The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says six Flock Safety cameras, equipped with license plate recognition technology, are being installed in the southern portion of the county with a grant targeting apprehension of stolen vehicles. They are also a tool for recognizing vehicles associated with Amber and Silver alerts. Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer says she has heard some privacy concerns from citizens, but add the footage obtained by the cameras will only be used for criminal investigations and specific public safety issues. The cameras do not include facial recognition abilities and do not capture personally identifiable information. Data collected by the cameras is stored by Flock and deleted every 30 days. The Flock Safety cameras will be fully functional in the beginning of 2025.
Author: mbailey
One Person Dies As A Result Of Fire In Carson
One person died in a structure fire in Carson on Tuesday night. According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, the fire occurred at approximately 9:54 p.m. Tuesday evening near Strode Road. Fire crews immediately began a search for occupants while extinguishing the fire, locating and extricating one resident. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the resident succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire. An investigation into the fire is underway. Personnel from Skamania County Fire District 1, the Stevenson Fire Department, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Skamania County Emergency Medical Services responded to the fire.
Pertussis Concerning Local Health Officials
Pertussis, or whooping cough, remains a concern to area health officials. Daron Ryan of the Hood River County Health Department says there has been a huge jump in reported pertussis cases in Oregon, from 31 in 2023 to 827 this year. Ryan adds pertussis is highly contagious, spread through respiratory droplets, and is most dangerous for young children. Ryan does say 92% of Hood River County youth are up to date on their pertussis vaccinations. For younger people it’s known as the D-TAP vaccine, while it is called T-DAP for adults, packaged with diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations.
HR Council Approves Sign Code Amendment Barring Feather Signs
The Hood River City Council approved an amendment to the municipal sign code clarifying that feather signs and similar signs that are supported by a pole and designed to flutter in the wind are prohibited. City Codes Enforcement Officer Marty Morgan told the Council the code does not specifically specify these types of banners as prohibited under the sign ordinance. City Manager Abigail Elder explained there is a safety issue with the fluttering flags, and there is an aesthetic concern as well. City Attorney Dan Kearns also noted recently a business that had one felt they were allowed in the sign code, when it had been assumed over the years it was not. The Council passed the amendment unanimously, and it will go into effect in 30 days.
December 10 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
North Marion 77, The Dalles 75
Columbia 73, Goldendale 61
Corbett 57, Stevenson 49
Open Door 55, Horizon Christian 41
North Clackamas Christian 52, Sherman 45
St. Paul 59, Trout Lake 30
Lyle-Wishram 58, C.S. Lewis Academy 30
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 55, North Marion 38
Madras 43, Hood River Valley 29
Corbett 58, Stevenson 27
Open Door 46, Horizon Christian 39
Trout Lake-Glenwood 65, St. Paul 49
North Clackamas Christian 66, Sherman 23
Pedestrian Dies In I-84 Accident
A Hood River man died after being struck by a commercial truck and trailer while running on the westbound Interstate 84 milepost 64 on-ramp on Monday evening. The Oregon State Police says the accident occurred just after 5:10 p.m. Monday. According to the OSP…a preliminary investigation indicated 38-year-old Michael Joseph Sampson was reportedly running eastbound on the westbound on-ramp, entered the freeway, and was struck by a westbound commercial motor vehicle and trailer operated by 62-year-old Carl Ronald Frank of Kelso. Sampson was declared dead at the scene. Frank was not injured. The freeway was closed for about three hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The OSP was assisted by the Hood River police and fire departments, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
HR Council Approves Annexation & Rezone Of Brookside Drive Property
The Hood River City Council approved annexation and rezoning of about a ten-and-a-half-acre piece of property at 3330 Brookside Drive that would allow for high density housing and come with an easement to allow the final connection of the Indian Creek Trail to take place. Reco Prianto, representing applicant CaliChi Design Group, told Councilors the goal is to buy the property from the current owners and develop dense housing to help pay for securing the trail easement. The rezone will change the property from R-1 and R-2 low and standard density residential to R-3 urban high density residential and C-2 general commercial which could add one story to any development. Councilor Ben Mitchell said between the trail and housing opportunities, the opportunity is too good for the City to pass up. Those who testified in opposition cited incompatibility with the surrounding area, traffic impacts, a wetland within the property, and a lack of detail in the plans at this point.
The Dalles Council Approves Water Plan
The Dalles City Council unanimously approved adoption of a water systems master plan. The plan is highlighted by replacement of the Wicks Water Treatment Plant, which studies conducted during the planning process found has exceeded its expected useful life. While various funding sources, including Google funds, are cited to be used to help pay for the improvements listed in the plan, City staff will be bringing the Council plans to increase water rates by 7.3% by February. City Manager Matthew Klebes says the Council will hold a special meeting next Monday where those documents will be brought forward. Public Works Director Dave Anderson said the City has not adjusted its water rates in ten years.
The Dalles URA Maximum Indebtedness Increased
The Dalles City Council approved increasing the maximum indebtedness for the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency by $6.1 million, extending the life of the agency to 2029. Without the increase allowed one time by state law, the urban renewal district would have expired in 2026. The money would be used to assist project like the mixed-use Basalt Commons, reconstruction of 1st Street, redevelopment of the Tony’s Town and Country property, and use as leverage for funding of a Federal Street plaza. City Economic Development Officer Dan Spatz emphasized there would be no impact to the taxpayer as a result of the move, with the increase coming from tax increment financing that does reduce revenues for various agencies. The Council approved the increase unanimously in the wake of the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee recommending it by an 8-1 vote, with only the representative of the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District dissenting.
December 9 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Columbia 61, Woodland 51
Girls Basketball
Columbia River 73, Columbia 30