Wasco County Commissioners decided to add the proposed Columbia Gorge Resolution Center to the 2024 top ten list of community enhancement projects seeking state and federal funding. It was not included in the draft list developed by the Wasco County Economic Development Commission. But County Commissioner Steve Kramer said he talked with Oregon Health Authority officials about the project to build regional facility offering programs for people struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges and drug or alcohol addiction, and the appearance on the list would help the chances for funding, particularly given Governor Tina Kotek’s stated priorities for the current legislative session. Other projects on the list include an aviation maintenance training hangar at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport, water system improvements in Maupin, and a joint city hall, fire station, and community center in Mosier.
Author: mbailey
Skamania Sheriff Confirms Finding Body Of Missing Portland Woman
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday that a body they recently discovered was that of 47-year-old Jeannie Enyeart, who went missing from Portland in late January. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies on January 29 found an abandoned vehicle stuck in a snow berm in Stevenson. Officials said they quickly contacted Portland police and told them the vehicle was involved with Enyeart. The two departments say they searched the area and the vehicle, eventually recovering Enyeart’s body. In a statement from Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer, they shared that it was a difficult case and information had to be restricted to obtain justice for Enyeart. Enyeart’s fiancé Jon French was arrested and made his first appearance in court Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse.
Oregon Immunization Exclusion Date February 21
All children attending public and private schools, pre-schools, Head Start and certified child care facilities in Oregon must have up-to-date immunization documentation, or have an exemption, on February 21 to remain in school. Health district in the state have been sending letters to the parents of children who need additional immunizations, indicating which are needed. Parents seeking immunizations for their child can contact their primary care provider, county health department, or call 211 for information about where to go in your area. Parents wanting a new nonmedical exemption for their child must provide documentation that they have received education about the benefits and risks of immunization on a Vaccine Education Certificate. Parents can get education from a health care practitioner or from watching an online vaccine education module. Additional information on school immunizations can be found at the Oregon Immunization Program website at healthoregon.org.
Thunder Island Pedestrian Bridge Closed For Repairs
The Thunder Island pedestrian bridge spanning the historic lock channel at the Cascade Locks Marina will be closed to public access for several weeks while crews make repairs to the damage caused by the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge excursion vessel breaking free of its moorings in high winds and blizzard conditions on January 13. The Port of Cascade Locks says the Sternwheeler drifted into the lock and was trapped against the bridge for approximately 30 minutes, causing damage to the bridge railing, some concrete, and two Native American-owned fishing platforms in the lock. The parking area around the bridge will be closed and fenced for equipment staging, safety and security. Tribal fishers’ access to their fishing platforms within the lock channel will not be impeded during the repair period. Public access to the boat launch and the boat launch parking lot will also remain open.
Resolution Center Backers Seeking Funds To Build
Backers of the proposed Columbia Gorge Resolution Center are preparing to submit a capital funding request to the state from Wasco County and Mid-Columbia Center for Living to build and operate the facility. The Columbia Gorge Resolution Center Advisory Council, made up of community partners from Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties, seeks to build a regional facility to offer programs for people struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges and drug or alcohol addiction. Backers note Oregon is currently ranked 50th in the United States for providing mental/behavioral health services, and the Center will include facilities and services for not only this region, but add significant bed space for all of Oregon. The Council said it is seeking support from community members, and a letter accessible through the Mid-Columbia Community Action Facebook page is available for people to sign on to.
Wilson Bill For Overdose Prevention Campaign Moves Forward
A bill to help people understand the growing danger of illegal drugs is moving forward in the Washington state legislature. 17th District State Senator Lynda Wilson’s legislation creates a drug overdose prevention and education campaign. Wilson says many young people aren’t aware of the risks that come with taking a pill they may assume is safe. The Vancouver Republican’s measure cleared a key Senate committee and could be headed to the Senate floor.
Bill To Supervise Repeat Domestic Violence Offenders Goes Forward
A bipartisan measure that would ensure the Department of Corrections supervise repeat domestic violence offenders unanimously passed the Washington state House of Representatives this week. A loophole in state law has allowed felony domestic violent offenders to be unsupervised upon release from prison as they pursue their victims. Goldendale Representative Gina Mosbrucker says her bill would remove the words, “pleaded and proven” as a requirement before domestic violent offenders could be supervised. The bill passed 97 to 0. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Hood River Bridge Troubleshooting Lifts Underway
The Port of Hood River’s engineering team is troubleshooting the Hood River –White Salmon Interstate Bridge lift failure that occurred this past December. A series of 15-minute lifts took place Wednesday. Thursday a full 30-minute lift will take place at 5 a.m. and another full lift will take place between 11 a.m. and noon. Additional lifts may be necessary or adjustments to the schedule required while the engineering team is in Hood River. During those lift operations, the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic.
February 6 Prep Basketball Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Hood River Valley 65, Milwaukie 59: Sawyer Clemett scored 19 of his 30 points in the second half as the Eagles held off a late rally by the Mustangs for the Northwest Oregon Conference victory.
Trout Lake 55, South Wasco 34
Horizon Christian 63, Lyle-Wishram 51
Dufur 64, Klickitat-Glenwood 43
Washington District 5 Class B Boys Basketball Play-In Game
River View 54, Goldendale 53
Girls Basketball
Hood River Valley 48, Milwaukie 32: The Eagles jumped out to a 23-3 lead in the first quarter and cruised to the win. Marina Castaneda scored 20 points to lead HRV.
South Wasco 46, Trout Lake 42
Horizon Christian 37, Lyle-Wishram 32
Sherman 49, Bickleton 22
YouthThink Gets Report On Sessions With Students
YouthThink has received a report from recent listening sessions the organization held with middle and high school students in Wasco County. YouthThink Executive Director Debby Jones says they are still evaluating the input, but community safety was something that came up during the conversations, including safety at the skate park and dealing with homeless in the downtown area. Other topics that came up included the amount of time spent looking at screens, and a lack of recreational options for high schoolers in the area.