The Dalles City Council asked municipal staff to provide more data on fireworks-related fires in the area as it discussed whether any kind of a ban on the personal use of fireworks is in order. Most councilors seem to be leaning toward continuing doing what they do now, considering the issue on an as-needed basis in consultation with Wasco County and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue officials and institute a ban when conditions warrant. City staff asked for direction on whether they should look into developing a ban that would take effect on an annual basis, in part after a ban adopted in late June of last year due to dry conditions led to input from non-profit agencies selling fireworks that they were hurt financially. Councilor Dan Richardson favored looking at the topic on an annual basis and noted that people need to be aware drought-related bans are a possibility. Another subject discussed: how many fireworks-related fires are caused by fireworks already banned in Oregon, and whether going further does much to improve safety.
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HR Council To Change URA Board Makeup To Just Themselves
The Hood River City Council directed municipal staff to draw up an ordinance to change the makeup of the Urban Renewal Agency board to only include the six councilors and the mayor. The current URA board also includes two Port of Hood River Commissioners, primarily due to the importance of the Waterfront Urban Renewal District to that agency. There was consideration of changing the board makeup to include other taxing districts as the Westside Urban Renewal District takes shape. But the majority of the Council felt keeping the board within their membership was more expedient, with Mayor Paul Blackburn pointing out they will still want input from the other districts. Councilor Megan Saunders voted against the motion, calling for seats for other taxing districts on the URA panel.
Former Hood River Valley Woman To Discuss Memoir On Friday
A former Hood River Valley resident who was taken to internment camps in California and Wyoming during World War II, and then faced abuse when she returned home, will be in Hood River later this week to discuss her recently published memoir, From Thorns to Blossoms. In the book, 91-year-old Mitzi Asai Loftus details how she rejected her Japanese heritage and changed her name, but then reconnected with her roots in Japan. Loftus says she hopes people don’t feel bad about some of her stories, but instead remember to help those who are in need. Loftus will speak about her life and the book at the Hood River Library on Friday evening at 6 p.m.
Disaster Movie Marathon To Promote Hazard Mitigation Plan Involvement
The City of The Dalles and Wasco County are hosting a disaster movie marathon at Columbia Cinemas on Wednesday to encourage people to give input as the City and County revise their Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan update is done every five years to help the community prepare and respond to disasters. City and County officials say the Disaster Movie Marathon is a fun way to start a conversation, and they will have a short survey available to help them find out how aware people are of local natural disasters and how they believe the community can prepare to meet these challenges. The movie marathon begins at Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at Columbia Cinemas in The Dalles.
Next Door “Stories Of Hope” Returns To In-Person Event
The Next Door is returning its Stories Of Hope fundraising event to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. Stories Of Hope sees participants who have been served by The Next Door share their stories of struggle and triumph. This year’s event will be held at The Orchard in Hood River on Sunday, May 19 beginning at 4:30 p.m., with appetizers and drinks available. The Next Door says spots are limited and RSVPs are required by Monday, April 22. To reserve a spot, go to nextdoorinc.org.
TD Police Arrest Multnomah County Pair After Theft
The Dalles Police Department arrested a pair of suspects after responding to a call of a theft on the west end of the city. Police say officers located the suspects and recovered the stolen property along with a homemade shotgun. Both suspects were charged with second degree theft, and both were wanted out of Multnomah County. The person in possession of the homemade shotgun was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
March 8-9 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Championships
Hood River Valley’s Emily Teets used a victory in the slalom to win the girls’ individual combined title at Mt. Hood Meadows. Teets had finished second in the giant slalom, but nosed by Opal Tracy of Summit for the slalom win. HRV was nipped by Summit for the girls’ team title. In the boys’ competition, the Eagles’ Lars Welch was fourth and Thorsen Welch fifth in the combined standings, as HRV’s boys were fifth in the team competition.
Hood River County Plans For Powerdale Corridor Cleanup
Hood River County is putting together a plan for cleaning up debris from the Powerdale corridor. County Administrator Allison Williams says she was joined by sheriff’s office and building and maintenance staff on a tour of the Powerdale area, and a plan has been put together to present to County Commissioners at their next meeting next Monday. Williams says one nuance is the presence of homeless camps in the corridor. Williams says they have to go through procedures including providing notice of the cleanup, making services available to those impacted, and keeping items collected for 60 days.
The Dalles Police Conducting “Traffic Emphasis” Patrols
The Dalles Police Department will be conducting a “traffic emphasis” patrol over the next week. The department says they will be focusing on impaired driving, speeding in commercial and school zones and arterial roadways, safety belt use, cell phone use and distracted driving, and observance of traffic control devices. The department adds the patrol is in response to ongoing complaints and as a safety focus leading up to spring break and St. Patrick’s Day.
Cross Channel Swim To Return
Visit Hood River says it intends to hold the Roy Webster Columbia River Cross Channel Swim on Labor Day this year in Cascade Locks. The event was not held last year, with event organizers citing dwindling registration numbers, logistical challenges, and the unpredictability of winds and wildfire smoke during the late summer. The swim was moved to Cascade Locks from Hood River in 2019, and it has only been held twice in that time, in 2019 and 2022, with the pandemic stopping the swim in 2020 and 2021. Swimmers will board the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler at the Cascade Locks paddleboard dock and will be ferried to the Washington side of the Columbia River to jump in and swim the 1.1 miles back to the Oregon shore. The swim dates back to the 1940s.