In Oregon’s Second Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz has two GOP challengers in the primary: Andrea Carr and Peter Larson. It’s a crowded field for the Democrat nomination, including Patty Snow, Dawn Rasmussen, Peter Quince, Rebecca Mueller, Mary Doyle, and Chris Beck. In the Third Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Maxine Dexter is opposed in the primary by Jessica Salas and Andrew Castilleja. Loran Ayles filed on the final day and is the only Republican seeking that seat. For Oregon’s Senate seat on the ballot, incumbent Jeff Merkley is opposed in the Democratic primary by Paul Damian Wells. Seven Republicans filed to run for Senate, with State Senator David Brock Smith and Jo Rae Perkins the most notable names.
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URA Panels Receive Heights Streetscape Report
A joint meeting of Hood River’s City Council in its role as the Urban Renewal Agency and the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee heard a report on the Heights Streetscape Plan at the 30% design mark. It focused on the first two of 11 total projects in the Streetscape Plan: the Taylor Avenue neighborhood connection and key east/west crossings. Nathan Polanski of design firm MIG said safety is a key element. The Taylor Street connection would make the street one-way westbound for vehicle traffic, with on-street parking on both sides of the street, and a 10-foot shared walking and biking path. A Heights Streescape community open house is planned for April, and 60% design work is to start in May. Final design is targeted for January of next year.
TD Council Approves Ordinance Changes To Allow State To Collect Lodging Tax
The Dalles City Council approved ordinance changes to allow the City to turn over administration of transient lodging tax collections to the Oregon Department of Revenue should it desire to do so. City Attorney Jonathan Kara told the Council the tax rate does not change at all, with the ordinance changes required to be able to enter into talks with the state about having them handle collection and remove that duty from municipal staff. When asked about the impact on businesses, Kara said the reporting requirements would actually be reduced under the state’s administration, from monthly to quarterly. Councilors did ask staff to ring back any intergovernmental agreement they might reach with the state for their review.
The Hoot Has A Good First Run
The Hoot appears to have been a success. Festival co-direct Rian Beach told The Dalles City Council on Monday night that the community music festival over the weekend at a number of locations in downtown The Dalles was busy all three nights, with full houses at the concert venues. Beach added he thinks there was a positive economic impact with a large number of out-of-town visitors. Beach told the Council they will present an economic analysis of the weekend in a few weeks. He also said the goal is to make The Hoot an annual event.
Visit Hood River Begins Grant Program
Visit Hood River’s 2026 Community Investment Matching Grant Program is now accepting applications. Now in its fifth year, the annual program supports businesses and fosters community economic vitality throughout the greater Hood River area. This year’s program will award up to $40,000 in matching funds. The grant application process opens on March 16, and applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 30. Each project requires its own application, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the matching funding requirements. Since its inception in 2022, the program has awarded 19 matching grants totaling almost $105,000 to 14 businesses and organizations throughout Hood River County. The Visit Hood River Community Investment Matching Grant Program application and guidelines are available in English and Spanish on the Visit Hood River website.
Police Respond To Wounded Man At Store
The Dalles Police Department has confirmed the person injured by a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer on West 6th on Monday evening has succumbed to their injuries. The incident occurred at about 9:30 Monday evening near a car in the parking lot of the store. The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy confirmed detectives determined the gunshot was self-inflicted. Emergency personnel performed medical treatment at the scene before the victim was transported to the hospital. The Dalles Police Department officers, Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies, Oregon State Police troopers, and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue personnel all responded to the scene.
Hege Runs For House District 52 Seat
Long-time Wasco County Commissioner and former Port of The Dalles Executive Director Scott Hege announced he will run for the Oregon House in District 52. Hege will be looking for the Republican nomination to succeed Jeff Helfrich, who is running for the State Senate District 26 position. In his announcement that he will run for the House, Hege said he had planned to head into retirement, but over the past year has felt that Oregon needs experienced, practical leadership, with a focus on solutions. In running for the position, he says he will focus on lowering the cost of living, strengthening public safety, support small business and agriculture, improving transportation infrastructure, and improving schools. Two others are seeking the Republican nomination heading into Tuesday’s filing deadline: Robert Fleming of Gresham and Darcy Lapier of Sandy. There are four who have filed for Democratic Party nomination. House District 52 includes The Dalles, Hood River, Mt. Hood, Corbett, and portions of Sandy and east Multnomah County.
Ramirez Selected To Become HRVHS Principal
The Hood River County School District has named Jessica Ramirez to take over as Hood River Valley High School principal effective on July 1. Ramirez, who lived in Hood River as a child and has family members who previously worked at the high school, currently serves as an assistant principal at Reynolds High School and previously held principal and leadership roles in the Gresham-Barlow School District. Superintendent Bill Newton says during the interview process, Ramirez demonstrated a strong alignment with the school district’s strategic goals and a commitment to fostering an equitable, student-centered culture. A statement from the district said Ramirez plans to meet with staff, students, and families to learn more about the local culture when she begins her tenure. Ramirez succeeds Jim Donnelly, who has been the interim principal this year and will return to his role as assistant principal at Hood River Valley High School in the upcoming school year.
Bentz Introduces Bill To Prevent Applying ESA Provisions To Flood Insurance
Oregon Second District Congressman Cliff Bentz is introducing legislation to stop application of Endangered Species Act provisions to the National Flood Insurance program. The Republican’s legislation amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 so that the insurance program remains focused on protecting property and human life from flood risk. The bill clarifies that Endangered Species Act consultation requirements do not apply to flood insurance. It directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to withdraw existing biological opinions which misdirect the purpose of the program. The bill also states that floodplain management criteria established under the national insurance program should focus on protecting property and human health. Bentz says he believes using a flood insurance program to trigger the Endangered Species Act effectively allows the federal government to dictate local zoning and this is totally contrary to the constitutional reservation of such decisions to state and local governments.
Parkdale Man Arrested After Explosions Heard In Parkdale
A Parkdale man has been arrested following an investigation into explosions heard last week in the Miller Road area of Parkdale. The Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old Westun Harvey was arrested and lodged at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility in The Dalles on multiple charges related to the possession and manufacture of destructive devices. The Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 1 it received multiple reports from Parkdale residents near Miller Road of a loud explosion. Authorities say a search warrant was served Thursday at a home on the 5900 block of Miller Road by members of the Northern Oregon Regional Tactical Response Team, Oregon State Police Explosives Unit, and detectives from the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Crimes Task Force, leading to Harvey’s arrest. The Sheriff’s Office adds Harvey has been on supervised probation by Hood River County Sheriff’s Parole and Probation since February 2025 for previous charges related to the manufacture of destructive devices.