Hood River County is asking voters to renew its public safety levy of 78 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value for another five years. The current levy at the same rate expires at the end of June 2025. It was established to get the Sheriff’s Office back to 24/7 patrols, and provide for more resources for criminal prosecution, emergency management, and the office’s civil division. The original levy was approved in the spring of 2020.
Author: mbailey
Klickitat EMS Seeks Levy Renewal
The Klickitat County Emergency Medical Services District 1 is seeking a renewal of its six-year property tax levy on the November ballot. The levy would not exceed 50 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value, the same as it has been for the last six years. Just over a decade ago the district was established as hospitals in the County divested themselves of ambulance services. The district’s Chief of EMS Operations, Will Harryman, says while they take in revenue from ambulance services, the levy allows them to maintain their current service levels. Harryman adds the levy has allowed the district to put money aside for vehicle and equipment replacement in the future.
TD Public Works To Do West 6th Pavement Work October 14-17
The Dalles Public Works will be doing road work next week on West 6th between Chenowith and Mt. Hood streets. According to the Public Works Department, the westbound lanes of West 6th between those streets will be closed during work hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. both October 14 & 15, and then the eastbound lanes will be closed on October 16 & 17. Motorists, bicycles and pedestrians are asked to use detours around the work zone during work hours. The street will be reopened to the traveling public each evening. Walk up business access will be open during construction. For safety reasons, parking on West 6th Street between Chenowith Street and Mt. Hood Street will not be allowed until the project is complete. The Public Works Department says the purpose of this project is to grind out the wheel ruts and replace about 500 feet of pavement in each lane.
Klickitat County Burn Ban Still In Effect
Although the weather is changing, the days are cooler, and there has been some rainfall, the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management is reminding residents that all of the established burn bans for this year remain in effect. Zone One at the east end of the County went in to effect May 20, Zone Two in the middle of the County started June 3, and Zone Three to the west began June 17. While there has been some rainfall, it has not been significant enough at this point to meaningfully reduce fire danger. The resolutions establishing the burn bans and associated maps outlining the burn ban zones, as well as what outdoor burning is allowed, and what is not allowed during a Burn Ban, can be viewed online at the Klickitat County Emergency Management Department webpage.
October 4-5 Prep Sports Roundup
Football
Hood River Valley 20, Forest Grove 14
Estacada 48, The Dalles 6
King’s Way Christian 28, Columbia 7
Dufur 56, Country Christian 6
Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 50, Perrydale 20
South Wasco 44, Echo 12
LaSalle (Yakima) 19, Goldendale 0
Volleyball
The Dalles def. Sandy, Philomath, and Gresham while losing to Barlow at the Mt. Hood Invitational at Barlow
Ione-Arlington def. Trout Lake-Klickitat-Glenwood 25-21, 25-21, 25-10
Bickleton def. Horizon Christian 25-13, 25-8, 25-20
Condon def. Horizon Christian 25-15, 25-21, 25-9
Dufur def. Sherman 25-16, 22-25, 16-25, 26-24, 15-13
Dufur def. Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 25-19, 25-20, 25-20
Sherman def. Lyle-Wishram 27-25, 25-21, 25-15
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler def. Lyle-Wishram 27-25, 25-21, 25-15
South Wasco won one of three matches at the Eagle Invitational at Damascus Christian
Goldendale def. Tri-Cities Prep 3-1
Girls Soccer
Trout Lake-Glenwood 1, Western Christian 1
October 3 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Football
Sherman 38, Pilot Rock 8
Boys Soccer
The Dalles 3, Estacada 2
Hood River Valley 2, Sandy 0
Trout Lake-Glenwood 1, Damascus Christian 1
C.S. Lewis Academy 7, Horizon Christian 1
Girls Soccer
The Dalles 1, Estacada 0
Hood River Valley 1, Sandy 0
Castle Rock at Columbia, 6 p.m.
Fort Vancouver 1, Stevenson, 1
LaSalle (Yakima) 9, Goldendale 3
Volleyball
Castle Rock def. Columbia 3-2
Stevenson def. Fort Vancouver 3-0
Trout Lake-Glenwood-Klickitat def. Horizon Christian 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-13
South Wasco def. Lyle-Wishram 25-17, 25-14, 25-11
Ione-Arlington def. Sherman 25-10, 25-21, 25-12
Goldendale def. White Swan 3-0
Cross Country
Goldendale took three of the top four places to win the girls’ portion of an EWAC meet at Warden. The Timberwolves’ Emma Meagher was the individual winner. The Timberwolf boys were second to Cle Elum-Roslyn, with Sean Henrikson the top Goldendale finisher in fourth.
The Dalles Housing Production Strategy Discussed
The Dalles City Council and Planning Commission discussed the draft of a housing production strategy at a Thursday evening joint meeting. It was the third in a series of joint meetings on development of the state-required strategy. Consultants Cascadia Partners presented a group of 19 different actions primarily aimed at encouraging and stimulating the production of affordable and middle-income housing. Lydia Ness of Cascadia Partners said one of the key actions in the list is to adopt a multi-unit partial property tax exemption to incentivize construction of needed housing types, and there is flexibility in how to do it. Another point of discussion was a 1% construction excise tax to generate revenue to put toward affordable housing. City Manager Matthew Klebes noted staff time would be a key factor in being able to develop some of the recommendations. Another Planning Commission worksession on the topic is planned in November, with a final draft to be complete by December 15 for potential Council adoption in January.
Suspected Copper Thief Arrested After Short Pursuit
A suspect in a reported copper theft from Union Pacific property near Rufus was taken into custody after a short pursuit. The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office says a vehicle associated with the Thursday morning theft was located. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver decided to flee. A Gilliam County Sheriff’s deputy deployed a spike strip, hitting the suspect’s front tire, but before the vehicle became disabled it went trhough a fence on the south side of Interstate 84. The driver fled on foot up a steep incline. Officers from the Oregon State Police, Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, and Sherman County law enforcement were able to take him into custody.
October 2 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
The Dalles def. Molalla 25-8, 25-12, 25-6
Girls Soccer
Trout Lake-Glenwood 1, Westside Christian 0
Cross Country
Stevenson grabbed four of the top nine places to win the girls’ portion of a three-school Trico League meet at Seton Catholic. The Bulldogs were led by Daisy Jones in second and Ruby Langer in third. Colton Hollis was the top Stevenson finisher in the boys’ race, taking fifth.
Historic Highway Trail Between Hood River & Mosier Reopens Thursday
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from Hood River to Mosier will reopen Thursday. It’s been closed since late July due to the Microwave Tower Fire. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area officials say fire suppression activities in recent days successfully put out an old disposal site hotspot that burned close to the trail and emitted noxious smoke into the area. Other area closures associated with the Microwave Tower Fire remains in effect on all National Forest System lands within the fire perimeter. Public entry to areas outside the trail is still prohibited, including entering the disposal site. People intending to hike near the fire area, or any recently burned area, should always remain alert and be aware of increased hazards, particularly recently burned or dead trees. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, and loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creating a falling hazard. Additionally, burned vegetation can also contribute to landslides, mudslides and erosion when rain occurs.