A group of Hood River Valley High School students have designed and are building a solar-powered car to race in Texas next month. Fifteen members of the Solar Storms are planning to make the trip. The car has been built from scratch by the students, as they designed every piece of the vehicle. Solar Storms captain Isabel Ulland says the goal is to complete in the Solar Car Challenge in Texas, a six-day, 600 mile race across the state. The team is continue to look for sponsors and raise money to pay for the trip to Texas. You can learn more and donate at hrvhsolarcar.org.
Judge Sets Bail With House Arrest Condition
Hood River County Circuit Court Judge John Olson set bail at $750,000 for a 47-year-old man from The Dalles who faces 46 different charges, including 38 felonies, involving a 14-year-old girl. Olson put what he called “very stringent” release conditions on Bryan Matthew McGeeney, most notably that he would be under house arrest and have to wear a GPS bracelet at all times. McGeeney also could not have any contact with the victim or minors, consume intoxicants, or have access to social media. Hood River County Deputy District Attorney Danielle DeCant argued during a court proceeding on Monday that given the nature of the charges against McGeeney, which include numerous counts of rape and providing narcotics to a minor, he should be deemed unreleasable. But defense attorney Jeffrey Wallace countered that McGeeney has no prior record, should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, does not pose a threat to the community, and that he needs to be able to post bail to assist in his own defense. Olson set McGeeney’s next court appearance for Tuesday if he posts bail, or July 6 if he does not.
Birthday Celebration For Herman The Sturgeon
Oregon’s most famous fish is celebrating another year. Herman the Sturgeon’s birthday will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Herman, a white sturgeon measuring approximately 10 feet long and weighing more than 500 pounds, has lived at Bonneville Fish Hatchery since 1998 and is estimated to be in his 80s or early 90s. White sturgeon are among the Pacific Northwest’s oldest fish species, with some living more than 100 years. Oregon Wildlife Federation Executive Direcror Tim Greseth says Herman has become an ambassador for white sturgeon and Oregon’s aquatic ecosystems, and his birthday celebration is a chance to recommit ourselves to their long-term conservation. This free, family-friendly event will include birthday sing-alongs, cupcakes, raffle prizes, hatchery activities and opportunities to learn more about one of Oregon’s oldest living fish. Morning festivities begin at 10 a.m., and afternoon activities at 12:30. In addition to participation in the birthday festivities, visitors are invited to explore Bonneville Fish Hatchery, which produces over 12 million salmon and steelhead annually.
Wasco Commission Gets Options For Filling Open Seat
Wasco County Commissioners received a number of different options for dealing with the vacancy left by the passing of Phil Brady, but decided they weren’t ready to move forward at this point. County Administrative Officer Tyler Stone and Counsel Kristin Campbell presented Commissioners Scott Hege and Jeff Justesen with options ranging from taking applications from those who would commit to not running for the seat in November to a direct appointment of advancing primary candidate Mike Urness to simply leaving the seat vacant until the election. Stone pointed out that under Oregon law for filling a non-partisan vacancy, it’s up to the Commission to decide how to proceed. The Commission will discuss the subject again at its July 1 meeting.
Klickitat County Puts Public Records Position In Prosecutor’s Office
Klickitat County Commissioners approved creating a full-time position in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to coordinate and respond to a growing number of public records requests. Government agencies around the country have seen public records requests increase, often times by political groups asking for large quantities of records, and it has become difficult for small counties like Klickitat to keep up with them in time parameters required by state law. Commissioner Lori Zoller says the liability the County would face outweighs the cost of a position. To make the position budget neutral, the Commission will not fill a position within their own department.
Expedited Review Of NSA Structure Replacement Gets First Hearing
The Wasco County Commission held a first hearing Wednesday on amendments to the County’s National Scenic Area Ordinance to allow for expedited review of replacement structures destroyed by disaster, such as last June’s Rowena Fire. The Columbia River Gorge Commission moved forward earlier this year with adjusting its management plan to pave the way for the amendments. Wasco County Planning Director Daniel Dougherty says this will allow applications for replacement structures to be approved at the administrative level. Dougherty noted the amendments allow recreational vehicles to be placed on Scenic Area properties on a temporary basis, along with an accessory building. A second County Commission hearing will take place July 1, when approval is expected.
WS Schools Talking To Moody’s To Establish Bond Rating
As the White Salmon Valley School District moves toward selling its first round of bonds to create a K-12 campus, Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn is working with financial services company Moody’s to establish a bond rating for the district. Polkinghorn says the district will make a presentation to give Moody’s background to establish the rating. The district won’t be selling its full capacity of bonds all at once. Because there are time limits on how long the district can wait to spend the proceeds, there will be multiple sales as the project advances.
Those Impacted By Rowena Fire Feeling Personal Toll
It has been just over one year since the Rowena Fire, and for those who lost their homes as a result of the blaze, it has been a whirlwind as they seek to rebuild not just their residences but necessary infrastructure. And for some, the personal and emotional toll has begun to add up. Rowena Long-Term Recovery Group co-chair Kelly Howsley Glover says they are trying to provide support and provide mental health resources. Those who went through the Rowena Fire and would like support can email rowenarecovery@mccac.com or go to rowenarecovery.org.
HR County Prohibits Use Of Fireworks
The discharge of fireworks in Hood River County is now prohibited. That will stay in effect until the Oregon State Forester lifts ODF’s Regulated Use Closure. The use of fireworks is already prohibited in the City of Hood River. In addition, open campfires are now prohibited on the Hood River County Forest except with designated fire rings at county campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are permitted. Motorized trail use is prohibited on Middle Mountain, Pinemont, and Fir Mountain. Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle use remains permitted within the Northwest Area Trail System under a special ODF waiver. All vehicles on Hood River County Forest roads must carry either a shovel and a gallon of water or a 2 1/2 pound fire extinguisher must be on hand.
ODF Establishes Regulated Use Closure
The Oregon Department of Forestry has put into effect a Regulated Use Closure in The Dalles Unit of the Central Oregon Fire Protection District. Among the restrictions now in effect on ODF-protected lands: Fireworks are prohibited, and smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads. Open fires are prohibited, except in designated areas. The use of portable appliances using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in clear areas free of flammable vegetation, but one shovel and a gallon of water or a 2 1/2 pound fire extinguisher must be on hand. Chainsaw use and the cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Motor vehicles are prohibited on ODF lands, except on improved roads. They are allowed if a landowner or their employees are conducting activities associated with their livelihood.