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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2015)
8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 Local HBC holds ‘plug-in’ meeting Missing man BY GINA K. SWARTZ Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com Larry Abell recently took over as President for Historic Baker City (HBC). Once a thriving organization, HBC has had some rough times in recent years. Abell, along with Pro- gram Manager Jeff Nelson have intentions of chang- ing that. Last Wednesday HBC held an “update and plug in” meeting and plans are to continue the meet- ings quarterly. “I’d like to do several of these ‘plug ins’ per year. I think it is a great way to let everyone know what is going on with HBC and for us to connect with you all and see what we can do for you,” Abell told the crowd of approximately 25 that gathered at Crossroads last Wednesday night. In addition to the meet- ings a newsletter has been established that is available highlighting what HBC is doing. After spending the last year of his role as President going to every event, listening to the com- munity and learning about HBC’s infl uence Abell is now focusing on what he is calling the year of engage- ment. The year where he takes what he has learned and heard from our community and works toward imple- menting those sugges- tions. “I want to thank Jeff Nelson, who has the inside track on how to make it all happen,” said Abell. In the last year HBC has made some impres- sive strides under its new leadership. In the fi nancial quest HBC has been able to secure over 30 new memberships, obtained several small grants and sponsorships. Those small grants helped to fund new lights for the community Christmas tree and helped to cover promotional costs at events. HBC was also awarded a Leo Adler Grant for $10,000 and a CLG Grant for $6,000. Those helped fund reno- vation, repair and restora- tion projects in Baker City such as the restoration of the VFW sign, repairing and repainting facades of two historic buildings on First Street and contribut- ing to the neon marquee repair at the Eltrym. HBC also maintained a strong presence at Baker City events such as the Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle Rally, Taste of Baker, and the Turkey Trot. HBC con- tinues to be instrumental in the Downtown Trick- Or-Treat, Historic Parlor Tours, which featured the Leo Adler home for the fi rst time ever last year and The Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony. The organization was also heavily involved in Miner’s Jubilee sponsoring last year’s parade and orga- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press Larry Abell recently became the new HBC president. nizing events such as the Duck and Beaver races and the bed races. 2014 also saw HBC relocate their of- fi ce to the Pythian Castle, the last site of Leo Adler’s commercial offi ce. Re-establish the HBC phone line and regular operating hours, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For 2015 Abell and Nelson agree that goals for HBC include revising by- laws better describing the membership structure, im- proving meeting minutes and agenda and continually improve HBC events based on feedback received from the community. They want to continue on with quarterly meet- ings and newsletter to keep members informed on goings on with an underly- ing intention of creating interest for potential new members. There is also a plan to install banners on Resort Street that are designed to support HBC, remind residents to shop local and highlight build- ing details. Plans are also in the works to update the website. HBC has access to a “community coach” that has been involved in our community behind the scenes for quite some time. With his support, advice and knowledge HBC in- tends to be guided toward becoming a more highly functioning organization. SEE HBC PAGE 9 GARY GRACE MEMORIAL RIDE Join us for the 12th annual Gary Grace Memorial Motorcycle Ride RIDE STARTS SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH 9 AM PDT with CLOSING DINNER at 6 PM Meet at the Halfway Lion’s Club parking lot in Halfway, Ore. For more information contact Briana Sutherlin at 541.410.8358. DEADLINE for registration is June 20, 2015. Register online at www.GaryGraceMemorialRide.com or mail in the form below. Rider’s Name: Passenger’s Name: Address: City / State / Zip: Phone: Registration fee is $35 per bike. Includes patch & pin. ___________. Additional pins ($4 each) ___________. Additional patches ($8 each). Closing Dinners ($18 each) ____________. TOTAL ENCLOSED $________________. Include payment (cash, check or money order) and mail to: Briana Sutherlin, PO Box 8099, Bend, OR 97708. All proceeds go to the Gary Grace Memorial Scholarship Fund, which benefi ts local high school seniors. Street was scheduled for a pre-trial hearing this week regarding his arrest on February 4, at 301 2nd Street after neighbors reported a “strong smell of ammonia.” That gas was later confi rmed to be Anhydrous Ammonia. The 45 year-old, whose full name is Kenneth Roy Street, was subsequently found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and was taken into custody for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Street was decontaminated at the scene by Baker City Fire and then transported to the hospital where he was treated and released for exposure to Anhydrous Ammonia. The property and residence at 301 2nd Street were later posted as an “Illegal Drug Lab Site.” Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash also said this week that they have little to no evidence to go on, but con- fi rmed that Street is offi cially listed as a missing person. Anyone with information on Street’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement. His wife said Wednesday that “it just isn’t at all like him” to not make contact and she’s very worried about him. No one has heard from him since he told her he was getting a ride with someone to work on that Medical Springs cabin. Toddler recovering CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Thomas’s mother, Ori, had been near the pond work- ing in the garden at the residence when this accident occurred. When Ori got to Thomas, he was not breath- ing and turning purple. Ori was able to talk with Baker County Consolidated Dispatch where she was given instructions to begin CPR. As Ori started CPR, Thomas began to breath a little on his own. Emergency responders from Baker City Fire, Haines Fire, Baker Rural Fire along with the Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce responded to the residence and assisted in reviving Thomas. Thomas was transported to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City where he was stabilized and then fl own by helicopter to St. Luke’s in Boise. According to Baker County Sheriff, Travis Ash, there was an excellent unifi ed response to this incident from all agencies and individuals involved. Said Ash in a press release, “On June 2, 2015, I talked with Adam Kerns and he told me that Thomas was re- leased from the hospital on Friday the 29th and is doing well. Adam expressed his appreciation to all of those who responded as well as the friends, family and citizens who were praying for and supporting them during this incident.” City says crypto case likely not from City drinking water On May 29, 2015 a resident of Baker City notifi ed city staff that the resident had been ill for some time. The resident told Baker City staff that the resident’s medical doctor had done a test and confi rmed a diagnosis of Cryp- tosporidiosis caused by the presence of Cryptosporidium. The resident told city staff that the resident had been af- fected by Cryptosporidium in 2013, however that had not been confi rmed by medical testing. The resident told city staff that the resident has not consumed city water since 2013. City staff contacted the Baker County Health Depart- ment who is the reporting agency for public health in Baker County. When contacted Friday the Baker County Health Department had no reports of illness caused by Cryptosporidium. The Health Department has since confi rmed the case that had been reported to Baker City. City staff tested the water at the complainant’s resi- dence on May 29th and found a chlorine residual, which indicated the water in the home had recently traveled through the city treatment plant. City staff took another sample of the water at the residence and has sent it to a lab for further testing. City staff has taken these samples not because the water system is suspected, but to continue to build the public’s confi dence in the water system. As was learned in 2013 drinking water containing Cryptosporidium can cause illness. The City’s water has been treated with ultraviolet tech- nology for fourteen months. Ultraviolet light inactivates oocysts. City staff has been in contact with the Oregon Health Authority and they continue to be confi dent in Baker City’s treatment system. The Baker County Health Department confi rmed it is currently investigating this positive case of Cryptospo- ridiosis. They say there are many factors to take into account when investigating a communicable disease and they are hopeful this is an isolated incident. Symptoms associated with Cryptospordium can in- clude the following: • Watery diarrhea (most common) • Stomach cramps or pain • Dehydration • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Weight loss Robin Nudd of the Health Department says those experiencing these signs or symptoms for more than three days please contact your primary care provider to be tested.
