BUSINESS: New flower shop opens on Main
Street. PAGE 3
The
LOCAL (DURKEE): Community turns out for
Thanksgiving dinner. PAGE 11
Baker County Press
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Friday, December 4, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 49
Former Grant Co. deputy-
turned-State Rep visits
• STATE
REPRESENTATIVE
SHERRIE SPRENGER
COMES TO BAKER
CITY WITH
INCREASING VOTER
TURNOUT IN MIND
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Oregon State Represen-
tative Sherrie Sprenger
traveled from her home
base in Linn and Marion
Counties, to Baker County,
on a mission Tuesday.
As part of the Oregon
House’s leadership team,
Sprenger is in the middle
of a 30-stop tour covering
most Oregon counties.
“What I’m trying to ac-
complish is to get voters
engaged,” she said.
Sprenger scheduled brief
meetings with Republican
party chairs and vice chairs
at the county level to ask at
each location for ideas on
increasing voter turnout.
During the last general
election, 71,000 registered
Republicans who received
their ballots “left them lay-
ing on the table,” she said.
The precise number of
Democrat ballots that were
not mailed in was unavail-
able in time for print, but
also high.
Sprenger, who says she’s
an unabashed “Valley leg-
islator,” believes correctly
that eastern Oregonians
often feel divided from the
western side of the state.
“Why bother? That’s
what I hear,” she said. “But
every vote does count.”
Sprenger has eastern
Oregon ties herself—hav-
ing served as both a former
Benton and Grant County
Sheriff’s deputy before
taking the plunge into
politics.
“Rights come with re-
sponsibilities,” she said.
SEE SPRENGER PAGE 9
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Rep. Sherrie Sprenger visited Baker City Tuesday.
An ornamental occasion Bennetts
at the Scoop ‘N Steamer to receive
OCA/ODFW
award
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
“This award shows that ranchers are protecting the
land,” said Unity-area rancher and Baker County Com-
missioner Mark Bennett. “That’s always been my mes-
sage.”
Bennett and wife, Patti, were recently notifi ed that they
will receive the Riley Freeman award for stewardship at
the upcoming Oregon Cattlemen’s Association (OCA)
awards dinner in Bend.
“It was truly a surprise,” said Bennett.
The award is a joint effort between the Oregon Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the OCA.
ODFW offi cials nominated the Bennetts and their
ranch. Riley Freeman, a past chairman of the Oregon
Cattlemen’s Wildlife Committee, desired greater coordi-
nation and cooperation between private landowners and
state and federal natural resource agencies.
SEE BENNETT AWARD PAGE 2
Deadlines
extended in
Pine Eagle
Economic Development warns
lawsuit
Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press
Scoop ‘N Steamer owner Candace Madill opened up the restaurant space to local youngsters for making
ornaments in Sumpter the afternoon of November 25th. Madill said when she heard kids were encouraged
to make ornaments to decorate the Sumpter City Christmas tree, she wanted to make a place available for
the kids to get together to have fun and make decorations. Madill also provided craft items for ornaments,
and ice cream to participants. Pictured clockwise from lower left: Ashton Andersch, Daunte Andersch, Lily
Warmuth, Gabriel Warmuth, Canyon Madill, and Arianah Andersch.
against $15 minimum wage
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The proposed $15 per hour Oregon minimum wage,
local businesses and the empty Haggen store were the key
topics as the Baker County Economic Development Com-
mittee (EDC) held its regular meeting on Monday, in the
Commission Chambers of the Baker County Courthouse.
The group was joined by members of the Baker High
School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), to
discuss even more topics such as local employment issues
and the FBLA members’ trip to Chicago.
Present from the EDC were Chair Craig Ward, Baker
Friday
Mostly cloudy and cool with a rain/snow mix,
mostly. Highs near 40, chance of precipitation is
40%. Little to no snow accumulations expected.
Lows in the teens.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy and much cooler, highs in the
mid 30s. Mostly cloudy with a small chance of
snow showers overnight. Lows in the mid-20s.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, chance for rain showers mixing
with a little wet snow. Chance of precipitation is
30%. Little to no accumulation expected. Highs
in the mid 30s. Lows in mid-20s.
• LEGAL PROCESS REGARDING ACTIVE
SHOOTER DRILL CONTINUES
County Commission Chair Bill Harvey, Baker County
Economic Development Director Greg Smith and his
assistant, Julee Hicks, Blue Mountain Community Col-
lege Small Business Center (BMCC SBDC) Advisor Jeff
Smith, Baker Technical Institute (BTI) Director Jerry
Peacock, and Baker City Councilman Richard Langrell.
Also in attendance were BMCC SBDC Director Dan
Koopman, former BMCC SBDC Advisor Bob Savage,
FBLA members Koby Hansen, Josie Bryan, Hollis Robb,
Ashlie Chastain, and Zach Tomac, and FBLA videogra-
pher Jody Tomac.
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On Monday, an order was granted to extend the dead-
line for discovery in the ongoing lawsuit fi led by former
Halfway teacher Linda Mallery McLean against Pine-
Eagle School District 61; Alpine Alarm Communications
and Construction, LLC; and members of the Pine-Eagle
School Board regarding the 2013 active shooter drill at
the school.
SEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PAGE 3
SEE PINE EAGLE LAWSUIT 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.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Mollie Atwater & Friends: 10 years
Forest Plan Revision meetings
Locals place at Special Olympics
Public Arts wants new Council rep
More charges fi led against Witter
Huckleberry Productions documentary
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