A number of Gorge-based groups have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of two groups appealing a judge’s ruling that the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility could continue with its contract to detain immigration detainees.  Gorge Ecumenical Ministries, Gorge ICE Resistance, Hood River Latino Network, NORCOR Community Resources Coalition, and the Rural Organizing Project say in the brief that NORCOR’s contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement blurs the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, places an unnecessary burden on local resources, and makes many in the community hesitant to ask the police for help.  The appeal claims NORCOR is violating a 32-year-old state law prohibiting local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement.  Innovation Law Lab and Oregon Law Center are appealing the judge’s decision made in April that found certain practices by NORCOR were unlawful, but the contract with ICE could continue.

Local officials continue to search for a new executive director for Mid-Columbia Center For Living.  Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege is the chair of the regional mental health organization that serves Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties.  Hege says they have been working for a number of months with various partners to get input on what the organization should look for in a new director.  Hege says they are looking for someone with a strong sense of leadership to help lead the effort toward mental health.  Hege adds they also need someone with good business sense because of the myriad of funding streams that are used to operate the Center.

Local author and photographer Peter Marbach will launch his new book “Healing the Big River:  Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty” on Wednesday at Hood River’s Columbia Center for the Arts.  The book combines Marbach’s photography with essays from people concerned about the river’s future, many from First Nations.  Marbach says he wanted the voice of the book to be from the people of the river.  Marbach will give a presentation at Wednesday evening’s book launch, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Center for the Arts.  There is a $10 suggested donation with proceeds benefiting the Center.

The Dalles Public Works crews will be painting fresh markings at the Webber Street railroad crossing on Wednesday and Thursday.  Work will begin at 7 a.m. both days, weather permitting.   The railroad crossing at Webber Street will be closed to all traffic in both directions during working hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.  Motorists, bicycles and pedestrians are asked to use detours around the work zone during work hours.  The street will be reopened to the traveling public each day after the paint has dried completely.

The Dalles Public Works Department will begin a street maintenance project Tuesday on West 2nd Street between Terminal Avenue and Webber Street.  The westbound lane of West 2nd will be closed to all traffic during working hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.  Through traffic will be flagged to a single lane next to the construction zone, and delays are expected.  The westbound lane will be reopened at the end of the day, and business access will be open at all times.  In addition, the Oregon Department of Transportation will close the Interstate 84 westbound exit 84 off-ramp while the work is being done on Tuesday to help prevent accidents in the work zone. 

 

 

A review committee will soon be presenting some potential changes to Hood River County’s charter to the County Commission.  Commission Chair Mike Oates says the review committee has been meeting since spring, and legal counsel has been looking over some of the proposed changes before they go to the County Commission.  One change would be to elections for county commissioners and Sheriff.  Currently, if a candidate gets over 50 percent in the May primary their name is placed on the November ballot unopposed.  Oates says the charter review panel is proposing that if someone gets over 50 percent in May they are declared the winner of the office without going on the November ballot.  Another considered change is to increase the term for County Commission Chair from two to four years, like the other commissioners, and another would streamline the ordinance adoption process.  If the Commission decides it wants to move forward to charter changes, it would go to the electorate for approval.

The Port of The Dalles receives leads from the state of Oregon on businesses looking for places to move to, and while many are for property needs that are larger than this region can accommodate, it does underscore the need for having land identified for economic development.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says the core of their work is local businesses that are trying to expand.  Klaas says the Port of The Dalles only has about 20 acres available for new businesses, and they are looking for higher density employment on those lands than they have in the past.

Corvallis held off Hood River Valley by four points to win the Oregon Class 5A girls’ state championship at Lane Community College in Eugene, denying HRV’s bid for back-to-back championships.  Madeline Nason led Corvallis by winning the race, as the Spartans had three runners in the top ten.  HRV’s Josephine Dickinson was fifth and Frances Dickinson sixth to lead the Eagles, as Hood River held off Wilsonville by two points for third, while North Salem was another point back in fourth.  The Dalles took ninth, paced by Hanna Ziegenhagen in 28^th place.

 

In the Oregon Class 5A boys’ race, The Dalles finished fifth.  Juan Diego Contreras was the top Riverhawk finisher in tenth, while Sam Alvarez was 21^st and Friedrich Stelzer 24^th.   Evan Holland of team titlist Ashland won the individual championship in 14:30.04, the fastest time ever on the state course.

 

Goldendale’s Ellie Rising finished ninth in the girls’ competition at the Washington Class 1A state championships at Sun Willows in Pasco.  Rising’s effort led the Timberwolf girls to a tenth place finish.  Columbia was 14^th, topped by a 27^th place finish by Joules Hope.  Stevenson’s Isabella Spencer was 22^nd.  In the boys’ race, Columbia finished 12^th and Goldendale 16^th.  Dylan Beneventi of CHS was the top area runner in 48^th, while Abiy LaCombe of Stevenson was 51^st and Goldendale’s Corbin Riley was 60^th.

 

Trout Lake’s boys finished third and the girls seventh at the Washington Class B state championships at Sun Willows in Pasco.  The Mustangs’ Justin Peck finished second in the boys’ race, four seconds behind Daniel Quintana of Ilwaco.  Eighth-grader Myana Stock finished tenth in the girls’ run for Trout Lake.

Oregon Class 4A Playoff First Round

The Dalles 49, Henley 18:   Gabe Helseth threw for five touchdowns, two each to Okean Green and Zac Anderson, as the Riverhawks dominated in southern Oregon to advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals.  Green also had a 95-yard scoring run, while the Riverhawk defense completely shut down the Hornets ground attack.  The Riverhawks will host Tillamook, who scored a 19-14 upset win over second-seed Mazama, in the quarterfinals next weekend.

 

Oregon Class 1A Playoff First Round 

Dufur 22, Perrydale 14:  The Rangers kept Perrydale out of the end zone on the Pirates’ final drive to hold on for the win and keep their drive for five straight state titles alive.  Jacob Peters had two touchdowns while Cooper Bales had a TD run and an interception.  The Rangers forced three Perrydale turnovers.   Dufur visit Crane in the quarterfinals next weekend.

 

SCAC District Playoff

Royal 82, Goldendale 3

 

Veterans’ Day observances are planned around the region.  On Saturday the Hood River Elks Lodge hosts its annual Veterans’ Day Breakfast at 8 a.m.  It’s free but donations for Gorge Veterans will be accepted.  The annual Veterans’ Day parade in The Dalles will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, taking the usual route through downtown The Dalles.  The parade committee is asking churches and public buildings that have bells, sirens, or chimes to sound them to kick off the parade at 11 a.m.  There will a community potluck hosted by the VFW Post and Auxiliary 2471 following the parade at the Oregon Veterans Home.  Also at 11 a.m. on Monday, there will be a salute organized by the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue on 1400 West 8th in The Dalles.  At Maryhill Museum of Art, MaryAnn Parrott and the Hood River Valley Church “Chime Choir” will mark Veterans Day at Maryhill with chimes and a moment of silence at 11:11 a.m.   All veterans and active military are admitted free to the museum on Veterans Day.