TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021
BAKER CITY HERALD —3A
LOCAL & STATE
5 wolves found
dead in Union
County in February
SALEM (AP) — Five wolves were found dead in Northeast
Oregon in February, according to law authorities.
On Feb. 9, a collar on a wolf indicated a mortality signal
in the Mt. Harris area in Union County, Oregon State Police
Capt. Timothy R. Fox said in an email on Friday, March 19,
when asked about it by The Associated Press.
Arriving offi cers found a total of fi ve wolves dead, Fox said.
The cause of death is unknown, he said. All fi ve carcasses
were taken to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife forensic lab to deter-
mine the cause of death, the email said.
The incident is under investigation, according to Oregon
Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy.
“This is very unsettling news for a species that is only just
beginning to recover in Oregon,” Kathleen Gobush, North-
west program director at Defenders of Wildlife said in a news
release. “Predators, particularly wolves, are often the target of
L OCAL B RIEFING
Annual cleanup at Mount Hope
Cemetery scheduled for April 12-26
Baker City’s maintenance contractor, Grass Mas-
ters, will be doing the spring cleanup at Mount Hope
Cemetery, including removing deteriorated decora-
tions and fl owers, from April 12-26.
The city is asking people to remove those items
before April 12. They can be replaced starting April
27. Items that are left and that the contractor has to
move will be stored, except perishable items, until Nov.
1, 2021.
A copy of the cemetery rules is available at www.
bakercity.com, and more information is available by
calling 541-524-2047.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Contributed Photo, File
A wolf in Oregon photographed with a tracking collar.
ruthless persecution, and the killing of one wolf, not to men-
tion fi ve, appears to follow a growing pattern of grave concern.
Defenders of Wildlife will continue to work to make Oregon
safe for people and wolves.”
No further information was released.
Victims’ relatives speak at
Montwheeler’s sentencing
at night,” Harmon-Roeber said.
At one point Harmon-Roeber began
Montwheeler a former
VALE – Anthony Montwheeler sat
to weep.
Baker City resident
in clean street clothes with a fresh
“I wonder what her body felt when
Anthony Montwheeler, who will
haircut and stared straight ahead
he stabbed her. I hate I wasn’t there
serve a life sentence for murder,
Friday morning, March 19 as more than
to protect her,” Harmon-Roeber said
was involved in a hostage situation
a dozen people delivered statements at
through tears.
and standoff with police in Baker
his sentencing at the Malheur County
Jessica Bates also wept when she
City in April 1996.
Courthouse.
delivered her remarks.
Montwheeler pleaded guilty ex-
The session was the fi nal chapter on
“It is obvious you caused a huge
cept for insanity in the case. He was
a four-year-long legal case that began
amount of hurt and loss. It still feels
convicted on Sept. 3, 1997, in Baker
in the early morning hours of a cold,
surreal,” said Bates.
County Circuit Court on two counts
overcast January day 2017.
“I want you to know that I forgive
of fi rst-degree kidnapping with
The former Nampa, Idaho, man
you. I really do hope this will give
intent to terrorize, three counts of
pleaded guilty Feb. 26 to second-degree
you pause to stop and seek God,” said
unlawful use of a fi rearm, and three
murder, fi rst-degree manslaughter and
Bates.
counts of unlawful use of a weapon
third-degree assault.
Bates told the court she “never in a
with a fi rearm.
Montwheeler stabbed to death his
million years dreamed I’d be married
On Sept. 23, 1997, Montwheeler
ex-wife, Annita Harmon, killed Vale
to someone so wonderful and have fi ve
was placed under the jurisdiction
resident David Bates and injured his
children.”
of the Psychiatric Security Revenue
wife Jessica in a head-on crash as he
“I didn’t want to lose David so early,”
Board (PSRB) for a period of time
fl ed police.
said Bates.
not to exceed 70 years.
Under terms of the plea deal reached
After the testimony from the fami-
Montwheeler was released from
earlier this year, Montwheeler will serve
lies, Dave Goldthorpe, Malheur County
the PSRB on Dec. 14, 2016, accord-
a life sentence for killing Harmon but
district attorney, told the court that
ing to court records.
be eligible for parole in 25 years – when
“there is no punishment under the laws
he is 78. But he would have to serve
of the state of Oregon harsh enough for
— Baker City Herald
another 10 years of the 20-year sentence
Anthony Montwheeler.”
he has agreed to for Bates’ death. He
“No amount of time in prison could
would also get a three-year sentence for
ever even come close to making these
injuring Jessica Bates, to be served as
me,” said Harmon-Roeber.
families whole after what he did to all of
part of the overall sentence.
Harmon-Roeber told the court that
them,” said Goldthorpe.
While there was an undercurrent of
her kid sister was “precocious, tow-
Goldthorpe called Montwheeler “evil.”
anger from the relatives of David Bates headed, brown eyed girl that loved to
“He is abusive. He is a horrible human
and Harmon a major theme from many tease us.”
being and his face should never be seen
of the speakers was one of forgiveness.
“I remember how she loved horses
by any of these good people who have
“All I can do is pray for your torment- and animals. I remember special sister spoken to you today,” said Goldthorpe.
ed soul,” said Lucas Faverau, Annita
time when she was little,” said Harmon-
Montwheeler gave a brief statement
Harmon’s son.
Roeber.
at the end of the sentencing.
Stacey Harmon-Roeber, Annita Har-
Harmon-Roeber said the Montwheel-
“I can’t express the right words of
mon’s older sister, told Montwheeler “I
er’s crimes terrorized her.
sorrow. I have caused so much pain. To
have no words of anger toward Tony.”
“I used to be fearless. Now I am a fear- say I am sorry isn’t nearly enough,” said
“God loves Tony as much as he loves
ful red head. I have anxiety. I don’t sleep Montwheeler.
By Pat Caldwell
Malheur Enterprise
Baker Rural Fire Protection District
improves its insurance rating
By Jayson Jacoby
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
Some rural property owners in Baker
Valley could save money on their fi re
insurance due to the Baker Rural Fire
Protection District’s effort to augment
its fi refi ghting capabilities.
The District, which includes much
of the unincorporated parts of Baker
Valley south of Haines and north and
west of Baker City, has improved its
Insurance Services Offi ce (ISO) rating
from 8B to 5, said Sean Lee, chief of the
volunteer district.
Some insurance companies — but not
all — base their rates in part on the ISO
rating, said Collin Kaseberg, president of
the board of directors for the fi re district.
He urges property owners in the
RODEO
Continued from Page 1A
Cutler said Miners Jubilee
and the rodeo events are
mutually supportive, each
drawing audiences for the
other.
district to check with their insurance
provider on whether the district’s rating
change could result in a rate cut.
Kaseberg said the ISO bases its rating
on multiple factors, including the level of
equipment and training of the depart-
ment that provides fi re protection for a
property.
He said one of the ISO’s main issues
when it rated the Baker Rural Fire Pro-
tection District was the volume of water
the district could put on a fi re.
According to the ISO’s website, to
qualify for a rating lower than 8B, a
district must be able to supply at least
250 gallons per minute for a two-hour
duration, and the water must be avail-
able within fi ve minutes of the arrival of
the fi rst engine.
As for Miners Jubilee,
which also was canceled in
2020, Cutler said she has be-
gun planning the event and
she is optimistic given recent
trends of declining COVID-19
infections and increasing
number of vaccinations.
“We have to plan now,” Cut-
ler said. “We can’t wait until
May or June.”
Cutler said the key to hav-
ing the Jubilee is the state
lifting its current limitations
on the number of people at-
tending outdoor events.
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The limit is 300 people for
counties at the lowest of the
four risk levels, which Baker
County likely will return to
on Friday, March 26. At the
county’s current risk level
of moderate, the limit is 150
people.
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To meet that standard, Kaseberg said
the Baker Rural district recently bought
two used pumper tender trucks, one ca-
pable of hauling 3,000 gallons of water,
the other 2,500 gallons.
Those tenders can either serve as
a tender, supplying water to other
fi refi ghting apparatus, or act as pumper
trucks, as each is equipped with a pump,
Kaseberg said.
The dual-purpose nature of the trucks
is vital in a rural district since it, unlike,
say, Baker City, doesn’t have a system
of fi re hydrants to provide a constant
supply of water.
Kaseberg said the district’s volunteer
fi refi ghters had weekly drills for about
two months to prepare for the ISO
review that led to the rating change.
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Free online training for landlords,
housing providers scheduled April 6
The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) and
the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District
are co-hosting a free online training for landlords and
housing providers.
The training will cover current fair housing laws,
COVID-19 and best practices in rental housing and
the Oregon eviction moratorium.
The training will be April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon via
Zoom. Registration is required. For more information
or to receive information about registration, contact
Lisa Dawson at lisadawson@neoedd.org or Glenda
Moyer at gmoyer@fhco.org.
State Sen. Lynn Findley, Rep. Mark
Owens plan virtual town hall March 24
Baker County’s two state legislators, Sen. Lynn
Findley, R-Vale, and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane,
will participate in a virtual town hall with another
representative, Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, on
Wednesday, March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. More
information, including ways to participate in the on-
line town hall, is available at Findley’s Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/senlynnfi ndley.
JAILED
Saturday, police found
a silver 2008 Chevrolet
Continued from Page 1A
Impala that is connected
A woman told police
to Arenas and that had
that she was driving, with crash damage consistent
her two minor children
with the collision earlier
in the car, when another
that day.
vehicle crashed into her
Police interviewed
car and then drove away. Arenas at his home about
The driver and one of
8 p.m. Saturday. Offi cers
her children sustained
recognized him as a man
minor injuries, and her car who had walked past the
had to be towed.
accident scene during the
Police identifi ed Arenas investigation, according to
as a suspect “with com-
the press release.
munity help along with
According to the press
anonymous reports,”
release, Arenas admitted
according to the press
to being the other driver,
release.
and police arrested him at
About 7:45 p.m. on
8:08 p.m.
H EART TO H EART
Mounted Posse grateful to continued
support for Youth Trail Ride
Since 1964 the Baker County Mounted Posse has
conducted a kids trail ride for the youth of Baker County.
Unfortunately we were unable to enjoy this adventure
in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we
weren’t able to have our trail ride and campout, our local
and distant supporters were still behind us to support
the youth of Baker County!
Many of these supporters have donated the greatly
appreciated donations of goods, services and monies
year after year for our continued activities. We, the Posse
and participants, would like to take this opportunity to
graciously thank everyone involved in our continued
efforts to give the youth of Baker County the oppor-
tunity to enjoy the horsemanship, games, wilderness
education and all around fun and games that the trail
ride offers. Following is a list of new and continued
donators for the Baker County Mounted Posse Youth
Trail Ride:
Janet Midkiff (in memory of Dave); Diana Corrigan
(in memory of Jim); Blatchford Farms Inc.; Black’s Dis-
tributing Inc.; Elkhorn Auxiliary 3456 F.O.E; F.O.E. 3456
Eagles Aerie; Jeffery and Colleen Collier; Cheryl Webb
(in memory of Dennis Hanby); Marian Radabaugh; Todd
Neakly; Robbins Farm Equipment; S&S Auto Center;
Baker City Electric; O’Neal’s Auto Repair; 5 Star Towing;
Maxine Cole; Baker Botanicals; Burger Bob’s Drive-In;
Cheri Smith; Cooks Radiator; Martin Financial; Betty’s
Books; The Main Event; Peterson’s Chocolates; J. Tabor
Jewelry; Elkhorn Embroidery; Off the Rack; Oregon
Trail Restaurant; The Bearded Dog; Cody’s General
Store; Premiere Auto Body; Haines Steakhouse; El Er-
radero restaurant; Precision Import Auto Repair; Gaslin
Accounting; Trader Ray’s; Baker Vision Clinic; Thatch-
er’s Ace Hardware; Dan Van Thiel; The Hen House LLC;
Silven, Schmeits and Vaughan; Marvin Wood Products.
Many of these donors have supported the Trail Ride
for many years. We, the Posse, appreciate all of you that
have supported us through donations, as well as our fun-
draising efforts such as chuckwagon sales, gun shows,
etc. All of our members and volunteers without which
we would not be able to have our trail ride for the youth
of Baker County.
Keith Radabaugh
Baker City
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