North Wasco Parks and Recreation District’s master plan continues to take shape.  District executive director Scott Baker says they are a little over halfway through the process, and most of it has been reaching out to the public to learn what they wanted to see in the 20-year plan.  Potential improvements for all of the district’s parks are included in the plans, along with trail development and future programming.  Baker says they are working on wrapping up the plans, but they are still taking input.  Information is available online at nwprd.org.

The Port of Hood River Commission got a sneak preview of a draft report on an infrastructure framework plan for Lot 1 on the Waterfront.  The presentation will be made during the Hood River Urban Renewal Agency meeting this Monday.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the report lays out both necessary infrastructure to get the property along the Nichols Basin ready for development and optional enhancements.  The work needed for development is estimated to cost $7.5 million, and the optionals $4 million.  The enhancements would include riparian work, better access to the water, docks, a plaza, and restrooms, focused on the recreational portion of the site.

Girls Basketball Hillsboro 60, The Dalles 51:  The Riverhawks came back after trailing by 19 after three quarters…but could not get closer than five points.  Kilee Hoylman led The Dalles with 21 points.

There will be a one-hour full closure of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge early Friday morning beginning at 4:00 a.m. for lift span electrical and mechanical systems testing.  The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. with traffic flow returning to normal shortly thereafter, but motorists should expect some delay depending on traffic volume.

Hood River’s annual holiday parade is Friday night in the downtown area.  Ashley May of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce says the event had grown dramatically in the last five years, quadrupling in size.  An estimated 3,500 people attended last year.  The parade begins at 6 p.m., starting at 7th and Oak moving down to 1st Street.  The lighting of the tree at Overlook Memorial Park and caroling begins at 7 p.m.

Wasco County Commissioners reached consensus to join work with the City of The Dalles and Columbia Gorge Community College to discuss an intergovernmental agreement to use three-point-five million dollars of enterprise zone money from the Google projects to help fund construction of a skills center and on-campus housing at the College.  The College has a seven-point-three million dollar grant from the state for the project, and has committed three-point-eight million dollars toward the required match, that needs to be ironed out soon.  Dan Spatz of CGCC says talks on the IGA will take place next week.  Commissioners indicated they wanted to see the enterprise zone funds used to pay off bonds that would be purchased during the next state bond sale as quickly as possible.  County Administrator Tyler Stone pointed out the main push now is to secure the state funds, which creates time to iron out the details.

Wasco County Commissioners made no decisions on whether to have the County take over responsibility for the building codes program.  State officials have indicated they want the County to do it, and will not guarantee a local office if it is turned over to them.  County Commissioner Scott Hege says they need the state to provide direction on how the nearly four million dollars left in reserves from the defunct Mid-Columbia Council of Governments building codes program should be divided between all the counties that took part.  The Commission will discuss the topic again at its December 19 meeting.

Columbia Gorge CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, is conducting a holiday gift drive for foster youth.  CASA Executive Director Susan Erickson says a gift for a child in foster care can mean a great deal.  The drive continues through December 15.  Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at Avenue Properties on 406 East 2nd in The Dalles and 116 3rd Street #209 in Hood River.

Boys Basketball North Salem 68, The Dalles 61:  The Vikings jumped out to a 28-10 first quarter lead and never looked back.  Jacob Hernandez led the Riverhawks with 18 points. Goldendale 64, Columbia 37:  The Timberwolves’ 21-1 run in the third quarter secured the win.  Curtis Kayser scored 14 points and Napoleon Owen finished with 10 to lead the Timberwolves.  Trenton Howard led CHS with 13 points. Dufur 65, Culver 48   Girls Basketball Cascade 52, Hood River Valley 23 Columbia 42, Goldendale 39 Culver 53, Dufur 30 Trout Lake 57, Arlington 19

The Hood River County Commission asked its staff to do further work on proposals for a prepared food and beverage tax and a local option levy for either public safety or general county operations at its latest worksession on trying to develop a sustainable fiscal plan.  Commissioners analyzed information gathered during recent public workshops on the County’s budget situation.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel says staff will get more detailed figures on the two identified possibilities as soon as possible, hopefully in time for the Commission’s next meeting on December 17.  The Commission did not ask for further study of a general sales tax or a capital levy, effectively taking those options off the table.