Archives for January 2020

Baker County eputies responded to 15 East Monroe Street in Huntington for a report of a stabbing. David Rosiere is accused of attacking his son with a knife. David’s wife attempted to intervene, but she too was hurt. Both needed medical treatment. David Rosiere was taken to the Baker County Jail and is now charged with Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Additional charges may be pending.

A man appeared in court on Friday, where he pled guilty to arson charges. Kael Knight was arrested last September and charged with Arson in connection with fires in the Imbler and Summerville areas. He has been held in the Union County Jail since his arrest. On Friday, he was sentenced to 5-years supervised probation, 364 days in the Union County Jail, and 90-days GPS monitoring. He will also have to abide by a curfew set by the probation department.

Baker City Police Officer Blake Hawkins, a five-year veteran of the department, has accepted a position with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho. He and his family will be relocating. Officer Hawkins was recognized numerous times over his five-year career, including as a recipient of the Medal of Valor Award presented by the Oregon Peace Officers’ Association.

First it was La Grande that took up efforts to create a Quiet Zone. Now, some folks in Baker City are proposing a Quiet Zone. A Community open house, with comments and feedback, will be held in the Council Chamber at the City Hall on Thursday January 30th, beginning at 5pm.

A leak from the main water line feeding the building on the west side of the La Grande High School, caused no interruptions in classes, however, after school activities had to work around it on Thursday. It remains unclear what caused the water line leak.

Baker City Council met earlier this week, and one of the topics on the agenda was a conditional use permit for a cell tower. The council stood behind the Planning Commission though, and denied permission for Verizon to construct a 70-foot cell tower near the fairgrounds.

The La Grande School District held their board meeting this week and one concern was the misuse of the tennis court and track. Superintendent George Mendoza said there have been misuses, such as bicycle riding and skateboarding, which is tearing up the surface. Strollers and bicycles also cause damage, and some are using the area as a dog park without leashes and not picking up after their pets. The facilities could be locked if the issues aren’t resolved.

A man who is facing four counts of Arson and Tampering with Physical Evidence in the Summerville and Imbler areas will be back in court Friday morning. Kael Knight’s court date Friday, is for a plea hearing and sentencing.

A man who escaped from a psychiatric treatment center in Pendleton earlier this month remains at large. Thaddeus Ziemlak was institutionalized when he was judged not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting death of his mother in 2004. He is described as 5’10” weighing approximately 170 pounds, with sandy brown hair, and green eyes.

Wallowa County firefighters were called out to the Joseph school, just before noon, Thursday, after smoke quickly filled the main gym and school. Students and teachers were evacuated and then bused to the community center. The cause of the fire that started in the attic of the gym remains under investigation. The blaze destroyed most of the contents of the gym, but fortunately did not spread to the main area of the school. No word of any injuries.