FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5
Local
Angels among us
Lead in water
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Overman said of her
mentor, “She helped me
tremendously to under-
stand the things I had been
experiencing since I was a
little kid. However, during
my battle with cancer those
things increased. Hearing
voices, seeing things that
were not there. Knowing
stuff I just shouldn’t know.
Feeling other people’s pain
and suffering.”
Such claims naturally
draw both skeptics and be-
lievers alike to Overman—
either just fine with her.
Those holding more
fundamentalist religious
beliefs often fall into the
skeptic category. However,
it could be pointed out that
several verses of scripture
detail angelic communica-
tion on earth.
Then there’s Corinthians,
which discusses spiritual
gifts from God—and still
other scripture discussing
false gifts from the “other
guy.”
Exploring this topic
full of contrasts definitely
makes for interesting con-
versation.
“I used to belong to a
Christian church for all
of my life—speaking in
church and attending Bible
study for years,” she said.
Overman parted ways
with the more “organized”
part of her religion about
four years back, looking
for a “stronger walk with
God” that better served her.
From a Christian point
of view Lucifer is said
to disguise himself as
an angel of light—but in
Overman’s experience, the
difference between good
and evil is clear to sense.
“It (evil) feels totally
different from good,”
she explained. “I protect
myself with prayer asking
for God’s white light to
surround my client and
myself. I ask that only
love and light to enter in.”
Overman said she has
experienced times when
“the dark side” made its
presence known.
She said, “Again I
always protect myself to
block it out. I also call
upon Archangel Michael as
a protector to help if I feel
it is needed.”
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Submitted Photo.
Overman’s upcoming group venue, the Library Room (top center) at the Geiser
Grand: Viennese crystal chandeliers hang from a sixteen-foot ceiling and french
mahogany doors overlook last year’s masquerade ball.
Primarily, people aren’t
looking for advice on good
versus evil when they
come to Overman, though.
She said, “Most people
come to me wanting to
connect with a loved one.
Maybe they never got to
say goodbye or they just
need to understand that
their loved one is okay.
Some come for guidance
to get insight on their soul
journey—and are they
on the right track kind of
thing. Many people just
need to know that they are
okay and that there is noth-
ing they did that would
ever make God stop loving
them.”
Overman said she
doesn’t physically see
angels—the experience is
more like seeing them in
her mind’s eye, or sensing
them. Sometimes she’ll see
a ray of color.
“Sometimes I see sparkly
lights in my peripheral
vision as well. I also get
chills and or really hot
depending on whom I am
working with,” she said.
When an angelic pres-
ence makes itself known,
Overman said she suddenly
physically gets hot.
Overman’s readings are
filled with prayer, medita-
tion and energy clearing,
as well as simple conver-
sation depending on the
amount of time allotted
and need of the client. She
sometimes turns to themes
on cards printed with
angelic images when she
needs to start focusing on a
client’s particular situation.
Sessions are often done
via Skype, and last half an
hour to an hour.
Angels also take up
quite a bit of Overman’s
free time; she has recently
begun painting them her-
self.
She said, “I have wanted
to learn how to paint for
many years. Just a year
ago I felt a calling to paint
angels. I just knew that is
what I was supposed to do.
I have been teaching my-
self and learning as I go.”
Her paintings currently
go for between $100 and
$250 on average.
The paintings focus on
specific angelic themes,
such as healing or peace—
and she believes the color
schemes can be divinely
inspired.
Overman will hold a
group session Saturday,
September 24, 6 p.m. in
the Geiser Grand Hotel
on Main Street in Baker
City. Group parties involve
around six people and tend
to last about four hours.
The group gatherings give
people time to visit and
talk about spiritual topics
with one another, as well
as some one-on-one time
with Overman for specific
questions.
Those skeptics and be-
lievers? All are welcome
to attend and make up their
own minds.
The Overmans will both
appear at the Wicked Ways
Masquerade Ball at the
Geiser Grand on Saturday,
October 29, in the Library
Room on the second floor.
Spiritual guidance and
angel merchandise will be
in supply.
A possible group event is
also tentatively planned for
September 23 in Sumpter.
For more information,
go to www.facebook.com/
staciesangelkisses or www.
stacieoverman.com.
Overman concluded, “I
have always known I am
here to help others. It has
just taken me quit some
time to figure out the best
way to do that. Now I
know I am exactly where
I am supposed to be ... I
pray that every angelic
divine reading will be a
blessing. I am so honored
if they feel drawn to come
to me to be that telephone.
I know how much my very
first reading helped me
heal after my late husband
passed away so young. I
knew if I could help others
in that same way it was the
least I could do during my
time here on earth.”
Lucas now on Sumpter City Council
BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH
Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com
Sumpter City Council
met in a brief session Tues-
day night, heard reports,
and filled a vacant Council
seat. Councilors Samantha
Rowan and Carey Clarke
were present, with Robert
Armbruster out on vaca-
tion.
Utility Manager Report
Jeff McKinney reported
the bathrooms have again
been vandalized and said
he can only hope whoever
is doing it gets tired of
such juvenile behavior.
McKinney reminded
everyone that water con-
servation measures are in
effect until rain increases
water flow rates. He com-
mended citizens for their
cooperation.
McKinney and Clarke
are going to look at a
grader that may be avail-
able to the City. The street
improvement project is still
in the works. Material for
the project was made avail-
able to the City six weeks
ago with the completion of
the Granite Highway pav-
Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press
Greg Lucas listening as Julie McKinney (outside frame) administers the oath.
ing project.
Finally, McKinney
reported a reserve of over
$93,000 has been built up
in various relevant City
funds during his time as
Utility Manager.
Fire Department Re-
port
Jim Sheller reported
a quiet month with no
call-outs. He reminded
everyone that until rain
eases restrictions, there is
no burning in City limits.
SEE SUMPTER
PAGE 7
Baker Middle School
24 samples tested and some samples exceeding 20 ppb,
including two fountains and seven sinks, which were then
shut off. 5J added a bottled water drinking station.
South Baker
35 total samples tested, with some exceeding 20 ppb —
one fountain and seven sinks and other sources. Sinks and
one fountain were shut off, with bottled water brought in.
Baker High School and Brooklyn Primary School
All drinking fountains have been shut down as a
precautionary measure while testing results are pending.
Bottled water drinking stations are in place. The remain-
ing sources in the building will be flushed daily.
Keating School
Bottled water has been the primary source and will
continue to be provided. All sources will be flushed daily
before school starts.
Samples were in the range of 21.9 ppb to 73.6 ppb, all
levels that require action.
Concerned parents can go to the 5J District Office, 2090
Fourth Street in Baker City, or visit the website, baker.
k12.or.us. More information is available by calling Witty
at 541-524-2260.
Lead is not treated by the City’s UV treatment system
in place for the City water supply. Lead in water is most
commonly found there due to a building’s old pipes or old
sealant connecting pipes, not in drinking water supplies.
Veterans
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"Most of all, we need to start with what matters, and
that is the veteran. That, ladies and gentlemen, should be
our foremost commitment and our starting place: what’s
best for that veteran and that veteran’s family.”
A recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability
Office (GAO) found that on average, it can take up to one
year or longer to remove a permanent civil servant in the
VA and other federal agencies. Under the VA’s existing
civil service rules, the department often fails to hold mis-
behaving employees accountable for their actions, and
when they do take disciplinary action, it rarely occurs in
a swift and meaningful way. The VA Accountability First
and Appeals Modernization Act would give the depart-
ment more flexibility to remove VA employees for poor
performance or misconduct.
The legislation would also increase whistleblower pro-
tections for individuals who speak up about misconduct,
and would recoup bonuses from undeserving employees.
Additionally, the VA Accountability First and Appeals
Modernization Act takes important steps to reform the
department’s broken disability benefits appeals process.
By allowing veterans to waive a hearing, limit the intro-
duction of new evidence, and have the option to bring
their appeal to a regional office, this bill streamlines the
antiquated appeals process for VA disability benefits.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 310-116, and
now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Symphony
season begins
The 68-year-old Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra
will begin fall rehearsals Wednesday, September 21, 6:30
pm to 9:00 pm in Groth Rehearsal Hall in Loso Hall on
the EOU campus. All musicians who can read music and
play an orchestra instrument are welcome! “We are ex-
cited to again welcome Zeke Fetrow as our music director
and conductor. Zeke has planned another exciting pro-
gram for the 2016-2017 musical season with the theme of
“Magic, Mystery, and Majesty” for the fall concert.
“I am looking forward to the start of rehearsals with
the Grande Ronde Symphony on September 21. We've
got another fantastic opportunity to encourage artistic
involvement from the community while continuing the
legacy of excellence in La Grande. I'm excited to seek
out and nurture new additions to the orchestra, while
engaging our audience through creative programming,”
commented Mr. Fetrow. He concluded, “I am working
closely with the regional musical groups and school sys-
tems to foster a collaborative musical effort that inspires
participation in creating music, and developing young
musicians. We have a fantastic year planned, with excit-
ing repertoire, collaborations and featured artists. You
don’t want to miss any performances!”
The Grande Ronde Symphony is the longest, continu-
ously operating orchestra east of the Cascade Mountains.
In 2015, Eastern Oregon University changed direction
with its music program, ending 66 years of providing a
professorship for the conductor of the symphony. The
Grande Ronde Symphony Association is most apprecia-
tive of EOU for graciously continuing to provide rehears-
al and performance facilities along with offering college
credits for students playing in the orchestra.
“The Grande Ronde Symphony Association’s mission
is to support and promote the ongoing music programs
of the Symphony Orchestra, the Grande Ronde Student
Symphony, and the Chamber Series, thereby enhancing
the quality of life in our region,” commented Patty San-
doz, GRSA president. Interested patrons may purchase
concert season tickets, chamber concert series passes,
annual auction tickets and make contributions on our
website at granderondsymphony.org. In addition, musi-
cians interested in playing with the Symphony are greatly
encouraged to consider joining the orchestra.