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PAGE 8
Baker County Press
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Friday, January 29, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 5
X-Drive goes back in studio
for movie soundtrack
• LOCAL
GUITARIST AT
CENTER OF NEW
MUSIC DEAL
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
In August of 2014, Baker
City native and Baker High
School grad, Jeremy Brun-
ner, along with a power-
packed lineup of rock
industry veterans, released
their fi rst CD together as
the band X-Drive.
Now Brunner is back
in the studio—in Boise
this time instead of Los
Angeles— recording a
handful of covers, as well
as some original material,
for an upcoming movie
soundtrack.
“I signed a nondisclosure
agreement,” said Brun-
ner. “So I can’t comment
further on the songs or the
soundtrack except to say
that’s what we’re working
on.”
The 2014 CD, “Get Your
Rock On,” has a sound
reminiscent of 80s rock—a
sound that garnered the
attention of a new producer
and at least one movie
director.
As for X-Drive, Brunner
is the band’s songsmith
and guitarist. He’s normal-
ly joined by bassist James
Lomenzo from White
Lion, singer Keith St. John
from Montrose, and fi nish-
ing out the group, drummer
Fred Fischer from Mid-
line. If Lomenzo’s name
sounds familiar, it might
be because in addition to
White Lion, he also played
for John Fogerty, David
Lee Roth, Ozzy Osbourne,
Megadeth and Black Label
Society. Lomenzo’s tour
schedule with Fogerty this
year has precluded him
from joining in the record-
ing session in Boise, says
Brunner.
“Keith and I are in talks
with a new bassist who is
yet to be announced,” he
said.
Submitted Photo.
Jeremy Brunner is back in a Boise recording studio
working on material for a movie soundtrack.
SEE X-DRIVE PAGE 8
Blood is
shed in
Harney
County
Council gets K9 demo
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Submitted Photo.
Offi cer Coleton Smith shows off Capa’s new K9 badge, which was donated by Billie Jo Deal, at right.
LaVoy Finicum was killed Tuesday evening on his
way to a meeting in John Day.
• TRAIN WHISTLE QUIET ZONE ALSO
KEY TOPIC AT TUESDAY’S CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
BY GINA K. SWARTZ
Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Tuesday’s City Council meeting was called to order
promptly with a full house, then moved into a very full
agenda made a little livelier with a demonstration from
the Police Department’s new drug dog, Capa.
The Pledge of Allegiance and invocation were led by
Rosemary Abell. She stated, “As we move into 2016, an
election, year I thought it would be good to think about
leadership in terms of what unites us rather than what
divides us. I’m talking about our core values, things like
integrity, service, authenticity, love, family all of those
things that we value.”
The consent agenda was then unanimously adopted
with all councilors present.
Citizen’s Participation was called for, and Brian Vegter
stepped forward to present Council with a framed jersey
signed by last years’ winners of the Baker City Cycling
Classic. He thanked Council for support over the last 14
years. Council then turned to their lengthy agenda.
SEE CITY COUNCIL PAGE 10
Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press
Capa alerts, fi nding a drug scent under City
Manager Mike Kee during a demonstration.
The occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge 30 miles outside Burns was marked by bloodshed
early Tuesday evening with the shooting death of Robert
LaVoy Finicum, age 55.
Finicum, an Arizona-based rancher and father of 11
foster children, was one of approximately 40 mem-
bers of a group, led by Ammon Bundy, to take over the
Refuge following the January 2 rally in Burns to sup-
port the Hammond family. Two members of that family
were sentenced to fi ve years in prison on arson charges
falling under a 1996 domestic terrorism act after burning
approximately 130 acres of publicly managed lands. The
imprisonment triggered public outrage.
Bundy and Finicum stated multiple goals, including
launching the Hammonds’ situation into the realm of
national media attention, and then the hope of convincing
the Federal government to release control of those lands
back to state or county-level control.
Nearly a month into the occupation, the situation had
remained without confrontation prior to this week.
On Tuesday, two vehicles from the Refuge, including
a truck driven by Finicum, were en route along Highway
395 between Burns and John Day. Grant County Sheriff
Glenn Palmer was facilitating a community meeting in
John Day at which he hoped to mediate compromise.
SEE HARNEY COUNTY PAGE 12
Friday
Cloudy with a high around 40 and snow likely
before 10 am, followed by rain in the afternoon.
Southeast winds around 10-15 mph. Chance of
precipitation 70%. Low around 24.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a high around 36 and a 20%
chance of isolated snow showers. West winds
around 5-10 mph. Lows near 16.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a high around 33 and a 20%
chance of snow showers. North winds around
3-8 mph. Low around 19 with wind chill 5-9.
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
NRAC meets
5J reps attend Econ Dev Board mtg.
The Outdoor Column
YMCA hosts cancer survivor group
‘Enhanced Friday’ 5J controversy
Huntington celebrates 125th BD
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