2A — BAKER CITY HERALD
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020
Woman convicted in 2016 co-sleeping
death charged with probation violation
County warrant charging
her with the violation. She
A Baker City woman who was returned to Baker City
pleaded guilty to criminally
on April 8 and is being held
negligent homicide in the
at the Baker County Jail
September 2016 co-sleeping
without bail.
death of her infant son is
According to court docu-
back in the Baker County Jail ments, Speelman is accused
on charges of violating the
of failing to abstain from
probation terms that were
illegal drug use, changing her
part of her sentence.
residence without prior per-
Beth Marie Speelman, 35, mission from her probation
was arrested on April 2 in
offi cer and failing to report
Columbia County on a Baker her new address as required.
By Chris Collins
B AKER C OUNTY C ALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
■ Baker County Board of Commissioners: 9 a.m.;
Commission meetings will be streamed live. A link will be
available on the county’s website, www.bakercounty.org
T URNING B ACK THE P AGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
April 18, 1970
HERMISTON — The Bulldogs from Baker captured the
Hermiston Relays here Friday afternoon with a high score of
72 points. Pendleton was second with 64, La Grande third,
43, Hermiston, fourth, 36, and Mac Hi, 17.
ccollins@bakercityherald.com
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
April 19, 2010
Weston Anderson was surprised by the special attention
he received Thursday when he showed up at Haines School
to help dedicate the bell tower he built as part of his Eagle
Scout project.
“I was expecting to come out and ring the bell a few times
and that was about it,” Anderson said after the ceremony.
But the school had a different plan.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
April 19, 2019
An adult cow in eastern Baker County was euthanized on
Tuesday due to injuries infl icted by wolves from the Pine
Creek pack, according to a report from the Oregon Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife.
The cow’s owner, Barry DelCurto, found the animal
Tuesday morning on a 300-acre private land grazing pasture
in the North Pine Creek area east of Halfway. DelCurto,
who lost one calf to wolves last April, declined to talk about
Tuesday’s attack.
He saw two wolves, one of which had a tracking collar,
while checking on cattle at about 7:30 a.m., according to
ODFW.
ODFW biologists inspected the cow and noted a piece of
fl esh, 8 inches long and 4 inches across, was missing. There
were multiple tooth scrapes near the edge of the wound
“showing clear evidence of attack from a predator,” accord-
ing to the report.
Biologists found cow tracks and wolf tracks less than half
a mile from where the rancher found the injured cow. The
report describes this as a “chase scene” with blood on the
ground and on vegetation.
“The number and canine spacing of the bite marks, the
location of the injury, and the wolf tracks present in the at-
tack scene are clear evidence of a confi rmed depredation by
wolves of the Pine Creek Pack,” the report concludes.
O REGON L OTTERY
MEGABUCKS, April 15
2 — 5 — 7 — 26 — 41 — 45
Next jackpot: $3 million
POWERBALL, April 15
10 — 12 — 33 — 36 — 41 PB 2
Next jackpot: $24 million
MEGA MILLIONS, April 14
29 — 47 — 65 — 69 — 70
Mega
7
Next jackpot: $159 million
WIN FOR LIFE, April 15
31 — 32 — 44 — 50
PICK 4, April 16
• 1 p.m.: 9 — 9 — 7 — 6
• 4 p.m.: 2 — 7 — 4 — 4
• 7 p.m.: 9 — 7 — 4 — 0
• 10 p.m.: 6 — 1 — 7 — 1
LUCKY LINES, April 16
4-7-11-14-18-23-26-29
Next jackpot: $30,000
S ENIOR M ENUS
■ MONDAY (April 20): Barbecue meatballs, rice pilaf, carrots,
bread, coleslaw, apple crisp
■ TUESDAY (April 21): Reuben casserole, peas, bread, fruit
ambrosia, ice cream
■ WEDNESDAY (April 22): Chicken-fried chicken, potatoes
and gravy, broccoli-blend vegetables, rolls, cottage cheese
with fruit, cinnamon rolls
■ THURSDAY (April 23): Barbecued pork ribs, au gratin
potatoes, green beans, rolls, pea-and-onion salad, lemon
bars
■ FRIDAY (April 24): Cheeseburgers with trimmings, potato
wedges, corn, fruit cup, tapioca
Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4.50
donation (60 and older), $6.75 for those under 60. Due to
the coronavirus crisis, meals must be picked up; there is no
dining on site.
C ONTACT THE H ERALD
1668 Resort St.
Open Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 541-523-3673
Copyright © 2020
Fax: 541-833-6414
Regional publisher
Christopher Rush
crush@eomediagroup.com
Publisher
Karrine Brogoitti
kbrogoitti@lagrandeobserver.
com
Jayson Jacoby, editor
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
Advertising email
ads@bakercityherald.com
Classifi ed email
classified@bakercityherald.com
Circulation email
circ@bakercityherald.com
ISSN-8756-6419
Serving Baker County since 1870
Published Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays except Christmas Day by the
Baker Publishing Co., a part of EO Media
Group, at 1668 Resort St. (P.O. Box 807),
Baker City, OR 97814.
Subscription rates per month are:
Baker City (97814), $10.80; all others,
$12.50.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
the Baker City Herald, P.O. Box 807, Baker
City, OR 97814.
Periodicals Postage Paid
at Pendleton, Oregon 97801
is not willing to participate in
her community based super-
vision at this time.”
He asked that a warrant be
issued for Speelman’s arrest.
When she appears in
Baker County Circuit Court
at 2 p.m. April 21, Speelman
will be asked to show why
her probation should not be
revoked and a prison term of
21 to 22 months be imposed.
See Arrest/Page 3A
O BITUARIES
Gregory Moutsanides
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
April 18, 1995
Unless 90-degree weather arrives tomorrow and stays
until October, Northeastern Oregon irrigators should have
plenty of water this summer.
River levels for the next several months will be at or near
the 1961-1990 average, according to forecasts from the U.S.
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
On Jan. 20, according to
court records, she failed to
report or make any contact
with the Baker County Parole
and Probation Department
for permission to miss her re-
quired check-in day, and her
whereabouts were unknown.
Ryan Downing of the
Parole and Probation Depart-
ment wrote in his report to
the court that “Ms. Speelman
has shown Baker County
Parole and Probation that she
Baker County, 1952-2020
On April 9, 2020, Gregory Mout-
sanides, 68, loving father, grandfather,
brother, uncle and friend, died peacefully
in his beloved home in Eastern Oregon.
A celebration of his life will take place
this summer at the Rock Creek School-
house.
Gregory “Greg” Moutsan-
ides was born on March 23,
1952, at Lawrence, Kansas,
to Demetrius T. Moutsan-
ides and Lydia K. Moutsan-
ides. Greg and his beloved
Gregory
little sister, Thalia, spent
Moutsan-
time traveling between
ides
Kansas and Washington
while their dad worked as
a college professor. Later in his child-
hood the family moved to Seattle, where
he graduated from Franklin High
School in 1970. During his high school
years, Greg was a very accomplished
cross-country runner receiving many
accolades, breaking records and running
alongside notable runners such as Steve
Prefontaine.
After high school Greg spent a year
at the University of Washington before
loading up his VW Bug and heading
to California with his best friends, Bill
“Willie” and Rolfe, fi nally settling in
Baker City. Greg started work here
helping open up the Chevron Standard
station and logging, where he found his
love for the mountains and trees. Some
of Greg’s favorite pastimes were long
drives in the mountains, pointing out all
the different kinds of trees, mushroom
picking, sledding, hunting, camping and
fi shing amongst family and friends.
It was during this time in Greg’s life
that he met his now beloved ex-wife and
still close friend, Sherri White, and they
were soon married. Greg and Sherri
were blessed with four beautiful chil-
dren and the loves of their lives, Aleasha,
Steven, Gregory Jr. and Amanda. In
1983, Greg and Sherri purchased their
family home, the Rock Creek School-
house.
The Schoolhouse became one of Greg’s
most beautiful and amazing passions af-
ter it burned down in 1995. Greg, along
side his brother-in-law, Monty, other
family members and contractors rebuilt
the home using all the original brick and
restoring the look and beauty of the old
schoolhouse.
Greg’s heart and soul were poured
into his home and this is where some of
his most known talents and masterful
skills were shown, his woodworking.
Greg was a master of woodworking,
his beautiful skill, talent and mastery
was shown throughout his home from
detailed pillars, staircases, furniture
pieces and mouldings all designed and
handcrafted by him. Greg’s talent was
so amazing and precise that a couple of
his pieces were featured in the popular
Woodworking magazine.
Greg’s family home was the center of
his heart and the holding place for many
family gatherings and special occasions.
Multiple Christmases and birthdays
with his kids and grandbabies, his baby
girl’s beautiful wedding day and the
most notable for years, his Fourth of
July parties, were held here. This was
the time Greg was the happiest, shar-
ing his home, passion and love with all
those dearest to him. You could fi nd
Greg at these gatherings on a truck
tailgate or kicked back in his lawn chair
under the trees with a cold beverage
and a huge smile on his face. He loved
to dance, sing, listen to blues and other
genres, including some of his favorite
artists, Ottmar Liebert, Joe Bonnamas-
sa, Santana and James Brown.
In the early 1980s Greg took his fi rst
job as a commercial fi sherman on the
Arctic Trawler in the Bering Sea. Greg
continued his career for almost 40 years
known as one of the most skilled and
masterful Baader Technicians in the
world, having the title of Maintenance
Technician on Alaska Ocean since 1999.
Greg had a love for the sea that would
never go away. He spoke up to his last
days, when he considered retiring for
“real this time,” that the sea and the boat
were his second home. Greg’s closest and
dearest friends were made here and most
during his time with Alaska Ocean. Greg
loved to work, he was so intelligent and
could never stop going and working on
his next project. On the boat his friends
shared his passion for this work ethic, he
was able to share his knowledge with so
many and joked he didn’t have to cook his
meals or make his own bed.
Off the boat, his sister, confi dant and
friend, Thalia, was who he reached out
to. She was the fi rst person he would go
to about advice — she understood his
personality better than anyone and was
the one person who could deal with all his
Moutsanides quirks.
All who ever met or knew Greg will
forever be touched by his wealth of
knowledge, talent and his infectious laugh
and smile — a smile so big you knew it
was completely genuine and fi lled with
the utmost passion and love. A person like
Greg is irreplaceable in so many hearts,
he was loved so much by so many and he
will forever be missed.
Greg is survived by his beloved sister,
Thalia Moutsanides; his ex-wife and dear
friend, Sherri White; his children, Aleasha
and Kevin Powers, Steven and Sara
Moutsanides, Gregory Jr. and Kristal
Moutsanides, and Amanda and Cory
Walz; nine grandchildren and one on the
way; several nieces and nephews; his best
friend and dog, Remi; and cats, Mama
Kitty and Buster, his fl ea-bitten varmints.
Greg was preceded in death by his
mother, Lydia Moutsanides; and his
father, Demetrius Moutsanides.
Stories and memories encouraged by
all to be sent to Moutsmemories@gmail.
com, or you can leave an online condo-
lence for the family at www.grayswestco.
com
‘Skip’ Coles
Baker City, 1950-2020
Norvin “Skip” Coles Jr., 70, of Baker
City, died April 13, 2020, with his family
by his side.
A celebration of his life will take place
at a later date.
Skip was born on March 18, 1950,
to Norvin and Eleanor Coles. He was
raised in La Grande and
participated in both the
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
In 1965 he won the NRA
Junior Indoor Rifl e Champi-
onship. Skip graduated from
Skip
La Grande High School in
Coles
1968.
As a young teenager, Skip
worked for Brogoitti farms. He worked
there until he went to the big city of
Portland for employment. In 1975 Skip
married Debby Doud; they divorced in
1998. In 1976 Skip welcomed his daughter
Tiffany into the world, which was a proud
and memorable moment in his life.
Skip settled on a job working for Boise
Cascade in Elgin. He moved his young
family to Cove and later to North Powder
where he had quite a commute to work.
After 36 years, Skip retired and moved to
Baker City.
Skip had a natural green thumb. He
loved plants and at one time probably
had more than 200 houseplants. His
indoor gardening did not end inside, as
his yard was the delight of the whole
neighborhood. Skip’s favorite color was
blue, which was evident since his ward-
robe was almost entirely blue. He also
liked collecting all kinds of glassware that
he proudly displayed in his home. Skip
had a fondness for cats and especially
enjoyed spending time with his Siamese
cat, Thomas.
Skip never met a stranger, which was
something he learned from his parents.
He loved his family and always stayed in
touch with all his cousins.
Survivors include his daughter, Tiffany
Coles, and her companion, Blaine San-
chez, of Baker City; his brother, James
Coles of Kansas City, Missouri; his sister,
Karen Coles of La Grande; his longtime
companion, Carlis; his grandchildren,
Rebecca, Brandon and Jasmine; a great-
grandchild, Ethan; and numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his par-
ents, Norwin and Eleanor Coles; and his
baby brother, Richard Coles.
The family suggests memorial con-
tributions to a charity of one’s choice
through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box
543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condo-
lences can be made at www.tamispine
valleyfuneralhome.com
N EWS OF R ECORD
DEATHS
Charles Robison: 80, of
Baker City, died April 16, 2020,
surrounded by his family. Ar-
rangements are under the direc-
tion of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home and Cremation Services.
Online condolences can be made
at www.tamispinevalleyfuneral
home.com
Ira Haskett: 72, of Oxbow,
died April 16, 2020, at the VA
Medical Center in Boise. Ar-
rangements are under the direc-
tion of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home and Cremation Services.
Online condolences can be made
at www.tamispinevalleyfuneral
home.com
POLICE LOG
Baker City Police
Arrests, citations
FIRST-DEGREE THEFT: Alex
Cooper Horn, 24, of 940 Elm St.,
11:44 a.m. Thursday, at the Baker
County Library, 2400 Resort St.;
cited and released.
Crime reports
FIRST-DEGREE CRIMINAL
MISCHIEF: At 12:06 p.m. Thurs-
day, at 1540 Campbell St.; police
said an unknown person set a
fi re that damaged a heating and
air-conditioning unit outside
O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Baker County Sheriff
THIRD-DEGREE CRIMINAL
MISCHIEF: Joseph Palmer, 39, of
Huntington, 10:49 p.m. Thursday,
on Rye Valley Lane; cited and
released.
Qgmdddgn]l`]ogjco]\g&A_mYjYfl]]al&%BJ
225 H Street • East of I-84 • 541-523-3200 • grumpysrepair.com
!"#$$%&'((#()%
'(*'++,&"-.%
/#(.,0*%12%
/-3$$%4-$+%5,'%
!"#$%&'($)$'!*&
$++,-+%65%#(*"7$$#()%
/#(.,0*%89:
;,<+'"-&%(,"%
&'((#()%7*%=7*"%7*%
04-(%#"%07*%(-02%%
>-"%'*%#(*"7$$%
*$./)0$0.12!+)&
*,$#.%*"7"-%.&#?-:
