Current Wasco County Administrative Services Director Matthew Klebes will be next City Manager of The Dalles. Mayor Rich Mays made the announcement Wednesday night that Klebes had accepted the offer extended after City Councilors chose him from four candidates during an executive session late last week. The City Council will formally vote on the contract at an upcoming meeting. Klebes has been a part of The Dalles scene since 2014, when he worked with the Main Street program. He was assistant city manager in The Dalles for three years before taking his current role with Wasco County, where he has been deeply involved in putting together the Strategic Investment Plan with Google for the company’s two proposed data centers on former aluminum plant property it owns. Klebes will move to his new job in mid-May.

North Central Public Health District says the antiviral medicine Paxlovid, used for treating mild to moderate COVID-19, is available locally. Paxlovid, a five-day course of two separate medications, is available to those 12 and up who have tested positive for COVID and are at high risk for getting severe COVID. NCPHD officials say Paxlovid has been proven to reduce the chance of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 by nearly 90%. It must be started within five days of symptom onset. High risk persons include those who are 65 or older and those with underlying conditions such as cancer, diabetes or obesity. People with severe liver or kidney disease should not receive Paxlovid. NCPHD officials say it is very important for all people with high risk medical conditions to contact their health care provider if they contract COVID-19 to see what treatments are available, and to get tested as soon as any symptoms develop. Paxlovid is available at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, which NCPHD says has given the medicine to over 20 people.

Baseball

Roseburg 11, The Dalles 1

  Softball

The Dalles 10, Parkrose 4

Columbia Area Transit is in the midst of gathering public input for to update its transit master plan.  A survey is currently available online at engagecatbus.org, along with a report on their existing services.  CAT’s Patty Fink says the plan will integrate how services can facilitate new development in Hood River County along with expanding what’s available in more established areas.  CAT is planning to be at community events to gather public input.  They will be doing analysis of the feedback in summer and autumn, with an aim toward adopting a new plan in 2023.

Washington Gorge Action Programs’ Pathways HealthConnect Program in Klickitat County continues to grow.  Program Director Abby Whalin says the program now has six community health workers to help guide over 80 clients not just navigate the health system, but other issues like paying for housing and food, transportation, utilities, and more.  WAGAP’s community health workers are geographically spread in Klickitat County, with some dedicated to serving tribal and indigenous community members, and others who are bilingual and serve the migrant farmworker population.  Information on the program is available in English at 509-261-1291 or in Spanish at 509-281-2331.

Wasco County, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, and the Link Public Transit will present recommendations and future opportunities for public transportation in Wasco County through an on-line open house starting on Monday and continuing through April 8.  The website will include information, interactive maps, and a survey to provide feedback on the recommendations. The online open house link will be available through the Link’s website and Facebook page.  MCEDD will host an in-person evening event for the public to view maps and receive a web presentation from the transportation experts who prepared the Plan at the MCEDD/The Link Transit Center in The Dalles on April 5 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the presentation at 5:30.  To learn more about the Wasco County Transit Development Plan, visit mcedd.org.

The White Salmon City Council is taking applications to assume the position 1 Council seat formerly held by Ashley Post.  Applicants must be a registered voter of the City of White Salmon and a resident of the city for a period of at least one year preceding their appointment.   The letters must include a statement that the candidate is willing to serve the remainder of the position term which expires on December 31, 2023, name, physical and mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail address, along with candidates’ signature and date of signing.  Send the letters to White Salmon’s Clerk Treasurer at P.O. Box 2139 in White Salmon, deliver them to City Hall or by e-mail to janb@ci.white-salmon.wa.us.  Candidates may include an optional separate page listing experience they feel is applicable to the position.  Contact White Salmon City Hall at 509-493-1133 Extension 205 if you have any questions.

NW Natural crews are expected to be working in The Dalles on Trevitt Street between West 10th and West 11th streets, and also on West 10th St. between Trevitt and Pentland, through April 15. Construction with flaggers directing traffic and street closures are anticipated Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sidewalk closures may be in effect along 10th St. between Trevitt St. and Pentland St. during this time. Proceed with caution in this area during these construction times and observe all temporary traffic control devices.

Baseball

North Medford 11, The Dalles 3

The Dalles 16, David Douglas 0:  The Riverhawks snap a four-game losing streak with their first win of the season at a tournament in Pendleton.

Columbia 5, Stevenson 4

  Softball

Forest Grove 4, Hood River Valley 1

Newberg 1, Hood River Valley 0

The Dalles 10, Reynolds 0

Columbia 19, Stevenson 0

  Boys Soccer

Columbia 9, Stevenson 0

  Boys Tennis

Goldendale 4, Toppenish 0

With the return of the Northwest Cherry Festival April 22-24, The Dalles Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says their biggest goal is for the Cherry Trail to become its biggest piece.  It’s a guided tour of local businesses providing specials during the festival, with guests receiving a passport to collect stamps along the trail to earn prizes.  Farquharson says the goal is to help the small businesses in The Dalles, and get visitors in to those businesses during the festival.  In addition, Farquharson says they will be arranging the schedule for entertainment on the main Cherry Festival stage to encourage people to go to local venues that have entertainment scheduled.