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November 19, 2009 Front Page |
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Two Die In Fatal Crash Near Baker City
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, with the assistance of local police and emergency responders, are continuing the investigation into an early Thursday morning single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 84 about five miles west of Baker City that resulted in the death of two people and injuries to 14 others.
The van involved is reportedly registered to New Life Worship Center in Federal Heights, Colo., and is affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Masters Commission. The group was enroute to Portland, Ore., for a conference to raise funds for the commission's discipleship program. Crash scene investigators have finished at the scene, and are continuing to gather information with the help of agencies in Oregon, Idaho and Colorado.
Baker City Manager Candidates Narrowed To Two
By Mark Bogart
The Baker City City Council voted Monday afternoon to conduct background checks on two top contenders for the city manager position. Tim Johnson of Portland and Clarence Hulse of Cocoa, Fla. remain as possible replacements for former City Manager Steve Brocato.
After discussing the options in executive (closed) session, the Council returned to open session for its decision. Aletha Bonebrake moved to offer the job to Johnson contingent on a background check and public input. However, interim City Manager Tim Collins recommended maintaining two finalists in order to avoid possible conflict with a state law requiring public involvement before a final decision is made.
Number Of Swine Flu Cases Increases
By Mark Bogart
The estimated numbers of hospitalizations and deaths due to H1N1 pandemic flu, often called swine flu, took a dramatic jump last week, partly due to refinements in the way estimates are made. More is also being learned about who is most likely to face hospitalization or death from this strain of flu. Because most cases don’t require a doctor’s care, and because most victims are not tested, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has had to reevaluate how it estimates the number of cases. It now estimates 22 million cases and 4,000 deaths in the U.S. from the illness since last April. An estimated 540 children are thought to have died from H1N1.
The CDC has narrowed its focus on risk groups due to recent data and a continuing shortage of vaccine. Oregon health officials report that, “Over 90 percent of people hospitalized with H1N1 have been pregnant women, children 5 and under… and people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and cardio-pulmonary disease.” While millions of people have contracted the disease, most recover without medical care, so officials at all levels are reaching out to the high risk groups in an attempt to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.
Haystack Fire Consumes More Than 100 Tons
A fire broke out early last Friday afternoon in a hay shed owned by John and Kate Rohner. The shed was located outside Baker City on Pocahontas Road.
An estimated 100-150 tons of hay were lost in the blaze. The efforts of the Baker Rural Fire Department and Haines Fire Department, as well as those of quick-thinking neighbors with tractors, helped to save the remaining 400 tons.
The fire is thought to have started due to spontaneous combustion within the stack, a phenomena that occurs when hay is baled and stacked too green and the resulting moisture-created mold within the bales self-ignites as heat is produced..
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