Regional animal rescue groups, including the volunteer-run nonprofit Best Friends of Baker Inc., are concerned about a proposal from the Oregon Department of Agriculture to increase annual licensing fees. Volunteers say the increases, which could be more than $1,000 for Best Friends, will reduce the number of cats and dogs they can help by finding foster homes and paying for spaying and neutering.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/animal-rescue-group-worried-about-proposed-state-fee-increase/article_a75b21b5-f3b8-5d24-9195-5332da4936fd.html

A Baker Valley couple has sued Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative for $2.2 million in economic and noneconomic damages stemming from an April 2022 fire that damaged their home. Donald and Charlotte Beck contend in the lawsuit that a voltage surge caused the fire.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-valley-couple-sues-otec-for-2-2-million-for-house-fire/article_b5429966-d1a0-11ee-9613-6f221aa15a47.html

A boom on a Baker City Public Works Department sewer jetter truck snagged an overhead wire and damaged a power pole and power lines, prompting the city to close a 2-block section of Auburn Avenue in east Baker City for several hours on Feb. 20. The city added the truck to its fleet a couple weeks earlier. Public Works Director Joyce Bornstedt said the boom on the truck had not been fully lowered.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/section-of-auburn-avenue-reopens-after-baker-city-public-works-truck-snags-overhead-line-damages/article_c263a596-d00f-11ee-b932-9ff287bdc48b.html

Baker City doctor Dan Smithson offered tips for keeping your blood pressure under control in the first of a 2-part series.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/living-well-tips-for-keeping-your-blood-pressure-in-control/article_41068152-cc1e-11ee-8b6c-3b7ffd588503.html