Judge grants temporary restraining order blocking Baker City Council from filling vacancies

Baker City’s contract attorney, Dan Van Thiel, has told city officials he believes the city council, despite lacking a quorum, has the authority to appoint councilors to fill the four vacancies.

But Judge Matt Shirtcliff in Baker County Circuit Court late Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 12, granted a temporary restraining order preventing the three remaining councilors from doing so.