Two fugitives from eastern Washington were arrested on numerous charges after leading police on a high speed chase in The Dalles Monday evening.  According to Oregon State Police reports, a trooper working the Fifteen Mile Creek Construction Zone near milepost 85 on eastbound Interstate 84 observed a car traveling faster than the posted 50 mile per hour limit.  The car left the freeway at milepost 85, and when the trooper stopped the driver on East 2nd Street and began to approach the car the vehicle sped away, with the pursuit going out Highway 197 and eventually reaching East 14th when the suspect crashed into a parked car.  The driver and a passenger were apprehended trying to hide behind a residence on East 15th, and a search of the vehicle found two pistols, two rifles, one short barrel shotgun, less than a gram of heroin, pipes containing methamphetamine residue, and other drug paraphernalia.  The driver, 25-year-old Daniel David Sallee of Four Lakes, Washington, faces a laundry list of charges including attempting to elude, possession of firearms by a felon, and reckless driving.  The passenger, 24-year-old Ronald Lee Ricci of Cheney, was arrested on attempting to elude and fugitive from another state charges.

The Hood River City Planning Commission spent Monday night narrowing down its recommendations for regulation of short-term rentals.  The panel is recommending short-term rental uses be accessory to residential uses in residential zones, with a 60-day limit on those STR uses.  Some members want to move away from the concept of a cap on the number of STR’s within residential zones in favor of the limitation on the number of days for the use, believing a cap could exclude people who live and work in the community from being able to rent their homes, and they want that benefit to first go to those who live in Hood River.  When the Commission meets again on April 4, Municipal Planner Cindy Walbridge says they will make final decisions on cap and density and deal with the existing non-conforming uses.  On Monday the Commission decided to eliminate a proposed zone in the Westside area that would have excluded STR’s, deciding the 60-day limit eliminated the need for that.  They also concluded that hosted homeshares and whole home vacation rentals would be allowed in all three residential zones with the limitations they will propose to the City Council.

The Dalles City Councilors discussed its goals for 2016 during a worksession on Monday.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says the number one goal remains streets in the City, as they continue with the second year of a three-year moratorium on building new streets while making repairs to existing ones.  He says they did 20 miles of repairs last year, and will continue this year with a priority of chip seal throughout the city.  The second priority remains dealing with the 110-year-old Dog River water line from the City watershed, which is wooden and leaks about a million gallons a day at full flow as it runs through the Mount Hood National Forest.  Lawrence says they are continuing to work through the permitting process with the U.S. Forest Service, and they have applied for a four million dollar grant to help pay for full replacement of the line.

Columbia Lutheran School in The Dalles announced plans to expand its offering through the eighth grade beginning next school year.  The school’s current principal, Rev. Jesse Jacobsen, will continue in that role while also teaching in the school’s fifth to eighth grade classroom.  A release from the school indicates a second pastor will be brought in to take over the majority of pastoral duties Jacobsen has handled at Concordia Lutheran Church in Hood River, and Bethany Lutheran Church, where the school is located, in The Dalles.  Additional on the school is available at columbialutheranschool.org or by calling 541-701-9137.

Baseball Monarch (Colorado) 3, Hood River Valley 1:  HRV’s Patrick Harvey provided a solid outing on the mound for the Eagles in their opener at the Coach Bob Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona, but three errors cost HRV.  Harvey gave up just one hit in six innings pitched.   Softball Lebanon 14, Hood River Valley 13:  The Eagles came back from a 13-2 deficit after three innings, but could not pull out the win after giving up 12 runs in the third inning at their first game in the Battle of the Beach in Newport.  Zoe Munn drove in four runs to lead the comeback. Hood River Valley 3, Taft 1:  Hannah McNerney struck out nine to help the Eagles earn a split on the day.  Zoe Munn and Makena Zeller delivered run scoring doubles in the third inning to give HRV the lead they would not relinquish. The Dalles 11, Wilsonville 1 The Dalles 15, Crook County 5:  The Riverhawks swept their opening games at the Central Oregon Spring Break Hockinson 6, Stevenson 4   Boys Lacrosse Hood River Valley 11, Sheldon 4:  Bruce Ostler scored four goals and Cody Wheat three as the Eagles won their second straight game to begin the season.

The Port of Hood River closed on the second portion of the sale of the Expo Center property on the waterfront to Key Development.  Key will be putting new buildings on the property.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says that means the old Clark Door building that served as the Expo Center for a time will be coming down soon, noting that will be a landmark in the dramatic changes the Waterfront has undergone in the past few years.  Once the property is built out it will include a new facility for Turtle Island Foods, and then two new buildings.  

There are some deadlines coming up on to put in applications for the Northwest Cherry Festival set for April 22-24.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says audition videos and audios for their new Northwest Cherry Idol singing competition on April 23, based on American Idol, will be taken through Thursday.  Farquharson says those wishing to audition should go to the Northwest Cherry Idol Facebook page for instructions.  Festival vendor and parade applications are also available at this time, and are on the thedalleschamber.com website.

Baseball Hood River Valley 5, LaSalle 4 The Dalles splits with Bend, losing game 1 8-1 and winning game 2 14-3 Umatilla sweeps Dufur 15-10 and 5-4 Dufur 2, Kennedy 0 Sherman sweeps Grant Union 9-6 and 12-11 Royal sweeps Goldendale 4-0 and 2-1 in 10 innings   Softball The Dalles sweeps Bend 10-3 and 13-3 Lyle-Wishram sweeps White Swan 20-13 and 17-13   Boys Golf The Dalles finished third behind Clackamas and Pendleton in the Riverhawk Invitational at The Dalles Country Club.  The Riverhawks’ Chase Snodgrass shot an 80 to win medalist honors.   Boys Tennis Goldendale 2, Wahluke 2 Goldendale 2, Royal 0   Girls Tennis Goldendale 5, Wahluke 0 Goldendale 5, Royal 0   Boys Soccer Columbia 5, Washougal 2   Boys Lacrosse Hood River Valley 12, Camas 10

The Gorge Community Foundation is looking to expand its presence in the eastern part of the region.  The non-profit organization has its roots in the Hood River area, building permanent charitable endowments to help fund long-term needs in the region and representing over 70 funds established by local families, individuals and organizations.  Foundation executive director Dan Spatz says most of those funds are in the Hood River area, and the Foundation hopes to increase its efforts elsewhere in the Mid-Columbia.  Spatz says the biggest task in all likelihood is to create more awareness of the Foundation, which was established in 2000.  The Gorge Community Foundation’s website is gorgecf.org.

The Dalles Public Works will begin work Monday to replace the sanitary sewer line and install a new storm line in Trevitt Street between 7th Street and 9th Street.   Work will take place weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through April 1.  For the duration of the project Trevitt Street will be closed from 7th to 9th Streets to all traffic, including emergency vehicles, with no parking allowed along either side of Trevitt Street in the immediate work area.  Motorists are encouraged to use Bridge and Garrison Streets as alternative routes to avoid the work area.  8th Street residents will need to use Bridge Street for access to their homes, as 8th Street will be closed at the intersection with Trevitt Street.  If you have questions or concerns, call The Dalles Public Works office at (541) 296-5401, extension 2001.