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Jimmy Ingram. PAGE 4
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Friday, June 17, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 25
Former Halfway couple
killed in Utah crash
• PICKUP ROLLS
DOWN 600-FOOT
DROPOFF
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Husband and wife, Lance
and Jade Simpson, both
Pine Eagle graduates
formerly of Halfway, were
killed last Friday afternoon
when their pickup left a
dirt road and plunged more
than 600 feet down into
a ravine, Hobble Creek
Canyon, in Utah.
Jade is the daughter of
Tom and Melody Huff,
and Lance is the brother
of Marianne Diggs, all of
Halfway. The community
at large has been rocked
by the tragic accident,
and news of that accident
quickly hit the television
and radio airways across
Utah.
The couple had been
residing in Elk Ridge, Utah
at the time, and had lived
previously in Washington
State.
According to the Utah
County Sheriff’s Offi ce,
bicyclists fi rst came upon
the scene and saw debris
but were unable to see the
vehicle. Skid marks were
also visible.
Investigators said that the
pickup had rolled numer-
ous times, and though
evidence at the scene
opened up the possibility
for alcohol to have been a
factor, a defi nitive cause
for the accident has not yet
been determined.
Seatbelt use was also
unable to be determined
due to the severity of the
accident.
Tami’s Pine Valley
Funeral Home in Half-
way will be handling the
arrangements for the fam-
ily, and has a guest book
online in which members
of the community, friends
and family can pay their
respects.
Submitted Photo.
Lance and Jade Simpson.
McNeil
crowned Mrs.
Oregon United
States 2016
Bookmobile gets a
graphic makeover
Submitted Photo.
The bookmobile’s new look was completed last weekend as the vehicle underwent a makeover.
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
From cleaning through
completion, the Baker
Library District’s bookmo-
bile underwent a make-
over—18 hours total—at
the hands of Oregon Sign
Company last weekend.
The project actually
began last Thursday, with
Donn and Beckey Christy
donating a shop at Superior
Towing so that the crew
would have space to work.
Said Oregon Sign
Company owner Christina
Witham, “The passenger
side of the bus is always
facing the south sun when
parked at the library and
it shows, the old graph-
ics were baked on and
cracked. We had to remove
Man shot
on Elm
Street
those graphics with tools
called vinyl wheels. Basi-
cally a rubber wheel on a
grinder, one air powered
and one electric. Strip by
strip the graphics slowly
came off.
“Any small pieces,
smudged adhesive and ar-
eas that we couldn’t reach
with the wheels had to
be heated with a heat gun
and scraped off and the
entire area gone over again
with adhesive remover,
scraped again and cleaned
with shop towels. Very
time consuming and hard
work.”
The bookmobile has be-
come something of an icon
in these parts.
SEE BOOKMOBILE
PAGE 5
Friday
Partly sunny with a chance for showers. Chance
of precipitation is 40%. Highs in the mid 60s.
Saturday
Mostly sunny and pleasant. Highs in the upper
60s. Partly cloudy at night with lows in the
mid-40s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs in the mid 70s.
Partly cloudy at night with lows in the lower 40s.
On June 11th, Baker
City’s Lori McNeil was
crowned Mrs. Oregon
United States 2016. Mc-
Neil represented eight
counties across 35,000
square miles last year with
6-8 appearances per month
as Mrs. Eastern Oregon
America promoting Litera-
cy. This honor comes with
hard work and dedication
as a representative for
Marriage and Families Na-
Submitted Photo.
tionally. McNeil’s passion
Lori A. McNeil.
for promoting Literacy
as an educator of almost
18 years, has also led to the publication of her fi rst book,
“Charlie’s First Day,” a children’s book that focusses on
fi ve main strategies for teaching reading skills.
McNeil will continue her advocacy work in literacy
this next year as she donates a copy of her book to each
of the 36 County Libraries in Oregon and continues to
work with schools, libraries and communities to promote
and teach Literacy.
As Mrs. Oregon United States, McNeil will be com-
peting for the National title August 1-4 in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Eastern Oregon has never in history, had a representa-
tive compete at the National level in the United States
system.
Submitted Photo.
Graphics experts place the wrap.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
On June 14, 2016, James Lanning (DOB 12-08-1969)
of 5633 NW Cayner Ave. Redmond Oregon was arrested
on charges of Attempted Assault First Degree, Assault in
the Third Degree and Menacing.
The charges relate to a shooting that occurred on Elm
Street in Baker City at approximately 11:00 p.m. on June
13th, 2016.
Lanning is charged with fi ring a handgun at 34-year-
old Scott Bradley (no fi xed address) while Bradley was
seated in a vehicle.
The case is still under investigation. The investigation is
being conducted by the Baker County Major Crime Team.
The case will be submitted to a grand jury later in the
week.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
High Mountain opens second shop
BMFPR meeting held
Sumpter City Council
BHS Honor Roll
County: Budget adopted
Pine Eagle 8th grade graduation
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