After basking in the warmest December on record, Baker County residents have been shivering the first few weeks of 2024.

An arctic front that barreled through the county on Jan. 11 caused temperatures to plummet, and it was followed by a series of storms that brought widespread heavy snow.

The temperature dipped below zero on three of four days at the Baker City Airport.

Although no daily records were set, it was the most significant cold snap at the airport since January 2017.

With snow piling up, Baker City Public Works Department crews plowed snow for the first time this winter.

By Friday, Jan. 19, however, warmer air moved in, beginning a thaw that’s likely to continue through next week, according to the National Weather Service.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-city-continues-snow-removal-doesnt-plan-to-plow-residential-streets/article_02339904-b622-11ee-b19b-af5c8d43a542.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/cold-snap-continues-but-no-records-set/article_9b4a6bbc-b484-11ee-9d5d-7ffdd0ab6dd8.html

The aforementioned Baker City Public Works Department marked a milestone earlier this month, celebrating nine straight years without an injury that resulted in an employee missing three days or more of work.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-city-public-works-marks-9-years-with-no-lost-time-injuries/article_80270e54-b54b-11ee-826d-c3fcba4dfe49.html

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., has nominated Ashton LeTourneau of Baker City to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/bentz-nominates-baker-city-student-to-attend-air-force-academy/article_dfa3f2f6-b4bb-11ee-822b-13ff53e44847.html

The Herald debuted a monthly column by Dr. Dan Smithson, who will focus on ways that people can take control of their health by making wise choices are eating, exercise and their overall lifestyle.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/living-well-taking-control-of-your-health-through-lifestyle-changes/article_116869f8-b3c6-11ee-9aee-6be599fd2187.html