Wasco County Commissioners approved an intent to award a contract for construction of a new building in The Dalles for Mid-Columbia Center For Living.  Bids had come in one month ago two million dollars over budget.  Commissioner Scott Hege says the Tri-County Mental Health Board, which he is a part of, recently approved a one-point-five million dollar commitment to allow the project to move forward.  Hege notes the low bid was from Griffin Construction for six-point-four million dollars, and the Commission hopes to formally approve contracts later in April.  A Community Development Block Grant is helping to fund the project, and requires a government entity to receive it.  Wasco County is acting in that capacity, and will turn over the building to Mid-Columbia Center For Living when its finished.  The new building will be at 1040 Webber Street in The Dalles.  

The White Salmon City Council has voted to proceed with obtaining requests for proposal to build an outdoor six lane swimming pool to replace their current facility.  Councilors asked for proposals that will allow for improvements and additions at a later date.  With the Council having earlier decided to seek to establish a Metropolitan Park District to pay for operations of the pool, Mayor David Poucher says getting the proposals will give citizens a better idea of what would be built.  Poucher indicated they expect to receive RFP’s in early May.

A 41-year-old Stevenson man was killed in a single vehicle accident just north of Stevenson late Tuesday night.  According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, a preliminary investigation shows Matthew Hibbard was driving a full-size pickup truck south on Skaar Road when he lost control attempting to negotiate a curve.  The truck rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.  Three passengers sustained non-life threatening injuries.  Their names have not been released.  The Sheriff’s Office indicates a preliminary investigation revealed speed and/or alcohol may be contributing factors in the accident.  The investigation is continuing.

Baseball Hood River Valley 16, Bend 2:  Brandon Smiley had two doubles and drove in five runs as the Eagles jumped out to a big early lead and cruised to the win in a game shortened to four-and-a-half innings by the ten-run rule.  Ryan Gray, Grayson Losee, and Trenton Hough drove in two runs apiece.   Softball Hood River Valley 10, Bend 1:  The Eagles scored six runs in the second inning on the way to their eleventh straight win to start the season.  Hannah McNerney drove in five runs with a pair of doubles, while Lauren Decker struck out 11 and walked none in pitching a complete game   Barlow 4, The Dalles 0   Boys Tennis Hood River Valley 7, Pendleton 0   Girls Tennis Hood River Valley 5, Pendleton 3

The Mid-Columbia Lions Follies are back for another year…presenting “Gilligan’s Island…the Untold Story” beginning this Friday at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium.  This version goes deeper than the adventures of the seven castaways as told in the sixties television program, as Terri Tyler wrote about the stories of the people left behind at home.  Shows will take place over the next two weekends, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. this weekend, and next Thursday through Saturday at 7:30.  Tickets are $10, $8 for children 12 and under, and are available at the door and at numerous local outlets.  Proceeds go to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation and the Hood River Children’s Park.

Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden confirmed this morning that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify before the House and Energy Commerce Committee that Walden chairs.  Zuckerberg will testify on his company’s use and protection of user data next Wednesday morning.  In a joint statement, Walden and Committee Ranking Member Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey said the hearing will be an opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data privacy issues.  They added they appreciated Zuckerberg willingness to testify…and look forward to him answering their questions.

The Port of Hood River Commission received a real estate portfolio assessment from EcoNorthwest at their Tuesday evening meeting.  It shows the Port has fifteen different properties with viable potential for development.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the reality is they can’t do them all, and a priority list will be put together.  Looming over all of that is the eventual replacement of the Interstate Bridge, and how that would affect the Port’s ability to borrow money and develop.  Port Commissioners received the assessment in preparation for their upcoming spring planning session.

The Next Door is looking for men and women who can help youngsters through their mentoring programs in Wasco, Klickitat, and Hood River counties.  Klickitat and Hood River County match coordinator Emily Roberts says they need mentors for both their Big Brothers Big Sisters and Mentor 4 Success programs.  Roberts says they ask for a two hour per week commitment from their mentors for one year, adding they provide plenty of support.  For information on how to volunteer to be a mentor, call The Next Door at 541-490-9979 in the Hood River area or 541-399-0259 in The Dalles area.

Track and Field Hermiston topped The Dalles in a Columbia River Conference dual meet, with the Bullldog boys winning 81-64 and the girls 110-34.  Jonathan Knotts won the boys’ 800 and 1500 meters for the Riverhawks, while Emma Mullins was first in the girls’ 400 and 800.   Baseball Game 1: Columbia (Burbank) 14, Goldendale 3 Game 2:  Goldendale 10, Columbia (Burbank) 7 Stanfield 15, Sherman 8   Boys Lacrosse Hood River Valley 16, LaSalle 1:  The Eagles won their fourth straight to start the season.   Girls Lacrosse Hood River Valley 17, Wilson 3:   Emma Norris scored four goals and Abigail Bartles three for HRV, which ran its record to 4-0.    

With a lack of an affirmative vote, the Hood River County Commission denied Apollo Land Holdings’ application to construct a hotel on the former Dee Mill site as part of the DeeTour project after a hearing of a state Land Use Board of Appeals remand of the application’s initial approval.  The vote was two-to-two, with Commissioners Les Perkins and Karen Joplin voting to approve the application with changes in findings, and Chair Ron Rivers and Rich McBride voting no.  The fifth commissioner, Bob Benton, had declared a conflict of interest during the original Commission hearings on the subject last year.  The County Commission had approved the application a year ago after the County Planning Commission denied it, but the Hood River Valley Residents Committee appealed to LUBA, which sent it back to the County after ruling there were three assignments of error in the final decision.  Apollo can now appeal to LUBA.