LOCAL: City Council gets update on local
economic development. PAGE 5
BUSINESS: OTEC gives tour to second-grade
class. PAGE 3
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Friday, September 30, 2016 • Volume 3, Issue 40
Unity residents
learn about drugs
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On Tuesday evening,
Deputy Jeff Spencer, a
drug recognition expert
and eastern Oregon Coor-
dinator for that program,
and Baker County Sheriff
Travis Ash, held an infor-
mational community event
in Unity with the purpose
of explaining the charac-
teristics of drugs found
locally—and their effects
on the human body as seen
from a law enforcement
perspective.
30-35 residents joined
the audience, slightly more
than the 25 or so who at-
tended a similar meeting in
Halfway a few weeks ago.
Former Bridgeport
rancher Lynn Shumway
opened the meeting, stating
he and others had “con-
cerns” about drugs in the
area and had asked Ash to
provide the information.
Both Ash and Spencer
emphasized that they were
not present to debate the
morality or legality of
marijuana use—topics in
the minds of many resi-
dents following the recent
legalization of recreational
marijuana use in Oregon.
Ash was focused on
“some general information
on drugs and physiologi-
cal effects of marijuana,”
he said. A drug is defi ned
as, “Any substance, which
when taken into the human
body, can impair the ability
of the person to operate a
vehicle safely... that alters
perception or behavior,
reducing that individual’s
ability to function in an
academic environment.”
SEE DRUGS PAGE 5
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Deputy Jeff Spencer (right), a trained drug recognition expert joined Sheriff
Travis Ash in Unity Tuesday evening to teach about drugs.
Republicans introduce Safe routes
candidates, oppose local to school
nonpartisan issue
event ahead
BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER
Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com
On Wednesday, October 5, Baker County schools will
be participating in the 20-year anniversary of the Safe
Routes to School Bike/Walk to school event. This is the
fi rst year Baker County will participate.
Safe Routes to School is an international group that
works on bringing communities together and making
walking and biking to school safer.
According to Quick Facts and Figures, “The history
of Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day: The
Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the fi rst
National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago
in 1997, modeled after the United Kingdom’s walk to
school events and communities around the United States
have been celebrating Walk to School Day ever since. It
was established as ‘International’ in 2000 when Canada
and the U.K. joined with the U.S. to celebrate it.”
SEE SAFE ROUTES PAGE 8
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
L-R at table: Rep. Cliff Bentz, Rep. Greg Barreto, Baker County Republican Chair Suzan Ellis Jones,
Senate candidate Mark Callahan and Baker County Sheriff candidate John Hoopes.
• OPEN HOUSE HELD AT THE SUNRIDGE
INN BANQUET ROOM
BY KERRY McQUISTEN
News@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Baker County Republican Central Committee and
The Baker County Press co-sponsored a Republican can-
didate and initiatives open house Wednesday evening at
the Sunridge Inn. The event drew an audience mixed with
Democrats, Republicans and non-affi liated voters alike.
In attendance from the political realm were Rep. Cliff
Bentz, Rep. Greg Barreto, Senate candidate Mark Cal-
lahan, Baker City Council candidate Arvid Andersen, and
Baker County Sheriff candidate John Hoopes.
Oregon State Attorney General candidate Daniel Crowe
and his wife were scheduled to attend the open house,
but didn’t arrive. As it turned out, an hour or so before
the start of the event, the Crowes struck a deer on the
freeway as they neared Baker County. The couple was
uninjured, but their vehicle considerably damaged.
SEE REPUBLICAN OPEN HOUSE PAGE 4
Friday
Partly sunny with increasing clouds. Highs near
80.Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance
for showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of
precipitation is 30%.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers. Highs
in the mid 60s. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy and cooler with a
chance for showers, lows near 40.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers. Highs
in the lower 60s. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance for
showers, lows in the upper 30s.
Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press
Baker County Sheriff candidate John Hoopes (left)
with Baker City Council candidate Arvid Andersen.
Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County.
Our forecast made possible by this
generous sponsor:
Offi cial weather provider for
The Baker County Press.
Honored
artists works
on display
Crossroads Carnegie Art Center Board of Directors
voted unanimously to recognize the signifi cant contribu-
tions of two remarkable artists, Paul Hoelscher and E’Jay
Weber of Baker City for their contributions to Crossroads
and to the arts and culture ecology of Eastern Oregon at
their 2016 Gala Fundraising Dinner on October 15, 2016.
Paul Hoelscher has been in Baker City since 1995 but
grew up in Minnesota. Paul’s Honored Artists piece will
be on display at Crossroads as soon as it is fi nished and
was sponsored by “WDG & TDG” and Sharon Bannister.
E’Jay Weber, is a retired arts educator, ceramicist and
glass artist has lived in Baker County for almost 25 years.
E’Jay’s Honored Artist piece will be on display at gala
and was made possible by the sponsorship of Dr. Eric and
Kristy Sandefur.
The Honored Artist pieces will be sold at the live auc-
tion at the Crossroads Gala “Burgers, Boats and Beaches”
on October 15th at the Baker Event Center. Tickets are
$40 a person at Crossroads or from Board Members
and include an amazing gourmet Cheeseburger Dinner
with beef donated by John and Molly Wilson, as well as
a vegetarian option prepared by The Little Pig. Music
will be provided by I So Do Music For You by Bryan
Tweit. Games, activities, live and silent auction followed
by music and dancing. For more information contract
Crossroads at 541-523-5369 or 2020 Auburn Ave Baker
City, OR 97814.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
County/BMCC issues in depth
Salt Lick winners announced
Funny money in Baker City
Brooklyn’s new Principal
Sex abuse investigation opened
Sumpter’s Music in the Meadow
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