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News Archive
Christmas Tree Arrives Downtown
This year’s downtown Christmas tree, an enormous blue spruce donated by Brent, Shelly and Hannah Wilson of Baker City, arrived last Saturday to take its place at Main and Court Streets.
Oregon Trail Electric Consumers Cooperative provided equipment and volunteers, Gene Nelson, Larry Robb, Tim Bannister and Rich Eskew, to help with the removal and transport of the tree. Chuck Carey cut down the tree and Don Glerup transported it downtown on a log truck.
After the holidays, the tree will be cut up by members of the prison work crew, and the wood will be donated to needy families.
Baker City Public Works crew will decorate the tree with lights and birdseed ornaments made by students at the Seventh-day Adventist School will adorn it. The lighting of the tree will take place Dec. 6 after the Twilight Parade, which begins at 5 p.m.
Haines Man Indicted For Murder
Gerald Roe III, 19, of Haines was indicted by a Baker County grand jury Thursday, Nov. 13, on two counts of murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of his infant daughter, Mia Marie Roe. There were multiple charges because there was allegedly more than one physical act involved in the infant’s death.
Baker County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff said the Grand Jury reconvened on Nov. 21 and the charges were amended to include three counts of murder, the manslaughter charge was dropped. However, Shirtcliff said the manslaughter charge could still be considered.
Baker City Man Sentenced On
Sex Abuse Charges
On Nov. 20, 2008 Eugene Andrew Kekalis, 42, of 1635 15th St., Baker City entered guilty pleas to first degree sodomy and two counts of first degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced to 200 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter sentenced Kekalis consistent with his plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office.
One charge of first degree rape and eight counts of sexual abuse were dismissed as part of the agreement. Kekalis was sentenced to 100 months in prison on the sodomy conviction and 75 months on the first sexual abuse conviction to run consecutive. On the final sexual abuse conviction, 25 additional months were run consecutive with the final 50 concurrent. Kekalis will serve just over 16 years in prison of mandatory time, as these are Ballot Measure Eleven sentences. He will also be required to serve 140 months of post prison supervision in which he will be required to register as a sex offender.
Reports Of Wolf Sightings Continue, Photo Of Wolf Taken Near Durkee
By Debby Schoeningh
An Oregon Department of Transportation employee took a photo of what he believed to be a wolf near Durkee earlier this year. The photos circulated around the community via email. Russ Morgan, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf coordinator in La Grande said he had seen the photo and the animal looks “very wolf-like.” He said it was probably a lone animal.
Morgan said there have been over 150 reports of wolf sightings this year as well as confirmed breeding activity in Union County, north of La Grande. During a howling survey ODFW biologists reported hearing distinct howls from four animals, which they believe were two adult gray wolves and two pups.
In east Baker County, Morgan said, there are “strong suspicions” of wolves in the area.
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Baker City’s Biggest Losers Are Winners
By Debby Schoeningh
When Chris Knoll of Baker City stepped on the scales last week at Eastern Oregon Medical Associates (EOMA), he was all smiles, and exactly 100 pounds lighter.
Chris is a participant in the EOMA and Baker Valley Physical Therapy sponsored Baker City’s Biggest Loser contest, which is patterned after the T.V. show. Unlike the T.V. version, however, contestants are not voted out of the competition. Instead, incentives in the form of prizes from local businesses are awarded weekly, and $1 penalties are paid by the five who lose the least weight each week. At the end of the contest, Baker City’s Biggest Losers receive cash and other awards.
Kim Ogan of EOMA and one of the instigators of the contest, said Chris’ 100-pound weight loss was a milestone for the group and a cause for celebration. They had a party in the office with balloons and brownies to acknowledge his accomplishment.
Chris rolls his eyes at the mention of brownies, which he says are definitely not part of his diet plan. Although, he does confess to indulging once in awhile.
Planning Commission Holds Public Meeting For Draft Of Zoning Ordinances
By Suzanne Ellis Jones
A crowd of almost 100 gathered at the Extension Office for a 3 1⁄2 hour Baker County Planning Commission meeting last Thursday night. Those present dissected the proposed draft of the County's new Zoning Ordinances. Issues ranged from not being able to download the document off of the County's Web site, to objections to specific definitions and administrative procedures.
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman, Dan Weitz. Other Planning Commissioners in attendance were Bill Harvey, Michelle Dollar, Marvin Burgraff, and Anna Sullivan. Planning Director Mark Bennett and Planning Office staff, Holly Kerns, Laurie Hoopes and Tara Andrews also attended.
The draft zoning ordinance is a document made up of seven articles, with many chapters under each article. This hearing addressed testimony on all Chapters except Article 3, Chapter 3, on Transportation Standards, which will have a separate, scheduled hearing Dec. 2, 7 p.m., at the Baker County Extension Office.
Two Die In Accident Near Haines
The operator of a motorcycle and a passenger in a car died Saturday afternoon when both vehicles collided on Highway 30 about five miles northwest of Baker City.
On Nov. 15, at about 4:48 p.m. Baker County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and Baker Fire Department responded to a reported traffic crash involving a passenger car and motorcycle on Highway 30 near milepost 44.
Preliminary investigation indicates a 1997 Subaru Impreza with three passengers, driven by Katherine Knox, 48, from Haines, was traveling westbound on Highway 30 when it veered across the road into the eastbound lanes where a group of three motorcycles were traveling. One of the motorcycles, a 2007 Honda operated by Timothy Hunt, 47, from Baker City, collided with the right side of the car as it crossed into the eastbound lane.
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Local Veterans Honored
A small crowd gathered at the Baker County Courthouse Tuesday in spite of the rain to honor Veterans. A ceremony was held near the Memoerial Wall, which lists the names of local residents who have died for their country.
Jim Thomas, district commander of the Vetrans of Foreign Wars, (above right) spoke about the cost of freedom, which is paid for, often by the lives of our Veterans.
He said that when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan end, he hopes we won’t have to add too many names to the Memorial Wall.
Flags were proudly displayed at the ceremony by Veterans. A flag was carried with a photo of U.S. Army Medical Corporal Jessica Ellis, (above right) who lost her life earlier this year. As soon as the war is over her name will go up on the Wall as well.
Council Urges Support Of Downtown Economic Improvement District
By Debby Schoeningh
Baker City Council agreed unanimously to support the renewal of the Economic Improvement District (EID) during their Nov. 11 meeting. The council will send a signed letter to both local newspaper editors urging them to support the renewal as well.
In the letter Councilors said in part, “With the initial implementation of the EID, we were able to leverage community monies to encourage millions of dollars in private investment. If the EID had not been in place, our downtown community would not have had the dedicated resources needed to make so many of our wonderful improvements happen.”
Jennifer Watkins, Baker City’s director of community development, said EID is set up as a funding source for downtown promotion, management and economic revitalization. The City contracts with Historic Baker City, Inc. to provide these services as outlined the EID ordinance.
“The EID itself is just the funding resource to provide those services to the community,” she said. If it passes, this will be the fifth EID and it is expected to raise nearly $40,000 per year.
County Commissioners Discuss Idaho Power Transmission Line Routes
By EdenTaylor
County maps were rolled out on the table to discuss the Idaho Power Transmission line that is proposed to cross Baker County. The commissioners will suggest a desired route for the high-power line. Commission Chair Fred Warner Jr. explained that the County’s choice of a desirable route is not possible due to the Federal protection of sage grouse in that area. Because the protected area is listed as a Category 1 by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, discussion isn’t even allowed. Possible past sage grouse leks have been identified and nothing can be constructed within a two-mile radius of each lek. Warner said he is frustrated by the system. He said a satisfactory route could be negotiated through the protected area where a sage grouse hasn’t been seen in the past 10 years and without harm to the bird, if there were any discussion allowed.
Warner said that since the project was state and nationally supported, and of benefit to the public, that public land should be used, not private. But the only public land on the desired route is protected. Though the private land also has possible grouse leks identified, the Federal Government has not prohibited that land from being used as a transmission line site. It is noted that the land owners will receive some compensation if their land is used. Warner didn’t think that private land owners should have to bear the brunt of the transmission line and that it should go through public land as much as possible. Since the desired route is not possible, alternative routes were also discussed.
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Baker County Election Results
Bonebrake, Pope, Bass and Button To Occupy Baker City Council Seats
Here are the Baker County general election results. For Baker City council, the four winners are Aletha Bonebrake, 2,550; Milo Pope, 2,448; Jack (Sam) Bass, 2,074 and Clair Button, 1,842. In the County Commissioner race, Tim Kerns defeated Randy Joseph, 5,507 votes to 2,708. Connie Pound was elected mayor of Haines, defeating Michael Brazofsky 149 to 55. The total number voting was 8,850 with 17 precincts reporting.
President of the United States
Ralph Nader 106
Cynthia McKinney 23
John McCain 5643
Bob Barr 51
Chuck Baldwin 55
Barack Obama 2795
Write In 87
United States Senator
Gordan H Smith 5652
Jeff Merkley 2195
Dave Brownlow 652
Write In 14
United States Representative in Congress, 2nd District
Richard D Hake 189
Tristin Mock 183
Greg Walden 6400
Noah Lemas 1663
Write In 15
Secretary of State
Kate Brown 2722
Seth Alan Woolley 184
Rick Dancer 5313
Write In 12
State Treasurer
Allen Alley 4965
Michael Marsh 382
Ben Westlund 2730
Write In 10
System Development Charges To Be Topic For New Council
By Debby Schoeningh
Due to time constraints the current Baker City Council will pass the SDC (system development charges) torch on to the next council, which will be in office in January.
At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting City Manager Steve Brocato said, “Timing is everything with system development charges.” He said when the city started the SDC study, the nation’s economy was booming and SDCs were almost a requirement.
“Right now may not be the time to actually start accessing the charges,” he said. “Even if this council decided that the staff was to proceed with SDCs the next step would be the public hearing process.” He said the minimum length of time for that would be 90 days, which would put them into next year. There would also need to be a series of public hearings and probably three votes, he said.
Parking Task Force Offers Recommendations
By Debby Schoeningh
Jason Bland, chair of the Baker City Parking Task Force, presented five short term and 11 long term goals to City Council at their Oct. 28 meeting.
Bland said the Task Force met seven times officially and interviewed business owners, contacted state resources and reached out to the public and city staff.
Short Term Recommendations
• Repaint and maintain parking markings in the downtown area.
• Trim trees to maximize the visibility of parking signs. Recommend maintenance cycle for city staff and/or business owners, and check to make sure trees aren’t covering signs.
• Review, and if necessary, change set-backs from corners and painted crosswalks to parking spaces to increase visibility at corners.
• Add three new disabled parking spaces to commercial score. Proposed areas include Broadway near New Directions Northwest, Washington Ave. and Court Street.
• Change parking time limits to two hours in the vicinity of Baker Tower on Main and Auburn. Bland said Michelle Owen, public works director, received a request from building and business owners for this.
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