The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s June water supply outlook report for Oregon contained no surprises coming off a record-low winter snowpack that will lead to significantly low stream flows this summer.  The report shows record low snowpacks for the Hood, Sandy, and Lower Deschutes basins, peaking at its lowest level and earliest date since records began over 30 years ago.  Summer streamflow forecasts for the basins range from 48-to-57 percent of average for June through September.  Forecasted streamflow volumes fall in the lowest tenth of observed streamflows since 1981.  Water managers are being told to expect significant shortages this summer.

Local health officials are reminding people to stay cool and stay hydrated with the current hot temperatures.  They are advising people to find air-conditioned shelter, avoid direct sunlight, wear lightweight light-colored clothing, take cool showers or baths, and do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.  Drink more water than usual, don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids, avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar, and remind others to drink enough water.  Excessive heat causes more deaths than all other weather related events in the country, and heat-related illness can affect anyone at any age.

Ryan Ward held Liberty hitless for six innings while Hood River Valley took advantage of Falcon defensive miscues on the way to a 2-0 win in the OSAA/U.S. Bank/Les Schwab Tires Class 5A Baseball Championship at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer on Saturday, giving the Eagles their first state title in 25 years.  HRV’s first run came in the second inning, when two Liberty infielders lost Chase Lariza’s pop fly in the sun, allowing Patrick Harvey to score.  The Eagles tallied the second run in the fourth, when back to back errors by Liberty’s middle infield brought home Riley Van Hoose.  While that was going on, Ward stifled the Falcon bats, striking out ten and allowing only two hits, both in the seventh inning.  He needed only 75 pitches for the complete game win.  The biggest defensive play came in the second inning, after Andrew White was hit by a Ward pitch.  Cody Rice hit a sharp ground ball up the middle, but Eagle second baseman Kam Walker made a diving stop and then flipped the ball with his glove to shortstop Skyler Hunter for the force at second, and Hunter made a quick turn for the double play.  HRV had previously won state baseball titles in various classifications in 1980, 1986, 1988, and 1990.

It will be a busy weekend for high school graduations around the Gorge.  Hood River Valley sends off its senior class Friday evening at 7:30 at Henderson Stadium, while ceremonies at The Dalles High School begin at 10:30 Saturday morning on Amaton Field.  Also on Saturday…graduation ceremonies take place at Sherman and Columbia at 11 a.m., at South Wasco at 1 p.m., and at Horizon Christian, Stevenson, Lyle, and Glenwood at 2 p.m.  Dufur will hold its high school graduation Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

Wasco County Commissioners heard from those for and against the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife purchasing the 10,000 acre Limmeroth Ranch property in the central portion of the county along the Deschutes River.  The County provided a letter of support for the sale two years ago, with ODFW wanting to make the purchase with federal and private funds to protect fish and wildlife habitat, but some nearby land owners are in opposition citing detrimental impact to farm and ranch operations and worries about the impact of increased public use of the land.  County Commission Chair Scott Hege points out the County can only make a recommendation to ODFW, but it won’t have a final say on the sale.  Hege notes the options the County has range from doing nothing at all to rescinding its 2013 letter.

Three brothers arrested this week in connection with the disappearance of Jason Muschawek of Parkdale one year ago made their initial appearance in Hood River County Circuit Court today.  27-year-old Michael David Schneider, 23-year-old Peter Damien Schneider, and 22-year-old Donald Mathew Schneider listened by video hookup from NORCOR as the charges against them were read and each was assigned an attorney.  Michael and Donald Schneider were both charged with murder, burglary, theft, unlawful use of a weapon, and abuse of a corpse, while Peter Schneider faces burglary and theft charges.  While authorities have not released many details about the case at this point, while reading the charges Hood River County District Attorney John Sewell noted the theft charges stem from taking a firearm that belonged to the victim.  Michael and Donald Schneider are being held without bail pending court appearances next week, while Peter Schneider is being held on $5,000 cash bail.

White Salmon City Councilors will ask their swimming pool committee to get more public input on what citizens want to see in a pool.  Consultant Mike Wellman gave his pool feasibility study to the Council with five different options ranging from renovating the current aging facility to constructing an indoor facility.  Mayor David Poucher says they want the community to discuss what it wants in a swimming pool.  Poucher expects it will take at least another six months to make any decision.  In other business, Councilors selected Donna Heimke to fill the remainder of the term for a Council seat vacated by George Rau.  The current term runs to the end of the year, and Heimke is unopposed for the seat in the fall election.

Stevenson Elementary School Principal Karen Douglass has been named the new Superintendent of the Stevenson-Carson School District.  Douglass has worked in the district for over 25 years, spending the last ten years in her current role.  She also currently serves as the District’s federal programs supervisor, homeless liaison, and professional development coordinator.  Douglass holds a bachelor’s degree from Warner Pacific College and a Master’s degree from Portland State University.  She will succeed outgoing Superintendent Dan Read on July 1.

The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections board has made an offer to one of the candidates to be the jail’s new administrator.  Michael Cantrell has 26 years of experience in the juvenile justice system, and is currently program director for the Rite Of Passage program in Omaha, Nebraska.  NORCOR board member and Hood River County Commission Chair Ron Rivers says Cantrell has an extensive training background and list of certifications, noting he was questioned about making the transition to adult corrections during his interview.  There will be a three to four week background search conducted by the Oregon State Police before Cantrell can officially accept the position.  Rivers says the hope is that Cantrell will be able to take over the position sometime in July.  He will replace the retiring Jim Weed.