Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2017)
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local Memorial Day at Mt. Hope CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Harvey discussed the War of 1812, including details of the battles in Bal- timore, Maryland, which thwarted British forces, and the experiences which inspired lawyer, author, and poet Francis Scott Key, to write the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner, which Harvey then spoke. He said, “Without the support, sacrifice, and commitment of our troops, today, all of our freedoms would be lost, so, I ask, in the back of your mind today, would you please say a prayer for them tonight? They’re still in harm’s way--we want them to come home, find peace, and come back to their family. “But our troops our fighting another war now... Many of them come home, and they don’t know or recognize this as home anymore. They have nightmare troubles...Many of them are taking their lives, through suicide. I pray that you would reach out to a veteran--give them hope, encourage them, let them know they’re home... Thank you.” Hunter announced the raising of a flag to honor World War II Army Private Charles Henry Moeller, who has passed since the previous service. Hunter introduced Mrs. Oregon 2016, Lori McNeil. McNeil said, “It is an honor to be with you, on this beautiful day. This is my last official appearance as Mrs. Oregon United States, and I can’t think of a better way, than to be here honoring those who have served, with all of you today. “I, as an 18-year educa- tor and parent, work very hard, to make sure that my family knows the impor- tant history, so that they, too understand, and never forget the importance of what took place years Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Dani Huck at far left gathers with other volunteers to collect donations in ex- change for poppies and books. before them, and they, too could be here honoring those who have served, for generations to come. “I have many friends and family who have served and are currently serving, and to be here today means so much. So, I will continue to work tirelessly, to educate those students to the best of my ability, so that they, too may know in their hearts, the sacrifices that have been made...It is an honor, thank you so much for hav- ing me, and allowing me to be here today...” Hunter announced the continuing raising of sepa- rate flags, to honor World War II veteran Roy N. Everson, Everett Scrivner, Alva “Alvie” E. Justus, Edwin M. Hindman, and Gustav W. Sword. Hunter introduced Baker Elks Lodge #338 and Avenue of Flags Commit- tee representative Doug Riggs. Riggs said, “This committee is made up of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Frater- nal Order of Eagles ... I want to give out so many Thank yous today...As Bill Harvey said, we don’t have a lot of young people (but)... Saturday morning, I had 20 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts up here, plac- ing these little flags in the graves, so, I would like...to thank Troops 342, 343, and 344, of the Cub and Boy Scouts. “I also know of one other situation, in terms of young people (a group of grand- children at the time of as- sisting to place the smaller flags, who are now older, and still helping, with the younger generations volun- teering, too) ... “We do have young people out there, who are helping, and who are learn- ing, and we want to thank them. I also want to thank the other 50 volunteers or so, that I had (who helped place the flags)...It’s quite a job... “I would like to thank (American Legion Auxil- iary Unit #41 President) Dani Huck. She spent over three years putting this book together (he held up a copy of the Baker Elks Lodge-sponsored book, “Avenue of Flags: Memo- rial Day Flags,” which contains 557 names—there are actually 584 flags, with 20 being duplicate names, and seven illegible. Pur- chase of the book can be made through donation). It is a tremendous book...It lists the names of all of the veterans, whose flags fly up here in the cemetery...” He also expressed grati- tude for the donation of the flower boxes placed in the monument and cemetery entrance areas. Riggs invited everyone present to a free spaghetti lunch, provided by the Baker Elks Lodge, and he asked for volunteers to return to remove the flags at 5 p.m. Coates provided the closing prayer, and bu- gler and retired Army 1st Sergeant Duncan Pearce played Taps, to conclude the service. Veteran Bob Nelson served as a flag bearer, decked out in full dress kilt. Brett Reinhart, Jerry Shaw, Gary Young and Wayne Coates also served as flag bearers. Boat accident happens in Hells Canyon Pool on the Snake River On May 27, 2017 at approximately 4:07 p.m., the Baker County Con- solidated Dispatch Center received a 911 call report- ing a boat had tipped over on the Snake River in the Hells Canyon pool. The reporting party indicated that there were multiple people in the wa- ter without life vests. On arrival, Baker County Sheriff’s Office personnel found three of the passen- gers had been picked up by a house boat, and two addi- tional passengers from the boat had swam to shore. Upon further investiga- tion, it was determined the craft, a drift boat, had struck the bridge between Oregon and Idaho near Copperfield campground in Oxbow, causing it to capsize. Additionally, at the time of the capsizing, none of the occupants in the boat were wearing life vests. At the conclusion of the investigation, the operator of the craft, identified to be Tyrel Rankin (24 years of age) of Summerville, Or- egon, was cited for Unsafe Operation of a Boat. The other occupants of the boat were: Brian Gutierrez (22 years of age) of Echo, Oregon Treve Moffit (22 years of age) of La Grande, Oregon Trenton Powers (21 years of age) of La Grande, Oregon Tyson Wicklander (21 years of age) of La Grande, Oregon Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. The Marine Patrol Divi- sion of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind boaters to wear their life vests at all times when on the water. Man drowns in Snake River On May 26, 2017 at approximately 2:26 p.m., the Baker County Consolidated Dispatch Center received a 911 call from an individual on Snake River Road, report- ing that they could see a body floating in the river. The witness described this as being approximately a half-mile from the boat launch (near Spring Recreation). A witness on shore launched a boat and raced to the scene. When deputies arrived on scene, the deceased, iden- tified as Michael I. Townsley (64 years of age) from Weiser, Idaho was on the good Samaritan’s boat. The boat was located between Spring Recreation and Morgan Creek. Personnel from Huntington Rural Fire Department and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol respond- ed to the scene as well. Through the course of the investigation it was learned that Townsley and his lone passenger, Dustin Grant (18 years of age), also from Weiser, Idaho, were fishing on Townsley’s small, flat bottom boat, when the wind picked up. The river became choppy, and a wave lifted up the front end of the small craft and slammed it back down. When the boat hit the wave, it ejected Townsley out the back of the boat. Townsley was not wearing a life jacket. This case remains under investigation. Anyone with ad- ditional information is asked to contact the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. Kayak flips on 203 Pond On May 25, 2017, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Baker County Consolidated Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting an occupied kayak had flipped over at the 203 Pond on Medical Springs Highway in Baker County. The reporting party stated the lone occupant was wear- ing a life jacket and was now hanging on to the kayak, unable to get back on. The boater was later identified to be George McDonald (80 years of age) from Union, Or- egon. Personnel from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Baker Rural Fire and Baker City Fire responded. Upon arrival, McDonald was observed clinging to the kayak approximately 75 yards from shore. A strong north wind prevented McDonald from returning to the north side of the pond. McDonald was urged, via the P.A. system, to let the wind blow him to the south shore of the pond. A jet ski from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office was deployed at the scene to assist in the rescue. Additionally, Assistant Fire Chief Sean Lee from Baker Rural Fire, dove into the pond to assist in the rescue. Due to the efforts of all involved parties, McDonald was brought to shore and treated by medical personnel on scene. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the partnering agencies that responded and assisted in this rescue mission. Accident: man’s arm pinned beneath vehicle On May 24, 2017, at approximately 12:58 p.m., the Baker County Consolidated Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a single vehicle crash on Malheur Line Road in south Baker County. The initial report indicated that two occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and one had an arm pinned beneath the vehicle, which would be at least partially amputated should the vehicle be lifted. Sheriff Travis Ash, along with personnel from the Huntington Rural Fire Department, responded to the loca- tion. It was determined that both occupants, Lynn Jordan (72 years of age) of Aloha, Oregon and Kim McGonigal (70 years of age) of Aurora, Oregon, would need to be transported via Life Flight. Two Life Flight helicopters were dispatched to the scene. Both Jordan and McGonigal were transported via Life Flight to a Boise area hospital with varying degrees of injuries. Based on evidence from the scene, it was determined speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Additionally, the failure to wear a safety belt could be a contributing factor to injuries sustained by one or both of the occu- pants. Sinclair robbed On May 20, 2017, just after midnight, two unknown subjects unlawfully entered Fletcher's Sinclair located at 940 Hwy. 7, Baker City, Oregon, while another subject stayed outside as a lookout after one of the subjects broke the glass out of the back door. They stole approxi- mately $34.62 of tobacco products. A 14 year-old male Baker City juvenile has been charged with this burglary and theft. His accomplices have not been charged at this time.
