Hood River’s Urban Renewal Agency board unanimously voted to go ahead and make a middle housing construction incentive program a part of the Westside Urban Renewal Plan. The pilot program developed by URA Administrator Will Norris would rebate development fees paid in excess of 7% of a residential development’s construction value, with a home size cap of 1,200 square feet. How to finance the proposed $1.5 million for the program is an open question, with Norris saying they have an application before the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Oregon Investment Board, and if that doesn’t pan out a loan from the City would be an option. Norris says there is a target to start the program in January 2025.
Author: mbailey
TD Council Going Forward With TLT Ordinance Revisions
The Dalles City Council directed municipal staff to move ahead with a plan to revise its Transient Lodging Tax ordinance, but potential impacts to the Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District dominated the conversation. Currently, the district receives a percentage of TLT revenues that are outlined within the present ordinance. But the staff proposal is to remove that from the ordinance, and instead make the disbursement through the municipal budget process. That had parks district officials concerned about the stability of what they can expect on an annual basis, even though City officials said they had no intention of reducing their contribution. Councilor Darcy Long felt some kind of long-term arrangement can be developed outside of the ordinance. Councilor Dan Richardson said he wanted to see more options on how to ensure the funding for parks. The proposed ordinance revisions will come back to the Council for a vote at a later date.
Law Enforcement Releases Fugitive’s License Plate Number
Law enforcement officials have released the license plate number for the vehicle that a man accused of sexual abuse in both Wasco County and Alabama is believed to be driving. The Oregon State Police says 39-year-old Adam Renk is thought to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray with Oregon license plate 353JWK. Renk went on the run after posting bond in Alabama for child sex abuse charges involving an 11-year-old. Since then, Renk was indicted in Wasco County in a similar case involving a 12-year-old. The two victims are unrelated. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing *OSP on a mobile phone.
Water Drops Resume On Williams Mine Fire; Very Little Growth Monday
Clear skies on Monday allowed helicopters to resume water drops on the Williams Mine Fire west of the South Climb Trailhead. Fire officials say ground crews worked on removing more of the fuels along the access road and near the trailhead in preparation for fire reaching that area. Despite the dry weather and gusty winds, the fire on Monday did not grow much or make a run up the steep slope of the South Climb. Size of the fire went up by seven acres to 13,089, and containment is still at 31%. Fire managers indicated that with Tuesday night’s forecast for rain followed by a few days of cooler, humid weather, there is a good chance of holding the fire along the trail. On other parts of the fire, personnel continue to monitor for hot areas near the control lines that need to be extinguished.
Whisky Creek Fire Activity Moderates
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated fire activity on the Whisky Creek Fire on Monday, with only slight growth in the headwaters of Herman Creek. Fire size went up by 42 acres to 2,977, while containment continues to be at 25%. Northwest Interagency Management Team 12 officials say a hose lay from Wahtum Lake to the southeast side of the fire was tested and completed. Crews will continue dozer line and hand line repair today and heavy equipment will engage in road grading on Forest Service Roads 2018 and 2810 up to Green Point Reservoir. Contingency planning is ongoing, identifying secondary fireline locations and developing a plan in the unlikely event a firing operation is necessary in the future.
Innovation Hub Kickoff Next Week
The Mid-Columbia Innovation Hub is getting going, with a kickoff event planned for next week. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Deputy Director of Economic Development Andrew Danies says the mission is to be a connector for entrepreneurs to access a variety of needs. Danies says the focus on traded-sector goods that get made here and then leave the area eventually. The Mid-Columbia Innovation Hub will hold a kickoff party on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Ferment Brewing on 403 Portway Avenue in Hood River.
Wasco County Applies For Resolution Center Block Grant
Wasco County is applying with the state for up to $1.5 million in a Community Development Block Grant to put towards development of a proposed Resolution Center for those dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues in the region. That would be to get total funding up to $20 million to move toward the first stage of the project being put together. Kramer adds they are currently looking for a project manager. Mid-Columbia Center for Living will provide the treatment staff for the proposed facility.
Search For Renk Continues
The search for a man accused of sexual abuse in both Wasco County and Alabama continues. The Oregon State Police says 39-year-old Adam Renk went on the run after posting bond in Alabama and was released from pretrial custody for child sex abuse charges involving an 11-year-old. Since then, Renk was indicted in Wasco County in a similar case involving a 12-year-old. The two victims are unrelated. The OSP says Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, noting he has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing *OSP on a mobile phone.
One Killed, One Injured In Plane Crash In Pinchot Forest
One person was rescued and one person was found deceased after an airplane crashed in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Friday evening. The Washington State Department of Transportation Air Search and Rescue says it was notified at 3:05 Friday afternoon that an aircraft did not arrive at the Hood River Fly-In after breaking away from a three-plane flying formation. The pilots of the other two aircraft in the flying formation reported the missing plane overdue about one and a half hours after landing. WSDOT says the crashed 1943 Stearman Kaydet aircraft departed from the Enumclaw area and stopped at the South Lewis County airport before continuing toward the Columbia River Gorge just before noon. A local Hood River air crew tried to locate the missing plane or detect a distress radio beacon, and cell phone and radar forensics determined that the plane’s flight path ended about 12 miles northwest of Stevenson at 12:59 p.m. Friday afternoon. A rescue helicopter and crew from the United States Coast Guard out of Astoria and ground search and rescue teams from Skamania County discovered the aircraft and occupants a few hours later in the high trees of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the pilot, 72-year-old Christopher Paulson of Eatonville, Washington, was flown to Portland by Coast Guard helicopter for medical treatment while his passenger, 45-year-old Jed Paul Kelly of Eatonville, succumbed to his injuries.
Whisky Creek Fire Sees Some Growth On Southwest Flank
The Whisky Creek Fire southeast of Cascade Locks was most active Sunday near the headwaters of Herman Creek, and there was some fire growth on the southwest flank. Size has increased slightly to 2,935 acres, with containment still 25%. A small spot fire is smoldering below the Benson Plateau, but it does not appear to be moving or growing. Firefighters removed structure protection wrap from buildings and signs where there is no longer threat from fire. Fire managers used a reconnaissance flight to scout the north end of the fire for secondary fireline locations. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire both aerially and from the ground. Fire managers are working on a contingency firing plan that could be implemented, if needed in the future. Monday firefighters were connecting the last piece to complete an extensive hose lay northeast of Wahtum Lake.