The Dalles Mayor Steve Lawrence says a recent report by the City of Hermiston showing water and sewer rates in The Dalles are substantially higher than in other Eastern Oregon cities should trigger a renewed discussion on the subject.  Lawrence pointed out he needs more information to put the Hermiston report in context, saying he needs to know if the comparision numbers are based one the same factors.  Lawrence noted population projections used to determine plans for water and sewer upgrades a number of years ago do not seem to be coming true, and that needs to be considered along with how the City actually funds those improvements.  He also says the City’s bond rating was recently upgraded, and that was partially due to the large amount of reserves they have.

The Hood River County Fair is underway in Odell.  Wednesday’s events include the 4-H Style Review at 5 pm. on the Park Stage and performance roping and hat dancing with Tony Galvez at 6:30 p.m. in the Frank Herman Arena.  Thursday will be Senior Citizens Day, with Hood River County seniors admitted for $5.  Fair Manager Clara Rice says there are once again golf carts available for those who need help getting around the fairgrounds.  Thursday evening entertainment will include a John Denver Tribute with Ted Vigil at 7:30 p.m. on the park stage, and Carrie Cunningham and the Six Shooters will perform at 8 p.m. in the barn area.

Hood River County Commissioners have decided to wait until the state provides more clarity on policy issues before proceeding with the long-talked about unincorporated community plans for Odell and Parkdale.  County Administrator David Meriwether says the plans, which were supposed to be done as part of periodic review of the County’s land use plan years ago, could end up with a fairly restrictive unincorporated community boundary, and Commissioners are worried that might not be in the best interest of the County.  Meriwether noted the state Land Conservation and Development Commission is trying to figure out how to deal with problems in periodic review processes experienced by 40 to 50 different cities and counties.  He added the County did receive grant funds for putting the unincorporated community plans together, which could complicate the matter.

Opportunity Connections, which provides services to people with intellectual disabilities to help them live independently, will hold two public sessions in Hood River and The Dalles on Thursday as the organization works on a five-year planning process.  Executive Director Rita Rathkey says changes in state and federal regulations are changing the kind of services they can provide.  Rathkey adds a recent Governor’s order in the wake of a pending lawsuit by a disability rights organization against the state of Oregon will shutdown referrals to sheltered workshops by next summer.  Public meetings are set for Thursday, first at noon at the Opportunity Connections office in Hood River at 1102 12th Street, and at 5:30 p.m. in The Dalles at 506 East 2nd Street.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery that took place at the Salmon Falls Park and Ride along Highway 14 near milepost 27. Undersheriff Dave Cox says 70-year-old Allen Ferrians had stopped to use the restroom at Salmon Falls on Saturday after a day of fishing, and was approached by one of two motorcycle riders who brandished a handgun and demanded money.  Ferrians gave him about 250 dollars and the motorcyclists left the area.  The pair is described as riding large cruiser type motorcycles, both wearing black leather and helmets, one with a black visor and the other with a mirrored visor.  Cox says the investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office at 509-427-9490.

The City of White Salmon is reporting a major break in a water line in the Cherry Street area that is causing water outages in about 80 percent of the City. They hope to have it fixed by 5 p.m.

Work on the approach ramps to the Port of Hood River Interstate Bridge is about to get underway.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says contractor Wildish Construction is staging today, and work should start on Tuesday, and there will be delays on weekdays for about three weeks between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.  McElwee says repaving is being done on approach ramps on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River.  Work is expected to continue through August 8.  McElwee indicated there would be about four overnight closures of the bridge during this construction period, to be scheduled at a later date.

Looking to build on “Hospitality University” training sessions, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is introducing a monthly Hospitality Industry Night.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says the events will be hosted at a hospitality industry location, and will be a place for those involved in the industry to exchange information.  The first Hospitality Industry Night will take place this coming Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunshine Mill.

A Parkdale man has been lodged at NORCOR in The Dalles on charges stemming from the stabbing of an Ocean Park, Washington man.  According to the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, 66-year-old Dale Allen Bush is charged with attempted murder and first degree assault.  The sheriff’s office says officers arrived at a home on the 3800 block of Paul Partlow Drive west of the Dee Highway late Thursday night to find 54-year-old Richard Wilson suffering from life threatening knife wounds.  Bush is being held at NORCOR on 125-thousand dollars cash bail.  Wilson was flown to Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland.

The Jack Knife Fire southeast of Grass Valley is now listed as 80 percent contained.  It has burned 13,263 acres…and additional fire growth is not expected…even though is potential growth to the east based on expected winds.  The Pine Creek Fire south of Fossil is at a 15 percent containment level…and is 29,940 acres in size.  Objectives for the 595 firefighters there include keeping the fire east and north of John Day River, south of Highway 218 and west of Rowe Creek Road.  The Black Rock fire east of Antelope is at 15 percent containment as well…having burned 29,058 acres…and the potential still exists for it to jump the John Day River.  The Logging Unit complex of fires northwest of Warm Springs is 7,328 acres in size and five percent contained.  And the Waterman Complex of fires near Mitchell is 60 percent contained at 11,334 acres.