Local EVENTS Schedule
Baker County is now in phase 1 of the reopening process. While this still precludes holding major annual events at this time, things are happening in Hells Canyon! Check back frequently for updates and current information.
Free Personal-Use Firewood Permits are available from May 1 to June 1. Authorization forms may be obtained via email or at self-service tables in front of the Wallow-Whitman offices. For an electronic authorization packet, send an email to with the subject "Firewood Authorization" and include your name and city of residence. Authorization forms are available at the National Forest Service office in Baker City and Halfway at a self-service table near the front office between 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday. They are also available at the following local businesses until May 15: D & B Supply, Baker City; Halfway Mercantile, Halfway.
FFA Fundraising Dinner will be held Wednesday, May 27, from 4:30 to 7pm in the parking lot of the Pine Eagle Primary building. Tickets may be purchased at the event. To-Go meals will feature smoked pork loin, cheesy potatoes, and green beans. The price is $10 for adults and $8 for children. All meals will be distributed in the parking lot for carry-out.
Jacob's Dream reopened on May 26. The staff and volunteers welcome customers back, but with new restrictions. All customers are asked to use the porvided hand sanitizer before entering, and there will be a limit of one family or two people in the store at any one time. Donations are once again being accepted, but please limit the amount to one large or two small bags until things get more settled.
Halfway Whimsical is open once again, and the Farmer's Market will be held in the open space on the corner starting June 6th. Come see how creative our local artisans have been during the closure! Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Recycling Center will be open this Saturday, May 30, from 9am to 11am. Distancing guidelines will be in effect, with one person allowed inside the facility at a time and everyone handling their own recycling.
Baker County Libraries are operating in a limited fashion. The drive-through window at the main branch in Baker City is open regular hours. The Halfway Branch Library is tentatively set to reopen beginning Tuesday, June 2, and will observe its usual hours: Tuesdays 1 to 4pm; Thursdays 4 to 7pm; Fridays 9am to noon and 1 to 4pm; and Saturday 9am to noon. Patrons may enter on a metered basis, two at a time for 30 minutes each. A sign posted at the door will let patrons know whether they may enter. Other limitations are in place; call the branch for more information at 541-742-5279 or visit the library website. There is no date set yet for the Richland branch.
The 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--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. 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.
Pine Fest has been canceled for 2020 due to continued uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets or camping reservations that have already been purchased will be honored at the 2021 event with a valid receipt. If a refund is preferred, or if you have any questions, contact the Pine Fest committee by email at , specifying "Pine Fest 2020" in the subject line.
Crab Feed Cancellation
The Halfway Lions Club has decided to cancel this year's Crab Feed rather than try to hold it at a later date. Please read their full statement, which includes ticket refund information, here.
Eagle Valley Days, originally scheduled for June 20 and 21, has been cancelled for this year.
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 being developed and will be available by April 23 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.
The Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, which was scheduled to take place July 9-13, has now been cancelled. Participants who have already registered have the option of receiving a full refund or rolling over their registration to the 2021 event. For questions, refunds, or other information, please email , or contact Mark Dukes at High Desert Harley-Davidson, 208-338-5599.
New Bridge Grange has decided not to resume Grange activities at this time. As the organization's purpose is not economically driven and there are still safety and health concerns, the members agreed that there is no essential reason for doing so.
Pine Eagle Little League has postponed all planned activities. The board will continue to monitor events and keep the community posted on developing plans for the 2020 season. Visit their Facebook page for updates.
Pine Eagle Clinic Health Fair will be rescheduled for a later date.
ODFW has cancelled educational classes and workshops until May 31. The sessions involved include hunter education classes, field days, clinics, outdoor skills workshops, angler education trainings, Family Fishing events, and other volunteer-led activities.
The Shorthorn Oyster Feed, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, has been canceled for this year. Tickets already purchased will be honored at next year's event, or contact the restaurant for a refund.