Local EVENTS Schedule
Baker County remains under state-mandated restrictions which will impact indoor gatherings of more than 25 people in attendance. Please note that face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces and outdoors when not able to maintain a physical distance of six feet throughout the state of Oregon.
COVID Testing Clinic
Wednesday, January 27, 2 to 5pm
Lion Street, Halfway
Baker County Emergency Management Director Jason Yencopal and his team will be in Halfway facilitating a free drive-through COVID 19 testing clinic. Residents from both Pine and Eagle valleys are encouraged to participate in this free clinic. People may pre-register or just come; there will be a line for each. The process doesn't take very long, and people will stay in their car and swab themselves while being supervised by trained medical volunteers. Click on this link to pre-register, and visit the Baker County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.
Dtour Youth Ministry
Mondays, 4:30 to 6pm, Kindergarten through 5th grade
Tuesdays, 4 to 6pm, 6th through 8th grade
Tuesdays, 7 to 8pm, 9th through 12th grade
Dtour Youth Center, Halfway
Busing is not available; masks are required. For more information or to register for youth groups, call Kevin Pfeifer at 503-621-8465 or visit the group's website.
Pine Valley Ski Club
The Pine Valley Cross-Country Ski Club is offering ski packages for rent. Skis, boots, and poles can be rented for an annual membership per family. The fee is $10 to $20, based on a family's ability to pay. To become a member and rent equipment, call Linda or Tom Collier at 541-742-2790 or Galen West at 541-742-2596.
Snowmobile Poker Run
Sunday, February 14
The Panhandle Snowmobile Club will hold its annual Poker Run on Presidents Day Weekend as usual! This year's event is being held in memory of Denny Oliver. The Poker Run features a 25 mile out-and-back groomed course between Clear Creek Sno-Park and Fish Lake, with seven stations to spin for cards. For more information, visit the Panhandle Snowmobile Club's Facebook page.
Panhandle Holiday Market features work by local artists and crafters available for year-rounds gift shopping. Visit the Facebook page and peruse a variety of quilted and knitted pieces, soaps, pottery, jewelry, and an array of other arts and crafts.
Donations for Fire Victims on the west side of the state will be collected at the Richland Christian Church for transportation to the west side. Suggested items are canned goods, cereals, condiments, dried foods like beans, rice, and pasta, household cleaning items, bed linens, pillows, towels, sleeping bags, personal hygiene and first aid items, and kitchen dishes, utensils, and small appliances that are appropriate for use in a motel. See page 6 of the November 4th issue of the Hells Canyon Journal for a detailed list of supplies most needed. Donations should be packed in boxes or plastic totes to stack for transport. The date of the next trip has not yet been set, but the need for larger items such as furniture and appliances will come into play as homes and businesses begin to rebuild in the spring. Call Pastor Roy Gotzman at 541-519-9173 to arrange a time to drop off your donation.
Crafters & Quilters are gathering once again at the New Bridge Grange Wednesdays from 9:30am to 2pm, with COVID-related stipulations to allow for use of the Grange Hall.
Community Connections Bus is still making its weekly trip to Baker City on Wednesdays, and is available to pick up prescriptions at Bi-Mart for Panhandle residents. Call William Jackson at 541-742-7433 by Tuesday evening to arrange a ride or prescription pick-up.
Community Connections Meals-to-Go in New Bridge and Halfway--Thursday senior meals are still being provided to residents of the Pine Valley and Eagle Valley areas on a "to-go" basis out of the New Bridge Grange and at the Old Pine Market parking lot. Meals are distributed starting at noon; please follow the one-way traffic directions and stay in your car. Entrees are made fresh each week, but will come frozen and ready to microwave. To order a meal, call Leanne Hinkle at 541-554-5549 or William Jackson at 541-540-7600 before noon on Monday.
Baker County Libraries Open - The county's main and branch libraries have reopened with limited services and special access requirements: face coverings are required while indoors; children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years or older; visitor occupancy is limited to 8; visitation time is limited (timed passes issued at front desk upon entry); public restrooms, meeting rooms, and drinking fountains are closed; seating is restricted; people unable to wear a mask will be provided outdoor drive-up/curbside service. For more details, see the new Director's Message on the library website.
Local Resources for Assistance During Coronavirus
Help is available for grocery delivery or other basic services while sheltering at home through the Halfway Helpful Facebook page or the Panhandle Response Team. To have groceries delivered in Halfway by the PRT, contact Old Pine Market at 541-742-4366 or Halfway Mercantile at 541-742-6171. Grocery deliveries in Eagle Valley may be arranged by contacting Thorny Hampton at The Hitching Post at 541-893-6175.
Economic assistance is offered by the newest local group, The Village Fund, facilitated by UCP. The application form is available as a PDF through the UCP website to print, complete, and mail to The Village Fund committee. Donations and pledges to contribute stimulus checks are currently being accepted; checks may be made payable to United Community Partners with "The Village Fund" noted in the memo line and mailed to P.O. Box 545, Halfway, 97834. For more information, visit the project page on the UCP website, or email TheVillageFund20@gmail.com.