFW set up several feeding stations to divert elk and deer away from haystacks and other agricultural crops. One of those feed sites was located on BLM land that is completely landlocked by Foster Ranch.
“I wanted it mainly to help deer through the winter, as they have a tough time up here,” explained Don Foster. “The site is in a sheltered basin away from public roads, where elk can get out of storms and down in pockets and low rims during the winter.” Elk, deer and other big game can lose precious energy during the winter when they are disturbed by vehicles, but the sheltered area on Foster Ranch helps protect them.
Wrecking Yard Owner Arrested on Theft Charges
On Dec. 27, 2011 the Baker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a theft of mining equipment from the Chadwick mine on Elk Creek.
It was reported an estimated $41,350 of equipment and metal was taken during the night before. Information was obtained that led to a search warrant being served at Kanyid’s Wrecking yard where some of the property was recovered. More of the equipment was also recovered from Wurdinger Recycling in La Grande where it had been sold. Ladd W. Kanyid, 51, the owner of the wrecking yard was taken into custody for Theft I and unlawful possession of meth.
On Jan. 4, 2012 a second search warrant was served at Kanyid’s Wrecking yard. Three trucks were recovered that had been taken from the Parkerville Mine located near Greenhorn. There were also several other pieces of equipment taken along with metal during the last several months. Two stolen cars were recovered, one from the Hermiston area and one from Idaho. Kanyid was arrested on the following charges: two counts of first degree theft, unlawful possession of meth, unlawful delivery of meth, unlawful manufacture of meth, and two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
School Board Votes To Name Track ‘Dan Kelley Memorial Track’
By Mark Bogart
It only took a few minutes in a meeting that lasted over three hours for the Baker School Board to vote unanimously that the Baker High School track should be named the "Dan Kelley Memorial Track" in honor of a Baker High athlete who held world records and won a silver medal in the 1908 Olympics. The Board also approved the 2010-2011 audit, honored students of the month, and heard several reports, including an extensive presentation on the technology program. Board members received gifts in honor of Board Appreciation Week.
In a letter to the Board, BHS Principal Jerry Peacock said Kelley, who also attended the University of Oregon, held world records in both the 100 and 200 yard dashes then won an Olympic silver medal in the broad jump. Board member Andrew Bryan pointed out that Kelley's coach was Bill Hayward, after whom the U of O track, Hayward Field, is named. Peacock said honoring Kelley will be the focal point of a windbreak on the north end of the track. Archways and a kiosk will highlight the Olympian's achievements.
No Holiday For Local Schools
By Debby Schoeningh
The Baker 5J School District held classes on Monday, Jan. 2, which was a legal holiday since New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday this year. 5J School Board Member Kyle Knight said having school on Monday was a mistake — one that he doesn’t want to see repeated.
“5J schools were the only government agency open in Baker City, that’s one of the problems I have with this,” he said.
Knight is also concerned that students who missed the day are starting off the year behind with make-up work to do. He questions the wisdom of paying teachers to work when they didn’t have full classrooms of students.
According to state law, students cannot be “compelled” to attend school on holidays, nor can teachers be required to teach on holidays.
“The state law on legal holidays trumps the School District in these decisions, in my opinion,” said Knight. “This school holiday should have been corrected before Christmas break, or even days before.” The Jan. 2 holiday was preceded by two weeks of Christmas vacation for students.
5J Superintendent Walt Wegener said when the school calendar year was decided last April, the calendar “fell better” if the district planned to work and hold school on Jan. 2.
“We tried about a dozen different combinations (or more),” he said. “It (having school Jan. 2) helped with many details, starting date, ending date, breaks, etc.”
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Photo by Joni Lea Linscott
House Catches Fire Due To Crack In Chimney
By Joni Lea Linscott
On Sunday, Jan. 8, at approximately 8:20 a.m. a chimney fire broke out in a house located at 1514 Oak Street near Spring Garden Avenue in Baker City. The house is owned by Ted Dockweiler.
Police, fire and ambulance all responded. The Baker City Police Department was asked to come due to the fact that the fire department had to stretch their hydrant hose across Auburn Ave., and didn’t want traffic to run over the hose. The streets were blocked off on Oak from Auburn to Spring Garden. Eleven firefighters were present and worked for about two hours to extinguish the fire.
There currently isn’t an estimation of the cost of damage, but there was damage to the chimney, the wall around it, and the roof. The fire was caused by a crack in the chimney, and the fire spread from there.
City Hires New Attorney, Golf Course Contractor Fails To Pay Concession Fee
By Mark Bogart
Baker City has a new City Attorney, Brandon Eyre of the La Grande law firm Baum, Smith and Eyre was introduced at the beginning of Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Then Councilors plunged into lengthy discussions of water treatment, burying utilities on Resort Street, and paying the bills at Quail Ridge Golf Course.
As City Manager Mike Kee and Public Works Director Michelle Owen reported on developments in the water treatment project, Councilor Roger Coles said, "I can't buy it.” He then referred to an article about cryptosporidium in New York and recommended that Baker City keep testing for the parasite and "try to get out of this."
Councilor Aletha Bonebrake referred to developing scientific information and possible changes in testing and regulation. She said, "We won't know till 2016, but then we'll have spent the money." Current testing can show the existing of crypto oocists (coverings), but cannot show if live parasites are in the water samples.
Kee explained that he had talked to an official at the Oregon Health Authority. According to Kee, their message was, "The rules may change, but for now these are the rules." He and Councilor Clair Button explained that testing would cost thousands of dollars without changing the situation.
Officials Shoot Two Cougars in John Day
Law enforcement and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) searched for over 6 hours Friday afternoon, Jan. 6, in the area of a John Day city park and athletic facility after three cougars were reportedly spotted in the area within the city limits of John Day. An Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper shot and killed the first cougar and a second one was killed about four hours later. A third cougar wasn't found.
According to OSP Master Sergeant Gordon Larson, on Jan. 6 at approximately 12:15 p.m. a John Day resident called 9-1-1 to report a cougar was in a dugout at the John Day 7th Street Complex, a park and athletic facility in the city limits of John Day.
Baker County Faces Justice Court Funding Loss, $170,000 Per Year
By Mark Bogart
What would happen if Baker County no longer had a Justice Court? Could the Justice Court be cut back in order to function with sharply reduced funding? How does the upcoming election for a new Justice of the Peace impact the commissioners' options? These and other questions came to the forefront as the Baker County Board of Commissioners learned about the possible implications of House Bill 2712, passed by the 2011 Oregon Legislature.
Commission Chair Fred Warner, Jr. shared information from the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) as well as his own preliminary assessment at the regular commission meeting last Wednesday morning. He reported on a combination of fines and assessments that will no longer be available to the county to fund its Justice Court. As a result of HB 2712 those dollars either could not be collected or would go to the state.
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Photo by George Roach
DOGS WELCOME ON NEW LOOP —Do you often wish you could bring Fido when you head to the mountain for a day of skiing? But the dog isn’t happy just hanging out in the car all day! Anthony Lakes has added a loop at Mud Lake to make your four-legged friends happy. The trail is open to cross-country skis and snow shoes. From left, ski instructors Steve Edwards and Terry Edvalson enjoy an early romp with their pals.
Council Approves Angled Parking On Resort Street
By Mark Bogart
A divided 4 -3 reversal of a decision on Resort Street parking didn't dampen the holiday spirits of the Baker City Council Tuesday night. After the second extensive discussion of the redesign of Resort Street, Councilor Aletha Bonebrake's change of heart was enough to approve an option that will continue diagonal parking on the street.
The Council also accepted the bequest of assets valued at about $900,000 from the estate of the late Tony Silvers. Silvers asked that most of the money be used for planting and maintaining street trees in Baker City.
Resort Street
The Resort Street issue brought out downtown business and property owners who were concerned about the loss of parking spaces if parallel parking was established on both sides. Lance Adams, owner of Sycamore Tree outlined a history of decisions going back to 1997 in which the city supported the current design with angled parking on the east side and parallel on the west.
Wegener Releases School Weapons Policy (Version 7)
By Doyle Perry
There was another attempt to rescind the Administrative Rule on Weapons Policy at Baker 5J School District during Tuesday night’s School Board meeting. A motion that was not on the agenda was proposed again by board member Kyle Knight with a second again by Jim Longwell. The other three board members, Chair Lynne Burroughs, Mark Henderson and Andrew Bryan again rejected that motion.
Knight said at the heart of his motion was the appearance of “Weapons Free Zone” postings. Knight said his objections were to the fact that there are more of those signs than “Drug Free Zone” or other designations. In a recent letter to the Editor, Knight stated, “During the November meeting a resident pointed out we are stepping out of bounds with the current weapons policy.”
Local resident and owner of Powder River Precision, Inc. in Baker City, Daniel Batchelor, was also at this week’s meeting. Batchelor recently was reported as wanting to reverse the Administrative Rule regulating the possession of handguns on school district policy by people with a concealed handgun license. Batchelor said the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) set policy that they know could not stand. He indicated that with a little more work on the implementation of the AR, “We’ll have the best possible outcome.” Batchelor praised the hard work Superintendent Wegener has done, and recommended that “we shake off the dust.”
Bert Vanderwall Receives Ski Oregon Award
The Gene Landsmann Gemütlichkeit Award is given each year in recognition of one individual, nominated by the membership of Ski Oregon, who exemplifies the spirit of Gene Landsmann, an ambassador of skiing, and the concept of Gemütlichkeit.
This year’s deserving recipient is Bert Vanderwall, a long time promoter of Anthony Lakes Ski Area. Vanderwall has been a presence at the ski area since its beginning in the early sixties. Having served many roles in the operation of the ski area, he knows the mountain like no one else. Now in his 80s, he still skis several times a week and never hesitates to strike up a conversation while on the lift, coming down the mountain, or relaxing in the lodge. He personally knows the regular skiers and becomes an instant friend to visitors and newcomers. His nomination for this award was supported by many who he has touched over the years.
Bert’s heritage is Anthony Lakes. His father, Roy, ran the rope tow and later the poma lift. He was an original stock holder in the ski area, when the locals pooled their resources to build the initial structures and tows. Bert knows every inch of the mountain, and the backside. It’s not just that skiing is in his blood...Anthony Lakes is in his blood. Over the years, Bert has worn many hats. He has been Mountain Manager, Ski School Director, Backside Tour Guide, in charge of lodge accommodations, groomer, maintenance man, ski patrol and mostly a gracious mountain host. Through all, his enthusiasm that has not diminished over the decades.
A presentation will be made to Bert on Feb. 2, 2012 in Baker City. For more information on the event and how you can participate, please contact Anthony Lakes Ski area, 541.856.3277 ex. 12.
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 Submitted Photo Above from left, Turkey Trot participants Davey Peterson, Zachary Tomac (3rd place), Nic Maszk (1st. place) John Aguire, The Cooking Contessas Mari Nicolson, Rebecca Van Cleave, Kata Bulinski, Ann Mehaffy, Suzanne Fouty, Laura Miller, Carolyn Kulog and Sherry Nelson; Barry Dew in the background, and Mike Rushton (2nd place) far right. Front row kneeling from left, Jason Hardrath (captain 1st place team Baker Running Club), Brea Ribeiro (1st place), Desarae Navras (3rd place)
2011 Turkey Trot Raised Nearly $5000 For Compassion Center
For the 2011 Run/Walk to Feed the Hungry Turkey Trot in Baker City, Oregon, more than 450 people registered to take part in the 5k event. Organizers, Corrine and Brian Vegter estimate that close to $5000 was raised this year to benefit the Northeast Oregon Compassion Center.
The individual men's race was once again dominated by Nic Maszk with a winning time of 19:36, followed by Mike Rushton at 20:27, and Zachary Tomac at 23:10. In the women's individual race Brea Ribeiro finished at 23:59, followed by Allison Robbins at 24:21, and rounding out the top three was Desarae Navras at 25:24.
The team race was won by Baker City Running Club with a time of 27:12, followed by the Gallopin Gobblers at 44:02, and in third was Santa's Helpers at 50:15. The best costume prize went to the Cooking Contessas.
This year was the most successful to date with people coming from as far as Venice, Fla., and more food was donated than any other year. The goal to create a fun run that helps our community has be come a tradition for locals and visitors alike. Thanks to the large number of local sponsors all of the money raised from entry fees will go to those in need in our community.
Next year’s event will be on Thanksgiving Day 2012.
Rioux Receives Prison Sentence
On Nov. 22, 2011 John Joseph Rioux, 22, of Baker City was sentenced to the Oregon Department of Corrections for a period of 12 years.
Rioux pled guilty to one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree and two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree. He was sentenced to 100 months in prison pursuant to Ballot Measure 11 on the unlawful sexual penetration charge. He also received 22 months in prison on each of the sexual abuse in the second degree charges. All three counts ran consecutive for a total of 144 months in prison.
Rioux will have to serve 140 months of post prison supervision and register as a sex offender when he is released. Three counts of rape in the first degree, three counts of rape in the third degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and one count of sodomy in the first degree and attempted rape in the first degree were dismissed as part of a plea bargain with the Baker County District Attorney’s office.
Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 86 South Of Halfway
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a single vehicle fatal traffic crash discovered early Saturday morning by a passing motorist along Highway 86 about one mile south of Halfway. The crash resulted in the death of Nampa, Idaho man.
According to OSP Sergeant Kyle Hove, on Nov. 26, 2011, at approximately 6:30 a.m. off-duty Halfway Fire Chief Todd Robbinette spotted a crashed vehicle about 50 feet off Highway 86 near milepost 53. Robbinette stopped and discovered Patrick Dimmick, age 38, from Nampa, Idaho, lying over 70 feet from the vehicle. OSP and Baker County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene where Dimmick was pronounced deceased.
State Fines LPL Financial For Failing To Supervise La Grande Stockbroker, Jack Kleck
(Salem) - The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services entered into a consent order with LPL Financial and fined the company $100,000 for failing to properly supervise one of its brokers. LPL Financial is a nationwide brokerage firm with branch offices throughout Oregon.
Jack Kleck, branch manager for LPL Financial in La Grande, sold investments in high-risk oil and gas partnerships to nearly three dozen Oregon residents, including many elderly people. The partnership interests were not suitable investments for Kleck's clientele, given their age and investment objectives.
"This case underscores the importance of investing with individuals and firms licensed by the State of Oregon," said David Tatman, administrator of the department's Division of Finance and Corporate Securities (DFCS). "The state examines licensed brokerage firms and the division will take appropriate action against firms that do not comply with the law."
Burnt River SWCD Completes Juniper Treatment Project In Sage Grouse Habitat
Sage Grouse populations across the west have been decreasing throughout the years for several reasons. Currently the Sage Grouse is a candidate species for the Federal Endangered Species List. If the bird is listed it could drastically affect the way of doing business for many landowners in the county.
Baker County’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (SWCD) have partnered with many different agencies and put several projects on the ground to improve the Sage Grouse Habitat.
The Burnt River Soil and Water Conservation District recently completed a juniper treatment project within a core Sage Grouse habitat area to accomplish just that. Two landowners contacted the SWCD with hundreds of acres of phase I & II juniper between their properties. An Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grant was received to treat 700 acres of juniper and provide materials to help treat noxious weeds. There were 300 acres of juniper treated mechanically near Dry Creek and 400 acres of juniper treated near Holman Creek. Tri County Weed treated leafy spurge on 550 acres in the Alder Creek watershed area. Leafy spurge forces the deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses out of the ecosystem.
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Man Barricades Self In Residence, Threatens To Shoot Police Officers
On Nov. 17, at about 12:40 p.m. Baker City Police responded to 225 Bridge Street for the report of an individual, later identified as Jon Henry, in that residence claiming he was being threatened by unknown persons outside of the residence. When officers arrived on scene they were unable to locate any suspects outside the residence. When officers attempted contact with Henry, 22, he threatened to shoot, if they didn’t back away from the residence.
Additional Law Enforcement Officers from Baker City, Baker County and the Oregon State Police arrived on scene, closing Bridge Street and evacuating the Oregon Trail Restaurant, Les Schwab Tire store and private residences in the area.
Officers attempted to negotiate with Henry and get him to walk out of the residence. Henry, who was displaying what officers described as “aggressive and abnormal behavior,” did not comply.
Baker 5J School Board Member Receives Leadership Award
Mark Henderson, Baker School Board member, received a Bronze board leadership award at the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) November convention in Portland.
The award, offered through OSBA's Leadership Institute, represents a significant level of achievement in board leadership and development. The institute offers four levels of awards for individual school board members, recognizing completion of specific OSBA board leadership courses.
For more about the Leadership Institute, visit www.osba.org/li.
Citizens Raise Concerns About Reservoir Levels
By Tami Waldron
A special meeting with Idaho Power employees and the communities at large in Richland, Halfway and Oxbow was held on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Shorthorn in Richland. About 30 local residents attended the meeting. Idaho Power representatives were Roger Fuhrman, Kresta Butts, Brad Bowlin and Stan Bechtold; and Karen Spencer from the Baker County Parks Division.
During the informational meeting, Idaho Power representatives were asked why they are letting out so much water during fishing season. Local citizens said there has been so little water that folks can't get their boats into the water. They also reported that the low water levels are killing fish.
Curt Colnotts, who runs a boat guide business stated he had lost well over $30,000 this past year due to the water fluctuations. He said he had also contacted Idaho Power regarding a clean up of garbage and was basically refused his requests.
Anthony Lakes Ski Area To Open For Season
The much anticipated season opening of Anthony Lakes Ski Area comes this Saturday, Nov. 26. The recent storm brought plenty of the ski area's famous powder to put skiing on the Thanksgiving weekend agenda for those itching to hit the slopes. The timely opening offers skiers, boarders and snow shoers their first opportunity to play in the snow and a great way to work off the holiday calories.
"We are excited to get the season underway," said Peter Johnson, General Manager. "The storm was well timed, dumping about 15 inches of snow in just three days, on top of 8 to 10 inches that were already on the ground. We are pleased to open this early and anticipate a fun weekend." He added that, while opening Thanksgiving Friday is always a goal, it only happens on rare occasions.
Johnson cautions skiers to stay on the groomed runs. "While we are opening, preseason conditions do exist. We will have a couple of groomed runs and encourage skiers and boarders to stay on them. We got some of that great Anthony Lakes powder early, so there isn't much of a base. Be very, very careful if you do venture off the groomed areas."
A Challenge To Help
During Halloween this year, Heather Hunt, a Baker City resident, suffered severe burns at her home. The Halloween costume she was wearing caught fire, and she suffered burns on one hand, and from her waist down to her feet on the front and back. Heather is currently at the Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. Even while facing skin graft surgeries, Heather's spirits are high and she is hoping to return home for Christmas.
Just two days before this accident Heather married Steve Hunt, blending their two families and their five children ranging from age 6 to 10. At this point, Steve is traveling back and forth from Baker City to Portland, tending to Heather's business as well as taking care of their five children.
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Police Complete Investigation Of Motor Vehicle Crash Involving 17-Year Old Bicyclist
The Baker City Police Department (BCPD) has completed the investigation into the Sept. 27, 2011 injury traffic crash involving a 17-year bicyclist and an unmarked Oregon State Police (OSP) detective’s vehicle at a Baker City residential intersection.
According to BCPD Chief Wyn Lohner, a bicycle ridden by Tyler Arthur was northbound on 7th Street when it was involved in a collision with an unmarked Oregon State Police (OSP) vehicle driven by Detective David
Aydelotte. The investigation and supporting evidence indicates Arthur, who was not wearing a helmet, entered the Campbell Street intersection without stopping at a stop sign when he was struck by the OSP vehicle that was traveling westbound on Campbell Street.
7th Street is controlled by stop signs at that intersection and Campbell Street is not. Arthur was listening to an MP3player with the aid of earbud headphones at the time he was struck by the vehicle. Based on evidence it does not appear that the speed of the OSP vehicle was excessive, or a factor in this collision. Arthur was transported by ambulance to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City and later flown to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He was released from the hospital Sept. 29 and reportedly has returned to school this week.
No citations will be issued to Arthur. OSP assisted the Baker City Police Department with this investigation.
Changes Ahead For CCF Program
By Debby Schoeningh
Baker County Commission on Children and Families (CCF) director Judy Barzee said because of budget reductions and upcoming state changes to the CCF system, it's “unknown” what the program is going to look like in another year.
The good news, Barzee told County Commissioners at their Sept. 21 meeting, is Baker CCF has been approved for year five, the final year of the Northeast Oregon Collaborative for Child Safety grant, for October 2011 through September of 2012. The grant is for $500,000 and is funded by the Department of Human Services at the federal level.
Baker County CCF also received a two-year budget from the State Commission. Barzee said she is surprised they received a two-year budget because every other state funded office received a one-year budget.
To help with statewide budget reductions in the program she said the State CCF Commission is being asked to temporarily waive three Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), specifying that every county has to have two fulltime employees, a comprehensive planning update on even years of every biennium, and a partnership agreement with state commission on odd years every biennium. The first OAR, Barzee said, is not feasible with budget cuts and the latter two are too costly and labor intensive.
School Board Hears Info On VFW Scholarship Opportunities
By Joni Lea Linscott
School Board members heard from C.J. Gray from VFW on a two Scholarship opportunities for students at their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 20. One is called “The Voice of Democracy” and is aimed at grades 9-12.
As explained in the report, each year more than 50,000 high school students compete for more than $2.3 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme is, “Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?” The next scholarship explained is Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest which is a nationwide competition. This is an opportunity for student's in grades 6-8 to write essays expressing their own views on democracy.
This program is designed to encourage patriotism by encouraging students to express their feelings based on an annual theme. The theme for this year is, “Are You Proud of Your Country?”
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