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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2017)
BUSINESS: New resale shop opens on Broadway in Baker City. PAGE 3 The SPORTS: 16TH bicycle event wraps up over the weekend. PAGE 7 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, June 30, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 26 911 Call Center management still under discussion BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Board of Commissioners held a work session on Wednes- day, June 28, 2017, 9:50 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Courthouse, which included discussions re- garding 911 Consolidated Dispatch management, Parks Department property sale, Sumpter Dredge tail- ings mining, and County foreclosure property on 3rd Street. Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Commissioners Mark Ben- nett and Bruce Nichols, and Executive Assistant Heidi Martin. Atten- dance also included Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker County Parks Director Karen Spencer, Baker County Facilities Maintenance Foreman Dan McQuisten, Baker County Administrative Services Director Christena Cook, and Baker County Assessor Kerry Savage. Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Sheriff Travis Ash discusses the 911 Dispatch Center with Commissioners. SEE COUNTY PAGE 2 Hereford Library’s giant Cottonwood removed crash kills one BY KERRY McQUISTEN News@TheBakerCountyPress.com This past Monday through Wednesday, Resort Street was blocked off to traffi c while crews tackled the process of removing the giant old Cottonwood tree from the parking lot of The Baker County Public Library. According to Baker County Library Director, Perry Stokes, not a lot is known about the specifi c history of the tree. “At about 288 inches (24 feet) in circumference, cot- tonwood tree growth factor calculations suggest it was around 180 years old,” Stokes said. Involved in the cutting down of the tree were: Ed Adamson, Facilities Spe- cialist for the library dis- trict; Tony’s Tree Service; City of Baker City Public Works; Baker County Road Department; Baker County Probation and Parole (volunteers to help move the wood) and the Northeast Oregon Com- passion Center (charitable organization for fi rewood donation). Said Stokes, “We do aim to replant a tree in that area, but with focus currently on tree removal we are not yet in the plan- ning stage for replanting. I anticipate that we’ll be working with the Baker Photo courtesy of OSP. A Washington driver lost his life when his car struck a tree in Hereford over the weekend. Suzan Jones / The Baker County Press By Tuesday afternoon, much of the tree had been removed. City Tree Board for recom- mendations on species, location, and schedule.” The estimated cost to remove the tree was ap- proximately $3,000. Lightning strikes house Photo courtesy of the Baker County Public Library. Ed Adamson standing inside a rotten space from the tree trunk Wednesday. 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. On June 24, 2017, at about 3:37 p.m., OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 245 near milepost 11 in Hereford. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling northbound when it drifted out of its lane of travel, crossed the oncoming lane and continued off the roadway, where it struck a tree. The driver, Luis Alberto Barrera Menez, age 29, of Centralia, Washington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, Octavio Castro Valdez, age 25, of Centralia, Washing- ton, was transported by Life Flight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for treatment of his serious injuries. OSP was assisted by Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce, Baker City Fire Department, Blue Mountain Ambulance and Oregon Department of Transportation. Kerry McQuisten / The Baker County Press Kailyn and Vivien McQuisten visit the tree on its last day, Sunday. The Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center forecast: Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. On June 26, 2017, the Baker City Fire Department responded to a house possibly struck by lightning at B and 9th in Baker City, with a report of smoke developing inside the structure. Upon arrival, fi re crews noted occupants outside of home. Initial command noted smoke coming from the foun- dation of the home and a general alarm assigned to the incident to bring additional responders. SEE LIGHTNING PAGE 5 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Local preparedness group meets Local Simplot safety certifi ed Page Page “So I was thinking...” by Jimmy Ingram Page Baker City approved budget Page County adopts budget Page Road closures for parades in area Page 3 3 4 5 8 9
