The Port of Hood River Commission discussed keeping tolling operations going for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge running smoothly when construction of a new bridge begins. When the work on the new bridge starts, it will require moving the tollbooth to the east and perhaps reducing the number of lanes from four to two. Port and Bridge Authority Commissioner Kathryn Thomas said there is a concern around making sure they don’t lose tolling because there could be more wide-open area that could cause issues for focusing license plate cameras in the correct location. Maintaining toll revenue is also important to the Bridge Authority, as it supports loans that have been gathered to build the new crossing.
Columbia Gateway URA Considers Small Business Expansion Program
The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency board discussed a matrix of 51 different ideas on how it can support revitalization of downtown The Dalles. One idea that got some support is a business expansion and creation grant program, based on something currently being done in Pendleton. Agency Manager Jacob Anderson says these would be fairly small grants, but they can bring positive results. URA board members were supportive of the idea. Finding a way to reduce the cost of system development charges for businesses moving into vacant and unused buildings was also brought up. The topic was discussed in a workshop format with no decisions made.
Wasco County DA Gives Report To Commission
Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis gave a report to County Commissioners, showing crime in the county, when adjusted for the re-criminalization of some drugs, has been trending downward since 2022. A decrease in criminal referrals to the D.A.’s office is consistent with reports from law enforcement. Davis says the office has made some changes in the administration of plea deals leading to an increase in cases going to trial, most notably in the area of person crimes resulting in what she termed “very favorable outcomes.” She added two-third of cases in her office come from The Dalles City Police.
Lions Follies Start This Weekend
The 46th Annual Mid-Columbia Lions Follies are this and next weekend at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium. This year’s theme for the community show is a murder mystery entitled “Whodunit powered by AI” written by Terri Tyler. The Follies’ Izzie Hollenberry explains the plot centers around a tech billionaire who developed an AI house, and is found in it murdered by a fish. The show is a benefit for the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. the next two Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for kids 12 and under. They are available at Waucoma Bookstore, Key Bank, online at olshf.org, or at the door.
White Salmon Schools Looking To Strengthen Student Support
The White Salmon Valley School District is working on providing more support for students who need it. Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says they prepared for about a year-and-a-half before rolling it out in recent months. It’s a multi-tiered system of support, using data to screen student academic achievement, identifying those who need help early, and getting them the support early and often. Polkinghorn also said they have a group of teachers developing a new K-12 math curriculum for the district that should be ready for adoption soon. He says the goal is to create students who are critical thinkers and problem solvers.
March 17 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 4, St. Helens 0: Landon Pratt and Trevor Jacobs combined on a no-hitter, striking out 15 Lions’ batters. Chaz Valentine drove in the go-ahead run with a base hit in the fifth inning, while Pratt drove in two in the sixth.
Umatilla 18, Sherman 14 (8 innings): The Vikings scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull out the win.
Softball
The Dalles 9, Cascade 5: Candace Young had two hits and brought home four runs, while Edie May had three RBI to lead the Riverhawks to the win.
Columbia 5, Kalama 2: Danica Herman had three hits and a home run as the Bruins won their season opener.
Boys Soccer
Columbia 1, Stevenson 0
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 5, Redmond 3
The Dalles 4, Ridgeview 4
Girls Tennis
Redmond 4, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Golf
Pendleton trimmed Dufur by one shot, while The Dalles finished fourth in a tournament at The Dalles Country Club. The Rangers’ Tygh Timinsky shot a seven-over-par 79 to win medalist honors.
Sheriff Asks To Review West Fork Purchase Proposal Before County Supports
Hood River County Commissioners showed support for efforts by the Mt. Hood National Forest to purchase about 1900 acres along the West Fork of the Hood River, but will wait a couple of weeks to sign a letter of support after County Sheriff Matt English said he wanted time to vet the proposal for public safety concerns. Mt. Hood National Forest District Ranger Kameron Sam told the Commission one of the reasons they are hoping to acquire the land by the end of the year is for better recreational access. English said he not seen the proposal until before the meeting on Monday, and would like time to review it before Commissioners take a position. He notes the land is adjacent to the Mt. Hood Wilderness, the Bull Run Watershed, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Sam said acquisition of the land would enhance protection of threatened and endangered fish species and habitat, and provide watershed protection.
Middle Mountain Side By Side Trail Development Discussed
A proposal to locate side by side vehicle trail development in the Middle Mountain area was presented to Hood River County Commissioners during a Monday worksession. County Forestry Recreation Manager T.J. Moloney told Commissioners they’ve been working with state agencies and trail constituents for a number of years to find a location. He said the proposed 22-mile loop is about the minimal distance for a worthwhile experience, but he also pointed out this recreation is currently taking place and is unmanaged, and having a formalized trail can reduce those issues. Commissioner Chad Muenzer asked if it would be better to continue work on developing a larger trail network on the East Side, but Moloney said it would be a long effort to get there. Commissioners took no action on the concept.
March 16 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Country Christian 7, Sherman 0
Boys Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 14, Beaverton 4
Boys Golf
Lincoln was the team winner at the Hood River Valley Invitational at Indian Creek Golf Course, with the Cardinals’ Mateo Gramstad shooting an even par 72 for medalist honors by seven shots. HRV was fourth, led by a 15th place finish for Aksel Betz.
Portland Man Takes Own Life After I-84 Chase
A Portland man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase on Interstate 84 in Sherman and Gilliam counties on Friday night. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 30-year-old Devon Brown. The Sheriff’s Office says the incident began when a Sherman County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-84 at Biggs Junction. A pursuit ensued, and the suspect vehicle traveled eastbound on I-84 and exhibited erratic driving behavior, reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour. A Gilliam County Sheriff’s Deputy deployed stop sticks at Phillipi Canyon in an attempt to safely disable the fleeing vehicle, but the driver avoided them. The vehicle later exited the freeway at Blalock Canyon and traveled down a paved section of an unmaintained roadway, where it eventually came to a stop. Officers gave verbal commands for the male driver to exit the vehicle, however these efforts were unsuccessful.