Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2015)
OUTDOORS: Forest Access for All members go on D-Day ride. PAGE 7 The LOCAL: Hughes Lane three-vehicle accident update. PAGE 12 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, June 12, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 24 Local pilot escapes crash uninjured • MECHANICAL FAILURE LIKELY CAUSE OF CRASH BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com On the sunny Sunday morning of May 31, sea- soned pilot Troy Woydziak of Baker Aircraft was busy hauling his fi rst load of the day up to the Minam River Lodge, not yet knowing he was in for one intense ride. Woydziak had been hired to carry logs up to the lodge, which is undergoing some improvements. His helicopter, a UH – 1H, had a 150- foot-long line on a load of nine, 24 foot logs weighing 2,000 pounds on the end of the hook. In moments, Woydziak said, “I felt a loud vibra- tion and heard a howling sound coming from the transmission area of the helicopter. I immediately dropped the logs into the fi eld from a height of about 15 feet and looked at the master caution light to see if I had any warnings. I did not. I immediately lowered the collective and started a descent into a fl at open fi eld with trees.” As fate would have it, a gardener some yards away was watering his newly planted garden. SEE CRASH PAGE 5 Submitted Photo. The skids were broken after this helicopter came down hard near the Minam River Lodge. Walden’s local staff changes • KIRBY GARRETT PROMOTED TO D.C. POSITION, JORDEN NOYES ASSUMES LA GRANDE OFFICE ROLE BY BRIAN ADDISON Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com Submitted Photo. Brian Addison/ The Baker County Press SEE WALDEN STAFF PAGE 5 Valedictorian Zach Tomac addresses the crowd and his fellow classmates under a hot sun. Class of 2015 graduates • 109 GRADUATES AWARDED HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS BY BRIAN ADDISON Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com Baker High School awarded high school diplomas to 109 gradu- ates of the Class of 2015 under bright sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures Sunday, June 7 within Bulldog Memorial Stadium. The Class of 2015 held 28 students graduating with academic honors. Valedictorian Zachary Tomac began his com- mencement speech by remember fallen classmate Joe Davis who succumbed last year to complications associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Tomac read a poem written about Joe recog- nizing him for possessing Friday the spirit of a lion and the patience of a lamb, a fi erce determination, expressive eyes, and referring to him as “our hero.” Tomac spoke of lessons learned including the stan- dard of class set by Baker High School students, for learning to work in groups, and for having the skill of improvisation instilled within him by a dedicated staff of instructors. He also handed down sage advice to his under- classmates, “Always be nice to the offi ce staff; it will make your life 100 percent easier.” Rebekah Compos was recognized for her aca- demic acumen by being awarded the class Salu- tatorian honor. Compos referred to her education as a preparatory tutorial for the life ahead. “Rejoice, we have accomplished much is this tutorial,” she told her classmates. Kirby Garrett, formerly Jorden Noyes. Field Representative for US Representative Greg Walden (R-OR 2nd District) in the La Grande offi ce, has moved on from his local position to join Walden’s staff in Wash- ington D.C. Haines celebrates its littlest heroes BY BRIAN ADDISON Brian@TheBakerCountyPress.com Brian Addison/ The Baker County Press Beloved middle school teacher, Bill Mitchell, now retired, gave the keynote speech to the BHS Class of 2015. Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and walks of life. Some are trained and paid, some are strictly volun- teers, and some still calculate their ages in single digits. Haines Elementary School honored a full spectrum of heroes, from life-savers to those who volunteer time and effort to better their community, during the school year ending assemble, June 10. Adam and Ori Kerns are thankful for the calm and immediate response their three oldest children displayed during a life-saving emergency on May 26. The Kerns’ youngest child 15-month-old Thomas had fallen in the pond and was found face-down and unresponsive by his three siblings, 5-year-old Kylie, 9-year-old Caleb, and 8-year-old Wesley. SEE HAINES HEROES PAGE 5 SEE BHS PAGE 9 Sunny and mild, with highs near 80. Clear at night with a low around 42. Saturday Sunny and mild, with highs near 80. Clear at night with a low around 42—again! Sunday Sunny and mild, with highs near 80. Clear at night with a low a little warmer at 47. Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Richland: Panfi sh Tournament Greg Smith’s $96K salary renewed City of Unity: Budget Baker City Council coverage Sumpter City Council coverage Elkhorn Muzzleloaders meet Page Page Page Page Page Page 2 3 7 8 9 10