After another updated vote count on Thursday, it appears incumbent Lori Zoller will hold off challenger Andy Kallinen for Klickitat County Commission Position 2, as her lead moved from nine to 20 votes. Zoller has received 5,052 votes for the position, while Kallinen has tallied 5,032. Zoller has 49.6% of the vote, and Kallinen 49.4%. There have been 112 write-in votes to account for the remaining 1% of the turnout. Another update is set for Tuesday afternoon.
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White Salmon Residents Could Get Free Post Office Boxes
White Salmon residents could soon get free access to post office boxes, following years of efforts to address inequities in local mail service. The U.S. Postal Service is moving forward with changes that could qualify many residents for what’s known as Group E P-O Box service, allowing them to receive mail at no cost. The City says residents are beginning to receive official notifications from the Postal Service outlining their options and eligibility. City officials are encouraging residents to watch for those letters and follow the instructions provided. Mayor Marla Keethler calls the development a long-awaited step forward, noting that many White Salmon residents have had to pay for post office boxes for decades because home mail delivery wasn’t available. The progress follows years of advocacy by residents and city leaders, along with support from local postal officials, state Senator Paul Harris, and Washington’s U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The Postal Service will determine individual eligibility and provide details about how the changes will be implemented.
Daytime Bridge Delays Cancelled For Friday
Drivers crossing the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge avoided daytime traffic delays Friday, after preparatory work was completed ahead of schedule. The planned daytime traffic impacts from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. have been canceled. However, the bridge was still closed completely to all vehicle traffic overnight for steel and coating maintenance. Daytime single-lane closures will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this coming Monday (November 16) through Friday (November 20), November 23rd and 24th, and weekdays from November 30th through December 11th. Drivers should plan for delays and allow extra travel time.
Zoller Lead Down To Nine Votes In Klickitat County Commission Election
After another update vote count on Tuesday, incumbent Lori Zoller’s lead over Andy Kallinen for Klickitat County Commission Position 2 was down to nine votes. Zoller has received 5,022 votes for the position, while Kallinen has tallied 5,013. Zoller has 49.5% of the vote, and Kallinen 49.4%. There have been 111 write-in votes, just about 1.1% of the turnout. Another update is planned for late Thursday afternoon.
November 10 Prep Sports: Marist Tops The Dalles In Girls Soccer Semi-Final
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Tournament
Semi-Final
Marist 4, The Dalles 0: The two-time reigning champion broke out with four second-half goals to beat the top-seeded Riverhawks in a rematch of last year’s state final. Tori Sherman got the Spartans on the board three minutes into the second half with a 25-yard blast into the top side netting. Libby McLaughlin scored off a cross from Avery Hickman in the 53rd minute, then McLaughlin assisted Lexi Hudson and Kiara Philyaw on goals off corner kicks. Marist had a 24-7 edge in shots. The Spartans posted their 12th consecutive shutout and 31st consecutive win. The Riverhawks finish the season 15-1-1.
Pinewood Apartments Approved To Connect To Crates Point Wastewater System
The Dalles City Council has approved a connection allowing the Pinewood Apartments west of the city to join the existing municipal Crates Point wastewater system near the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
The approval comes after the North Central Public Health District confirmed last year that the septic system serving the property’s two eight-unit apartment buildings was failing.
A 1995 intergovernmental agreement between the City of The Dalles and Wasco County had anticipated the possibility of connecting the property to the Crates Point system.
City Public Works Director Dale McCabe said adding the apartments to the system could actually provide an operational benefit by reducing the buildup of hydrogen sulfide.
Under the approved arrangement, the property owner will be responsible for constructing a private wastewater collection system, grinder pump station and pressure sewer line to connect the apartments to the existing system.
Hood River County Weighs Potential Prepared Food And Beverage Tax
Hood River County is reviewing community and stakeholder feedback as it considers a proposed five-to-six percent tax on prepared food and beverages to help address ongoing budget challenges.
County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer discussed the feedback during an appearance on Bicoastal Media’s Mid-Columbia Today program.
Euwer said conversations with representatives of the restaurant and lodging industries generally reflected opposition to the proposal, with concerns that an additional tax could discourage visitors and drive business elsewhere.
However, other participants expressed support for finding a revenue source that would generate contributions from visitors who use local services.
Euwer said public education would be an important part of any effort to move the proposal forward, particularly in explaining why the county is considering the tax and how the revenue would be used.
County Administrator Allison Williams said polling will be the next step in evaluating public support.
Hood River Considers Transportation Utility Fee To Help Fund Street Maintenance
The Hood River City Council is exploring a Transportation Utility Fee as a potential way to generate additional revenue for street maintenance and repairs.
Council members received a report on the proposed fee Monday as the city works to address growing maintenance needs and rising project costs.
The Council also approved contracting for the city’s first street inspection since 2016. The inspection will help update the backlog of needed street maintenance projects and provide a clearer picture of current infrastructure needs.
City Finance Director Chris Longinetti noted that existing transportation revenue sources, including state and local gas taxes, are struggling to keep pace with increasing costs. He also said the League of Oregon Cities is advising that the municipal share of state road funding is expected to remain stagnant at best.
A Transportation Utility Fee, or TUF, would establish a monthly charge based on the use and characteristics of individual properties. Different formulas are generally used for residential and business properties.
In Oregon communities that have adopted the fee, residential charges range from $6.72 to $17.33 per month.
The Council’s discussion was informational as the city considers potential options for addressing its long-term street maintenance funding needs.
The Dalles Council Sets Limits On City Manager’s Contract Change-Order Authority
After a month of discussion, The Dalles City Council has amended its Local Contract Review Board rules to clarify the City Manager’s authority to approve change orders on public improvement contracts exceeding $100,000.
City Attorney Jonathan Kara told Council members that, following discussions with Councilor Ben Wring, they settled on a cumulative limit of 20 percent of the original contract amount or $500,000, whichever is lower.
A previously proposed requirement for formal Council notification once change orders reached 15 percent of the contract amount was removed from the final language.
Kara said the revised approach meets the goals of the proposed changes while maintaining appropriate oversight.
He also noted that the Council retains the ability to impose additional restrictions on individual projects when circumstances warrant.
Hood River Honors 102-year-old Resident With Special Day Proclamation
A longtime Hood River resident who has called the community home for more than a century was recognized for her lifetime of service during Monday night’s City Council meeting.
The Council proclaimed November 9 as Dorothy M. Swyers Day in honor of the 102-year-old, who moved to Hood River in 1925 at just one year old.
Mayor Paul Blackburn read the proclamation, recognizing Swyers’ many contributions to the community.
Swyers grew up in Hood River, raised three children and spent 25 years working for the city, beginning in 1960. Her responsibilities included recording City Council meetings, handling water billing, processing payroll and providing support to city departments.
Her connection to the community continues today. Swyers remains active at Valley Christian Church, where she attends weekly Bible study and Sunday worship.
She attended Monday night’s meeting alongside her son, Ray Smith.