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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 2020)
2A — BAKER CITY HERALD SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020 RELIEF Karin said she and her husband, who moved to Baker City about a year ago, had three businesses, all of which they’ve had to close since the pandemic started. “And there’s nothing we can do about it and so we’re wait- ing for this stimulus check, waiting for that stimulus check,” she said. Shannon, who also declined to give her last name, said she’s a licensed massage therapist who had to close her business March 15. She said she’s still trying to catch up on back rent for her offi ce and apartment. She also missed out on the $500 check. Bob Kavanaugh, manager of marketing and business development and member experience for Old West, said Thursday that the nonprofi t credit union has been working for the past few weeks to pre- pare for the expected infl ux of people applying for the $500 check. Olson, the Old West Credit Union’s president and CEO, said the credit union dis- tributed about 500 checks on Thursday and a couple hundred on Wednesday. Those are cumulative to- tals from the seven branches (of Old West’s eight) that participated in the program, Olson said. He didn’t have the number of checks issued by individual branches. In addition to the Baker City offi ce, Old West has branches in John Day, Prairie City, Pendleton, Hermiston, Burns, La Grande and Union. Kavanaugh said Olson has been focusing on prepara- tions, along with regional manager Matt Goodwin and Chris Kommer, who man- ages the Baker City branch. Employees were familiar with the eligibility criteria, Kavanaugh said. Those include: • A current resident of Oregon and 18 or older. • Able to provide docu- ments, such as a driver’s license, that prove they are currently living in Oregon. • Attest that they are experiencing severe fi nancial hardship directly or indirectly due to the governor’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” executive orders issued in March. • Have earned $4,000 per month or less pre-tax prior to their income loss due to COVID-19. • Not received all unem- ployment payments they are owed. • Some people who haven’t applied for unemployment benefi ts, or who were denied, might have qualifi ed for the $500 check. “As a nonprofi t credit union we strive to be incredibly committed to our communi- ties, and we know people need help,” Kavanaugh said. “This is of the highest priority. It’s not easy to stand in line in the heat and apply for this assistance.” Kavanaugh said Thursday afternoon that the average time to process applications was about 5 minutes. Olson, the Old West CEO, said state offi cials had advised credit unions to expect about 30 minutes per application, so he was pleased with the faster turnaround time. “The staff did really, really well,” Olson said. He said Old West agreed to participate in the aid program “because it ensured every dollar that was al- located actually went to the recipient. It was just the most effi cient use of that fund and it meant that every single dollar of the 35 million went to the recipients as opposed to getting lost in the state bureaucracy.” Calls to Umpqua Bank were not returned by press time Friday afternoon. Banks and credit unions did not charge the state for their overhead costs from processing applications and cutting checks. The previous record for weekly tests was July 26-Aug.1, when 146 residents were tested. Of those, nine tested positive. Holly Kerns, a public information officer for Baker County, did not have any in- formation on Friday about the seven new cases. Baker County’s total cases since the pandemic started is 64. As of Aug. 17, no one was hospitalized in Baker County for treatment of the virus. The OHA lists only one county resident as being “recov- ered,” but the agency doesn’t add someone to that list until 60 days have passed since the onset of symptoms. All but one of the county’s cases have been reported since late June, so the county’s number of recovered residents won’t start increasing until late August. The OHA’s most recent weekly report, which includes data through 11 p.m. on Aug. 16, showed that 50 of the county’s cases are residents who live in the 97814 ZIP code. Continued from Page 1A T URNING B ACK THE P AGES 50 YEARS AGO from the Democrat-Herald August 22, 1970 “There’s going to be a hot time in the old barn tonight.” This was the familiar expression heard in days gone by when old-fashioned barn dances were held every Satur- day on a well-polished hayloft fl oor. A fi ddler or two, a guitarist and an accordion player got together to produce toe-tapping harmony. Only memories remain of those days, since few people live on farms now, and fewer have adequate haylofts to accommodate a barn dance. As a result, old-time fi ddlin’ appeared to be a vanishing art until recently, when the idea of old-time fi ddlers contests spread throughout the country. 25 YEARS AGO from the Baker City Herald August 22, 1995 Most Baker County hunters oppose a state proposal to allow them to shoot only spike bulls during the general elk season in three of the county’s fi ve units. About 40 people attended a public meeting Monday night in Baker City. All who spoke objected to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s proposed methods to bolster declining bull-to-cow ratios throughout Northeast- ern Oregon. And judging by the reactions of the other audience members to speakers’ statements, opposition was virtu- ally unanimous. 10 YEARS AGO from the Baker City Herald August 23, 2010 The U.S. Forest Service has enlisted some heavy-lifting help in the campaign to douse wildfi res in Northeastern Oregon. A Boeing 234 Chinook helicopter has been on standby at the Baker City Municipal Airport for about the past month. The twin-rotor aircraft can dump more than 1,700 gal- lons of water on a blaze. ONE YEAR AGO from the Baker City Herald August 23, 2019 The annual Memory Cruise is gearing up for its 29th year Saturday. Between 140-180 cars will be shown at this year’s event at Geiser-Pollman Park. Wayne Ryder, one of the organizers of the event, said registration begins at 8 a.m. with a raffl e during the day and live music. They have 40 awards that will be given out at 4 p.m. The Durkee Steak Feed at the Quail Ridge Golf Course will go from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the Downtown Cruise will begin at 8:30. Among the cars to be shown will be Bob and Cherie Ward’s 1956 Ford pickup truck that Bob has rebuilt three times. Bob, 66, had always wanted a ’56 pickup since he had seen one driving by his high school. Cherie , 67, explained he fi nally got his pickup after they were married. “He brought it home and it was on a fl at bed trailer and in boxes and he’s rebuilt it three times,” said Cherie. “The last time was in 1988.” O REGON L OTTERY MEGABUCKS, Aug. 19 1 — 24 — 28 — 41 — 44 — 46 Next jackpot: $5.6 million POWERBALL, Aug. 19 13 — 23 — 47 — 55 — 58 PB 23 Next jackpot: $29 million MEGA MILLIONS, Aug. 18 4 — 18 — 26 — 27 — 58 Mega 23 Next jackpot: $49 million WIN FOR LIFE, Aug. 19 28 — 49 — 55 — 73 PICK 4, Aug. 20 • 1 p.m.: 7 — 0 — 5 — 2 • 4 p.m.: 4 — 9 — 8 — 7 • 7 p.m.: 1 — 4 — 8 — 2 • 10 p.m.: 0 — 7 — 9 — 1 LUCKY LINES, Aug. 20 1-8-11-14-19-22-27-30 Next jackpot: $45,000 S ENIOR M ENUS ■ MONDAY: Orange-glazed chicken tenders, fried rice, Asian vegetables, bread, Asian salad, cookies ■ TUESDAY: Spaghetti with meat sauce, caulifl ower, garlic breadsticks, green salad, cheesecake ■ WEDNESDAY: Pork roast, potatoes and gravy, green beans, roll, gelatin with fruit, birthday cake ■ THURSDAY: Baked cod, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, coleslaw, ice cream ■ FRIDAY: Hot turkey sandwich, stuffi ng with gravy, carrots, broccoli-bacon salad, apple crisp Luncheon at the Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4.50 donation (60 and older), $6.75, under 60. 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 Fax: 541-833-6414 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 Copyright © 2020 “It’s very hard to come up with rent sometimes,” Stone said as she stood in the sunshine outside Old West. “If it wasn’t for my family, I probably wouldn’t make a cent. That’s what we’re dealing with. My youngest son, he lives with me, he’s lost his job because of the COVID-19, they laid him off in April. He was qualifi ed, he got the money. It hasn’t been easy, it’s been very hard because I miss my students.” Stone said she learned about the relief checks from her daughter-in-law. Olsen, 66, who cleans houses, said she had fi nished her second home of the day Thursday before heading for Old West. “There aren’t the house- cleaning jobs there were, and I do odd jobs to supplement my Social Security, my Social Security goes to pay my mort- gage,” Olsen said. “So, I cringe every time bills come in, utility bills and stuff, so this is my way of trying to get some help.” Olsen said the economic downturn caused by the pandemic and the related restrictions on businesses have affected some of her clients. The owner of the second home she cleaned on Thurs- day, for instance, hasn’t been able to pay Olsen for several months. “She’s homebound and just can’t afford to pay right now,” Olsen said. “It slowed down the jobs that I get.” Among the people who lined up Friday morning, only to fi nd out that the $35 million had been depleted, is Karin, a Baker City resident who declined to give her last name. VIRUS Continued from Page 1A The woman who died is one of 11 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak at Meadowbrook, the first outbreak in the county. The out- break pushed the county’s total of positive cases to 14 from Aug. 9-15, the highest weekly total. The county also set a record for the number of people tested — 189 — from Aug. 9-15, ac- cording to the OHA. Of those 189 tests, 175 were negative. Samantha O’Conner/Baker City Herald The offer of a $500 check for people fi nancially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic brought a crowd of people to Old West Federal Credit Union on Thursday to apply. O BITUARY Mobile Service Outstanding Computer Repair Fast & Reliable Call or Text 24/7 Dale Bogardus 541-297-5831 grandchildren and six great- If your computer is grandchildren. William Holoboff, 83, of Memorial contributions in despair call Outstanding Granite, died on Aug. 9, 2020, can be made to the Arizona at his home. Desert Bighorn Sheep Society Computer Repair! A memorial through Gray’s West & Co. www.outstandingcomputerrepair.com service for Wil- Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Refurbished Desktop & Laptops For Sale liam will take Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. House calls (let me come to you!) place at a later To light a candle in date. memory of Bill or to leave a Drop Offs & Remote Services are Available On May 17, condolence for his family, go All credit cards accepted William 1937, at Salem, to www.grayswestco.com Holoboff Nicoli and Mary “You’ll love the work we do. I guarantee it.” - JR (Popoff) Holoboff welcomed William into their family. He attended North Sa- lem High School, graduating in 1957. After high school, Bill 225 H Street • East of I-84 • 541-523-3200 • grumpysrepair.com served in the United States Army as a PFC from 1959 to 1963. He worked for himself for 30 years as a farmer, retir- ing in 1992. Bill married Mary Lou New Hope for Eastern Oregon Sohler on March 12, 1966, at Animals is seeking volunteers to assist with its Baker City feral cat Hood River. Mary Lou and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program. Bill raised two daughters Working in partnership with the CIty together, Bonnie and Heidi. Police Department for a number of Bill enjoyed gold prospect- years, the TNR Program is a humane ing and wood carving; he was alternative to limiting the prolifera- a life member of the Arizona tion of litters of feral kittens, as well Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, as keeping overall populations in and a life member of the check. TNR does this by trapping kit- Gold Prospectors Association tens and adult cats in a specific area of the City, spaying or neutering them, and then returning them to of America. Bill was also a occupy that same site, which reduces the likelihood of other cats moving in as the territory is occupied. member of the NRA, Good This has led to a desired decrease in complaints concerning feral and stray cat numbers for the CIty. Sam Club, and the Rocky This year has been marked with an above average number of litters observed or reported thus far, mak- Mountain Elk Foundation. ing it important to all within our means to “keep the lid on” populations. Volunteers make this program Bill is survived by his wife work. Along with funding the veterinary aspect of spay and neuter surgery. Retirement of our seasoned of 54 years, Mary Lou Holo- volunteers over the past 2 years has reduced our ability to carry out this boff; and his two daughters, work effectively. Bonnie Holoboff-Johnson of New Hope is seeking volunteers to assist with trapping, fostering litters Cambridge, Idaho, and Heidi too small to undergo surgery, and feeding. No experience is necessary. Davidson of Kalaheo, Hawaii. Compassion and patience are good traits in a volunteer. Those interested He is also survived by three in volunteering should call New Hope at 541-403-2710 or 541-403-0724. William Holoboff Granite, 1937-2020 SEEKING VOLUNTEERS News of Record on Page 3A
