One of Baker City’s historic school buildings was engulfed in flames and smoke on the morning of Wednesday, May 22. The Central Building, which opened in 1917 and served as Baker High School through 1952, was closed in 2009. The extent of the damage has not been assessed.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/historic-central-building-school-on-fire-in-baker-city/article_1b32a02e-1844-11ef-b6a5-c777790a1baf.html

Michelle Kaseberg has a significant lead over Curtis Martin in the race for a position on the Baker County Board of Commissioners, and it appears likely that Kaseberg will take the seat at the start of 2025. Also in the May 21 election, Baker City voters rejected a 5-year-property tax levy to support the police and fire departments.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/election-results-kaseberg-has-lead-over-martin-in-commissioner-race-city-tax-levy-fails/article_475088ea-17dd-11ef-a728-fbadd584545b.html

Baker High School’s standout sophomore hurdler, Rasean Jones, made it four for four by winning both hurdles races at the 2024 Class 4A state track and field meet in Eugene on May 18. Jones duplicated the feat he accomplished as a freshman in 2023.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/sports/baker-track-and-field-rasean-jones-reflects-on-another-state-hurdles-sweep-owning-all-time/article_b3173838-163b-11ef-bfad-73567a2bfbdc.html

Baker City’s general fund budget is in better shape than a year ago, City Manager Barry Murphy told the city’s budget board on May 20. Although voters rejected a 5-year property tax levy to support the police and fire departments, the city council has approved a public safety fee that will avoid layoffs in the two departments for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-city-budget-in-better-shape-than-last-year-city-manager-tells-budget-board/article_8737ae40-17ae-11ef-916b-73b6ffd5bf80.html