Ash Grove’s Durkee Plant Reopens
by Mark Bogart
Ash Grove Cement’s Durkee plant is back in operation. After bringing back 48 laid-off employees over the past two weeks, the plant began the process of making cement on Monday.  Seventeen workers returned earlier in the month to begin preparation for plant operation. Eleven employees had continued to work since the December shut-down in order to process existing orders.

Last Thursday, Feb. 18, employees celebrated with a “welcome back” lunch provided by the company.  “Bringing our employees back to work is great news for the company and Eastern Oregon,” said Terry Kerby, plant manager, in a recent press release. “Ash Grove remains committed to its employees and customers who rely on the Durkee facility.”

Production manager Alan Finch explained the start-up process, which required workers to return one to two weeks before actual operation of the plant.  “You don’t just flip a switch and start running again,” he said.  Employees have been involved in extensive clean-up of dirt and debris from the two-month shutdown.

Cole, 47, was cited and released on Halloween at about 8:30 p.m. after being discovered parked in a vehicle at the Pocahontas Fire Station with a 17-year-old girl, not related to Cole. Maldonado noted that there was alcohol in the vehicle. Along with Cole’s citation, the juvenile was issued a citation for minor in possession and released to her parents.

Court records filed Feb. 10, 2010, state   that Cole is being accused by the Grand Jury of Baker County of furnishing alcohol to a minor on Jan. 1, 2009. The sexual abuse charges are two counts on Sept. 16, 2009   and two counts from Oct. 1 through Oct. 30, 2009. All six charges are with the same female juvenile.

Tournament Time!

By Eden Taylor
Championship Game—Girls
Joseph vs Imbler
Both teams were tied 5-5 at the first of the game.  Then Imbler took control.  The arsenal of athletes from Imbler was too much for the Joseph Eagles.  Though Joseph played hard, they were out-hustled by the Panthers.

Imbler led 19-7 by the end of the first quarter and only allowed Joseph one point in the second quarter.  The Panthers led 39 to 8 at the half.

Imbler was less prolific in the third quarter, only scoring 8 points.  Joseph scored 6, but couldn’t catch up.  Joseph was left scoreless in the 4th quarter while the Panthers racked up 12 more.  The Imbler Panthers won the championship game 59-14.

Jessie Kohlhepp led the Eagles with 8 points.  Chelsea Poe scored 11, Reva West  had 10 and Sarah Bowers-Ott had 9 points for Imbler.

Championship Game—Boys
Powder Valley vs Wallowa
The main event was the boys’ championship game between Powder Valley and Wallowa.  It was a fierce, tough battle, but when the dust settled Wallowa was crowned the GOL Champion.

The teams played to an 8-8 tie with 3:46 left in the first quarter.  Then Wallowa ran off 7 straight points and took the lead for good.  The Badgers came back on a jumper by Peter Colton and 5 points by Levi Allen, but they never could catch up.  The first quarter ended 15-19 for the Cougars.
Wallowa outscored Powder Valley by 10 points in the second quarter and the Cougars took a 43-29 lead into the locker room.

The Cougars’ twin towers Mark Jamerson and Ronald Gladden were the undoing of the Badgers.  Though Powder fought back, Wallowa increased their lead to 19 points by the end of the third quarter.     Powder could not get a rally going in the 4th quarter as the whistle was a thorn in their sides.  Wallowa took the championship 76-62.
North Powder shot 9 for 12 from the free throw line fo

r 75%.  Wallowa was 11 for 19 for 58%.  Trenton Dixon had 27 points for the Badgers, Levi Allen had 18.  The Cougars had 4 in double figures:    Jake Johnson had 24, Mark Jamerson had 17, Tyler Harshfield scored 13 and Ronald Gladden had 10.

The Tournament is sponsored by Community Bank and run by Baker City Tournaments.