Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Sunday declared a state of emergency to contain the new coronavirus after the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 doubled to 14 from the previous day.  Dr. Mimi McDonell of North Central Public Health District, which serves Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties, says with that declaration it enables local districts to use more resources in combatting spread of the virus.  She said one example is the Oregon Medical Reserve Corps, which can help provide emergency support to vulnerable populations.  Aggressive outreach is also a part of that effort.  State lawmakers on Monday were to consider an emergency request of $5 million to fight the virus.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission has cancelled its meeting scheduled in The Dalles on Tuesday, and is planning to conduct its next meeting online due to coronavirus concerns.  Commission Chair Robert Liberty said in a statement that as a bi-state agency they should respect Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s advice to avoid nonessential meetings of ten or more people or to hold them virtually.  Liberty added until there is more information about coronavirus, the Gorge Commission will be scheduling and holding its next meeting, and possibly more, using online video technology.  He also says they are exploring policies and procedures regarding the best way for the public to provide input using the online meeting technology format. 

A Hood River attorney has filed to run for Wasco County District Attorney.  According to his filing with the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, Matthew Ellis has been an associate attorney for the Morris and Sullivan firm, dealing with criminal defense and juvenile law.  He also has been part of the public defense contract in Oregon’s Seventh Judicial District that includes Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties.  Ellis also has been a part of Wasco County’s Drug Court and Family Dependency Court programs.  Incumbent Eric Nisley has filed to run for re-election.  Nisley is currently serving a 60-day suspension, and is in a dispute with the Oregon Department of Justice over whether he can continue to hold the D.A.’s position.

 

The Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility is about to enter into its budget process for the 2020-21 fiscal year.  NORCOR board chair and Hood River County Commissioner Bob Benton says some outside revenue sources are helping to somewhat stabilize the jail’s facility budget picture, including contracts with the federal government and Benton County to house inmates along with lease of a building to Insitu providing about $2 million of revenue.  Benton notes the new federal government contract signed in February is with the U.S. Marshal’s office rather than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which allows NORCOR to house people in custody of the U.S. Marshal and not necessarily ICE detainees, even though they are taking them at this time.  Benton said at any point they can opt out of the ICE component without invalidating the contract.  Revenue from the outside contracts helps maintain current service levels at NORCOR for the four counties that operate the regional jail.  The NORCOR budget committee will hold its first meeting for developing the 2020-21 fiscal plan on March 19.

Oregon Class 5A Girls Basketball Tournament

First Round

Silverton 53, The Dalles 32:  The top-ranked team in the state took control early and cruised to the victory.  Silverton led 37-12 at halftime.   Truitt Reilly led Silverton with 17 points, while Kilee Hoylman topped the Riverhawks with 10.  The Dalles finishes the season with a 13-12 record.

 

Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association

Hood River Valley’s girls finished fourth in the state alpine skiing championships at Mt. Ashland.  Sarah Davies led the Eagles’ effort by finishing fourth in the combined standings, as Summit won the team title.  HRV’s Aidan Gonzalez-Haynie finished 33^rd in the boys’ giant slalom.

The North Wasco County School District 21 Board will be interviewing the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position this week, with public forums with each candidate a part of the process.  Today (Monday) the district will be interviewing Jose de Jesus Melendez, who is currently the Director of Languages and Equity for the Franklin Pierce School District in Tacoma.  Tuesday they will talk with Hood River Valley High School Principal Rich Polkinghorn, and on Wednesday will wrap up by interviewing Dorie Vickery…who is an educational consultant for Student Investment Account planning for the Philomath School District.  Community forums for each candidate will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center.

Klickitat County Emergency Management, Public Health, and various medical providers held a briefing on preparations to deal with the COVID-19 coronavirus should a case be found in the County.  Jeff King of Klickitat County Emergency Management says they have been working to make sure local providers have the materials they need to deal with a case if it happens.  County Health Officer Dr. Amy Person said the response is similar to how public health dealt with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, in 2009, making sure hospitals and clinics have the appropriate isolations and precautions they need to take, looking at what their resources are, and what kind of non-pharmaceutical steps can be taken to keep communities safe.  Most people with COVID-19 will only have a mild illness and will recover completely.  Klickitat County Public Health is advising people to stay home that are experiencing mild symptoms, similar to the flu or colds.  These symptoms may include, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.  To help prevent getting the COVID-19/Coronavirus wash hands often with soap and water, or if that’s not available use hand sanitizer.   Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, avoid contact with people who are sick, and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

The Gorge Technology Alliance announced its 2020 Wind Challenge scheduled for next Saturday at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center has been cancelled due to concerns related to the novel coronavirus.  GTA Executive Director Jessica Metta said they did not take cancellation of the event lightly, but the safety of students and volunteers is their top priority.  She added they felt it was best to cancel the event based on the most up-to-date assessment and in consideration of general public health and safety.  The Wind Challenge put on in conjunction with Google and Columbia Gorge Community College usually sees 200 middle and high school students from the Mid-Columbia compete in a one-day competition to build the best wind turbine.  Metta said the planning team behind the Wind Challenge will reconvene in a few months to consider rescheduling the event for this fall.

Alpine Skiing

Hood River Valley’s girls are in fifth after the giant slalom at the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Alpine Championships at Mt. Ashland.  Summit currently holds first place.  Sarah Davies had the best runs of the day for HRV, finishing third.  Columbia’s Madison Swanson finished in seventh.  The girls will run the slalom today.  HRV did not have a finisher in the boys’ slalom.  The boys’ giant slalom is also today.

 

Friday, March 6

Oregon Class 5A Girls Basketball Playoffs

First Round

The Dalles at Silverton, 6 p.m.

A recall effort is emerging against Oregon 26th District State Senator Chuck Thomsen,one of the Republican lawmakers who left the Capitol to protest environmental legislation.  The Portland Tribune reports that the Parkdale lawmaker could face an election to remove him from office if organizers can gather enough signatures.  A Hood River resident, Lara Dunn, launched the recall petition against Thomsen because of his role in the walkout.  The Oregon Secretary of State’s office says in order to force a recall election, the petition effort must gather 9,025 valid signatures by June 2.  Thomsen’s district includes Hood River County, and goes over Mount Hood into Clackamas County to include Sandy, and also contains a portion of Southeast Portland.  The district contains around 7,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans, but non-affiliated voters make up the largest bloc.