Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2019)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 BAKER CITY HERALD — 3A L OCAL B RIEFING Police K9 program fundraiser Dec. 14 Residents could lose food stamps this April What’s New At The Library • 2400 Resort St. FICTION • “The Last Romantics,” Tara Conklin • “Old Newgate Road,” Keith Scribner • “Paranoid,” Lisa Jackson • “Backlash,” Brad Thor • “At the Wolf’s Table,” Rosella Postorino By Dick Mason The (La Grande) Observer LA GRANDE — Some food stamp recipients in Baker and Union counties could lose their benefi ts due to a new federal rule set to take effect April 1, 2020. The rule will reduce the food stamp benefi ts of able- bodied adults 18 to 49 who have no dependents if they are not working or receiving training at least 20 hours a week. Those who fall into this category will not be allowed to receive food stamp benefi ts for more than three months in a three-year period. The rule means that at least 19,000 food stamp recipients in Oregon could lose their food stamp benefi ts, accord- ing to a news release sent out Friday by the Oregon Depart- ment of Human Services. This would be at least 3% of Oregon food stamp recipients. DHS statistics indicate through June of this year an average of 3,384 people in Baker County received food stamps each month — 3% of this total would mean about 102 county residents would no longer be eligible. In Union County, 4,951 people received food stamps each month — 3% of this total is 149, meaning nearly NONFICTION • “A Pilgrimage to Eter- nity,” Timothy Egan • “Trump Vs. China,” Newt Gingrich • “The Rise of Wolf 8,” Rick McIntyre • “Touched by the Sun,” Carly Simon • “Sam Houston & the Alamo Avengers,” Brian Kilmeade DVDS • “Game of Thrones, Season 8” (Drama) • “How To Train Your Dragon: Homecoming” (Family) • “The Party” (Comedy) • “Ready or Not” (Hor- ror) • “Renoir” (Drama) HOURS • Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. 150 Union County residents could lose their food stamps, now offi cially known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefi ts. Wallowa County has an average of 988 food stamp recipients a month, and Umatilla County has 15,075 recipients. Based on the 3% formula, among those who could lose their food stamp benefi ts would be at least 30 people in Wallowa County and at least 452 in Umatilla County. Audrey Smith, manager of the Community Connection of Northeast Oregon’s re- gional food bank, based in La Grande, said she believes the new rule could have a dire impact on Northeast Oregon residents. “I’m very worried about how our houseless population might be impacted,” Smith said. She noted the new rule means people who are strug- gling to get enough to eat and do not have a residence are not in a position to success- fully obtain the employment they will need to retain their SNAP benefi ts. “Being hungry and not hav- ing a home address does not help you ace a job interview,” Smith said, noting people are not at their best when they do not have adequate nutrition. Smith said people who do not have homes will also be hit hard by this rule because they do not have the ability to cook or store food, so they will have to buy more expensive ready-to-eat food items. The new SNAP rule will apply only to those who are “able-bodied,” but Smith said those who appear to be well and capable of working are not always in a position to hold down a job. “They may have hidden disabilities, which may keep them from being eligible for jobs,” she said. Smith also said this will especially impact individuals living in smaller communi- ties. For example, the food pantries in Union County’s smaller towns are often open only one day a month, while in La Grande they are open once a week. Recipients of SNAP bene- fi ts in Union, Wallowa, Baker and Umatilla counties receive an average of less than $4 a day. The average SNAP ben- efi t amount in Union County each month is $113.18. The average is $114.69 in Wallowa County, $112.40 in Baker County, and $110.44 in Umatilla County, according 2019 DHS statistics. Lostine logging project to Appeals Court By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- peals was slated to hear oral arguments Thursday regarding the destiny of the Lostine Corridor Public Safety Project. The hearing was set in Seattle. The approximately 2,100-acre forest treatment project, purported by the U.S. Forest Service to aid in protecting both campers and corridor residents from wildfi re, was highly controversial from the start. Nearly as soon as the project was an- nounced in 2017, environmental groups Greater Hells Canyon Council and Oregon Wild used legal means to try to thwart the project. The groups fi led an appeal to the project in May of 2017, essentially calling it a thinly disguised commercial logging venture. The groups also accused the USFS of skirting National Environmental Policy Act regulations by improperly labeling the project with a “categorical exclusion” moniker to avoid formal environmental analysis of the project. Wallowa County applied for and received status as an intervenor in the case, which allows it to act as a third party. The environmental groups lost the ini- POWER LINE surance... that the spread of existing weed infestations is Continued from Page 1A prevented.” Two La Grande groups In its response, Idaho last month fi led a lawsuit in Power, referring to the coun- federal court seeking to block ty’s claim that the noxious the B2H project. The plain- weed protections are insuf- tiffs, the Stop B2H Coalition fi cient, describes the county’s and Greater Hells Canyon contention as “inaccurate, Council, contend the Bureau unsubstantiated, and lacks of Land Management and specifi city.” The noxious weed U.S. Forest Service, which in plan, Idaho Power writes, is 2017 approved a proposed “a highly developed plan with route for the line, failed to suffi cient detail...” properly review the potential County offi cials also argue environmental effects of the that Idaho Power should be project. required to pay for a security Idaho Power is not a defen- bond, in place for 10 years dant in the lawsuit. after the line is built, to Baker County offi cials are “secure its weed management among those who submitted obligations.” written comments regard- Idaho Power offi cials ing the Council’s draft order refused the county’s request released on May 22, 2019. for a security bond, writing Among the topics county that the county’s request “as- offi cials addressed are what sumes, without substantive they see are inadequate pro- evidence or specifi city, that tections against the spread of the implementation of Idaho noxious weeds resulting from Power’s Noxious Weed Plan the power line. will be ineffective.” The county requested “as- The Boise company had VFW Christmas & Awards Dinner Friday, December 20th 5 PM Main Course: Turkey & all the stuffi ngs Please bring desserts, side dishes and salads Come meet our “Voice of Democracy” and “Patriot’s Pen” winners! tial hearing presided over by Magistrate Patricia Sullivan in District Court. A further appeal to U.S. District Judge Mi- chael Simon upheld Sullivan’s decision. Undeterred, the environmental groups went up the ladder and appealed Simon’s decision to the court of appeals. Although preliminary work had started on the project, the groups also fi led an emergency motion for injunction to stop the work ahead of the appeals court hearing. Both the USFS and Wallowa County fi led their opposition to the injunction request. The court rejected the emer- gency injunction without comment. a similar response to Baker County’s comments regarding the potential visual effects of the power line. The county writes that “Baker County is known for its scenic quality, and a 500 kV transmission line will be detrimental to those qualities, which will in turn harm both the Baker County tourism industry and the scenic quali- ties residents enjoy.” In response, Idaho Power offi cials write: “Idaho Power respectfully disagrees with the county’s statement that a number of the resources in Baker County will be signifi - cantly impacted. Idaho Power analyzed potential impacts to scenic resources using a thor- ough, reasoned methodology developed by visual resources experts.” County offi cials also contend that the draft order doesn’t require Idaho Power to do enough to reduce the risk of wildfi res that could be sparked by crews building the line. “Given the high fi re risk and the minimal available public services, (Idaho Power) needs a more robust Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan,” county offi cials write. In their response, Idaho Power offi cials write that the company would try to con- tract with private fi refi ghting companies if it can’t reach an agreement with a public agency to provide fi refi ghting response during construc- tion.” The Stop B2H Coalition also submitted extensive com- ments to the draft order, one of which questions whether Idaho Power has even justi- fi ed the need for the power line under the Energy Facility Siting Council’s “Least Cost Plan Rule.” Idaho Power offi cials dispute that claim, writing: “The commenter’s argument is incorrect as a matter of law and of fact.” Tickets are available for the Baker City Police De- partment’s fourth-annual fundraiser for its K9 Drug Prevention program. The event will be Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. at the Baker County Event Center, 2600 East St. Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for kids 6 to 12 and free for kids under 6. Tickets are available at the Police Department, 1768 Auburn Ave., at Barley Brown’s Tap House and Thatcher’s Ace Hardware. Durkee Christmas program Dec. 15 DURKEE — A Christmas children’s program and a potluck are set for Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Durkee School. The annual potluck starts at 4:30 p.m., and will be followed by the program. Santa Claus will also make an appearance. Local BMCC students earn honors More than a dozen Baker County students earned academic honors for the fall 2019 term at Blue Moun- tain Community College President’s List (GPA of 3.75 to 4.0) O’Keeya Brown, James Dunlap, Tammy Fry, Chris- topher Kyriss, Elisabeth Munsell, Taylor Price, Rachel Talbor, Amelia Wentz, Tiana Williams Vice President’s List (GPA of 3.5 to 3.74) Cierra Bork, Dallas Hardesty, Deanna Johnson, Kelly Shank Democrats plan holiday party Dec. 19 The Baker County Democrats will not be having their monthly meeting at Rogers Fellowship Hall as usual. They will instead be having a holiday party at the home of treasurer Ramon Lara. Dinner will began at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19. If you wish to attend call Peter Hall at 541-519- 7274. Bazaar supports Upward Sports program A Last Chance Bazaar that supports the Upward Sports Program is set for Dec. 20 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, in the Family Life Center at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Lunch options will be provided by the Upward Sports Program. Lane restriction continues at Ladd Canyon The Oregon Department of Transportation will continue the Interstate 84 westbound lane restrictions through the Ladd Canyon construction zone over the next two to three weeks. Motorists should slow down in this area and be prepared for congestion 10 miles east of La Grande be- tween mileposts 273 and 270, from the top of the steep downhill grade to the bottom. The two eastbound lanes in this area will not be impacted and remain open. “We had planned to remove the westbound lane re- strictions by November, but discovered late in October some unexpected conditions,” Mike Remily, ODOT proj- ect manager, said in a press release. “The fi nal 120-foot- long section of the new Brush Creek alignment we are constructing was supposed to have bedrock, but it didn’t. The solution is to construct a concrete lined channel, which required one lane to remain closed for part of December.” Brush Creek is currently routed along a temporary alignment in the project area which includes a section of pipe not large enough to handle increased water volumes anticipated in the spring. “The creek detour we created to accommodate con- struction was never meant to remain in place through the winter and won’t be able to handle springtime wa- ter fl ows,” Remily said. “We need to complete the Brush Creek realignment now and our contractor, Knife River Construction, is putting in the extra time needed to get the work done as soon as possible. We plan to have the freeway completely open by December 21.” The project, which will also include construction of a third lane on the uphill grade and replacing an ice-prone bridge with a box culvert, is more than half fi nished, according to ODOT. The third lane, intended to reduce congestion due to slow traffi c, will be built in 2020. Hop e You r Christmas Tur ns ou t just right! Elkhorn Denture Service is here to help you! FINANCING AVAILABLE Go to our website at www.elkhorndenture.com to purchase Sparkle Denture Cleaner Come see us for a free consultation. C u r t i s Ta t l o c k , L D 2535 Myrtle St. • Baker City (541) 523.4747 or 1(877) 523.4747 Here’s our foolproof recipe for a perfect holiday season: Take One Part Cheer Add Two Parts Joy Throw in Our Very Best Wishes And Serve In Generous Portions To A Fine Mix of People Like You! Sweet tidings and many thanks to all. Open 6 AM - 3 PM Christmas Eve 8 AM - 5 PM Christmas Day 221 Bridge St, Baker City • 541-523-5844
