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Latest News
Photo by Tammy A. Bloom
Local Spring Bull Sales
The Harrell Hereford Bull Roundup and Thomas Angus Spring Bull Sale were held March 1 and 2. Buyers from all over the nation arrived to view this year’s offerings, which included from the Harrell Ranch 120 bulls, 50 heifers and 20 quarter horses; and from the Thomas Angus Ranch 200 bulls —90 fall yearlings and 110 spring yearlings.
Planning Commission Continues Zoning Ordinance Discussions
By Suzan Ellis Jones
Baker County Planning Commission met for the regularly schedule planning meeting, work session and public hearing last Thursday night at the County Courthouse. Vice- Chair Bill Harvey conducted this work session meeting in the absence of Chair Randy Joseph. Commissioners Anna Sullivan, Dan Wietz, Don Silva and Jim Grove were also in attendance. Planning Department staff Mark Bennett, Holly Kerns, Tara Andrews and Donna Thibodeau attended the meeting. There were approximately 10 people in the audience.
The Planning Commission started early to have a work session with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel on suggestions for wordage and a few portions of the proposed Zoning Ordinances. Baker District Biologist, Nick Myatt and Assistant Biologist Brian Ratliff presented the suggestions on several chapters of the proposed zoning ordinance to the Commission. Ratliff briefly discussed the emergency elk feeding station on Harrell’s ranch in the Salmon Creek area.
Myatt provided the commission members with the “Oregon Columbia Plateau Ecoregion Wind Energy Siting and Permitting Guidelines” [copies are available at Baker ODFW office and the Baker County Planning Department] for help with developing Baker County’s wind power ordinance. He also suggested “bats” need to be added to the definitions and to clarify what the County means on the avian plan. Vice Chair Harvey requested ODFW provide bulleted suggestions for the commission rather than sifting through large documents. Bruce Eddy, Grande Ronde Watershed Manager, out of La Grande, also attended the meeting, but did not testify.
Parole And Probation Adds Fees
Commissioners Removes Art Sappington From Natural Resource Advisory Committee
By Eden Taylor
In the regular session of the County Commission conducted on Feb. 17, Will Benson, Baker County Parole and Probation Director presented additional fees in order to keep the Community Service program self sustaining. A Public Hearing was conducted on the proposal, but no one voiced any objections. Believing that “doing something for the community is 10 times better than putting them in jail (for a time out),” Benson works constantly to keep the program afloat.
The fees that will be added are: a $35 per month supervision fee for formal supervision and $10 fee for indirect supervision, $35 intake fee for work crews and $35 for each additional sentencing order. A community service sanction of $35 will also be imposed as will a $150/day rate for a work crew. Benson assured the community that he would be fair with those entities using the work crews and that some gratis work would still be done if time allows.
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Ash Grove’s mercury extraction system
Ash Grove’s Durkee Plant Reopens
by Mark Bogart
Ash Grove Cement’s Durkee plant is back in operation. After bringing back 48 laid-off employees over the past two weeks, the plant began the process of making cement on Monday. Seventeen workers returned earlier in the month to begin preparation for plant operation. Eleven employees had continued to work since the December shut-down in order to process existing orders.
Last Thursday, Feb. 18, employees celebrated with a “welcome back” lunch provided by the company. “Bringing our employees back to work is great news for the company and Eastern Oregon,” said Terry Kerby, plant manager, in a recent press release. “Ash Grove remains committed to its employees and customers who rely on the Durkee facility.”
Production manager Alan Finch explained the start-up process, which required workers to return one to two weeks before actual operation of the plant. “You don’t just flip a switch and start running again,” he said. Employees have been involved in extensive clean-up of dirt and debris from the two-month shutdown.
State Charges Cole With Sex Abuse
The Oregon Department of Justice has filed additional charges against Baker City resident Brian Cole. Added to the initial Oct. 31, 2009, charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor under the age of 21, is one more count of furnishing and four counts of third degree sex abuse.
Cole, 47, was cited and released on Halloween at about 8:30 p.m. after being discovered parked in a vehicle at the Pocahontas Fire Station with a 17-year-old girl, not related to Cole. Maldonado noted that there was alcohol in the vehicle. Along with Cole’s citation, the juvenile was issued a citation for minor in possession and released to her parents.
Court records filed Feb. 10, 2010, state that Cole is being accused by the Grand Jury of Baker County of furnishing alcohol to a minor on Jan. 1, 2009. The sexual abuse charges are two counts on Sept. 16, 2009 and two counts from Oct. 1 through Oct. 30, 2009. All six charges are with the same female juvenile.
Tournament Time!
By Eden Taylor
Championship Game—Girls
Joseph vs Imbler
Both teams were tied 5-5 at the first of the game. Then Imbler took control. The arsenal of athletes from Imbler was too much for the Joseph Eagles. Though Joseph played hard, they were out-hustled by the Panthers.
Imbler led 19-7 by the end of the first quarter and only allowed Joseph one point in the second quarter. The Panthers led 39 to 8 at the half.
Imbler was less prolific in the third quarter, only scoring 8 points. Joseph scored 6, but couldn’t catch up. Joseph was left scoreless in the 4th quarter while the Panthers racked up 12 more. The Imbler Panthers won the championship game 59-14.
Jessie Kohlhepp led the Eagles with 8 points. Chelsea Poe scored 11, Reva West had 10 and Sarah Bowers-Ott had 9 points for Imbler.
Championship Game—Boys
Powder Valley vs Wallowa
The main event was the boys’ championship game between Powder Valley and Wallowa. It was a fierce, tough battle, but when the dust settled Wallowa was crowned the GOL Champion.
The teams played to an 8-8 tie with 3:46 left in the first quarter. Then Wallowa ran off 7 straight points and took the lead for good. The Badgers came back on a jumper by Peter Colton and 5 points by Levi Allen, but they never could catch up. The first quarter ended 15-19 for the Cougars.
Wallowa outscored Powder Valley by 10 points in the second quarter and the Cougars took a 43-29 lead into the locker room.
The Cougars’ twin towers Mark Jamerson and Ronald Gladden were the undoing of the Badgers. Though Powder fought back, Wallowa increased their lead to 19 points by the end of the third quarter. Powder could not get a rally going in the 4th quarter as the whistle was a thorn in their sides. Wallowa took the championship 76-62.
North Powder shot 9 for 12 from the free throw line fo
r 75%. Wallowa was 11 for 19 for 58%. Trenton Dixon had 27 points for the Badgers, Levi Allen had 18. The Cougars had 4 in double figures: Jake Johnson had 24, Mark Jamerson had 17, Tyler Harshfield scored 13 and Ronald Gladden had 10.
The Tournament is sponsored by Community Bank and run by Baker City Tournaments.
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Field to Fork: 5th Graders Learn Where Food Comes From
By Eden Taylor
In the 3rd Annual Field to Fork Program, 5th graders from Baker 5J School District learned where their food comes from. The two-day event on Sept. 29 and 30 was presented by the Baker County Farm Bureau and Baker County Association of Conservation Districts. Half of the 5th graders participated on Tuesday and half on Wednesday. Marilyn Moore was the Program Coordinator. Patty Shumway from the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) is an Earth Team Volunteer who also helped with the program and gave recognition to all the volunteers involved. The OSU Extension Service and Baker and North Powder FFA Students were also key players.
Those on the Field to Fork Committee are: Laurie Owens, Josh Uriarte, Catie Kerns, Cory Parsons, Janice Cowan, Holly Kerns, Amber Arritola, Holly McKim, Eugene Hawes, Patty Shumway and Marilyn Moore.
Ash Grove Cement To Lay Off 68 Workers In Durkee
By Mark Bogart
Ash Grove Cement Company has announced plans to layoff 68 of 115 employees at its Durkee plant. The suspension of production and the resulting staff layoff will begin about Dec. 14 and continue until market conditions improve, according to company spokesperson Jacqueline Clark. The company is temporarily suspending production at nine plants around the country. The remaining employees will be involved mainly in filling orders from existing inventory.
The layoff was described as “seasonal” due to the normal slowing of orders
during winter months. However, the nationwide decline resulting from
economic conditions made the situation much more serious. “The economic downturn affecting the entire cement industry is the most severe that Ash Grove has experienced in our 127-year history,” according to a press release on Sept. 30. The release went on to say that U.S. cement consumption dropped by an estimated 22 percent during 2009 and by 16 percent in 2008.
Council Narrows Pool Of City Manager Candidates
By Mark Bogart
Starting with 75 applicants for the City Manager position for Baker City,
the Council has narrowed its list to “a manageable number” for interviews
according to Tim Collins, interim City Manager. At a special work session
on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m., the Councilors will meet to work out a
schedule and details for that process.
“It’s going to be tough to get all seven together, but they all want to be
part of it,” said Collins.
After the Council interviews its selected candidates for the job, they will
trim the list to two finalists for background checks. The final step will
be to negotiate “terms of employment.” Collins avoided using the term
“contract” due to legalities, some related to the current issues of
termination and severance pay. Setting a starting date for the new manager
will also be part of the negotiations.
City Street Projects Nearing End
By Mark Bogart
Baker City street projects are nearing completion, according to Mike Remilyof the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). “D” Street and the Dewey Avenue underpass are expected to be open for regular traffic by Oct. 23.
Birch Street is open now, but final “cleanup work” is still under way,
according to Baker City Public Works Director Michelle Owen.
The Dewey Avenue Underpass project has intermittent flagging and a lane
closure while workers finish grinding concrete to smooth the surface, but
that will be completed soon. Except for a pedestrian handicapped access ramp on the east side of the underpass, work on Dewey will also be completed by Oct. 23. Installation of the ramp and sidewalk is not expected until spring due to coordination between ODOT, Union Pacific Railroad and contractors, said Remily
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Kelly Tanzey adjusts a car seat during a safety inspection at Eastern Oregon Medical Associates.
Car Seats Save Lives
By Eden Taylor
Car seats save lives—that fact as been proven over and over again. But car seats need to be installed properly, children need to be buckled in properly, and correct sizes of car seats need to be used. That was the purpose of the car seat check conducted by the Baker City Police Department at Eastern Oregon Medical Associates (EOMA) on Sept. 9.
Kelly Tanzey from Sterling Bank is a certified safety seat inspector. She, along with police officers Valeria Hysong and Tyra Ruberti, helped EOMA patrons and others make sure their car seats were installed correctly.
School Board Hears Grievance
By Eden Taylor
In a closed executive session, on Sept. 22, the Baker School Board listened to a grievance from BEA representatives. The relief sought is for the district to honor the current contract and pay the association members for 191 days of service for the 2008/2009 school year instead of 186 days. The district has 10 days to render their decision. If the grievant is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level Three, or if no decision has been rendered within 10 days after the Level Three Conference, the Association may submit their grievance to arbitration. The Board will meet in executive session Oct. 24 at noon in the district office for further discussion on the grievance. Executive sessions are closed to the public and press.
Baker County Commission Approves Funding For Local Programs
By Eden Taylor
In their regular session on Sept. 23, the Baker County Commission heard updates from the Mason Dam project, Greenhorn, the Transmission line and the Commission on Children and Families.
Commissioners were informed that interviews were conducted and Sorenson Engineering was selected to conduct a feasibility study of the Mason Dam Hydroelectric Project and to complete the Preliminary Licensing Plan for FERC.
The Commissioners discussed the current events of Greenhorn and will visit the City of Greenhorn later that afternoon (Sept 23).
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Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally Riders Have Rainy Weekend
The Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally brought thousands of motorcycles of all shapes, colors and sizes to Baker City last weekend in spite of frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Slick pavement accounted for a total of eight motorcycle accidents in the Baker City area during the event. Though there were no fatalities, four riders were life-flighted from St. Elizabeth Health Services after being brought to the emergency room. Two other accidents occured in the Richland and Halfway areas near Hells Canyon.
There were two additional arrests that occured when a drunken biker knocked over a line of motorcycles on Main Street while trying to get on his own bike. George Edward Twardus, 49, of Portland, was arrested for drunken driving. 19-year-old Derrick Erickson, of Baker City, was arrested during the same incident for attempting to ride off on Twardus’ motorcycle during the incident. Erickson was charged with unlawful use of a motorcycle and tampering with evidence.
Council To Begin City Manager Hiring Process
By Candie Campbell
After a heated and much debated City Council meeting last week where City Manager Steve Brocato was fired, council held a special meeting Friday. The agenda included the consideration and possible implementation of city manager selection procedure; consideration and possible reinstatement of previous city Manager.
The room filled with Brocato supporters, however, councilors did not take public testimony or consider the reinstatement of Brocato.
At the meeting Tim Collins, interim city manager recommended hiring City Administration recruitment Service (CARS) to assist the city in their search for a quality city manager, stating that the “city can have a qualified right-fit for Baker in four to five months.”
School Board Decides To Stay The Course
By Eden Taylor
In a work session prior to the regular school board meeting on June 16, the school board voted to “stay the course,” as far as number of school days per week.
Superintendent Don Ulrey asked the board to consider the 5-day week with early release on Fridays as the best schedule for student achievement. Ulrey suggested that the district hold each school staff accountable to develop a written plan for Friday’s schedule. He suggested to the board that they negotiate the article about professional development with the expectation of expecting professional development two Fridays a month.
Ulrey said that seat time doesn’t make academic achievement. A well-trained staff, he said, has been shown to be the best way to improve student achievement. Ulrey emphasized that because learning is a very social thing that their needs to be more teamwork with the students.
Elkhorn Classic Bike Race This Weekend
Cyclists are planning strategy and anticipating sometimes grueling treks through Baker County’s scenic Elkhorn Mountains in the eighth riding of the Elkhorn Classic Stage Race scheduled for June 19-21.
Dozens of bicycle racers from all over the Western United States and Canada will participate in this three-day, four-stage spectator-friendly event. Veteran riders will find the course challenging while a no time-out policy means that newer riders can focus on the task at hand.
Police Arrest Two At Baker Tower
Baker County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 report of suspicious activity, Wednesday, June 16, at 2:34 a.m. Officer Davidson and Officer Bass responded to the Baker Tower in downtown Baker City, where sounds of footsteps, loud banging and two male voices swearing had reportedly been heard in or around the Tower and the alley behind it.
The officers arrested one juvenile and another suspect for Criminal Trespass 2. Arrested was Michael Scott Thomas, 18, of 1675 East Street in Baker City. The juvenile was cited and released to his parents.
Problems with vandalism, tagging, and breaking and entering have occured at other times at this location, also resulting in police response.
The Historic Baker Tower is owned by Shayne and Angelika Olsen’s Hometown Management, LLC.
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