LOCAL: OTEC holds annual meeting with
high attendance. PAGE 9
BUSINESS: Kids Closet opens on Broadway
in Baker City. PAGE 3
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Friday, May 6, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 19
Healthy Kids Day held
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Despite the windy and
cool weather, plenty of at-
tendance was noted during
a Baker County YMCA-
sponsored Healthy Kids
Day event, held Saturday,
April 30, 2016, from 9
a.m., to 1 p.m., at Geiser
Pollman Park, in Baker
City.
With Healthy Kids Day,
the YMCA is promoting
the improvement of health,
and wellbeing of kids. The
organization notes that,
while there are plenty of
activities that stimulate
minds and bodies during
the school year once sum-
mer arrives, for some, that
activity fades, potentially
leading to falling behind
in school studies and to
weight gain.
The day included fun
activities, and healthy
foods, and volunteers
were present to happily
promote programs, such
as Baker City Library’s
“Ready 2 Learn,” through
which a child, aged birth
through fi ve years, can be
registered for a free library
card with access to books,
movies, music, and fun
activities, opportunities to
connect with other families
with small children, and a
free monthly newsletter.
Prize packs are awarded
for checking out 100 books
within a year, and Ready 2
Learn and Oregon Col-
lege Savings Plan will be
awarding three children
a $1,000 account every
month, along with other
prizes. The Ready 2 Learn
program is administered
throughout Baker, Union,
Wallowa, Umatilla, Mor-
row, and Grant counties.
Volunteers also pro-
moted the Daily Vroom
application, designed with
brain-building activities
for children, based on their
age. These are “bite-sized”
activities, with tips, and the
science behind how each
activity helps build chil-
drens’ brains, with credit
rewarded for each com-
pleted activity, and reward-
ing celebratory videos, that
can be unlocked with the
earning of badges.
Free items were handed
out, including sidewalk
chalk, T-shirts (YMCA-
themed and others),
Ready 2 Learn canvas
book bags, and toys. The
wind, though not much of
a convenience regarding
other activities, facilitated
bubble blowing, which
was enjoyed by enthusi-
astic participants, includ-
ing Brandi and Airianna,
a mother and daughter
pictured to the right.
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Mom and daughter, Brandi and Airianna, with some
fun bubbles.
County,
Sunridge
discuss TLT
penalties
School Lunch Hero Day
• MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COUNTY PART
OF WEDNESDAY’S MEETING
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Wendee Morrissey / The Baker County Press
Baker High School art students decorated the cement outside Brooklyn to start a week of such art around
various 5J buildings in town.
BY THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS STAFF
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
During the week of May 2-5th, the Baker 5J School
District celebrated National School Lunch Hero Day.
This day, celebrated annually since 2013, was designated
by the School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoc-
zka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series.
School Lunch Hero Day provides an opportunity
for parents, students, school staff and communities to
thank those who provide healthy meals to 30 million of
America’s students each school day.
According to food services director, Jessica Dalton,
locally schools will feature “super foods” on the menu all
week.
On Thursday 5J will be giving the cooks thank you
cards and having a little fun with a “lunch lady” picture
board.
The District also held a raffl e during lunch to give away
a graphic novel from the series mentioned above.
Some of the Baker High School art students displaed
their talents with sidewalk chalk art in front of a couple
buildings, and at South Baker. Costumes were involved.
On Monday, the art students began their display at
Brooklyn School, and according to bus driver Wendee
Morrissey, the chalk creations took less than an hour to
create.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with the threat of showers and
possibly a thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 70s.
Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday
Partly sunny with a chance for showers. Highs
in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Lows in the mid-40s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Lows near
40 at night.
The Baker County Board of Commissioners held its
fi rst, regular session of the month, on Wednesday, May 4,
2016, 9 a.m., in the Commission Chambers, of the Baker
County Courthouse with a Memo of Understanding in-
volving the Sunridge Inn’s payment of Transient Lodging
Tax penalties key on the agenda.
Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Com-
missioners Mark Bennett, and Tim Kerns, and Executive
Assistant Heidi Martin.
Attendance also included Baker County legal counsel
Drew Martin, Baker County Emergency Management
Deputy Director/Fire Authority Gary Timm, Baker Coun-
ty Administrative Service Director Christena Cook, Baker
County Payroll Administration Benefi ts Coordinator
Karlynn Dolby, Baker City Rural Fire Chief Dan Weitz,
Best Western/Sunridge Inn Manager Lisa Wilson, Ed
Hardt, John and Ramona Creighton, Kody Justus, Brenda
Holly, Tork and Wanda Ballard, Gary Dielman, Joelleen
Linstrom, Mary Miller, and Vicki Valenzuela.
SEE COUNTY PAGE 2
Submitted Photo.
South Baker lunch heroes Debbie Koontz and Alita
Arendell.
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
BLM fi re vendor meeting scheduled
Letters to the Editor
As I see it... by Jimmy Ingram
Classifi eds
Haines to hold music gathering
Idaho Power gets permit approved
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