A2 BAKER CITY HERALD • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022
Local
TURNING BACK THE PAGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
February 5, 1972
ONTARIO — Popping in nine of their last 13 free throw
attempts, the Baker Bulldogs spurted away 69-59 from the
rugged Tigers here Friday night to regain sole possession
of the Intermountain League’s number one slot.
Pendleton, the IC’s former top squad, ran aground in
Hermiston 60-48.
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
February 5, 1997
The Baker City Golf Board on Thursday will discuss the
possibility of selling 16 acres south of the site where the
city has proposed to expand its municipal golf course from
nine to 18 holes.
If the city sells the land, which is part of a 60-acre
parcel south of Indiana Avenue and west of the existing
course, it would use the money to help build the new
nine holes.
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
February 6, 2012
The Baker County Zoning and Subdivision draft
ordinance is ready for public review.
Planning Commissioners and the county staff spent
about fi ve years working on the draft and have held
numerous hearings, said Mark Bennett, planning director.
“We hope it’s more user friendly,” Bennett said of
the draft, which will update the current ordinance writen
nearly 30 years ago in 1983. “The (planning) commission
believes we’ve reached that balance between (property
owners’) legal rights versus the needs of the community.”
Easier-to-understand explanations should make
the permitting process simpler for people who want to
subdivide, develop or purchase property in the county’s
unincorporated areas.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
February 6, 2021
Monday, Feb. 1, marked a new day for Oregon to stand
in the national spotlight.
This time the state is gaining attention as the fi rst to
decriminalize multiple drugs under the Drug Addiction
Treatment and Recovery Act.
The new law was passed by voters in November 2020
as Ballot Measure 110.
Baker County’s top law enforcement offi cers say that
although they didn’t support the measure, they hope it
results in people who use drugs getting treatment.
As explained in the ballot statement, the measure
“eliminates criminal penalties for possession of specifi ed
quantities of controlled substances by adults and
juveniles.”
Those amounts are:
• Heroin, 1 gram or less
• Cocaine, 2 grams or less
• Methamphetamine, 2 grams or less
• MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), less than 1
gram or fi ve pills
• LSD, less than 40 user units
• Psilocybin, less than 12 grams
•Methadone, less than 40 user units
• Oxycodone, less than 40 pills, tablets or capsules.
The ballot measure was approved statewide by a vote
of 1,333,268 (58.46%) in favor and 947,313 (41.54%)
opposed.
In Baker County, meanwhile, voters soundly rejected
the measure by a margin of 5,956 (62.4%) to 3,590
(37.6%).
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SENIOR MENUS
MONDAY (Feb. 7): Chicken strips, mashed potatoes with
gravy, mixed vegetables, biscuits, green salad, pudding
TUESDAY (Feb. 8): Ground beef steak with onions, red
potatoes, rolls, broccoli-and-bacon salad, brownies
WEDNESDAY (Feb. 9): Chicken fried steak mashed potatoes
with gravy, rolls, green beans, ambrosia, cookies
THURSDAY (Feb. 10): Sweet and sour chicken, rice, mixed
vegetables, rolls, green salad, tapioca
FRIDAY (Feb. 11): Beef pot roast, red potatoes, peas and
carrots, rolls, coleslaw, cherry cheesecake
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
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Open Monday through Friday
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Telephone: 541-523-3673
Fax: 541-833-6414
Publisher
Karrine Brogoitti
kbrogoitti@lagrandeobserver.com
Jayson Jacoby, editor
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
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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
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(P.O. Box 807), Baker City, OR 97814.
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Postmaster: Send address changes to
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Periodicals Postage Paid
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Copyright © 2022
‘Please donate blood. Now.’
Hospital fared better than other
hospitals in the region, accord-
ing to the hospital’s president,
Harold Geller, who noted the
hospital was well stocked.
“There is always a concern,
pandemic or not,” he said.
“We here at St. Anthony have
taken steps to be prepared as
best as possible.”
Even still, Geller did not
mince words about the na-
tional shortage.
“Please donate blood,” he
said. “Now.”
Red Cross
reports serious
blood shortage
BY ALEX WITTWER
EO Media Group
EASTERN OREGON —
Blood doesn’t last long. Platelets
last only five days, according to
the American Red Cross, while
red blood cells will last up to 42
days. Plasma can last up to one
year if frozen. Nor can blood
be manufactured; the supply of
blood relies entirely on donors
rolling up their sleeves.
The American Red Cross,
which held a nationwide blood
drive in January including in
Baker City and at several other
blood donation stations in East-
ern Oregon, reports it is facing
a blood crisis. The organiza-
tion’s website stated its blood
supply is at the lowest levels in
more than a decade. The alarm
was sounded last month during
National Blood Donor month.
“While some types of medi-
cal care can wait, others can’t,”
said Dr. Pampee Young, chief
medical officer of the Red
Cross. “Hospitals are still see-
ing accident victims, cancer pa-
tients, those with blood disor-
ders, like sickle cell disease, and
individuals who are seriously
ill who all need blood transfu-
sions to live even as omicron
cases surge across the country.
We’re doing everything we can
to increase blood donations to
ensure every patient can receive
medical treatments without
delay. We cannot do it without
more donors. We need the help
of the American people.”
Samantha O’Conner/Baker City Herald, File
Dan Lyon donated blood on Nov. 9, 2021, in Baker City.
your community and help en-
sure a stable blood supply for
local hospitals.”
It is unclear to what degree
the pandemic has affected the
amount of blood donations.
Some areas, such as La Grande
and Baker City, have experi-
enced an uptick in donations
this year in comparison to other
areas in the region. Still, the
American Red Cross noted that
nationwide blood donations
have gone down 10% since the
beginning of the pandemic.
“We have experienced critical
blood supply issues in the past
months. We have had no units
of O-negative on the shelf two
times and zero O-positive one
time,” said Ronda Reisdorph, a
laboratory manager at Herm-
iston’s Good Shepherd Medical
Center. “We have been running
with less than minimum thresh-
olds in the past few months and
no chance for restocking even
with emergent cases.”
While the medical center ex-
pects to receive an increased
Local hospitals react
supply over the coming weeks
to shortage
to supplement its stockpile,
The national blood shortage there’s no indication that the
has hit uneven ground in East- national blood shortage will im-
ern Oregon, with area hospi-
prove in the near future.
tals reporting their blood sup-
The American Red Cross
ply falling below critical levels. supplies approximately 40% of
Most hospitals are han-
the nation’s blood supply, ac-
dling it well, given the circum- cording to the organization, and
stances, while others have be- some hospitals might receive as
gun to feel the effects. Most
little as 25% of their requested
blood that is donated goes to
blood supplies in the com-
local hospitals, according to
ing weeks. Hospitals normally
Caitlin Cozad, marketing and keep a steady supply of blood
communications director for
for routine procedures but can
Good Shepherd Health Care
request more in the event of a
System in Hermiston.
mass casualty or injury event.
“Community support of
Since much of the blood
American Red Cross blood
that arrives in hospitals comes
drives is essential to return
from the arms of local com-
our blood supply to pre-
munity members, due to
COVID minimum stocking
the large turnout for Union
numbers,” she said. “We espe- County blood drives, some lo-
cially need O-negative donors. cal hospitals have fared better
This is one way you can serve in the national crisis.
Mardi Ford, director of com-
munications at Grande Ronde
Hospital in La Grande, credited
the work of husband and wife
duo Linda and Sheldon Strand,
who run La Grande’s Ameri-
can Red Cross blood drives, as
a key factor in ensuring Grande
Ronde Hospital has an adequate
blood supply. Ford said the
hospital works closely with the
American Red Cross and has an
internal system that is used to
track blood supply levels.
Ford said the hospital had
only a couple instances in the
past few years where blood
supplies reached critical levels.
“We are proactive in mak-
ing sure that we have what we
need to serve our patients,” she
said. “That’s one of the beau-
ties of being small and inde-
pendent. We have options on
how we’re able to do things.”
Wallowa Memorial Hospi-
tal in Enterprise recently re-
ceived shipments where the
requested blood supply was
not provided.
“Fortunately, we work with
the Red Cross on a blood rota-
tion to keep us at optimal levels
and have held on to a supply
of the shorted products,” said
Brooke Pace, director of com-
munications and public rela-
tions. “We do this to ensure that
nothing is wasted because of out-
dating. We can still transfer units
to regional hospitals in our area
if dating becomes a concern.”
Stefanie Davidson, Wallowa
Memorial Hospital’s lab direc-
tor, urged residents to donate
blood amid the growing na-
tional shortage, even as local
supplies remain steady.
“Even though we still have
an above critical supply, the
national shortage is a concern,
and we would like to encour-
age anyone who can to get out
and donate,” she said.
Pendleton’s CHI St. Anthony
Changing the rules
The blood crisis has renewed
an effort by lawmakers to change
rules regarding donations by
those in the LGBTQ community.
Senators from across the
nation signed a letter on Jan.
14 urging the Food and Drug
Administration to change the
rules to allow men in same-sex
relationships to donate blood.
In total, 22 senators signed their
names to the letter, including
Democratic Oregon Sens. Ron
Wyden and Jeff Merkley.
“In light of the nation’s ur-
gent blood supply crisis and to
ensure that Americans have ac-
cess to life-saving blood trans-
fusions during the pandemic,
we urge you to swiftly update
your current blood donor de-
ferral policies in favor of ones
that are grounded in science,
based on individualized risk
factors, and allow all potentially
eligible donors to do so free
of stigma,” the senators wrote
Department of Health and Hu-
man Services Secretary Xavier
Becerra and FDA Acting Com-
missioner Janet Woodcock.
In 1983, the federal govern-
ment placed a lifetime ban on
gay men from donating blood,
at the height of the HIV/AIDS
scares of the 1980s. Those
rules were relaxed in 2015 by
requiring one year of absti-
nence, and then reduced fur-
ther to three months in 2020.
The letter noted that advances
in testing technologies would
allow for gay and bisexual men
to safely donate blood, and crit-
icized the time-based guidelines
that perpetuates stereotypes.
“It is critical that all patients
have access to the health care
services they need during this
pandemic, and for many, the
availability of blood and blood
products is a necessary com-
ponent of care,” the letter said.
“Unfortunately, a significant
drop in the number of dona-
tions during the COVID-19
pandemic has resulted in a seri-
ous shortage of available blood.”
Author to discuss ‘The Salem Clique’
week she will share its
Monthly lecture next
story during a talk at the
series at Baker Baker Heritage Museum.
visit is part of the muse-
Heritage Museum um’ Her
s monthly lecture series. It
resumes Feb. 8 begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8,
BY LISA BRITTON
lbritton@bakercityherald.com
Barbara Mahoney spent
about six years researching
and writing her book, and
at the museum, 2480 Grove St.
The talk will be based on
Mahoney’s book, “The Salem
Clique: Oregon’s Founding
Brothers.”
In addition to “The Sa-
lem Clique,” Mahoney wrote
“Dispatches and Dictators,” a
biography of Oregon native
Ralph Barnes who was a for-
eign correspondent in Europe
in the 1930s. This book won
the Oregon Book Award for
Literary Nonfiction in 2003.
She’s also contributed en-
tries to the Oregon Encyclo-
pedia. Her books are available
at osupress.oregonstate.edu.
Following Mahoney’s talk, at
7 p.m., the museum will have
treats to celebrate Oregon’s
163rd birthday, which is Feb.
14. Visitors will also get a sneak
peek at the new Oregon Trail
Experience exhibit designed by
the National Historic Oregon
Trail Interpretive Center, which
will have a presence at the mu-
seum while NHOTIC is closed
for a multi-year renovation.
Arrests, citations
CONTEMPT OF COURT (Baker County
Justice Court warrant): Andrew Jay
Culley, 33, Baker City, 9:11 p.m. Thursday,
Feb. 3, at Campbell and First streets; cited
and released.
SECOND-DEGREE CRIMINAL
TRESPASSING: Juanita Marie Kasinger, 55,
Baker City, 3:27 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in
the 2300 block of Washington Avenue;
cited and released.
Oregon State Police
Arrests, citations
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
INTOXICANTS: Luis Mario Coronado
Escamilla, 43, Pendleton, 11:43 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 1, on Interstate 84,
Milepost 331 eastbound; jailed.
News of Record
DEATHS
James LeRoy Yankey: 72, of North
Powder, died Feb. 2, 2022, at Oregon
Health & Sciende University Hospital in
Portland. Arrangements are under the
direction of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer
Chapel. To leave an online condolence
for James’ family, go to www.
grayswestco.com.
Daniel R. Doucette: 68, of Baker City,
died Jan. 30, 2022, at Saint Alphonsus
Medical Center in Baker City. At his
request, cremation was held, and
services are under the direction of
Coles Tribute Center. To light a candle
in Daniel’s memory, go to www.
colestributecenter.com.
Barbara L. Sherman: 80, a lifelong
Happy
50
th
Baker City resident, died Jan. 31, 2022,
at Settler’s Park. A memorial service will
take place in April. Services are under
the direction of Coles Tribute Center. To
light a candle in Barbara’s memory, go to
www.colestributecenter.com.
POLICE LOG
Baker City Police
“You’ll love the work we do. I guarantee it.” - JR
225 H Street • East of I-84 • 541-523-3200 • grumpysrepair.com
Mobile
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50 years with an open house!
Saturday, February 12th
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Veteran’s Memorial Club
2005 Valley, Baker City
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