North Wasco County School District 21 will conduct its first Reunification Functional Exercise on Monday, June 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Innovations Academy on the Wahtonka Campus. The exercise is part of the district’s planning for school safety and emergency preparedness. The functional exercise will use guidance from the I Love U Guys Foundation Standard Reunification Method, a nationally recognized protocol designed to safely and efficiently reunite students with their families following a significant emergency. District Office staff and community partners will practice roles, communication procedures, and logistics that would be required during an actual incident. Reunification is one of the most complex components of school emergency response. This hands-on exercise will allow staff to practice the process in a controlled environment, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen coordination across departments. This is a functional training exercise only. There is no emergency, and normal operations at other district locations will continue as scheduled.
Author: mbailey
Hood River Vets’ Service Office Plans 250th Celebration June 27
The Hood River County Veterans’ Service Office will hold a celebration of America’s 250th Birthday on June 27. It will be an opportunity for Veterans and their friends to become connected with Veterans’ wellness resources. Hood River County Veterans’ Service Officer Lynetta Hickman says there will be a number of local and Veterans Administration offices represented there. There will also be light refreshments, and an America’s 250th birthday presentation as well. The event will be on Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at River of Life Assembly Church on 979 Tucker Road in Hood River. For information, call 541-386-1080.
Wasco County Man Given 23 Year Sentence For Child Sex Abuse
A Wasco County man who pleaded guilty in May to sexually abusing a four-year-old girl two years ago, then failed to appear for his sentencing and spent two weeks on the run before being arrested in Portland, was sentenced on Tuesday to 23 years in prison. Wasco County Circuit Court Judge John Wolf imposed the maximum sentence on each of three counts against Lucas Blevins, and ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, resulting in a total term of imprisonment of 275 months. Blevins has also pleaded guilty for his failure to appear for his originally scheduled sentencing hearing on May 13, and is scheduled to be sentenced on that matter next month. Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis said the victim and her family have endured significant hardship throughout the course of this case, noting statements made both in court proceedings and on social media sought to discredit the victim and her mother. She added the victim’s mother demonstrated unwavering commitment in advocating for her child.
HR City Council Appoves Budget; Talks Small Grants
The Hood River City Council approved its 2026-27 budget on Monday. Most of the discussion before the approval revolved around a very small portion of it, $15,500 for disbursement of small grants. Councilor Gladys Rivera called for $5,000 of it to go towards mental health support for those impacted by immigration issues, $1,000 for sponsorship of youth sports programs, and committing to allocate a specific budget percentage to funds for small grants in the future. But that led to the question of how the fund came to be in the first place. Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris noted it might be funds from brick sales for the downtown fountain that were made years ago and be dedicated to the Stratton Gardens’ maintenance. The Council passed the budget, and will discuss the small grants fund at a future meeting.
TD City Council Approves Pay Increases For Klebes & Kara
The Dalles City Council approved pay increases for City Manager Matthew Klebes and City Attorney Jonathan Kara. Both will receive a 2.7% cost of living increase and 3% step increase other employees get, and 2 1/2% merit increases. Councilors approved the moves unanimously. Councilor Tim McGlothlin says it is important for the City to keep their pay rates in line with similar communities. Mayor Rich Mays noted it was harder to develop comparables for Kara, as many cities the size of The Dalles contract out for legal services. The Council also approved the 2026-27 budget as presented from the budget committee.
TDPD Target Of Vandalism
The Dalles Police Department building was the target of vandalism on Monday night. In a social media post, the department says an individual broke several glass doors at the department’s office and caused other minor damage. Officers responded and took the person into custody for criminal mischief and burglary in the second degree. That person was lodged at the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility in The Dalles. The department said its facilities staff also responded, cleaned up the broken glass, and they experienced no disruption in service.
Matthews Receives 150 Month Sentence In Hayes Death
A 32-year-old man received a 150-month prison sentence in the April 2024 death of a Hood River man who was run over by a pickup truck when he caught three people trying to steal his bicycle. Johnathan Matthews pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Robbery in the Third Degree, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle following a judicial settlement conference in the Hood River County Courthouse on Monday. Hood River County District Attorney Matt Ellis says Matthews had stolen the truck from Jacobs Sanitation in The Dalles, and with co-defendants William Hardy, Jr. and Elizabeth Bowman drove to Hood River, where Hardy attempted to steal a bike owned by Stephen Hayes and put in the bed of the pickup. Hayes ran out of his home, and grabbed the passenger side of the truck as Matthews tried to drive away. Matthews sped and swerved, dragging Hayes, throwing him to the ground, and running him over. Hardy pled guilty to robbery, theft, and burglary charges as part of an agreement to testify against Matthews should the matter have gone to trial, and his sentencing is pending.
Man Arrested On Trafficking & Sex Charges
A 47-year-old man who has operated coffee businesses in the area was arrested over the weekend on forty-six different charges, including 38 felonies, involving trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, and online sexual corruption of a child. Hood River County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Joel Ives confirmed Bryan Matthew McGeeney was arrested over the weekend by the Hood River Police Department after a joint investigation by both agencies. Records at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility show McGeeney was taken into custody on Friday, and has been lodged there since then. According to Oregon Circuit Court records, a grand jury indictment was issued on Friday along with a warrant for McGeeney’s arrest. Multiple charges of rape, delivery of cocaine to a minor, unlawful delivery of a marijuana item, and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 cited in the court documents. Ives said the charges involve alleged crimes that occurred in Hood River and Wasco counties. McGeeney was arraigned before Circuit Judge Karen Ostrye in Hood River today, and there is a plea hearing scheduled for tomorrow morning at 11:30.
TD Marina Report In Draft Form
The Port of The Dalles has received a draft of a Marina Facilities Condition Assessment Report, and it is under review by Port staff. The Port hired a professional marine engineering company to examine the Marina’s infrastructure both above and below water. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says they are looking for more details on some of the items noted in the draft. Among them is the underwater pilings for the Marina’s D Finger, which remain after the dock was destroyed by fire. Klaas says divers found a lot of corrosion on those pilings. Once finalized, the report will help the Port determine improvement decisions at the Marina.
City of Hood River To Host Community Events On Bond Potential
The City of Hood River will host two community events this June on potential bond measures for the November 2026 ballot. On June 23rd, there will be a Housing Town Hall and Panel Discussion from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm at City Hall. Panelists will include Mid-Columbia Housing Authority Executive Director Karen Long, Big River Community Land Trust Executive Director Alysha Sherburne, and local developer Maui Meyer. The City is exploring a variety of bond sizes and models to use housing bond dollars: rentals, co-ops, and limited-equity ownership. The Town Hall is an opportunity to learn about them and provide feedback. On June 29th, there will be a Police Station Open House and Tour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall. The Hood River Police Department currently works out of a modified fire engine bay in the basement of City Hall that lacks many of the features necessary for police work. The City is exploring a construction bond to upgrade the police station and resolve ongoing deficiencies.