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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2017)
FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local Ways to cook with cherries Brown Place jars in canner and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Process 5-7 minutes. Re- move and cool. I can taste those wonderful peanut butter and cherry jam sandwiches now. Still got cherries to use up? Try making Homemade Goodness this delicious BBQ sauce to go By Eileen Driver with those ribs or chicken you are I know it’s really hot fixing for dinner. outside, but have you Cherry BBQ Sauce noticed the cherry trees? 1 medium chopped onion They are bursting with ripe 2 tablespoons butter luscious cherries. It is time 2 cloves minced garlic to go cherry picking. I love 2 cups fresh dark sweet fresh cherries right off the cherries pitted and chopped tree, yum. I am not a big 1 cup ketchup fan of cherry pie though, ⅔ cup packed brown so let’s see if you’ll like sugar these alternatives to use ¼ cup cider vinegar those fresh cherries once 1 tablespoon worcester- you pick them. shire sauce Cherry Jam 2 teaspoons ground 2 ½ pounds fresh tart mustard cherries pitted ½ teaspoon pepper 1 (1 ¾ oz) package pow- ⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke dered fruit pectin In large saucepan, saute ½ teaspoon butter onions in butter until ten- 4 ¾ cups sugar der. Add garlic and cook In food processor or 1 minute longer. Stir in blender process cherries remaining ingredients and in batches until finely cook over medium-low, chopped. Transfer to large uncovered for 20 minutes heavy pot, stir in pectin stirring occasionally until and butter. Bring to a full cherries are tender and rolling boil over high heat sauce has thickened. stirring constantly. Stir in Makes about 3 ½ cups. sugar, return to full boil I am going to have to and stir 1 minute. tell my husband to get Remove from heat and the BBQ ready because skim off foam. Ladle into just thinking about how hot sterilized half-pint jars wonderful that’s going to leaving ¼ inch headspace. smell and taste is making Remove air bubbles and my mouth water. add more as necessary to If you can’t wait for the adjust headspace. Wipe BBQ to get done before rims. Center lids on jars digging into those fresh and screw on bands until picked cherries try this finger tight. refreshing lunch or dinner idea. Cherry Chicken Let- tuce Wraps ¾ pound boneless skin- less chicken breast cut into bite-size cubes 1 teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 ½ cups shredded car- rots 1 ¼ cups coarsely chopped, pitted fresh sweet cherries 4 green onions, chopped ⅓ cups chopped almonds 2 tablespoons rice vin- egar 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce 1 tablespoon honey 8 bibb lettuce leaves Season chicken with salt, pepper and ginger. In large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from heat and stir in carrots, green onion, almonds and cherries. Mix together in small bowl, rice vinegar, teriyaki sauce and honey. Stir into chicken mixture. Spoon into lettuce leaves and wrap. Makes 4 servings. I have really enjoyed learning about lettuce wraps and how to make them, since having to go gluten-free and these are one of the best. But how can you go wrong using fresh in-season ingredients. Now for the reward for all your hard work picking those cherries in the hot sun. Cherry Sherbet 4 cups fresh dark sweet cherries pitted and quar- tered 1 cup sugar 2 liters black cherry soda, chilled 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk In a large saucepan, bring cherries and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat,cover and simmer 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until cold. Stir in soda and sweet- ened condensed milk. Fill the ice cream freezer cylinder ⅔ full and freeze according to the directions for your ice cream maker. If it doesn’t all fit refrig- erate remaining mixture until ice cream maker is ready to use again. Eat soft or put in freezer container and freeze 2-4 hours until firm. Makes about 3 quarts. If you want a cherry pie to serve under that sherbet they tell me this one is fast, easy and delicious. County Fair Cherry Pie 1 ¼ cups sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Dash salt 4 cups pitted tart cherries Pastry for double crust pie In large saucepan com- bine sugar, cornstarch, salt and cherries. Let stand 30 minutes. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and starts to thicken. Pour into bottom crust in 9” pie pan and cover with top crust in your chosen design leaving breather holes in top crust. Place in preheated 375 degree oven Bake 45 min- utes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bub- bly. Cover edges during last 20 minutes to prevent over browning. Cool on wire rack. Tragedy strikes during parade CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 A candlelight vigil was held at the Baker County Courthouse at 8:30 p.m., organized by Jason Todd in coordination with the Baker City Police Depart- ment, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and the Baker County Courthouse. A large crowd of maybe 300 gathered to show sup- port with several stepping forward to give accounts of the precious life lost. There was mention of this tragedy possibly leading to more strict guidelines be- ing required on floats. A Gofundme account was set up by Jeff Hale, a cousin of Dylan’s mother, Megan Thomas, and as of Wednesday morning had raised nearly $29K. Com- munity Bank also set up an account for donations for the family. Meal train accounts were established in both Baker City for Me- gan and Kaydance, and in Burns for his father, Shad Thomas and family. Predawn Adventures, a company based out of Prineville that specializes in bird hunting excursions, set up a hunting auction with 100% of proceeds to go to the Thomas family. New Directions North- west offered free, open grief counseling. The Baker Summer Academy cancelled classes on Tuesday. The Baker County Li- brary offered reading ma- terials that may help with feelings over the tragedy. Brooklyn Primary School Principal Phil Anderson wrote, “We ask that you keep Dylan’s family close to your hearts, as well as community members, first responders and spectators who were involved in the parade. When death occurs in our community, people have different reactions and range of emotions includ- ing shock, fear, anger or no reaction at all. These reactions can come and go in an hour, or a day, or in days to come. All of these feelings are normal responses to the death of someone we know or who was part of our school community.” Sheriff Ash said, “The Baker County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dylan Thomas. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who wit- nessed and were affected by this unspeakable trag- edy. The community as whole has suffered an un- imaginable loss. However, in the midst of this terrible event I am thankful for the many individuals who came forward and provided assistance and support. I would like to thank Baker County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff who was on scene with me from begin- ning to end as we managed the tragic situation.” Ash continued, “I am also grateful to my Search and Rescue Volunteers whose own parade entry was very near the float that Dylan fell from. Search and Rescue administered first aid until Baker City Fire Department arrived and transported. SAR also halted the parade and directed parade spectators and participants away from the area to create a safe buffer zone. I would like to extend appreciation to Shari Selander, Marji Lind and the New Directions Crisis Response staff who came without hesitation as soon as I asked to provide support to community members in dealing with traumatic events of the day. “Also appreciated were clergy members who comforted people at the scene of the accident and worked closely with New Directions in providing grief counseling later in the day at the Baker County Courthouse. Finally, I am thankful for local law enforcement officers from The Oregon State Police, Baker City Police Depart- ment and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office (including some of our off-duty per- sonnel) for investigating the accident, rerouting traf- fic, helping YMCA staff re- unite families, comforting kids and adults, and doing what we always strive for—bringing calm to chaotic situations. Words cannot express the sincere sympathy I feel for Dylan’s family during this time, but I am comforted that we live in a community that supports one another and pulls together in times of need.” A makeshift memorial has been set up in the mid- dle of Second Street where the incident occurred. The memorial consists of balloons, stuffed animals, flowers, candles and mes- sages. Dylan was laid to rest on Tuesday, July 18, after overwhelming turnout at the Baker City Christian Church in his honor. Jubilee gold panning winners announced The 2017 Eastern Or- egon Mining Association announced the winners of this year’s gold panning contest winners. Kids Panning. Kane Hellberg of Baker City 1st. Xander Rexroad of Baker City 2nd Evangeline Rexroad of Baker City 3rd. Gold Panning Amateur. Emma Kersgaard of Lo- rane, Oregon 1st. Gary Gear of Eagle, Idaho 2nd. Caden Schroder of Glad- stone, Oregon 3rd. Gold Panning Profes- sional. Dakota Martin of Baker City 1st. Dennis Rexroad of Baker City 2nd. Ken Martin of Baker City 3rd. The cash prize for the first place winner in each cat- egory were $30, $75, and $125, with lesser amount for second and third. sentenced to 59 months On July 14, 2017 Geoffrey Brown (dob 3-17-1996) of 1905 17th St. Baker City, Oregon was sentenced to 59 months in prison. Brown was sentenced by visiting Circuit Court Judge Erin Landis. Brown was sentenced to 24 months in prison based on a probation revocation hearing. In that case Brown had pled guilty on May 26, 2016 to one count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. Brown had been on probation in that case with a 24 months suspended prison sentence. The Sexual Abuse in the Second degree charge stemmed from Brown having consensual sexual contact with a 14 year-old girl. On July 14, 2017 Brown pled guilty to one count of Rape in the Third Degree and admitted to violating his probation. He was sentenced to 35 months in prison consecutive to the 24 months he received in the case in which his probation was revoked. The Rape in the Third Degree charge stemmed from consensual sexual contact that Mr. Brown had with a 15 year-old girl in August of 2016 while on probation in the first case. Brown will be required to register as a sex offender and will be on post-prison supervision for three years when he is released from prison. District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff said, “In both cases Mr. Brown engaged in sexual relations with teenage girls when he was 20 years old. He was given an opportunity for probation but committed the same type of offense while on probation in the first case. Brown had only been on probation for three months when he committed a new sex crime. Although the sexual acts with both girls were consensual, Mr. Brown ignored the rules of probation and has proven to be a community safety risk, which required that he go to prison.” Stolen vehicle recovered in arrest near Oregon Trail Interpretive Center On July 13 at 7:26 a.m., the Baker County Dispatch Center received a complaint of an intoxicated driver on SR 86 near the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. The complainant described the vehicle as a tan Chevrolet Impala and stated that it was driving erratically and into oncoming traffic. A Baker County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. After an investigation, the deputy determined that the vehicle had been reported sto- len from Ada County, Idaho. Oregon State Police arrived on scene to assist with the investigation. The driver of the vehicle, Crystal Renay Gradian (DOB 2/6/81), was arrested for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The passenger, Matthew David Brooks (9/10/89), had a valid, extraditable felony warrant from the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole and was arrested for a parole violation and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Both subjects were transported and lodged in the Baker County Jail without incident. Crossroads to hold holiday card contest Crossroads is inviting local and regional artists to sub- mit artwork to its 2nd Annual Winter Holiday Card Contest. The subject is open to artist interpretation of the holiday season. All media types will be accepted. The winning submission receives a $100 prize and 12 printed cards. The original artwork will be returned to the artist. The winning artwork will be the reproduced as a 5” x 7” card which will be the official 2017 Crossroads holiday card. Proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to support Crossroads programs. The contest is open to professional and amateur artists aged 18 and older. The subject is open to artist interpretation of the winter holiday season. All artwork must be original. All media types will be accepted. Lettering which is a part of the design of the artwork must be clear and easy to read. Please keep signatures modest. Please submit original, unframed artwork: minimum 3” x 5”, maximum 12” x 18.” For 2-D artwork over 12” x 18” and all 3-D work, art- ists shall submit for judging a high-quality digital image along with the original work. The image must present well for reproduction. Artwork is to be submitted without a frame and in a protective sleeve or paper. More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a signed entry form. Crossroads will photograph the winning submission for reproduction. The image must photograph well for reproduction. The card will be printed 5” x 7”. The final image will have a border to fit to size. Original artwork will remain the property of the artist. Artist agrees to allow their name to appear on the fin- ished card and promotional material.
