After Oregon’s four-year experiment with decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs, including fentanyl and heroin, the state is taking a different approach to achieving a goal of encouraging people to seek treatment for addiction. Under Measure 110, which voters approved in November 2020 (62% of Baker County voters were opposed), people found with small amounts of drugs were given a citation roughly equivalent to a traffic ticket. They could avoid the fine by calling a toll-free hotline. But few people did, and even fewer sought treatment.

The new law, which takes effect Sept. 1, makes drug possession a misdemeanor, but it allows counties to create “deflection programs.” Baker County is among those who chose to do so. The basic idea is that police officers can refer people into the program, which requires that they undergo an assessment for addiction treatment, and then complete the treatment recommended (by New Directions Northwest, in Baker County’s case). If they do so, they won’t face criminal charges. But those who don’t can be sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/police-d-a-optimistic-that-drug-possession-deflection-program-will-save-lives/article_66bfa396-6594-11ef-8550-5fa0f137efa8.html

Mikayla Jones of Baker City has a passion for helping people, and her focus, including a current GoFundMe account, is raising money to help the local homeless population.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/a-passion-for-helping-others-drives-mikayla-jones/article_2531a610-6475-11ef-b971-574a863d7958.html

The annual Baker County Fair and Panhandle Rodeo returns to Halfway over Labor Day weekend.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/head-to-halfway-for-fair-fun/article_3a2dc16d-2afb-52af-bec7-6f823d7c402c.html

Classes started Aug. 26 for the Baker School District, and Baker High School sports teams have had or are preparing for their first games, meets and matches.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/sports/baker-boys-soccer-2024-preview-bulldogs-short-on-experience-but-aiming-for-playoff-berth/article_e0cce25a-655f-11ef-af22-233e6988146f.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/sports/baker-volleyball-2024-preview-bulldogs-will-rely-on-senior-laden-roster/article_4e0c5416-648b-11ef-97ba-e75d033166e4.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/sports/baker-cross-country-2024-preview-bulldogs-return-top-2-runners-welcome-large-group-of-freshmen/article_c4e485d6-63d7-11ef-82ea-1fae6f9fb09b.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/sports/baker-football-2024-preview-bulldogs-face-daunting-schedule-with-revamped-roster/article_e27c019c-63d1-11ef-93d1-c7bd91b351dc.html