A study by Oregon State University researchers into use of a tiny insect as biological control for the fruit-consuming brown marmorated stink bug shows it would be more effective in natural areas bordering crops or at times when certain insecticides are not applied.  The study published this week in the Journal of Economic Entomology looks at the use of the samurai wasp, which lays its eggs inside stink bug eggs, preventing the stink bugs from hatching.  Study co-author and OSU Extension orchard crops specialist Nik Wiman says because the active ingredients in neonicotinoid and pyrethorid insecticides tended to kill the samurai wasp, using it will be most effective along orchard borders.  A fact sheet about the samurai wasp is available through the OSU Extension Service.

An error in the published notice of Wednesday’s scheduled budget hearing before the Wasco County Commission forced it to be postponed to a later date.  Commissioner Scott Hege says they could not proceed with the formal hearing without proper notice.  He noted the Commission received all the budget information and heard presentations, but will have to come back for the formal proceedings.  Hearings for the County, Library District, and Extension District were all pushed back. The rescheduled hearing is tentatively planned June 26 at 1 p.m.      

Mike Kallio has been selected to be Undersheriff in the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bob Songer made the announcement on the department’s Facebook page that Kallio was being promoted from Chief Criminal Deputy and took the oath of office earlier this week.  Songer indicated the Undersheriff will take on added responsibility, with the Chief Jail Deputy reporting to that position.  The Sheriff also said the Chief Criminal Deputy position will not be filled…with the money budgeted for that position instead to be used pay out overtime to put more deputies on the road.

Crews dealt with a small grass fire in the Westside area of Hood River on Wednesday afternoon.  The Westside Fire Department indicates it occurred in the Portland Drive and Acree Drive area, and burned about three-quarters of an acre.  No structures were threatened.  Westside, Wy’east, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area crews responded to the scene.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden pushed for movement on a backlog of forest fuel thinning projects during a committee hearing on Thursday.  In questioning of Forest Service Director of Fire Aviation and Management Shawna Legarza, Wyden was critical of a Forest Service proposal to roll back environmental rules for forest management projects, saying the focus should be on dealing with a backlog of already approved projects to reduce fire risk.  Legarza said they need windows to do prescribed burns and get contracts in place to do the work Wyden describes.

A small fire Tuesday morning in The Dalles provided a reminder that it is fire season in the region.  Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Division Chief Jay Wood says it was actually three small fires that occurred along Highway 197 on a small bank, with two of them merging into one.  He says passers-by stopped and had put out the fires by the time crews arrived.  Size of the fire was very small, about 50 feet long and 15 feet up the bank.  The cause of the fire could not be identified.  Wood added that people should check their safety chains on trailers to make sure they are not dragging and sending out sparks, and don’t throw cigarettes out of vehicles as that also could start a roadside fire.

The Port of The Dalles is continuing to explore the idea of building a food start-up production facility to enhance the regional economy through value-added agriculture.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says they’ve been considering that sector for some time.  The Port is conducting an online survey among growers, processors, and other food businesses, and is interested in hearing from people who might like to make use of a commercial food production building.  Results will be used as part of a larger study to determine whether to move forward with facility construction.

The Dalles Sister Cities will host an auction and raffle benefit on Saturday at Sunshine Mill.  “Jubilee for Japan” is a fundraiser for the 2019 student delegation headed to The Dalles’ sister city, Miyoshi City.  “Jubilee for Japan” will be Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sunshine Mill.

Hood River County Environmental Health says it’s trying to keep up with applications and inspections, but it’s difficult.  The department’s Ian Stromquist says between new construction and regular inspections, they have a full workload.  Stromquist reminds people who are involved in construction and the food industry to plan ahead to allow plenty of time for the department to get to them, adding they want to serve.  He adds the best time to first contact his department is in the design stages of construction.

The Hood River City Council had decided to use procedures adopted in 2011 to fill Council vacancies to select a new Mayor when Paul Blackburn steps down from that post in September.  The City Charter refers to steps to fill a Council vacancy, but not the mayoral position.  Under the 2011 procedures, a notice of vacancy will be published inviting applications from interested qualified candidates.  The City Council will conduct interviews with the applicants, and then vote to pick one to fill the remainder of Blackburn’s term, through the end of 2020.  Councilors plan to start the application process in advance of Blackburn’s formal resignation, but before September.  Blackburn announced recently he would resign in September because his family will be moving out of the area.  In other business, the Hood River Council voted to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.