Oregon 59th District State Representative Daniel Bonham says a bill that would create longer sentences for criminals who cause permanent physical injury to their victim will get a hearing in a House committee but not a worksession, making it highly unlikely to be passed in 2020.  Named Ezra’s Law, the bill defined as a permanent injury one that “permanently and significantly impairs” the victim’s cognitive functioning, vision, hearing or ability to walk breathe, eat or move their limbs, with the attacker at least at the age of 18 and convicted of first- or second-degree assault or attempted murder.  Bonham says he will keep fighting for the bill beyond this session, whether he wins re-election in November or not.  The bill is named after four-year-old Ezra Thomas of Madras, who two years ago suffered severe injuries that left him in a wheelchair and unable to breath on his own after being beaten by his mother’s then-boyfriend.  The man received a 12-year sentence after being convicted of attempted murder and criminal mistreatment.

The Oregon State Police says the cause of a rolled over semi-truck and trailer that blocked Interstate 84 between Hood River and The Dalles on Wednesday afternoon was apparently a blown tire.  According to the OSP report, the truck with license plates from Ontario, Canada was westbound on I-84 near milepost 76 in the right-hand lane when the front left tire blew, causing it to swerve across the left lane and hit the concrete barrier, and then it rolled over onto its side with the trailer sliding on top of the barrier for about 300 feet before coming to a stop, blocking the left lanes of the freeway in both directions.  Traffic on both sides of the freeway was diverted around the crash at exit 76 for several hours.  The truck driver had a few scrapes and cuts but refused medical transport.  The semi-trailer was loaded with 38,000 pounds of Kitty Litter.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden announced he will hold a town hall next weekend in The Dalles.  It’s scheduled for Saturday, February 15 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.  Wyden has pledged to hold at least one town hall each year in each of the state’s 36 counties.

Both The Dalles and Hood River city councils meet on Monday evening.  The Dalles City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. in its chambers in City Hall.  It will feature a discussion on the concept of contracting out for some public works services.  Hood River’s City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in its chambers.  That will include talk on updating the City’s Transportation Systems Plan to be focused on recommendations developed through the Westside Area Concept Plan.

Boys Basketball

Seton Catholic 72, Stevenson 65:  Stevenson finishes in fourth place in the Trico League, and will play the Evergreen League champion in round one of the Southwest Washington Class 1A District Tournament on Friday.

Castle Rock 50, Columbia 41

 

Washington Class 2B Boys Basketball Play-In Game

Mabton 58, Lyle-Wishram 21

 

Washington Class 2B Girls Basketball Play-In Game

Kittitas 58, Lyle-Wishram 35

Girls Basketball

King’s Way Christian 50, Columbia 41

LaCenter 55, Stevenson 35:  Stevenson and CHS are tied for the Trico League’s third and final district tournament invitation with one game left in the regular season for each team on Friday night.  Columbia hosts Castle Rock while Stevenson will be at Seton Catholic.

Sunnyside Christian 45, Klickitat-Glenwood 25

A bill in the Oregon House put forward by The Dalles Republican Daniel Bonham and Hood River Democrat Anna Williams would have the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility give up its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold long-term immigration detainees if the state provides $1.6 million for the next two years to make up for the loss of funds from the contract.  The pair have different reasons for backing the bill, with Williams believing the acceptance of ICE detainees violates Oregon’s sanctuary state policy.  Bonham does not believe in the sanctuary state designation, but he says the jail is not designed for long-term holds and there would be a need to fill NORCOR’s funding hole if the contract goes away.  Bonham does say concerns from in Salem about setting a precedent for providing funding for county jails makes it unlikely the bill can go anywhere.  Bonham added the bill would not release the detainees, but instead simply not allow ICE to use NORCOR for its overflow population.  A judge last year ruled NORCOR does not violate the sanctuary state policy, because NORCOR resources aren’t being used to detect or arrest people.

The Maupin Area Chamber Endowment has received a $10,000 community project grant from the Cycle Oregon Fund.  The money will go toward developing a multi-purpose athletic facility at South Wasco County High School in Maupin to replace the current track.  The complex would include track and field facilities, a football field, and related spectator facilities that will accommodate a wide range of uses.  The National Guard is planning in the spring of 2020 to level and add fill to the site with a goal of constructing by 2021.  The project is on the Wasco County Economic Development Committee’s top ten ranking of community enhancement projects.

The Hood River County 4-H program is looking for adult volunteers. Dani Annala is Oregon State University Extension’s new 4-H program coordinator in Hood River County.  Annala says volunteers make the program work, providing mentorship for young people.  After a background check, volunteers get a formal training to prepare them for mentorship.  To volunteer for Hood River County 4-H, or if you have an idea for an activity or club, call Annala at OSU Extension at 541-386-3343.

 

A 26-year-old woman from Odell died Tuesday afternoon while in custody at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility.  According to a statement from NORCOR, emergency medical personnel responded to NORCOR’s medical clinic and attempted lifesaving efforts on Jennifer McLaren, but were unsuccessful.  The statement says there is no indication foul play was involved.  McLaren had been in custody since January 24 on charges originating in Hood River County.  The NORCOR statement says that at the time of her passing, McLaren was in a cell by herself, under observation by NORCOR corrections deputies, and was being treated by NORCOR medical staff for injuries sustained prior to her entry into the facility.  Because McLaren died in a correctional facility, the Wasco County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices will investigate her death, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to conduct an autopsy on Thursday.