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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2017)
News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, August 23, 2017 A5 Local electric rates go up after BPA increase Blue Mountain Eagle Local electricity costs will soon be increasing. On July 26, the Bonne- ville Power Administration adopted a 5.4 percent average wholesale power rate increase and an average transmission rate decrease of 0.7 percent for the cost of power it pro- vides to its nonprofi t electric utilities in the Northwest, in- cluding Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, according to an OTEC press release. BPA will apply this rate increase to OTEC’s wholesale power Objection period set on Camp Lick Blue Mountain Eagle The Camp Lick planning area on the Blue Mountain Ranger District of the Mal- heur National Forest entered the 45-day objection fi ling period for the draft decision notice and fi nding of no signifi cant impact Aug. 23. Individuals and entities who have previously submitted specifi c written comments regarding the proposed project during the 30-day scoping period or comment period on the preliminary en- vironmental assessment may submit an objection. The draft includes silvi- culture and fuels treatments, riparian and upland water- shed restoration treatments, prescribed burning opera- tions, the installation of an interpretive sign and multi- ple road projects. The proj- ect also includes forest plan amendments to change old growth boundaries to bring these areas up to Malheur Forest Plan standards, allow removal of trees greater than or equal to 21 inches diame- ter at breast height and allow harvest in late and old struc- ture stands. Specifi c directions on how to fi le an objection and complete details for this project can be accessed on the Forest Service website at: fs.usda.gov/project/?proj- ect=46219, or copies can be requested by contacting Hannah Smith at 541-575- 3031 or hannahksmith@ fs.fed.us. Objections must be postmarked or received by the reviewing offi cer with- in 45 days from the date of the publication of the legal notice. All objections are available for public inspec- tion during and after the ob- jection process. For more information, contact Hannah Smith, NEPA Planner, at 541-575- 3031 or by e-mail at han- nahksmith@fs.fed.us. purchases beginning Oct. 1. Over the last several months, OTEC has been dis- cussing its cost of service, the potential impacts of a BPA wholesale rate increase and associated distribution cost increases. OTEC’s current average rate including power supply and distribution costs ranks them 26th lowest in the nation. “Regardless of this favor- able ranking, we continue to focus on utility operations and effi ciency in delivering power. Because we under- stand the impact it has on our local economies,” said OTEC General Manager Les Pen- ning in the release. BPA delivers clean re- newable hydropower to more than 140 Northwest utilities and continues to face signif- icant challenges in several areas. “The combination of a recent court decision order- ing increased spill at the hy- droelectric dams along the Columbia River and the col- lapse of the secondary energy market has many Northwest utilities who get their power from BPA, including OTEC, concerned,” Penning said. “Combined with continued investments in their aging infrastructure (approximate- ly $6 billion over the next 6 years) and lost revenues from the reduced demand for the sale of the excess power BPA produces, consumers may now be expected to make up for those lost revenues.” Historically, the sales of BPA’s excess energy onto the secondary open energy mar- ket helped to reduce whole- sale rates to their consumers, including OTEC. Prior to the increase taking affect in October, OTEC’s Board of Directors will review the fi nal “Cost of Service” study assessing rev- enue requirements for opera- tions of OTEC’s distribution system as well as the fi nal landing point of the whole- sale power cost and approve the fi nal rate design and in- crease. “When looking at rates, generally our Board of Direc- tors will concentrate on two primary categories,” said Pen- ning. “Delivery charge and energy charge. Our upcom- ing ‘Cost of Service’ study will guide the delivery charge and ensure that it is — or is moving closer to — covering all fi xed costs such as poles wires, etc.” OTEC’s members will be informed of the exact amount of this rate increase beginning in October through the Ru- ralite magazine, the “News from the Trail” billing insert, OTEC’s website (www.otecc. com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OTE- Coop). For more information on BPA’s rate increase visit www.bpa.gov/news. sidewalk. Responded to a re- port of a dog fi ght in Prairie City and cited a man for fail- ure to provide rabies vacci- nation and maintaining a dog as a nuisance. Responded to a report of illegal drugs being sold near the Dollar Store. Aug. 19: Responded to a report of a dispute in Prairie City. Responded to a report of an illegal campfi re. Aug. 20: Arrested a Cali- fornia man for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. Cited a John Day man after catching two dogs running in the street. • Grant County Sheriff’s Offi ce Aug. 16: Received a re- port of dogs running loose in Canyon City. Responded to a caller who reported an un- wanted evicted subject. Aug. 17: Responded with Oregon State Police and For- est Service law enforcement to a report of a fi ght in Mt. Vernon. Responded with Or- egon State Police, John Day police and Forest Service law enforcement to a report of a woman screaming at the Trout Farm. Aug. 18: Responded to a report of a domestic assault. Warned campers about hav- ing a campfi re. Respond- ed to a report of illegal fi reworks. Aug. 20: Responded to a report of an illegal campfi re. Aug. 20: Responded to a report of shots fi red at the rock pit. Received a report of an ATV accident in the Sen- eca area. • John Day ambulance Aug. 15: Responded for a 58-year-old woman who was unconscious. • Mount Vernon Fire De- partment Aug. 18: Responded to a grass fi re on the side of High- way 26. • John Day Fire Depart- ment Aug. 16: Responded to a report of illegal burning. Aug. 20: Responded to the Industrial Park for a report of a campfi re. • United States Forest Service Aug. 18: Advised of a possible fi re southwest of the Cant Ranch. Aug. 19: Advised of an il- legal campfi re. Aug. 21: Dispatch called AAA for a subject with a hole in their oil pan. Advised of a possible fi re near Forest Ser- vice Road 131. C OPS AND C OURTS Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law enforcement agencies. Every effort is made to report the court disposition of arrest cases. Grant County Circuit Court One count of harassment against Anthony William Westlund was dismissed. Oregon State Police Arrested Tanaya S. Rob- inson, 37, for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants Aug. 15. Arrested James J. Credeur, 28, on a warrant for failure to appear for second-degree animal abuse in Deschutes County Aug. 18. Arrested David R. Still- well, 22, for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants after stopping him for pro- hibited lighting. Arrested Liv Madeline Elfstrom, 28, for driving un- der the infl uence after stop- ping her for a traffi c violation Aug. 19. Grant County Sheriff The Grant County Sher- iff’s Offi ce reported the fol- lowing for the week of Aug. 11-16: • Average inmates: 17 • Bookings: 5 • Releases: 8 • Arrests: 1 • Citations: 1 • Fingerprints: 2 • Civil papers: 16 • Warrants processed: 2 • Asst./welfare check: 3 Justice Court The Grant County Justice Court reported the following fi nes and judgments: Carrying concealed weap- on: Jordan Mackenzie Dia- mond-Hughes, Burns, fi ned $590. Unlawful possession of marijuana: William A. West- lund, John Day, sentenced to 24 months probation, 36 hours in jail, 60 hours community service, fi ned $390. Second-degree disorderly conduct: Holly Ann New- man, fi ned $435, required to have no contact with the vic- tim. Offensive littering: George E. Duff, Joplin, Mis- souri, sentenced to 120 hours in jail, fi ned $100. No resident shellfi sh li- cense: Keith Alan Brandt, 61, Redmond, July 28, fi ned $72. Interfering with an emer- gency vehicle: Elizabeth Ann Fischer, 39, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 23, fi ned $260. Operate without prop- er fenders: Eric Michael Vanderzanden, 27, Banks, April 10, fi ned $170. Driving while suspended: Emma Lam, 22, Wilmington, Delaware, April 12, fi ned $445; Talia C. Maloy, 40, Prairie City, April 13, fi ned $445; Brandon Neil Hoodie, 28, Burns, June 6, fi ned $445. Consumption of intoxi- cants: Brandon Neil Hoodie, 28, Burns, June 6, fi ned $445. No operator’s license: Ashlee Annamarrie Herrera, 18, Clearfi eld, Utah, June 3, fi ned $260; Michael Wain- right, 38, Raleigh, North Car- olina, July 3, fi ned $260. Operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile commu- nication device: Cameron H. Schneider, 24, John Day, July 30, fi ned $135. Driving uninsured: Mi- chael Wainright, 38, Raleigh, North Carolina, July 3, fi ned $260; Tina Kay Couey, 57, Canyon City, May 22, fi ned $130; Adrian Leah Couey, 32, John Day, July 11, fi ned $260. Careless driving – acci- dent: Brandi K. Henderson, 31, John Day, June 9, fi ned $370; Jorene Jean Smith, 63, Bonanza, July 10, fi ned $370; Harold E. Miller, 76, Baker City, July 5, fi ned $435. Violation of the speed lim- it: Marianne Lowrey Buck, 62, Livingston, Texas, 52/25 zone, May 29, fi ned $260. Violation of the basic rule: Jose Luis Garza, 33, Fresno, California, 72/55 zone, May 1, fi ned $160; Annalise Lee Bradshaw, 20, Payette, Ida- ho, 76/55 zone, Aug. 1, fi ned $160. Exceeding speed limit: Timothy B. Stypolkowski, 38, Bend, 70/50 zone, July 31, fi ned $160; Matthew Alan Witzel, 19, Crane, 73/65 zone, July 21, fi ned $160; William Alan Kuhn, 55, Bend, 44/30 zone, July 23, fi ned $135; Wayne Keith Frater, 71, San Francisco, 44/30 zone, July 23, fi ned $160. Small Claims: Colleen Robertson vs. Robert Mo- reland. Money judgment awarded to Colleen Rob- ertson for $236.90; Colleen Robertson vs. Danetta Lew- is. Money judgment award- ed to Colleen Robertson for $3,021.99; Colleen Robert- son vs. Kyra Adair. Money judgment awarded to Colleen Robertson for $486.06. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 451 calls during the week of Aug. 14-21. Along with the various traffi c warnings, trespassing, injured animals, noise complaints and juve- nile complaints, these calls included: • John Day Police De- partment Aug. 18: Responded with Grant County Sheriff’s Of- fi ce, Oregon State Police and Forest Service law enforce- ment to a report of someone who drove off from Leathers with a gas hose in the tank. Cited a 53-year-old man for driving an ATV on a high- way. Cited a 66-year-old John Day man for failure to wear a helmet after stopping him for riding a moped on the ADVANTAGE DENTAL CLINICS Advantage Dental Group PC DO YOU NEED A CROWN? $59 DOWN & $59 A MONTH Call to schedule your appointment with Advantage Dental today. Some resrtrictions may apply. 750 West Main John Day, OR 97845 888-468-0022 Emergencies, most Insurance Plans and Oregon Health Plan Patients are all welcome. For the September 6th Edition Ad, Classified & Legal Deadline August 31st by 5pm Office will be closed Monday, September 4th. Blue Mountain EAGLE Grant County’s Newspaper Since 1868 195 N. Canyon Blvd, John Day, Oregon MyEagleNews.com • 541-575-0710 Baker City 2830 10th St. 541-524-0122 Every other Monday in John Day at Blue Mountain Hospital 170 Ford Rd. 541-575-1311