LOCAL: Eagle Valley Days.
PAGE 10
BUSINESS: Opera comes to Geiser Grand.
PAGE 3
The
Baker County Press
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Friday, June 24, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 26
County prepares for
debris slides in burn area
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
What is the danger of
mud slides and fl ashfl oods
inside the Cornet/Windy
Ridge burn scar, and how
best to notify the public
when potential danger
arises?
On Tuesday morning,
Jason Yencopal of Baker
County Emergency Man-
agement hosted a meeting
featuring Troy Lindquist
of the National Weather
Service to answer those
questions.
On May 5, a series of
fl ashfl oods and mudslides
swept down several areas
in Burnt River Canyon
and by Highway 245 near
the south foot of Dooley
Mountain, giving the
County, National Weather
Service and others the
chance to form a more in-
formed opinion as to how
much rain that area can
now tolerate.
“The burn scar presents
new challenges for us,”
said Yencopal.
With over 130,000 acres
burned last summer, the
soil within that perim-
eter, said Lindquest, has
become “hydrophobic”
meaning with an infusion
of melted tree sap and a
good baking in extreme
heat, the ground no longer
absorbs water well.
This, combined with the
new lack of vegetation
that previously prevented
erosion, means rain and
hail will likely create more
damage when it occurs.
According to Lindquist,
there are two weather sta-
tions—one at Bald Moun-
tain and one at Beaver
Mountain—both equipped
with rain gauges. Satellite
radar 110 miles away out
of the Weather Service’s
Boise center also provides
a fairly accurate look at
storms as they move over
northeast Oregon.
In May, said Lindquist,
“We got a good idea of
what kind of rainfall will
cause problems.”
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
L-R: Troy Lindquist and Jason Yencopal.
SEE DEBRIS SLIDE PAGE 5
One killed
outside
Haines
WWII veteran turns 100
Submitted Photo.
LifeFlight carries one of the accident victims to
Boise from Baker City.
• ONE KILLED, TWO INJURED IN
HIGHWAY 30 HEAD-ON COLLISION
Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press
Sgt. Leslie Davis (seated at center) turned 100 with a party including Congressman Greg Walden (far left)
at the VFW this week.
• CONGRESSMAN PRESENTS FLAG IN HIS
HONOR
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Family, friends, and others gathered at the Veterans
Memorial Club (Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3048),
2005 Valley Avenue, in Baker City on Monday, in order
to celebrate the 100th birthday of local, decorated World
War II Army veteran, Sergeant Leslie Davis, who served
for four years in the 821st Engineer Battalion, in the
South Pacifi c.
Congressman Greg Walden was in attendance to present
Davis with a special Honor Flag, which had been fl own
over the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The honor
includes the addition of Davis’s name in the U.S. Con-
gressional Record.
Speaking about the humble nature of Davis, VFW Post
#3048 member Gary Young said that the celebration had
been planned as a “surprise” birthday party, but Davis
was told about it beforehand by family members, and he
voiced reluctance to attend and be the center of attention,
though he was convinced to go. Young would have un-
derstood if Davis had stayed home, and he said, jokingly,
“When you reach 100, you can do damn near anything
Friday
Partly sunny with cooler temperatures. Highs in
the mid 60s. Lows near 40 at night.
Saturday
Mostly sunny and seasonable temperatures,
highs in the mid 70s. Mostly clear and cool at
night. Lows in the mid 40s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs in the mid
80s. Mostly clear and warmer at nights. Lows
near 50.
you want, you know?”
Davis showed up shortly after that, around 4:30 p.m.,
assisted by family members, and he was greeted with
applause from the crowd. He sat down at a table reserved
for him in the Hall, as VFW Post #3048 Quartermaster
Kevin Churchill introduced Walden to attendees.
Walden said, “Leslie, I’m Greg Walden. Happy Birth-
day. We want to present you with a fl ag that was fl own
over the U.S. Capitol, in honor of your 100th birthday,
and your service to the Country, and the certifi cate that
goes with it certifi es that this was fl own over the U.S.
Capitol, at my request, in celebration of your 100th
birthday, June 20, 2016, in honor of your service with
the U.S. Army, in the South Pacifi c, during World War
II, on behalf of the United States Congress. Thank you
for your dedicated service to our Country, best wishes on
your 100th birthday, and congratulations on reaching this
impressive milestone.”
Walden showed Davis the certifi cate, and Walden’s
Eastern Oregon District Offi ce representative, Jordan
Noyes, handed Walden the encased fl ag, who then pre-
sented it to Davis. The crowd applauded when Walden
had fi nished his presentation. Walden said, “Thank you
for your service, and Happy Birthday...” Walden also
gave Davis a personal letter he had written to him, and
cards from attendees included one from VFW Post #3048,
and the Post Auxiliary.
SEE VETERAN TURNS 100 PAGE 8
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
A head-on collision on Highway 30 outside Haines took
the life of one and seriously injured two others Monday
evening.
At approximately 6:26 p.m. a driving complaint was
called in to Baker County Dispatch concerning a blue
Buick passenger car that was driving erratically.
Just four minutes later, Dispatch received a report of a
two-vehicle head-on crash at mile post 41 on Highway 30
involving the same blue car that was called in before.
SEE FATALITY PAGE 5
Walden holds
town hall
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Around 45 members of the community attended a town
hall, hosted by U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, at the
Sunridge Inn Restaurant in Baker City, on Monday, June
20, 2016.
Walden thanked everyone for their attendance, includ-
ing Representative Cliff Bentz, and Baker County Com-
missioner Tim Kerns. Walden called Kerns to the front of
the room, who was also joined by his wife, Jan.
Walden recognized Kerns’ service as Commissioner, a
diffi cult role he’s fi lled for 15 years, one he’ll be retiring
from this year. Walden read a statement he entered into
the U.S. Congressional Record:
SEE TOWN HALL PAGE 5
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
TMP Committee talks recreation
Stolen car recovered
The Outdoor Column
Pickup catches fi re
Woman injured in horse accident
Sumpter: More recalls
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