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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2015)
LOCAL: Interchange Area Management Plan meeting. PAGE 8 The LOCAL: City hears about marijuana odors, Langrell and Kee square off. PAGE 5 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, November 13, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 46 Albertsons bids on local Haggen • GROCERY STORE CHANGED FROM ALBERTSONS TO HAGGEN JUST SIX MONTHS AGO, PROPERTY OWNER SPEAKS OUT BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com This week, in a move that could land Albertsons the grocer’s former home at 1120 Campbell Street in Baker City, the company submitted a bid on the 46,000 square-foot com- mercial building, which was built in 2001—the current location of Haggen store #2084—during the Global Auction held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, in Los Angeles. The auction was prompt- ed by the fi ling for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, on September 8, 2015, by Haggen Hold- ings, LLC, et al. (Haggen Holdings, LLC, Haggen Operations Holdings, LLC, Haggen Opco South, LLC, Haggen Opco North, LLC, Haggen Acquisition, LLC, and Haggen, Inc.). Haggen opened its local store to customers just this summer. Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press SEE HAGGEN PAGE 3 The Baker City Albertsons store that recently became a Haggen store has the potential to now become an Albertsons again. ODFW delists wolves Community proves vocal at USFS meeting • PENALTIES FOR KILLING WOLVES REMAIN UNCHANGED BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Rep. Greg Baretto of Cove said Monday, “Thank you to the ODFW Commission for honoring the commitments of the Oregon Wolf Plan. It was a long day of testimonies but the right conclusion was reached. The stockgrowers of NE Oregon have respected the plan and stuck by it as agreed. They are people of integrity.” Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission voted on Monday afternoon to remove wolves from the state’s list of endangered species—or delist them. Oregon currently has an “offi cial” population of 81 wolves—a population that is steadily growing. The deci- sion won’t change much in the short-term for livestock owners, however. SEE WOLVES PAGE 9 Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press About 100 attended the USFS meeting held at the National Guard Armory in Baker City this week. • FOREST ACCESS ADVOCATES ADDRESS USFS OFFICIALS AND VICE VERSA BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com Over 100 people, including many who voiced some strong opinions, attended a U.S. Forest Service-hosted public meeting at the National Guard Armory in Baker City, to discuss the topics of motorized and non-motor- ized access, and increased wilderness designation, in association with the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision (BMFPR). Refreshments were provided at the meeting, as well as material, including copies of the three-volume, 1,200- page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) printed in February 2014, the 150-page condensed ver- sion, also printed in February 2014, the DEIS on DVD, a four-page Frequently Asked Questions printed on July 8, 2015, and an eight-page Briefi ng Paper (publish date unknown). The nearly 2 ½ hour meeting began shortly after 6 p.m., with Jack Southworth, a Seneca area rancher and Harney County Restoration Collaborative (HCRC) facilitator, Friday Mostly cloudy and mild, highs in the mid to upper 40s. Mostly cloudy with frost developing before morning. Lows in the lower 30s. Saturday Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers devel- oping late. Highs near 50. Chance of precipita- tion 40%. Mostly cloudy with possible lingering showers. Lows in the mid 30s. Sunday Cloudy with showers. Highs in the mid 40s, chance of precipitation is 60%. Partial clearing with a chance for pop up snow showers. Lows in the mid 20s with little to no snow accumulation. enlisted also as the facilitator for the evening. Repre- sentation for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) included Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Supervisor Tom Mon- toya and Whitman District Ranger Jeff Tomac. Southworth introduced himself, and explained, “This is all aspects of the Forest Plan Revision, not just access. I think most people are concerned about access,” but, he said grazing and restoration would be addressed, as well. Southworth asked the attendees to be brief with comments and questions, to be respectful, and to avoid applause after each person spoke. He said, “I’m going to push you a little bit, because, everyone has concerns, everyone has problems, but, what we need are solutions, if we’re going to have a better forest.” He introduced Baker County Commission Chair Bill Harvey. Harvey said, “Thank you all for coming tonight, in Baker County. We’re really excited to have you all here. We appreciate your support, the opportunity to come share your thoughts, as well as everybody else’s, so we can hear what the others have to say.” Harvey thanked Montoya and Southworth for their presence, and, though there could be disagreements, he echoed Southworth’s statements about brevity and respect. SEE USFS MEETING PAGE 3 Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. Huntington hosts Highland Games BY EILEEN DRIVER Eileen@TheBakerCountyPress.com Saturday, November 7th dawned bright and clear, with a slight cool breeze in vast contrast to the high chill- ing winds and pouring down rain that last year met the indomitable Bald Mountain Knuckle Draggers as they arrived to compete in the annual Huntington Highland Games. The event is held every year on the fi rst Saturday of November in Lion’s Park. This was the 7th year of the competition and was greet- ed with smiles and good spirits all around. Approximately 40 athletes took to the fi eld to compete in the games, which originated in Scotland several centuries ago as a fair and equitable way for the kings and chiefs to choice their best men-at-arms. They were developed to test the contestants for strength, stamina, accuracy and agility. The current Highland Games are played just as they were way back then and the players have to have the same attributes. But now the games are just for fun and bragging rights. SEE HIGHLAND GAMES PAGE 11 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE OTEC Youth Tour applications open Crossroads expansion meeting Public Works talks wastewater Sumpter City Council BHS, Burnt River honor rolls Homemade Goodness: turkey! Page Page Page Page Page Page 5 7 7 9 10 10
