Baker County, Oregon Local News

Wildfire near Huntington triggers evacuations, closes I-84 and U.S. 30

A Huntington-area fire sent Farewell Bend State Park to Level 3 and shut westbound I-84 and U.S. 30, with no reopening time set.

Marcus Williams•2 min read•04:40 AM

Read Full Article →

Stay Connected

Get the latest Baker, OR news delivered directly to your inbox.

Free weekly newsletter · Unsubscribe anytime

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy

About Baker, OR

Local News

Comprehensive local news coverage for Baker County, Oregon. Stay informed about government decisions, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Baker City, Haines, Halfway, Richland, Sumpter, and surrounding eastern Oregon communities.

Covering

Baker City, Haines, Halfway, Richland, Sumpter and 3,088 square miles in eastern oregon

Local Updates

Active

Newsroom monitoring local Baker, OR developments. Next update cycle in 25 minutes.

Watch

Watch: Baker, OR

3 videos · Hover to preview, click to read · Swipe to explore

Smoke advisory issued for Halfway as prescribed fires drift north

Read the full article

Baker tennis sweeps singles, posts strong home win over Mac-Hi

Read the full article

Baker County log shows harassment arrests, traffic stops and crash reports

Read the full article

More Local News

Government

Baker City man pleads guilty in DUII crash that injured six teens

Izek Matthew Cleveland admitted four felony assault counts in the Baker City DUII crash that injured six teens. He is set for sentencing June 22 in Baker County Circuit Court.

James Thompson2m read

Business

Barley Brown’s marks 28 years with downtown Baker City street party

Barley Brown’s will shut down Church Street between its brewpub and taphouse for a June 12-13 block party, turning its 28th anniversary into a downtown traffic and access issue.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Baker City father seeks special prosecutor in son's diabetes death case

Jason Kirk is asking a judge to remove Baker County’s district attorney from his son’s death case, saying the county missed key steps before the grand jury met. The filing centers on Gabriel Ryan Kirk, who died at age 10 from diabetes complications.

James Thompson2m read

Education

Baker County celebrates 137 graduates at stadium ceremony

Hundreds packed Baker Bulldog Memorial Stadium as 137 graduates from three district pathways were recognized, a snapshot of how Baker County is trying to keep young people close to home.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Sumpter Valley Railway marks 50 years with McEwen celebrations

Two June weekends in McEwen will mark 50 years of the Sumpter Valley Railway, a volunteer-built line whose future still depends on riders, labor and support.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Baker County seeks contractor ideas for Hughes Lane property use

Commissioners want builders to test what fits on Hughes Lane. The county land could become homes, shops or sports space in north Baker City.

James Thompson2m read

Government

Baker City police arrest man wanted on Malheur County warrants

Baker City police took Robert M. Metz into custody at a Miller Street address on Malheur County warrants, then released him on a medical cite-out.

Marcus Williams2m read

Education

Haines students bring history to life with annual wax museum

Haines Elementary students turned history into a public exhibit as sixth grader Knox Mitchell presented Confucius in the school’s annual wax museum.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Baker City splash pad opens June 10 amid water conservation efforts

Baker City’s splash pad opens June 10 in Central Park, with afternoon hours that may shift if water supplies tighten.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Baker City Downtown seeks volunteers for Sunday cleanup day

Volunteers will gather at Old Post Office Square at 8 a.m. Sunday to weed tree wells, sweep streets and freshen downtown flower baskets.

Marcus Williams2m read

Education

Baker’s Sammy Gressley wins four state titles at Eugene meet

Sammy Gressley swept four events at Hayward Field, becoming Baker’s first athlete to win four individual state titles in one season. Her wins helped the Bulldogs’ girls take third.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Hells Canyon spring chinook fishing closes early after quotas are met

Baker County anglers lost Hells Canyon spring chinook days early after quotas were met and Snake River returns fell short of forecast.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Oregon Trail Days returns to Geiser-Pollman Park June 13

Wagons, history and a 10 a.m. start will bring Oregon Trail Days back to Geiser-Pollman Park on June 13, turning downtown Baker City into a public-history stage.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Baker County log shows string of noninjury crashes in one afternoon

Four noninjury crashes hit Baker County roads in one afternoon, sending responders to Campbell Street, I-84 and Highway 7 in a county of just 16,658 people.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Baker City woman jailed after highway arrest on harassment charges

Samantha Dianne Groves was jailed after deputies arrested her on Highway 30 at milepost 43, where the log lists harassment, mischief and disorderly conduct.

James Thompson2m read

Healthcare

91-year-old Baker City man dies after Pocahontas Road crash

A curve on Pocahontas Road turned a routine drive deadly for a 91-year-old Baker City man, though his dog survived and was returned home.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez1m read

Government

Haines man faces felony after meth, drug-sale evidence found in search

Searchers say they found more than 10 grams of meth and sale records in a Haines home, turning Christopher Leon Olmsted’s case into a felony.

James Thompson2m read

Business

Baker City investment adviser pleads guilty in 17-year fraud scheme

Baker City adviser Jeffrey Thomas Higgins admitted stealing client stock in a fraud that prosecutors say ran for nearly 17 years and cost investors at least $1.6 million.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Baker City logs second-driest May after record wet April

Baker City’s May was the second-driest since World War II, turning April’s flood of rain into a brief reprieve before summer heat and fire risk returned.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Baker County Soroptimist walk raises awareness, funds anti-trafficking work

Baker City’s June 13 walk will fund Shared Hope International as Oregon logged 160 trafficking cases tied to 227 victims in 2024.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Baker City First Friday art walk returns June 5 with new exhibits

First Friday returns June 5 with Creative Chaos at Crossroads, drawing an evening crowd to downtown Baker City as summer arts season picks up.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Five Baker/Powder Valley players earn Greater Oregon League honors

League coaches put five Bulldogs on the Greater Oregon League all-star team, signaling Baker/Powder Valley’s season resonated far beyond Baker City.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

ODOT to start curb ramp work in Halfway and Richland June 1

Lane and shoulder closures start June 1 in Halfway, with Richland next on June 8, as ODOT finishes curb ramps tied to a $6.3 million ADA upgrade.

James Thompson2m read

Government

Baker Valley native Chris Warner named interim ODOT director

Baker Valley native Chris Warner is taking over ODOT at a time when eastern Oregon cares about plowing, pavement, freight and funding, not ceremony.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Baker City says cloudy tap water is harmless air bubbles

Cloudy tap water in Baker City was traced to compressed air, not a safety problem, and the haze should clear in under a minute.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Baker County deputy completes probation academy, returns to duty

Deputy McKenna Mahoney returned to Baker County’s parole and probation unit after graduating from Oregon’s basic academy, adding trained capacity to a small team that supervises offenders and manages an eight-bed transitional house.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Baker County, hail and wind threat

Halfway and Richland were under severe thunderstorm warnings as hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph threatened Baker County Thursday evening.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Baker County commission chair candidates raise $22,577 so far

Whitney Rilee and Kody Justus head to the Baker County runoff with $22,577 raised among the active chair candidates, a modest war chest that points to local, not big-money, politics.

James Thompson2m read

Community

MayDay Inc. resumes domestic violence, sexual assault support in Baker County

MayDay’s three-month pause left Baker County survivors routed to other agencies; now the advocacy center, crisis line and shelter access return June 1.

Marcus Williams2m read