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Tuesday Night Vote Counts In Klickitat & Skamania County Primaries

Posted on by mbailey

The first vote totals from Tuesday night’s Washington primary election are in, with the top two candidates in each race advancing to the November general election.

In the race for Klickitat County Commissioner, District Two, incumbent Lori Zoller leads with 634 votes. Andy Kallinen is in second with 377 votes, while Gene Klejeski has 338.

The race to succeed longtime Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer is led by Dwayne Matulovich with 2,467 votes, or about 58 percent of the total. Tony Warren is second with 1,130 votes, and John Bruce has 656.

Voters in the Lyle Fire District are strongly backing a property tax levy for fire protection and emergency medical services. The measure, which would set the levy at one dollar and 15 cents per one thousand dollars of assessed value, is passing 142 to 31, with more than 82 percent voting yes.

In the Home Valley Water District, a maintenance and capital improvement fund levy was being approved 55 to 29.

In the 14th Legislative District, Republican incumbent Gloria Mendoza leads the race for House Position One with 3,417 votes. Democrat Chelsea Dimas is second with 2,910 votes, while William Chichenoff has 372. Mendoza and Dimas appear headed for the November ballot.

For House Position Two in the 14th District, Republican incumbent Deb Manjarrez has 2,654 votes. Democrat Ezequiel Morfin is second with 1,582 votes, followed by fellow Democrat Tony Sandoval with 1,274. Morfin currently holds a lead of just over 300 votes for the second spot.

In the 17th Legislative District, Democrat Ben Christly leads the race for House Position One with 16,385 votes. Republican incumbent Kevin Waters has 13,706 votes, while Thomas Haynes of the Pro Gun Liberal Party has 994. Christly and Waters are on track to advance.

For House Position Two, Democrat Diana Perez leads with 17,020 votes. Republican incumbent David Stuebe has 13,975 votes. Both candidates will move on to the general election.

In Washington’s 4th Congressional District, where Congressman Dan Newhouse is stepping down, Republican Amanda McKinney leads the field with 25,633 votes. Democrat John Duresky is second with 22,657. Republican Jerrod Sessler is third with 10,426 votes, while the remaining votes are divided among eight other candidates. McKinney and Duresky currently hold the two November spots.

The closest major race is in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Democratic incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez leads with 54,132 votes, just 263 votes ahead of Republican State Senator John Braun, who has 53,869. Democrat Brent Hennrich is third with 21,290 votes, while six other candidates trail. Gluesenkamp Perez and Braun appear set for a closely watched rematch this fall.

Election officials in Klickitat and Skamania counties will release updated vote totals Wednesday as ballots continue to be counted.

City of Hood River Looking For Planning Commissioners

Posted on by mbailey

The City of Hood River is looking for volunteers to serve on the Planning Commission.  The city is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the commission, with terms running through September 30, 2030.  Applicants must live within the Hood River city limits or the city’s Urban Growth Boundary.  The Planning Commission conducts public hearings on zoning matters, makes recommendations to the City Council on land use issues, and helps update the city’s Comprehensive Plan.  The commission meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 5:30 p.m., with occasional special meetings.  A childcare stipend is available for members attending city-related meetings.  Applications are due by September 1.  More information and application forms are available at Hood River City Hall or on the City of Hood River website.

YouthThink Series Continues With Presentation On Loneliness

Posted on by mbailey

YouthThink of Wasco County will continue it’s the More You Know series next week with a virtual presentation on loneliness and isolation.  YouthThink Executive Director Debby Jones says this has become a greater issue as the influence of mobile devices have grown.  She adds they may provide communication, but not connections that provide secure attachments.  Jones points out research shows young people feeling loneliness and isolation are at increased risk of being susceptible to addictions down the road.  The virtual presentation will be on Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m.  To sign-up, go to youththink.net.

Flood Plain Restoration Project Underway

Posted on by mbailey

Work is underway as River Mile 3 of the mainstem of the Hood River to restore the river to its normal flood plain at that location.  Hood River Watershed Group Executive Director Cindy Thieman says about 100 years ago berms were put in to protect a pipeline sending water to the old Powerdale Powerhouse.  This project is intended to reverse that, and provide good habitat for fish.  The channel will provide a refuge for juvenile fish and provide a variety of habitat for different types of fish species.  Thieman says the land is owned by Columbia Land Trust, and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

Hood River County Ups Evacuation Levels For Grasshopper Fire

Posted on by mbailey

Hood River County has updated evacuation levels for the Grasshopper Fire as firefighters prepare for increased fire activity under a Red Flag Warning.  Fire officials say evacuation levels were increased because strong east winds have pushed the fire onto ridges above Highway 35 near Mount Hood Meadows and Bennett Pass.  A Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation remains in effect for areas south of Forest Road 44, including Mount Hood Meadows, Hood River Meadows, Bennett Pass, Lookout Mountain, Palisade Point, Gunsight Butte, Badger Butte, Elk Mountain and Tamanawas Falls.  A Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation is in place for the Mill Creek Buttes, White River area, and the Cooper Spur Ski Resort and Cooper Spur Road area west of Highway 35.  A Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation covers the area from the county line west to Laurence Lake, between Culbertson Road and Highway 35.  Grasshopper Fire officials said this morning acreage had grown to 34,659, while containment ticked up to 19% as crews strengthened control lines and expanded mop up operations along the fire’s southern perimeter.

 

Fire Contained At The Port of Dallesport

Posted on by mbailey

Firefighters contained a brush fire Monday at the Port of Dallesport on East Dock Road near the old log deck.  According to the Dallesport-Murdock Volunteer Fire Department, the fire started when a front-end loader caught fire.  Flames spread from the equipment to a large pile of old sawdust and bark chips before extending into nearby dry grass and brush.  Firefighters also reported hearing several explosions, believed to have been caused by the loader’s tires and fuel barrels involved in the blaze.  Dallesport crews arrived quickly and began attacking the fire, with numerous other agencies coming in to assist.  Fire crews worked together to contain the blaze, and keep it from spreading.  Once the fire was under control, the scene was turned over to Taylor Trucking to complete extinguishment of the burning bark chip pile.

Man Dies In Fall From Cliff Near Punchbowl Falls

Posted on by mbailey

A 19-year-old man from Kennewick has died after falling from a cliff near Punchbowl Falls in the Eagle Creek drainage.  The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, after another hiker reported the man had fallen between 50 and 80 feet from a cliff above the falls.  Deputies, along with members of the Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, responded to the scene and confirmed the man had died.  Investigators say the victim had left the trail and was attempting to climb down the rock face to the base of the waterfall when he fell onto the rocks below.  The Hood River County Medical Examiner assisted with the recovery, and the Sheriff’s Office says the death has been ruled a tragic accident.  Next of kin have been notified.  More than 20 volunteers took part in the recovery operation, which required a technical rope rescue and lasted several hours.

HR County Commission Discusses Revenue Options

Posted on by mbailey

The Hood River County Commission held a nearly two-hour brainstorming session focused on revenue options as it deals with both short-term and long-term budget challenges.  It was in the aftermath of receiving a report two weeks ago from consulting firm Baker Tilly on the County’s operations and fiscal future.  Commissioners asked staff to concentrate on four different possibilities, most notably a long-discussed prepared food and beverage tax concept, along with evaluating the feasibility of a permanent public safety district to remove that sector from the general fund, and layering a County transient lodging tax onto what is currently being collected.  Commissioner Arthur Babitz pointed out the need to connect services that would be paid for with new revenue generation.  If the County wants to put a prepared food and beverage tax on the May 2027 ballot, they would need to have it ready by February.

Truck Sparks Small Brush Fire Near The Dalles Country Club

Posted on by mbailey

A delivery truck fire sparked a small brush fire near The Dalles Country Club Monday afternoon.  Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says crews were dispatched just after 12:10 p.m. to Highway 30 after reports of a vehicle fire spreading into nearby grass.  When firefighters arrived, they found the delivery truck fully engulfed in flames, with the fire extending into the surrounding vegetation.  Multiple engines, brush units, water tenders, and command staff responded and were able to contain the fire before it spread farther.  With hot, dry conditions and high fire danger continuing across the region, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue is reminding everyone to use extra caution with anything that could ignite a wildfire.

Pinchot Forest Issues Closure For High Lava Fire

Posted on by mbailey

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has issued an emergency closure for the High Lava Fire, burning northwest of Stabler and west of the Trapper Creek Wilderness.  The closure is in place to protect public safety and give firefighters and heavy equipment room to work.  It’s expected to remain in effect through October 31st.  Closed areas include the West Crater Trail, the West Crater Trailhead, and the Soda Peaks Trailhead.  The Soda Peaks Trail is still accessible from the Trapper Creek Trailhead. Both motorized and foot access are prohibited within the closure area.  The closure also includes several roads near the fire.  A complete closure map and details are available on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.  The High Lava Fire was sparked by lightning on July 23rd and is currently estimated at 48 acres.  Firefighters continue a full suppression effort, improving roads and reinforcing containment lines.  With warm, dry weather expected this week, officials say the fire could continue to grow.

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