SPECIAL: Rep. Greg Barreto’s thoughts in
remembrance of 9/11. PAGE 10
SUMPTER: New Council member appointed
at last meeting. PAGE 5
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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
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