FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local Recipes dedicated to Mom 1 can kidney beans, drained 1 can butter beans, drained 1 can stewed or diced tomatoes 1 cup ketchup ¼ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon liquid smoke 4 tablespoons white vinegar Homemade Goodness 1 teaspoon salt Dash of pepper By Eileen Driver Brown ground meat in skillet, It is a beautiful fall day drain off fat and put in outside, just perfect for crockpot. Brown bacon whipping up some great and onions; drain off fat soups and casseroles and and add to crockpot. reflecting on Mom. I am Add all remaining ingre- dedicating today’s column dients. Stir together well. to my Mom’s favorite Cover and cook on low for foods. 4 to 6 hours. Mom has passed away Mom just loved Mexican and gone to be with my food and one of her favor- father, her husband of 59 ites was Chili Rellenos. years in heaven. We miss She couldn’t always find it her greatly but are com- on the menu even at Mexi- forted by the legacy of de- can restaurants so when licious food she has left us. the craving struck this next Growing up the family was recipe would do the trick. always brought together at Heavenly Chili Rellenos the dinner table. Casserole Larger family gather- 6 large eggs ing would have at is core 1 cup milk a table loaded with food 2 tablespoons flour prepared by recipes handed ¼ teaspoon paprika down from generation ¼ teaspoon salt to generation, as well as ½ teaspoon pepper new recipes to try. Church 2 cans (5.75 each) whole potlucks would not be green chiles, drained and complete without several thinly sliced dishes prepared by Mom. 1 medium red pepper It is from her that I learned (8-10 oz) cut into ¼ inch my love for cooking and pieces baking and family. 4 ounces extra sharp One of mom’s most cheddar cheese, shredded requested recipes for a cool ½ cup packed fresh fall day or most any day cilantro leaves, finely was an easy but delicious chopped and satisfying soup. Preheat oven to 350 Smokey Bean Soup degrees. Grease a shallow 1 lb ground beef 2-quart baking dish. In ¾ lb bacon large bowl whisk eggs with 1 cup chopped onion wire whip, whisk in milk, 2 cans pork and beans flour, paprika, salt and pep- per until well blended. Stir in chiles, red pepper, cheddar cheese and half of the cilantro. Pour into prepared bak- ing dish. Bake 35-40 minutes or until puffed and golden brown and center still jiggles slightly. Remove from oven and cool for 20 minutes. Garnish with remaining cilantro. Cut into squares or wedges to serve. Mom was most known for the delicious desserts she whipped up for every holiday table. This pie recipe was hand- ed down from her grand- mother, Mabel Chisholm Smith, and was always on the Thanksgiving menu or many groans of “Where’s the pie?” were heard all around. Pumpkin Chiffon Pie 1 envelope knox gelatin ¼ cup cold water 1 ¼ cup canned pumpkin 1 cup milk ½ teaspoon ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 3 eggs, separated To slightly beaten eggs yolks, add ½ cup sugar, pumpkin, salt and spices. Cook till thick in double boiler. Soften gelatin in ¼ cup cold water, add to hot pumpkin mixture. Mix thoroughly and cool. While mixture cools beat eggs whites till stiff while slowly adding remaining ½ cup sugar. When pumpkin mixture begins to thicken, fold in egg whites. Pour into previously baked pie shell and Chill. Mom was always ready with a recipe for every occasion and since money was never in abundance never was anything aloud to go to waste in our house, so you have too many green tomatoes left in the garden? Mom had a delicious so- lution. A moist, spice-type cake that everyone loved. Green Tomato Cake 4 cups chopped green tomatoes 1 tablespoon salt ½ cup butter 2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cin- namon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup raisins ½ cup chopped walnuts Place chopped tomatoes in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt. Let stand 10 minutes. Pour into a colander, rinse with cold water and drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, beat till creamy. Sift together flour,cinnamon, nutmeg, soda and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add raisins and nuts to dry mixture. Add dry mixture to creamed mixture. Dough will be very stiff. Add drained tomatoes and mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Mom maybe gone but her love and memory lingers on in the delicious smells and tastes in the legacy of food and family she left us. Accident: Pogue not indicted On October 24, 2017, a Baker County Grand Jury determined that there was insufficient evidence to indict James Pogue (dob 8-22-1970) for criminal charges related to the traffic collision in which he struck a pedestrian with his vehicle on July 12, 2017. The pedestrian, Christina Cox, was struck by the rear of the pickup being operated by Pogue on 5th street in Baker City. Pogue was backing his vehicle up and Ms. Cox attempted to cross 5th street when she was struck. Ms. Cox suffered serious injuries as a result of the colli- sion. An Oregon State Police accident reconstruction inves- tigation demonstrated that where Ms. Cox crossed 5th street, Mr. Pogue’s view of her would have been obstruct- ed by buildings and a large dumpster. Oregon State Police accident reconstruction evidence as well as eye witness testimony was presented to the Grand Jury. “This was a horrible accident but ultimately the Grand Jury determined there was insufficient evidence of criminal conduct on the part of Mr. Pogue,” said DA Matt Shirtcliff. Huntington fined by DEQ The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued the city of Huntington a $1,800 penalty for exceeding limits for E. coli in its wastewater discharge. The city has paid the penalty. The wastewater permit allows the city to discharge effluent that has been treated to remove E. coli, though it limits a single sample concentration of E. coli to 406 organisms per 100 mL. The monthly average for E. coli cannot exceed 126 organisms per 100 mL. The city discharged effluent in January 2017 that con- tained a single sample concentration of 2,420 organisms per 100mL. The monthly average for the same month was 195 organisms per 100 mL. DEQ issued the penalty because permit compliance for wastewater systems is essential to protecting water quality and human health. E. coli is a bacteria species that indicates fecal contamination, which is a human health threat due to disease and the presence of pathogens. DEQ previously cited the city of Huntington for E. coli violations, including civil penalties or warning letters in 2015, 2013 and 2009. The city has paid the penalty. Read the no- tice of civil penalty: http://www.oregon.gov/deq/ nr/103017huntington.pdf Weed management topic for County Commissioners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The agenda was adopted, with no noted changes, with a motion from Ben- nett, and a second from Nichols. Citizen Participation included Bennett and Sap- pington. Bennett voiced praise for the Baker, Burnt River, and North Powder Future Farmers of America (FFA) groups, for partici- pation in the national FFA convention, and specifical- ly, Shelby Swindlehurst of Burnt River, who received an American FFA Degree during the ceremony, on October 28. Sappington, Coordinat- ing Officer for the Jef- ferson Mining District (JMD), said that he wants to clarify that the Uranium One issues don’t pertain to any mining claims that he’s aware of, in Baker, Mal- heur, or Harney counties. The minutes from the Wednesday, October 18, 2017 regular session were approved, with a motion from Bennett, and a second from Nichols. The Board held a Tri- County discussion, during which Porter read a letter he addressed to the Board, and the Baker County Weed Board: “Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program is responsible for helping to guide and coordinate effec- tive Noxious Weed Control across the state. As the... Weed Management Spe- cialist, I wish to address a particular issue at hand in Baker County. “In recent years, and for multiple reasons, the relationship between Baker County and Tri- County CWMA have been strained. Over the last year, there has been extensive energy put into healing that relationship. Baker County and Tri- County have been working together for over 20 years to forward effective weed management that benefits our agricultural producers, and our natural resources. And with good results! However, there is much that still needs to be done. “I would like to express the sincere hope of the Noxious Weed Control Program that Baker Coun- ty will remain a member of Tri-County CWMA. We believe that this direct participatory relationship is the most beneficial to ef- fective weed management in Baker County, and NE Oregon. “Baker County may decide to withdraw from Tri-County, if they so choose. But, no matter the decision...the responsibility for all weed management entities is that we work together with positive and supportive relationships, towards effective noxious weed control. “There is plenty of noxious weed control to do in Baker County. And, there are upcoming grant opportunities for weed control entities that the ODA Noxious Weed Con- trol Program administers for the Oregon State Weed Board, and OWEB (Or- egon Watershed Enhance- ment Board). “In addition to the good work already underway by many different parties in Baker County, here are some examples of work that could be potential projects addressed with grant funds: “There is a Spotted knap- weed infestation in Durbin Creek area, near the Malheur County Line, that could use further contain- ment and/or efforts. The Lower Burnt River Weed District has expressed in- terest in pursuing funding whitetop and Medusahead control. “There is Rush Skeleton- weed Early Detection and Rapid Response work in the southern parts of the county to do. There was recent discovery of com- mon crupina in Pine Creek. There is also work to do in the North of Baker County, on perennial pepperweed (there have been funded projects there in the past). “With so much work to do, good cooperation and communication between all weed control entities is paramount, no matter the jurisdictional arrange- ments. Where the ODA Noxious Weed Control Program can be helpful in facilitating this effort, please let us know.” Following this was a roughly one-hour discus- sion on the topic, which included Porter, Bernards, Grammon, Clemens, and Paustian. Porter added that, “I commend Baker County for looking to create your current program...I just want to see that process go forward, however, hopeful- ly, with Tri-County...with your own work in parallel, both working together...” Bernards said, “A lot of it (changes) we’ve been working on right now, is building a close relationship with Baker County...I’d like to see more presence from us, in Baker County, aside from just the BLM (Bureau of Land Management proj- ects)...We want to work with Arnie (Grammon) more, and some of the private landowners...I’d really like to make it a goal to work with Arnie...I that Baker County staying a part of Tri-County is an important component...I don’t want us to ever compete for funding, for projects...I don’t think that that’s in the spirit of weed control...No matter what, I want us to work together, and have a healthy rela- tionship...” Harvey pointed out some management issues in recent years, and said that, while Baker County has the majority of work and projects to be completed, the County’s partnership with Tri-County has been “contentious,” though he did voice praise for Ber- nards’ efforts, and he said that he wants to make clear that he’s critical primarily of past management (she’s been Director for about a year). Harvey said, “My con- cern is that, event though there have been efforts...to open communication (one of the County’s complaints is lack of communica- tion)...Baker County’s still on the peripheral...That bothers me greatly.” He said he asked Gram- mon to send the BLM a letter, to address issues the BLM has with partnering with the County, in order to complete some projects. Harvey made a mo- tion to give Tri-County a 90-day notice of the County’s withdrawal from its partnership agreement, and to possibly have agree- ments in the future with Tri-County to complete projects in the County, but for the County ultimately to have full control over the projects here. Clemens spoke about the history of Tri-County, and the cooperative agree- ment with the counties, and he said, “It’s disap- pointing to me, to see it end...a lot of good work over the years. Communi- cation is a two-way street ... I feel that the BLM issue has to be resolved ... I’m way past blaming anybody, at this point; I’d just like to see it move on...” He outlined a couple of his concerns with with- drawal, including a break in trust in other counties and the state. He said he didn’t understand how the withdrawal will benefit the County. Paustian pointed out some issues that the Coun- ty brought to Tri-County’s attention previously, and he said, “Both parties have worked diligently to ad- dress this...I would hate to see Baker County disband from Tri-County...I think there’s an opportunity for both entities to continue the relationship they’ve had. “Obviously, we need to have a more open line of communications...There’s no argument that we went through a very rough period...We’ve done our due diligence in addressing those issues... “We’re in a very good place, with Samantha (Ber- nards) and her team right now...The thing that scares me...if you folks decide to separate and go your own path, it’s going to form a line of competition, for the same grant dollars...” The Board discussed the issues with Paustian, and Bennett said, “Baker County’s extremely serious on this...We do want to continue with the weeds program, and we do see a valid point. “We also have a big hole that needs to be filled, in Baker County...” He said that the 90 days would be a good “cooling off,” and Tri-County can decide how it wishes to proceed. He said that he does appreciate all the work’s that’s been done. SEE WEEDS PAGE 8