The Dalles Public Works Department will be flow testing fire hydrants throughout the city next Wednesday through Friday.  Fire hydrants are flow tested in order to test fire protection water pressures. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid driving or walking through the water coming directly from a hydrant while it is being flow tested.   Occasionally fire hydrant flow testing causes water flowing from a tap to be discolored from stirred up sediment or the water may appear milky white which is caused by tiny air bubbles.  Although discolored water won’t make you sick, flush the pipe by running the water for several minutes before drinking or washing.  If the water does not clear, please contact the Public Works office at 541-296-5401.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says two people reported missing out of Yamhill County were found dead in a camper trailer in the area of Ketchum Road outside of The Dalles.  Detective Sergeant Jeff Hall says the bodies of 48-year-old Brian Thomas Paulsen and 47-year-old Deon Louise Patterson were found after deputies located Paulsen’s pickup and travel trailer on a property near a cabin.  A dog was also found deceased in the trailer.  Hall says the cause and manner of the deaths has not yet been determined…but evidence at the scene suggests carbon monoxide poisoning was a factor.  Hall added initial examination of the scene suggested potential hazardous substances may have been present in the trailer, but a hazmat team determined the scene was safe for law enforcement to enter and continue their investigation.

Klickitat PUD commissioners have decided there will be no retail electric rate increase in 2020.  The board made their decision following review of the first two drafts of their 2020 operating budget, noting good overall operating results in 2019 and solid bond ratings from both Moody’s and Fitch Ratings.  While the new Renewable Natural Gas facility at Roosevelt had a slower start up than planned, Board President Dan Gunkel says the panel concluded that net revenues for the plant could be used to offset the need for a rate increase.  He added the PUD board has a long-term goal of lowering rates relative to other utilities in similar service territories.  It’s the third time in four years that Klickitat PUD has decided not to increase retail electric rates.  There was a 1.5% increase in 2019.  A public hearing to consider the 2020 operating budget has been set for Tuesday, December 10 at 3 p.m. at Klickitat PUD’s office in Goldendale.

Mid-Columbia Health Foundation’s Festival of Tress is coming up in early December, and it appears they will once again have plenty of decorated trees up for bid at their auction.  The Foundation’s Cynthia Kortge says they have had great response and have filled all of their needs for regular-sized trees, but they still have a couple of opportunities to decorate a miniature tree. Deadline to register to do that is Friday.  This year’s auction will support the Celilo Cancer Center and Mid-Columbia Health Foundation Nursing Scholarships.  Tickets for the December 6 gala and auction at The Dalles Civic Auditorium are $20 and available by calling 541-296-7275 or going to mcmc.net/fot.

Preparations are underway for the community Thanksgiving dinners in Hood River and Cascade Locks, and the call has gone out for volunteers to help with clean up afterwards.  One of the dinner organizers, Debby Chenoweth, says their biggest need for volunteers is for help on cleanup the Friday after the meal.  Chenoweth says they have most of their volunteer slots filled except for the Friday cleanup.  To volunteer, call 541-399-2384.

 

Thursday Schedule

Washington Class 1B Volleyball Tournament

At Yakima Valley Sundome

First Round

Mount Vernon Christian def. Klickitat-Glenwood 25-10, 25-18, 26-24

 

Consolation Round

Klickitat-Glenwood vs. Providence Classical Christian, 3:15 p.m.

 

Friday Schedule

Oregon Class 5A Water Polo Tournament

At Osborn Aquatic Center, Corvallis

Semi-Finals

Boys:  Hood River Valley vs. Ashland, 12:10 p.m.

Girls:  Hood River Valley vs. Ashland, 2:30 p.m.

 

Washington Class 1A Volleyball Tournament

At Yakima Valley Sundome

First Round

Goldendale vs. Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls), 5:15 p.m.

Oregon Class 1B Football Quarterfinal

Dufur at Crane, 1 p.m.

 

Washington Class 1B Football Playoffs

Tekoa-Rosalia at Lyle-Wishram, 5:30 p.m.

 

Saturday Schedule

Oregon Class 4A Football Quarterfinal

Tillamook at The Dalles, 1 p.m.

The Hood River City Council accepted a park and open space framework for the Westside Area Concept Plan with some municipal planning commission recommendations and some Council modifications.  City Planning Director Dustin Nilson says the framework emphasizes a connection between recreational facilities.  Nilson noted over 95 percent of the Westside area is currently privately owned, so in order to develop a cohesive plan there has to be forethought in the planning, and that includes recreational amenities.  The Council emphasized wanting to be careful in development in sensitive areas likes slopes, riparian corridors, and wetlands.  The framework will also be a recommendation document for the multi-jurisdictional parks plan currently under development.

The Columbia Gorge Housing Authority will be receiving a piece of federal funding to help Klickitat and Skamania County adults with disabilities and their families to achieve safe, secure, and stable housing.  Washington Senator Patty Murray announced today that Columbia Gorge Housing Authority will receive $188,345 from new Mainstream Housing Vouchers, which are being funded through a 2018 spending bill that passed the Senate.  The vouchers will fund local initiatives to help non-elderly, people with disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization or homelessness access affordable housing and other support services.  Columbia Gorge Housing Authority chair Gabe Spencer said they plan to leverage this money in the private rental market and collaborate with health and human services partners to provide participants with voluntary supportive services.

The Dalles Main Street program is looking to continue to put up new lights on 2nd Street in downtown that will stay up all year long.  They are installing rope lights that change colors to whatever is appropriate for the time of year.  Main Street’s Bunny Henningsen says the lights run about $30 apiece, and they have 117 left to purchase, so they are looking for donations to help continue the project.  To donate toward the lights, go online to thedallesmainstreet.org.

A 33-year-old man from Biggs Junction was killed early Monday evening when he was fatally struck by a commercial truck while walking on Interstate 84 near milepost 104 in Sherman County.  According to the Oregon State Police, the truck was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 in the slow lane at about 5:45 p.m. on Monday when the driver noticed a reflective vest moving around in the lane of travel.  The OSP says the driver initially thought the vest was blowing around in the wind, but then realized it was being worn by a pedestrian.  The truck swerved to avoid the person, but was unable to avoid striking him.  The pedestrian, Alejandro Lozano Rivas, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The OSP says the driver, a 31-year-old man from Moscow Mills, Missouri, stopped immediately at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.