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January 19, 2012 Front Page |
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Photo courtesy of ODFW Mule deer at the feeding site landlocked within Foster Ranch.
Foster Ranch Recognized For Wildlife Stewardship
Foster Ranch’s commitment to wildlife stewardship and cooperation with ODFW was recognized with the 2011 Riley Freeman Award by ODFW and the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association during the December annual OCA Convention in Bend.
The Foster Ranch near Baker City is owned by Don Foster and his family. His longstanding commitment to wildlife began in the early 1980s, when the Elkhorn Mountains’ growing elk herds were wintering on or near private agricultural land, eating expensive haystacks meant for cattle.
The damage could have led to a reduction in the elk herd, but thankfully a solution was found. ODFW set up several feeding stations to divert elk and deer away from haystacks and other agricultural crops. One of those feed sites was located on BLM land that is completely landlocked by Foster Ranch.
“I wanted it mainly to help deer through the winter, as they have a tough time up here,” explained Don Foster. “The site is in a sheltered basin away from public roads, where elk can get out of storms and down in pockets and low rims during the winter.” Elk, deer and other big game can lose precious energy during the winter when they are disturbed by vehicles, but the sheltered area on Foster Ranch helps protect them.
Wrecking Yard Owner Arrested on Theft Charges
On Dec. 27, 2011 the Baker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a theft of mining equipment from the Chadwick mine on Elk Creek.
It was reported an estimated $41,350 of equipment and metal was taken during the night before. Information was obtained that led to a search warrant being served at Kanyid’s Wrecking yard where some of the property was recovered. More of the equipment was also recovered from Wurdinger Recycling in La Grande where it had been sold. Ladd W. Kanyid, 51, the owner of the wrecking yard was taken into custody for Theft I and unlawful possession of meth.
On Jan. 4, 2012 a second search warrant was served at Kanyid’s Wrecking yard. Three trucks were recovered that had been taken from the Parkerville Mine located near Greenhorn. There were also several other pieces of equipment taken along with metal during the last several months. Two stolen cars were recovered, one from the Hermiston area and one from Idaho. Kanyid was arrested on the following charges: two counts of first degree theft, unlawful possession of meth, unlawful delivery of meth, unlawful manufacture of meth, and two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
School Board Votes To Name Track ‘Dan Kelley Memorial Track’
By Mark Bogart
It only took a few minutes in a meeting that lasted over three hours for the Baker School Board to vote unanimously that the Baker High School track should be named the "Dan Kelley Memorial Track" in honor of a Baker High athlete who held world records and won a silver medal in the 1908 Olympics. The Board also approved the 2010-2011 audit, honored students of the month, and heard several reports, including an extensive presentation on the technology program. Board members received gifts in honor of Board Appreciation Week.
In a letter to the Board, BHS Principal Jerry Peacock said Kelley, who also attended the University of Oregon, held world records in both the 100 and 200 yard dashes then won an Olympic silver medal in the broad jump. Board member Andrew Bryan pointed out that Kelley's coach was Bill Hayward, after whom the U of O track, Hayward Field, is named. Peacock said honoring Kelley will be the focal point of a windbreak on the north end of the track. Archways and a kiosk will highlight the Olympian's achievements.
No Holiday For Local Schools
By Debby Schoeningh
The Baker 5J School District held classes on Monday, Jan. 2, which was a legal holiday since New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday this year. 5J School Board Member Kyle Knight said having school on Monday was a mistake — one that he doesn’t want to see repeated.
“5J schools were the only government agency open in Baker City, that’s one of the problems I have with this,” he said.
Knight is also concerned that students who missed the day are starting off the year behind with make-up work to do. He questions the wisdom of paying teachers to work when they didn’t have full classrooms of students.
According to state law, students cannot be “compelled” to attend school on holidays, nor can teachers be required to teach on holidays.
“The state law on legal holidays trumps the School District in these decisions, in my opinion,” said Knight. “This school holiday should have been corrected before Christmas break, or even days before.” The Jan. 2 holiday was preceded by two weeks of Christmas vacation for students.
5J Superintendent Walt Wegener said when the school calendar year was decided last April, the calendar “fell better” if the district planned to work and hold school on Jan. 2.
“We tried about a dozen different combinations (or more),” he said. “It (having school Jan. 2) helped with many details, starting date, ending date, breaks, etc.”
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