Family Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Hanlon-Wilde, a well-known, a longtime provider of women’s healthcare services in The Dalles, has joined North Central Public Health District.  Hanlon-Wilde worked at Columbia River Women’s Center for 18 years.  She got her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2022 and recently was hired as a professor of nursing at Washington State University, but she will continue clinical work.  A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who can diagnose and prescribe, and provide primary healthcare for people of all ages.  Hanlon-Wilde’s main focus at NCPHD is reproductive health, which includes services like family planning, treating sexually transmitted infections, doing annual exams and pap smears and offering vaccinations.

The Hood River County Commission reached agreement on a fireworks ordinance combining two proposals that were on the table.  Under the ordinance to be put together, fireworks would not be allowed in the County from July 5 to November 15.  If the Oregon Department of Forestry declares a regulated use closure for the lands it protects due to high fire danger by June 15, the County Administrator and Commission Chair would be empowered to place a ban on fireworks for earlier than July 5 in consultation with the County Forester.  One option used the ODF trigger alone, and the other left it in the hands of the administrator and Commission Chair.  Commission Chair Mike Oates called the combination a good compromise.  The ordinance will come back to Commission for a vote in September.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center CEO Dennis Knox says it will take about 90 days for the due diligence process to take place on a proposed agreement to join Adventist Health.  MCMC announced last week it had signed a non-binding agreement with Adventist.  Knox says there is a lot of detail work to be done to reach a final deal.  He says if the agreement is finalized they would be a part of the Adventist Health system, but there would still be decision making taking place at the local level.  Knox says Adventist traditionally relies on local governance at their affiliate hospitals.  Knox noted they would like to make a decision on the agreement at MCMC’s Board of Trustees meeting on October 26, but he also noted there was no specific date placed in the letter of intent.

The City of White Salmon will be considering a draft parks system plan next month.  The draft plan is currently on the City’s white-salmon.net website for the public to review and make comments on.  Mayor Marla Keethler says the plan includes a number of components after doing a public survey last year and an open house in the spring.  The draft plan combines improvements to existing park facilities with proposals for new park locations.  The White Salmon City Council will consider the parks plan on September 21.

As the summer tourism season in The Dalles reaches the halfway point, it appears the trend this year is fewer overnight stays but more daytrippers in the area.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says gas prices and inflation are a major factor behind what the summer has brought, but they are adjusting their marketing accordingly.  Farquharson noted that an increase in live music offerings in The Dalles has led to increased activity in the evenings.

The Port of Hood River is reminding those who use The Hook recreation area to keep the access road clear should emergency vehicles need to use it.  Port Interim Executive Director Genevieve Scholl says large numbers of people using The Hook has led to some new signage all along the access road to ensure two lanes of travel are kept clear.  Scholl says The Hook has seen more use with the increase in popularity of winging, the latest wind and water sport in the Gorge.

The Oregon State Police have released the identities of two people who died in a single vehicle automobile accident discovered last week on Highway 293 near milepost 8 in south Wasco County.  The OSP says the driver was 23-year-old Elijah Wilson of Salem, and the passenger was 24-year-old Tabitha Scott of Newberg.  According to the OSP, a preliminary investigation revealed a car that had been reported stolen last Wednesday from Fossil was southbound and for unknown reasons left the roadway going down an embankment where it crashed into a tree.  The crash was reported to emergency personnel by a landowner who found the vehicle on his property.  It is unknown when the crash happened.

Another application for a large federal grant for construction of a new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge has been submitted.  The latest application is for $100 million from the federal Bridge Improvement Program.  Port of Hood River Interim Executive Director Genevieve Scholl says Bridge Replacement Project Director Kevin Greenwood and management firm HNTB submitted the request this past week.  She adds the $195 million application for another federal transportation grant from the BUILD program is still pending.  Scholl says there figures to be more grant applications made as the process continues.  

The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board in The Dalles has launched a new grant program for property owners and tenants in the urban renewal district wishing to improve their properties, buildings, and tenant spaces.  The grants provide 50% match and up to $50,000 for commercial building/tenant upgrades; a 70% match and up $150,000 for mixed commercial and residential redevelopment; and a System Development Charge subsidy up to $10,000 for the construction of new dwelling units in the area.  The Urban Renewal Agency Board originally established grant programs for the area in the early 2000s, but in recent years City staff found that the programs were underutilized by area property owners, due to low caps on grant awards and an onerous process for applicants.  The new grant program offers higher award caps and a streamlined process.  For details go to thedalles.org.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce continues to take donations for a monetary pool to bid on animals at the Youth Livestock Auction during the Wasco County Fair this weekend in Tygh Valley.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says minimum donation is $10, and she is hoping they can help two-to-three students.  Those who would like to take part can call the Chamber at 541-296-2231 or e-mail info@thedalleschamber.com.  The Wasco County Youth Livestock Auction will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Tygh Valley.