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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 2017)
HISTORY SPECIAL: Former resident remembers the Orpheum Theater . PAGE 5 The SPORTS: Shrine Game co-captains and East Queen introduced. PAGE 7 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, August 4, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 31 Community holds a night out BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com On Tuesday August, 2, nearly 800 people attended the annual Community Night Out at the Geiser-Pollman Park in Baker City. Lynette Perry of Baker City Events, a nonprofi t organi- zation of volunteers, Phoebe Wachtel from the Baker City Police Department, and Jeff Nelson from the Lion’s Club, coordinated and organized the event. At the event were free hamburgers, pop, chips, and fruit with a music performance by Frank Carlson, whom Perry explained has donated his time and talent for this event for about 15 years. People were also able to participate in a free raffl e entry to win prizes and give donations. “We really need donations,” explained Perry, the Events Coordinator/ Treasurer for Baker City Events. “Baker City Events relies on donations and the local com- munity support to keep doing these events.” Safeway and Albertsons donated the soda, water, and ice. The Oregon Trail Restaurant ordered and donated the chips, burgers, buns, and grapes. The Lion’s Club cooked and served 762 hamburgers for the event. In Baker County, the event started as National Night Out in 1999, a national event to introduce community members to the law enforcement offi cers in their areas, such as Oregon State Police and various Sheriff’s Offi ces. Organizers especially wanted children to meet the police departments so they could recognize them and know they are there to help. The name was changed to Community Night Out for Baker City’s smaller community. Vendors from different industries and agencies were introduced to the event to inform the community of their services and products available, which might help. Among the vendors at the event were Secretary Marilyn Spicer and Exalted Ruler Mike Ware of the Elks Lodge with the drug trailer they will be taking to school orientation to educate students. At their booth, they had coloring books, information for parents, an information packet, and bumper stickers. Jane Claire Chandler, the Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Coordinator from New Directions North- west Inc., provided information for those attending. She gave information on bullying prevention, suicide preven- tion, and other services they offer. Tammy Cornelius also had a booth for MayDay Inc., a non-profi t agency that works with both prevention and victim services. They help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. At the booth, they offered information, water bottles, pens, and nail fi les. Cornelius explained that they are always looking for volunteers for their crisis line. They also always look for donations. The local Community Night Out happens the fi rst Tues- day in August of each year. Kailyn McQuisten / The Baker County Press Sheriff Travis Ash, Will Benson of Parole and Probation, Shannon Regan of the Baker City Police Depart- ment, Jeff Spencer, Jef Van Artsdall, and Jason Bybee of Baker City Fire. Samantha O’Conner / The Baker County Press From the Elks Lodge: Secretary Marilyn Spicer and Exalted Ruler Mike Ware. Endangered juvenile located On July 27th, 2017 at approximately 6:43 p.m. the Baker City Police Department (BCPD) was dispatched to a missing and endangered juvenile female after receiving information from Canyon County, ID with a possible location. BCPD offi cers checked the area and located the involved vehicle, 1991 Honda Accord, on Dewey Stree near Auburn St. in Baker City. BCPD offi cers attempt- ed to conduct a traffi c stop on the involved vehicle on Elm St. near Indiana and the juvenile male driver, Jeremy Porter (3/5/00), failed to yield to the emer- gency lights and siren. After pursuing the vehi- cle for approximately fi ve miles, the driver crashed the vehicle, while traveling westbound on I-84 near exit 302. The crash rendered the vehicle inoperable. The driver ran from the disabled vehicle and was taken into custody. Three juvenile female passengers were detained at the scene. The investigation revealed that two of the juvenile females were 15 years of age and currently reside in Baker City. The third female is 16 years of age and was con- fi rmed as the listed missing and endangered female from Idaho. After the investigation was complete Jeremy Por- ter was taken into custody for the listed charges and lodged at a Juvenile Deten- tion Facility. Friday Sunny and hot. Highs in the lower 90s. Friday Night: Mostly clear and seasonable. Lows in the mid 50s. Saturday Sunny and hot. Highs in the lower 90s. Saturday Night: Mostly clear and seasonable. Lows in the mid 50s. Sunday Sunny and hot. Highs in the lower 90s. Sunday Night: Mostly clear and seasonable. Lows in the mid 50s. The two Baker City juvenile females were released to their parents and the third female who was listed as missing and endangered was turned over to DHS. The investigation is ongoing with a potential for further charges. Charges: • Possession of a Con- trolled Substance (Meth- amphetamine) • Reckless Endangering x 3 • Misdemeanor Elude (On Foot) • Felony Elude (In a Vehicle) • Criminal Mischief I • Reckless Driving • DUII- Controlled Sub- stance • Endanger Welfare Minor x 3 Shrine Parade route to change The parade route for the 2017 Shrine Parade has been modifi ed, due to the tragic incident at this year’s Miners Jubilee Pa- rade in which a seven-year- old boy was killed when he fell from a parade fl oat. Baker City Police Chief Wyn Lohner announced that the Shrine Parade will not travel down Broadway Avenue, nor will it travel down 2nd Street. The parade participants will stage in the same area as always, but will turn 180 degrees and start at 4th and Valley. The parade will travel east on Valley Avenue to Main Street, where it will turn north and continue to Madison Avenue where the parade participants will disperse. In addition to barricades The Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center forecast: Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. Kailyn McQuisten / The Baker County Press Police Chief and emcee for the evening, Wyn Lohner. Photo submitted by the BCPD. A Google Earth depiction of the start of the parade route and patrol units. being placed around the parade staging area and Main Street as normal, barricades will also block 3rd Street and 1st Street at the Valley Avenue intersec- tions. BCPD will provide two Patrol (Reserve) Units for traffi c control on 2nd Street, at the Valley Avenue intersection. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Those with questions can contact City Manager Fred Warner, Jr. at Baker City’s City Hall. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Economic Development updates Op-Ed: OFF’s Kevin Starrett Free pheasant hunts Ladies golf and bridge scores Weed MOU inked Shrine Game greetings Page Page Page Page Page Page 3 4 5 7 8 10