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Friday, December 18, 2015 • Volume 2, Issue 51
Local police nab third Boise
robbery suspect since 2004
• WELLS FARGO
BANK ROBBERY
SUSPECT CAPTURED
IN BAKER CITY
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Last Friday afternoon,
for the third time in recent
memory, local law enforce-
ment nabbed yet another
Boise-area bank robbery
suspect who had fl ed to
Baker City.
Mark Allen Price, 46,
was being sought in con-
nection with the December
10 armed robbery of nearly
$1,600 from the Wells
Fargo at 7700 West Fair-
view Avenue in Boise.
At 6’2”, 370 lbs. and
covered in distinctive
tatoos on front and back,
including some biker gang
images, his own image
stood out on bank cameras.
When the Boise police
sent word to Baker City
Police Department (BCPD)
Lt. Dustin Newman that
Price might be in the area,
video surveillance footage
at the local Maverik on
Campbell Street confi rmed
that suspicion.
According to Newman,
the Boise detective in-
formed him that Price had
family in the area, and that
it was suspected he might
be staying in the local Best
Western.
Newman said he
“changed into soft clothes,
went undercover—and
couldn’t fi nd him.”
The Maverik footage
had shown Price in a 1997
Ford Ranger Pickup.
Newman checked all the
local hotels and motels
with no luck until police
were at last able to “ping”
Price’s cell phone, from
which he had made a call
only ten minutes earlier at
the Super 8 Motel near the
freeway.
Newman, who along
with Sgt. Wayne Chastain
and Offi cer Daniel Pelayo,
were the three BCPD of-
fi cers on duty at the time.
Submitted Photo.
Mark Allen Price’s arrest last Friday was only one in
a series of brushes with the law.
SEE ROBBERY PAGE 5
There and back again …
County,
USFS meet
again
• SECOND COORDINATION MEETING
HELD WITH FOREST SERVICE
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Baker County Board of Commissioners held
another government-to-government coordination meeting
with representatives of the United States Forest Service
(USFS) on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at 9 a.m., in
the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Court-
house.
Present from the Board were Commission Chair Bill
Harvey, and Commissioner Tim Kerns, and fi lling in for
Executive Assistant Heidi Martin was Shaylinn Sells from
Baker County Administrative Services. Commissioner
Mark Bennett was absent, due to family commitments.
Joining the Board from the USFS were Whitman District
Ranger Jeff Tomac, and La Grande District Ranger Bill
Gamble.
SEE COUNTY / USFS PAGE 3
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Forest Service
publishes
travel
management
reports
A large group fi lled the gym at the LDS Church in Baker City Saturday night as Elizabeth “Betty” and David
Huntsman were welcomed home. L-R: Glenda Mastrude, Betty Huntsman and Sheila Valentine.
• A TWO-YEAR JOURNEY
COMES FULL CIRCLE
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The past two years passed slowly at times, but overall,
seemingly in a blink.
In the debut issue of The Baker County Press, January
3, 2014, the article “To Russia with Love” chronicled
David and Elizabeth “Betty” Huntsman’s departure on a
church mission, initially landing them in Yekaterinburg,
Russia.
Last Saturday the Huntsmans celebrated their return
to Baker City at the LDS Church, packed with a couple
hundred of their closest friends—and a massive cookie
exchange.
During their two years away, “Some of our friends
have died, babies were born, and people have married,”
said Betty.
The couple’s dog now has a white muzzle—but recog-
nizes them.
Betty said she’s thankful to see the Elkhorn Mountains
remaining the same as always behind them.
And, of course, they are surprised by the “Haggen saga”
and hope to see a second large grocery store return to the
area.
For now, they’re adjusting and refl ecting.
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Mementos of Russia decorated the tables, along
with dozens of plates full of cookies.
Portland, Ore — Press Release: The U.S. Forest Ser-
vice Pacifi c Northwest Region released 17 travel analysis
reports this week that outline existing road systems and
identify opportunities to achieve a more sustainable sys-
tem of roads for each national forest in the Pacifi c North-
west. These travel analysis reports are part of nationwide
requirement involving national forests across the country.
These reports are not decision documents—instead,
they provide an analysis of where the existing road sys-
tem is today.
All future proposed actions and decisions will involve
further opportunities for public input and engagement
at the project level under national environmental policy
act processes, according to guidance issued by Regional
Forester Jim Peña to all national forests.
SEE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PAGE 9
SEE THERE AND BACK AGAIN PAGE 5
Friday
Cloudy with rain likely. Chance of precipitation
is 80%. Highs near 40. Possible freezing rain at
night. Lows around 30.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for snow. Chance
of precipitation is 40%. Little to no accumulation
expected. Highs in the mid 30s. Lows near 20.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for snow. Chance
of precipitation is 40%. Light to moderate ac-
cumulation expected. Highs in the mid 30s.
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
OCA holds annual meeting in Bend
Christmas dinner in Panhandle
Huntington Christmas celebrations
Sumpter festivities held
County: Justice Court IGA
Christian Women’s Luncheon ends
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