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January 8, 2009 Front Page |
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Winter Storm Blasts Northeast Oregon, Shuts Freeways And Schools
Twenty-four inches on the ground in the North Powder area. Twenty-two inches in Bridgeport within the last two days. Such was the wintry weather reported around all Baker County and adjoining areas this week.
Not only did this latest winter storm blast cause a portion of I-84 to be shut down Sunday night and Monday morning between Pendleton and Baker City, but it coated northeast Oregon with enough of the fluffy white stuff to extend the Christmas vacation for Baker 5J District students one extra day – an event that almost never happens in this neck of the woods. Huntington and Pine-Eagle students weren’t so lucky; they were called back to school that same day.
As of Tuesday, Anthony Lakes reported 75 inches of mid mountain snow with a 52 inch base.
A mix of rain and snow is predicted for later in the week, with clear skies ahead for the weekend. Travellers are encouraged to visit www.tripcheck.com to view road closures and conditions before leaving home. Winter storm warnings can be seen at www.noaa.gov.
Missing Juveniles Found Safe
Two female juveniles, ages 12 and 15, from Baker City were reported missing by their parents Dec. 30 at about 2 p.m. The girls are step-sisters, living in different homes.
Lt. Brian Harvey with the Baker City Police Department said the girls had apparently hitchhiked to Boise. Harvey said the 15-year-old called police and turned herself in Dec. 31 and the 12-year-old remained missing until Saturday morning, when Boise Police found her at an address in Garden City.
Harvey said the 12-year-old was considered endangered, because authorities suspected she had been hanging out with a man who had a warrant out for his arrest. Details on the man have not been released and at this time no charges have been made. Harvey said both girls appeared to be unharmed.
OTECC Launches Online Videos
With important messages to convey, and a growing potential audience, OTECC has taken the challenge of communicating in this age of television and video head on.
On Jan. 1, OTECC officially launched its OTECC-TV program on YouTube. This new communication tool stems partly from the 2008 OTECC Member Satisfaction Survey results that indicate a high percentage of OTECC members use the Internet frequently. Specific results suggest two-thirds of the members have Internet access either at home or at work.
“Although not all members have access to the Internet, an ever growing segment does,” says Steve Schauer, Member Services Manager. “OTECC is always looking for new and innovative ways to effectively communicate with its members, and this is just one more tool we are using.”
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