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Baker County Press
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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
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