A2 — BAKER CITY HERALD
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
State to test water for toxic ‘forever chemicals’
By ALEX WITTWER
EO Media Group
BAKER COUNTY CALENDAR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Burnt River Irrigation District board of directors:
Executive session meeting, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oxford
Suites motel meeting room at 2400 S.W. Court Place in
Pendleton.
TURNING BACK THE PAGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
November 18, 1971
More than 500 Oregon cattlemen are expected to
hear NASA astronaut Charles Fullerton give the keynote
address at the 58th annual convention of the Oregon
Cattlemen’s Association, to be held in Portland Thursday
through Saturday.
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
November 18, 1996
Two members of the Baker High School track and fi eld
team have been selected to participate in an International
Sports Exchange trip to China next summer.
Sarah Cotton and Jason Wright were asked to partici-
pate following their performance at last season’s Class 3A
meet in Eugene.
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
November 18, 2011
A purple sign on the wall of the Baker City Pharmacy
provides a comforting message to all who enter: “Stay
Calm and Carry On.”
Those running the Baker City Pharmacy are trying to do
just that as they hook up machines and stack merchandise
on the shelves.
The former home of the Baker City Pill Box will reopen
under the new name — and local ownership — as early as
Monday.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
November 19, 2020
The snow, nearly 2 feet deep, hid the reality only until
Wes Morgan lowered the snowplow blade.
The metal scraped not only the newfallen snow near
Morgan’s Sumpter Valley home, but it also peeled off
chunks of the desiccated ground beneath.
And the drought’s effects were again revealed.
“That snow basically fell on dry ground,” Morgan said
on Tuesday, Nov. 17. “It darn near fell on dust.”
Which is not to say that Morgan is complaining about
the pair of storms last week that brought unusually copi-
ous quantities of snow for the fi rst half of November.
He has a particular interest in snow.
Morgan manages the Burnt River Irrigation District in
southern Baker County.
The meltwater that trickles from mountain snowdrifts
each spring and summer fi lls Unity Reservoir — the lone
impoundment in Morgan’s district — and keeps irrigation
ditches fl owing and sprinklers spraying on alfalfa fi elds.
“We’re off to a good start,” he said. “It’s nice to get some
moisture in the ground. We could use a good winter.”
The summer and fall have been anything but good.
Most of Baker County is in either severe or moderate
drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
OREGON LOTTERY
MEGABUCKS, Nov. 15
MEGA MILLIONS, Nov. 16
WIN FOR LIFE, Nov. 15
8 — 29 — 39 — 63
PICK 4, Nov. 16
• 1 p.m.: 4 — 9 — 1 — 5
• 4 p.m.: 6 — 3 — 6 — 2
• 7 p.m.: 6 — 6 — 5 — 0
• 10 p.m.: 5 — 4 — 6 — 1
LUCKY LINES, Nov. 16
6 — 22 — 44 — 53 — 65
3-8-10-15-20-22-27-32
4 —11 — 14 — 18 — 22 — 48
Next jackpot: $5.8 million
POWERBALL, Nov. 15
5 — 31 — 34 — 51 — 53 PB 23
Next jackpot: $190 million
Mega
3
Next jackpot: $74 million
Next jackpot: $19,000
SENIOR MENUS
FRIDAY: Baked ziti, garlic bread, carrots, green salad, ice
cream
MONDAY (Nov. 22): Chicken strips, mashed potatoes
with gravy, corn, biscuits, coleslaw, cookies
TUESDAY (Nov. 23): Baked ham, scalloped potatoes,
rolls, mixed vegetables, ambrosia, pudding
WEDNESDAY (Nov. 24): Spaghetti, garlic breadsticks,
broccoli, green salad, birthday cake
THURSDAY, FRIDAY (Nov. 25, 26): Closed both days
MONDAY (Nov. 29): Hot beef sandwiches, mashed
potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, carrot-raisin salad,
pudding
Public luncheon at the Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St., from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $5 donation (60 and older), $7.50
for those under 60.
CONTACT THE HERALD
2005 Washington Ave., Suite 101
Open Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4:30 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 2005 Washington Ave., Suite
101 (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
The state of Oregon plans to test 150
drinking water systems across the state for
the presence of PFAS, or per- and polyfl uo-
rinated substances.
Of those 150 sites to be tested, 17 are
in Northeastern Oregon, including 11
in Umatilla County, and two in Union
County. Baker, Grant, Morrow and Wal-
lowa counties each have just one testing
site. The locations were chosen due to their
proximity to known or suspected PFAS use
or contamination sites.
Those testing sites include the cities
of Irrigon, Pendleton, Milton-Freewater,
Elgin, John Day and Joseph. Other sites
include the Ash Grove Cement manufac-
turing site in Durkee, the Amazon data
center in Hermiston and the Sacajawea
Mobile Home Park in La Grande.
This is not the fi rst time that Oregon
has tested its water systems for the
presence of the chemicals. Between 2013
and 2015, a study from the OHA tested
all major public drinking water systems
in Oregon cities with more than 10,000
residents found no detections of PFAS. So
far, Oregonians do not seem to be exposed
Linda Patt on
Baker City, 1948-2021
Linda Ruth (Dennis) Patton
73, of Baker City, died Oct. 9,
2021, at Saint
Alphonsus
Regional
Medical Cen-
ter in Boise.
Linda was
born on April
30, 1948, in
Linda Patton
Roseburg.
Linda was the oldest child of
Kelsey D. and Patricia R. Den-
nis. Later in 1948 the family
moved back to Baker where the
family still resides. In 1952 the
family moved to Juneau in the
territory of Alaska. In 1954 the
family moved back to Baker.
Linda’s father built a family
home on 17th Street in Baker
and they lived there until 1962
when they moved to Dry Creek
Road where her father built
another beautiful home.
She attended school in
Baker and was a very good
student. In 1966 Linda mar-
ried Ray Balderston and in
1969 they had their daughter,
Sheila. In 1970 Linda and Ray
divorced.
Later Linda met and mar-
ried Roger Patton to whom
she was married for many
years. Linda and Roger had a
daughter, Thaya Patton. Linda
and Roger lived in Baker and
then moved to Irrigon, and later
to the Portland area.
Linda moved back to Baker
in 2017. Linda was a very tal-
ented person and excelled in all
that she did. She was a wonder-
ful mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother and sister. She
was an amazing homemaker,
an accomplished watercolor
and oil painter, a seamstress
and she loved to grow fl owers
and garden. She also collected
antiques and loved to bake. Her
home was always decorated
with fascinating collectibles
and artwork. Linda was a very
to these chemicals in harmful amounts
through their water, according to the Or-
egon Health Authority.
The Oregon Department of Environ-
mental Quality, in partnership with the
Oregon Health Authority, will be conduct-
ing the testing. The 150 sites to be tested
is up from the 65 tested between 2013
and 2015, and now includes smaller rural
communities and cities. The test will now
include up to 25 PFAS chemicals, up from
the six tested in the 2013-2015 study. The
cooperative between the DEQ and OHA
seeks to crack down on PFAS contamina-
tion that could end up in drinking water, a
primary concern to both agencies.
PFAS is a family of chemicals that do
not break down in the environment or in
human bodies. Health risks from long-term
exposure to PFAS chemicals can affect
growth, learning and behavior of infants
and children, reduce a woman’s chance of
getting pregnant, interfere with the body’s
hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect
the immune system and increase the risk
of cancer. The chemicals have been used
since the 1940s and are found in thou-
sands of household and commercial items,
such as nonstick pots and pans, waterproof
OBITUARIES
clothing and fi refi ghting foam agents.
Some plants, such as grasses, can
absorb contamination when they are fertil-
ized with PFAS-containing biosolids from
wastewater treatment plants. This has
resulted in cows producing contaminated
milk in some dairy farms in the U.S. There
is also evidence that when surface water
is contaminated, certain PFAS compounds
can bioaccumulate in fi sh.
The analysis is being paid for through
an EPA grant and will be done at no cost
to the water systems of local cities. The
DEQ’s laboratory will analyze drinking
water samples from selected public water
systems for 25 PFAS compounds.
While there are no enforceable regula-
tions regarding PFAS usage, the EPA has
set a chronic lifetime health advisory for
drinking water of 70 parts per trillion.
The OHA has developed its own health
advisory levels for PFAS in drinking water
that are lower than EPA’s, with the OHA’s
advisory set at 30 parts per trillion.
If tested, most people in the U.S. would
have PFAS measured in their blood, ac-
cording to the OHA. However, testing for
PFAS exposure is expensive, and not likely
to be covered by insurance.
School in 1963, playing basket- and the ranch was seen every
ball and being active in his FFA day of his life through his
integrity and hard work. He
chapter.
After high school he attend- instilled these qualities in his
ed Blue Mountain Community children and grandchildren.
College for two years. During This can be seen as the fourth
generation of Morrises are
his college days, he worked
operating the ranch.
nights at the railroad. After
His most recent pride and
college, he moved home to
help run the family ranch and joy was his John Deere side-by-
worked at John Deere as the side that he patiently waited
for 10 months to get. If you
parts man.
Larry married Elaine Corn- ventured out to Missouri Flats,
you would have seen him “pa-
ing and had three children,
Dan, Jeff and Lori. They estab- trolling” the neighborhood with
lished their home on Lindley
a huge smile on his face.
Lane, raising their children
His last greatest accom-
until they divorced in 1976.
plishment was a 5-point bull
Larry continued to work on the elk he harvested six days before
ranch and raise cattle.
he passed away.
He later met and fell in love
Larry is survived by his
with Rochelle (Rocky) Jones,
wife of 41 years, Rocky Morris;
and they married in 1980. He his three children, Dan Morris
loved to play basketball and
of Baker City, Jeff Morris of
played in many tournaments. Baker City, and Lori Hamilton
He also loved to bowl back in
of Sheridan; his grandchildren,
the day and could be found at Drew Morris and his wife,
Larry Morris
many bowling tournaments.
Jessica, Morgan Sherman and
He loved to hunt and fi sh
her husband, Danny, Jake
Baker City, 1944-2021
Morris, Justin Morris, Marissa
Larry Wayne Morris, 77, a with family and friends. He
longtime Baker City resident, loved taking the kids and
Voigt and her husband, Jordan;
grandkids on his pontoon boat and four great-grandchildren,
died Nov. 13,
every chance he got.
2021, doing
Louise and Landon Voigt and
You could always fi nd a
exactly what
Kaitlyn and Michael Wilson.
mean dog sitting in the front
he loved,
He was preceded in death
seat of his pickup or lying in
preparing for
by his parents, Wayne and
the middle of the road in front Anna Morris; and his sister
an elk hunt
of his house. He would choose a and brother-in-law, Darrell and
with family.
A celebra-
Larry Morris hot dog over a T-bone steak and Bertha Bales.
you could always fi nd a can of
tion of his life
For those who would like
will take place Saturday, Nov. Vienna sausages in his truck. to make a memorial donation
Larry “retired” in 2020,
20 at 11 a.m. at the Baker
in honor of Larry the family
but could still be found in a
City Nazarene Church, 1250
suggests Hunt of a Lifetime
Hughes Lane. A potluck recep- swather or on a rake from
through Tami’s Pine Valley
tion will immediately follow the time to time. Larry never
Funeral Home & Cremation
service at the church’s Family missed an opportunity to stop Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway,
Life Center. Please share your for a quick chat with a friend OR 97834. Online condolences
memories and stories of Larry in the middle of the road.
can be shared at www.tamispi-
Larry’s devotion to family nevalleyfuneralhome.com.
as we celebrate a life well lived.
Larry was born on Oct. 24,
1944, to Wayne and Anna Mor-
Jay & Kristin Wilson, Owners
2036 Main Street, Baker City
ris of Malheur City. Larry and
541-523-6284 • ccb#219615
his family moved to Bridge-
port when he was a year old.
They moved to Lindley Lane
in Baker City in 1958. Larry
graduated from Baker High
kind, honest and generous
person who loved to give gifts,
she especially loved Christmas
and always gave the best gifts.
Linda was very much loved and
will be dearly missed.
Linda is survived by her two
daughters, Sheila Balderston
Young of Dundee, Oregon, and
Thaya Patton of Portland; two
grandchildren; three great-
grandchildren; her sister, Val-
erie Russell of Medical Springs;
her brothers, Stephen Dennis of
Durkee, and Kelsey E. Dennis
of Yuma, Arizona.
For those who would like to
make a donation in memory
of Linda, the family suggest
St. Jude’s Chiildren’s Hospital
through Tami’s Pine Valley
Funeral Home & Cremation
Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway,
OR 97834. Online condolences
can be shared at www.tamis-
pinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
NEWS OF RECORD
DEATHS
Ruthella Crim: 87, of
Baker City, died Nov. 14, 2021, at
Meadowbrook Place. Arrange-
ments are under the direction of
Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Cha-
pel. Memorial contributions can
be made to Shriners Children’s
Hospital through Gray’s West Co
& Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey
Ave., Baker City, OR, 97814.
POLICE LOG
Baker City Police
Arrests, citations
CONTEMPT OF COURT
(Baker County Justice Court
warrant): Brian Anthony Here-
dia, 32, Baker City, 9:20 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the 1700
block of Valley Avenue; cited and
released.
SECOND-DEGREE CRIMINAL
TRESPASSING (Baker County
Justice Court warrant): Timothy
Kelly Slaney, 32, Baker City,
2:09 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 at
13th and K streets; cited and
released.
CONTEMPT OF COURT
(Baker County Justice Court
warrant): Melissa Jean Lattymer,
36, Baker City, 1:49 p.m. Tuesday
at 10th and Broadway streets;
cited and released.
Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce
Arrests, citations
THIRD-DEGREE THEFT:
Pearl Naomi Adair, 41, Baker
City, 6:48 p.m. Thursday, Nov.
16 at Baker County Jail, where
she was in custody on other
charges.
Mobile Service
Showing Movies Since 1940!
1809 1st Street • Baker City
November 19-24
GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE
(PG-13)
Friday
4:10, 7:10
Sat & Sun 1:00, 4:10, 7:10
Mon& Tues 7:10
Wed & Thurs 4:10, 7:10
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG
(PG)
Friday
4:20, 7:20
Sat & Sun 1:10, 4:20, 7:20
Mon & Tues 7:20
ETERNALS
(PG-13)
Friday
3:45, 7:00
Sat & Sun 12:30, 3:45, 7:00
Mon & Tues 7:00
OPENS WEDNESDAY, 11/24:
ENCANTO (PG)
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