The Hood River Valley’s orchard industry is examining the question of how to deal with controlling pests that can be harmful to fruit trees in orchards that have been abandoned or not cared for. It’s a complex issue, and Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research Center entomologist Christopher Adams says there is much to still learn, including how many acres of orchard land are in this position. Adams points out one element to be considered in this issue is succession planning as farmers become older and may not have family members who want to continue in the business.
Author: mbailey
URA Board Gives Direction On Heights Streetscape Elements
The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency board gave direction on questions impacting design of the Heights Streetscape plan. Most notably the group reached consensus on plans to install a roundabout at 13th and May, making four east-west streets on the Heights between May and Belmont one-way, and putting in signal lights at the intersection of a two-way 13th Street and Belmont while closing Belmont between 13th and a 12th Street going one-way to the north. The direction now goes back to the design team, and City Planning Director Dustin Nilsen said the goal is to return to the URA board in July.
TD Council Gets Climate Resiliency Recommendations
The Dalles City Council heard a plan filled with recommendations from The Dalles-Wasco County Joint Ad Hoc Climate Resiliency Committee. The group presented a host of recommendations which they say would mitigate or buffer some of the expected impacts of climate change, make local government operations cleaner and more efficient and resilient. and increase the quality of life in the community. Committee member Deb Ferrer told the Council the timing is good to acquire funding from state and federal governments. The Council elected to take a couple of weeks to review the recommendations before adopting the plan, and will discuss it again during their May 8 meeting.
The Dalles & American Cruise Lines Reach Agreement
American Cruise Lines and the City of The Dalles have reached a new long-term docking agreement. The lease ensures that The Dalles will remain a regular port-of-call for American Cruise Lines ship cruising on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s introduction of its fifth ship to the Columbia River. The first American Cruise Lines docking under the new agreement is planned to occur on Sunday, May 7 with American Harmony. The company plans to dock at least 60 times this year in The Dalles with each of its five ships. More details will be announced soon and published on the City’s online calendar.
Second Bivalent COVID Vaccine For Over 65 & Immunocompromised
People 65 and older, as well as most people with compromised immunity, are now authorized to receive a second bivalent COVID-19 booster dose. The second bivalent dose was available in Oregon on Monday. The updated booster doses are available at local doctor’s offices and pharmacies. They are also offered by North Central Public Health District. To make an appointment, call 541-506-2600. Those 65 and older can get a second bivalent booster if it’s been at least four months since their first bivalent booster. People who are immunocompromised can receive a second bivalent booster at least two months after their last updated booster. They can receive further boosters on a schedule determined by their doctor. The bivalent mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were initially authorized last September as single-dose boosters, and federal health authorities last week authorized and recommended a second bivalent booster dose for certain at-risk populations.
April 24 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 18, Crook County 8: Cody Agidius hit a pair of three-run homers as the Riverhawks slipped ahead of the Cowboys into third place in the Tri-Valley Conference.
Softball
The Dalles 5, Crook County 2: Zoe Lebreton homered and drove in two runs and Kennedy Abbas struck out 11 as the Riverhawks moved a game-and-a-half ahead of the Cowgirls and Estacada atop the Tri-Valley Conference.
Girls Tennis
The Dalles 8, Molalla 0
Washingtion EFSEC Holds Meeting On Carriger Project Tuesday
The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council will hold a meeting in Goldendale Tuesday on the Carriger Solar Project. Cyprus Creek Renewables’ proposed 160-megawatt solar generation facility in an unincorporated area west and northwest of Goldendale has been the subject of controversy, with a number of nearby residents opposing it. The company applied directly through the state rather than to Klickitat County, which recently imposed a moratorium on solar projects to develop more specific rules to govern them. County Commissioner Jacob Anderson says it’s important for citizens to make their voice heard. EFSEC will hold an open house tomorrow at 4:30 at the Goldendale Grange Hall, followed by an informational public meeting from 5:30 to 7 that will include what is termed as limited minutes for the public to provide comment, which can also be offered in written form. The meeting will also be offered virtually through Microsoft Teams, with log-in information available at efsec.wa.gov.
Heights Plan To Be Discussed Monday
Hood River’s Urban Renewal Agency board this evening will be making some decisions on what to include in a preferred Heights Streetscape plan. City Manager Abigail Elder says some fundamental questions will be answered as they provide direction for continued project design. The Heights Streetscape is in its third phase, to develop specific design element for the project option that was selected a few months ago coming out of receiving public input during an open house held just about one year ago. Tonight’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.
April 21-22 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Putnam 7, Hood River Valley 3
The Dalles 6, St. Helens 3
Castle Rock 10, Columbia 0
Irrigon sweeps Dufur 10-0 and 19-2
Sherman sweeps Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram 10-2 and 8-5
Softball
Wilsonville 11, Hood River Valley 1
Columbia sweeps Castle Rock 16-1 and 17-2
Stevenson splits with LaCenter, losing game 1 16-4 but winning the second contest 12-9
Cle Elum-Roslyn swept Goldendale 19-4 and 16-5
Track and Field
Dufur’s Brady Person swept the boys’ hurdles races at the River’s Edge Invitational in Boardman. Glenwood’s Tomei Tomeo and Allison McFall and Dufur’s Hayley Peterson also had first place finishes.
Stevenson won both the boys and girls team titles of the Al McKee Invitational the school hosted. The Bulldogs’ Hudson Holzhauer and Kacen Bach along with Trout Lake’s Landon Heberling won two events apiece in boys’ competition. Stevenson’s Olivia Fauth and Columbia’s Jessica Polkinghorn each won three in the girls’ portion of the meet.
Sherman’s Sophie Hulke won the girls’ discus at the Cove Regional Invitational.
Goldendale’s Raymond Holycross won the boys’ 110 meter hurdles and the triple jump and Stephen Pittman won the pole vault at the CLA Quincy Invitational.
Boys Lacrosse
Oregon Episcopal 6, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Lacrosse
Grant 20, Hood River Valley 5
Boys Soccer
King’s Way Christian 11, Stevenson 0
White Salmon Residents Asked To Conserve Water For Repair Work
White Salmon residents are being asked to conserve water next week while a key repair is made. The City says a critical emergency repair is being made at the municipal well field that involves a complete pump replacement. The work will require City public works crews to fully bypass pulling supplies of water from those associated sources. As a result, White Salmon residents are being asked to conserve water use starting on Monday and continuing through Friday to minimize the impact of the reduced water supply during this repair. Those with questions can call White Salmon Public Works Director Andrew Dirks at 509-493-1133, extension 500.