Baker County commissioner Christina Witham has proposed that commissioners hire an full-time administrator who would take over some of the duties that commission chairman Shane Alderson, the only full-time commissioner, does now. Witham is also proposing that the three commissioners have equal duties and pay. Alderson now makes $96,000 per year, twice as much as part-time commissioners Witham and Michelle Kaseberg. Commissioners discussed the idea Jan. 8 but tabled the matter.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-county-commissioners-table-discussion-on-withams-proposal-to-hire-full-time-administrator/article_eda7a524-ce04-11ef-a19a-23d2e7264d3a.html

Judge Matt Shirtcliff in Baker County Circuit Court has ordered Izek Cleveland, who was driving a car that crashed early Dec. 23 in Baker City, injuring all six passengers, not drive a car unless it is equipped with an ignition interlock device that won’t allow the car to start unless someone gives a breath sample that doesn’t contain alcohol. A blood test after the crash showed Cleveland’s blood alcohol level was 0.12, and he also told a police officer that he had taken cocaine, according to court records.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/judge-requires-driver-in-dec-23-crash-to-install-ignition-interlock-device/article_61a626d0-c6f8-11ef-8037-27a2e11b2b7c.html

Humana, the only insurance company that offers Medicare Advantage plans in Baker County, has removed Saint Alphonsus hospitals in Baker City and Ontario, as well in Idaho, from its network. That means people who have a Humana plan could pay more if they seek services at one of the hospitals. Both hospital and Humana officials said they are willing to negotiate to reinstate Saint Alphonsus as part of the company’s network.

A federal disaster declaration for this summer’s wildfires doesn’t include Baker County, but officials said that’s because the program is limited to damage to public infrastructure, and although the state’s largest fire started in Baker County, there was relatively little damage that qualified. The declaration doesn’t affect other federal aid programs designed to help ranchers who had dozens of miles of fences damaged and will have restrictions on cattle grazing for at least one year.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/federal-fire-disaster-declaration-doesnt-include-baker-county-but-financial-aid-for-ranchers-continues-to/article_4e32916e-cc4e-11ef-8ccc-fb9dd510ecb3.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/saint-alphonsus-no-longer-part-of-humana-medicare-advantage-health-care-network/article_f22bd126-cc68-11ef-ac85-ffc477598380.html