The deadline to file for Oregon’s primary election has come and gone, and it features an array of candidates for the Wasco County Commission, but only the incumbents for the Hood River County Commission. There are four candidates for Wasco County Commission Position 1, which is being vacated by four-term officeholder Scott Hege. They are former Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee, NORCOR Business Manager Nichole Biechler, former Mayor of The Dalles and current Klickitat County Administrator Robb Van Cleave, and Wasco County Republican Central Committee Chair John Grant. Phil Brady is seeking re-election to Position 3, and is opposed by C.H. Urness Motor Company President Mike Urness and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue board member Dick Schaffeld. In Hood River County three current commissioners are unopposed, Chair Jennifer Euwer, District 1’s Leti Valle Moretti, and District 3’s Ed Weathers. In Sherman County, Justin Miller filed for County Commission Position 2, Drew Messenger for County Assessor, Shandie Johnson for Justice of the Peace, and Theresa Olson for Treasurer. The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District will have both its bond measure to replace the aging Hood River Aquatic Center and an operations levy on the May 19 ballot, while the Wamic Rural Fire Protection District seeks the establishment of a permanent tax rate limit.
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Seven File For Oregon House District 52
It is a crowded field seeking the District 52 seat in the Oregon State House. Current Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege is running for the Republican nomination along with Darcy Lapier and Robert Fleming. The Democrats seeking the position are Nick Walden Poublon, David Osborn, Hank Sanders, and Bernard Seeger. Current District 52 representative Jeff Helfrich is the lone Republican to file for the State Senate District 26 position. Nicole Bassett and Matthew Favro are seeking the Democrat nomination. In House District 57, embattled incumbent Greg Smith is being challenged by fellow Republican Jim Doherty, with no Democrats filing for the seat. A total of 25 people filed to run for Governor of Oregon: 10 Democrats and 15 Republicans. Most notable are incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek, and Republican challengers Christine Drazan, Ed Diehl, and Chris Dudley.
Incumbents Get Challengers In Congressional Races
In Oregon’s Second Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz has two GOP challengers in the primary: Andrea Carr and Peter Larson. It’s a crowded field for the Democrat nomination, including Patty Snow, Dawn Rasmussen, Peter Quince, Rebecca Mueller, Mary Doyle, and Chris Beck. In the Third Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Maxine Dexter is opposed in the primary by Jessica Salas and Andrew Castilleja. Loran Ayles filed on the final day and is the only Republican seeking that seat. For Oregon’s Senate seat on the ballot, incumbent Jeff Merkley is opposed in the Democratic primary by Paul Damian Wells. Seven Republicans filed to run for Senate, with State Senator David Brock Smith and Jo Rae Perkins the most notable names.
URA Panels Receive Heights Streetscape Report
A joint meeting of Hood River’s City Council in its role as the Urban Renewal Agency and the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee heard a report on the Heights Streetscape Plan at the 30% design mark. It focused on the first two of 11 total projects in the Streetscape Plan: the Taylor Avenue neighborhood connection and key east/west crossings. Nathan Polanski of design firm MIG said safety is a key element. The Taylor Street connection would make the street one-way westbound for vehicle traffic, with on-street parking on both sides of the street, and a 10-foot shared walking and biking path. A Heights Streescape community open house is planned for April, and 60% design work is to start in May. Final design is targeted for January of next year.
TD Council Approves Ordinance Changes To Allow State To Collect Lodging Tax
The Dalles City Council approved ordinance changes to allow the City to turn over administration of transient lodging tax collections to the Oregon Department of Revenue should it desire to do so. City Attorney Jonathan Kara told the Council the tax rate does not change at all, with the ordinance changes required to be able to enter into talks with the state about having them handle collection and remove that duty from municipal staff. When asked about the impact on businesses, Kara said the reporting requirements would actually be reduced under the state’s administration, from monthly to quarterly. Councilors did ask staff to ring back any intergovernmental agreement they might reach with the state for their review.
The Hoot Has A Good First Run
The Hoot appears to have been a success. Festival co-direct Rian Beach told The Dalles City Council on Monday night that the community music festival over the weekend at a number of locations in downtown The Dalles was busy all three nights, with full houses at the concert venues. Beach added he thinks there was a positive economic impact with a large number of out-of-town visitors. Beach told the Council they will present an economic analysis of the weekend in a few weeks. He also said the goal is to make The Hoot an annual event.
Visit Hood River Begins Grant Program
Visit Hood River’s 2026 Community Investment Matching Grant Program is now accepting applications. Now in its fifth year, the annual program supports businesses and fosters community economic vitality throughout the greater Hood River area. This year’s program will award up to $40,000 in matching funds. The grant application process opens on March 16, and applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 30. Each project requires its own application, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the matching funding requirements. Since its inception in 2022, the program has awarded 19 matching grants totaling almost $105,000 to 14 businesses and organizations throughout Hood River County. The Visit Hood River Community Investment Matching Grant Program application and guidelines are available in English and Spanish on the Visit Hood River website.
Police Respond To Wounded Man At Store
The Dalles Police Department has confirmed the person injured by a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer on West 6th on Monday evening has succumbed to their injuries. The incident occurred at about 9:30 Monday evening near a car in the parking lot of the store. The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy confirmed detectives determined the gunshot was self-inflicted. Emergency personnel performed medical treatment at the scene before the victim was transported to the hospital. The Dalles Police Department officers, Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies, Oregon State Police troopers, and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue personnel all responded to the scene.
Hege Runs For House District 52 Seat
Long-time Wasco County Commissioner and former Port of The Dalles Executive Director Scott Hege announced he will run for the Oregon House in District 52. Hege will be looking for the Republican nomination to succeed Jeff Helfrich, who is running for the State Senate District 26 position. In his announcement that he will run for the House, Hege said he had planned to head into retirement, but over the past year has felt that Oregon needs experienced, practical leadership, with a focus on solutions. In running for the position, he says he will focus on lowering the cost of living, strengthening public safety, support small business and agriculture, improving transportation infrastructure, and improving schools. Two others are seeking the Republican nomination heading into Tuesday’s filing deadline: Robert Fleming of Gresham and Darcy Lapier of Sandy. There are four who have filed for Democratic Party nomination. House District 52 includes The Dalles, Hood River, Mt. Hood, Corbett, and portions of Sandy and east Multnomah County.
Ramirez Selected To Become HRVHS Principal
The Hood River County School District has named Jessica Ramirez to take over as Hood River Valley High School principal effective on July 1. Ramirez, who lived in Hood River as a child and has family members who previously worked at the high school, currently serves as an assistant principal at Reynolds High School and previously held principal and leadership roles in the Gresham-Barlow School District. Superintendent Bill Newton says during the interview process, Ramirez demonstrated a strong alignment with the school district’s strategic goals and a commitment to fostering an equitable, student-centered culture. A statement from the district said Ramirez plans to meet with staff, students, and families to learn more about the local culture when she begins her tenure. Ramirez succeeds Jim Donnelly, who has been the interim principal this year and will return to his role as assistant principal at Hood River Valley High School in the upcoming school year.