The Dalles Police Department says it has completed the transition to a new duty sidearm. In a social media statement, TDPD says it recently completed the transition to the Glock 47, chambered in 9mm. The department’s former service handgun was chambered in .40 caliber and those sidearms had been in service for 12 years. The 9mm round offers similar performance to the .40 caliber and costs substantially less at about 31 cents per round while the .40 caliber costs around 48 cents per round. The price differential saves about $150 per case of ammunition. The new sighting system, known as a red dot system, offers greater accuracy than open sights, promotes faster learning and are meant to be shot with both eyes open, giving better situational awareness to officers during encounters. The department adds the new sidearms are carried in a modern, high security holster to ensure maximum retention during non-lethal force encounters. Tactical pistol mounted lights continue to be used with the new sidearms to aid officers in low light encounters.
Author: mbailey
Second Man Charged In Klickitat County Double Murder
The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office says a second man has been arrested in the March double murder of a pair from the Yakima area. The Sheriff’s Office says 58-year-old Larry Duane Kleven was arrested over the weekend and charged with three counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Jeremy Wyatt and Elisha King, along with other various charges. Kleven had initially been booked in the Klickitat County Jail shortly after discovery of the homicide at the end of Box Canyon Road on rendering criminal assistance and evidence tampering charges, and was released after posting bail. But the Sheriff’s Office says further investigation led to the new charges being filed and Kleven being booked into the County Jail. He made his first appearance in Klickitat County Superior Court on Monday, and bail was set at $1 million. A second suspect, 31-year-old John Scott Raczykowski of Rufus, is currently in the Klickitat County Jail on two counts of first degree murder.
West Mayer State Park To Be Closed For Construction
West Mayer State Park will be closed starting Monday until mid-April to allow for a construction project that will replace the boat ramp, expand and improve vehicle parking, and replace the vault restroom. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Marine Board are partnering in the effort. Park Manager David Spangler says the improved boat ramp will provide anglers and others better facilities to launch into the Columbia River. The Parks and Rec Department is contributing $858,000 through its Facility Investment Program, a Fish and Wildlife Department grant of $800,000, and a Marine Board grant of $342,000 will cover the over $1.14 million project cost. Boat anglers can alternatively access the Columbia River at the Port of The Dalles or Hood River during the construction period this winter. Tapani Construction of Battle Ground has been awarded the project.
HR Schools Add One-Hour Delay Option
The Hood River County School District is going to add a third option for school closures and delays this winter. Along with the full closure and two-hour options the district already uses, Interim Superintendent Bill Newton says they will have a one-hour option available, geared toward mornings when it appears ice will thaw quickly. Newton adds the one-hour delay is designed for spring with late morning frost and black ice that goes away quickly once the sun comes out.
City Of White Salmon Looking For Youth Center Home
The City of White Salmon has been looking for a new home for the community’s youth center. Mayor Marla Keethler says that’s been a goal of the City Council for some time. Keethler says they’ve explored numerous options from building new to finding an existing space. She notes the City recently made a presentation to the White Salmon Valle School District board about a potential partnership to use the Park Building for a youth center. It also could house day care. A youth center is currently located in a City building.
Port of HR To Consider Rolling Back Bridge Weight Limit
The Port of Hood River is looking at rolling back the weight limit on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge after welding work done during the recent four-day closure of the bridge. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says they are finding that since raising the load limit back up after a two-year reduction, the need for repairs to the metal bridge deck has gone up. Greenwood says since they lowered the posted speed limit to 15 miles per hour, they have observed a reduction in average speeds ten miles per hour less than when the posted limit was 25. Greenwood expects the Port Commission to take up the issue in the next month.
The Dalles Chamber Encourages “Shop Local Season”
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is pushing Shop Local Season during the holidays. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they started efforts the first of November to keep money in the community, asking residents to shop at all local businesses rather than buying online. Farquharson notes some of the smaller businesses in The Dalles will be celebrating Small Business Saturday this weekend. She says for every dollar spent with local businesses, 68 cents stays in the community.
Hood River Shelter Opens For Winter
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is opening the 24-bed, non-congregate shelter at 1733 Oak St. in Hood River beginning today. It will be open until March, and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Community Action’s non-congregate shelter site in The Dalles is open year-round and is now located at The Annex at 200 W. 2nd Street. Shelter guest intakes at both locations will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. Community Action also has street outreach supplies to ensure unsheltered community members can stay warm through the winter, and they are available at their offices at 31 East 4th in The Dalles and 606 State Street in Hood River during business hours.
WAGAP Seeks Coordinator To Open Warming Shelter
Washington Gorge Action Programs is seeking to hire a Seasonal Shelter Outreach Coordinator in order to open the Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson. The facility will be unable to open until fully staffed. Inquiries for the position should be directed to Patty Gallardo at patty@wagap.org. Once staffed, the agency says location, operating hours, contact and access information will be announced. More general information on emergency housing programs in Skamania County can be found at wagap.org or by calling 509-493-2662. Persons seeking shelter in Klickitat County can also call WAGAP at 509-493-2662 for information.
HRPD Arrests Person On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
The Hood River Police Department says a local resident was arrested last week after a traffic stop and being found in possession of illegal narcotics. The HRPD says in a statement one of its officers stopped the vehicle after seeing someone driving whose license was known to have been suspended. After contacting the driver, the officer noticed numerous signs of impairment. The driver consented to field sobriety tests and after the administration of the field sobriety tests, the driver was taken into custody for DUII/Controlled Substance. During a search, the driver was found to be in possession of an array of illegal narcotics, burglar tools, packaging material, scale and a concealed firearm. The driver was transported to NORCOR where he was booked and lodged.