Klickitat County Commission Chair Ron Ihrig indicated he would like to have a data center ordinance in place by the middle part of next year. Ihrig has a list of things he wants to see in an ordinance governing what the County would require for data center location, including where they would be allowed and water usage. In addition, he says the County has contacted Klickitat PUD about developing language for the structures to have their own power sources. Ihrig also pointed out their noise will have to be addressed. An interim data center ordinance is currently being reviewed with legal counsel, with Ihrig noting they do have outside legal counsel they are working with through the County’s prosecuting attorney’s office that specializes in land use.
Hood River Downtown Urban Renewal District Still Has Funds
The urban renewal district for downtown Hood River still has about a million dollars in it, a few years after work on it was finished out. City Manager Abigail Elder says it is a similar situation as they are dealing with for the Waterfront Urban Renewal District, deciding what to do with the remaining funds so they can close out the district. The Urban Renewal Agency board, which is made up of the Hood River City Council, is currently going through a process of determining potential projects for the $1 million remaining in the Waterfront account.
Antelope Man Dies In Highway 97 Accident
Oregon State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near Madras that claimed the life of a 77-year-old Antelope man. Troopers say the crash happened Saturday afternoon, at approximately 3:03, near milepost 75 in Jefferson County. According to the preliminary investigation, a southbound Honda Civic, driven by Thomas Derrig Jagels, attempted to turn left into the path of a northbound Ford Sprinter van driven by a 67-year-old man from The Dalles. The van was unable to stop or avoid the collision. Jagels was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the van reportedly was not injured. Authorities say the highway was not impacted during the investigation. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Dalles Public Works Asks Residents To Keep Streets Clear Of Leaves
The City of The Dalles is asking residents to help keep streets safe this fall by properly disposing of leaves and keeping storm drains clear. Leaves can clog drains, cause flooding, and create slippery conditions when they freeze. Residents should not rake leaves into the street. Instead, compost them at home, use yard debris containers, or take them to the transfer station in compostable paper bags. Please remove large branches from roadways and park off the street during sweeping hours, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Dalles Disposal is also offering free leaf disposal throughout November, starting next Monday, for city residential customers. Bagged leaves are accepted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the transfer station on West First Street. Plastic bags are not accepted. For more information, call The Dalles Disposal at 541-298-5149.
East 13th Paving Work Cancelled
The Dalles Public Works Department has canceled the remaining work for a pavement preservation project on East 13th Street between Washington and Union streets due to unfavorable forecasted weather conditions. Paving that was originally scheduled to take place this week has been canceled. The City says in 2026, its crews installed new ramps throughout the project area ahead of the repaving project. The asphalt cut outs around the new ramps will be hot patched this year. Some temporary grading was done, and potholes were filled to improve the driving surface until paving can be rescheduled as early as spring 2027, weather permitting. The Americans with Disability Act ramp improvements will prepare East 13th Street for full-width paving from Washington to Union in 2027.
October 23-24 Prep Sports Roundup
Football
Hood River Valley 35, David Douglas 14
Ontario 36, The Dalles 20
Columbia 49, East Jefferson 27
Seton Catholic 54, Stevenson 8
Dufur 72, Elgin 42
Joseph 56, Sherman 46
Dayville-Monument 83, South Wasco 20
Big Sky Volleyball Tournament at The Dalles High School
Semi-Finals
Dufur def. Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 25-8, 25-13, 25-14
Sherman def. Ione-Arlington 3-0
Championship
Dufur def. Sherman 25-17, 25-19, 25-15: Both teams receive first round byes in the Oregon Class 1A playoffs, and will host second round games on Saturday.
Boys Water Polo
Bend 12, Hood River Valley 10
Girls Water Polo
Hood River Valley 16, Bend 5
October 22 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 4, Putnam 0: HRV moves up to third in the Northwest Oregon Conference.
The Dalles 7, Estacada 2: The Riverhawks win sets up a showdown at North Marion for the Tri-Valley Conference title on Tuesday.
Portland Christian 3, Trout Lake-Horizon Christian 0
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 2, Putnam 2: Putnam scored a late goal to grab the tie and leave both teams 3-0-1 in the Northwest Oregon Conference, both trailing 4-0 Sandy;
The Dalles 6, Estacada 0: The Riverhawks get their 11th shutout in 12 games, and clinch the Tri-Valley Conference title.
Catlin Gabel 7, Trout Lake 0
Seton Catholic 7, Columbia 0: The Bruins finish fifth in the Trico League after the loss to the league champions, and will host a District play-in game vs. Elma on Tuesday.
Kalama 7, Stevenson 0
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. St. Helens 25-22, 25-19, 25-15: The Eagles finish in a third place tie in the Northwest Oregon Conference with St. Helens.
The Dalles def. North Marion 3-0: The Riverhawks finished an unbeaten run through the Tri-Valley Conference.
Seton Catholic def. Columbia 3-1
Kalama def. Stevenson 3-0
Wasco County Approves Garbage Rate Increase
Wasco County Commissioners approved a 2.57% rate increase for Waste Connections to offset rising operational costs and disposal fees. Waste Connections District Manager Jim Winterbottom told the Commission that they use the Consumer Price Index to benchmark their changes in operational costs. He added that the most recent July to July CPI comparison increased by just over three percent. Winterbottom also said that fuel costs were not a part of their calculation. The rate increase will become effective on January 1.
Security Part Of White Salmon K-12 Campus Planning
Security is a part of the planning as the White Salmon Valley School District develops its plans for a K-12 campus at the current location of the middle and high schools. In the aftermath of last week’s shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says security improvements are top of mind. Polkinghorn notes they currently have lockdown capabilities at the push of the button, but they are considering other steps to further harden interior doors and windows to prevent access during a lockdown. He adds there is a balance between having a school that is welcoming to the community while still also able to slow down and stop an intruder.
Hood River Police Station Bond On November Ballot
Voters in Hood River are deciding during the current election whether to approve renovations to the municipal police department in the bottom floor of City Hall. City Councilor Anna Cavalieri outlines what they will be looking to fix, including remediating health and safety hazards. The $8.7 million bond will have a tax rate of 34 cents per one-thousand dollars of assessed property value. It’s one of two money measures the City of Hood River has on the ballot. A bond for development of workforce housing is also being voted on during the current election.