BAKER CITY HERALD • THuRsDAY, JuLY 7, 2022 A3
LOCAL
FireMed
Service Area in the southeast
part of the county.)
Metro West, which has
been operating an ambulance
in Baker City and the rest of
the Baker Ambulance Service
Area since early June, is not
part of the FireMed system.
Metro West is the “first call”
ambulance, which means a
Baker City Fire Department
ambulance, which is still cov-
ered by FireMed, will respond
only if the Metro West ambu-
lance is already on a call.
From June 16 through July
5, Metro West transported 52
patients to Saint Alphonsus
Medical Center-Baker City,
while the Baker City Fire De-
partment transported 13 pa-
tients.
Metro West does have a
separate membership pro-
gram similar to FireMed that
covers ground ambulance
transports. It’s called Life-
Guard, and according to a
letter from J.D. Fuiten, Metro
West president and owner,
the company will offer Life-
Guard memberships to Baker
County residents for $59 per
year, which covers ground am-
bulance transports “anywhere
in Oregon.”
But currently Metro West
does not have its membership
service available here, as Can-
non noted in a July 1 memo to
city employees that’s also avail-
able on the city’s website, bak-
ercity.com.
Continued from A1
Baker City members will
continue to have Life Flight
coverage under their existing
memberships, according to
Ian Philips of Life Flight.
He said no new contracts
are required and customers
needn’t take any additional
steps to ensure LifeFlight cov-
erage.
The situation is different,
though, for ground ambu-
lance coverage.
Baker City will send refunds
to people who have FireMed
ground ambulance coverage,
the amount depending on the
length of their membership
after Oct. 1, when the city will
stop operating ambulances.
Until then, FireMed sub-
scribers will have their ambu-
lance bill paid if they are trans-
ported by a Baker City Fire
Department ambulance.
But that’s not the case for
residents who are taken by an
ambulance owned by Metro
West, the Hillsboro company
that Baker County commis-
sioners have contracted with
to replace the Baker City Fire
Department as the ambulance
provider for the Baker Am-
bulance Service Area, which
includes Baker City and about
two-thirds of the rest of the
county.
(Metro West will also cover
the Huntington Ambulance
Rally
donations.
The football field at Baker
Bulldog Memorial Stadium
will also be opening to pri-
vate camping for a fee, with
proceeds benefiting the BHS
Class of 2023.
Shameless Tees, 1921 Main
St., will be giving out ice-
chilled water at their Main
Street stop and has extended
the use of their on-site cooler
for essentials such as medica-
tions.
Continued from A1
Wasteland Kings will be
playing at the Corner Brick,
1840 Main St., at 8 p.m. as
well.
On Saturday, July 9, the Ison
House, at Washington and
Resort, will have Trailer Hitch
at 6 p.m. and Journey cover
band Wheel in the Sky NW at
8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.,
and tickets are $20.
At the Corner Brick Andy
Zikmund will play combina-
tion blues, country and rocka-
billy at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Poker run
The run begins Saturday at
8 a.m. at the VFW, and goes
until 5 p.m. Routes are sup-
plied on thebcmr.com and en-
try fees are $15 solo or $20 as a
pair, at the end of the route the
poker hand winners will take
half the pot.
Camping
The Dead Ox Ranch, east of
Baker off of Ritter Loop Road,
will be allowing camp access
to attendees, asking only for
Warrants
he had two felony arrest war-
rants.
Deputies saw Schulte’s car
on Highway 30 at West Sut-
ton Creek Road, where he
initially turned. Schulte then
made a U-turn and contin-
ued driving toward Baker
City on Highway 30, said
Ashley McClay, public infor-
mation officer at the sheriff ’s
office.
Deputies turned on their
overhead lights and started
following Schulte.
He failed to stop at a stop
sign and entered Baker City
on Elm Street. Baker City
Police Department officers
joined the deputies in pursu-
ing Schulte.
Police found the Taurus,
empty, along a dead end on
Church Street near the river.
After searching for about 30
minutes, police found Schulte
“partially submerged” in the
river, apparently trying to
Continued from A1
He also had two felony
arrest warrants from Lake
County, for parole violation
and failure to appear.
The incident started when
the Baker County Sheriff’s
Office dispatch center re-
ceived a call about a suspi-
cious vehicle in the ditch
along Old Highway 30 near
Ebell Creek, several miles
southeast of Baker City.
As deputies were en route,
the initial caller reported that
another vehicle had arrived
and pulled the first vehicle
out of the ditch.
The first vehicle, a 2006
Ford Taurus, was heading
toward Baker City on the
highway at a high rate of
speed, according to the press
release.
Deputies learned that the
driver was Schulte, and that
Baker City bear was
released in Wallowas
BY JAYSON JACOBY
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
Baker City’s most famous
black bear — or at least the
most photographed — is
likely roaming today some-
where in the southern Wal-
lowa Mountains.
Which is better bear habi-
tat than a birch tree between
two apartment buildings.
The bear, which ran
through part of Quail
Ridge Golf Course on Sun-
day morning, July 3, then
crossed Foothill Drive and
climbed that tree, ended up
tranquilized and in a cage
later that morning.
Brian Ratliff, district
wildlife biologist at the Or-
egon Department of Fish
and Wildlife’s Baker City
office, fired the tranquil-
izer dart that gave the year-
ling male bear a temporary
nap.
The sleeping bear got
stuck, however, in the tree
about 25 feet above the
ground.
Jeff Smith, who owns
J2K Excavating and lives on
Foothill Drive, offered the
use of his bucket lift to re-
trieve the bear.
Ratliff said the bear awoke
in the cage about 11:30 a.m.
on July 3, a little more than
an hour after he fired the
tranquilizer dart.
“By noon it was mobile,”
Ratliff said of the bear.
He released the bear in
the Eagle Creek area north-
east of Baker City.
“It ran straight down a
hill,” he said. “It did not want
to stick around, which is ex-
actly what we like to see.”
That behavior is typical
of a truly wild animal that
is not accustomed to being
around people, Ratliff said.
He suspects the bear,
which weighed about 150
pounds, had separated from
its mother, as bears tend to
do after their first birthday.
“I think it just wandered
into town and got caught af-
hide from officers, McClay
said.
Schulte was in the river
near the two bridges along
the Leo Adler Memorial
Parkway behind Ace Hard-
ware, McClay said.
Baker City Police offi-
cer Matt Rosin wrote in a
probable cause affidavit that
Schulte was in the river with
tree branches covering him.
Rosin wrote that while
searching Schulte he found
“metal knuckles” in his right
rear pocket, as well two plas-
tic baggies of what Schulte
admitted as meth, weighing a
total of 4.2 grams.
Based on a conviction
in February 2021 in Crook
County for being a felon
in possession of a firearm,
Schulte can’t legally have
metal knuckles, according to
a court record.
Schulte is scheduled to en-
ter a plea to the charges on
Jayson Jacoby/Baker City Herald photos
This yearling male bear recovered quickly from its ordeal in
Baker City on Sunday, July 3, 2022, and was released later in the
day in the Wallowa Mountains.
Brian Ratliff, left, dis-
trict wildlife biologist
at the Oregon Depart-
ment of Fish and Wild-
life’s Baker City office,
talks with Sheriff Tra-
vis Ash while filling a
dart with tranquilizer
on Sunday, July 3,
2022. Ratliff tranquil-
ized the bear.
ter daylight where it didn’t
want to be,” Ratliff said.
He said there were no
reports of the bear nosing
into garbage cans or other
behavior that could suggest
the bear was comfortable
around people.
In those cases, ODFW
officials are likely to kill the
bear rather than trap it and
release it in the wild.
Ratliff said the foothill
above the city’s southwest
corner probably is a travel
corridor for wildlife, includ-
ing the occasional bear.
Another yearling bear
was tranquilized in Novem-
ber 2015 in a backyard near
11th and Myrtle streets, less
than half a mile from Foot-
hill Drive.
ODFW biologists also
tranquilized and released
that bear.
July 18 at 1:45 p.m. in Baker
County Circuit Court.
on Interstate 84, Schulte
reached 125 mph. He was
arrested near Durkee when
the car ran out of gas.
Schulte pleaded guilty
on July 29, 2015, to at-
tempting to elude a police
officer, reckless driving
and driving under the in-
fluence of intoxicants. He
was sentenced to proba-
tion.
Schulte also pleaded
guilty to two counts of at-
tempting to elude a police
officer on Dec. 14, 2020,
in Lakeview. He was also
sentenced to probation in
that case.
Greg Baxter, Baker
County district attorney,
said the presumptive pen-
alty for a conviction on
attempting to eluding a
police officer is 10 days
in jail.
Previous chases and arrests
in Baker County
This wasn’t the first time
Schulte has been arrested af-
ter being pursued by police in
Baker County.
On Jan. 22, 2021, he was
arrested for attempting to
elude a police officer and
reckless driving.
Those charges were dis-
missed July 12, 2021, due
to a violation of his right to
a speedy trial. Schulte had
made a motion seeking the
dismissal on June 6, 2021,
when he was incarcerated
in the Coffee Creek Correc-
tional Facility in Wilsonville.
In July 2015 Schulte, who
was then living in Baker City,
drove away after police tried
to stop the 2007 Kia Spectra
he was driving in Baker City.
During a subsequent chase
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
Blazing Fast
Internet!
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
Cooperative
Continued from A1
However, Smith said consis-
tent shopping from members is
important because they make
up the majority of the store’s
customer base. Co-op mem-
bers, who pay a $25 annual fee,
receive a 5% discount on all
grocery purchases, and mem-
bers who work at the co-op get
a 20% discount.
Ring, who has managed
the co-op for the past eight
months, said it’s important to
acknowledge that the store has
changed membership con-
ditions over the past several
years. The co-op board of di-
rectors cut the working mem-
ber discount by 10% and added
a small administrative fee.
Ring recognized that these
changes weren’t ideal for mem-
bers, but said they allowed
the store to lower the price of
goods for everyone in an at-
tempt to compete with other
stores in town.
Smith said Baker’s food
co-op is one of the few that
still operate with a working
member system, where mem-
bers volunteer their time and
receive the larger discount in
turn. Most other food co-ops
in the region, like in Boise or
Portland, where co-op stores
are thriving since the pan-
demic, have transitioned to
employing a full paid staff — a
model Ring said she’s trying to
emulate at the Baker City store.
“We need to pick a model
and go with it,” Ring said.
“We’re either going to go for
the working member model or
try to strive for getting enough
business so we can have
enough paid positions. There’s
not an example of a co-op that’s
successful in landing in the
middle of those two.”
Along with the staffing
model, Ring is also trying to
develop a particular co-op cul-
ture so it becomes more than
just a grocery store.
The Baker Food Co-op
formed in 1976, when a small
group of people started what
was then called a “buying club,”
with the goal of supplying them-
selves with natural foods at
wholesale prices. Ring said the
membership base, for the most
part, is still a buyer’s club of sorts.
“We’re still trying to make it
a good deal, but we’re also try-
ing to highlight the importance
of supporting local producers,”
Ring said.
Produce is cheaper at the
co-op than at most box stores,
Smith said. And Ring said be-
cause of the local sources, buy-
ing from the co-op is more sus-
tainable and environmentally
friendly than other stores.
“As we face increasing supply
chain issues, I think it would be
a tragic time for this commu-
nity to lose their connection to
local sources,” Ring said.
Customers can pledge their
support to the co-op through-
out July, but the campaign ends
July 31. Ring and Smith agree
there isn’t enough time to wait
any longer. “If it’s no longer a
benefit to our membership,
then that’s also what we’re try-
ing to figure out with this cam-
paign,” Ring said. “Not only
increasing profitability, but
allowing the membership to
decide: Do you want a co-op in
this community or not?”
Maria Dennis
October 17, 1962 – June 11, 2022
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
R GU
2
A
OFF
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!
+
Promo Code: 285
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
CALL US TODAY FOR
where available
OFF
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
1
A FREE ESTIMATE
/mo.
15 % & 10 %
RD
TH
GU
TE
1
’S
T
19 . 99
$
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
NATIO
N
E
5 % OFF
WE INSTALL
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
1-855-536-8838
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
Prepare for power
outages today
FREE
WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR
$
69
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
America’s Top 120 Package
for 12 Mos.
Including
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
1-866-373-9175
Offer ends 7/13/22.
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more.
Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
Prepare for
Power Outages
& Save Money
7-Year Extended
Warranty*
$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS
A $695 Value!
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*
(844) 989-2328
CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE
(877) 557-1912
*Off er value when purchased at retail.
Solar panels sold separately.
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the
generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
Smart security.
Professionally installed.
FEEL THE SPEED,
EVEN AT PEAK TIMES.
Protection starts with prevention
Peace of Mind
Starts Here
Get FREE Professional
Installation and Four FREE
Months of Monitoring Service*
No annual contract.
Based on wired connection to gateway.
Power multiple devices at once—
everyone can enjoy their own screen.
CALL NOW TO CUSTOMIZE
YOUR SYSTEM
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
844-894-8790
Use Promo Code 4FREE
Know When People
and Packages Arrive
Get strong, fast Wi-Fi to work and
play throughout your home. ^
*Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 equipment purchase, professional installation and applicable services agree-
ment. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previouslyinstalled systems not eligible for off er. Off er not available in all states or
provinces. Equipment purchase may be fi nanced separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners.
Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply. New Vivint Customers only. Financing
eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party fi nancing partners. Qualifi ed customers may fi nance equip-
ment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
System supports up to six cameras subject to suffi cient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is
limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this off er for complete equipment,
services, and package details, including pricing and fi nancing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana
Commercial Certifi cate #58280. See comprehensive Vivint license numbers on Vivint.com.
AT&T
INTERNET 100
††
45
$
/mo *
For 12 mos, plus taxes & equip.fee.$10/mo equip. fee applies.
Limited availability in selectareas. *Price after $5/mo
Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills).
Limited availability in select areas. May not be available inyour area.
Call or goto att.com/internetto see if you qualify.
Over 99% reliability.
Excludes DSL. Based on network availability.
Contact your local DIRECTV dealer
IV Support Holdings
888-486-0359
INTERNET OFFER: Subj. to change and may be discontinued at any time. Price for Internet 100 for new residential customers & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount. Pricing for first 12 months only. After 12 mos., then prevailing rate applies. Autopay & Paperless Bill
Discount: Discount off the monthly rate when account is active & enrolled in both. Pay full plan cost until discount starts w/in 2 bill cycles. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue discount. Additional Fees & Taxes: AT&T one-time transactional fees, $10/mo.
equipment fee, and monthly cost recovery surcharges which are not government-required may apply, as well as taxes. See www.att.com/fees for details. Installation: $99 installation for full tech install, plus tax where applicable. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet
Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. ^AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210, 5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. ††Internet speed claims
represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
©2021 DIRECTV. DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC. AT&T and Globe logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.
Maria Dennis, 59, formerly of
Richland, Oregon, died at her home
in Baker City on June 11, 2022.
Maria Dionisia was born on
Oct. 17, 1962, to Leon and Lucille
(Williams) Ortez in Los Angeles,
California. She was raised and
schooled in Estacada and Richland,
Oregon. She attended Pine Eagle
High School, later meeting and marrying Roscoe
“Bimbo” Dennis. They made their home in Sparta,
Oregon, and had four children.
Maria worked at the local restaurant as a cook, and
found enjoyment in doing farm and ranch work. Maria
was a caregiver, she would give you the shirt off of her
back if needed and would help anyone that needed help,
however she could.
Living in Sparta, she was able to enjoy the mountains,
she grew a big garden, loved to cook and enjoyed all
kinds of music. She also had a great sense of humor
in any situation. Maria was a daughter, sister, mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother and Aunt Mimi to
several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bimbo;
grandma, Margaret; stepdad, Bill; brother, Paul;
nephews, Brian and Jeremy.
Maria is survived by her daughters, Roxanne Fisher,
LaVaughn Hull, Starr Dennis and son, Jake Dennis; 10
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; mother, Lucille
(Roger) Burk; eight sisters; three brothers; numerous
nieces and nephews; and very good friend and caregiver
David McKechnie. Maria had a very special four-legged
dog named “Shorty,” who died two days after Maria.
Her daughter said, “She was a great mother,
grandmother, amazing cook, best mother that one could
ask for.” Until we meet again
Online condolences may be shared at www.
tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.