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Bridge Funds Moves Toward October 2029 Target Date

With Monday’s announcement of $200 million in federal funds for a new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge, it sets the stage for a number of steps to be taken to move toward a goal of opening the bridge by October 2029.  Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority Commissioner Mike Fox says they want to be able to start doing work in the Columbia River by late 2025 and early 2026.  To get there, they are in the process of evaluating bids for the major design construction contract with the intent of awarding the contract by April 1.  The federal funding announcement puts the bridge project at a little over 60 percent of the money needed, with more funding from the states of Oregon and Washington expected during the 2025 legislative session.

 

Report Of Threat Toward Student Leads To “Soft Lockdown”

Secondary schools in the White Salmon Valley School District were placed in a “soft lockdown” for a time Thursday morning after law enforcement received a report of a threat of harm directed toward a Henkle Middle School student.  District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn said in a statement that the “soft lockdown” was put in place at 8 a.m. Thursday for Henkle, Columbia High School, and Wallace & Priscilla Stevenson Intermediate School, and was lifted three hours later.  Polkinghorn says law enforcement made contact with the student and their family and determined that was safe to resume normal school operations and activities.  Polkinghorn noted during a “soft lock-down” instruction continues in the classroom and students can move about the building, but no person may enter or leave.

         

January 24 Prep Sports Roundup

Boys Basketball

Hood River Valley 60, Hillsboro 51: The Eagles won on an emotional night featuring a memorial tribute to teammate Tristin Baker, who passed away on Monday.  Sawyer Clemett scored 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, while Aidan Smith tallied 13 points with seven rebounds.

Condon 58, South Wasco 41

Goldendale 66, Granger 60

 

Girls Basketball

Hillsboro 56, Hood River Valley 46:  Hillsboro’s Kiara Green poured in 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.  Marina Castaneda scored 17 points for the Eagles.

Castle Rock 44, Columbia 32

Stevenson 44, King’s Way Christian 28

Dufur 57, Bickleton 37

South Wasco 46, Condon 41

Goldendale 38, Granger 24

 

Boys Wrestling

Canby 63, Hood River Valley 13:  Jack McLaughlin and Jesus Ortega-Lara had wins for HRV.

 

Girls Wrestling

Hood River Valley 42, Canby 30:  Natalia Solorio Campos had a victory by fall for the Eagles.

The Dalles Council Approves Updated Evacuation Plan

The Dalles City Council approved an updated evacuation plan for the community.  It divides the city into different zones and outlines evacuation routes should a major catastrophe impact The Dalles.  Mayor Rich Mays says the City staff worked with other agency partners to put together a plan that prepares for the absolute worst case scenarios.  The maps are divided into three zones:  East of Dry Hollow Road including the Brewery Grade overpass, a Central zone with areas between Dry Hollow and Cherry Heights Road, and areas North and West of Cherry Heights.

 

Mosbrucker Introduces “Ivan’s Law”

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.

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.

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