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Prism Local News

Baker County, Oregon
"Your Local News, Powered by AI Journalism"

About Baker, OR

Population
Approximately 16,668 residents
County Seat
Baker City, Oregon
Coverage Area
3,088 square miles in eastern Oregon

Local Updates

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Newsroom monitoring local Baker, OR developments. Next update cycle in 20 minutes.

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The Howard Brothers perform folk-jazz at Churchill School March 17
Community

The Howard Brothers perform folk-jazz at Churchill School March 17

Twins Jonah and Jason Howard bring guitar and upright bass to Churchill School for a St. Patrick’s Day folk-jazz set; doors 6 p.m., show 6:45 p.m., advance tickets $20.

Marcus Williams2m read
Baker County Commissioners to Hear R3 Housing Proposal for County-Owned Land
Government

Baker County Commissioners to Hear R3 Housing Proposal for County-Owned Land

Commission chairman Shane Alderson said R3 will present a housing plan for the county‑owned Ward Ranches at a 1 p.m. March 4 work session at the courthouse in Baker City.

Marcus Williams3m read
Baker County Jury to Decide Idaho Power Payment to Kerns
Government

Baker County Jury to Decide Idaho Power Payment to Kerns

A 13-member civil jury picked Monday in Baker County will decide whether Idaho Power pays $27,810 or $215,694 for easements on Mark and Savannah Kerns' roughly 1,050-acre grazing parcel.

James Thompson2m read
Baker Bulldogs boys travel to No. 3 Molalla, girls host The Dalles
Education

Baker Bulldogs boys travel to No. 3 Molalla, girls host The Dalles

Baker boys, 12-12 and two-time defending champions, traveled to No. 3 Molalla Friday; Baker girls, 21-4, host The Dalles at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Baker gym.

Lisa Park2m read
Chris Dudley brings gubernatorial campaign to Baker City stop
Government

Chris Dudley brings gubernatorial campaign to Baker City stop

Chris Dudley held a public campaign stop at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sweet Wife Baking, 2028 Main St., downtown Baker City, as part of an Eastern Oregon swing.

James Thompson3m read
Baker School District plans 1.5-acre lawn, sprinklers, fence at former Central site
Education

Baker School District plans 1.5-acre lawn, sprinklers, fence at former Central site

Superintendent Casey Hallgarth told the school board the district will install underground sprinklers and plant grass on the 1.5‑acre lot where the Central Building burned in May 2024.

Marcus Williams3m read
Baker County Seniors Eligible for Three $3,000 You Matter Scholarships
Education

Baker County Seniors Eligible for Three $3,000 You Matter Scholarships

New Directions Northwest, Inc. announced three $3,000 "You Matter" scholarships for Baker County graduating seniors pursuing training or degrees in behavioral health or social sciences.

Sarah Chen1m read
Baker County commissioners debate wolf bill as Legislature approves it
Government

Baker County commissioners debate wolf bill as Legislature approves it

Rancher Curtis Martin urged Baker County commissioners to oppose HB 4134, saying it would hurt ranchers even as the Oregon Senate approved the bill 20-9 and sent it to Gov. Tina Kotek.

James Thompson2m read
Baker City Council places $23,267 lien on 1249 Fifth Street parcel
Government

Baker City Council places $23,267 lien on 1249 Fifth Street parcel

Baker City Council voted 6-0 to attach a $23,267 lien to 1249 Fifth St., securing city costs after removing vehicles and remnants of a burned home from the 10,500-square-foot parcel.

James Thompson2m read
Baker High School Mock Trial Team Wins District, Heads to Portland
Education

Baker High School Mock Trial Team Wins District, Heads to Portland

Kris Pepera’s Baker High mock trial squad captured the district championship at La Grande on Feb. 28, qualifying for the March 14–15 state meet at the Multnomah County Courthouse in Portland.

Lisa Park2m read
Explore 106-Mile Elkhorn Scenic Byway Loop from Baker City
Community

Explore 106-Mile Elkhorn Scenic Byway Loop from Baker City

Start and finish in Baker City on a 106‑mile loop that takes 5–7 hours, climbs to Elkhorn Summit at 7,392 ft., and visits Granite, Anthony Lakes and Sumpter, gas and winter access are limited.

Marcus Williams7m read
DA Seeks Revocation of Diversion for Kelly Cranley After Second DUII Arrest
Government

DA Seeks Revocation of Diversion for Kelly Cranley After Second DUII Arrest

Baker County DA moved to revoke diversion for 21-year-old Kelly Lorraine Cranley after her Feb. 16 DUII arrest and a citation for failing to install a required ignition interlock.

James Thompson2m read
Oregon Geographic Names Board Removes Sumpter-area Cracker Creeks From Review
Government

Oregon Geographic Names Board Removes Sumpter-area Cracker Creeks From Review

The Oregon Geographic Names Board removed Cracker Creek and Little Cracker Creek from a 2025 list of place names under review during its March 4–5, 2026 meeting.

James Thompson3m read
Halfway expands July 3-4 Fourth celebration with fundraising gravel festival
Community

Halfway expands July 3-4 Fourth celebration with fundraising gravel festival

Halfway has broadened its July 3–4, 2026 Fourth of July plans to add a two-day gravel festival of bike rides and walking routes centered at Pine Eagle High School.

Lisa Park3m read
Baker County Cultural Coalition Opens 2026 Grant Cycle; Applications Due May 15
Community

Baker County Cultural Coalition Opens 2026 Grant Cycle; Applications Due May 15

The Baker County Cultural Coalition opened its 2026 grant cycle March 2; applications are due May 15 by 4 p.m., and awards average about $500.

Marcus Williams3m read
Baker City Police Log First-Degree Sodomy, Detective Mason Powell Requested Case Number
Government

Baker City Police Log First-Degree Sodomy, Detective Mason Powell Requested Case Number

Detective Mason Powell requested a case number after Baker City Police logged "SODOMY 1ST DEGREE" in the CAD press log covering Feb. 23–24, 2026; the entry shows the call was cleared.

Marcus Williams3m read
Forest Grove Woman Arrested on I-84 Driving Stolen Chevrolet Tahoe
Government

Forest Grove Woman Arrested on I-84 Driving Stolen Chevrolet Tahoe

Madelyn Rose Ball, 20, of Forest Grove was arrested Feb. 27 on I‑84 in Baker County after an Oregon State Police trooper stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe that was listed as stolen.

James Thompson2m read
Baker City man hospitalized, arrested after hit-and-run rollover on Highway 7
Government

Baker City man hospitalized, arrested after hit-and-run rollover on Highway 7

A 26-year-old Baker City man was ejected and hospitalized after fleeing a reported hit-and-run and crashing a mile down Highway 7 near Milepost 50.

Marcus Williams2m read
Grande Ronde Symphony Performs Music of the World March 11 at EOU
Community

Grande Ronde Symphony Performs Music of the World March 11 at EOU

Sam Ross leads the Grande Ronde Symphony in "Music of the World" at 7 p.m. March 11 at EOU McKenzie Theater, with a March 10 preview featuring snacks by Chef Merlyn.

Lisa Park2m read
Deadline Nears for Baker County Second-Round Opioid Settlement Grants
Healthcare

Deadline Nears for Baker County Second-Round Opioid Settlement Grants

Elkhorn Media Group published a Baker County release on March 4, 2026 reminding organizations that second-round opioid grant applications are due March 31, 2026.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Washington man arrested on I-84 at 101 mph, intoxicated, suspected meth
Government

Washington man arrested on I-84 at 101 mph, intoxicated, suspected meth

Oregon State Police stopped a white sedan on I-84 near Campbell Street after it was clocked at 101 mph; driver Colton Magee Thomas, 32, was arrested about 3:30 p.m. March 3 on multiple charges.

Marcus Williams2m read
ODFW Biologist Rescues Buck in Sewer Pond Near Baker City, Second Dead
Community

ODFW Biologist Rescues Buck in Sewer Pond Near Baker City, Second Dead

An ODFW district biologist pulled a buck from a sewage treatment lagoon about five miles east of Baker City; a Facebook post says a second buck did not survive.

Sarah Chen2m read
Baker City Hosts Region 6 Oregon Battle of the Books March 2026
Education

Baker City Hosts Region 6 Oregon Battle of the Books March 2026

Baker City will host Region 6 Oregon Battle of the Books for grades 6-8 on March 7 at Baker Middle School and grades 3-5 on March 14 at South Baker Intermediate School.

Marcus Williams3m read
Jenny Mowe Revisits 30-Year-Old Baker City Tournament That Shaped Her Career
Community

Jenny Mowe Revisits 30-Year-Old Baker City Tournament That Shaped Her Career

Jenny Mowe returned to Baker City on March 3 to revisit the 1996 state tournament run that began her rise from Powers High School to collegiate and professional basketball.

Marcus Williams2m read
Baker City Police Arrest Shebb Robert Bassman on Harassment Charge
Government

Baker City Police Arrest Shebb Robert Bassman on Harassment Charge

Shebb Robert Bassman, 38, was arrested and jailed at Broadway and 13th streets at 3:52 p.m. Feb. 25 on a harassment charge.

James Thompson2m read
Great Salt Lick Sculpture Removed from Court Plaza, Moving to Visitor Center
Community

Great Salt Lick Sculpture Removed from Court Plaza, Moving to Visitor Center

The bronze "Great Salt Lick" was removed from Court Plaza on Feb. 27 and will be reinstalled at the Baker County Chamber and Visitor Center, 490 Campbell St., Baker City.

Marcus Williams3m read
Ashley Jewel Moon Arrested for Restraining Order Violation in Baker City
Government

Ashley Jewel Moon Arrested for Restraining Order Violation in Baker City

Ashley Jewel Moon, 28, was arrested and jailed after a police safety log listed a "VIOLATION OF RESTRAINING ORDER" at the 1500 block of Indiana Avenue on Feb. 25.

James Thompson2m read
Baker City DMV Closed This Morning for Staffing Shortages, Reopens 2 p.m.
Government

Baker City DMV Closed This Morning for Staffing Shortages, Reopens 2 p.m.

Customers at the Baker City DMV at 3370 10th St. encountered a morning closure for staffing; the office was scheduled to reopen for in-person service from 2-5 p.m. on March 4, 2026.

James Thompson2m read
Talitha Marie Wickham Arrested in Baker County for Driving While Revoked
Government

Talitha Marie Wickham Arrested in Baker County for Driving While Revoked

Talitha Marie Wickham, 45, jailed after a traffic stop at Myrtle and 10th streets in Baker City and listed in the Baker County CAD log as “driving while revoked.”

James Thompson2m read