Big Sky Boys Basketball Semi-Finals
Dufur 51, Condon 49
Sherman 57, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 35
Author: mbailey
February 14 Prep Basketball Scoreboard
Southwest Washington Class 1A Boys Basketball District Tournament
Loser-Out Game
Elma 43, Stevenson 41
Big Sky Girls Basketball Tournament
First Round
South Wasco 51, Sherman 30
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 58, Dufur 38
Hood River URA To Start Five-Year Action Plan For Westside District
The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency is going to embark on a five-year action plan for the recently established Westside Urban Renewal District. Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris says there will be five areas of emphasis, including an analysis of housing constructability at various locations in that area. There will be a public engagement plan established, with Norris noting the Westside URA is unique because it is providing the funding to proceed with existing plans. Other action plan elements include putting together a financial capacity analysis, developing a cost incentive program for “missing middle” housing, and establishing equity and performance metrics.
Kramer Field Agreements Nearing Conclusion
Wasco County should have agreements with The Dalles Little League and Babe Ruth for maintenance and use of Kramer Field for this year and for the foreseeable short-term future. Commissioner Scott Hege says the County, which owns the facility, will take over maintenance from the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District. Hege did say he doesn’t want to see the County get into the parks business, adding a longer-term discussion about whether some kind of community sports complex should be put together would involve a number of different stakeholders.
Mosbrucker Bill To Let PUD’s Sell Bio-Gas Products Passes House
A bill authored by Goldendale Representative Gina Mosbrucker that would authorize public utility districts, including Klickitat County PUD, to sell biogenic carbon dioxide and other bio-gas products passed the Washington state House of Representatives 97-0. House Bill 2069 would allow the Republic Landfill in Klickitat County to capture carbon dioxide currently released into the air. The landfill already captures methane gas. About 58% of the gas is methane, which produces renewable natural gas. The other 32% is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and its derivatives, such as carbon monoxide (CO), can be used in manufacturing processes for food processing, sustainable fuel production, and feedstocks. Mosbrucker says Klickitat County PUD was approached by parties that want to purchase the biogenic CO2, but millions of dollars will need to be invested in equipment that can clean the gas to food-grade safety. Before making those investments, Mosbrucker says the PUD wants to have the clear authority to sell it. The bill would provide that authority. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Pacific Power To Provide Funds For EV Ports At HRV Adult Center
Pacific Power has awarded more than $2 million to 22 organizations in Oregon for projects that will expand electric mobility and connect people across the state to the cost-saving, clean-air benefits of electric vehicles, with one of the projects targeted for Hood River. Funds will be used to install four publicly accessible EV charging ports at the Hood River Valley Adult Center. The center runs a volunteer Circles of Care program that provides free rides to medical appointments, and being able to charge EVs quickly is important. Other groups that will benefit from additional charging capacity include 30 EV drivers associated with the center and residents of a nearby senior-living facility.
Hood River Library Bookmobile Expands Services
The Hood River County Library District has expanded its bookmobile services. The bookmobile will be out the first Thursday of every month at 11:30 at Pine Grove Early Intervention on 2405 Eastside Road, then on the second Thursday of the month in will be on Pacific Avenue at 2:30, Sieverkropp Drive at 3:30, and at Wy’east Vista Apartments at 5 p.m. The third Thursday sees the bookmobile at Hood River Mobile Manor at 2:30, Hood River Crossings Apartments at 3:30, and Columbia View Apartments at 5, with a stop at the Rockford Grange on the fourth Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, the bookmobile tours Odell, going to the mobile home park and AGA Road for residents only at 10:30, at Community Park on Tamarack Road at 12:30, and Wy’east Middle School at 2:30.
February 13 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Madras 62, The Dalles 55: The Riverhawks fall to third in the Tri-Valley Conference with the loss.
Big Sky Boys Basketball Tournament
First Round
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 59, Horizon Christian 45
Condon 64, Lyle-Wishram 43
Girls Basketball
Madras 48, The Dalles 36
Wasco County Joins ODOT Radio System
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office will be joining the Oregon Department of Transportation’s radio system as it moves from analog to digital communications. By joining with ODOT the cost to upgrade will be just over $404,000 with an annual $33,000 payment to ODOT for operation and maintenance, compared with the County spending over $1.2 million to build out its own system. Commissioner Scott Hege says the upgrade will have many benefits. The current analog system will remain in use as a backup and for use by smaller agencies.
ODOT Issues Winter Travel Warning
Wind and snow may cause hazardous travel conditions in the Columbia River Gorge and mountain passes this week. The Oregon Department of Transportation says its maintenance crews will be ready with winter tools including plows, salt, de-icer and sand. With various types of winter weather threats possible in Oregon, travelers need to be extra cautious on the roads in the days ahead. Travelers should consult Tripcheck.com and check weather forecasts on their planned routes. If you must travel in winter weather, be prepared. Pack your vehicle with the essentials: tire chains, snacks, water, medications and warm clothing. Fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank and fully charge its battery. Plan your route ahead, and if you’re following GPS navigation, make sure it sticks to main roads because many rural roads are not maintained in severe weather and can be very treacherous.