2A — BAKER CITY HERALD
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021
COVID-19
T URNING B ACK THE P AGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
March 20, 1971
Vern Jacobson, Baker City manager, was honored last
night at a Rotary Club dinner in the Baker Hotel for “ten
years of outstanding service to the city of Baker.”
A dinner crowd of 86 gave Jacobson a standing ovation
in appreciation for his service to the community.
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
March 20, 1996
A Richland man has fi led a petition seeking to recall
Baker County Sheriff Terry Speelman.
Jim Rix-Anderson fi led the recall petition Tuesday. In his
statement of reasons why Speelman should be recalled,
Rix-Anderson alleges the sheriff illegally seized private
property and allowed some to be sold to a close friend,
and that he altered and ordered others to alter police
records.
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
March 21, 2011
Baker City Councilors will decide whether to join a
group of more than two dozen Oregon communities to
negotiate franchise agreements with Charter Communica-
tions.
Creating a consortium would allow up to 26 cities and
counties to reach an agreement with the cable television
provider, which generated controversy in Baker City last
year by closing its local offi ce in late October, and deleting
Boise’s NBC affi liate from its channel lineup at the end of
November.
Franchise agreements allow cable companies and other
utilities to place their cables and other equipment on pub-
lic rights-of-way.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
March 21, 2020
With schools, libraries, the YMCA, and other places
closed due to the coronavirus, Baker County parents
are striving to fi nd ways to keep their children safe and
entertained.
Harmony McAlpine, 45, decided not to go back to work
and is staying home with her children.
A concern McAlpine shares with other parents is her
children’s education.
“We’re more concerned about the school, if they are
going to put them online for right now,” she said.
“Them having their education is highly important to
me,” said Ashlyn Gazley, 29, who is working with her
children to learn at home while Oregon public schools are
closed through at least April 28.
Many parents are working on helping their children
continue to learn outside of school with math, reading,
and other subjects.
And having spring break, which was scheduled to start
Monday, extended for at least another month isn’t proving
popular with some students.
“I don’t like it, I want to go to school,” Gabby Wright, 11,
said Thursday while she and her mom, Kristina Corr, were
picking up meals at Baker High School.
Parents are trying to keep their kids entertained as well
as educated during this long, unexpected school closure.
Board games are a big hit with some families.
O REGON L OTTERY
MEGABUCKS, March 17
11 — 25 — 36 — 37 — 39 — 41
Next jackpot: $3.3 million
POWERBALL, March 17
34 — 38 — 41 — 61 — 62 PB 19
Next jackpot: $200 million
MEGA MILLIONS, March 16
10 — 41 — 46 — 52 — 69
Mega
8
Next jackpot: $105 million
WIN FOR LIFE, March 17
26 — 28 — 35 — 68
PICK 4, March 18
• 1 p.m.: 6 — 0 — 2 — 8
• 4 p.m.: 2 — 4 — 6 — 1
• 7 p.m.: 9 — 8 — 6 — 4
• 10 p.m.: 0 — 0 — 3 — 9
LUCKY LINES, March 18
4-5-11-16-17-23-27-31
Next jackpot: $46,000
S ENIOR M ENUS
■ MONDAY (March 22): Chicken and gravy over egg
noodles, biscuit, Jell-O with fruit, bread pudding
■ TUESDAY (March 23): Soup and sandwich (turkey
sandwich, vegetable beef soup), fruit cup, cookies
■ WEDNESDAY (March 24): Spaghetti, zucchini and
tomatoes, garlic breadsticks, green salad, birthday cake
■ THURSDAY (March 25): Pork roast, mashed potatoes
with gravy, mixed vegetables, beet-and-onion salad, ice
cream
■ FRIDAY (March 26): Boneless chicken breast, baked
potato, winter blend vegetables, fruit cup, cinnamon roll
Public 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 for
those under 60. Meals must be picked up; 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
$10.75 for print only. Digital-only rates
are $8.25.
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 © 2021
tions at the Baker County
COVID-19 website, www.
Continued from Page 1A
bakercountycovid19.com or by
Over the ensuing two weeks 12th death reported
calling 541-523-0015 or 541-
the county had no more than
Although the case rate
523-8211.”
four daily cases (March 8 and has declined recently, Baker
All residents 18 and older
10) and there have been four County did have its 12th
can sign up.
days with no cases (March 6, COVID-19-related death this
Baker County has exceeded
7, 15 and 18).
week.
the statewide average in
The county’s positivity rate
The OHA reported on
vaccinating residents 65 and
for the current measuring pe- Wednesday that an 81-year-
older, a group for whom the
riod is below 5%, as well (the
old Baker County man had
virus poses a vastly greater
precise fi gure wasn’t available died on March 11 in a Boise
risk of death.
from the Oregon Health Au-
hospital, three days after test-
Of the 2,353 Oregonians
thority in time for this story). ing positive.
who have died after testing
The man did not have un-
That’s due in part to a
positive for COVID-19, 91%
testing clinic that took place
derlying conditions, according were 60 or older, and 77%
during the Baker County
to the OHA. Of the 11 other
were 70 or older.
Health Department’s most
county residents who died
In Baker County, about
recent largescale vaccination after testing positive, 10 had
4,716 residents — about 28%
clinic on March 12, County
underlying conditions, the
of the population — are 65
Commissioner Mark Bennett agency reported.
or older. As of Friday, about
said. More than 100 people
76% of those residents were
were tested during that event, Vaccinations continue to
partially or fully vaccinated.
rise
he said.
The breakdown by age
Baker County has vacci-
range:
Differences between
nated its residents at a higher
• 80 and older, 1,028 people
lowest and moderate risk rate, per 10,000 residents,
— 89% partially or fully vac-
level
than all but one of Oregon’s 35 cinated
The county’s move from
other counties.
• 75 to 79, 876 people —
lowest to moderate risk on
As of Friday, the county had 79% partially or fully vac-
March 12 didn’t have dramat- administered the fi rst dose
cinated
ic effects on restaurants, bars of either the Pfi zer-BioNTech
• 70 to 74, 1,264 people —
and other businesses.
or Moderna vaccine to 3,169
83% partially or fully vac-
The main change is that
people, and 2,525 people had cinated
restaurants and bars have to either received both doses or
• 65 to 69, 1,548 people —
close at 11 p.m. rather than
the single dose of the Johnson 61% partially or fully vac-
midnight, and their indoor
& Johnson vaccine, which
cinated
dining, though it remains at
requires only one shot.
Bennett said he is sched-
50% occupancy, also has a cap
The total of 5,694 people
uled to testify on Monday,
of 100 people. But most if not means almost 34% of the
March 22 during a public
all local restaurants are small county’s 16,800 residents are hearing before the Oregon
enough that the capacity limit either fully or partially vac-
House Subcommittee on CO-
doesn’t affect them.
cinated.
VID-19. He said he’ll be talk-
Moving back to lowest risk
The vaccination rate of
ing about resources counties
could affect youth sporting
3,385 per 10,000 residents
need to help businesses, and
events, as counties at the
ranks behind only Wheeler
how Baker County is handling
lowest risk can have up to
County’s 3,450.
vaccinations.
300 people attending outdoor
“The Health Department
Bennett said he’s grateful
events, instead of 150 people
continues, along with our com- for the work county employees
for counties at moderate risk. munity partners, to vaccinate and dozens of volunteers have
For indoor sporting events, people as quickly as possible,” done.
the capacity for counties at
Staten said. “We encourage
“This has been a tough and
moderate risk is 50% or 100
anyone who is interested to
tragic year, but we’re working
total people, while for counties get on the list for vaccina-
hard as a county,” he said.
at lowest risk the only crite-
rion is 50% of occupancy.
BUILDINGS
• 1933 Court Ave., $2,000 for window
installation and interior work.
Continued from Page 1A
Owner Andrew Bryan said most of
The building is owned by Nemec
the work allowed under the federal
Enterprises LLC.
grant has been done.
• 120 Bridge St., $2,350 to replace the
He said that project has led to other
roof.
renovations on the building, known as
Loran Joseph said his mother, Linda the Pantatorium.
Joseph, bought the historic home and
“We had to take out two levels of drop
plans to replace the roof in May to
ceilings in order to get to the inside of
prevent further damage inside before
the facade in order to do the work,” he
beginning the interior remodel.
said. “So it became a little more exten-
“That is the only thing this year,”
sive project.”
Loran Joseph said.
• 1829 Main St., $2,000 to repair
The two-story home once housed a
windows and skylights.
brothel, he said.
The building, also known as the
NURSERY
They sent an initial
inquiry to OARN in October
Continued from Page 1A
2019. The next fi ve months
Use of the nursery is vol-
involved community plan-
untary, and families qualify
ning and assessing local
through an interview process needs.
with the director. Eligible
A letter of intent was sent
families are identifi ed to have to OARN in May 2020 and
fi ve or more stressors.
the application was approved
The OARN has compiled
in July 2020.
statistics based on use of
After receiving several
relief nurseries. From 2008
grants and donations, Rae-
to 2010, 99.6% of children
Ann Butler was hired as
in a relief nursery had no
the program coordinator in
maltreatment after engag-
October 2020.
ing in services. From 2014 to
Although the relief nursery
2016, 95% of children had no model serves ages 0 to 5,
foster care placements after the Baker Relief Nursery is
engaging in relief nursery
focusing on ages 0 to 2.
services.
“We’re starting with a
modest program with just a
The process
few families,” Mosier said.
After meeting with the
The board hopes to expand
Malheur ESD and the East- to serving 25 families by the
ern Oregon Early Learning
end of 2021.
HUB, Mosier and a group
As a certifi ed relief nursery,
of like-minded volunteers
the Baker center will be eli-
helped start the process to
gible for state funding — but
establish a relief nursery in
not until its second year.
Baker County.
“This whole fi rst year we
The board of directors
don’t have any state funding.
includes Mosier, Tammie
It’s all donations and grants,”
Blessing, Tammy Pierce, Kelli Mosier said.
Wright, and Beth Quinn.
The funding is a public-
COVID-19
vaccinations in
Baker County,
by age group
As of Friday, March 19,
a total of 5,694 Baker
County residents —
33.9% of the population
— had received either a
fi rst dose, or both doses,
of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Most have had either
the Pfi zer-BioNTech or
Moderna vaccine, both
of which require two
doses. A total of 265
doses of the Johnson &
Johnson vaccine, which
requires only one shot,
have been administered.
The breakdown of doses:
• 80 AND OLDER:
916 (16% of total)
• 75 TO 79:
689 (12.1%)
• 70 TO 74:
1,053 (18.5%)
• 65 TO 69:
939 (16.5%)
• 60 TO 64:
433 (7.6%)
• 50 TO 59:
612 (10.7%)
• 40 TO 49:
484 (8.5%)
• 30 TO 39:
353 (6.2%)
• 20 TO 29:
176 (3.1%)
• 19 AND YOUNGER:
39 (0.68%)
White House, is owned by 5th Street
Rental LLC.
• 1705 Main St., $1,000 to repair
concrete sills and decorative features.
This is the Baker Tower, the 10-story
former Hotel Baker at the corner of
Main Street and Auburn Avenue that is
the tallest building east of the Cascades
in Oregon.
Owner Patrick Rhea said the money
will pay for repairs that aren’t all visible
from the ground, including repairing
one of the decorative concrete eagle
heads.
He said the work will start this
spring or summer.
private partnership. Of the
annual operating cost for
most relief nurseries, 30% is
provided through the Oregon
Department of Education,
30% by grants, and 40% by
private donations.
By statute, a 25% cash
match is required from the
local community.
“For every dollar we raise
here, we get three dollars
from the state,” Mosier said.
The Baker Relief Nursery
is eligible to receive up to
$150,000 in funding from
the Oregon Department of
Education’s Early Learning
Division. This means $37,500
must be raised through dona-
tions and grants. The nursery
is a nonprofi t organization.
dler to stay at the nursery.
The classroom teachers
will schedule home visits to
assess that basic needs are
met, and to help connect
families with community
resources.
The nursery also includes
a diaper bank, food bank,
and baby clothing bank — all
stocked with donated items.
Currently the nursery has
an infant class on Wednes-
days from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m., along with scheduled
respite care and home visits.
How to help
The board of directors
has several open positions,
including secretary and at-
large members.
Other ways to help include
The nursery
volunteering time during
Baker Relief Nursery is
the respite hours, or making
located at 1925 16th St. It
a donation to support the
will start with one classroom nursery.
designed for young children.
For more information,
“When you’re six months
call 541-239-5054 or email
old, your job at school might bakerreliefnursery1927@
be learning to sit up,” Mosier gmail.com.
said.
Monetary donations can
Families will also schedule be mailed to PO Box 1176,
respite time for a baby or tod- Baker City, OR 97814.
N EWS OF R ECORD
DEATHS
Julia Kautz: 72, of Baker City,
died on March 18, 2021, at her
home, surrounded by the love
of her family. Arrangements are
under the direction of Tami’s Pine
Valley Funeral Home & Crema-
tion Services. Online condolenc-
es can be made at www.tamispi-
nevalleyfuneralhome.com
FUNERALS PENDING
Tommy G. West: Graveside
services will be Wednesday,
March 24, at 2 p.m. at Mount
Hope Cemetery, with military
honors. Those wishing to make
memorial contributions in Tom-
my’s memory can direct them to
a charity of one’s choice through
Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place
St., Baker City, OR 97814. To light
a candle in memory of Tommy,
go to www.colestributecenter.
com.
Arlene Mae Schoorl: Cele-
bration of her life, with a potluck,
will take place on Saturday, April
24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
at the Unity Community Hall. To
offer online condolences, go to
www.grayswestco.com.
POLICE LOG
Baker City Police
Arrests, citations
FRAUDULENT USE OF A
CREDIT CARD (Baker County
Circuit Court warrant): Keyan
Wayne Woodcock, 19, Baker City,
5:22 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at
Auburn Avenue and Main Street;
cited and released.
VIOLATION OF RESTRAINING
ORDER: Adam Troy Shelton, 47,
5:51 a.m. Wednesday, March 17
at the Sheriff’s Offi ce; jailed.
“You’ll love the work we do. I guarantee it.” - JR
225 H Street • East of I-84 • 541-523-3200 • grumpysrepair.com