Area airports are among the recipients of U.S. Department of Transportation Airport improvement grants to fund runway rehabilitation and taxiway reconstruction projects.  The Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport will receive $1.625 million to reconstruct the north apron and taxiway.  The facility is now seeing over 300 jet landings annually.  The Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River will receive $324,600 to conduct an environmental study.  Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced the grants, as the state received over $7.5 million in airport improvement grants.

Wasco County Commissioners let the public have their say about a possible resolution to support Second Amendment rights brought forward by a group of citizens.  Those who spoke during the hearing at the County Courthouse were split on the necessity of such a resolution or an ordinance, even though Commissioner Scott Hege said at the end of the meeting everyone involved supported the Second Amendment.  Commission Chair Steve Kramer said there was still a lot of information to gather, but at this point he wasn’t ready to move for either a resolution or an ordinance, adding in his oath as County Commissioner he swore to support all 27 amendments in the Constitution and he thinks there are enough rules in place as it is.  Commissioner Kathy Schwartz said she would not be in favor of moving forward without a legal opinion.  Kramer did point out the need for both federal and state governments to better address mental health issues.

The proposed affordable housing project on Lot 700 in Morrison Park in Hood River did not receive funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services in its annual awards of federal monies for those types of projects.  It was the second time the project has been bypassed…but the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation executive director Joel Madsen said that it is a very competitive process, and it’s not unusual to have to make multiple attempts to be successful.  Madsen says his organization will now assess how its proposal was scored in this round.  Madsen did say part of the assessment will be to find out whether the appeals that have surrounded the project had an impact on not receiving the funding, adding the measure that will be on the Hood River ballot in November requiring a public vote before the City can dispose of public park land will also be taken into account.

The White Salmon City Council has referred a proposed ordinance for short-term rental permitting back to the Community Development Committee while scheduling a public hearing for September 4.  The committee is proposing $300 application and renewal fees in an effort to determine where STR’s are located and how many there are, to ensure they meet minimum qualifications, and to inform owners they need to collect and remit state taxes to the Washington State Department of Revenue.  Mayor David Poucher says they want to get a better handle on how many STR’s are actually operating in the city.  No zoning questions are addressed in the ordinance.

The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board voted to have its staff develop a request for proposals for the former Tony’s Town and Country property in downtown The Dalles.  That property became available again when Tokola Properties pulled out of a Development and Disposition agreement with the URA when the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries ruled that company’s mixed-use project would be subject to prevailing wage laws.  Board member Scott Baker explained during the meeting that going with an open RFP will hopefully give them more options to consider.  Urban Renewal Manager Steven Harris noted that staff has been contacted by various parties interested in either acquiring or leasing the property, and three people did express their interest during a public comment period.  The vote to move on an RFP was 5-1, with John Fredrick opposed.

Riverside Community Church is raising funds to repair the only pipe organ in Hood River County.  The organ was installed in the church 50 years ago, and is used in numerous musical performances at the church.  The church’s Stu Watson says the facility’s musical director, Diana Beterbide, has indicated there are certain notes on the organ that don’t work.  The organ is being dedicated to Rodger Schock, the former Hood River County Commissioner and community advocate who passed away recently.  The cost of repairs is estimated at $23,000.  Those who would like to contribute can call the church at 541-386-1412.

The planned overpass for Highway 14 at Bingen Point may go out to bid sometime in 2020.  Bingen Mayor Betty Barnes says the lengthy planning process with the Washington State Department of Transportation, with much of the attention right now on talks with Burlington Northern Railroad on a “shoofly,” which is temporary track to allow trains to pass during the construction period.  Barnes adds the hope is for construction on the overpass to begin in 2021.

The White Salmon City Council will discuss a proposed ordinance for short-term rental permitting at its Wednesday meeting.  The City’s Community Development Committee is proposing $300 application and renewal fee in an effort to determine where STR’s are located and how many there are, to ensure they meet minimum qualifications, and to inform owners they need to collect and remit state taxes to the Washington State Department of Revenue.  It does not address zoning questions and other issue, but Mayor David Poucher says this is a first step to gauge how many STR’s are actually operating in the community.  City staff is proposing a public hearing on the ordinance be scheduled for August 7.  Wednesday’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Hood River County emergency management personnel told County Commissioners they have a long way to go before they could be ready for Pacific Power to declare a Public Safety Power Shutoff, but they did say a recent meeting brought some progress and improved communication.  County Emergency Services Director Barb Ayres said they need a year to be ready, adding they have requested but not seen written plans.  Sheriff Matt English did say a Friday meeting went well, adding they will do a tabletop exercise with the utility in the near future and they’ve been told that they will receive a comprehensive plan in the next month, so he asked Commissioners to wait to send a formal letter to the utility.  Later in the meeting, Pacific Power spokeperson Cheryl Carter told the Commission they foresee a positive outcome and that there will be ways to isolate outages for the smallest impact, adding the company believes it would be rare for a shutdown to actually happen.  Commission Chair Mike Oates told her they were “a little concerned right now.”

Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden released a written statement Tuesday on President Donald Trump’s recent comments on Twitter about four progressive Democratic congresswomen, who are all women of color.  The Hood River Republican said the tweets “do not reflect the values that we hold dear in America” and “should not be made about any American citizen regardless of who they are or where they work.”  He said the President’s tweets and the comments of others accusing Customs and Border Protection agents of running concentration camps or that people who support Israel only do it money are disgusting and wrong, distracting from the nation’s real issues.  Walden did also state voting on political resolutions condemning the President wastes time that should be spent on debating and voting on legislation.