Containment on the Long Bend Fire jumped up to 50 percent late Monday afternoon. The fire has burned 1,024 acres two miles southwest of Maupin. The Central Oregon Interagency Agency Dispatch Center says crews were able to make great progress on Monday. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels, as south of Highway 216 from Natural Pasture Road to Blue Rock Road, and east of Reservation Road and South of Highway 216 to Natural Pasture Road are now on a Level 1 advisory. Access to the Deschutes River south of Maupin is expected to reopen on Tuesday. Boaters should use caution, avoid pulling over on the fire side of the river, and follow directions of firefighters and river staff. Firefighters on Monday were looking for opportunities to engage the fire directly along Wapinitia Creek, and focused on patrolling and extinguishing sources of heat along the fire perimeter to secure control lines. Aircraft were assisting ground resources as needed by dropping water to help cool hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Victim In Fatal Shooting Identified
The victim in a fatal shooting in The Dalles early Saturday morning has been identified. The Dalles Police Department said on Monday that 41-year-old Michael A. Boyer was a former resident of The Dalles who was now living in Southwest Washington. The shooting occurred at 1015 Walnut at 12:21 a.m. Saturday. A suspect, 22-year-old Noe Zaragoza, was taken into custody later that day in Camas, and was to make an initial court appearance in Clark County on Monday. Police say it was determined that several witnesses were present at the scene but left before they could be interviewed. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call The Dalles Police Department detectives at 541-296-2233.
Long Bend Fire Evacuation Advisory Drops From Level 2 To Level 1
Evacuation advisories for areas near the Long Bend Fire two miles southwest of Maupin have been dropped from Level 2 “Get Set” to Level 1 “Be Ready. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office said Monday afternoon south of Highway 216 from Natural Pasture Road to Blue Rock Road, and east of Reservation Road and South of Highway 216 to Natural Pasture Road are now on a Level 1 advisory. The Long Bend Fire has burned 1,024 acres, with containment at 5%. A Central Oregon Type 3 incident management team has 4 Type 2 initial attack crews, 7 engines, 3 water tenders, 1 dozer, 2 Type 2 helicopters, 1 Type 3 helicopter and 25 overhead personnel. Today, firefighters were looking for opportunities to engage the fire directly along Wapinitia Creek, and focusing on patrolling and extinguishing sources of heat along the fire perimeter to secure control lines. Aircraft were assisting ground resources as needed by dropping water to help cool hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Deceased Man Found Along I-84 East Of The Dalles
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says a deceased man was found near Interstate 84 east of The Dalles on Saturday. The man’s body was located near eastbound I-84 at about milepost 99. The Sheriff’s Office says the man has not been identified and at this time the cause of death is unknown. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen someone walking along I-84 dressed in all black clothing over the last couple of weeks to call the Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580.
Suspect In Saturday Morning Shooting In The Dalles Arrested In Camas
A man is dead after an early Saturday morning shooting in The Dalles, and the suspect was arrested later in the day in Washington. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reported 22-year-old Noe Zaragoza was taken into custody in Camas. The Dalles Police Department says officers responded to the shooting at 1015 Walnut at 12:21 a.m. Saturday, and found a deceased male. The identity of the victim has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. Police say it was determined that several witnesses were present at the scene but left before they could be interviewed. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call The Dalles Police Department detectives at 541-296-2233.
Name Of Deceased Man In Officer Involved Shooting Released
Law enforcement officials have identified the man who was killed in Tuesday’s officer-involved shooting in The Dalles, along with the officers who were involved. In a joint statement, The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy and Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill identified the deceased man as 68-year-old Jimmy Ewing, who was also known as August J. Law. Early Tuesday morning, Wasco County Sheriff’s deputies and The Dalles Police officers attempted to stop a stolen commercial boom truck Ewing was driving on West 6th in The Dalles. Ewing refused to stop and in the ensuing pursuit the boom truck rammed one police car, and three law enforcement officers fired on the subject, who was killed by police gunfire. Worthy and Magill identified the three as The Dalles Police officer Jeremy Dutton, and Sheriff’s deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus. Two other police officers and another sheriff’s deputy was involved in the pursuit. All those involved are on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting. Both Worthy and Magill noted the investigation remains active, and once it is finished it will be reviewed by the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office.
Hood River Fireworks Taking Donations
The annual Hood River Fourth of July fireworks show is scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, and organizers are once again seeking donations to defray the cost of the event and volunteers to help as well. Organizer Brett Stomps says the fireworks show is now a completely separate registered 501c3 non-profit entity from the Eyeopeners Lions Club, which used to put on the event. He says donations are going well, but they could use more people to get involved to help with the fundraising effort. For all the information on how to donate or volunteer, go to hoodriverfireworks.com.
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Lifts Next Week; Delays Expected
There will be multiple daytime lifts of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday through Friday of next week. The Port of Hood River says motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes or more, depending on traffic volume. The Port is recommending motorists consider alternate routes during those hours to avoid delays. Bridge engineers and Port crews will be conducting extensive bi-annual inspections of the bridge lift’s mechanical and electrical systems. For more information, contact the Port of Hood River via email at info@portofhoodriver.com.
Big River Land Trust Gets Ready To Build First Home
Big River Community Land Trust is about to build its first home. They are currently in the permitting process. The organization works toward generating more low to middle income home ownership opportunities. The first house will be on a small piece of land on Tucker Road south of Windmaster Corner that was sold to the group for $1 by the City of Hood River. Big River Executive Director Alysha Sherburne says the property was big enough to build about a 13-hundred square foot, three bedroom, two bathroom house on it. The organization works toward generating more low to middle income home ownership opportunities. There will be a community open house with a copy of the architectural design and site plan on display at pFriem Family Brewers at Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hood River Parking Rates Go Up July 1
Hourly parking rates at metered spots in downtown Hood River will increase from $1 to $1.25 an hour beginning on July 1. Payment options include two phone apps, and Cale machines on every block which accept coins and credit/debit cards. In addition City of Hood River officials say citations for failure to pay and overtime parking city-wide will increase from $29 to $35. They say the City’s parking program is primarily concerned with encouraging turnover of desirable parking spots in busy areas, as well as street maintenance. The City also reminds the community and visitors that vehicles, recreational vehicles, trailers and other personal property are prohibited from remaining parked in the same location for over one week.