LOCAL: Fighting Whitetop and Scotch
Thistle. PAGE 7
BUSINESS: New community development
group forms. PAGE 3
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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.
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