Rep. Bentz urges citizens to speak up

ONTARIO — State Representative Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) is urging Grant County residents to voice their concerns about the proposed closure of the Grant County Farm Service Agency Grant County office. In a letter to constituents, Bentz said that keeping the office open is urgently needed for residents...

Reward increased for killing of bighorn sheep ram

BAKER CITY — The Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division is continuing to ask for the public’s help to identify the suspect(s) responsible related to an investigation into the illegal killing and waste of a bighorn sheep ram in Baker County during late December 2011. With help of...

Baker Draft Resource Management Plan Released

BAKER CITY, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Vale District has released its Baker Field Office Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The RMP is being revised for BLM-administered lands within Baker, Union, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow, and Malheur Counties in...

Christmas tree permits available locally

BAKER CITY — Permits to cut a Christmas tree on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest are available for sale at local Forest Service offices and several commercial outlets. Permits cost $5 each and are valid for the cutting of one tree up to 20 feet tall on National Forest land. The permit does not...

Rep. Bentz urges constituents to write the post office

ONTARIO — In an open letter to constituents, Oregon State Representative Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) urged citizens to use the United States Postal Service as intended and write the agency with concerns about possible closures of small-town post offices. The letter follows, and includes the address to the...

Documentary on Aldo Leopold showing at Eltrym Theater

BAKER CITY, Ore. — The Forest Service will host a free screening of a new film, “Green Fire,” on October 20, 2011 at 7 p.m. The film is the first full-length, high definition documentary film ever made about legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold. The film explores Aldo Leopold’s life in the...

Public meetings on proposed McDaniel Ranch purchase expanding Riverside Wildlife Area

BEND, Ore.—ODFW will discuss its proposed acquisition of the McDaniel Ranch in Malheur County at a series of public meetings in Ontario, Burns and Bend. -Ontario: Nov. 1, Ontario Grange (3890 Hwy 201) at 7:00 pm -Burns: Nov. 2, Harney County Chamber of Commerce (484 North Broadway) at 7:00 pm -Bend: Nov....

Wallowa-Whitman features new outdoor safety webpage

BAKER CITY — Each year people visit national forests and see their first bighorn sheep, take their first horse pack trip or are reunited with friends and family by meeting together at a forest campground. Still, most of us live in urban environments that exclude wild animals, shelter us from extreme...