By Chris Collins

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Superintendent Walt Wegener turns to a quote attributed to Mark Twain — “There are liars, damned liars and statisticians”  — to express his opinion about the state Department of Education’s rating system for Oregon schools.

Wegener and Jerry Peacock, Baker High School principal, are frustrated by a system that they say makes it difficult for schools that have done well on state tests in the past to maintain a top rating even as student performance remains high.

For example, BHS dropped to an overall rating of “satisfactory” on its 2011-12 School Report Card released by the state last week. 

The administrators say BHS had little chance to remain outstanding under the state’s convuluted rating system.

“If you’re doing well enough that you can’t improve and if you don’t improve, they can’t let you stay outstanding,” Wegener said.

For example, 89 percent of the BHS 11th graders — up from 85 percent a year ago — met reading standards, compared with 85 percent statewide, according to the report card.

By Terri Harber

Baker City Herald 

The Baker City branch of Bank of America closes its doors Friday for the last time. 

The ATM next to the building will remain in operation. Nightly deposit boxes no longer will be accepted, however.

People needing to visit a branch must travel to La Grande from now on. Other transaction options: telephone or online. Closure of this location was announced this summer.

By Lisa Britton

For the Baker City Herald

Nancy Buehler perches the wide-brimmed hat on her head, tilting it just a bit for flair.

Buehler is a breast cancer survivor — five years, as of July 2012.

She doesn’t need hats anymore, but Buehler is now The Hat Keeper, sharing her collection with others who lose their hair during treatment for cancer.

Richard Aldrich

Baker City, 1958-2012

Richard Ray Aldrich, 54, a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 3, 2012, near White Salmon, Wash. 

His funeral will be at 6 p.m. on today at the First Baptist Church in Hood River. His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Rock Creek Cemetery near Haines. 

Kathy Orr/ Baker City Herald Dentist Josh Moffitt, left, and Jake Goertz, dental assistant, work to fill a tooth in sixth-grader Vanessa Luna’s mouth during their visit to South Baker School last week. Moffitt and Goertz treated 57 students, including several from Baker Middle School, during their stay in Baker City. The Tooth Taxi is stationed at Haines School this week.

By Chris Collins

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Seventh-grader Zoe Miner was happy to take a “ride” on the Tooth Taxi Thursday morning.

The ride was actually a turn in a dental chair aboard the 38-foot mobile home that serves as a traveling dental office. The Tooth Taxi provides free service to children like Zoe all across Oregon whose families cannot afford dental care.

By Terri Harber

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Population, future funding for services and protecting local rights from being trumped by state and federal decisions were some of the issues that arose during a political forum on Tuesday evening.

Roughly 80 people came to Baker High School for the event, which was co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women and the Baker City Herald. Candidates were asked what experience prompted their ambition to seek elected office. They also were asked, in slightly different ways, how they would best respond to residents’ needs and provide leadership.

By Kathy Orr/Baker City Herald

Baker City’s annual Fall Festival gave people the chance to celebrate autumn and the bounty of the harvest with a variety of events downtown. Grace Tracy, 2, left, tries Penne Carbonara at the Corner Brick Cafe with her mother, Kim Mosier.

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49356599#49356599subpoena_news 

Attorney Jennifer Coughlin and client on Wednesday’s show 

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A former Baker City resident now working as an attorney in Bend is preparing to make a possible appearance this week on NBC’s Today show.

Jennifer Coughlin, 32, was told she and her client, a rape victim named Jennifer Bennett, could appear in a news segment sometime Wednesday morning. Their appearance originally was set for Tuesday.

Lisa Britton/For the Baker City Herald Zachary Wise (wearing sunglasses) directs his group in what he thinks is the right direction inside the corn maze at Val’s Veggies. Also in his group, from left, are Colton Slatter, Skye Smith, Weston Slatter and Phoebe Wise. All attend Keating School.

By Lisa Britton

For the Baker City Herald

The elementary approach seems the best for finding your way through a maze.

The technique: Barrel through at top speed until you hit a dead end, then pivot and charge in the other direction.

You’ll get out eventually — and may be a bit dizzy from rushing through the stalks of corn, some towering to 15 feet.

By Terri Harber

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Baker County commissioners on Wednesday heard about a plan to designate a non-motorized trail from Sumpter to Bates.

The pathway, being called the Sumpter Valley Railroad Mainline Trail, would run 40 miles total and be located next to the railroad tracks that carried the Stump Dodger. This line hauled timber.

“The intent is to preserve the history and allow access from the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Recreation Area to Bates State Park. The 40-mile trail will bring visitors to and through the surrounding communities, giving local businesses an opportunity to showcase and promote the unique area,” according to the project proposal.