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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
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