The Cooper Fire near Highway 14 and Cook-Underwood Road was considered 80 percent contained heading into the night…as crews planned to stay through the night to ensure it did not flare up.  The fire that started around 3 p.m. Thursday burned about ten acres, but by 8 p.m. firefighters were closed to containing it, and residents who had left their homes began to return.  Fire public information officer Stan Hinatsu confirmed three houses in the Circle Driver area were damaged by the fire.  One had a damaged deck, another damaged siding, and a third had a fire in the attic.  About 100 firefighters from the Washington Department of Natural Resources…the U.S. Forest Service…Klickitat County…and Skamania County crews took part in the firefighting effort…while a helicopter doing water drops assisted in the effort.  A downed power line is believed to be the cause of the fire…and dry air and a strong east wind fanned the flames.  Highway 14 was closed at milepost 63 for a few hours by the fire.  

The Hood River County Community Development department has given administrative approval to a commercial land use permit for the proposed DeeTour amphitheater on the old Dee mill site.  The approval sent to developer Jason Taylor in a letter dated Tuesday inculdes numerous conditions, including limiting parking to 437 spaces, a number Taylor had gone to in an amended plan after an original proposal last winter for over 3,000 spaces drew local criticism.  Another condition calls for a sound analysis and noise management plan to be done to ensure compliance with noise limitations in County ordinances.  The permit approval also includes conditions for protection of the adjacent East Fork of the Hood River, and development of a traffic control plan.  The decision is subject to a 15-day appeal period.

The Wasco County Wolf Depredation Compensation Committee will appoint its final two members this month.  County Commissioner Steve Kramer says they have seven applications for the two business representatives on the panel, and will make the selections at a September 24 meeting in Dufur.  He says after that, the committee can move forward with application forms for the compensation portion of the project.  There are currently five members on the committee, with Kramer as chair along with two ranchers and two wolf advocates.

The eastbound lane of Cherry Heights Road between West 6^th and West 2^nd Streets in The Dalles will be closed Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.  The Dalles Public Works Department will be grinding out failing sections of pavement and replacing them with new asphalt sections.  Since the entire eastbound lane will be closed along the curb for the safety of workers and motorists, there will be no access onto Cherry Heights from Mt Hood Street or from the southside driveways between West 6^th and 2^nd Streets.  Access to the businesses affected will be from Mt Hood Street via West 6^th Street.  Eastbound and westbound traffic will be maintained on this section of Cherry Heights by using the other two lanes of the street.

Mosier will celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend.  A host of activities are planned surrounding the community of 430’s centennial celebration.  City Councilor Emily Reed says they used the anniversary to do some beautification of the town, adding planter boxes, shade, benches, and picnic tables.  In addition there is an art walk with a number of sculptures and a butterfly mural on the CenturyLink building.  Events scheduled include “Voices from the Past” performances by nine direct Mosier descendants, a parade Saturday morning at 9:30, and a long list of musical performers including Moe Dixon Saturday evening.  A complete schedule of events is available on-line at Mosier100Year.com.

Hood River County health officials are trying to locate the source of some cases of campylobacteriosis in the community.  Hood River County Health Department environmental health response coordinator Ian Stromquist says they have not yet identified a source of the gastrointestinal illness that is most commonly caused by consuming raw or undercooked poultry.  He says they would like to hear from people who think they may have contracted the illness as they try to track down a source.  Stromquist says the illness can last about a week with symptoms including bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.  He adds sometimes the illness is mild, but it can also cause people to be hospitalized.

Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 5, Franklin 2:  Gio Magana and Jaime Frias scored two goals apiece as the Eagles won for the third straight time to begin the season.  Alex Gutierrez also scored a goal for HRV. Mac-Hi 1, The Dalles 0   Girls Soccer Hood River Valley 2, Franklin 2:  Mona Diaz and Kassidy Davidson were the goal scores for HRV, as the Eagles ended up with their second tie in three games.   Volleyball Sherwood def. The Dalles 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 Ft. Vancouver def. Columbia 22-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-16, 16-14 Heppner def. Sherman 23-25, 25-8, 25-19, 26-24 City Christian def. Trout Lake 26-24, 13-25, 25-22, 25-17 Goldendale def. Kiona-Benton 25-22, 25-20, 25-15 Lyle-Wishram def. South Wasco 3 games to 2

Firefighters in The Dalles battled a fire late Monday afternoon off an alleyway between 9th, 10th, and Lewis Streets.  The fire occurred in the backyard of a home on 1510 East 9th, and burned a shed and a van, along with some fences.  Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue crews were assisted by firefighters from the Dallesport Fire District in battling the blaze, which broke out at about 5:30 p.m.  Crews had to deal with narrow access, running hoses from hydrants through driveways on 9th and Lewis.  MCFR Chief Bob Palmer issued a reminder that fire season is not over yet, with predicted dry weather expected to extend the season well into October.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office is mailing postcards to eligible voters offering them the opportunity tor register to vote.  It’s part of the state joining the Electronic Registration Information Center, and is the first step in improving voter rolls in the country.  The next step will cross-check voting rolls with the Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Postal Service, and Social Security Death Index.  Some people may receive a postcard and are already registered to vote.  To make sure you are registered, go to oregonvotes.gov.  The deadline to register for the November election is October 14.

Volleyball Ridgeview def. Hood River Valley 25-17, 25-19, 25-6   Boys Soccer Trout Lake 2, Corbett 0