A2 BAKER CITY HERALD • SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022
Local
TURNING BACK THE PAGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
June 11, 1972
Vandals chalked up nearly $11,000 worth of damage
to recreational facilities on ranger districts of the Wallowa-
Whitman National Forest last year, according to Stuart
Hanna, in charge of recreation, fi re and lands.
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
June 11, 1997
(Photo caption): Phillips Reservoir, southwest of Baker
City, was near a record level Tuesday due to snowmelt
from the Elkhorn Mountains and surounding areas. The
reservoir is holding 84,000 acre-feet of water. Water
begins running over the spillway when the level reaches
90,050 acre-feet. Phillips has held more water just once
since it was built in 1968, said Jim Colton, manager of
the Baker Valley Irrigation District. In 1983 the reservoir
level exceeded 86,000 acre-feet. The reservoir will begin
dropping slowly later this month, Colton said. He recently
reduced the outfl ow from Mason Dam to prevent fl ooding
of pasture lands downstream from Baker City.
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
June 11, 2012
Baker City Police were out in full force over the
weekend, prepared to respond to any problems that might
arise in association with the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally.
And while offi cers were kept busy Friday through
Sunday, most of the incidents they were called to did not
involve any of the thousands of visitors in town for the
annual rally, Police Chief Wyn Lohner said today.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
June 12, 2021
Joel McCraw needed to fi nd someone willing to spend
the summer atop a mountain that has a three-state view
but is far out of sight of any coffee shop or grocery store.
His task wasn’t as daunting as it might sound, thanks
in part to Facebook.
The job is fi re lookout on Mount Ireland. The 8,346-foot
peak is the apex of a granitic shoulder that extends several
miles west from the spine of the Elkhorn Mountains and
forms the divide between the Powder River and North Fork
John Day River basins as well as the boundary between
Baker and Grant counties.
Mount Ireland is one of more than a dozen
prominences in Northeastern Oregon where the traditional
method of fi nding wildfi res — a person working inside a tiny
building on a high point, looking for the telltale tendril of
smoke — persists.
Several decades ago there were more than 50 lookouts
in the region that were staffed each summer.
But over time, with surveillance by airplane more
feasible, and a proliferation of roads making it easier for
fi re crews to access remote areas, most lookouts were
closed, and many removed.
Mount Ireland remains a valuable cog in the fi re-
detection system in part because of its elevation — if you
head west from the peak you won’t hit a higher summit
until you get to the Cascades.
But its location is also ideal, said McCraw, the fi re
management offi cer for the Wallowa-Whitman National
Forest’s Whitman District.
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SENIOR MENUS
MONDAY (June 13): Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes
with gravy, mixed vegetables, rolls, green salad, pudding
TUESDAY (June 14): Roasted turkey with gravy, stuffi ng,
carrots, rolls, macaroni salad, cookies
WEDNESDAY (June 15): Taco salad, sour cream and salsa,
tortilla chips, carrot-raisin salad, brownies
THURSDAY (June 16): Chicken and gravy over biscuits, corn,
cottage cheese with fruit, cheesecake
FRIDAY (June 17): Breaded pork loin, au gratin potatoes,
broccoli, rolls, green salad, cookies
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.
Jobless rate plummets, workers still needed
BY MARK BOGART
For the Baker City Herald
The Baker County YMCA
needs lifeguards in order to
teach swimming lessons.
The hospital, clinics, and
care centers need nurses to care
for patients.
Schools need teachers and
support staff to educate, super-
vise and support students.
Industries need workers to
produce the products people
need and want.
The list goes on to nearly ev-
ery segment of the economy,
from construction and manu-
facturing to child care and cus-
tomer service. And the short-
ages are evident across Oregon
and the United States.
So, where have all the work-
ers gone?
The short answer is that
most have gone back to work.
In fact, the Oregon Employ-
ment Department recently
reported that Baker County’s
seasonally adjusted unem-
ployment rate for April was
4% — the lowest level ever
recorded.
The rate for Oregon
dropped to 3.7%, and the na-
tional rate is at 3.6%. Those
numbers are based on a statis-
tical analysis of data reflecting
the size of the workforce and
the number of employed peo-
ple, said Chris Rich, an econ-
omist with the Employment
Department who works in
Eastern Oregon. Rich empha-
sized that the unemployment
rate is different from the num-
ber of people receiving unem-
ployment benefits, which has
also dropped significantly.
A corresponding growth
in employment adds some
clarity to the situation. The
number of people employed
in Baker County grew from
7,028 a year ago to 7,411
in April 2022. Across Ore-
gon, employment rose from
2,020,483 to 2,122,538.
The predicament is more
complicated than many peo-
ISSN-8756-6419
Serving Baker County since 1870
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Karrine Brogoitti
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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.
ple believe. Much of the ex-
planation begins, but doesn’t
end, with the COVID-19 pan-
demic. Baker County’s unem-
ployment rate hit a peak of
10.9% in April 2020 as many
people left their jobs or were
laid off due to outbreaks,
business closures, and fear of
exposure to the virus. Some
found it impossible to work
while caring for and homes-
chooling their children. Day-
care, which was expensive and
hard to find, also became less
reliable due to the virus.
Now, with over 70% of
the country fully vaccinated
against COVID-19 and many
people with natural immu-
nity from prior exposure,
workers are again in demand.
Businesses, schools and
events have returned to lev-
els not seen since 2020. “Help
Wanted” and “Now Hiring”
signs and ads seem to be ev-
erywhere. To compete for
workers, many employers
have raised wages and bene-
fits, offered signing bonuses,
and increased recruiting ef-
forts. Some have offered more
flexible schedules or working
arrangements. Others have
changed business models to
reduce their payrolls (reduced
business hours, more self-ser-
vice, etc.)
Rich points out that many
of the worker shortages ex-
isted before the pandemic hit.
In early 2020, unemployment
rates were also hitting record
lows. Now, after a two-year
break, the trend in employ-
ment growth has resumed.
One complication of the
economic shifts was the so-
called “Great Resignation,”
which applied to the unprec-
edented numbers of workers
who voluntarily left their jobs
during the past two years. A
large percentage of those re-
signed in order to move into
better jobs with better pay and
working conditions. Others
decided to open their own
businesses or to retire. Be-
cause their departure from
the work force was voluntary,
they were not part of the un-
employment numbers, but
employers have still had to ad-
dress the turnover issues in a
tight labor market.
Since there is no large pool
of potential workers on the
sidelines, Baker County is
again facing shortages that
were developing before the
pandemic. In addition to the
pay and benefit incentives of-
fered by employers, commu-
nities need to address other
related shortages in order to
attract the employees they
need. Several entities have be-
gun to do just that in Baker
County with new daycare op-
tions, housing for workers and
families, and training oppor-
tunities.
Portland man arrested in Baker with stolen car
Suspect had a
seizure during the
arrest, checked at
the hospital
In his report, Prevo wrote
that he followed the car, with
his overhead lights and even-
tually his siren activated. The
Subaru pulled over on D Street
near the Powder River. Wagner
had one female passenger.
Mark Powell, another Baker
BY JAYSON JACOBY
City Police officer, arrived
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
A Portland man who was ar- soon after.
Prevo wrote in his report that
rested in Baker City while driv-
after dispatch reported that the
ing a stolen car on June 3 had
a seizure during the arrest and Subaru had been reported sto-
was taken to the Baker County len in Portland, he put Wagner
in handcuffs.
Jail after being checked at
Oregon State Police Sr.
Saint Alphonsus Medical Cen-
Trooper Tim Schuette also ar-
ter-Baker City.
rived at the scene.
Robert John Wagner, 33, is
Prevo wrote in his report
charged with possession of a
stolen vehicle and unauthorized that he asked Wagner if he had
a driver’s license. Wagner said
use of a vehicle, both Class C
he did not, and that his license
felonies, and giving false in-
formation to a police officer, a had been suspended. Prevo
asked Wagner for his name
Class A misdemeanor.
and date of birth, and Wagner
Wagner was arraigned on
said his name was Josh Lee
Monday, June 6, in Baker
Waters and that he was born
County Circuit Court. He is
on Aug. 9, 1995.
scheduled to enter a plea on
Prevo gave the name to dis-
June 27. Judge Matt Shirtcliff
set Wagner’s bail at $40,000. He patch, but no records under
could be released from the jail that name and date of birth
showed up.
by posting 10% of the bail.
Prevo said he talked with
The incident started about
Wagner again, and this time
9:30 p.m. June 3 when Baker
City Police officer Justin Prevo Wagner repeated the name and
saw a grey Subaru Impreza run said he was from Montana. The
dispatcher found a DMV photo
a red light on Main Street at
for a person with that name,
Campbell Street.
but Prevo wrote that the photo
did not match Wagner.
While Prevo was talking with
Powell and the female passen-
ger, Wagner called Prevo back.
This time Wagner said his
name was Billy Lundy and that
he had “given so many different
dates of birth that he was un-
sure of his actual date of birth.”
Prevo reported the new
name to dispatch, and the dis-
patcher found another DMV
photo. This, too, was a differ-
ent person.
Prevo said he told Wagner
that he was going to jail re-
gardless, and that a palm scan
would identify him. This time
Wagner gave his actual name,
date of birth and Social Secu-
rity number.
The dispatcher sent Prevo
a DMV photo, and this one
matched Wagner.
Prevo also learned that the
Oregon State Parole Board had
issued an arrest warrant for
Wagner, who had absconded
from parole.
According to Prevo’s re-
port, Wagner said he bought
the Subaru three or four days
earlier for $600 from a man
named Bryce, whose last name
he didn’t know. Wagner said he
had come to Baker City a few
days earlier.
Prevo wrote that while
searching the Subaru he found
mail addressed to Duncan
Holmes, who is the registered
owner of the car, as well as
Holmes’ checkbook.
While Prevo was searching
the car, Wagner had a seizure.
Prevo removed the handcuffs
and brought Wagner out of
the patrol car and onto the
sidewalk. Prevo wrote that
Wagner said he has epilepsy
but was OK.
An ambulance took Wagner
to the hospital, where he was
treated and released, and take
to the jail.
In 2012, Wagner was con-
victed of three counts of
third-degree rape and one
count of contributing to the
sexual delinquency of a minor
in Marion County.
In 2017 he was convicted of
second-degree escape, from
a transition facility in Marion
County, and sentenced to state
prison for 15 months.
In September 2020 he
pleaded guilty to attempt to
commit a Class B felony (sec-
ond-degree assault) and to
fourth-degree assault in Mult-
nomah County and was sen-
tenced to 11 months in state
prison and 364 days in the
Multnomah County jail.
84 near milepost 305 at 4:21 p.m.
Thursday, June 9, when the rear tire
experienced a blow out. This caused
the rider, Thomas Michael Vance, 67,
of Evansville, Indiana, to lose control.
He and his passenger, Bonnie Lou
Vance, 69, of Evansville, Indiana,
were thrown from the motorcycle.
Thomas Vance sustained critical
injuries and was flown from the scene
via air ambulance. Bonnie Vance was
transported by ground ambulance
with serious injuries. The OSP was
assisted on scene by ODOT, Baker City
Fire, AMR Ambulance and Baker City
Police Department.
News of Record
DEATH NOTICE
Judith “Judy” Lee Folkman: Judith
“Judy” Lee Folkman, 79, of Baker City,
died June 7, 2022. A celebration of her
life will be held Saturday, June 25, at
11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 1734
Third St. in Baker City with Pastor Ian
Wolfe officiating. A reception will follow
in the church fellowship hall. Memorial
contributions may be made to the First
Lutheran Church through Gray’s West &
Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.,
Baker City, OR 97814. Light a candle in
Judy’s honor or offer online condolences
to her family at www.grayswestco.com.
FUNERALS PENDING
Telephone: 541-523-3673
Mark Bogart/Contributed Photo
Signs advertising jobs available are common in Baker City.
Eugene “Gene” Sutton: A traditional
funeral service will be held Thursday,
June 16, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Harvest
Church in Baker City. An interment
will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery with
military honors. Friends are invited to
join the family for a reception to be held
immediately following the internment at
Harvest Church. Arrangements are under
the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home and Cremation Services. Online
condolences can be shared at www.
tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
CONTEMPT OF COURT: (Baker County
Justice Court warrant): Jason Richard
Harris, 49, Baker City, 10:50 a.m.
Thursday, June 9, in the 3400 block of K
Street; jailed.
CONTEMPT OF COURT: (Baker County
Justice Court warrant): Andrew Jay Culley,
33, Baker City, 1:18 p.m. Thursday, June 9,
in the 3400 block of K Street; jailed.
THIRD-DEGREE THEFT, FIRST-DEGREE
TRESPASS: David Samuel Cutshall, 40,
Baker City, 3:33 p.m. Thursday, June 9,
in the 1900 block of Resort Street; cited
and released.
DUII, FAILURE TO ABIDE BY TERMS OF
DIVERSION: (Baker County Circuit Court
warrant): Kevin Paul May, 40, Richland,
Oregon, 8:03 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in
the 80 block of Main Street; arrested
and released
Oregon State Police
Accident report
According to a report by Trooper
Timothy Schuette, a Harley Davidson
motorcycle towing a small trailer was
traveling eastbound on Interstate
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