Washington 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker has introduced a bill called “Ivan’s Law” in an attempt to deal with a few of the many issues surrounding fentanyl. It’s one of the results of a series of community meetings on the drug and is named for Ivan Howtopat, who died last May when he had fentanyl in his system and hanged himself in a jail cell. Mosbrucker says one of the stories she heard was from a former fentanyl user who told her that asking an addict if they want to go to treatment rather than jail while being arrested didn’t work. Instead the treatment question should be asked when that person is being released from jail and has had the opportunity to detox. The bill calls for the people who have been jailed for substance abuse and have sobered up to be asked if they would like to get help before they are released. It gets a hearing before a House committee on Friday morning.
Author: mbailey
Waters Bill To Help Beverage Producers During Disasters Passes Panel
The Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee unanimously approved a bill by 17th District Rep. Kevin Waters that could provide a major boost to beverage producers during a disaster or state of emergency. The Stevenson Republican says House Bill 2204 would allow beverage producers a temporary emergency permit – with no fees – to move their place of business to another beverage producing company in the event a natural disaster forces them to close. Last summer, the Tunnel 5 Fire forced several wineries in the area to shut down production and sales. The remaining wineries offered to open their facilities to five other companies. But Waters says current law would not allow that to happen.
Two Receive Minor Injuries In Highway 14 Accident
Two people received minor injuries in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 14 east of Lyle Wednesday morning. According to the Washington State Patrol, an SUV was headed west on Highway 14 at milepost 77 at about 7 a.m. Wednesday when it a struck a rock in the roadway. The SUV continued into the guardrail, and then struck an oncoming car head-on. The WSP says the drivers of the two vehicles, a 60-year-old from Dallesport and a 59-year-old from The Dalles, received treatment for minor injuries. Both vehicles were totaled.
Friends & Forest Service Look To Plan Mosier To The Dalles Trail
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the Forest Service say they are embarking on an initiative to plan and develop a trail connecting Mosier to The Dalles within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Friends of the Gorge says it has hired a team of consultants to initiate a community outreach process, with online open houses and targeted meetings. Discussions will focus on a preferred trail corridor, potential trailheads, trailhead amenities, and types of trail use. That will lead to a comprehensive final report summarizing preferred concepts for the trail. A website has been set up at mosiertothedallestrail.org.
January 23 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Castle Rock 59, Columbia 49
Stevenson 49, King’s Way Christian 45
Horizon Christian 67, Klickitat-Glenwood 37
South Wasco 55, Lyle-Wishram 52
Sherman 57, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 37
Dufur 63, Trout Lake 34
Goldendale 65. Kittitas 53
Girls Basketball
South Wasco 62, Lyle-Wishram 11
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 43, Sherman 37
Trout Lake 66, Dufur 21
Kittitas 64, Goldendale 18
TD Council Terminates Financial Help To D.A.’s Office
The Dalles City Council voted unanimously to terminate a payment to the Wasco County District Attorney’s office to assist in the cost of prosecution of misdemeanor criminal charges. It was put in place five years ago, when The Dalles discontinued its municipal court. City Manager Matthew Klebes noted in his research, there was no other arrangement of this kind in the state. While voting to terminate the current agreement, Councilors did call for discussions begin with the County and the D.A.’s office on a new agreement. Mayor Rich Mays says both the City and County are in good financial health, and there should be a solution available to the D.A.’s office. District Attorney Matthew Ellis says the loss of the funds without a replacement could lead to the loss of a staff member. This year’s payment would have been just short of $93,000.
Recovery Groups Look To Establish Drop-In Center
Representatives of a group of agencies in Hood River and Wasco counties who work with those trying to recover from addiction and mental health issues have formed a non-profit intending to create a drop-in center for people to be able to speak to someone and find support. Gaby Swisher of PacificSource says they are envisioning a place where those in recovery can find support from others in a similar place. Swisher notes while many group meetings are available to those in recovery looking for support, but this concept envisions a place that is always open. Michaela Gonzales of Providence Hood River adds they would like the center to be driven by those who would use it.
Bridge Replacement Effort Approved For $200 Million In Federal Funding
The effort to construct a new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge took a huge step forward Monday, receiving a commitment for $200 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program. The grant moves the amount of funding the project now has accumulated to $320 million in federal and state dollars to put toward the estimated cost of $520 million to build the bridge, while looking for another $105 million from Oregon and $50 million from Washington, with more money to come from a federal loan backed by toll revenue. Members of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority say the funding announcement keeps the bridge project on schedule and ensure it will move from design into construction, with board member and Port of Hood River Commissioner Mike Fox noting they have made a large amount of progress in a little over two years. Bridge commissioners plan to hold a question-and-answer session for the public on Facebook on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
January 19-20 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Goldendale 48, Highland 20
Girls Basketball
Goldendale 49, Highland 27
Boys Wrestling
Logan Smith and Bradly Seward won their weight classes as Goldendale finished fifth at the Kittitas County Throwdown.
Alpine Skiing
Hood River Valley’s Thorsen Welch was first and Lars Welch third in a Mount Hood League boys’ giant slalom at Mt. Hood Meadows. The Eagles had four of the top ten finishers. In the girls’ race, HRV’s Emily Teets finished first.
Events Postponed/Rescheduled Due To Weather
Sense of Place Lecture Series rescheduled for January 24.
Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Board Meeting is postponed to January 26.
The Dalles Dam Eagle Watch has been moved to January 27.
Hood River Lions Club and The Dalles Lions Club Christmas Tree pickup programs will take place on January 27.
Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association Chamber Music Concert scheduled this weekend has been postponed, no reschedule date has been scheduled yet.