Hood River City Councilors have asked municipal staff to provide more information before they make a decision on a request from Key Development to lower the City’s in-lieu of fee for residential parking in the Central Business District to allow the developer to move forward with a proposed mixed use development on State Street that would include 71 market rate apartments along with commercial space.  City Manager Steve Wheeler says the Council wants to research downtown parking issues that have been discussed for years to help determine a course of action.  Wheeler says the issue will be discussed again at their next meeting on September 11.  Key Development’s proposal is in a pre-application review phase, and a formal land use application has not been received.

The Dalles City Council is planning to hold a discussion about tourism promotion and the use of transient room tax revenues during the fall.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says they will be inviting community members involved in tourism and the general public to take part in the discussion, adding the goal won’t be to reach a conclusion.  Lawrence says the Council will synthesize the results of the discussion and look toward further steps.  He adds as TRT dollars grow, there is a question of whether some of that money should be used in areas other than tourism.

Fire officials have updated the size of the Indian Creek Fire in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness today to 345 acres.  Mount Hood National Forest officials say bucket drops and Super Scooper aircraft will continue to be used as needed to check fire spread, as hot and dry weather is increasing fire activity.   Fire crews continue to identify control opportunities and contingencies for future actions if fire activity increases and the fire begins to encroach on the Management Action Points.  A Type 2 Initial Attack crew will be doing some work to improve contingency lines.  The fire is burning in a steep canyon with 75% slopes along with at least eight inches of timber litter and duff on top of loose rock, making it unsafe for firefighters to take direct action.

The Klickitat County Department of Public Health is advising that air quality in smoke impacted regions of the area may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.  Air quality is generally at its poorest in the mornings and evenings.  The Department notes smoke advisories provide generalized regional information only, and air quality conditions may change rapidly and vary greatly throughout the Mid-Columbia.  More people than average may have breathing problems or have worsened symptoms of existing asthma or lung disease.  Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke.  They should limit time spent outdoors.  Excessive heat may also make these conditions worse.  For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

Volleyball North Marion def. The Dalles 25-14, 25-17, 25-20

Hood River City Councilors Monday night will discuss a request from Key Development to lower the City’s in-lieu of fee for residential parking in the Central Business District to allow the developer to move forward with a proposed mixed use development on State Street that would include 71 market rate apartments along with commercial space.  In a letter to the Council, Key Development president Jeff Pickhardt points out that seven years ago the City lowered the in-lieu fees for commercial and industrial development when it was found they were acting as a de facto development moratorium, and wants the same for residential projects in that area, noting there has not been any large market multi-family apartments constructed in Hood River in the past three decades.  Key Development’s proposal is in a pre-application review phase, and a formal land use application has not been received. This evening’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.

The size of the Indian Creek Fire in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness increased slightly over the weekend to 335 acres.  Mount Hood National Forest officials report that on Sunday there were four Super Scoopers, fixed wing aircraft, and two Type-2 helicopter including an Oregon Department of Forestry ship dropping water on the fire.  The Washington Department of Natural Resources provided support with an air attack fixed wing aircraft to coordinate the rotation of aircraft over the fire.  On Monday two additional Type-2 helicopters will be added including one from Washington DNR.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect through Monday evening for hot, dry and unstable conditions.  Forest officials say over the weekend a hiker went beyond the closure fence and signage on Eagle Creek Trail at High Bridge and was issued a violation notice with significant fine.  They emphasize it is critical that Eagle Creek hikers comply with closures related to the fire, so firefighters can focus on the fire rather than responding to individuals who enter the closed area.

Beginning Tuesday the City of The Dalles Public Works has scheduled pavement crack sealing on several roadways.  They include West 10^th between Walnut Street and Cherry Heights Road, West 9^th between Cherry Heights and the Mill Creek Bridge, Riverview Street between East 13^th Street and East 17^th Street, and Vey Way between West 8^th Street and West 10^th Street.  Rolling road closures will move through the project areas throughout the week.  Proceed with caution in those areas during the short duration road closures and observe all temporary traffic control devices.  If you have questions, contact The Dalles Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.

Volleyball South Wasco went 4-4 in a tournament at Country Christian in Molalla.   Water Polo Hood River Valley Tournament Boys Hood River Valley 17, Sunset 4 Hood River Valley 12, Lincoln 10 Lincoln 11, Hood River Valley 10   Girls Hood River Valley 14, Sunset 2 Hood River Valley 11, Lincoln 3

Cooler, more humid weather on Thursday helped calm the Indian Creek Fire on the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness west of Hood River.  Two “medium” helicopters and four Super Scooper airplanes made repeated water drops on the fire, concentrating on hot areas along the north and west edges.  The fire produced much less smoke than a few days ago, showing that the fire was burning with less intensity.  The fire did gain three acres and is now 327 acres in size.   Firefighters are bracing for warmer, drier weather in the coming week, so officials say they plan to continue dropping water on the fire with aerial resources, cooling as much heat as possible.  This will also raise the humidity and make fuels harder to burn.  While aerial water applications won’t put out the fire, they can help keep the fire from growing too quickly.  The goal is to keep the fire in check until the fall rains extinguish it.