The White Salmon City Council will be discussing the proposed West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority at a pair of meetings in the coming days. The Council will talk about the proposal to bring together City and Klickitat County Fire District 3 fire services at their regular meeting on Wednesday and at a special meeting on Monday. If Councilors give the go-ahead, the proposed authority would go to voters in November. It includes a 76 cent per thousand dollars of assessed property value tax levy, something City taxpayers have not had for fire service before. Mayor Marla Keethler says the City has been behind in spending on fire protection for a number of years, and residents have been concerned about growing wildfire risks. The regular White Salmon City Council meeting is Wednesday at 6 p.m., with the special meeting on Monday at 6 p.m., both at the White Salmon Fire Hall.
Author: mbailey
HR County Commission To Hold Worksession On Forest Carbon Project
Hood River County Commissioners continued discussion of entering into an agreement with The Climate Trust for a carbon project on County forestlands. The County Forestry Department, County counsel, and The Climate Trust have drafted a carbon development agreement that would follow standards required by the American Carbon Registery. It could generate an estimated $23 million for the County through carbon credit sales, and commits the County to 40 years of sustainable forest management, much of which the County already practices. Commissioners said they want to make sure harvest levels remain where they are currently, with Arthur Babitz noting the concept is a good one but it also is a major decision for the County’s fiscal future. The Commission are planning a worksession to discuss the proposed agreement on August 7 at 3 p.m. Commissioners would have to hold a public hearing before approving any agreement.
Police Note Overdose & Controlled Substance DUII Spikes
The Dalles Police Department says it and other emergency responders were called to three separate overdose incidents in The Dalles on Sunday within two hours of each other. The department acknowledged many social media posts about the topic in a post of its own, and confirmed there were at least three overdose responses on Sunday alone. The department said there were no fatalities as all of those who overdosed were saved by Narcan administered by bystanders. TDPD emphasized possession of controlled substances is still illegal under state law, and those caught in possession of illegal control substances will be cited and provided a 24 hour addiction hotline to call. In the post, the department also said dealing and delivery of controlled substance is illegal and those caught will be arrested and charged. Meanwhile, the Hood River Police Department says over the last few months it has seen a spike in DUII’s where the intoxicant is a controlled substance like Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Cocaine, Prescription Narcotics and Marijuana. When some of these individuals are arrested, the department says it is very common that they have in their possession the narcotic that is causing their impairment.
Running Named HR Schools Special Ed Director
Kelly Running has been named the Hood River County School District’s Director of Special Education. Running has served as the principal of Hood River Options Academy since 2017. Prior to this role, she was the behavior and autism spectrum disorder specialist in the district for 10 years. Running worked as a learning specialist within the Lake Oswego School District for three years. She began her career in education at Portland Public Schools, serving in various special education roles and supporting students from preschool through 12th grade. The Hood River County School Board will vote to formalize Running’s appointment on August 15. Running replaces Kelly Beard after he resigned from the position in July.
Toll Rates To Go Up On Hood River Bridge September 1
Toll rates on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge will go up on September 1. The Port of Hood River Commission approved the increase on the recommendation of the newly formed Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, with base toll rates for passenger vehicles for cash-paying customers, going from $2.00 to $3.50 per crossing. Bridge users that have signed up for the Port’s prepaid tolling system, BreezeBy, will see an increase of 75 cents per crossing rate, going from $1.00 to $1.75 per crossing for two-axle vehicles. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says all of the new toll revenue will be used solely for building up cash reserves required for a federal construction loan. The Bridge Authority says $70-$150 million in local toll revenue is needed to complete the funding package for construction of a replacement bridge.
Boulder Fire Containment Reaches 46%
Containment of the Boulder Fire has been increased to 46% Monday. Size of the fire remains at 233 acres southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. On Sunday, slightly lower temperature and higher relative humidity moved over the fire area. Fire activity was minimal even as winds picked up with the arrival of a cold front. Cary Neu of Northwest Team 10 says crews are about halfway done with mop-up work. Many of the roadways, campgrounds and trails north and east of Forest Road 48 in the Barlow Ranger District are closed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Crews Make Good Progress On Bear Creek Fire North Of Carson
Fire crews made good progress toward containment of a fire that broke out Sunday north of Carson, with all evacuation notices having been lifted. The Bear Creek Fire was first reported around 3:30 Sunday afternoon, and is estimated at five acres in size. Washington State Department of Natural Resources remained on scene as incident command. Crews remained on scene overnight, and will through an extended attack Monday. Crews from Skamania Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, and 5, Stevenson Fire Department, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest were involved in the firefighting effort before being released Sunday night.
Free Adult Swim Lessons Hood River Parks & Rec
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District has been chosen for a fifth straight year as one of 35 adult programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant funding for 2023. This grant funding will allow the district, in cooperation with the Columbia Gorge Masters Swim Team, to offer four free swim lessons during the month of August to any interested adult 18 years of age and older. Adult swimmers of all ability levels are welcome to participate in the program – from the complete beginner to the more advanced swimmer. The teaching will be tailored to the student’s comfort and ability level with a low teacher to student ratio. Four class sessions will be offered, the first two Tuesdays and Thursdays in August from 6 p.m. to 7 pm. at the Hood River Aquatic Center. Pre-registration is required, either in person at the aquatic center, or by calling 541-386-1303.
Fishing Tourism Continues To Grow In The Dalles
Fishing, and bass fishing in particular, is starting to become a significant portion of what brings tourists to The Dalles area. The Dalles Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says a bass fishing tournament with 40 to 50 boats is coming at the end of month, and there will be two more later this summer and early fall plus others next year. Farquharson notes the tournaments tend to make the recreational fisherman want to come here. Farquharson says they have steered away from salmon fishing in their marketing efforts, noting the seasons for those fish lack stability.
Chenowith Pavement Work Scheduled
The City of The Dalles Public Works will begin full pavement reconstruction next week following installation of a sanitary sewer main on Chenowith St. between Cherry Heights Rd. and West 6th St. Construction is expected to occur over four days beginning next Monday with expected completion by Thursday July 27, 2023. Phase 1 will see a full closure of Chenowith St. between Cherry Heights and W. 8th Pl. Access to W. 8th Pl. will be by W. 6th St. only. Phase 2 will moved the full road closure on Chenowith St. to between W. 8th Pl. and W. 6th St., with access to W. 8th Pl. via Cherry Heights Rd. only. Driveway access in construction zones will be closed to vehicles and bicycles. The sidewalk will remain open to pedestrian traffic during construction. Work hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.