The Oregon State Traffic Engineer has given conceptual approval for a roundabout at Mt. Adams Road and Cascade Avenue in Hood River. The City can now move forward with additional engineering and permitting. Construction of a roundabout is tentatively targeted for 2030. City first selected a roundabout as the preferred intersection alternative in the 2017 Westside Area Concept Plan, and it has since been incorporated into its Transportation System Plan. Funding will come from the Westside Urban Renewal District. Cascade Avenue is a state highway, so state approval was needed. The proposed roundabout design initially has a single traffic lane, but the curbline is designed for future expansion. The City says the initial smaller roundabout will reduce upfront costs and vehicle speeds.
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Hood River Port Commission Votes Against Amazon Extension
The Port of Hood River Commission narrowly voted this week to not grant Amazon a 45-day extension on their proposed sale of approximately 11 acres at the Lower Hanel Mill site near Odell. The decision gives Amazon until Monday to notify the Port that it intends to move forward with the $3.4 million purchase to place a distribution facility on the site. In May, the Hood River County Planning Commission turned down Amazon’s application to proceed, and that decision is scheduled for an August 17 hearing before the County Commission. But Port Commissioner Ben Sheppard pointed out even if the County Commission upheld Amazon’s appeal, it’s likely the matter would go to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, and he felt the company would ask for another extension. The vote was 3-2, with Sheppard, Tor Bieker, Kathryn Thomas voting against the extension, and Heather Gehring and Kristi Chapman voting in favor. If Amazon informs the Port it wants to go ahead and close on the property, there would then be 30 days to complete that process.
Fires In Southern Wasco County (as of 5:05 p.m. July 16)
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says there are two separate fires active in Southern Wasco County. The Incident 432 wildfire is between Shaniko and Antelope, and is over 400 acres in size. There is also a vegetation fire about six-and-a-half miles west of Antelope, with a Level 3 evacuation advisory for both sides of Highway 293 from milepost 4 to milepost 8. There is currently a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation advisory for Antelope, and a Level 2 “Be Set” advisory for Shaniko. Highway 218 from Shaniko to Antelope and Highway 293 from Highway 97 to Antelope are closed. Wasco County Emergency Management says there is a shelter set up at Madras Middle School.
Man Arrested For Hitting Two ODOT Workers On Closed Off-Ramp
The Oregon State Police arrested a Hood River man who drove into a closed Interstate 84 off-ramp on Wednesday and struck two Oregon Department of Transportation workers before leaving the scene. The OSP says ODOT had closed the Exit 64 eastbound off-ramp while crews worked to remove a crashed commercial truck and trailer. But a white Porsche entered the off-ramp, and the driver told workers he needed to take the exit to get to work, and drove through the closure, striking two ODOT employees. Neither were injured, and both declined medical treatment. Later in the day, the OSP spotted the car and pulled it over, arresting a 43-year-old Hood River man, who was booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility for reckless driving, recklessly endangering highway workers, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. OSP reminds motorists they are required to obey traffic control devices, road closures, and directions from roadway workers.
Firefighters Battle Sherman County Fire
Firefighters are battling a fire in the southeastern portion of Sherman County. The Wilcox Fire was reported late this morning near Kent, and has resulted in a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation advisory for Wilcox Lane. Sherman County Emergency Services says early estimates put the size of the fire at around 250 acres. Further east, crews are battling the Hopkins Fire on Bureau of Land Management land northwest of Condon. It started Wednesday evening as lightning strikes moved through the area. Central Oregon Fire Information put its size at approximately 5,000 acres, with crews engaged in suppression after fire activity lessened through the night. There are no evacuation advisories in effect on that fire. In southwest Gilliam County, a BLM engine crew is monitoring the location of the 1,000 acre Porcupine Ridge Fire, which after sparking Wednesday evening was showing no active behavior or growth early this afternoon. On the Mt. Hood National Forest south of Parkdale, three fires were reported, but none reached one acre in size.
Nichols Appointed To Fill Vacant Commission Seat
Wasco County Commissioners selected Rodger Nichols to fill the remainder of the term of late Phil Brady. Nichols, a longtime print and broadcast journalist who is currently in the midst of his second stint representing Wasco County on the Columbia River Gorge Commission, will serve the final six months in Brady’s term. Commissioner Jeff Justesen made the nomination that Chair Scott Hege seconded, noting it was important to get a third person to represent the County’s citizens. He said Nichols has a history of attending Commission meeting as a journalist, someone who looks at facts, and has his finger on the pulse of many things. Nichols said while he had volunteered, the appointment was unexpected. He told the Commission he would work to do the same things Brady would have done. Nichols added he has no intention of being a candidate for the post in November.
Wasco County Moves Forward With Oak Ranch RV Project
Wasco County Commissioners decided to proceed on the proposed Oak Ranch RV Park west of The Dalles. The County has a $1 million grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for the project, with a required $884,900 match by the County. The County has four estimates in hand, depending on how many amenities they want to include, which range from just under the total grant and match amount to $2.5 million. Commissioners moved to accept the grant, committing themselves to the minimum match, while authorizing staff to negotiate a final construction contract to bring back for their approval. Commissioner Scott Hege says his main concern is around the operation of the park, noting this is a new venture for the County. Hege also hopes this makes the full 159 acre property the County purchased four years ago more available for enjoyment by the public.
White Salmon School Bond Sale Set For Tuesday
The first sale of bonds by the White Salmon Valley School District to construct a new K-12 campus will take place this coming Tuesday. District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says because the state of Washington has a Triple-A rating under which the bonds will be sold. Polkinghorn notes this is the first of two sales under the $77.8 million bond measure, with another expected to take place two years from now. Polkinghorn says it looks like construction will start next spring, with work on the track, athletic field, and intermediate school. That would allow Whitson Elementary to move to the expanded campus in 2028-29. A two-year high school remodel would follow that.
Hood River City Council Goes With Two Bond Measure Option
The Hood River City Council decided it will go for two separate $8.7 million bond measures in November, one to renovate the police station in the basement of City Hall and a second floor addition to accommodate staff growth, and another to address housing. Councilors reached consensus on separating the two issues and the bond amounts fairly easily, with most of the discussion centering on how to define affordable housing in messaging, and whether to go with a guideline of projects for up to 80 percent of affordable median income or 120 percent. They went with 120 percent, and Councilor Doug Stepina pointed out the growth in the affordability gap for buying homes and the number of people rent burdened are the key messages. Polling done by Patinkin Research Strategies indicated a combined bond actually had a better chance of success, but Councilors felt the measures should be separated, in part for messaging on the need for an improved police facility.
TD Council Amends Nuisance, Traffic Control & Burn Restrictions
The Dalles City Council adopted an ordinance amending its codes regarding nuisances, traffic control, and burn restrictions. City Attorney Jonathan Kara said the changes don’t create any new programs, fees or abatement authority, but do clean up language to make existing rules easier to enforce. One involves clarifying the 120-hour rule for storage parking on streets, which Kara says as written allowed the clock to restart when the vehicle was moved, and the amendment stops that. Other changes include adding annual interest to nuisance-abatement liens, clarifying the City Manager’s authority for day-to-day administrative implementation of traffic control measures, and allows the City Manager to issue a written order temporarily suspending or limiting yard-debris open burning only when conditions make burning inconsistent with public health, safety, or welfare.