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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