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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2017)
LOCAL: Fighting Whitetop and Scotch Thistle. PAGE 7 BUSINESS: New community development group forms. PAGE 3 The Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, June 23, 2017 • Volume 4, Issues 24-25 Gentry sells company • FAMILY SELLS DEALERSHIP AFTER 65 YEARS BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com According to a press release issued on Tues- day, June 20, 2017, after a 65-year run, Gentry Auto Group owner Ryan Gentry sold the Gentry’s family-owned and -oper- ated Oregon dealerships to Todd and Paula Mc- Curry, who currently own the Mountain Home Auto Ranch dealerships, the Me- ridian Auto Ranch, Ontario Auto Ranch Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, and now the Ontario Auto Ranch Ford Subaru, and the newly named Baker City Auto Ranch. “We’re looking forward to being a part of Baker, and expanding our foot- print way inside eastern Oregon, and serving the greater eastern Oregon community...We’re going to move forward from where Gentry left off,” McCurry said. Plans include retention of nearly all of the Gentry team, especially in Baker City, additional signifi cant inventory with a larger selection, “best price up- front” guarantees, and an increased selection of used cars, he said. In order to increase the selection of used cars and to fi nd a spot for them, McCurry has already leased the Bulldog Motors property, owned by Dennis and Judy Radford, at the northwest corner of Camp- bell and Oak streets. Initially, the Baker City Auto Ranch will include the properties at Camp- bell and Oak, the Ford dealership on Main Street, property owned by Don and Jackie Phillips, and the Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram dealership on 10th Street, property owned by the R & D Land Company, which will be the main dealer- ship. Consolidation of the stores throughout July will leave two properties as part of the operation—the main store on 10th, and the used car lot on Campbell and Oak, McCurry said. SEE GENTRY PAGE 3 Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press New signage will soon replace this familiar Main Street sight as new owners begin operations. Citizen threatens to arrest Man arrested in recent City Council over fees apartment fire On June 16, 2017, Bradley Adams (dob 1/18/1996) of 1430 Dewey Ave, Baker City, Oregon, was arrested on a District Attorney’s Information for two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, one count of Reckless Burning and ten counts of Reckless Endangerment. The charges stem from a fi re that Adams started in an outside stairwell of the Powder River Terrace Apartments at 1490 Resort Street in Baker City. The two felony counts of Assault in Third Degree allege that Adams’ actions caused the victims to suffer serious physical injuries as a result of the fi re. One of those victims suffered a broken ankle jumping from her apartment to avoid the fi re and another suffered severe smoke inhalation. Another victim suffered from smoke inhalation which led to the Assault Fourth Degree charge. The multiple Reckless Endangerment charges al- lege that Adams’ actions in starting the fi re placed these individuals at risk of serious physical injury. The Oregon State Police Fire Marshall and the Baker County Major Crime Team are continuing to investigate the case. At this point in the investigation it appears that Mr. Adams did not intend to set the apartment complex on fi re and that his actions were reckless; however, the investiga- tion into this aspect of the case is continuing. Gina K. Swartz / The Baker County Press Citizen Joseph Martin attempted a citizen’s arrest of all City Councilors at last week’s meeting after Council passed the implementation of a public safety fee to be added to City water utility bills. Lt. Dustin Newman stands by at right. • NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FEE TO BE FOUND ON WATER BILL, SIDEWALK FEE GONE BY GINA K. SWARTZ Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com Mayor Mike Downing opened the Tuesday, June 13, City Council meeting promptly at 7 p.m. Councilor Andersen lead the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the invocation. Julie Smith, City Recorder called roll with all councilors present. Downing then called for Citizens’ Participation, which allows for comments on items not already on the agenda. Although the room was full of Baker City citizens, those in attendance were there for a specifi c purpose —to voice concerns and opposition to the fi nal reading of the Public Safety Utility Fee. Without Citizen Participation for anything not already on the agenda, Council began making quick work of the agenda. Ordinance #3793 Request for ADA Parking Space Michelle Owen, Public Works Director, advised Council that a written request had been received to add an ADA parking space at Auburn and Second Street. The request was made by Elements of Health, Inc., which is located at 2034 Auburn Street. The formal Friday Sunny and mild, highs in the low 80s. Friday Night: Clear and cool, lows near 50. Saturday Sunny and mild, highs in the low 80s. Saturday Night: Clear and cool, lows near 50. Sunday Sunny and warmer. Highs in the upper 80s. Sunday Night: Clear and not as cool, lows in the mid 50s. request stated that handicap clients of the business that promotes health and stress management had demonstrat- ed hardship accessing the business. Owen advised Council that the newly organized Baker City Downtown would likely be taking on the issue of parking within the entire Downtown area but they are still in the stages of deciding what committees are needed and forming those committees. Until the parking issues are addressed and recommen- dations made Owen advised that there was a handicap accessible parking space in the businesses private lot that could be used temporarily. Councilor Joseph made a motion to table the matter un- til Baker City Downtown has an opportunity to assess the situation. A second to that motion was heard by Councilor Nilsson. Council unanimously voted to table the matter for now. Ordinance #3794 Temporary Parking restrictions for the Baker City Classic Owen advised Council that The Baker City Cycling Classic is scheduled for the weekend of June 23-25. In the past, the City Council has approved a resolution authorizing a temporary restriction of parking within the Downtown area of the course, to ensure the safety of the competitors. Owen said the areas that would be impacted would be marked at least three days in advance of the temporary restriction. SEE CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4 The Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center forecast: Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. Bentz suffers heart attack On Sunday, June 11, Representative Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) suffered a heart arterial blockage. He was admitted to the Salem Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The blockage was repaired through the inser- tion of two stents. Rep. Bentz’s cardiolo- gist performed additional tests last Monday. The Submitted Photo. Representative was also Rep. Cliff Bentz. released last week. It is likely that Rep. Bentz will return to the Capitol, if the cardiologist allows, this week. “I am extremely fortunate to have recognized the symptoms almost immediately following their onset, that Salem Hospital is located about six minutes from the house I rent, and to have been near a hospital that enjoys and employs absolutely excellent staff very familiar with this type of medical issue,” said Rep. Bentz. SEE BENTZ PAGE 5 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Halfway quilt shop in magazine Cement truck rolls Halfway: Exhibit Hall repairs begin 5J: Budget adopted, teacher awarded Sumpter City Council coverage OTEC sends students to D.C. Page Page Page Page Page Page 3 5 7 8 9 11
