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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2017)
BUSINESS: Frozen yogurt shop opens on Main Street. PAGE 3 The LOCAL: Baker City enjoys Show -n- Shine, Memory Cruise. PAGE 5 Baker County Press TheBakerCountyPress.com 75¢ All local. All relevant. Every Friday. Friday, September 1, 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 35 Baker City’s new dog park moves ahead • GRANT HELPS PROJECT GO FORWARD BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com Volunteer Gail Duman and Joyce Bornstedt, Technical Administra- tion Supervisor of City of Baker City are heading a new project: Dog Park at Sam O. Duman and Bornstedt are working with other volunteers to construct two dog parks—a Large Dog Enclosure and a Small Dog Enclosure. The Large Dog Enclo- sure will be located in the fi eld area between the Truck Corral parking lot and the Sam O Skate Park. The Small Dog Enclo- sure will be beside the basketball court on the other side of the Sam O Skate Park. “I knew of another gal that had fi rst started spearheading a dog park and then I heard she moved away,” explained Duman. “And then in doing some traveling, visiting other communities with our dog and fi nding dog parks, it was great. So it kind of made me think when I got home that I would take up the cause.” Duman explained that she decided to take up the cause four years ago and she had heard about PetSafe, from whom they received a full grant to build the new park. Duman had tried their former online contest, where people needed votes to win. PetSafe changed the process and started accept- ing applications, which Bornstedt fi lled out. Samantha O’Conner / The Baker County Press This open area near Sam O Swim will soon be home to Baker City’s new dog park. SEE DOG PARK PAGE 5 Family Day held at Powder Man burned River Correctional Facility in fire Photo courtesy of Karen Brinton. A fi re up Griffi n Gulch this week is thought to have been started by a spark from a grinder. On Monday afternoon, Dispatch received a report of a structure and grass fi re up Griffi n Gulch, just outside Baker City on the property of Charlie Cree. The Greater Bowen Valley Rural Fire Protection Dis- trict responded. The fi re spread to other items around the home including an RV, according to the Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce. The Baker City Fire Department, Baker Rural Fire Department, ODF, and Baker County Emer- gency Management Fire Division also responded Cree was transported to Saint Alphonsus Medical Cen- ter in Baker City with burns. It is suspected that the fi re was caused by sparks from a grinder, but an additional investigation will continue. BY SAMANTHA O’CONNER Samantha@TheBakerCountyPress.com August 26th, The Powder River Correctional Facility (PRCF) held its 5th Annual Family Day Event. Accord- ing to their press release, it was attended by 47 Adults in Custody and 155 friends and family members. In the press release, “Family Day was created to bring families and friends together to provide a better under- standing of the importance of their role is for positive changes and the successful transition home for Adults in Custody.” According to Debi Geddes the Administrative Services Manager PIO/LIO/LEDS Rep/Core Specialist at the Powder River Correctional Facility, “We live in a region where it is sometimes diffi cult for people to visit during the winter months. This is a large event and it just means a lot to these men to have their friends and family here.” In order for families and friends to visit on that day, they need to be on the visit list and be pre-screened be- fore going in. Geddes explained that they try really hard not to limit friends and family as it is part of their rehabilitation. She explained that it is a case by case situation. According to their press release; “This year’s event included face painting, fl ower pot decorating (plants included), three-legged sack races and small animal bet- ting zoo; just to name a few. Local community volunteers and DOC staff volunteers were on hand for a fun-fi lled day that has become one of PRCF’s most popular facility Friday Hot and hazy. Highs in the lower 90s. Friday Night: Hazy with mostly clear skies. Lows in the lower 50s. Saturday Hot and hazy. Highs in the mid 90s. Saturday Night: Hazy with mostly clear skies. Lows in the mid 50s. Sunday Hot and hazy. Highs in the upper 90s. Sunday Night: Hazy with mostly clear skies. Lows in the mid 50s. County has new auditor BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com Photos courtesy of the PRCF. 47 inmates and 155 of their friends and family mem- bers joined in a Family Day at PRCF. events.” Included at the events was the therapy horse, Domi, who goes to the facility twice a month to help the in- mates, housed there. SEE PRCF PAGE 3 The Baker County Board of Commissioners held a brief special session on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 9 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Baker County Courthouse, which included acceptance of a bid proposal from Pauly Rogers & Co., PC, to perform County audit services. Present from the Board were Chair Bill Harvey, Com- missioners Mark Bennett and Bruce Nichols, and Execu- tive Assistant Heidi Martin. Attendance also included Baker County Administrative Services Director Christena Cook, and Ed Hardt. SEE COUNTY PAGE 5 The Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center forecast: Our forecast made possible by this generous sponsor: Offi cial weather provider for The Baker County Press. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Meth arrest made Opinion page Distracted driver campaign starts Classifi eds Elder abuse case sentencing Lethal take for wolves Page Page Page Page Page Page 3 4 5 6 7 7