Ballots continue to come in to area election offices a week ahead of the May 21 Oregon primary election, ahead of the pace of two years ago but behind the rate of the last presidential primary year in 2020. In Wasco County, 2,488 ballots had been received as of Monday, 13.34% of those that were sent out. That is a little more than 200 above the number received at the same point of the 2022 election, but nearly 1,000 behind four years ago. In Hood River County, the turnout rate is now at 14.83% with 2,454 ballots received. It’s over 400 ballots more than the same point two years ago, and 813 back of 2024.
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ODF Urges Responsible Debris Burning To Prevent Wildfires
The Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding people who do debris burning to do so responsibly. ODF statistics show that over 70 percent of wildfires are human caused, with debris burning being the number one cause. ODF’s Jessica Neujahr says only yard debris should be burned, not common trash. Never burn on dry or windy days, always have fire and water tools nearby, clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile, keep the piles to a maximum of four feet by four feet, stay with fire until it is cold, and go back and check burn piles for heat over several weeks. Also check with your local fire authority and get necessary permits before burning.
May 13 Prep Sports Roundup
Softball
The Dalles 24, Barlow 9: Jeilane Stewart had a second straight three homer game and drove in seven runs as the Riverhawks won their nineteenth straight game in the non-league contest. Zoe LeBreton and Despina Seufalemua also homered for The Dalles.
Golf
Dufur’s Tygh Timinsky shot an 85 to be in sixth place after round one of the Oregon Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls Golf Tournament at Tokatee Golf Course in McKenzie. Timinsky is nine shots back of leader Cassie Kaman of North Bend. The Dalles’ Katelyn Vassar shot a 97.
Hood River Valley’s John Olson carded a first round 84 to be ten shots back of the leaders at the Oregon Class 5A Boys Golf Tournament at Quail Valley Golf Club in Banks. HRV’s Davis Kerr had a 92.
Kristin Fox of Hood River Valley shot a first round 101 to tie for 31st at the Oregon 5A Girls Golf Tournament at Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis.
Washington Filing Week Ends With Local Contested Races
With filing week for Washington’s August 6 primary election finished, there will be a number of contested county commission and legislative races in the region. But most involve two candidates, which mean both will advance to November under Washington’s top two primary system. For Washington State Senate District 17, White Salmon Mayor Marla Keether, a Democrat, and current Republican State Representative Paul Harris are the two candidates to have filed for the seat. Republican candidate Kevin Waters is unopposed for District 17’s House Position 1, but three have filed for Position 2: Democrat Terri Niles and Republicans Hannah Joy and David Stuebe. Candidates for the District 1 seat on the Klickitat County Commission include Republican Todd Andrews and Independent Amanda Holtman Kitchings, while incumbent Republican Dan Christopher seeks re-election to the District 3 seat and is opposed by another Repulican, Ron Ihrig. In Skamania County there are two candidates for Commission position 1, Independent Mary Ellen Grobe and Republican Brian Nichols, while seven have filed for position 2: Republicans Rob Farris and Forest Hofer, Democrat Mary Repar, and Greg Stafford, Philip Watness, Joshua Good, and Don Stevens, who all have indicated no party preference.
Oregon City Woman Dies In Wheeler County Motorcycle Accident
An Oregon City woman died in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon in Wheeler County. According to the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred on Highway 207 near milepost 18. A preliminary investigation found a black Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by 42-year-old William Charles Edward Herrold of Oregon City, was leading a group of motorcycles northbound on Hwy. 207 when it veered onto the gravel shoulder, lost control, and crashed. Both Herrold and his passenger, 44-year-old Tanya Marie Ann Herrold, were thrown from the motorcycle. Tanya Herrold died at the scene, while William Herrold was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A second motorcycle operated by 50-year-old Raymond Curtis Zentz of Vancouver also veered onto the gravel shoulder and went down. Zentz was not injured. The OSP reported that traveling too fast for conditions was a contributing factor to the crash.
Port of The Dalles Board Discusses Priorities
The Port of The Dalles recently held its strategic planning session to discuss what its focus should be in the upcoming months. The Port has been discussing how its role changes without available land for development. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says helping existing businesses will remain a top priority, but another subject was to be prepared to do things a bit differently. Priorities include identifying opportunities for economic development in Dufur, coming up with a marina strategy and master plan, developing a matrix for project criteria, and continuing to look how to work with partners on community development.
HR County Budget Work Casts Eye Toward Future
Hood River County’s budget committee has been at work on the fiscal plan for the upcoming 2024-25 Fiscal Year, but much of their discussion has been with an eye toward future years. The County continues to deal with rising costs, and like other local governments have seen reductions in pandemic-related funds. In addition, Hood River County’s voter-approved local option levy for public safety expires at the end of Fiscal Year 24-25. County Administrator Allison Williams says they will have choices to make in the future. The County budget committee meets again this Friday at 3:30 in the County Administration Building.
Hiker Injured After Dog Mountain Fall
An injured hiker was rescued from Dog Mountain on Friday after falling about 300 feet down a steep hillside from the designated trail near the summit. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says rescue personnel found the 63-year-old from Hillsboro unconscious and unresponsive. Due to both the steep terrain and the medical conditions of the injured hiker, a U.S. Army medical helicopter was utilized to recover the hiker, who was then flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver. The Sheriff’s Office says the hiker is in stable condition. The Silver Star Search and Rescue Team, Skamania County Emergency Medical Services, Skamania County Fire District 1, the U.S. Army 16th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Yakima, and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center took part in the rescue. The Dog Mountain Trail is about six miles in length and goes up about 2,900 feet, so the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office recommends anyone hiking there to be properly equipped and know their limitations.
Trout Lake Teen Injured In Accident
A Trout Lake teenager was injured but declined medical aid after a one-vehicle accident Friday afternoon on Highway 141. The Washington State Patrol reports the 17-year-old was driving a pickup truck north on Highway 141 at milepost 6.5 just before 4:30 on Friday afternoon, following another vehicle. The WSP says the truck braked too hard, traveled across the southbound lane, and came to rest on its top facing northbound on the southbound shoulder. The 17-year-old was wearing a seatbelt, and while the WSP listed him as injured, he did not accept medical treatment.
Crack Sealing In The Dalles This Week
A contractor will be crack sealing some streets in The Dalles beginning today and continuing throughout the week. Portions of Brewery Grade, West 10th, East 10th, East 12th, and Thompson Street will be the locations of the work. Work will begin at 7 a.m. each day, and no parking signs will be placed at those locations at least 48 hours before the location is scheduled for sealing. The crack seal projects will require short-duration single-lane closures for the protection of workers and to allow time for the seal to set. Motorists are asked to watch for crews and avoid driving on the rubberized asphalt crack seal until it is set.