The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is declaring the beginning of fire season Friday morning at 12:01. Starting Friday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will be I (one) in Hood River and Wasco counties. With record low snowpack, relatively low spring rain in lower elevations, and anticipated high temperatures, fine fuels—such as grasses—in the district have begun to dry out. So far this year, the district has experienced 13 fires burning 27.66 acres, of which half were escaped debris burns. Escaped debris burns are the number one human cause of fires in Oregon. With the moderate fire danger, there is no debris burning, including piles and burn barrels, on ODF protected lands unless permitted by the local forester. The Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District and Wasco County have also enacted burn bans beginning Friday. In addition, exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited. And there is no smoking while traveling through or working in any operation area.
Warm Springs Woman Dies After Being Hit Walking On Highway 97
A 42-year-old Warm Springs woman died after she was struck by a semi-truck and trailer and then another vehicle while walking Tuesday night on Highway 97 near Shaniko. According to the Oregon State Police, a preliminary investigation indicated a fully loaded, blue Peterbilt semi-truck with trailer, operated by a 60-year-old Spokane man, was traveling southbound on Highway 97 near Bake Oven Road when it struck a pedestrian walking in the travel lane. The pedestrian, Lutah Avis Wallulatum, was subsequently struck by a second unknown vehicle in the northbound travel lane. The OSP believes she was walking along the highway after the vehicle she was traveling in broke down a short distance from the crash location. Wallulatum was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators are seeking witnesses or anyone who may have been traveling in the area at the time, especially people who were on Highway 97 between Shaniko and the Cow Creek Rest Area on Tuesday night between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and who may have seen pedestrians or reported possibly striking an animal in the area during that time. Anyone with information is asked to call Oregon State Police dispatch at 800-442-2068 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone.
Federal Plaza Construction Begins Monday
Construction on the Federal Street Plaza in downtown The Dalles will begin on Monday. The project is located on Federal Street between 1ˢᵗ and 2ⁿᵈ Streets, and is expected to be completed by the end of October. Contractor Ajax Northwest says it will begin work on utilities for the plaza on Monday, so that segment of Federal will be closed until October 16. Construction hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, but the road will remain closed overnight, and detours will be posted. Access to nearby businesses will be maintained throughout construction. Public parking in the 1ˢᵗ Street Public Lot between Washington Street and Federal Street will remain open, with access from Washington Street. The City is issuing a reminder that on-street parking in the downtown core is reserved for customer use. Business owners, employees, and tenants are encouraged to use public parking lots. Updates on traffic conditions and project progress will continue to be shared on the City’s social media and website at thedalles.org.
Mail Carriers Food Drive On Saturday
The National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive — the largest single-day food drive in the country — is this Saturday. All donations collected in Wasco and Sherman Counties will go directly to the Columbia Gorge Food Bank, and all donations collected in Hood River County will be delivered to FISH Food Bank. To participate, place a bag of nonperishable, unexpired food items near your mailbox on Saturday. Your letter carrier will collect it during their regular mail route. Suggested items include canned vegetables, canned proteins, peanut butter, pasta, rice, and other shelf-stable foods. Please ensure all items are unexpired and in undamaged packaging.
Wine & Art Festival Saturday
The Columbia Gorge Wine and Art Festival will be at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn Convention Center on Saturday to benefit the Hood River County Education Foundation. It’s the third year for the event, but it’s the first time the art portion has been added to the title. Mike Schend with the Hood River County Education Foundation says they had invited a few artists previously when the festival was at the fairgrounds, and they’ve expanded with the move to Hood River Inn. The works of thirteen Gorge artists will be on display, along with tastings available from twelve different wineries. The Columbia Gorge Wine and Art Festival will be on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at tickettomato.com.
Columbia Gorge CASA 101 Events Planned
Columbia Gorge CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, will be holding a pair of its CASA 101 events to educate people about how they advocate in legal proceedings for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and the important role of CASA volunteers. The first will be this Tuesday at 5:30 in the Ferment Brewing Company Beer Hall in Hood River, and the second on June 4 at 4:30 at CASA’s new satellite office in the Copper West Building in The Dalles. CASA Executive Director Christopher Janetzko says the need for volunteers continues to grow, particularly in Wasco County. RSVP’s are appreciated but not required. E-mail training@gorgecasa.org.
Kite Festival And Memorial At The Hood River Waterfront
Bristol Hospice hosts its third annual Kite Festival and Memorial this Saturday at Lot 1 of the Hood River Waterfront. Thomas Keolker says there will be professional kiters displaying their skills and wares on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there will be place roped off for amateurs to bring kites as well. There will also be a ceremony to remember those served by hospice and have passed way in the last year. The celebration of life celebration will be Saturday morning at 11 a.m. There will be a tent set up in the Fermet Brewery parking lot for that ceremony.
May 6 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 2, Canby 0: Tyson Harjo’s two-run homer off Canby ace Jack Brauckmiller in the third inning scored the only runs of the game. Landon Pratt gave up only two hits over six innings, striking out ten. Trevor Jacobs came on in the seventh inning to strike out two and nail down the win.
Estacada 4, The Dalles 3: The Rangers finished a sweep of the two game Tri-Valley Conference series. Evan Ortega and Hunter Bustos drove in runs for the Riverhawks.
Columbia 15, Fort Vancouver 0: A seven-run first inning set the tone for the Bruins. Ryder Graves and Brody Landgren drove in three runs apiece.
Softball
Canby 10, Hood River Valley 5: The Cougars jumped out to a big lead early, and repelled the Eagles comeback effort. Honey Wampler-Bryan had three hits and drove in two runs for Hood River Valley.
The Dalles 12, Estacada 2: Ava Graves went five for five and drove in two runs, while Morgan Donivan doubled and homered to knock home three. Cadence Young also had a three RBI day for the Riverhawks.
Boys Soccer
Columbia 4, Winlock 0: The Bruins wrap up the regular season in second in the Trico League, and will host a Southwest Washington Class 1A District Tournament first round game this Tuesday.
Boys Lacrosse
Oregon Episcopal 14, Hood River Valley 3
Adventist Health Moves Closer To Critical Access Designation
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved Adventist Health Columbia Gorge’s application to become a designated Critical Access Hospital. The Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals, has accepted the application and will survey the hospital and its hospital-based clinics to finalize the transition to a Critical Access Hospital. Adventist Health Columbia Gorge administrator Jayme Thompson says it’s a huge step forward toward final approval. In order to finalize the new status, accreditation surveyors from The Joint Commission will perform an on-site evaluation of Adventist Health Columbia Gorge’s compliance with specific Critical Access conditions. The survey focuses on patient safety, quality of care, and structural requirements and includes in-person observation, staff interviews, and record reviews. A Critical Access Hospital is a special designation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for small, rural hospitals to receive cost-based reimbursement from the federal government.
Wasco County Approves Loan For White River Health District
Wasco County has approved a short-term $100,000 loan to the White River Health District to help them through an anticipated shortfall this autumn while waiting for property tax levy revenues to arrive in November. District Board Chair David Farris says they have seen patient revenue at the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin go up, and are currently trying to implement a marketing plan and recruit a dentist, but they don’t have a lot of operating funds to spare. County Commissioner Phil Brady pointed out that the district sought out grants from other sources, and did just get an increase in their levy from voters. Commissioners approved the loan request unanimously. In other business, the Commission approved a burn ban that will mirror a similar action planned by the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District. It will go into effect on Friday morning at 12:01. Commission Chair Scott Hege says this is the earliest he can recall a burn ban going into effect.