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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2017)
LOCAL: Spokane-area man killed in 1-84 crash. PAGE 9 LOCAL: Irish musicians perform in Baker City. PAGE 5 The Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, May 5, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 18 911 Consolidated Call Center director resigns BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Board of Commissioners held its fi rst regular session of the month on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, 9 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Court- house, which included, among other details, the announcement that 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center Director Hope Lindsey is resigning, effec- tive mid-May. Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Commissioners Mark Ben- nett and Bruce Nichols, and Executive Assistant Heidi Martin. Attendance also in- cluded Lindsey, Baker County Planning Director Holly Kerns, Baker County Planner Eva Henes, Baker County Parks Director Karen Spencer, Baker County Road Master Jeff Smith, Baker County Sher- iff Travis Ash, Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner, Baker County Facilities Maintenance Foreman Dan McQuisten, Baker County Oregon State University Extension Service For- estry Agent Bob Parker, Baker City Manager Fred Warner, Jr., Central Oregon Adventures owner Amber Greiner, Jan Alexander, Tork and Wanda Ballard, and Tom Van Diepen. The meeting was called to order, followed by the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, both led by Harvey. The agenda was adopted, with an addi- tion, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Nichols. There was no comment provided for Citizen Participation. The minutes from the Wednesday, April 19, 2017 regular session were approved, with a motion from Nichols, and a second from Bennett. Lindsey provided a 911 Consolidated Dispatch update, which included the announcement that she has resigned to pursue oppor- tunities out of state, her last day of employment set as May 15. Harvey said, “I wanted to emphasize, and thank you, for your expertise...We are going to greatly miss you...” He said some members of the public misunder- stood that she had been fi red, which Harvey said is not the case. Bennett also thanked Lindsey for her service to the community. Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center Director Hope Lindsey, shown here giving her last offi cial session update to County Commissioners, has resigned to pursue other opportunities. SEE COUNTY PAGE 8 Sumpter park vandalized NASA coming to Burnt River BY PATTY TROST News@TheBakerCountyPress.com Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press New signage announcing new surveillance was posted recently in hopes of preventing yet another round of vandalism to Sumpter’s newest restroom facilities and park area. BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com More vandalism in Sumpter’s Volunteer Park bath- rooms was discovered this past week. Utility Manager Jeff McKinney said while clean- ing, the City Recorder bumped the heater in one of the bathrooms and the heater knob fell off. Closer inspection revealed the wall heaters had been stolen from the bath- rooms and the grills replaced so that it was not immedi- ately obvious that they were missing. In addition, someone plugged one of the lines with paper hand towels over the winter and Baker Sewer and Drain had removed the toilet while trying to clear the drain. Someone defecated in the unit that was sitting on the fl oor. McKinney stated that happened within the last month. Past acts of vandalism have included smeared feces and other incidents of paper towels down the toilets. The grand opening of Volunteer Park was celebrated in May 2014. As reported in the May 16th, 2014 issue of The Baker County Press, the project, including restrooms, was funded by a grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department with the requirement for matching funds more than met by local donations and over 1,400 hours of volunteer labor. Due to the continuing vandalism issues, McKinney said security cameras have been installed and relevant signage posted. Open hours have also been restricted. Signs on the doors state, “Due to repeated theft and vandalism Volunteer Park Restrooms will be open be- tween the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. until further notice.” The City is investigating more permanent options, including auto-lock systems. Halfway woman arrested in assault On April 30, 2017 at approximately 12:00 a.m., Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce deputies responded to a domestic dispute that occurred at 36301 Valley View Lane in Halfway. During the investiga- tion, deputies discovered that Taryn Leigh Kruger (DOB 12-21-76) had tried to force her way into the residence and caused injury to Jacob Johnston Friday Mostly cloudy with rain showers. Highs in the mid 70s, chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with showers likely. Lows in the upper 40s. Saturday Scattered rain showers with gusty winds, otherwise mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s, chance of precipitation is 60%. Lows near 40. Sunday Partly sunny with scattered rain showers. Highs near 60, chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday Night: Turning partly cloudy overnight. Lows in the upper 30s. (DOB 09-10-76). Johnston and Kruger had been in a verbal disturbance at their residence, 36243 Valley View Lane, earlier in the evening and Johnston left and went to his mother’s house. Kruger attempted to gain entry into the resi- dence by both the front and back doors. SEE ASSAULT PAGE 5 Your weekend weather forecast for Baker County. Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. Around 35 people were in attendance for a meeting Monday evening in Unity to discuss preparations for the total solar eclipse on August 21. Timothy Bishop, Director of Baker County Tour- ism, said they expected a big crowd of tourists in Baker County for the event—possibly 50,000 and that they were working with Travel Oregon in preparation with upwards of a million visitors coming to Oregon to view the eclipse. Bishop talked about the eclipse having about a 70-mile width, the path of totality, and that Unity was just about dead center making it a perfect destination to view the eclipse. Bishop said that there would be groups of “eclipse chasers” who will travel here from all over the world. He mentioned that this is going to be quite an event as there hasn’t been a total solar eclipse since 1918. Shelly Cutler, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, was present and asked community members what their concerns might be. Ranchers were concerned about people trespassing through property, leaving gates open, and fi re. Cutler suggested they post signs on roads and in the areas to keep people out. She also said since August is fi re season, hopefully no one would have campfi res. Cutler talked about people renting out spaces or accom- modations on their property and said that people in other communities were charging up to $500 a night for cabins and $100-$150 a night for RVs. She also said that because of traffi c concerns, ODOT will not be doing any road construction during and after the eclipse. Jason Yencopal, from Baker County Emergency Man- agement and Homeland Security, talked about how they are making preparations to provide help for emergencies that might occur during the eclipse. Concerns were lack of cell service in the Unity area and response time from Baker City to Unity for medical help. Holly Kerns, County Planner, said those who are inter- ested in renting out their property that they would need a temporary permit. The purpose for the permit is to help emergency offi cials know how many people are occupy- ing your property and being able to have an address in case of an emergency. Sheriff Travis Ash said he would have 20 people to help work during the eclipse. He said he would also have the BLM working under them along with Oregon State Police and deputies from other counties. Search and Rescue would be ready, too. Other concerns mentioned were that some of the visi- tors are from other countries and might not understand some of the road signs. Yencopal said they are going to fi nd international road signs to put up temporarily. Also of concern, was the lack of porta-potties and the need for dumpsters for garbage. SEE NASA PAGE 5 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE RV Park under new ownership “So I was thinking...” by Jimmy Ingram Elkhorn Swingers Spring Fling Hells Canyon fi sh liberation Wolf depredation grant awards Mothers Day specials Page Page Page Page Page Page 3 4 5 7 7 10
