Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is partnering with Mid-Columbia Center for Living to convert 21 units at The Annex in The Dalles into permanent supportive housing. Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing assistance with support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment, and employment services. Local contractor CMS Construction is doing the conversions, which will include the addition of custom kitchenettes to each of the 21 units. Community Action says current Annex guests will most likely be the ones to occupy the PSH units, ensuring that no one is displaced during this transition. The work will be completed in phases, with the first clients expected to enter the program in February, with the entire project anticipated to wrap up sometime in the spring.
Meadows To Open Tuesday
Mt. Hood Meadows says it will open on Tuesday with at least three lifts in operation. In a statement on Monday, the ski area says it will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Ballroom Carpet, Buttercup, and Easy Rider lifts, with the possibility Daisy could open as well. The terrain is limited, so skiers are asked to stay on the groomed runs and watch for unmarked obstacles. The ski area said there will be no night skiing as the snow cannot handle 12 hours a day of riding, but Night Pass holders can ski from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. until night operations cam begin. If you already purchased tickets for Tuesday or Wednesday, they will be valid. Due to the limited terrain, Meadows is sold out of daily lift tickets until Christmas Day. Highway 35 is still closed between Parkdale and Meadows due to a landslide, so make sure to check on road conditions before heading to the mountain.
December 19-20 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Barlow 55, Hood River Valley 52
The Dalles 55, Crescent Valley 37
Madras 72, The Dalles 61
Stevenson 71, Klickitat-Glenwood 62
South Wasco 71, Imbler 39
South Wasco 62, North Clackamas Christian 55
Horizon Christian 50, C.S. Lewis Academy 35
Horizon Christian 44, Crow 34
St. Stephen’s Academy 68, Trout Lake 19
Girls Basketball
Lake Oswego 43, Hood River Valley 23
Ida B. Wells 46, Hood River Valley 19
Mountain View 37, The Dalles 32
Crook County 52, The Dalles 37
Trout Lake 66, St. Stephen’s Academy 11
Stevenson 30, Hudson’s Bay 25
C.S. Lewis Academy 51, Horizon Christian 25
Horizon Christian 25, Trinity Academy 23
Dufur 53, Ione-Arlington 27
Imbler 60, South Wasco 20
North Clackamas Christian 73, South Wasco 31
Boys Wrestling
Copeland Louis finished fourth at 132 pounds to lead the Hood River Valley effort at the Larry Owings Invitational at Canby.
Quinn Brenner, Adrian Miramontes, and Harley Scott all had third place finishes for The Dalles at the White Buffalo Invitational at Madras
Girls Wrestling
The Dalles’ Ivy Arguello won the 110 pound division at the White Buffalo Invitational at Madras
Hood River County Forest Closed
Hood River County forest roads, trails, and parks are closed to the public due to downed trees, washed-out roads, and landslides resulting from this week’s storm activity, as crews continue to assess damage.
County Forester Doug Thiesies told County Commissioners during a special meeting this afternoon that some roads, stream crossings, culverts, and trails have been compromised, and they expect to find more damage.
Sheriff Matt English said that because crews are focused on repair and recovery efforts, signage for the closure probably won’t be installed immediately.
Thiesies added gated forest roads had already been closed before this week’s storms.
Two Hood River County Roads Remain Closed
Hood River County Public Works Director Cori Wiessner told County Commissioners that two of the road closures resulting from last night’s storm could last for awhile.
NW Natural crews were working on an exposed gas line at Barrett Drive between Country Club and Markham, and Wiessner says County crews can’t go in there until that pipe is secured.
And Woodworth Drive between Allen and Highway 35 will remain closed until an assessment of damage from a water breach that was eroding the shoulder.
Wiessner says there will also be long-term concern for wind gusts and rains leading to tree falls and landslides around the County, as soils are saturated.
Country Club Road between Frankton and Post Canyon has reopened, while Highway 35 remains closed by landslides from Highway 26 to about halfway to Hood River
County campgrounds have suffered damaged, but the extent won’t be known until water recedes.
Wasco County Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Assaulting Six-Year-Old Girl
A Wasco County jury convicted a 30-year-old man of assault and criminal mistreatment that led to serious injuries to a non-verbal, autistic six-year-old girl.
Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis says evidence presented during the trial revealed a pattern of abuse by Edwin Diaz II, who was in a relationship with the girls’ mother when the incidents occurred in November 2022.
Diaz claimed the girl was injured when a door fell on her while playing hide-and-go-seek, but the extent of her injuries was inconsistent with that explanation.
Days later, following a violent argument between Diaz and the girl’s mother, the child was found to have suffered a broken femur.
Diaz was taken into custody, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 70 months in prison with no possibility for early release or reduction.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 30.
Davis said the victim is doing well and is a happy and healthy little girl.
December 18 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
The Dalles 71, Elma 58
Kalama 76, Columbia 69
Fort Vancouver 95, Stevenson 36
Mannahouse Christian 48, Dufur 41
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 42, Sutherlin 38
Fort Vancouver 43, Stevenson 18
Dufur 57, Mannahouse Christian 12
River Level Falls Well Short Of Forecast, But Some Flooding Reported
The water level on the Hood River fell well short of projections Thursday night, but there are still some road closures today due to water and debris hazards.
Hood River County Public Information Officer Daron Ryan says the Hood River never got above 11 feet, and had receded to below 10 feet Friday morning.
There were several road closures Friday, including Country Club Road from Frankton to Post Canyon…Barrett Drive from Country Club to Markham…Woodworth Drive from Allen Drive to Highway 35…and Highway 35 from the junction with Highway 26 to about halfway to Hood River due to landslides.
In addition…Multnomah, Markham, and Methodist roads are open but were reported to have significant standing water, and should be avoided.
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District says there are several hazards along the Indian Creek and Westside Community Trails due to the storm, and asks that people avoid these areas until its crew is able to assess conditions and complete cleanup.
Odell Sanitary District reported stormwater and wastewater spilling into Odell Creek. Avoid contact with the creek and stay out of the water until levels have dropped and it is declared safe.
Slides Reported On Area Highways
Continued heavy rain and wind is causing landslides and vegetation impacts on highways in the region.
The Oregon Department of Transportation says a landslide has pushed onto eastbound Interstate 84 about four miles west of Cascade Locks, closing the right lane.
ODOT is asking motorists to watch out for highway crews working in the area.
Highway 35 is closed by a landslide near milepost 73, about 28 miles south of Hood River and 15 miles north of the junction with Highway 26.
And the Historic Columbia River Highway is closed just west of Vista House due to a landslide.
ODOT says they are getting reports of high water, landslides and downed trees and limbs affecting roads across the region.
Drivers should use extra caution if they need to travel anywhere and visit TripCheck.com before hitting the road to make sure their route is clear, plan extra time for their trip or reschedule their trip if possible.
Water’s Edge Clinics Prep To Reopen At Temporary Locations
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is expecting to reopen many of its clinics impacted by wind damage at the River’s Edge building along the Columbia River in The Dalles by Monday.
Adventist Health officials say Immediate Care will offer same-day appointments at the MCMC Family Medicine Clinic beginning Monday.
Internal Medicine will be at the Family Medicine Clinic next week, then move to Columbia Crest on December 29.
Both Cardiology and Orthopedics will start seeing patients Monday at Nichols Landing in Hood River.
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy will have a limited reopening Monday at the main hospital in The Dalles for postoperative and urgent patients.
Sleep Medicine virtual visits will continue for the next several weeks, and relocation and reopening for ENT is still to be determined.
Clinic phones are coming back online, although due to volume callers may have to call back several times.
The extent of damage and a timeline for repairs to the Water’s Edge building is still being determined.