Page 3 - Brock Eckstein News Today

WALLOWA COUNTY — The first priority of firefighters in their battle against the Elbow Creek Fire in northern Wallow County — or any blaze — is the safety of people endangered by the flames. That’s why the various levels of evacuation orders were given starting late last week. Evacuation levels Paul Karvoski, emergency services director for Wallowa County, explained the difference in the levels during an in-brief meeting Saturday, July 17, in Wallowa. Level 1 is be ready to e...

The executive session will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Joseph Community Events Center. It will offer city Councilor Kathy Bingham the opportunity to respond to complaints in a Feb. 21 letter to the council written by businessman Gary Bethscheider saying Bingham accused Bethscheider of making an obscene gesture at her at the regular February council meeting. She has opted to make her defense in the closed executive session. Eckstein said that after Bingham makes her defense, the council will reces...

JOSEPH — The clouds that have covered Joseph City Hall with gloom for weeks — if not longer — may be lifting thanks to the efforts of its new interim city administrator, Brock Eckstein. Last week, Eckstein met with Dennis Welch, the city’s parks, Main Street and facilities supervisor, and discussed the harassment allegations that have kept Welch off work since March 22. He cited stress, “gaslighting” and harassment as reasons for his time off. Welch returned to wor...

JOSEPH — A scathing rebuke from the Joseph Chamber of Commerce, a second employee complaint of harassment and residents calling for transparency greeted the Joseph City Council during its meeting