Late spring brings bigger crowds to the Columbia River Gorge but visitors are reminded to honor closure points marking where conditions remain dangerous.  Many trails, parks and roads operated by the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation remain closed by the impact of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.  These areas are still dangerous and will not open to the public until they are safe.  More than 1,000 cubic yards of debris have fallen on the closed section of the Historic Columbia River Highway in the last four weeks alone.  Hikers, bikers or motorists violating closure points put themselves in danger and may be subject to fines.  Tips on how to have a safe and responsible visit to the Gorge can be found at ReadySetGorge.com.  Visitors are encouraged to go to alternative destinations on the Washington side and at the eastern end of the Gorge to help relieve the pressure on the Gorge and give it time to heal.

Softball Ridgeview 18, The Dalles 1   Boys Soccer Seton Catholic 4, Stevenson 0   Track and Field Horizon Christian’s Andrew Wells won the boys’ discus at the Southwest Christian Invitational, while Andrew Hung was second in the 200 meters.   Boys Lacrosse Grant 10, Hood River Valley 2

The NORCOR budget committee unanimously recommended a budget for 2018-19 that essentially flat funds the regional jail.  Hood River County Commissioner Bob Benton, who represents the County on the NORCOR board, made the request to keep county subsidies of the jail the same as it has been for the last two years at $1.5 million, and if approved by the NORCOR board this fiscal plan will do that.  NORCOR administrator Bryan Brandenburg says the facility has had flat funding for the last four to five years, adding the counties cannot cut their way out of the jail’s budget problems.  He also presented alternate budget scenarios that showed even if inmate capacities were reduced with no contracts with other jurisdictions, county contributions would still need to go up a substantial amount.  Sherman County Commissioner Tom McCoy said he felt there was a 25 percent chance NORCOR will need to go back to the counties for more money.  The budget will now go to the NORCOR board for final approval.

It is Cherry Festival weekend in The Dalles.  The Open Air Market downtown opens at 4 p.m. Friday, with the Family Pit Party set to begin on the stage at the same time.  Saturday features the Tonkin Subaru Cherry Festival Parade at 10 a.m. following the usual route.  Lisa Farquharson of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce says this year’s grand marshal is Barbara Pashek.  A guide to this weekend’s Cherry Festival activities is available at gorgeradio.com.  The Bicoastal Media Guild Mortgage Home and Lifestyle Show is a part of the Cherry Festival weekend.  It will be open Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The Dalles Civic Auditorium, and admission is free.

Late spring brings bigger crowds to the Columbia River Gorge but visitors are reminded to honor closure points marking where conditions remain dangerous.  Many trails, parks and roads operated by the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation remain closed by the impact of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.  These areas are still dangerous and will not open to the public until they are safe.  More than 1,000 cubic yards of debris have fallen on the closed section of the Historic Columbia River Highway in the last four weeks alone.  Hikers, bikers or motorists violating closure points put themselves in danger and may be subject to fines.  Tips on how to have a safe and responsible visit to the Gorge can be found at ReadySetGorge.com.  Visitors are encouraged to go to alternative destinations on the Washington side and at the eastern end of the Gorge to help relieve the pressure on the Gorge and give it time to heal.

Mark Johnson formally resigned from the Hood River County School Board on Wednesday evening.  The former state legislator stepped down in the wake of allegations that he made a racially-insensitive remark about another legislator while serving as executive director of Oregon Business and Industry, a position he was dismissed from two weeks ago.  Reading a prepared statement at the start of the meeting, Johnson noted his record of supporting policies both on the Hood River school board and in the legislature designed to close the achievement gap for Hispanic students, including establishment of a district equity policy for all students regardless of legal status during his stint as board chair, adding that makes it difficult to accepting that he made the alleged comment in a private meeting.  He said “Such comments don’t reflect who I am, what I believe or the commitment I’ve shown to the issue in my public and personal life.  I simply don’t recall having made the comments attributed to me.  It’s hard to believe I did as they don’t reflect my core values or my manner of speaking.  However, because I’m not in a position to dispute that I made them, I have apologized for them and truly regret any pain they may have caused.”  At the end of the meeting many members of the board thanked Johnson for his service.  One, Julia Garcia-Ramirez, called him a mentor and great board member, but also said while she was sure Johnson’s apology was heartfelt, it doesn’t take away the pain of a racist comment, and that racist behavior cannot be normalized.  District Superintendent Dan Goldman said applications to fill Johnson’s zone six seat will begin to be taken immediately, and will be available on the district’s website.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing early Wednesday morning at Celilo Village.  According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident at about 6:05 Wednesday morning was between a man and a woman.  Both parties were injured, interviewed by police, and then transported to Mid-Columbia Medical Center for treatment.  The Sheriff’s Office said the incident is currently under investigation and there is no risk to the public.  The identities of those involved are not being released due to the active investigation.  Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to call The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, 541-506-2580.  The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police and Columbia River Inter-Tribal law enforcement.

Track and Field Trout Lake won both the boys and girls titles at the Mt. Adams Invitational in Glenwood.  Lyle-Wishram’s Brandon Montoya won three events in boys’ competition, and South Wasco’s Ana Popchock and Trout Lake’s Hannah Funkhouser both had two first place finishes in the girls’ portion of the meet.   Goldendale’s Allison Gilliam and Tiana Watson won two events apiece at a three-school SCAC meet in Highland.   Boys Tennis Hood River Valley 5, Hermiston 3:  The Eagles won three out of four singles matches to win the Columbia River Conference title.   Girls Tennis Hermiston 8, Hood River Valley 0

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that took place this morning (Wednesday) in Celilo Village.  Sheriff Lane Magill says investigators are still gathering information, but had no details that he could offer at this time other than confirming the incident occurred.  He added they hope to release more information later today.  

The City of The Dalles has embarked on a study of the compensation packages for exempt employees, such as the City Manager and the police chief, among others, and comparing them with pay scales in similar communities.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says they are trying to get ahead of the curve as baby boomers begin to retire, recruitment becomes a key issue, and the City will need to determine whether pay ranges need to be adjusted.  The City Council approved a two percent cost of living increase for exempt employees this week.