SPORTS: Rep. Cliff Bentz rides in Cycle
Oregon, wildfire changes routes. PAGE 7
The
LOCAL: U.S. Rep. Greg Walden holds fire-
focused town hall. PAGE 8
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Friday, September 18, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 38
Transfer of public lands
draws officials to Baker City
• REP. KEN IVORY
OF THE AMERICAN
LANDS COUNCIL
SPENDS THREE DAYS
IN AREA
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Utah State Representa-
tive Ken Ivory visited Bak-
er County for the second
September in a row last
weekend with a three-day
stay in the area this time.
Ivory also serves as
President of the American
Lands Council (ALC),
and along with colleague
David Holloway, that same
organization’s Colorado
State Coordinator, not only
held a full-day seminar on
the topic of public lands
transfer, free to the public,
but toured the areas burned
in the 103,000-acre Cornet/
Windy Ridge Fire.
Fresh from the Boise
Airport, Ivory’s fi rst stop
was a two-hour visit
with Rep. Cliff Bentz in
Ontario, who expressed his
interest in learning more
about the ALC’s primary
goal: releasing federally
managed lands back to
state-level control.
From there, Ivory and
Holloway gathered with a
group of around 20 citizens
for a public meet and greet
Friday evening to discuss
whatever came to mind.
One local opponent of
the idea, attended briefl y,
but the remainder of the at-
tendees were in support of
the transfer of public lands.
Saturday morning,
the banquet room at the
Sunridge was packed as
Ivory’s offi cial seminar
began. Oregon State Rep-
resentatives Greg Barreto
from Cove and Mike Near-
man from Independence
traveled to attend, as did
Planning Commissioner
Les Poole of Gladstone
and Union County Com-
missioner Jack Howard.
Submitted Photo.
L-R: Baker County NRAC member Kody Justus,
Rep. Ken Ivory, David Holloway and forester Arvid
Andersen look at the burn area on Dooley Mountain.
SEE PUBLIC LANDS
PAGE 5
Accident
ignites Dry
Gulch Fire
Photo courtesy of Heidi Justus.
Kerry McQuisten/ The Baker County Press
Old and young alike gathered to give thanks to fi rst responders and remember those who were lost during
the September 11, 2001 attack on American soil.
• NEW BRIDGE, RICHLAND, HALFWAY
AREAS RECEIVE EVACUATION NOTICES
9/11 vigil held in front of
local armory for 2nd year
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
An explosive single-vehicle rollover was the cause of
the Dry Gulch Fire, which started on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Travis Ash, his offi ce responded to
the accident at about 3:10 p.m. on September 12.
• FIRE DEPARTMENT TURNS OUT TO PAY
RESPECTS, REMEMBER THOSE WHO FELL
SEE DRY GULCH FIRE PAGE 2
BY SUNNY WERNER
Sunny@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Top: Firefi ghters at the Baker Fire Department
respectfully removed their hats prior to folding the
fl ag. Lower: Lorrie Harvey at left, with vigil organizer
Carole Dyke of Baker City.
Friday
Mostly sunny and mild, highs in the mid to upper
60s. Partly cloudy and cool at night with lows
near 40.
Saturday
Mostly sunny and mild, highs in the mid 70s.
At night, partly cloudy and cool, lows in the
mid-40s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny and warm, highs near 80. Mostly
clear at night with lows in the mid 40s.
Early in the evening of Friday, September 11, a group
of local residents gathered on the sidewalk in front of the
Baker County Armory on Campbell Street.
Flying proudly above was the American Flag suspend-
ed from an extended ladder on a Baker City Fire Depart-
ment (BCFD) fi re truck.
Among the group were members of the BCFD, Baker
County Emergency Management and County Commis-
sion Chair Bill Harvey, several Precinct Committee-
people from the Baker County Republicans, along with a
couple of dozen Baker residents.
This was the second “offi cial” annual 9/11 or Patriots
Day remembrance observance for Baker City, both initi-
ated and organized by Carole Dyke.
Dyke, the driving force behind the event, greeted the
attendees. She welcomed everyone, and spoke a few
words about what the program would contain. Dyke then
introduced Kody Justus as the keynote speaker, who also
led an invocation.
SEE 9/11 VIGIL PAGE 5
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
The Dry Gulch Fire jumped Hwy. 86 Sunday at the
top of the grade between Halfway and Richland.
Wingville
Cemetery
gets marker
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Local community members and others from across the
state came together on what could be described as a cli-
matically perfect Patriots Day last Friday morning, for the
Wingville Cemetery Historic Marker Dedication, spon-
sored by the local Lone Pine Tree Chapter of the Oregon
State Society Daughters Of The American Revolution
(OSSDAR).
SEE WINGVILLE PAGE 12
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
New candy shop to open
Jeff Kleck art on display
BMS volleyball
Kerns stalls NRP adoption
Sumpter: 1 councilor likely recalled
Career profi le: BMS Counselor
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