Oregon 52nd District State Representative Mark Johnson has been appointed by Governor Kate Brown to serve as co-convener of the Historic Columbia River Highway Collaborative Oregon Solutions project.   Johnson, along with co-convener Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel and a team of public, private and civic leaders, are tasked with developing practical and sustainable solutions to ongoing traffic safety and congestion issues in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  Brown’s decision to designate the Historic Columbia River Highway Collaborative as an Oregon Solutions project came at the request of state and local community leaders and after the project received an assessment summary by Oregon Solutions staff.   The designation brings with it the support of professional Oregon Solutions staff, and assistance in leveraging funding for the project.  Oregon Solutions was established in 2001 to work to solve community-based problems through collaboration with business, nonprofit and government leaders.

Outdoor burning operations are now being allowed in the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District.  Burning will be limited to between hours of 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.  MCFR Chief Bob Palmer says burn permits are available at the district office on 1400 West 8th in The Dalles, adding people still need to use caution when burning.  Residents within The Dalles city limits may only burn yard debris in a small pile as outlined on the burn permit and as allowed by municipal ordinance.  Incinerators and barrels are not allowed in the City of The Dalles.  Outside the city limits, residents can burn in a pile or in an incinerator or barrel.

An increased presence by a Hood River County Sheriff’s Office marine deputy was felt in Port of Hood River waterfront areas this summer.  Marine Deputy Quintin Nelson gave a report to Port Commissioners this week.  The Port and the County Sheriff’s office established an intergovernmental agreement to provide more on-the-water patrols near Port locations.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says it improved safety for users in the area.  Nelson’s report recommended a better delineation of safety zones, and better education of the public on regulations.  The Port’s Waterfront Advisory Committee will take that report to prepare an educational plan.

Cross Country Columbia won the boys’ team title at the Trico League Cross Country Championships at Husum Hills Golf Course.  Colin Howe finished second and Will Nuckoles third to lead the Bruins’ effort.  Stevenson finished third, topped by a fifth place finish by Jordan Vigil.  Jarod Hulsizer of Kalama was the individual winner.  Columbia finished third in the girls’ team standings, with Haley Blair taking third and Rachel Luther seventh.  LaCenter won the girls’ title, paced by individual winner Jenna Melanson of LaCenter.   Boys Soccer Pendleton 2, The Dalles 0:  Pendleton moved into a tie for third in the Columbia River Conference with the Riverhawks with the win.   Girls Soccer Hood River Valley 0, Hermiston 0

The effort to construct a youth center in The Dalles took another step forward on Tuesday when a group of over 30 community leaders met with Acts Executive Director Joe Martin to give their input.  Martin said he had just received design drawings for the facility tailored to property acquired over the summer behind Motel 6 in the western portion of The Dalles.  He says the design involves four buildings that could be built in stages.  Martin noted his biggest surprise was the lack of skepticism in the room, fortifying his belief the time is now to tackle this project.  He says the next step is to get more public involvement in the effort, with a fundraising luncheon being planned for November.

Klickitat County officials are analyzing a Bureau of Indian Affairs decision to approve a retrocession petition to return authority to the Yakama Nation for certain civil and criminal cases involving tribal members that have been handled by the state for decades.  County Commissioner David Sauter says some of their concerns have been addressed in the decision, noting it had been done in accordance to a proclamation by Washington Governor Jay Inslee that retrocession would have no application to non-tribal members, which was a key point for the County.  The decision does not address Glenwood, which the tribe has claimed is within the exterior boundary of the Yakama Nation reservation but Klickitat County and the state have always asserted it is not.  Court decisions have sided with the County and the state, and Sauter says the retrocession approval has not changed that.

Port of Hood River Commissioners approved plans for development of new buildings on the Expo Center property.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the City has approved the site plan review for Key Development to construct a 20,000 square foot distribution facility for Turtle Island Foods on a corner of that property, and the rest of the project involving two light industrial buildings is before City officials.  McElwee expects Key to close on the first phase of the property later this fall with the Turtle Island building to start construction next spring.  The rest would start construction by the end of 2016.

Volleyball Hood River Valley def. The Dalles 25-15, 25-16, 25-18:  The Eagles swept the Riverhawks to claim the Columbia River Conference championship.  Shae Duffy had 11 kills and Kennedy James added nine, while Rebecca Johnston contributed 24 digs and eight service aces to lead HRV to their second win over The Dalles in three league matches.  HRV advances to the Oregon Class 5-A tournament, and will play a first round match on October 31.  The Riverhawks can qualify for state by winning a play-in game next Tuesday.   Seton Catholic def. Columbia 25-22, 22-25, 25-17, 25-23 Castle Rock def. Stevenson 28-26, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17 South Wasco sweeps Sherman 3 games to 0 Sunnyside Christian def. Klickitat 25-16, 25-7, 25-9   Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 2, Hermiston 2:  Andres Baeza scored on a half-volley in the 54^th minute to allow the Eagles to leave Hermiston with a draw, and a guarantee of at least a share of the CRC title.  Noe Magana had scored the game’s first goal for HRV in the opening minute of the contest, but an own goal shortly after that evened the game for Hermiston, and the Bulldogs scored on a Bernando Ah-ROW-hoe penalty kick in the final minute of the first half.  The Eagles can nail down the conference championship with a win or tie over The Dalles next Tuesday.   Girls Soccer The Dalles 4, Pendleton 1:  The Riverhawks move into a tie for the third and final play-in spot out of the Columbia River Conference. Seton Catholic 5, Columbia 0 LaCenter 7, Stevenson 0 LaSalle 12, Goldendale 0

The Hood River Interstate Bridge will be closed between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Thursday.  The Port of Hood River says that is to allow for required maintenance work on the lift span deck, which will require full closure of both lanes of the bridge.  Emergency services vehicles will continue to be able to cross the bridge during that time.

Hood River County Commissioners received a positive report on the state of the county’s economy.  Oregon Employment Department regional economist Dallas Fridley told Commissioners the County has one of the strongest economies in the region.  County Administrator David Meriwether said the report is useful to help the County identify needs and track them.  Meriwether pointed out one area of concern in the report showed the County has a higher percentage of jobs paying less than 15 dollars an hour than other locations in the state.  In other business the County approved an intergovernmental agreement with Mid-Columbia Council of Governments to move electrical and plumbing inspection, plan review, and permit handling services back to the County.  The County has already been handling building permit services on its own.