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October 30, 2008 Front Page |
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New Pumper Shoots Water 300 Feet
For Baker Rural FD
By Debby Schoeningh
Baker Rural Fire Department (BRFD) Chief Howard Payton was all smiles Monday morning as a shiny new red and white fire truck rolled into Baker City. Payton said one of the Department's No. 1 trucks broke down and wasn't repairable. This pumper truck replaces it and will be housed at the Pocahontas Station.
The new $274,000 pumper truck was purchased with a FEMA grant, which was secured by Payton and BRFD fire crew members Dan Weitz, Don Tholen, Vince Payton and Josh Shrack. Payton said Weitz spearheaded the project. Tracy Freeman, BRFD secretary, also helped with the writing of the grant.
It took one and a half years from the time they applied for the grant until the truck was delivered. Payton said BRFD designed the truck.
Commissioners Review Mason Dam Project, Send Letter To Big Look
By Eden Taylor
Those attending the Baker County Commission Meeting on Oct. 22 were treated to a presentation by the Technology Department. Department Head, Bill Lee and his staff showed off their technology expertise with a computer presentation of the department’s update.
Lee’s theme was consistency as he listed the different points of the department’s responsibilities. Those responsibilities include imaging, documentation, work process, staff, budget, repair and replacing items, preventing spam, and training. He also enumerated and explained the projects that the department has been working on. Some of those projects are mapping using GPS points in Sumpter, Halfway, Richland and Haines; moving several departments and their phone systems; and website upgrades. Lee also explained their goals and the disaster back-up plan.
Fire Destroys Barn In Washington Gulch Area
Fire destroyed a barn in the Washington Gulch area last Friday afternoon, Oct. 24. The property is owned by Dennis and Colleen Blankenship of Washington State. Baker Rural Fire Department Chief Howard Payton said Blankenship’s adult son, Isaac, had been living in the home on the place. Isaac had started a controlled grass fire and went to answer the phone. When he returned the barn was on fire.
Payton said the owners are planning to move to the Washington Gulch place and build a home. They had stored items such as building materials and furniture in the barn, and had replaced the barn roof. There was also some ammunition in the barn that went off, but there were no injuries. Haines Rural Fire Department also responded to the blaze.
Huntington Man Dies In Vehicle Crash
Stephen R. Rynearson, 56, of Huntington was killed in an automobile crash. The incident occurred sometime between late Sunday evening, Oct. 26, and early Monday morning, Oct. 27.
According to a Baker County Sheriff’s report Rynearson had been traveling southbound on Snake River Road, negotiating corners when he drove off the roadway and down a steep rock cliff. His van came to rest, submerged in the Snake River below Spring Recreation Campground. The vehicle was not visible from the Highway.
Members of the Baker County Search and Rescue and Rescue Dive Team assisted in locating Rynearson’s vehicle. They attached cables to the vehicle to remove it from the water.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police are continuing an investigation an believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
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