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BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY
Exp 05/07/2016
2400 RESORT ST
BAKER CITY OR 97814-2721
www.therconline.com
Positively Baker County
Thursday, November 19, 2015~^y
Ç
Est. Haines 1901 ~ Haines, Baker County, Oregon
Volume 114, Number 47 • 10 Pages • 75
Heart and Home
Hospice Honors
Marine Veteran
By Tami Waldron
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the 240th
birthday of the United States Ma­
rine Corps, Heart and Home Hos­
pice had a "pinning" for Robert
Vowell to acknowledge his serv­
ice in the Marine Corps. It was a
lovely service and attended by 20
family and friends. Family came
from Emmett and Cambridge,
Idaho, and from Baker City and
Halfway. Mr. Vowell's family ex­
presses sincere appreciation and
thanks to Heart and Home for
Photo submitted by Jo Vowel
Ron Hunter (in red), pastor from Heart and Home Hospice and honoring veterans who are their
Robert Vowell during the ceremony.
clients in this way.
J list a Quick Text
Really Can Change it All
By Gina Perkins
"We are in such an 'instant gratification' kind of world now. We
-ean-eall, text, tweet, or update our status in seconds. Our 'smart'
phones don't necessarily encourage smart decisions," said
Melissa Brown, Safety Coordinator for McGinn Brothers Truck­
ing.
Brown has been employed by McGinn Trucking for 10 years and
has always been’ involved in the safety side of things.
"We really ramped up our safety program last year. I spent a lot
of time researching different material to use for our own drivers.
We use a lot from the Smith System.They are the leading provider
of collision avoidance driver training," Brown explained.
When Don and Nancy McGinn could not find a Driver's Educa­
tion program available during the time they wanted to enroll their
son, Gus, they asked Brown to put together.a presentation ap­
propriate for high school students at North Powder Charter
School.
Brown did just that.
Sandy Colton, a long time teacher at North Powder, was the
driving force behind getting Brown the permission she needed to
do the presentation. Instead of a single visit, Brown went once a
week for four weeks to discuss distracted driving with all students
in grades 9-12. Week one was a powerful assembly. Baker
County Sheriff Travish Ash was a guest speaker and addressed
the students.
"Then I showed the kids a documentary that followed four fam­
ilies who had been affected by distracted driving. This was a 'wow'
moment for me, after the lights came back on, and I could see
everybody, there were some upset faces for sure.... I felt bad, but
happy that it really got their attention. I had to change my closing
discussion a little bit -1 had planned to be kind of hard about it,
but after seeing their faces, I moved more towards the importance
of their lives and how something like 'just a quick text1 really can
change it all," said Brown.
Week two and three were spent in the classroom and Brown
met with smaller groups so they could have more discussion. Stu­
dents learned about all types of distracted driving including multi­
tasking. They watched more videos and learned ways to be
proactive, how distractions affect drivers, and how to avoid dis­
traction disasters. The final week was the closing assembly.
The Oregon Trucking Association heard about the program
Brown was doing for the school and sent them a copy of "Teens
and Trucks: Curbing Distracted Driving" for her to show on the
last day.
Brown said, "It was perfect for this age group and good for a
wrap up during our final week. In addition to distracted driving,
this video also focused on sharing the road, especially with larger
vehicles."
Following the video, Brown also shared her own story about
being in a life threatening car accident after she was hit by another
driver.
Union County Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen was also present and
talked to the students about the law enforcement side, including
what happens when accidents occur.
See TEXT on page 2
4-H
Christmas
Bazaar
Dec. 4, Noon-5:30
p.m. and Dec. 5,
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
4-H Show Barn
This information was provided
to the North Powder Charter
School students by Sheriff
Boyd Rasmussen' during the
final-assembly-of the Driving
Distracted Presentation:
Using a Cell Phone While
Driving
ORS.811.507 A person com­
mits the offense of operating a
motor vehicle while using a mo­
bile communication device if
the person, while operating a
motor vehicle on a highway,
uses a mobile communication
device. NO texting, using Face­
book or talking to people on
your phone while driving.
Notable exceptions include:
Calling 911; While on farm
equipment; 18 years or older
using a hands free device or if
you're apolice officer.' Fine $80-
$500
Careless Driving
ORS. 811.135 A person com­
mits the offense of careless
driving if the person drives any
vehicle in a manner that endan­
gers or would be likely to en­
danger any person or property.
Fine $130-$1000. If there is an
accident then the fine goes up:
$220-$2,000. If you seriously
injure someone, the court will
also order you to complete: 200
hours of community service.
Traffic safety; Fine $12,500;
Suspend driver's license for
one year; Charged with assault
crimes. .
Reckless Driving
ORS 811.140 A person com­
mits the offense of reckless
driving if the person reckless
drives a vehicle in a manner
that endangers the safety of
persons or property. Class A
Misdemeanor. Fine $6,250. Jail
one year.
Manslaughter II
ORS 163.125 Criminal Homi­
cide constitutes manslaughter
in the second degree when it .is
committed recklessly. If you
text, use Facebook, or are
talking with someone on the
phone while driving and you kill
someone.... Class B Felony.
2-4 years in prison. Hefty fines.
Probation
New Snow Tires and
a Lesson in Art
Appreciation
Story/photos by
Gina Perkins
Like
many
other
Baker County resi­
dents who heeded the
looming forecast of
snow in the news, I
bought new snow
tires on Saturday.
Diana Brown told me
just what I needed
and besides me learn­
ing that, yes, my car
does
have
tire Diana Brown of Les Schwab, is pretty
sensors and that it happy about her signed Vera
has struts on the front Neumann 60s piece that she
and shocks on the purchased on Ebay.
back, Brown also
gave me a design and art appreciation lesson.
Brown (Diana, not Rocky or Jim...) likes to collect pieces by
Vera Neumann, a legendary designer and artist who was born in
1907. Brown opened with excitement a package that arrived at
the counter and pulled out a 60's style dress that she had ordered
from E-bay.
"Vera believed that all women should have access to beautiful
things," explained Brown who said that I had no doubt seen some
of her beautiful scarves which were sold over the years in mass
at department stores where "every day" women shopped. During
WWII, with many textiles going to the war effort, Vera found
supplies in short supply. She happened upon parachute silk at an
army surplus store and her signature scarves, which she always
signed in the same way she did all of her pieces, became the
rage. She also became widely popular with famous actresses like
Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe and her iconic designs also
graced the White House thanks to first lady, Bess Truman.
Vera Neumann died in 1993, but many people like Diana
continue to collect her pieces, including the 1960s dress. Brown
loves the fact they're reasonable—she can buy three scarves for
$12.^
Brown has an eye for beautiful art and
this includes the hand pressed flower
note cards made by local resident,
Phyllis Badgley, age 92, who was also
getting.her snow tires put on that day.
Badgley always has several in her
purse which she gives to people she
meets during her day. Brown has
been the delighted recipient of
several over the years and says she
always has Phyllis sign them.
, "It's the best forged signature I can
come up with," said a gleeful
Badgley.
I picked up on Brown's suggestion
and also had Phyllis sign mine...a
beautiful red quince.
"Red's always tricky to get to hold One of Phyllis Badgley's
beautiful cards and her
its color," I learned from Badgley.
Who knew I could learn so much "best forged signature."
about art and culture while buying
tires?
New Bridge Grange to
Honor Governor Gale
with Historical Kiosk
By Sherrie Kvamme
The New Bridge Grange and Community of New Bridge are
happy to announce they are another step closer to achieving their
goal of establishing a historical footprint within the little hamlet.
The City of Richland and the Baker County Commissioners have
written letters of support to include in the grant proposals request­
ing funding for a kiosk.
The New Bridge Grange approved having the kiosk built on their
property at a recent meeting and Allan and Margie Garrison
agreed to draw up the blue prints for the kiosk. Allan is a retired
engineer and project manager for major construction projects
throughout the United States. The original front door of Gale’s
home in New Bridge will be incorporated into the kiosk structure.
Joseph Gale was the first Provincial Governor of the State of
Oregon, was highly influential in promoting sustaining economic
progress to the Northwest, eventually moving to New Bridge
where he and his wife raised their children. He was active in the
education of the children of the area, he was the first Post Master
in New Bridge and he promoted an overall betterment of the State
of Oregon and betterment of Baker County, as well. In addition,
Governor Gale was a gold miner, a United States Army scout, a
■saw mill and a ferryboat operator, the manager of a stagecoach
station, a farmer and rancher. Gale was married to a daughter of
Old Chief Joseph of the Wallowa Nez Perce, "Bear Claws,"
(Eliza).
See NEW BRIDGE on page 2
Christmas
on the Prairie
Jingle Thru
Joseph
This Saturday,
‘ Nov. 21
in Prairie City
See their ad
on page 10
Nov. 27, 28 ■
& Dec. 4, 5
MHi
I
4005 23rd Street • PO Box 226
Baker City, OR 97814
(541) 523-3616
10-5 p.m.
Joseph Community
Center