The Dalles City Council has decided to proceed with seeking a request for qualifications from any entity that might be interested in restoring the historic Gitchell Building.  The building on the National Register for Historic Places located on First Street along the railroad tracks was deemed unsafe for entry by City staff a few years ago, and its proximity to the tracks could limit or make unusable the southern portion of the structure.  Assistant to the City Manager Matthew Klebes says the RFQ is looking for ideas, adding studies have shown rehabilitation could be expensive.  The City will take its time waiting for proposals, but Klebes says if they don’t receive any the Council will have to take a look at other options, ranging from the City paying to rehabilitate the building either for occupancy or as a landmark to seeking a demolition permit.

Columbia Gorge Community College President Frank Toda initially opposed a resolution affirming sanctuary status for the college, but after two months of public input he changed his mind, and supports the Board of Education decision to adopt it.  When the resolution was first proposed Toda was concerned about losing federal funding streams if it was adopted.  But Toda said in listening to testimony over two months, his heart changed his opinion, saying “after much deliberation and discussion, I learned to appreciate the fear that exists in the Hispanic community, and that changed me.”  Toda also said he was reminded of his own family’s history as Japanese-Americans.  The CGCC Board unanimously voted to join a number of other colleges and universities in adopting sanctuary status over concerns regarding federal immigration policy.  The resolution will not change existing college policy, so CGCC officials don’t expect the move to threaten federal funding.  The resolution states CGCC, in accordance with law, will only provide student immigration status to the federal government if it has consent from the student, or if served with a valid subpoena, warrant or court order.

A motorcyclist died from injuries suffered after being ejected from his vehicle while riding eastbound on Interstate 84 east of The Dalles.  According to the Oregon State Police, troopers responded at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a motorcycle laid against the guardrail.  After a search, the driver of the motorcycle was found approximately 330 feet behind the location of the motorcycle over the guardrail about 35 feet down an embankment in some tall grass.  The OSP says the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries while on route to the hospital.  The name of the driver has not yet been released to give the family more time for notifications.

Oregon State 52nd District Representative Mark Johnson introduced legislation establishing an age 3 to grade 3 reading initiative in Oregon schools.  House Bill 3455 creates a coordinated program with the goal of ensuring that all Oregon students can read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.  It instructs the Oregon Department of Education to award grants to school districts who commit to implementing early reading programs that focus on students who are expected to be a grade level behind or who are struggling to read.  Schools must implement evidence-based early reading aligned to academic standards and be making progress toward addressing student achievement gaps and overall literacy rates.  Johnson says it’s proven that when a student can read well, they are more successful in the rest of their educational career.  If passed, HB 3455 would take effect in the summer of 2018, with the Department of Education having the opportunity to establish a pilot program during the 2017-2018 school year.

Track and Field Hood River Valley’s Jesse Wiley and Jacob Bromham finished one-two in the 3,000 meter final, while HRV’s Lottie Bromham won the girls’ 3,000 during the first day of the Columbia River Conference Track and Field Championships in Hermiston.  Both the HRV boys and girls teams are in second after the first day’s finals behind Hermiston.  Tressa Wood had the top finish for The Dalles, taking second in the girls’ 3,000.  The Dalles boys are third and the girls fourth after day one.  The majority of event finals will take place today.   Girls Lacrosse Hood River Valley 16, Lincoln 7:  Katherine McElderry scored five goals as the Eagles move into second place in the Oregon Girls Lacrosse Association’s Portland League.   Girls Tennis Montesano 4, Stevenson 1

The Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Education unanimously voted to join a number of other colleges and universities in adopting sanctuary status over concerns regarding federal immigration policy.  The resolution will not change existing college policy, so CGCC officials don’t expect the move to threaten federal funding.  The resolution states CGCC, in accordance with law, will only provide student immigration status to the federal government if it has consent from the student, or if served with a valid subpoena, warrant or court order.  The vote came after two months of public input, with board member James Willcox saying the important thing is for “students to feel safe.”  CGCC President Frank Toda had initially opposed the resolution due to concerns for federal funding cuts, but says he changed his mind after hearing testimony and being reminded of his own family’s history as Japanese-Americans.

The Hood River City Council will hold a public hearing Thursday evening on the proposed zone change that would allow Morrison Park to be used as a location for construction of affordable housing.  The municipal planning commission recommended earlier this year to change the zoning of the property from open space/public facilities to R-3 urban high density residential.  But the plan has been controversial.  Proponents cite the need for workforce housing and the lack of available and affordable property in Hood River, but opponents say the City should not be developing on land that has been designated as park space.  The Council will take public testimony on Thursday but will not deliberate.  That is not planned until their next meeting on May 22.  Thursday’s hearing begins at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.

The Dalles City Council has approved a request from Mid-Columbia Senior Center for a reduction in transportation systems development charges as they install a new elevator for better access to the basement of the building.  The move gives two 50 percent reductions to the SDC, one based on an ordinance allowing staff to approve such a request and another for non-profit groups.  Councilors noted the work being done at MCSC does not increase the burden on infrastructure.  In other business, the Council approved a new contract with the municipal employees’ union.  And they accepted the proposed alternate route for the eastern end of the Riverfront Trail that would cross the freeway to the south side of I-84.  That paves the way for the Riverfront Trail committee to begin to solicit funding for the project.

Softball Hood River Valley splits with Pendleton:  The Eagles lost the completion of a suspended game 7-2, but came back with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the regularly scheduled contest 3-2.  Lizzie Weekly brought home the tying run with a sacrifice fly, and Lauren Decker’s two-out single brought home the game winner.  Pendleton remains one game in front of HRV atop the Columbia River Conference standings with one game to play for each team. Hermiston 6, The Dalles 0:  The Bulldogs moved a game ahead of the Riverhawks for the CRC’s final play-in spot.   Baseball The Dalles 6, Hermiston 5:  The Riverhawks scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to draw even with the Bulldogs for the CRC’s final play-in spot with each team having just one game left. Hood River Valley 11, Pendleton 3   Southwest Washington Class 1A District Baseball Tournament Castle Rock 4, Columbia 2:  The Bruins meet Elma in a loser-out game on Friday.   Southwest Washington Class 1A District Boys Soccer Tournament Columbia 1, Elma 0:  The Bruins will meet Toledo in a semi-final game on Thursday at King’s Way Christian.   Girls Tennis Stevenson 4, Northwest Christian 1   Boys Lacrosse Lincoln 15, Hood River Valley 7

The Historic Columbia River Highway east of Rowena Point may remain closed for two to three weeks due to the extensive rock slide that occurred there Sunday evening.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the rockfall is about 200 feet long, scattered across the highway.  The rock fell from a wall next to the highway at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.  Some of the rocks are so large that ODOT will have to bring in special equipment to handle its removal.  ODOT spokesman Peter Murphy says the agency is bringing in geology specialists to examine the area for potential future rockfall and to insure that cleanup crews will be safe performing their duties, along with special rock scaling crews to deal with remaining hazards.  In the meantime, the historic highway remains closed to all vehicles, including bicycles, and hikers in the vicinity of the slide.