Baker County officials want busloads of tourists to visit the area. And they’ve contracted with a Portland-based expert to try to make this happen.

Falcon’s Crest Inc. will be paid $20,000 to foster packaged travel to the county and help businesses who want to attract these types of tourists best prepare for their needs.

This would make the county overall more attractive to groups of travelers, especially during what tourism professionals refer to as “shoulder seasons."

LoRie McCollum and Bryan Barrow say they suffered from health effects after the car they were in was doused by a fog of pesticide from a truck from the local agency responsible for killing mosquitoes. McCollum picked up the results of her medical exams Tuesday. McCollum’s son, LeRoy, also was exposed to the fog.

By CHRIS COLLINS
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LoRie McCollum says she and her son and a neighbor were heading home from the Baker City bowling alley the night of Aug. 17 when her car was unexpectedly enveloped in a cloud of pesticide, triggering a series of health problems that continued this week.

The incident also has triggered an investigation of the Baker Valley Vector Control District’s pesticide application practices by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Doni Clair, a pesticide investigator for the division, said this is the 28th complaint she has received in the past two months, but the first involving the Vector Control District.

“Party Life,” a music video, was one of 12 films entered in the second-annual “We Like’Em Short” film festival this weekend at the Eltrym Theater.

By LISA BRITTON
For the Baker City Herald

The filmmakers gathered, eager to see their work on the big screen.

Most of them, anyway.

“If you’re like me, you stare at your feet during the film festival,” Tyler Schlipf, 17, said, describing how he handled seeing “Party Life.”

That film was one of 12 submitted in the second-annual We Like ’Em Short film festival held Friday and Saturday at the Eltrym Theater.

Submissions had to be 15 minutes or less. The festival was open to filmmakers of any age.

Auditioning for the theater production of Robin Hood this week were, from left, Penelope Linnemyer, Maya Smith, Skye Smith and Thomas Smithson. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr

By LISA BRITTON
For the Baker City Herald

It’s a miracle, really, what these two people can accomplish in five days with 53 actors.

And everything — set, costumes, props — must be packed into one small truck.

Does that sound like fun?

Or intimidating?

“It can’t be beat,” said Lauren Wilson, 26.

“This is the best job,” said Bryan Gallagher, 35.

Power and other utility lines could go underground along six blocks of Resort Street between Auburn Avenue and Campbell Street. (Baker City Herald/S. John Collins)

By TERRI HARBER
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It will all come down to perceived worth.

And Baker City officials hope property owners along Resort Street can see how the section slated for improvement next year would look without power lines running above the sidewalk.

About 25 people attended a work session Tuesday night at Baker City Hall focused on burying utility lines under a section of Resort from Campbell Street to Auburn Avenue.

Getting the utility lines underground is integral to create a “park-like” atmosphere downtown from Main Street to the Powder River, said Mayor Dennis Dorrah.

As part of Friday's open house at the Baker Truck Corral, Sharon Banks, CEO and founder of Cascade Sierra Solutions, shows one of the electrical outlets set up for use by truckers and RV travelers.

The Baker Truck Corral is helping commercial truck drivers abide by a state law soon prohibiting long periods of engine idling.

By LISA BRITTON
For the Baker City Herald

Ty Graven, middle, and Jodi Graven take time out from showing rabbits to look at one of the many snakes on display at the the rescue reptile tent run by Mary Ester Hart. This snake, a Woma python, is endangered in Australia and can grow up to 4 feet long. Its diet consists of rodents, birds and lizards. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

You can still hear the faint bleating of sheep and squeals of pigs, but the exhibits in this place silently stare.

And hardly move.

“I like quiet things. Nothing in my house makes a sound,” said Mary Esther Hart of Hart’s Reptile World International Reptile Rescue, based in Canby.

She travels around with her educational — and living — exhibits to spread awareness about reptile rescue and adoption.

Most of the rescued reptiles were illegally kept, and others come from drug raids. Recently, also the economy has made it necessary for people to downsize and give up their reptilian pets.

“The couple who had this boa had it for 26 years,” Hart said of the Columbian boa constrictor.

Valerie Tachenko checks a small part of her big garden near Medical Springs.

By LISA BRITTON
For the Baker City Herald

MEDICAL SPRINGS — In a land of sagebrush, Valerie and Rod Tachenko have created an oasis — 13 acres of vegetables grown for the local community.

And beyond — they ship produce to a Portland buying club every Monday, provide CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) boxes for 29 families, and sell at farmers markets in Baker City, Ontario and La Grande.

The Tachenkos live in Medical Springs, about 25 miles from Baker City.

And the closest market, she says, is their favorite.

Courtney Warner Crowell, a Baker City native, works for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., as deputy communications director.

Crowell, 28, handles media inquiries for the senator. She is one of four people with this responsibility.

“I love my job — it’s great,” she said. “My role as a spokesperson is to answer questions when he’s not available."