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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2016)
SPECIAL: Rep. Greg Barreto’s thoughts in remembrance of 9/11. PAGE 10 SUMPTER: New Council member appointed at last meeting. PAGE 5 The Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, September 16, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 38 Albertsons reopens • LOCAL GROCERY STORE DRAMA COMES FULL-CIRCLE BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com On Wednesday morning, Albertsons Store Director Amber Krantz cut the rib- bon in front of the compa- ny’s extensively revamped former home, at 1120 Campbell Street in Baker City, as a crowd of com- munity members gathered for its grand opening—or grand reopening, rather— which will allow the area to once again be served by Albertsons, along with its sister store across the street, Safeway. The Baker High School band and cheerleader squad provided entertain- ment prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, as attendees were treated to grocery bags of goodies, while they waited for the doors to offi cially open to showcase the products and services of a company, which made its debut on Resort Street, in 1967. Loyal fans of Albertsons include customers Anita Buzzard Lyman and her daughter, Barbara Nicole Brown, the duo being among the fi rst of those waiting anxiously in line to enter the store. Lyman said, “I’m so glad this is open; I am. I don’t have to park in the Rite-Aid parking lot to go to Safeway ... I can’t wait to get in to look.” Brown said, “This is just my store; I’m so glad that they’re coming back ... Albertsons is my store.” Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Amber Krantz (in blue) cuts the ribbon Wednesday morning, opening an Albertsons store once again in Baker City once again. SEE ALBERTSONS PAGE 3 The angels among us Lead found in school water BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com On September 9, the Baker County Health Department issued a press release stating it had been notifi ed by the Baker 5J School District that water test levels containing lead have been reported at schools across the area. 5J Superintendant Mark Witty issued a letter with the following information: Haines Elementary Total samples tested: 26 with no samples exceeding 20 ppb (parts per billion). North Baker Education Center 26 samples tested with samples exceeding 20 ppb from three sinks or other sources, resulting in all three sinks being shut off. Drinking fountains were not found to have elevated levels. SEE LEAD IN WATER PAGE 5 Submitted Photos. In her spare time, Overman paints angels with specifi c themes such as peace and healing. BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Angels. They come straight from the pages of the Bible, exist in some form or another in most major religions, and are the subjects of countless books and movies. Stacie Overman, an or- dained minister, says these celestial beings are very real, present among us, guiding and helping—and she is able to help get their messages across to those in need. Overman said, “It is hard to imagine how much love the divine have for each of us. Some people never hear anyone say to them, ‘You are loved.’ It is such a wonderful thing to be on the telephone or messenger to be able to let them know that they truly are loved.” If Overman seems famil- iar to readers, it’s because she appeared for two sea- sons, along with husband Larry, on the hit SyFy tele- vision show “Ghost Mine,” which was fi lmed locally just outside Sumpter. Overman has worked in and around the en- tertainment industry for decades, appearing in commercials, casting, and even co-hosting a radio show. After “Ghost Mine,” Larry Overman went on to appear in another show, “Dirty Rotten Survival,” which airs on the National Geographic Channel. Prior to that, in 2006, Overman squared off against breast cancer, which is a key experi- ence that changed her life, sending her down what she calls a more spiritual path. After “Ghost Mine” wrapped up, she met a lady who mentored her. Submitted Photo. Larry and Stacie Overman. Veterans Administration reforms continue Days after meeting with local veterans in Medford, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced Wednes- day that the House of Representatives has passed bipar- tisan legislation to bring accountability and reform to the Veterans Administration (VA). Walden took to the House fl oor in support of the bill, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620). Walden said, “On Saturday morning in Medford, Or- egon, I met with about 40 veterans who are furious about the delays in getting access to care, and the fact that they can’t maintain providers at the local facility. “And everything in this bill, interestingly enough, came up in our discussion. ‘How come you’re paying bonuses to people that aren’t doing their job?’—this bill fi xes that. ‘Why is it when we raise complaints internally, there’s retribution?’—this bill protects whistleblowers. ‘Why isn’t there more transparency about what happens inside the VA?’—this bill gets at that. Accountability and trans- parency will lead us to a better VA. “We need to reform the VA. We need to take care of our men and women in uniform. We need to claw back bonuses. We need to get this ship righted. This is a funda- mentally broken system that needs repair—I think we all agree on that, that’s not a partisan issue.” SEE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION PAGE 5 SEE ANGELS PAGE 5 Friday Sunny and mild, highs near 80. Friday Night: Mostly clear and cool, lows near 40. Saturday Sunny and mild, highs in the mid 80s. Saturday Night: Mostly clear and not as cool, lows in the mid 40s. Sunday Partly sunny with a chance for showers in the afternoon. Highs near 80. Sunday Night: Chance for showers early then partial clearing. 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 “So I was thinking...” column Business service directory Use restrictions ease City: Labor contract ratifi ed Fire consumes home Crossroads kids dance schedule Page Page Page Page Page Page 4 6 7 8 9 10
