Klickitat County Commissioners have moved a proposed interim data center ordinance to Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Cranston for a legal review. County Planning Director Scott Edelman says the interim ordinance as currently proposed would be a “moratorium light,” and would make data centers allowable only in industrial zones as it does now as an outright use, but remove the option of applying for them as conditional uses in other zones. The proposed interim ordinance would also prohibit data centers within five miles of any city and one mile from any residentially zoned district. A large group of people attended Tuesday’s meeting and in almost all cases asked the County to establish a moratorium. Commissioner Lori Zoller said she would want legal questions answered before taking that step, adding that going to an interim ordinance would be faster. She also noted the interim ordinance would go to the Planning Commission for a public vetting before the County Commission would approve it.
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Hood River Council Gets Update On Goal Progress
The Hood River City Council received an update on progress on their goals for the last two years. Among items that were considered critical, changes to Systems Development Charges and the transfer of the ownership of 12th and 13th Streets on the Heights to the City from ODOT have been completed, while creating a housing bond fund and construction of a new police station awaits the results of the November 3 election. One priority that has been delayed is updates to the municipal development code. City Manager Abigail Elder says the state dismantling the framework for such changes are a big reason that hasn’t happened. Elder says the City Council and the City Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting to get an update from its consultants on the subject sometime in November or December.
TD Council Pauses Construction Change Authorization
Action on a proposal to allow the City Manager to approve construction change orders up to a total of 20 percent of the contracted amount was delayed by The Dalles City Council to allow for more safeguards to be placed on it. City Attorney Jonathan Kara said the policy was proposed to deal with the problem of having to wait two weeks for a City Council meeting for approval of such changes, leading to project delays and more cost increases. Councilor Ben Wring asked for some kind of trigger for Council to be notified. The City Manager already has spending authority up to $100,000. Kara noted the policy as written includes requirements for any changes to be within the agreed upon scope, and to be justified and documented. The policy will be refined and brought back to the Council on October 26.
MCCAC Takes Applications For LIEAP Program
Mid-Columbia Community Action is now taking appointments for intake applications from those who would like to receive help from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. MCCAC Executive Director Leslie Naramore says the program is first come, first served, but seniors and disabled clients receive first priority. The program makes payments directly to the utility provider. Naramore says funding for this year’s program is down slightly from last year. She adds MCCAC can often help applicants find other sources of assistance when they apply for the energy program. To make an appointment, call 541-298-5131. MCCAC serves Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties. Washington Gorge Action Programs is taking appointments for those in Klickitat and Skamania counties.
Flu Season May Be Arriving Early
We are headed into the flu season. The Columbia Gorge Respiratory Risk Rating shows the region encompassing Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, and Gilliam counties is starting to see a few more people than normal with the flu. Regional Epidemiologist Marta Fisher says the flu season appears to be getting off to an early start. Fisher does say that conversely, COVID cases have been dropping in recent weeks, and in the past couple of years the COVID season has peak in August on the West Coast. The best way to protect yourself is to get your flu shot and wash your hands. Stay home when you are sick, and cover your cough.
Klickitat County Lifting Burn Ban On Friday
The Klickitat County Commission is lifting the Burn Ban within the County as of this coming Friday. The decision was reached on recommendations from the County’s Emergency Management Department and the County’s fire districts. It is based on current and forecasted weather conditions throughout Klickitat County. The ban will be lifted in all three of the County’s burn ban zones. The public is directed to check with the appropriate authorities concerning burning restrictions within the corporate limits of any city or town. Maps detailing the zone boundaries are available to view and download on the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management webpage.
October 13 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Soccer
Centennial 2, Hood River Valley 1
The Dalles 3, Gladstone 3: The draw drops The Dalles into a tie for first in the Tri-Valley Conference with Madras.
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 6, Centennial 1: HRV remains tied with Centennial atop the Northwest Oregon Conference.
The Dalles 7, Gladstone 0: The Riverhawks registered their ninth shutout of the season.
King’s Way Christian 1, Columbia 0
Fort Vancouver 3, Stevenson 0
Volleyball
Centennial def. Hood River Valley 25-11, 25-22, 25-13: Centennial moved to 10-0 in the Northwest Oregon Conference.
The Dalles def. Madras 3-0: The Riverhawks stay unbeaten in the TVC.
King’s Way Christian def. Columbia 3-2
Fort Vancouver def. Stevenson 3-1
Dufur def. South Wasco 3-0: The Rangers stay perfect in the Big Sky Conference and clinch at least a share of the league title.
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 19, Hillsboro 5
Skeletal Remains Found On Sherman County Property
The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are investigating after skeletal remains were discovered on private property in southern Sherman County. Deputies and the Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team was activated and responded to the scene on Saturday. According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators collected the remains, which will be submitted to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office for analysis. Deputy Kyle Burnett is working with the major crimes team and serving as the local contact for the investigation. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Deputy Burnett by email at kburnett@shermancountyor.gov. The investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office says additional information will be released when it becomes available and appropriate.
HR County Gets Another Dollar Estimate For Prepared Food Tax
Hood River County has received from a second consultant a smaller expected amount of revenue generated from a proposed six percent prepared food and beverage tax. After receiving a $5.6 million estimate for 2028 from a study done by EcoNorthwest, Baker Tilly provided a number in 2026 dollars of $3.1 million. County Administrator Allison Williams says after adjustments for the different years, the gap was $1.7 million, adding reality would probably be in the middle. She says the goal remains to eliminate the County’s $2.1million operating deficit. The County is currently in the beginning stages of an outreach campaign including stakeholder interviews and focus groups, with an eye on putting a measure on the ballot in May.
October 12 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Girls Soccer
Riverdale 3, Trout Lake 1
Volleyball
Columbia def. Fort Vancouver 3-0