THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016 2016: A Year in Review January Lieutenant accepted into FBI training academy For the fi rst time at the Baker City Police Depart- ment (BCPD), one of its offi cers has been accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Na- tional Academy in Quan- tico, Virginia. Lt. Dustin Newman will travel east to attend the 10-week training program this summer. High-speed chase leads to crash across from OSP “It was apparent the suspect did not slow down when he went through the 10th Street intersection and we are extremely fortunate that cross traffi c was not struck as well,” said Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner. On December 23, last Wednesday, a high-speed chase that led the Oregon State Police (OSP) in pursuit of a vehicle on I-84, ended with that same vehicle crashing into two other vehicles and com- ing to rest right across the street from the OSP offi ce on Pocahontas Road in Baker City. A $15 minumum wage? $9.25 per hour. That’s the current minimum wage in Oregon. That translates to around $20,000 per year. Tuesday evening Rep- resentative Cliff Bentz hosted a town hall meet- ing at the Sunridge Inn to discuss proposals to hike Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next three years. Bentz is against this — Weekly Hay Report — Friday, December 23, 2016 — Eastern Oregon proposal. Prices trended generally steady in a limited test compared to week ago prices. Most demand lays with the retail/stable hay. According to some producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher protein hay. The recent snows slowed movement as trucks couldn’t get to the farms to get loaded. Hammonds Imprisoned On Monday, Harney County ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond, ages 73 and 46, turned themselves in to Federal authorities and were trans- ported to prison in Cali- fornia. The father and son were required to purchase their own airline tickets, but have been allowed to share the same cell. Lawsuit fi led against gray wolf delisting On November 9, 2015, the Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Commission, with a vote of 4-2, removed the Gray Wolf from the List of Endangered Species, under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. In response, on Decem- ber 30, 2015, Cascadia Wildlands, the Center For Biological Diversity, and Oregon Wild collectively fi led a legal challenge to that decision. New Council Member Daniel Lowe was unani- mously appointed to fi ll a vacancy on Baker City Council. Lohner elected to OACP position Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner was elected Tuesday morning to the District 15 Director position for the Oregon Association Chiefs of Po- lice (OACP), serving the northeast Oregon area. Cradle to Career Event Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa — Large Square Good/Premium 30 140.00-140.00 140.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix — Small Square Premium 15 165.00-165.00 165.00 Timothy Grass — Large Square Fair 35 100.00-100.00 100.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Submitted Photo. Hammonds: A row of fl ags adorned the route of the support rally. held Over 100 people from Baker, Union, Grant, Har- ney, Umatilla and Malheur counties as well as OSBA (Oregon School Board As- sociation) representatives Jim Green and Morgan Allen, gathered together with legislators or staff representatives of legisla- tors at a 5J-hosted event Tuesday. Justus runs for Commis- sioner Baker County rancher Kody Justus announced today that he will fi le with the Baker County Clerk by Friday afternoon for a run at the open County Com- missioner seat vacated by Tim Kerns. X-Drive gets new gig In August of 2014, Baker City native and Baker High School grad, Jeremy Brunner, along with a pow- er-packed lineup of rock industry veterans, released their fi rst CD together as the band X-Drive. Now Brunner is back in the studio—in Boise this time instead of Los Angeles— recording a handful of covers, as well as some original material, for an upcoming movie soundtrack. Blood shed in Harney County The occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles outside Burns was marked by bloodshed early Tuesday evening with the shooting death of Robert LaVoy Finicum, age 55. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 456 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 126.00 - 154.00 Top 155.00 400-500# Bulk 137.00 - 151.00 Top 152.00 500-600# Bulk 132.00 - 146.00 Top 147.00 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 119.00 - 132.00 Top 134.00 400-500# Bulk 104.00 - 126.00 Top 128.00 500-600# Bulk 115.00 - 123.00 Top 124.00 Yearling Steers 600-700# Bulk 121.00 - 131.00 Top 133.00 700-800# Bulk 107.00 - 116.00 Top 117.75 800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 115.00 - 123.00 Top 124.00 700-800# Bulk N/A Top N/A 800-900# Bulk N/A Top N/A 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 39.00 - 49.00 Butcher Cows 51.00 - 58.00 Butcher Bulls 53.00 - 66.00 Pairs Young 975.00 - 1375.00 Hfretts. 62.00 - 79.00 Stock Cows Old - N/A ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 February Hoopes challenges Ash for Sheriff’s position On Wednesday, long- time Sheriff’s Deputy John Hoopes announced that he will be fi ling this week, challenging Sheriff Travis Ash for that position in the upcoming May election. New 911 Call Center director hired Baker County announced this week that Hope Lind- sey has been named Direc- tor of the Baker County 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center. 70 mph speed limit com- ing in March With the passing of House Bill 3402, parts of Oregon will see a speed limit increase. There will be an increase from 65 to 70 on Interstate 84 from The Dalles to the Idaho border and the limit will bump up to 65 on sev- eral secondary highways in Central and Eastern Oregon, including portions of U.S. 20, U.S. 26, U.S. 95, U.S. 97, U.S. 197, U.S. 395, OR 31, OR 78 and OR 205. Three charged in path- way assault Jason David Brown of Baker City and out-of-state friends, Christopher Wade Wymbs and Bryan Wil- liam Morris have all been formally indicted on two counts each of Assault in the Fourth Degree for their involvement in an assault that happened Novem- ber 14, 2015, on the Leo Adler Pathway behind Ace Hardware. Two arrested for robbery at knifepoint Last Friday afternoon, Brandy Lee-Ann Winston, 20, and John (Tucker) Scott Urlacher, 20, were arrested at their apart- ment on Indiana Avenue in connection with an armed robbery that occurred the previous night at the Baker Truck Corral. According to Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner, at least one of the suspects held an adult female victim at knife point in the Truck Corral ladies restroom. Love of country at center of Rural Lives Matter rally The temperature was just above freezing, and the venue had been redefi ned at the last minute—but those obstacles didn’t stop a group of just over 80 individuals from attending the Rural Lives Mat- ter Rally a couple miles outside Halfway. Bike chop shop busted Sunday morning was an eventful one for neighbors on Kirkway Drive, who at 7:45 a.m., looked out their windows to see the police descend on the residence of Justin Bruce and his mother. The scene as described by Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner that brisk morning, was that of a “bicycle chop shop.” Three to run for Com- missioner seat Local rancher and Natu- ral Resources Advisory Committee member Kody Justus fi led fi rst, fol- lowed by local CPA Bruce Nichols. Retired Bureau of Land Managment employ- ee David Hunsaker also picked up his paperwork to fi le, but withdrew from the race last week, citing a pending double knee surgery. On Wednesday, Jeff Nelson of Historic Baker City and Blue Mountain Community College’s economic development program became the latest candidate to fi le. All three candidates are running on the Republican ticket this May. Merrill leaves BHS prin- cipal position Baker High School Prin- cipal Benjamin Merrill is moving to a new position within the Baker 5J School District. Merrill will take on a new principal position at Eagle Cap effective the fi rst of July. ‘Gold Rush’ to fi lm in Baker County After a year of rumors and speculation, it’s of- fi cial—the Discovery Channel’s mega-hit “Gold Rush” has fi nally “panned out” for Baker County. The show’s star, Todd Hoffman, said in an in- terview Tuesday evening, “This is the answer to a prayer for us, coming back to Oregon.” Gubernatorial candidate comes to Baker City Last week at the Quail Ridge Golf Course Club- house, a dozen or so Baker County citizens, including Baker County Commis- sioner Mark Bennett and physicians Charles Hoff- man, Neal Jacobson and Nancy Hutnak, gathered to meet and listen to William C. “Bud” Pierce. Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally hot topic at Council A large crowd gathered in Council chambers as Tuesday evening’s meet- ing commenced, includ- ing several who waited in anticipation of joining in on the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally discus- sion, which had been well-publicized prior to the meeting via Facebook and other outlets. Many feared several in the community were against holding the rally locally again. — Log Price Report — Prices are based on the majority of saw mills in Northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho. The prices listed below are a composite prices of various saw- mills willing to visit with me about this topic. Ponderosa Pine—small diameter class 8-11 inches diameter class $250 per mbf. Only one sawmill was willing to buy small diameter pine at this time. Ponderosa Pine—medium diameter class 12-17 inches diameter class $300 to $350 per mbf Ponderosa Pine-large diameter class 18 plus inches diameter class $380 to $410 per mbf The Pine prices are still approximately $40 per mbf below average lumber/log market due to 2017 fi re salvage Doug Fir & Western Larch—$380 to $420 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $425 to $475 per mbf. White Fir-$300 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $340 to $360 per mbf. Engelmann Spruce—$350 at one Idaho sawmill, other sawmills including with White fi r prices. In general, the log prices still impacted from 2015 fi re season and fi re salvage that resulted. Sawmills are starting to get log yard inventory in line with sawmill production needs. With a new Administra- tion as of 1/20/2017, a more normal economic envi- ronment should result and hopefully a more healthy housing situation will result in a better climate for Northeast Oregon Sawmill and private forest land- owners. Tony's Tree Service Free evaluations for: • Proper Trimming • Safety • Removal •Disease Control • Insect Control • Tree Replacement • Stump Grinding Licensed | Insured | 48 years experience. Tony's Tree Service. Accepting payment plans and credit cards. Nearly fi ve decades of experience. 600 Elm Street, Baker City. 541.523.3708 Owners Tony & Lisa Constantine LCB 6271 • CCB 63504 Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,142.50 Silver: $16.08 Platinum: $899.25 Palladium: $667.25 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $348.50/bu/USD Wheat: $401.50/bu/USD Soybeans: $1016.50/bu/USD Oats: $227.75 bu/USD Rough Rice: $9.51/cwt/USD Canola: $508.75 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $117.38//lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $126.85/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $65.10/lb./USD Bloomberg.com