Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 14, 2017)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017 Business / Agriculture A sun-filled 18th HCMR held BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa Large Square Premium/Supreme 60 160.00-160.00 160.00 No new sales were confirmed in Eastern Oregon the three weeks prior. USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Samantha O’Conner / The Baker County Press Larry Davis Jr. and Fred Lechance by their motorcycles at the Rally. they are hoping to expand on that for next year, work- ing with the Flat Track Racing Association. Registered riders were able to participate in a photo scavenger hunt when riding. The riders would go to the coordinates given, take a picture of what was there, and were given a free pin for that ride. Larry Davis Jr. and Fred Lachance of Enterprise, Oregon, are two riders who have attended the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally for years. Davis Jr. rides an Electra Glide Classic Harley Da- vidson and Lachance rides an Ultra Harley Davidson and they have been riding for 50 years. Davis Jr. worked for and retired from the Forest Service after 25 years. “It’s a good place to come this time of the year when you’re from En- terprise, Oregon,” stated Davis Jr. “Keep it going. We love it here.” Kerry Kendall and his wife Veria of Weiser, Idaho, attended their first year at the rally this year. They are the owners of the Colonial Motel in Weiser. The Kendalls ride a Ya- maha 1100 V Star Classic. Attending the Motor- cycle Rally were the High Desert Harley Girls, who have attended the rally for eight years. This year’s members were Whitney Carlson, Jordyn Glorfield, Erika Hanson, Brianna Wilson, Natallie Maldo- nado, and Leann Day, the digital marketing manager at High Desert Harley- Davidson The girls are Brand Ambassadors for High Desert Harley-Davidson, located in Meridian, Idaho, the main sponsor of the event, explained Day. The Harley Girls change every two years. The Harley Girls do photo shoots, work at the events held by High Desert Harley-Davidson and promote their events. Day explained that the girls, when in Boise, Idaho, hand out flyers for events they have there and when they are out of town, they repre- sent High Desert. Monica Maldonado, the owner of MG Motorcycle Gear, has attended the rally for about five years. They sell Ride or Die T-shirts, sunglasses, and helmets. Maldonado is from Los Angeles, Califor- nia, and she travels around to other states selling their wares. City Council approves City/County IGA for Sheriff oversight of Dispatch BY GINA K. SWARTZ Gina@TheBakerCountyPress.com July’s first regular City Council meeting was held on lucky 7/11/17. As roll was being called by City Recorder/Human Resources Manager Julie Smith Councilors, Joseph and Andersen arrived late. Mayor Downing, Coun- cilors Abell, Thomas and McQuisten all answered present with Councilor Nilsson absent. The first matter Council addressed was the consent agenda that consisted of Council minutes from the June 27, 2017 regular meeting and the June 28, 2017 special meeting held with Baker County Com- missioners regarding the 911 Consolidated Dispatch Center. Upon a motion to ap- prove the consent agenda by Joseph and a second by Abell Council unanimously passed the motion. Down- ing next called for Citizen Participation. Seeing none he moved forward with the agenda. Board and Commission Appointments Smith advised Council that with several service terms expiring in July there were numerous openings on the various Boards and Commissions the City has. Currently vacancies include Planning Com- mission – 2; Public Works Advisory Committee – 2; Tree Board – 3; Parks and Recreation Board - 3; Golf Board – 1; Airport Com- mission – 2; Public Arts Friday, July 7, 2017 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady with not much comparison available from week ago prices. All prices reported today are new crop, unless otherwise noted. Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com July 6th through the 10th, the Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle Rally celebrat- ed its 18th year. Steve Folkestad started the motorcycle rally when his friends, who rode every year to Baker City from Portland, suggested it—and it has grown ever since. This year Kurt Miller, Folkestad’s partner, coor- dinated the event, which ended up being held in sunny weather rather than rain for the first time in a few years. Miller explained that he has been helping with the event for more than a dozen years and has been helping coordinate for six to eight years. This year there were 47 vendors, the most this event has had since it began. That number did not include the vendors organized by D&J Taco Shop, who were all local Baker City vendors. The rally also had free concerts for visitors and riders to enjoy “This year was differ- ent,” explained Miller. “It was really great, a lot of people worked together, particularly lead by Tom Busciglio, they came up with the idea of having this free concert at the VFW hall. They got it all organized and a lot of busi- nesses kicked in to help make that happen.” This year they also had the first flat track racing and Miller explained that — Weekly Hay Report — Commission – 2; and Sam O Swim Committee – 2. Several of the vacancies have been ongoing and of those expiring, five have reapplied to continue their service. Jerri Wickert for the Sam O Swim Committee, Ann Mehaffy and Cor- rine Vegter for the Public Arts Commission as well as Gail Duman and Kim Mosier for the Parks and Recreation Board. Coun- cilor Joseph moved to ap- point all that had reapplied for positions. McQuisten seconded that motion. Council voted unanimously in favor, passing the motion and reappointing all. Even with the appointments made Tuesday evening there are still several positions that remain vacant. The City is encouraging all citizens consider serv- ing on the various open Board and Commission seats. For more informa- tion please contact Julie Smith at City hall. She can be reached by phone at 541.524.2033, by email at juliesmith@bakercity.com or in person. Justice Court Update Quarterly the Council hears updates from Justice Court Administrator Michael Finney regard- ing financial information, statistics and any other information pertinent to the operation of the Court that serves as the City’s Municipal Court. Finney began by explain- ing that some of the num- bers, including revenue and the amount of com- plaints filed with the Court were down slightly over last year but contributed that to the harsh winter. He added that so far, July was already seeing a rise in citations. He also explained that the Court is currently work- ing very hard at obtaining more information from the Baker City Police Depart- ment on parking citations to enforce collections and that efforts so far have proven successful. Historically, according to Finney, parking citations had little to no information when received and were unfortunately simply filed away without being col- lected on. He also told Council that he continued to hear complaints from those cited with City Ordinance Violations, such as hav- ing weeds that were too tall, were upset because they were not privy to the information as to who complained about them. Finney explained that his understanding was that the City’s code enforce- ment was complaint driven and based on the com- plaints he was receiving asked Council to consider if this was the best way to utilize the Code Enforce- ment Officer. 911 Baker County Consolidated Dispatch Center Agreement City Manager Warner advised Council that a new IGA (Intergovern- mental Agreement) had been drafted that placed the oversight of the Center under the Baker County Sheriff’s Department. Ongoing conversations about the status had oc- curred in recent months concerning its future. During a June 28, 2017 meeting County Commis- sioners Mark Bennett and Bruce Nichols, owning, and Thomas, McQuisten and Abell were all in agreement to place the oversight under the direc- tion of Sheriff Travis Ash. Commissioner Harvey was the only one to oppose. Although on July 3, 2017 Ash assumed oversight of Dispatch, the IGA was still being drafted and had not been approved by either the County Commission- ers or the City Council. At Tuesday night’s meeting if approved by Council the agreement would be sent to the Commissioners for adoption. A few minor questions were raised such as cover- age of the center during what are considered non- peak times dropping from two certified dispatchers to one and clarifications as to some of the abbreviations that were used. Joseph moved to ap- prove the agreement, a second was made by Abell. A unanimous vote was cast. The agreement will be forwarded to the Baker County Board of Commis- sions for their approval. SEE CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4 Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 538 (There was no July 5 sale due to the holiday.) Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A 400-500# Bulk N/A Top N/A 500-600# Bulk 150.00-161.00 Top 164.50 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk N/A Top N/A 400-500# Bulk N/A Top N/A 500-600# Bulk 127.00-144.00 Top 147.00 Yearling Steers 600-700# Bulk 141.00-156.00 Top 161.00 700-800# Bulk 134.00-141.50 Top 142.00 800-900# Bulk 124.00-132.00 Top 134.50 900-1,000# Bulk 109.00-118.00 Top 120.00 Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 127.00-136.00 Top 137.00 700-800# Bulk 117.00-123.00 Top 124.00 800-900# Bulk 115.00-123.00 Top 124.00 900-1,000# Bulk 107.00-113.00 Top 114.50 Thin Shelly Cows 61.00 - 69.00 Butcher Cows 71.00 - 78.50 Butcher Bulls 79.00 - 95.00 Stock Cows Young N/A Hfretts 74.00 - 88.00 Pairs Young - N/A ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Prices are based on the majority of saw mills in Northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho. The prices listed below are a composite prices of various saw- mills willing to visit with me about this topic. Ponderosa Pine—small diameter class 8-11 inches diameter class $250 per mbf. Only one sawmill was willing to buy small diameter pine at this time. Ponderosa Pine—medium diameter class 12-17 inches diameter class $300 to $350 per mbf Ponderosa Pine-large diameter class 18 plus inches diameter class $380 to $410 per mbf The Pine prices are still approximately $40 per mbf below average lumber/log market due to 2017 fire salvage Doug Fir & Western Larch—$380 to $420 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $425 to $475 per mbf. White Fir-$300 per mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $340 to $360 per mbf. Engelmann Spruce—$350 at one Idaho sawmill, other sawmills including with White fir prices. In general, the log prices still impacted from 2015 fire season and fire salvage that resulted. Sawmills are starting to get log yard inventory in line with sawmill production needs. With a new Administra- tion as of 1/20/2017, a more normal economic envi- ronment should result and hopefully a more healthy housing situation will result in a better climate for Northeast Oregon Sawmill and private forest land- owners. Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,219.70 Silver: $15.89 Platinum: $916.56 Palladium: $846.89 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $385.85/bu/USD Wheat: $537.00/bu/USD Soybeans: $1034.00/bu/USD Oats: $284.50 bu/USD Rough Rice: $11.84/cwt/USD Canola: $514.00 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $117.88//lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $151.75/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $69.28/lb./USD Bloomberg.com
