The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast explores topics which affect small towns and rural communities in eastern Oregon and beyond. With the help of business and community partners, we will discuss the foundations of healthy communities, innovative new technologies, and challenges we all face. We’ll also explore the value of cooperatives and member-owned utilities and how Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative contributes to the health and growth of our service territory.
What Rural Fire Protection Districts Want You To Know with Chief Sean Lee
Paige is joined by Baker Rural Fire Protection District Chief, Sean Lee, to talk about what it looks like inside the walls at the Rural Fire Protection District. From volunteering, to red flag warnings, to fire danger levels, Chief Lee breaks down small things you can do and look for to make a big impact this fire season.
Baker Rural Fire Department https://www.bakerruralfirepd.org/ (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakerruralfirepd.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C63c2fe9033474ce9b79708decaf8c84d%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639171367499782964%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=AvfAvXwjcv5cFVILzaC77bagjlOkF0GLA2CRxsgetHU%3D&reserved=0)
New Baker Fire ordinance: https://www.bakercountyor.gov/pages/pdfs/Draft_Ordinance_No_2026-02.pdf (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakercountyor.gov%2Fpages%2Fpdfs%2FDraft_Ordinance_No_2026-02.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C63c2fe9033474ce9b79708decaf8c84d%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639171367500082203%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=56bUSV4Vue3smrOD5IilZVUHX1i4%2FbbnSwC5nL8Sjfk%3D&reserved=0)
Volunteer for your local fire department : https://www.oregonfirerecruitmentnetwork.com/ (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregonfirerecruitmentnetwork.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C63c2fe9033474ce9b79708decaf8c84d%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639171367500102386%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ukezrYRzk77QJ6b9QeFxGJjMP53DMX9%2BZ2SWmPsLkFU%3D&reserved=0)
Oregon State Fire Marshal : https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/pages/default.aspx (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregon.gov%2Fosfm%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C63c2fe9033474ce9b79708decaf8c84d%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639171367500122698%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2F0ysF9U7tw17s%2BXt7M6QMa61sphjV5kUzVx5PMN2bcA%3D&reserved=0)
3 Jun 2026
Arts & Culture - A Vital Piece of Your Community with Ginger Savage
In this episode, Paige Witham interviews Ginger Savage of Crossroads Carnegie Art Center (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcrossroads-arts.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7Ce284a7cd5c9d44ff651a08deb2b8bc21%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639144703695886182%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8kNVFac6NtL7fbOk90u%2FNihBn0JmgpoLmNJ6leJHvVk%3D&reserved=0) about how Arts and Culture shape the past, present, and future of Eastern Oregon. From the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhotic.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7Ce284a7cd5c9d44ff651a08deb2b8bc21%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639144703695935007%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q%2FX2qxx1SJnBeneLAYAFE1FS0c%2FHGXUrPKHKIBq0GAg%3D&reserved=0) to shows at Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feasternoregonregionaltheatre.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7Ce284a7cd5c9d44ff651a08deb2b8bc21%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639144703695966034%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hjKO71JtAM6juex8T9FxypAZXvupksInMppT2CzDPhI%3D&reserved=0), and classes at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcrossroads-arts.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7Ce284a7cd5c9d44ff651a08deb2b8bc21%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639144703695990830%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8EPxoyDRZjzra66xbHnPU2ZhSTV1D8zTD3sOC36s83Y%3D&reserved=0), Ginger shares how relationships, collaboration, and the arts make a real difference in caring for the community.Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at otec.coop (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.otec.coop%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7Ce284a7cd5c9d44ff651a08deb2b8bc21%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639144703696013230%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GnbXWD62iVFMovts94vMkSc3l5lHwBIe419IwtHCZCc%3D&reserved=0).
27 Apr 2026
How Saint Alphonsus Keeps Care Closer to Home, With Tony Swart
In this episode of the healthcare series, Paige Witham interviews Tony Swart, of Saint Alphonsus - Baker City (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saintalphonsus.org%2Flocation%2Fsaint-alphonsus-medical-center-baker-city&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C531863f510044fd2643908dea49a7a30%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639129180567846408%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BK9%2BqVcfEgjBiuO92c6v5P4ThHjK5o396ZMIjF%2Bc0Rs%3D&reserved=0), about how strong community partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare in Eastern Oregon. From keeping patients closer to home to collaborating with local organizations, Tony shares how relationships and local investment make a real difference in caring for the community, both inside and outside the hospital walls.
Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.otec.coop%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cswootten%40pioneer.coop%7C531863f510044fd2643908dea49a7a30%7Cebd1de51a4674771a06bcedf93c21143%7C0%7C0%7C639129180567865677%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dgncRYAVKYWovorYeyQOrxvjmJJprbB%2BbVbyRFpqXk4%3D&reserved=0).
8 Apr 2026
Strengthening Harney County Through Innovations in Health Care
The team at Harney District Hospital focuses on innovation and teamwork to provide excellent patient care. The hospital recently installed new state-of-the-art MRI and integrated telestroke services, making a big impact on community health and resiliency. CEO Bob Gomes and Marketing and PR Director Samantha Yarbrough tell us all about the hospital's investment in its community and its impact on this podcast episode.
23 Mar 2026
Strengthening Rural Healthcare in Grant County, With Jena Knowles
Jena Knowles, of Blue Mountain Hospital District, joined the podcast to discuss the programs, partnerships and innovations supporting rural healthcare in Grant County. From 3D mammogram machines to new telestroke services and workforce training, Jena shares how local collaboration helps keep quality care closer to home.
9 Mar 2026
APEX Elite Line Academy Powers Opportunity, With Doug Dalton
OTEC Marketing Coordinator (Paige Witham) and Director of Member and Strategic Services (Lea Hoover) sit down with Doug Dalton, of Baker Technical Institute, to discuss the new APEX Elite Line Academy—a partnership between BTI and OTEC. They explore how this hands-on training program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers, while strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.
19 Feb 2026
Grande Ronde Hospitals & Clinics, with CEO Jeremy Davis
Healthcare is necessary for any community to thrive. On this first installment of our series highlighting rural healthcare in Eastern Oregon, Paige sits down with Jeremy Davis, President and CEO of Grande Ronde Hospitals and Clinics, to discuss how the hospital has recently improved its services to increase quality care for its patients. They discuss facility expansion, teamwork, innovation and the importance of rural partnerships.
19 Nov 2025
Empowering Healthy Communities: Education
Oregon Superintendent of the Year, George Mendoza, joins us for a conversation about his background, the role education plays in a healthy community, scholarships, and how education powers success for Eastern Oregon.
17 Oct 2025
The Cooperative Advantage
From pennies to power, why having a cooperative model makes all the difference. Listen in as OTEC's CEO Les Penning discusses the unique value that cooperatives bring to the electric industry.
5 Sept 2025
The Current Advantage : How Hydro Powers More than Your Homes
The Columbia River and Snake River dams provide clean, reliable, and affordable power in the Northwest. But did you know the river projects provide benefits well beyond the electric system? The dams are vital to agricultural improvements, flood control, the transportation system, and tourism across our region. On this podcast episode, Clark Mather, executive director of Northwest River Partners, tells us how integral these river projects are to our service territory.
4 Aug 2025
The Lean, Green, Energy Machine : Where does our power come from?
If you have ever wondered where the electricity that powers eastern Oregon comes from, this is the podcast for you. OTEC’s Director of Engineering, Charlie Tracy, joins Shane and Paige to discuss the carbon-free power sources that OTEC utilizes to provide some of the most reliable and affordable electricity in the nation.
30 Jun 2025
Wildfire Prevention, Education and Mitigation is a Year-Round Effort at Your Electric Cooperative
Eric Wirfs explains how Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative proactively implements wildfire prevention, education, and mitigation strategies year-round, emphasizing community involvement in reducing human-caused wildfires in an interview with hosts Paige and Shane.
13 Feb 2025
Powering Your Future with Scholarships
Tuition can be a financial burden to those who wish to pursue higher education. That’s one reason OTEC created a scholarship program with its unused capital credits. On this episode, you’ll learn about OTEC’s scholarship program and hear from two of OTEC’s scholarship recipients as they join Paige and Shane to discuss how the financial assistance helped them pursue their dream degrees, earn valuable intern experiences and power their future for success!
9 Oct 2024
Partnering with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded to inspire a love of reading in children. The program gives books to children free of charge from birth until age 5. OTEC is proud to fund half of the cost of the program for children living in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties, while the James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation pays the other half. Hear more about this incredible partnership and program on this podcast episode.
3 May 2024
The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast Inaugural Episode
In this inaugural episode of “The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast,” hosts Shane Stequist and Paige Witham sit down with Lea Hoover to discuss the cooperative model, safety trivia and expectations for the podcast’s future episodes.
“The Power Easter Oregon Podcast” is produced by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City, Oregon. If you have any ideas for future episodes, please contact us at communications@otec.com (mailto:communications@otec.com).
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