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.
The Dalles Police Investigating Downtown Tire Slashings
The Dalles Police Department says it is investigating a number of incidents involving slashed tires in the downtown area near the 300 and 400 blocks of 2nd and 3rd Streets. A statement from The Dalles Police indicates they have received more than ten reports from victims so far. If you believe your vehicle was affected and have not yet reported it, contact The Dalles Police at 541-296-2233 to file a report. Also contact police if you live or operate a business in the area and have security video, or if you witnessed anything suspicious, The Dalles Police says even small details may assist in identifying those responsible, and they appreciate the community’s help as it investigates the case.
D21 Opens Online Pre-Registration For 2026-27 Kindergarten
North Wasco County School District 21 has opened online pre-registration for kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year. Children must be five years old on or before September 1 of 2026 to be eligible for enrollment. While initial registration is digital, D-21’s elementary schools will host in-person orientation events to welcome new students and their families. When registering, have a birth certificate or other proof of age, immunization records, and proof of residency available. If you are unsure of the school to enroll in, call Dry Hollow Elementary at 541-506-3370, Colonel Wright Elementary at 541-506-3360, or Chenowith Elementary at 541-506-3350, and they can direct you to the correct school.
Skyline Health To Seek Levy Lid Lift
Klickitat County Public Hospital District 2, or Skyline Health, will be seeking a property tax levy lid lift in an April 28 special election. It is seeking to raise the levy rate of 49 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value to 75 cents per thousand. For a $400,000 home, that would be an increase of $100 per year. Skyline Health Chief Executive Officer Matt Kollman says the district board made the decision to ask the community for the increase. Kollman notes they have seen a significant growth in demand for services at Skyline. Volume in the surgical department has grown 27 percent in the last couple of years, imaging is up 14 percent, and Skyline’s clinic is up eight percent.
Snowpack At 40% Of Normal
The current storm has raised snowpack in the Hood, Sandy, and Lower Deschutes Basin up to 40 percent of normal, but it is highly unlikely there will be a dramatic change by the time the snow season ends. Precipitation is at normal levels, but Natural Resources Conservation Service Oregon Water Supply Specialist Jason Ward says the higher temperatures we’ve seen this winter have made a big difference. Ward says this is the lowest snowpack in this basin since 2015. The snow season usually runs into early April, so there is still a chance for some improvement, but it probably will not be dramatic.
HR School Board Gets Budget Report
The Hood River County School District board heard a report on budget development for the upcoming fiscal year. District Superintendent Bill Newton told the board they are continuing the efforts that started last year to reduce spending to reflect a continued downward trend in enrollment and deal with increased pension and operational costs. He says the proposed moves this year include making the Cascade Locks Elementary administrative structure a half-time principal/half-time specialist position, and moving early intervention and early childhood special education from Pine Grove to Mid-Valley Elementary. Newton pointed out reduced enrollment at Mid-Valley makes the space available, while Pine Grove is aging with increasing maintenance and upgrade costs. Also proposed: reducing discretionary spending on technical hardware and software refreshes, and continuing to use retirements and resignations to bring staff size in line with student enrollment.
Dog Mountain Trail Permits Available Sunday
The Forest Service will start making Dog Mountain Trail System permits available Sunday at www.recreation.gov. Permits will be required on weekends from April 11 through June 7, and on Memorial Day. Additional batches of permits will be released four days prior to each permit date at 7 a.m. The permit system was put in place in 2018 for safety reasons on Highway 14. The trailhead parking lot reaches full capacity early on weekends and visitors would park along the highway and walk to access the trail system. A permit is included when visitors take the free Dog Mountain shuttle to and from the Skamania Fairgrounds in Stevenson. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Each permit is good for one individual on the day it is issued. The shuttle runs about every half hour from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and Memorial Day. Additional information about shuttle operations can be found at https://www.ridecatbus.org/dog-mountain-shuttle/. Anyone using the parking lot at the Dog Mountain Trailhead will need to reserve one permit for each vehicle, not per person at www.recreation.gov. There is a $2.00 non-refundable administrative fee. The permit is only valid for the date reserved and does not guarantee a parking space at Dog Mountain Trailhead.
Plenty Of Wasco Commission Candidates; Only Incumbents In HR County
The deadline to file for Oregon’s primary election has come and gone, and it features an array of candidates for the Wasco County Commission, but only the incumbents for the Hood River County Commission. There are four candidates for Wasco County Commission Position 1, which is being vacated by four-term officeholder Scott Hege. They are former Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee, NORCOR Business Manager Nichole Biechler, former Mayor of The Dalles and current Klickitat County Administrator Robb Van Cleave, and Wasco County Republican Central Committee Chair John Grant. Phil Brady is seeking re-election to Position 3, and is opposed by C.H. Urness Motor Company President Mike Urness and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue board member Dick Schaffeld. In Hood River County three current commissioners are unopposed, Chair Jennifer Euwer, District 1’s Leti Valle Moretti, and District 3’s Ed Weathers. In Sherman County, Justin Miller filed for County Commission Position 2, Drew Messenger for County Assessor, Shandie Johnson for Justice of the Peace, and Theresa Olson for Treasurer. The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District will have both its bond measure to replace the aging Hood River Aquatic Center and an operations levy on the May 19 ballot, while the Wamic Rural Fire Protection District seeks the establishment of a permanent tax rate limit.
Seven File For Oregon House District 52
It is a crowded field seeking the District 52 seat in the Oregon State House. Current Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege is running for the Republican nomination along with Darcy Lapier and Robert Fleming. The Democrats seeking the position are Nick Walden Poublon, David Osborn, Hank Sanders, and Bernard Seeger. Current District 52 representative Jeff Helfrich is the lone Republican to file for the State Senate District 26 position. Nicole Bassett and Matthew Favro are seeking the Democrat nomination. In House District 57, embattled incumbent Greg Smith is being challenged by fellow Republican Jim Doherty, with no Democrats filing for the seat. A total of 25 people filed to run for Governor of Oregon: 10 Democrats and 15 Republicans. Most notable are incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek, and Republican challengers Christine Drazan, Ed Diehl, and Chris Dudley.
Incumbents Get Challengers In Congressional Races
In Oregon’s Second Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz has two GOP challengers in the primary: Andrea Carr and Peter Larson. It’s a crowded field for the Democrat nomination, including Patty Snow, Dawn Rasmussen, Peter Quince, Rebecca Mueller, Mary Doyle, and Chris Beck. In the Third Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Maxine Dexter is opposed in the primary by Jessica Salas and Andrew Castilleja. Loran Ayles filed on the final day and is the only Republican seeking that seat. For Oregon’s Senate seat on the ballot, incumbent Jeff Merkley is opposed in the Democratic primary by Paul Damian Wells. Seven Republicans filed to run for Senate, with State Senator David Brock Smith and Jo Rae Perkins the most notable names.