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.