OUTDOORS: Group to take another try at
banning trapping in Oregon. PAGE 7
BUSINESS: Dan’s Dawgs House to open on
Broadway. PAGE 3
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Friday, November 20, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 47
Assault on the pathway
• SIX MEN
INVOLVED IN
INCIDENT ON PATH
BEHIND ACE
HARDWARE
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Around 2 a.m. last
Saturday morning, six
men—two groups of three
each—were involved in an
altercation on the section
of the Leo Adler Memorial
Pathway that runs behind
Thatcher’s Ace Hardware.
According to offi -
cials, Dan Turk, Anthony
Constantine, and Trevor
Shankle of Baker City all
sustained injuries of vary-
ing degrees during the inci-
dent. A parent of one of the
men in this group said the
three had left their vehicles
parked after a night out on
the town.
Members of the second
group are Jason Brown
of Baker City and out-of-
state friends, Christopher
Wymbs and Bryan Morris,
who were together on the
path after leaving a party
earlier.
Shankle’s injuries
include a shattered eye
socket. Turk received nine
staples to close a head in-
jury sustained in the brawl.
Injuries sustained by the
third man in that group
are reported as somewhat
less severe, according to
family.
The three men in the
second group, said Police
Chief Wyn Lohner, did not
sustain any major injuries.
Due to a confl ict of inter-
est with one of the men
involved being related to a
member of his staff, Baker
County District Attorney
Matt Shirtcliff recused
himself and his offi ce from
the case, which has been
transferred to the Malheur
County District Attorney’s
offi ce, headed by District
Attorney Dan Norris.
No arrests have yet
been made in the case, as
victims are still being of-
fi cially sorted from alleged
assailants, and evidence
gathered.
Shirtcliff says the case is
slated to be turned over to
a Baker County Grand Jury
within the next few weeks.
Investigation of the at-
tack has been delegated to
the Major Crimes Team
with assistance from the
Oregon State Police, Baker
County Sheriff’s Offi ce
and Baker City Police
Department.
Detective Jay Lohner
of the Baker City Police
Department is the lead
investigator.
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
The Leo Adler Memorial Pathway behind Thatcher’s
Ace Hardware was the scene of an assault that will
now go before a Grand Jury.
Veterans honored in Panhandle Huntington
man charged
with sex abuse
BY EILEEN DRIVER
Eileen@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Robert Lee Witter, 80,
of Huntington has been
arrested on multiple sex
abuse-related charges.
At approximately 2 p.m.
on Monday, November
16th, a team of Baker
County Sheriff’s Depart-
ment deputies led by
Sheriff Travis Ash sur-
Photo Courtesy of the
rounded and approached
Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce
the house at 205 E. Adams Robert Lee Witter.
Street, Huntington.
The occupant, Robert “Bob” Lee Witter, born April
10, 1935, is a part-time resident of Huntington, and was
found to be home at the time. Witter was promptly ar-
rested, taken into custody and transported to the Baker
County Jail.
Ash said on site, “We are executing a legally obtained
search warrant and have no further comment at this time,
but will be issuing a press release later tonight.”
SEE SEX ABUSE PAGE 5
Carmelita Holland / The Baker County Press
Members of the local VFW Halfway Post # 7847 were special honorees in Halfway for Veterans Day.
BY CARMELITA HOLLAND
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Pedestrian
struck by pickup
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Veteran’s Day was celebrated in the Panhandle of Baker
County with an annual breakfast served early that holiday
morning, and a program held at the Pine-Eagle Charter
School in Halfway, hosted by teachers, students and vari-
ous members of the community.
Members of the local VFW Halfway Post # 7847 were
special honorees. VFW and family members were seated
in chairs on the fl oor with others occupying the bleachers,
gathered to cheer them.
While the guests were fi nding their seat one of the
Pine-Eagle teachers, Jason Jordan Smith, played his
bagpipes.
Following the meal, each person entering the gym re-
ceived a patriotic memento from the VFW, distributed by
Debbie Duggan; students were given a small American
fl ag, and adults received red poppies.
Everyone joined in singing The Star Spangled Banner,
led by the primary grade children, Joseph Aguilar on the
piano, with music instructor Denzil Kumarr.
Hymn to the Fallen was played by ten members of the
High School Band.
Madison Morgan read her story on the topic of “What
Freedom Means to Me.” Devin Rasmussen was narrator
over a very emotional video featuring D Day—June 6th,
1944, during World War II.
A crowd gathered at the Gazebo beside the parking
area after the inside service and VFW members rang the
old school bell.
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%. Lows in the mid-30s at night.
Sunday
Cloudy with showers. Highs in the mid-40s,
chance of precipitation is 60%. Chance for pop
up snow showers at night. Lows in the mid 20s.
Carmelita Holland / The Baker County Press
‘Hymn to the Fallen’ was played by ten members of
the Pine Eagle High School Band.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
A pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck at the inter-
section of Clark and Campbell just before 7 a.m. Monday
morning in Baker City.
The victim, 79-year-old Alfred Berdahl, of Valley Av-
enue, was in the crosswalk when he was struck during his
daily morning walk.
According to Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner, the
driver of a 1991, 3/4-ton Ford 250 pickup was traveling
west on Campbell, and was turning south on Clark Street
when the vehicle struck the man.
The victim was either pushed or dragged approximately
20 feet before coming to rest on the asphalt. Several wit-
nesses reported seeing the accident nearly immediately
after it happened, but so far no one has come forward
who saw the incident occur. Members of a Union Pacifi c
crew were among the fi rst to report seeing the aftermath.
The victim suffered lacerations, internal injuries and
head trauma, but full details of his injuries remained un-
disclosed. He was initially transported to St. Alphonsus—
Baker City for care, then Lifefl ighted to Boise, where
he was listed in critical condition at the time of print.
Berdahl’s sister stated he is expected to recover.
The driver, Arden Hollinger, 62, of Elm Street, was
cited with a Class B violation for Failure to Stop and
Remain Stopped for a Pedestrian. The citation carries
a penalty of $260, and according to Police Chief Wyn
Lohner, there was no evidence of driver distraction.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Heart ‘N Home’s 30 days of gratitude
BLM’s Sage-Grouse proposal
Museum starts strategic plan
Sumpter area on NatGeo channel
Parks & Rec: BMX bike track?
Richland hosts Mayors Council
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