Local
A2
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
TURNING BACK THE PAGES
50 YEARS AGO
from the Democrat-Herald
August 17, 1972
More than 900 people braved cool, windy weather to
attend the annual Durkee Steak Feed last night.
People from all over eastern Oregon and Idaho were in
Durkee for the event.
25 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
August 15, 1997
The Baker City Police Deprtment is an out-of-date agency
where evidence has been stored in a soda machine and a
device that records radio and phone conversations doesn’t
work in hot weather, say four police chiefs who studied the
department in July.
Three of the four chiefs, along with Jim Jones, the city’s
interim chief, released the results of their “management
aduit” during a press conference Thursday afternoon in
Baker City.
10 YEARS AGO
from the Baker City Herald
August 17, 2012
Kevin Martin was almost home, almost done with the
558-mile drive from Salt Lake City to Pendleton, when he
was waylaid in Baker City by the Travel Management Plan.
Martin fi gures he’ll be here for quite some time.
His task is considerable: Making what likely will be the
most controversial decision on the Wallowa-Whitman Na-
tional Forest in a couple of decades.
That’s the Travel Management Plan — a document that
will dictate where motor vehicles are allowed to go on 1.3
million acres of public land.
ONE YEAR AGO
from the Baker City Herald
August 17, 2021
Baker City has fi nally surpassed a threshold it had
approached, but never quite cleared, over the past century
and a half.
The city’s population has topped 10,000.
And that’s according to the ultimate arbiter of such mat-
ters, the U.S. Census Bureau.
The federal agency on Thursday, Aug. 12 released city
and county populations from the once-a-decade head count
conducted in 2020.
The Census pegs Baker City’s population at 10,099.
That’s an increase of 271 people — 2.8% — from the 2010
Census fi gure of 9,828.
Although the Portland State University Population
Research Center, which makes annual estimates of city
and county populations in the years between the decennial
U.S. censuses, has in several years put Baker City above
the 10,000 mark, the city had not reached that level in an
offi cial U.S. Census.
But Baker City, which was started in 1864 and incorporat-
ed in 1874, came awfully close 60 years ago.
Its offi cial population in the 1960 Census was 9,986.
The city didn’t approach that level during the three subse-
quent national censuses, although its population didn’t drop
signifi cantly either.
The fi gure of 9,140 for the 1990 Census was the city’s
lowest since 1930 (7,858).
In the two ensuing head counts, however, Baker City
again pushed close to the 10,000 ceiling — 9,860 in 2000
and 9,828 in 2010.
OREGON LOTTERY
MEGABUCKS, AUG. 13
WIN FOR LIFE, AUG. 13
6 — 7 — 10 — 29 — 33 — 47
10 — 34 — 35 — 45
Next jackpot: $4.7 million
PICK 4, AUG. 14
POWERBALL, AUG. 13
• 1 p.m.: 4 — 9 — 8 — 9
• 4 p.m.: 7 — 8 — 4 — 3
• 7 p.m.: 6 — 2 — 7 — 8
• 10 p.m.: 0 — 2 — 9 — 6
19 — 24 — 35 — 43 — 62 PB 2
Next jackpot: $56 million
MEGA MILLIONS, AUG. 12
LUCKY LINES, AUG. 14
23 — 24 — 50 — 54 — 64 Mega 3
1-6-12-13-18-21-25-30
Next jackpot: $13,000
Next jackpot: $82 million
SENIOR MENUS
WEDNESDAY (August 17): Chef salad, breadsticks, fruit,
sherbet
THURSDAY (August 18): Chili cheese dogs, cheese and
onions, tater tots, macaroni salad, cheesecake
FRIDAY (August 19): Pot roast, scalloped potatoes, carrots,
rolls, green salad, pudding
MONDAY (August 22): Spaghetti, mixed vegetables, garlic
bread, green salad, ice cream
TUESDAY (August 23): Ground beef steak, onions and gravy,
mashed potatoes, rolls, carrot-raisin salad, brownies
WEDNESDAY (August 24): Chicken-fried steak, mashed
potatoes, green beans, rolls, ambrosia, bread 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
ISSN-8756-6419
Serving Baker County since 1870
Publisher
Karrine Brogoitti
kbrogoitti@lagrandeobserver.com
Jayson Jacoby, editor
jjacoby@bakercityherald.com
Advertising email
ads@bakercityherald.com
Classifi ed email
classifi ed@bakercityherald.com
Circulation email
circ@bakercityherald.com
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 © 2022
Baker City Herald • bakercityherald.com
Wildfire risk map meeting
draws 150 in Redmond
BY LEO BAUDHUIN
Redmond Spokesman
REDMOND — More than 150 people
showed up at the Deschutes County Fair-
grounds last week to hear why the Ore-
gon Department of Forestry withdrew its
wildfire risk map after public outcry.
The map assessed the wildfire burn risk
of the “wildland-urban interface” — ar-
eas across the state that meet certain pop-
ulation density criteria without being as
tightly populated as a city.
Oregon State University researchers de-
veloped risk factors for these areas based
on variables like building density, sur-
rounding vegetation and historic wildfire
patterns.
ODF released its map June 30 and was
met with a whirlwind of citizen com-
plaints. Homeowners in areas that ODF
marked as at high or extreme risk of fires
said the map’s findings put them under a
significant financial burden and disputed
a number of the map’s risk designations.
ODF removed the map Aug. 3, a week
before the Redmond meeting.
“We’ve been hearing a lot of com-
ments,” said Tim Hoffman, who facilitated
the meeting and works with ODF public
affairs. “We have more than 2,000 phone
calls and voicemails from you folks, and
Insurance
Continued from A1
The Oregon Department of
Forestry and Oregon State Uni-
versity collaborated on produc-
ing the map, which, in addition
to the risk level, showed which
properties are within what’s
known as the wildland-urban
interface — WUI, the zone in
and near forests and rangelands
where wildfires are more likely.
Owners of homes that are
both within the WUI and rated
at high or extreme risk could be
required, under Senate Bill 762,
to take steps, such as pruning
trees, to protect their properties.
Those residents could also be
required to comply with more
stringent building codes.
But it was the concern about
how the fire risk map could af-
fect residents’ insurance that
prompted many complaints,
including from Baker County’s
two state legislators, Sen. Lynn
Findley, R-Vale, and Rep. Mark
Owens, R-Crane.
State Forester Cal Muku-
moto announced on Aug. 3 that
the map had been withdrawn
and would be revised.
Mukumoto said the state had
not been aggressive enough in
notifying the public about the
map and soliciting public com-
ments about it.
As for the contentions about
the map influencing insurance
companies, state officials say
those are unfounded.
According to the Division
of Financial Regulation, before
the state released the map June
30, insurance company officials
told the state, in what the press
released described as “infor-
mal discussions,” that they did
not intend to use the upcoming
map.
On Aug. 2, after hearing con-
cerns from residents that the
risk map was affecting insur-
ance coverage, the state made
a formal inquiry to insurance
companies, which they are re-
quired by state law to answer
we took that into consideration. A lot of
our leadership and other legislators have
heard you and that’s why, if you haven’t
heard, we’re redrawing the map.”
Beyond individual complaints and ap-
peals, one meeting attendee pointed out a
couple of clear flaws in the initial map.
The Detroit Lake area — which burned
to the ground in 2020 and is now a flam-
mable collection of toothpick-like trees
— is in the green zone, which designates
an area least at risk. Green Ridge — which
has seen several fires in recent years — is
listed as “yellow.” In comparison, one at-
tendee said, areas that haven’t seen fires
in years are designated as “high” or “ex-
treme” risk zones.
Other attendees complained about
higher insurance rates as a result of a high
or extreme risk designation, as well as the
costs of additional building code upgrades
if their properties were to burn down.
Even if updated building codes ulti-
mately make residents safer, meeting at-
tendees said they wished they had more of
a heads-up before the map was released,
so they could better prepare.
Another attendee said they’re less con-
cerned with fire risk on their specific
property than they are with a lack of fed-
eral and state forest management, where
Local agents say risk map not a factor
Two local insurance agents say the state’s recently rescinded wildfire
map didn’t affect their policies for properties in high or extreme risk.
Mike Clarke of Clarke and Clarke Insurance in Baker City said he be-
lieves the new state map is not associated with any recent change in pol-
icies or premiums.
He said insurance companies often use their own mapping systems or
partner with third party mapping companies to assess wildfire risk.
“This map just came out, but the companies have been really looking
at this (assessing wildfire risk) for a while,” Clarke said.
Clarke acknowledged that increasing wildfire risk has forced him to
shift clients to different companies in recent years, but the release of the
state map on June 30, though it publicized an issue insurance companies
have already been dealing with, didn’t change their methodology.
“They’ve had their own ways of doing this for years,” he said.
Daniel Holtz, an insurance agent at Wheatland Insurance, said the state
risk map was similar to other assessment tools he’s seen in the past, and
in turn, didn’t change the way he thought about assessing wildfire risk.
“It’s just a reflection of what’s already been in the works by insurance
companies for a long time,” Holtz said.
— Clayton Franke, Baker City Herald
truthfully, according to the
press release.
The state inquiry asked the
nearly 150 insurance com-
panies that offer homeowner
coverage in Oregon to answer
these questions:
• Does the company use the
state wildfire map for rating or
underwriting?
(Rating determines premium
costs, and underwriting is the
process of assessing the risk of
offering a policy.)
• Does the company use the
state wildfire map for any other
purposes?
• Does the company plan to
use the state wildfire map for
any purpose in the future?
According to the press re-
lease, all companies said they
don’t use the map for rating or
underwriting, nor do they in-
tend to use it.
The press release also noted
that the state has not received
any applications for insurance
rate changes that include the
wildfire risk map as a factor.
“This confirms what we
knew: Insurance companies
are not using the state wildfire
risk map,” Oregon Insurance
Commissioner Andrew Stolfi
said in the press release. “In-
Conrad Gabriel Wlodarczyk: 95, of Baker
City, died Aug. 11, 2022, at his residence. A
funeral service is being planned, and the
date and time will be announced once
they have been confirmed. To leave an
online condolence for Conrad’s family, go
to www.grayswestco.com.
Mary Ann Wlodarczyk: 88, of Baker
City, died Aug. 14, 2022, at her residence,
surrounded by her loving family. A funeral
service is being arranged, and details will
be announced once confirmed. To leave
an online condolence for Mary Ann’s
family, go to www.grayswestco.com.
Elaine Logsdon: 79, of Baker City, died
Aug. 12, 2022, at Settler’s Park assisted
living. Her graveside service will be
Thursday, Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. at Mount
Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are under
the direction of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral
Home & Cremation Services. Online
condolences can be shared at www.
tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
POLICE LOG
Baker City Police
Arrests, citations
FAILURE TO APPEAR (Marion County
warrant): Katherine Diane Schaaf, 36,
Baker City, 11:18 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14
at Main Street and Washington Avenue;
cited and released.
THIRD-DEGREE ASSAULT, RECKLESS
DRIVING, RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING
ANOTHER (Baker County Circuit Court
surance companies have been
using their own risk maps and
other robust risk management
tools to assess wildfire risk for
years in making rating and un-
derwriting decisions. We be-
lieve there has been confusion
between decisions based on
insurers’ continued use of their
own tools, including their own
risk maps, and the discussions
on the new state wildfire risk
map. We encourage insurers
and agents to be careful in how
they describe underwriting and
rating decisions.”
Consumers who have ques-
tions or complaints about in-
surance can contact the Divi-
sion of Financial Regulation’s
consumer advocacy hotline at
888-877-4894 (toll-free) or file
a complaint online at dfr.ore-
gon.gov.
On Thursday, Aug. 11, the
Division of Financial Regula-
tion issued a bulletin, signed by
Stolfi, to all insurance compa-
nies selling homeowner poli-
cies citing the concerns about
companies using the wildfire
risk map.
The bulletin stated that al-
though companies had denied
using the map, “it may be a vio-
lation of the Insurance Code to
falsely attribute rate increases or
decisions to cancel coverage to
the state wildfire risk map.”
“It is extremely important
that consumers receive accurate
information about decisions
made with respect to their po-
lices,” the bulletin states.
THANK YOU
BAKER COMMUNITY!!
The Baker City Lions Club wants to
acknowledge and thank the following
sponsors and community volunteers who
made the 2022 Miner’s Jubilee
Breakfast a successful event. All
proceeds fund local community projects.
Baker City Herald
Baker City Public Works
Baker County
Custom Meats
Chamber of Commerce
Community Volunteers
KCMB Radio
Lions Club Volunteers
North Powder FFA
Sorbenots Coffee
TEC Copier Systems
Saturday, September 10th at
5pm at the Baker Elks Lodge.
News of Record
DEATHS
large wildfires can start and spread onto
private land.
In light of pushback, ODF is taking a
step back to reevaluate its methodology,
address complaints and appeals, and im-
prove dialogue with the communities its
mapping.
The Redmond meeting marks the
fourth ODF community information ses-
sion since the map’s release, with an addi-
tional session scheduled for Grants Pass
but later canceled due to threats.
Following the meetings, ODF will con-
sider community feedback and correc-
tions to create a second draft of the map,
said Tim Holschbach, ODF chief of policy
and planning for the fire protection divi-
sion.
Once the second map is done, ODF
will hold additional meetings to solicit
feedback and use that to develop a final
document. Holschbach said ODF will do
better at public engagement in all steps of
the process.
Residents who have submitted an ap-
peal regarding their fire risk designation
will not be required to do so a second
time. Holschbach said the timeline for this
process is not yet set.
“We want the map to be right, too,” he
said.
warrant): Bryce Patrick Lein, 35, Baker City,
8:46 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 in the 3200
block of Campbell Street; jailed.
PROBATION VIOLATION (Baker County
Circuit Court warrant): Shawn Michael Ray
Horn, 32, Baker City, 5:56 p.m. Friday, Aug.
12 at Fourth and Campbell streets; cited
and released.
CONTEMPT OF COURT (Baker County
Justice Court warrant): Dale Rex Taylor,
81, Baker City, 5:52 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 at
Geiser-Pollman Park; cited and released.
SECOND-DEGREE TRESPASSING
(Multnomah County warrant), FAILURE
TO APPEAR (Sweet Home municipal
warrant), PAROLE VIOLATION (statewide
felony warrant): April Grace Gerhold, 32,
Portland, 8:33 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12 in the
500 block of Campbell Street; jailed.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office
Arrests, citations
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF
METHAMPHETAMINE (Baker County
Circuit Court warrant): Victoria Jean
McLean, 39, Huntington, 1:31 p.m. Friday,
Aug. 12 at the Baker County Jail, where
she was in custody on other charges.
Please join our family to honor and celebrate the lives of
Kathleen and Eleanor Sullivan
“You’ll love the work we do. I guarantee it.” - JR
225 H Street • East of I-84 • 541-523-3200 • grumpysrepair.com