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Pute &
Tami Waldron •
"Happy Awesome 2016!" The hol
idays brought us a white Christmas
and a freezing new year. But this
morning, Tuesday, we are warming
up and it looks like we may get a lit
tle more snow today.
Charter School
Jr. High Girls basketball starts up
this weekend, their first game will
be on Jan. 8 starting at 9 a.m. in
North Powder.
High School Wrestling will be at
Orofino, on Jan. 8 and 9
High School Basketball starts at
5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, against
Wallowa at home (Halfway)
On Jan. 9, Jr. High girls basketball
will be at home with Imbler starting
10 a.m. and then at noon against
Adrian.
Monday, Jan. 11, there will be a
pre-school meeting starting at 4
p.m. and then at 7 p.m. the regular
school board meeting.
On Jan. 14, it will be the end of
the first semester.
Cross Country Skiing
The Pine Valley Ski Club has en
joyed this snow that we have as well
as the freeze, which has made the
groomed trails absolutely amazing.
You are welcome to enjoy the trails
if you have your own equipment, or
for a $10 membership charge. That
is $10 for the entire family. What
fabulous fun. If you'd like to just
donate to the group you can. At this
time, membership or donations are
received by Pine Valley Ski Club
c/o Tom and Linda Collier Halfway,
Oregon 97834.
Wig
At Jacob's Dream, my mother,
Sandra, while doing her volunteer
two hours, sold a wig. Not a bad
thing, except for now the man
Linda Dixon
541-709-1045 • mogirl65@gmail.com
Linda Dixon wishes everyone a
Happy New Year and will see you
nextweek!
This week's North Powder
Column by Gina Perkins
Butch and Susie Mascall drove
down to Yuma, Arizona for New
Year's to visit Susie's mom and her
Aunt Velma who turned 100 last
Fourth of July. They couldn't attend
her party at the time, so especially
enjoyed the opportunity to visit hear.
Cheryl Martin said they had all
the kids, grand kids and rest of the
family for the holidays at their
home. There are cows to feed, so
they stayed home, but she says they
thoroughly enjoy having the whole
family together and feel blessed.
Liz Loennig sold her home and
has relocated to North Powder. Her
family helped her moved over
Christmas and the community
wishes her well. Lane Loennig was
home on leave and returned to the
Navy for six months more training.
K-5 Swimming Lessons will
take place Jan. 25-28 at the Baker
Y (Sam-O-Swim Center) for North
Powder students. If you would like
your child to participate, please re
turn their permission slip and pay
ment to school no later than Jan.
14. This is a great opportunity for
students to receive swimming les
sons at a low cost. Contact Mrs.
Dixon if you have questions.
From the North Powder
News Archives: Jan. 8,1920
Sails on Montague
Berl Gilkison who is in the mer
chant marine service and who vis
ited with his parents Mr. and Mr.
John Gilkison at Thanksgiving, is
now stationed on the S.S. Mon
tague a general cargo ship of over
9,000 tons, which cleared from
Portland Wednesday and left Asto
ria Jan. 1 on a six months voyage
to eastern ports with stops at
Manila, Shanghai, Honkong and
Bombay. This will be Mr. Gilki-
son's second trip across the Pacific
during this year in the service. He
was formerly on the Western
Knight.
7o Attend University
Miss Doris Parker left Wednes
day to enter the University of Ore
gon at Eugene. Miss Parker has
been attending school here and was
elected president of the Senior
class. She is pop-
’Record-Courier
............ . ......"2016 b
nequin is now donning a bald head.
Anyone who might have a wig
they would like to donate, it would
be appreciated. The wig would go
to Jacob's dream, but if you live out
of the area, give me a call and Ill
make arrangements to pick it up.
New Year's at the Grange
There were about 50 for the
potluck dinner and games on New
Year's Eve at the Pine Valley
Grange. The meal was excellent
and kids and adults enjoyed the
games. Once the dance started,
Stere were at least 75 folks there,
and well over 30 of them lasted
until midnight. A great time was
had by all...Happy New Year!
Ending
And so begins the year, it will
go so much smoother, if you re
member to call me with your news
or email me. 541-742-4340 or
tami@pinetel.com Now, let's end
this week's news" with People are
so worried about what they eat be
tween Christmas and the New Year,
but they really should be worried
about what they eat between the
New Year and Christmas." -Au
thor unknown
ular and will be missed.
Accident to Oliver Talley
While playing with a billy goat
Tuesday noon, Oliver Talley age 6
years, was dragged by a rope at
tached to the goat, and the ends of
his fingers pulled off. The boy was
severely injured and was given sur
gical attention. The Talley's live in
the old Nick Ficklin place.
100 Cars of Ice Shipped
A number of men from the ice
plant hereare expected to leave the
latter part of the week for North
Platte, Nebraska to assist in filling
the large ice storage house there
containing 21 rooms. The workers
who left for Wallula to help care for
the ice shipped from here were idle
for a while as file ice was delayed
enroute by the high water. 100 cars
were shipped from this point.
Ice Skating
The young people have been en
joying some good skating this
week on the pond recently cut over
and the weather recently has been
just cold enough to freeze it
smoothly affording the youngsters
much pleasure.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC MEETINGS
The LDS Family History Cen
ter, 2625 Hughes Lane is open
Tuesday 1-4 p.m.; Wednesday
10-1 p.m. and 5:30- 8:30 p.m.;
Thursday 10-1 p.m.; Friday 1-4
p.m.
and
by
c
appointment.
(Phone 541-523-2397 during
regular hours or 541-524-9691
any time) Consultants help
everyone use Ancestry.com;
Find My Past; Heritage Quest
Online and other family history
The Baker Rural Fire District
meets the 3rd Tuesday of every
month at 7 p.m. at the Pocahontas
Fire Station, with the exception of
May and June when they hold their
budget meeting at 6 p.m. with the
regular meeting following at 7 p.m.
The North Powder Rural Fire
Protection District meets the
second Wednesday of the month at
7 p.m. at the Rural Fire Building, 340
"E" Street, North Powder.
Burnt River Irrigation District
meets the second Tuesday of every
month at 1 p.m. at the office of
Silven, Schmeits & Vaughan. 1950
Third Street in Baker City.
websites free of charge.
HELP WANTED
BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 5J is
currently accepting applications for
Substitute Bus Drivers. A CDL is
required. BSD5J will train viable
candidates. $14.10 per hour. For a
complete description of the position
and qualifications please go to
www.baker.k12.or.us or contact the
employment division. You may also
call 541-524-2261 or email
nnemec@baker.k12.or.us
2
LIVESTOCK
MILES BREEDING SERVICE
A.I., Semen Sales,
Heat Synchronization
Myron Miles, 898-2140 <«n)
Angus Bulls - EPD Records
available, yearlings, two year olds,
replacement heifers and bred
cows. Bill Clonts, Bar A Angus,
541-519-8579 bclonts@thegeo.net
(tfn)
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Powder Valley Water Control
District meets the 2nd Monday of
the month at 7 p.m. at 690 E. Street,
North Powder, OR 97867.
The North Powder Cemetery
Maintenance District meets the
fourth Tuesday of the month at 5
p.m. at the Grange in North Powder.
Safe Haven: Alzheimer/ Dementia
Caregivers Support Group. Second
Friday of every month at 11:45 a.m.
in the Fellowship Hall (right wing of
Nazarene Church). Lunch will be
provided. 1250 Hughes Lane, Baker
City.
The Haines Fire Protection
District will meet on the first MON
DAY each month at 6 p.m. through
the winter months. Meetings are
held at the Public Library in Haines.
Celebrate Recovery: Hurts,
Habits, and Hangups; Tuesdays at
6:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center,
1250 Hughes Lane, Baker City.
Veterans Safe Zone: Veterans
Support Group; 1 st and 3rd Monday
of every month at 6 p.m. in the left
wing of the Nazarene Church, 1250
Hughes Lane, Baker
The Medical Springs Rural Fire
Department meeting is the 1st
Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. at
Pondosa Station.
200 ton, 1st crop alfalfa-grass
No rain - 3x4 bales, test available $180 1 ton
and
150 ton, 2nd crop
small bales, no rain $200 / ton
Submitted photo
Garrett Shreve,
Lane
Loennig,
Eddie
Bedolla
and Shae Wendt
were honored at a
home basketball
game over the
Christmas Break
for their military
service.
541-519-0693
Op-Ed
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Acting United States Attorney Billy J. Williams District of Oregon
To The Citizens of Harney
County, Oregon
As the Acting United States At
torney for the District of Oregon, I
write to the citizens of Harney
County to address ongoing at
tempts by outside individuals and
organizations that are making state
ments and using social media to ex
press views which are clearly
contrary to what occurred publicly
in an open courtroom. I understand
that there are some individuals and
organizations who object to the
Hammonds returning to prison to
serve the remainder of their sen
tences mandated by statute. I re
spect their right to peacefully
disagree with the prison terms im
posed. However, any criminal be
havior contemplated by those who
may object to the court's mandate
that harms someone will not be tol
erated and will result in serious
consequences. The following is a
summary of the facts in United
States v. Dwight and Steven Ham
mond, including the actions and
positions taken by this office
throughout the course of the case.
Five years ago, a federal grand
jury charged Dwight and Steven
Hammond with committing arson
on public lands, and endangering
firefighters. The charges came after
the Hammonds rejected an offer to
settle the case by pleading guilty to
lesser charges and sentences.
Three years ago, after a two-
week trial in Pendleton, Oregon, a
jury found 70-year old Dwight and
his son, 43-year old Steven Ham
mond, guilty of committing arson
on public lands in 2001. Steven
Hammond was also found guilty of
committing a second arson in 2006.
They were found not guilty of other
arson charges, and while the jury
was deliberating on the remaining
charges, the Hammonds negotiated
for the dismissal of those charges
and a promise from the U.S. Attor
ney to recommend the minimum
sentence mandated by law. The
Hammonds assured the trial judge
that they knew the law required
they serve no less than five years in
prison. The U.S. Attorney also
agreed they should remain free
until sentencing.
The Hammonds had long
ranched private and public lands in
Eastern Oregon. Although they
leased public lands for grazing,
they were not permitted to bum the
lands without prior authorization
from the BLM. In 1999, a BLM
employee reminded Steven Ham
mond of this after he started a fire
that escaped onto public land.
At trial, jurors heard from a hunt
ing guide, a hunter and the hunter’s
father, who saw the Hammonds il
legally, slaughter a herd of deer on
public land. At least seven deer
were shot with others limping or
running from the scene. Less than
two hours later, the hunting guide
and the hunter and his father, were
forced to abandon their campsite
because a fire was burning in the
area where the deer had been shot.
The hunting guide’s testimony and
photographs established fires were
burning hours before Steven Ham
mond called the BLM and said he
was going to do a bum of invasive
species in the area.
A teenage relative, who was with
the Hammonds in 2001 when those
fires were set, told the jury that he
was handed a box of “Strike Any
where” matches, and Steven Ham
mond told him to drop lit matches
on the ground so as to “fight up the
whole country on fire.” He did as
instructed and the resulting eight to
ten foot flames spread quickly.
Fearing for his life he was forced to
take shelter in a creek. The jury
heard evidence that once back at
the ranch, Dwight and Steven told
him to “keep his mouth shut,” and
that “nobody needed to know about
the fire.” The fires destroyed evi
dence of the deer slaughter and
took 139 acres of public land out of
public use for two years.
The evidence at trial convinced
the jury beyond a reasonable doubt
that the Hammonds were guilty of
the federal crime of arson; that is,
maliciously damaging United
States property by fire. The jury
was neither asked if the Hammonds
were terrorists, nor were defendants
ever charged with or accused of ter
rorism. Suggesting otherwise is
simply flat-out wrong.
The jury also found Steven Ham
mond guilty of committing a sec
ond arson in 2006.
That summer, BLM firefighters
were battling several significant
fires caused by lightning strikes.
The Harney County Fire Marshal
imposed a bum ban and a “red
flag” warning was in effect. De
spite the bum ban, and knowing
that firefighters were in the area,
Steven Hammond set fires at night
without notifying anyone. He did
so to save his winter feed. After
seeing the fires, the firefighters
moved to a safer location. When
confronted by a firefighter the next
day, Steven Hammond admitted
setting the fires, and made no apol
ogy for doing so.
The crimes that the jury found
the Hammonds committed carried
five-year congressionally-man
dated minimum sentences. In Oc
tober 2012, U.S. District Court
Judge Michael R. Hogan imposed
sentences below what the law re
quired. The U.S. Attorney’s Office
appealed the sentences imposed by
Judge Hogan because they were
not the sentences mandated by
Congress for the crimes committed.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
agreed, and reversed the Ham
monds’ sentences. The cases were
sent back to the District Court with
the directive that the statute’s man
date be followed. The Supreme
Court upheld the Ninth Circuit’s de
cision, and in October 2015, Chief
Judge Ann Aiken imposed the five-
year prison terms. The U.S. Attor
ney agreed to allow the Hammonds
to self-surrender after the holidays.
Much has been said and written
by persons who were not in the
Pendleton courtroom during the
trial or in Eugene during the sen
tencing hearings. Much of it is in
accurate. For example, the federal
prosecutor has never called the
Hammonds terrorists, an allegation
made by some of the Hammonds’
supporters. As Acting U.S. Attor
ney, I do not consider them to be
terrorists. At the sentencing hear
ings, the federal prosecutor de
scribed
the
Hammonds’
contributions to their community
and urged the court not to impose
the higher sentences recommended
by the U.S. Probation office. The
prosecutor also assured the court
that the sentences mandated by
Congress were neither cruel nor un
usual given the seriousness of the
crimes and the safety threat posed
to the hunters (in 2001) and the fire
fighters (in 2006). The Hammonds
received a fair trial, they were found
guilty in Pendleton, Oregon, by a
jury of their peers, and they ulti
mately received lawful sentences
mandated by Congress.
As Americans, we have the priv
ilege of being served by the finest
judicial system in the world. De
spite suggestions to the contrary,
what took place during this case
was a process that followed the
time-honored fundamental princi
ples of the rule of law— from the
investigation, negotiations, a public
trial with the presentation of law
fully admitted evidence, the jury's
findings, judicial findings, appellate
rulings, to the final imposition of
sentence. We stand by the ultimate
resolution of this case.
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Open Monday-Friday 8am-Noon & l-5pm • 47621 Cornucopia Hwy • Halfway I
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TO ALL VETERANS
The Baker County Veteran Services Office
provides access to a wide range of benefits and
services to veterans and their families.
Health Care, Education,
Compensation and Pension, Burial
Benefits and much more
Rick Gloria, Veterans Services Coordinator
1995 3rd Street • 541-523-8223
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