Wasco County residents are being asked to take part in a short online survey on how they would like to see funds used that will come from a Strategic Investment Program tax incentive abatement agreement the County and the City of The Dalles reached a few years ago with Google as that company constructs two new data centers. City and County officials met last week in a joint meeting to discuss how some of the funds Google will pay as a result of the agreement could be used. The survey has two basic questions: What is the biggest opportunity or challenge facing the community, and how should the upcoming funds be allocated. The survey can be accessed at wascocounty.org.
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HR County & City Staff Begin Work On Annexation Questions
After a joint meeting between the Hood River County Commission and City Council one week ago, staff for both governmental bodies were tasked with gathering information for further annexation and associated housing talks. County Administrator Allison Williams said there are two areas in particular that they will be researching: strategic areas for potential annexation, and revisions to the urban growth area management agreement. There is no specific timeline in place, but Williams noted the objective is for the two panels to meet again around three months from now, perhaps in early fall.
ODHS Seeks Help To Find Missing Foster Teen
The Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division is asking the public to help find a teenager in foster care who went missing from The Dalles last week, and authorities believe she is in danger. ODHS says 16-year-old Scotlyne West was last seen in Salem but may be trying to travel to eastern Oregon. West is 5-feet-4 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has dyed blond hair and blue eyes. She wears glasses and has several tattoos, including one of a bull skull on her upper right arm. ODHS says those who think they may have seen her are asked to contact 9-1-1 or local law enforcement.
Bridge Authority Seeks Quick State Funding Commitment
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority representatives met with Oregon legislators and their staff last week seeking the commitment for the state to come through with $105 million for construction of a new Interstate Bridge quickly next session. That would complete Oregon’s $125 million share for bridge construction. Authority board member Mike Fox says they are stressing the importance of getting the money confirmed early next year. He adds the challenge is without a commitment in early 2025, they won’t have a chance to start construction in October of 2025, and that will mean costs for the $520 million project will go up. Fox says they have gotten great support so far, but there is a lot of pressure on the state budget. He adds that’s why they will need local citizens later this year to attest to the importance of a new bridge for region.
No One Injured In Fire At Celilo Inn
No one was injured in a fire on the upper floor of a unit of rooms at the Celilo Inn in The Dalles. According to Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, the fire was reported just after 11 a.m. Thursday. It apparently started in a room on the upper floor, and spread to two other rooms and the attic before it was brought under control. MCFR Chief Bob Palmer says the fire was caused by a mattress making contact with a propane heater. Fire crews were alert to the hotel’s proximity to dry grasslands on the adjacent hillside, and prevented the fire from going into that area. There were no injuries. Crews from Dufur, Dallesport-Murdock, Wy’east, Mosier, the Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District, and the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area all took part in the firefighting effort.
BiOp For Bridge Water Work Approved
The Biological Opinion for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge has been approved by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority Commissioner Mike Fox says after four years of work they’ve received the sign off on that document, which is key to moving forward with water work in the Columbia River and heading toward getting the final Record of Decision that will allow the project to move into construction. The biological opinion gives the criteria for design of all water work for the bridge. It’s the second milestone for the bridge project in recent days. Last week, the Bridge Authority received an investment grade credit rating that sets the stage for the project to receive a low-interest loan.
Wasco County & City Of The Dalles Discuss Google Funds
Wasco County Commissioners and The Dalles City Councilors talked about policy options for usage of certain Strategic Investment Program funds that Google will pay as a result of agreements reached in 2021 for development of two new data centers. One idea presented by city and county officials that have done preliminary work on the topic is to create an endowment fund that could provide a funding source on an on-going basis. County Administrative Officer Tyler Stone said with initial Google data center enterprise zone now on the tax rolls, and more to come over the next few years, all taxing districts are seeing financial benefits already. Many of the Councilors and Commissioners noted they want to see what kind of valuations the state puts on the Google properties in the Strategic Investment Plan agreement, which has not happened yet. A second joint meeting was set for July 23, with the intent to gather public input in the interim.
Smoke Ready Week Starts June 10
Next week is Smoke Ready Week. Numerous agencies have developed a Community Smoke Plan for the Mid-Columbia, and one element is to educate people about what they should have on hand to deal with heavy smoke from wildfires and other sources. OSU Extension’s Grace Wesson says displays will be going up at some area hardware stores with instructions and supplies to build their own low cost home air filter with a box fan and a MERV-13 rated air filter. There is now a website, SmokeReadyGorge.org, that will list local air quality index readings. Wesson says if it’s over 100 air quality can be unhealthy for those in sensitive groups, and above 150 can be unhealthy for anyone.
Wasco County Commissioners Get Resolution Center Update
Wasco County Commissioners received an update on the financial proforma for a proposed Resolution Center that would be built at West 10th and Walnut in The Dalles. Mid-Columbia Center for Living Finance Director Mark Stewart told the panel that current plans call for building the facility in three phases, starting with a crisis center and substance use disorder facility, followed by cottage and community support services, then residential and secure residential treatment facilities. Wasco County Administrative Officer Tyler Stone said the residential facilities are in phase three because the proforma shows both would operate at a loss, but they anticipate conversation in the 2025 Oregon Legislature will address these kinds of treatment options. Commissioner Steve Kramer added they are waiting to hear from the Oregon Health Authority on where this project is on their draft funding rankings. Stone noted funding construction is probably easier than getting sustainable funding for operations.
Burn Ban For Klickitat County Zone 3 To Begin On June 17
A ban on opening outdoor burning for Klickitat County’s Burn Ban Zone Three will start on Monday, June 17. Once the ban for the area of the County between the western county line to the western boundaries of fire districts #4, #12, and #15 begins, all unincorporated lands in Klickitat County will be under a burn ban. The ban started in Zone Two this week, and in Zone One last month. The ban applies to unincorporated areas, not including Yakama Indian Nation, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Parks and Recreation Commission lands. People should check with appropriate fire agencies concerning burning restrictions within any city or town.