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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2020)
LOCAL & STATE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 BAKER CITY HERALD — 3A Activists rally in support of carbon emissions bill By Sam Stites and Claire Withycombe Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Activists seek- ing to clean Oregon’s environ- ment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions turned out by the hundreds at the Capitol Tuesday, pushing legislators to move ahead with a cap and trade policy. Demonstrators ranged from Salem-area teenagers who took time out from school to middle-aged Wasco County residents. All told, organizers say that more than 1,000 people trav- elled to the Capitol to support Senate Bill 1530, which aims to cap and shrink the state’s carbon emissions and gener- ate revenue for environmental projects. One of those local teens was Angelique Prater, 17, of Sa- lem, who spoke to the crowd Tuesday about her activism. In an interview, she said that her parents, immigrants from Mexico who work in ag- riculture, were already feeling the effects of climate change — extreme temperatures in winter and summer. She said she fi rst heard about the proposal from friends in school and then got involved in activism. “I’m here today to fi ght for the climate crisis and to, you know, push our legislators to fi ght for strong climate leg- islation,” Prater said, adding that legislation was the most important part of “solving the climate crisis.” The pending legislation would establish a new limit L OCAL B RIEFING 2 local students on U of Idaho dean’s list MOSCOW, Idaho — Kate M. Averett and Samuel S. Hamilton of Baker City were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester at the University of Idaho. Averett is majoring in natural resources and society. Hamilton is majoring in business. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must have a GPA of at least 3.5 and take a minimum of 12 graded credits. Rasmussen on Purchase College dean’s list PURCHASE, New York — Devin Rasmussen of Halfway was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester at Purchase College, where he is studying media, society and the arts. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of at least 3.5 and take at least 12 credits. Purchase College is part of the State University of New York network. Diaper drive extended through February Sam Stites / Oregon Capital Bureaux From left to right, Portland State student Rachel Rodri and Willamette University stu- dents Emily Grunken, Sonia Zand, Jamie Smith, Maggie Chapin and Samantha Smith demonstrate at the Oregon State Capitol Tuesday to urge lawmakers to take action on climate change. on certain emissions and re- duce them over time. The limits would apply to certain industries and major fuel importers. The cap and trade policy would carve up the emissions limit into allowances that emitters can buy and sell on a market. The idea is that as emis- sions targets get lower, fewer allowances are available, and industry would improve pollution controls. Opponents have criticized the plan for its potential impact on consumers and small businesses, particularly through higher fuel costs. Recent revisions to the legislation spare counties east of the Cascades from regula- COUNCIL tions on fuel importers and provide a way for natural gas companies to guard their low- income customers against higher costs. The event began at noon with speeches on the Capi- tol steps from activists and political offi cials, including remarks from Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson, Milwaukie Mayor and congressional candidate Mark Gamba and Eric Richardson, Eugene- Springfi eld NAACP presi- dent. Following speeches, the demonstrators marched around the Capitol chanting and waving signs bearing messages supporting the climate legislation. the coming year. Under the goal to “maintain and Continued from Page 1A enhance water security,” Public City Manager Fred Warner Jr. Works Director Michelle Owen said said the parcel is a 40-foot by 100- the city will be soliciting bids in the foot bare residential lot that sits be- late spring to drill a second backup tween two homes. Both owners have well. That wouldn’t happen until the expressed interest in potentially new fi scal year, which starts July 1, acquiring the lot, Warner said. 2020. If the city sells the parcel, it could Under the goal of “cost effective use the money toward buying the budget management,” Owen said larger property on the west side of the city has been testing LED street Central Park, near Resort Street. lights on Windmill Lane. That property could be used both “I haven’t seen anything substan- for access to and parking for park tially improved in our cost of light- visitors. ing,” she said. After Tuesday’s regular meeting, The units have to be replaced councilors had a nearly two-hour frequently due to bugs getting inside work session to talk about goals for the bulbs and burning them out, The event, organized by the environmental group Renew Oregon, was a counterpart to a protest in Salem last week organized by Timber Unity. Activists made the trek to Salem from all parts of the state Tuesday, including Dean Myerson who was part of a carload of demonstrators who drove three hours from The Dalles. Myerson said he believes Oregon needs to lead the way on climate action. “We can’t just wait for ev- erybody else to do something fi rst, which seems to be one of the arguments; ‘we can’t do this alone,’ which is true, but somebody has to start,” Myerson said. Owen said. Under the goal to “enhance com- munity livability,” Robin Nudd, the city’s human resources/community development director, said she feels there is a need for more afterschool activities for children. Councilor Lynette Perry said a lack of such activities can make it hard for working parents, and increase their child care costs. “It would be great if we were back to the fi ve-day school week,” Perry said. Mayor Loran Joseph said he will raise that issue at the next joint meeting between city offi cials and the Baker School Board. Joseph said he wants the Council The Rachel Pregnancy Center has extended its Diaper Drive at the request of several participating churches. The drive, which began on Sanctity of Life Sunday (Jan. 19) will continue through February, said Vera Grove, Rachel Center director. The Center’s days of operation have changed in February to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch each day). The offi ce, at 2192 Court Ave., is closed Mondays and Fridays. More information is available by calling the Center at 541-523-5357. Donation account for Baker City man A donation account has been set up at Umpqua Bank for Benjamin Humphries of Baker City, who was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia and is undergoing treatment in Boise. Fireline Safety Refresher class March 21 Eastern Oregon Training Group will have an RT- 130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher class on March 21. The class will start at 8 a.m. at the Baker School District offi ce, 2090 Fourth St. in Baker City. A prac- tice fi re shelter deployment will take place. This is a required class for all federal and state contractors that will be on the fi re line. A certifi ed National Wildfi re Suppression Association (NWSA) instructor will teach the class. Cost is $100 for NWSA members and $130 for nonmembers. Registration can be done at oregon- fi retraining.com. Pre-registration is requested. More information is available by calling Laurel Goodrich at 541-403-0907 or Jeff Sherman at 541-519-6213. to be more involved with the Tran- sient Lodging Tax committee, for which he is the city’s representative, and the Baker County Economic Development Council. Warner is a member of the latter. Other Council goals include (a complete list will be posted at www. bakercityherald.com): Water security • Support fuel reduction methods surrounding the watershed Wastewater Disposal Plan • Complete updated Wastewater Master Plan • Make communication of waste- water rates and water projects a priority Enhance Community Livability • Evaluate options for city-focused economic development • Coordinate efforts to support existing and new businesses • Explore marketing options for Baker City/County (i.e., promotional video) Increase citizen involvement • Revamp and update city website Implement an asset maintenance schedule • Focus on master planning for the golf course and Sam-O Swim Center. AFTERMATH OF UMATILLA COUNTY FLOODING Police increase presence to protect from looting By Alex Castle East Oregonian PENDLETON — Nate Fuller couldn’t sleep early Monday morning. After talking on the phone with a friend about the risk of looters going through people’s homes, his mind was stirring with concern. So at about 3:30 a.m., he got up and made his way down to his family’s home in Thorn Hollow on the Confed- erated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Last week, fl oodwater surged through the commu- nity and fi lled the neighbor- hood’s homes with water, washed out yards, completely destroyed a small bridge and left the Thorn Hollow Bridge folded and impassable due to structural damage. Nate, his wife, Chantel, and her father, Bill Koskela, went to the house that afternoon needing to retrieve their dogs and Nate’s BiPap machine, which he could die without. But when they arrived, they discovered their neighbors were trapped at their home. A friend of their neighbors, Ar- chie Morrow, was already on the scene, and together he and Nate made it out to the neigh- bors in a boat. However, a log collided and broke the winch in place to bring them back in, and left the two stranded on top of the house for more than nine hours. The Oregon Army National Guard eventually evacuated Fuller, Morrow and the couple that night, and miraculously none were injured. The Fullers, along with their three daughters, have been staying with Nate’s mother in Athena in the days since, he said. But with roads now cleared, the family has been able to make several trips to their property to begin cleanup. Fuller restlessly returned home Monday morning need- ing to retrieve more medical equipment. Fuller is predia- betic and forgot to bring extra needles for his insulin shots, he said, so he stopped by to grab those and some other items around the house. Fuller said the place looked normal and he shut it up as usual before heading back to Athena around 6 a.m. Later in the day, Fuller went back to Thorn Hollow to assess and record the dam- age done to the foundation of their home when he noticed a door was ajar. Skeptical of any wrongdoing at fi rst, Fuller chalked it up to someone he knew stopping by to test the well water just forgetting to lock up when they left. Things on the inside of the house seemed fi ne and noth- ing was obviously missing, when out of habit he looked out to where his goats and chickens were kept in his yard before the fl oods washed them away. “That’s when I saw tire marks in the mud where I knew I hadn’t driven,” he said. Fuller could see where the vehicle had tried to drive off the property but got stuck momentarily in the mud. He then found that his shed had been broken into and various tools, chain saws, paints and other items had been taken from it. As he kept inspecting, Fuller saw where someone had tried to kick the door in on his shed containing musical and sound equipment but thankfully couldn’t. In another shed, he found camping equip- ment and fi shing rods had been stolen. After everything the family had been through in the last few days, Fuller was rightfully frustrated by the burglary. “We can’t stay at our house,” Fuller said. “It’s not known if Best Friends of Baker Saturday Market Open EVERY Saturday 8 AM - 2 PM BUY A HEART TO SAVE AN ANIMAL 2950 Church St, Baker City (fi rst left after Broadway turns into 10th) We accept debit, credit, cash & checks! Donations accepted Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 9-1 (All proceeds benefi t the animals of Baker County) the water is good, our septic system is out. It can’t support my family right now.” While the fl ooding and subsequent burglary has only added to an already diffi cult experience, Fuller was still counting his blessings on Tuesday. “There’s good people, and there’s bad people,” Fuller said. “You can just try to as- sociate yourself with those who are positive and are there for you. It’s been a tragedy but we’ve defi nitely had people stepping up to support us.” With homes left unattended around the region, local law enforcement is working to balance its resources and is in- creasing its presence to deter potential looters from taking advantage of the vulnerable homes. “That’s an area of emphasis for us until we can get more people back into their homes permanently,” Pendleton Po- lice Chief Stuart Roberts said Tuesday. 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