The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office was unable to locate a cougar Wednesday afternoon that was in the area of Lois Drive and Holly Drive on the west side of Hood River.  Hood River County Sheriff Matt English said officers searched the area thoroughly, and notified residents in the immediate area, but could not locate the animal. English added two people saw the cougar early this afternoon in a grassy area between Lois Drive and Holly Drive.  He also said it was the deepest a cougar has been reported in a residential area of Hood River in some time.  English said if you see a cougar, call Hood River County dispatch at 541-386-2711, or call 9-1-1 if the situation is life threatening.  He adds if you encounter a cougar, keep calm.  Make yourself look as large as possible and back away slowly, keeping the cougar in view, and allowing a clear exit for the cougar.  Pick up children and small pets immediately.  Never run or turn your back- sudden movements may provoke an attack.  Westside Elementary School was placed on lock down and parents of students who would normally ride their bikes or walk home from school were advised to pick their children up.  Hood River County School District Superintendent Dan Goldman says they were notifying parents of the situation, and said Westside Elementary buses will operate as normal Thursday.  He added if parents do not feel safe having their kids walk or bike to school or wait at a bus stop, they should drive the students in to the school.

Helping Hands Against Violence, which supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, and stalking, is seeking more volunteers to help man their crisis line.  Executive Director Stephanie Irving says they will be starting a series of training sessions later this month.  Irving says one of the most important skills someone can bring is the ability to listen, adding much of the training revolves around recognizing trauma.  To take part in the training and become a crisis line volunteer, call Helping Hands at 541-386-4808.  Trainings start on September 26.

YouthThink will present a special screening of a movie called “Suicide:  The Ripple Effect” at The Dalles High School this coming Monday.  The film chronicles the story of Kevin Hines, who at age 19 attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge.  Since then Hines has been using his story to help others find recovery and stay alive.  The film also features some of the world’s leading suicide prevention experts and shines a light on people who are using personal experiences with suicide to help others find the hope they need to stay alive.  The movie will be shown at 6:30 Monday evening at The Dalles High School, with a discussion to follow.

The Next Door is looking for more people to serve as therapeutic foster parents in Hood River and Wasco counties.  Amy Lindley of The Next Door says they would like to find five to ten more families in the two counties as they collaborate with a number of agencies across the state in a recruiting effort called “Foster Plus.”  Children in the program are six to 18 years old, and come from a background of abuse and neglect.  For more information on being a foster parent, call Lindley at 541-308-2207.

Boys Soccer Hillsboro 2, Hood River Valley 0 Milwaukie 2, The Dalles 0 Horizon Christian 8, Life Christian 0   Volleyball Sherman def. Spray-Mitchell 25-3, 25-11, 25-13 Irrigon def. South Wasco 3 sets to 0 Goldendale def. Columbia 3 sets to 1  

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced new Section 811 Housing Choice Vouchers that will assist people with disabilities in accessing affordable housing and an array of supportive services, with over $170,000 earmarked for the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority.  The vouchers, also known as mainstream vouchers, enable people with disabilities to access both affordable housing and supportive services—provided though partnership agreements between public housing authorities and local agencies—in an effort to enable individuals to live independently in the community.  Mid-Columbia Housing Authority executive director Joel Madsen says the federal investment will help create a better culture of health by housing some of the most vulnerable citizens.  Nationally, 285 public housing authorities received 11,931 Housing Choice Vouchers, totaling more than $98.5 million this year.  The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2018 made an additional $385 million available for new Housing Choice Vouchers.

The Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim was cancelled Monday morning by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office due to high winds, which created unsafe water conditions for both the swimmers and the watercrafts that form the safety corridor.  This was the second year in a row that the 75th version of the swim had to be cancelled.  Last year, Hood River emergency support services were diverted to the Eagle Creek Fire, which caused the event to be cancelled.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Glover said calling off the swim was the last thing anyone wanted to do, but added safety is of paramount importance.  Glover says they look forward to holding the 75^th swim next year.  It was only the fourth cancellation in the swim’s history.  Each year, the event attracts 500 participants.

As the school year gets underway, North Wasco County School District 21 talked last week with residents in the Dry Hollow Elementary School area about attempts to relieve traffic congestion when school starts and ends each day.  A trial of various options took place at the end of the last school year.  D-21 Superintendent Candy Armstrong says the “tear drop” design on school property has been kept for parents to drop off and pick up students.  The roundabout that was placed on 19th Street last spring will not be brought back.  Armstrong says everything being done is taking place on the south side of the street, which is the side the school is on.  

The Hood River County Prevention Department is embarking on a parental survey on what they are most concerned about.  The Department’s Belinda Ballah said last year they focused on middle school parents, but this year they are expanding to elementary schools and Hood River Valley High School.  The surveys are being given to parents during open house and registration events at area schools.  Ballah noted last year’s survey results led the Prevention Department to seek a grant to focus on anti-bullying efforts.  

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is seeking to expand opportunities for organized recreation events on the forest.  This fall the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is accepting proposals for new, organized recreation events to occur in 2019 and add to existing events already scheduled throughout the year.  A total of twenty-five permits will be available.  If there are more applications than permits available, the forest will use a lottery system to identify proposals for further consideration.  Proposals will be accepted through November 1.  Detailed information and applications are available on the Pinchot forest website.  Call 360-449-7806 with questions about criteria and the permitting process.