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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2017)
COUNTY: Sheriff’s Office to get new camera security system. PAGE 3 The SPECIAL TRIBUTE: Ann “Bebe” Ellis Racey. PAGE 5 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, April 21, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 16 Wyden holds town hall • STUDENTS AND PUBLIC ATTEND MEETING IN BHS AUDITORIUM BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Senator Ron Wyden (D) held his 808th town hall Wednesday morning in the Baker High School (BHS) auditorium with a crowd of about 175 students and members of the public at- tending. The Baker City Police Department provided security for Wyden to and from the venue and during his 90-minute session at Wyden’s request. Student Body President Carson Lien and BHS Principal Greg Mitchell provided introductions as moderator Kail Macy lent his made-for-radio voice to announcing drawn ticket numbers for those wanting to ask questions. Wyden began the morning by recognizing Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for their support of local veterans, particu- larly noting recent events in cooperation with local Veterans Services. The fi rst comment came from potato producer Mark Ward, who stressed the need for export trade and worker protection stan- dards. Wyden responded that Oregonians are great at “growing things” and that he was always looking for ways to “knock down bar- riers” to trade. Erin Blinco, student, asked Wyden his thoughts on the mandatory mini- mum wage increases in Or- egon in light of the state’s rural/urban divide. Wyden said he’s look- ing at policies that raise everyone’s wages, and that Oregon’s system is “worth trying out” and perhaps looking at on a national level. Andrew Bryan of the 5J School Board asked Wyden’s thoughts on the Every Student Succeed Program. Wyden spoke to what he believes is the importance of federal Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Funding and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) monies com- ing to states from timber harvests on federally man- aged lands. Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press Sen. Wyden (at right) presented a fl ag fl own over the Capitol to representatives from Anthony Lakes. SEE WYDEN PAGE 5 Kids’ rodeo draws a crowd BCFD to use new electronic form GINA K. SWARTZ Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com For some time now the Baker City Fire Department has been conducting business fi re safety inspections. These inspections are an ongoing effort to keep our buildings and businesses safe by identifying fi re and safety hazards and correcting them before a problem occurs. Lt. Sara Blair of the Baker City Fire Department heads up the inspections for the Baker City Fire Department. Blair said that the inspection program began several years ago under former Chief Price but staffi ng and other diffi culties saw the program take a backseat to more pressing matters. Former Chief Mark John began to put the program back on track—current Chief Wills continues to make the program a priority. SEE FIRE DEPARTMENT PAGE 8 Samantha O’Conner/ The Baker County Press Little ones line up for the stick horse races at last Saturday’s event. BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com On Saturday, April 15th, the Baker County Shrine Club held its 18th Annual All Kids Rodeo at the Baker County Fairgrounds Show Barn. Rodeo Chairman Dick Kirby explained that they had 80 to 100 kids who attended the event. Attending the rodeo were the 2017 Shrine Game East Queen Cambrie Lagao and the Haines Stampede Rodeo 2016-2017 Queen Dakota Guilliams and Princess Skylar Blankenship. Guilliams and Blankenship awarded all the children who participated in the events ribbons. The rodeo began with Jordan Remien performing the National Anthem followed by the fi rst event of Wild Cow Milking. In the fi rst event, children 4 and under rode a wood cow with a bottle attached to its side, while children 5 and older pulled the cows in a race to the fi nish line. When there, the kids milked the cow and all teammates had to run back to Guilliams and Skylar. There were four teams and all were presented with fi rst through fourth place. Other events included Sack Races, Tractor Pull, Stick Horse Races, and steer roping outside. Inside, they had Nugget in a Balloon Scram where the children popped balloons that had coins inside, Mutton Busting, and Tug- A-War. After the children played Tug-A-War, their parents Friday Mostly sunny and seasonable. High near 60. Friday Night: Partly cloudy and cool. Lows near 40. Saturday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. Highs in the mid 60s. Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. High in the upper 50s. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. LaGrande business explodes Samantha O’Conner/ The Baker County Press Tanner Hensen, age 4, learning how to rope a steer. Photo courtesy of OSP. also played a round with their children cheering for them. Karli Jo Satterfi eld, 6, won fi rst place in Mutton Busting. “We’ve added, with the steer roping and tractor pulls,” explained Rodeo Chairman Bryan Braun. “Then a few years ago we added the Tug-A-War and the sack races. We just keep adding things.” The funds raised at this event are used to purchase the steer that is auctioned off at the East West Shriner’s Football Game. The proceeds from the game then go to the Shriners Hospital. Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. The remains of the Ed Staub and Sons Petroleum shop in LaGrande. On April 13, 2017 at approximately 11:23 a.m., mul- tiple agencies responded to 2203 Watson Street in La Grande for the report of a structure fi re/explosion. Upon arrival of emergency crews, they discovered the Ed Staub and Sons Petroleum shop fully engulfed in fi re. It was determined that the building was not occupied at the time of the explosion and no injuries were reported. SEE ED STAUB AND SONS PAGE 8 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Update on Brownlee Reservoir ORP fi les complaint against judge Spotlight on Mental Health Man arrested after shooting 25 elk Homemade Goodness column Kindergarten screening ahead Page Page Page Page Page Page 4 4 7 7 8 8
