LOCAL: Interchange Area Management Plan
meeting. PAGE 8
The
LOCAL: City hears about marijuana odors,
Langrell and Kee square off. PAGE 5
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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!
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