A Pasco man died in a motor vehicle accident Monday on Highway 97 in Wasco County.  According to the Oregon State Police, troopers and emergency personnel were called to the crash on Highway 97 near milepost 52 between Shaniko and Kent at about 6 p.m.  A preliminary investigation revealed a car driven by 39-year-old Jesus Lopez was northbound when it left the roadway and struck a tree.  The OSP says Lopez sustained fatal injuries.  The OSP adds it believes the crash happened sometime around 4:00 a.m. Monday, but was not reported until about 14 hours later.

Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott told County Commissioners on Monday that with 40 COVID cases in the County for the two week period that ended Friday, she anticipates the County will be moved up to the moderate risk category by the state.  But she also noted the County is second in Oregon in percentage of residents vaccinated, with 8,479 people fully vaccinated and 3,192 in progress.  Elliott says moving forward, county health officials plan to stick with their current plans, but also emphasize smaller scale vaccination events.  Elliott said the increasing case numbers are a product of large social gatherings.  She added there is a possibility the Oregon Health Authority may start to use hospitalization numbers in their metrics, and pointed out that Hood River County has had only one COVID related hospitalization in the last month.

Through last week, over 15,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in North Central Public Health District’s three-county service area of Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties.  Wasco County has vaccinated 34.95 percent of its population; Sherman County 33.63 percent and Gilliam County 27.82 percent.  Through April 10, entities in the district have administered 15,284 vaccines, including first and second doses.  NCPHD has multiple Moderna appointments open.  To book a vaccine appointment, visit ncphd.org or call 541-506-2600.

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals has reversed Hood River County’s extension of a permit for an amphitheater on the former Dee Mill site.  An extension for Apollo Land Holdings’ permit was granted at the administrative level in September of 2019, and upheld by both the County Planning Commission and the County Commission.  It was the fourth such extension for the project, but LUBA found that the Board of Commissioners’ decision to grant the extension was inconsistent with Hood River’s zoning code and that their decision “violated a provision of applicable law and was prohibited as a matter of law.”  Thrive Hood River filed the appeal.  Apollo Land Holdings and the County have the right to appeal this decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

The Dalles Police Department arrested a man last week in connection with a drive-by shooting at the Police Department headquarters during the early morning hours of March 28 that resulted in two marked police vehicles being struck by bullets.  A 40-year-old man was arrested when a search warrant was executed at 1126 East 8th in The Dalles.  The man was lodged at NORCOR on the charges of attempted assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and criminal mischief in the first degree.  Evidence seized at the scene is still being processed and further charges are expected.  The case has been referred to the Wasco County District Attorney.  No one was injured in the shooting incident.  

A bill authored by Oregon State Senator Bill Hansell to allow telepharmacy in Oregon passed the Senate on a 29-1 vote and is headed to the House.  Hansell says the bill would expand access to pharmaceutical services to rural, elderly, and disabled Oregonians.  The 29th District Senator says in small cities that cannot support a full-time pharmacist, many residents must travel considerable distances to pick up their prescriptions or depend on others to pick them up for them, leading many to either go without their needed medication or have their treatment delayed.  SB 629 would allow a pharmacist to consult over electronic means with pharmacy techs to fill prescriptions and communicate with patients.

The Hood River County Health Department says it is seeing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases associated with local schools.  According to a statement from the Health Department, children could be required to quarantine at home for 14 days if another child in their school cohort tests positive for the virus.  The health department is asking parents to keep their kids home from school when they are not feeling well in order for schools to remain open.  The department also says it has received confirmation the Oregon Health Authority that the County will receive 550 doses of Pfizer vaccine to be distributed to those age 16 and 17.  The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for that age group.  Plans are in the works for One Community Health to conduct clinics for those doses at the Hood River Valley High School Health Center, and those will be announced when they are finalized.  The Hood River County Health Department will hold its next vaccination clinic on Thursday at River of Live Assembly in Hood River using the Moderna vaccine, and it’s open to anyone 18 or older.  Appointments are recommended and can be made through hrccovid19.org.  Walk-ins will be welcomed as vaccine supplies allow.

North Central Public Health District is planning a Pfizer vaccine clinic for 16 and 17 year olds and their families at Sid White Field on the Wahtonka campus in The Dalles on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Dubbed “Friday Night Lights!” the Pfizer event will feature music, free pizza, and prizes.  The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine authorized for use in those 16 and older.  To sign up for the Pfizer event visit ncphd.org to book an appointment or call 541-506- 2600 if you need assistance.  The health district also has many openings for Moderna clinics this week.  The Pfizer event has 240 slots and they are likely to fill fast.

The Port of Hood River saw a busy weekend on the Waterfront in recreation areas, with numbers more typical of June rather than April.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says they are currently in the same mode as they ended last year, with restrooms closed and dumpsters out instead of smaller garbage receptacles.  McElwee does say a significant COVID-19 risk level change for Hood River County could restrict access to the boat dock in the Nichols Basin and limit access to the Event Site to pass holders only.  McElwee says they have tentatively set a date of July 1 to return to normal operations, but he adds that date could be pushed back or moved up.  He also says the Port is not scheduling any major events on the Waterfront until after July 1.  

The Oregon Department of Transportation is going to change the configuration of the traffic signals at West 6th and Webber in The Dalles on Thursday night.  To minimize disruption, the work is scheduled at night from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  Flaggers will be directing traffic on all travel lanes at this intersection. Expect delays.  The purpose of this project is to install new left turn signals for the north and south traveling lanes on Webber Street.  This change is expected to smooth the flow of traffic and improve safety for motorists making left turns.