Boys Basketball
Castle Rock 59, Columbia 49
Stevenson 49, King’s Way Christian 45
Horizon Christian 67, Klickitat-Glenwood 37
South Wasco 55, Lyle-Wishram 52
Sherman 57, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 37
Dufur 63, Trout Lake 34
Goldendale 65. Kittitas 53
Girls Basketball
South Wasco 62, Lyle-Wishram 11
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 43, Sherman 37
Trout Lake 66, Dufur 21
Kittitas 64, Goldendale 18
The Dalles City Council voted unanimously to terminate a payment to the Wasco County District Attorney’s office to assist in the cost of prosecution of misdemeanor criminal charges. It was put in place five years ago, when The Dalles discontinued its municipal court. City Manager Matthew Klebes noted in his research, there was no other arrangement of this kind in the state. While voting to terminate the current agreement, Councilors did call for discussions begin with the County and the D.A.’s office on a new agreement. Mayor Rich Mays says both the City and County are in good financial health, and there should be a solution available to the D.A.’s office. District Attorney Matthew Ellis says the loss of the funds without a replacement could lead to the loss of a staff member. This year’s payment would have been just short of $93,000.
Representatives of a group of agencies in Hood River and Wasco counties who work with those trying to recover from addiction and mental health issues have formed a non-profit intending to create a drop-in center for people to be able to speak to someone and find support. Gaby Swisher of PacificSource says they are envisioning a place where those in recovery can find support from others in a similar place. Swisher notes while many group meetings are available to those in recovery looking for support, but this concept envisions a place that is always open. Michaela Gonzales of Providence Hood River adds they would like the center to be driven by those who would use it.
The effort to construct a new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge took a huge step forward Monday, receiving a commitment for $200 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program. The grant moves the amount of funding the project now has accumulated to $320 million in federal and state dollars to put toward the estimated cost of $520 million to build the bridge, while looking for another $105 million from Oregon and $50 million from Washington, with more money to come from a federal loan backed by toll revenue. Members of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority say the funding announcement keeps the bridge project on schedule and ensure it will move from design into construction, with board member and Port of Hood River Commissioner Mike Fox noting they have made a large amount of progress in a little over two years. Bridge commissioners plan to hold a question-and-answer session for the public on Facebook on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Goldendale 48, Highland 20
Girls Basketball
Goldendale 49, Highland 27
Boys Wrestling
Logan Smith and Bradly Seward won their weight classes as Goldendale finished fifth at the Kittitas County Throwdown.
Alpine Skiing
Hood River Valley’s Thorsen Welch was first and Lars Welch third in a Mount Hood League boys’ giant slalom at Mt. Hood Meadows. The Eagles had four of the top ten finishers. In the girls’ race, HRV’s Emily Teets finished first.
Sense of Place Lecture Series rescheduled for January 24.
Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Board Meeting is postponed to January 26.
The Dalles Dam Eagle Watch has been moved to January 27.
Hood River Lions Club and The Dalles Lions Club Christmas Tree pickup programs will take place on January 27.
Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association Chamber Music Concert scheduled this weekend has been postponed, no reschedule date has been scheduled yet.
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has postponed its 2024 Distinguished Citizens Award Banquet scheduled for Thursday night due to the current weather conditions. In a statement, the Chamber said the safety and well-being of its guests, attendees, vendors, and staff are our top priority. In addition, the severe weather conditions and closure of Interstate 84 between Hood River and Troutdale have caused delays in the transportation of food and supplies for the event. The Chamber said the event will be rescheduled, and all tickets and reservations for Thursday night will be honored then.
The Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was safely moored at the Lower Mooring near Bonneville Dam and Lock after breaking free of its moorage at the Cascade Locks Marina in high winds Saturday morning. The vessel caused significant damage to a footbridge that spans the old lock channel and connects the Cascade Locks Marina parking lot to Thunder Island. The Port of Cascade Locks says it also destroyed one fishing platform owned by a local Native American fishing family. Port Executive Director Jeremiah Blue says they have been in contact with the family, and it is a high priority to replace the platform quickly. Blue added they are concerned about damage to the footbridge and will be working to assess the damage to the Sternwheeler as soon as possible.
Hood River County District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen announced she is not going to seek re-election in the upcoming May election, and Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis has filed his candidacy for that position. In a statement announcing her decision not to run after one term in the office and 19 years working in the Hood River County D.A.’s office, Rasmussen said she was ready to explore new endeavors, adding she felt her team had transformed the office to become one that values mutual respect, professionalism, accountability, and fairness. In his own statement, Ellis said he was proud of the work he and his team has done in Wasco County, but the Mt. Hood resident wanted to seek the available position in the County he lives in. Rasmussen said she was giving Ellis her full support. Ellis is the only person to have filed to run for the Hood River County D.A. position. Current Wasco County Deputy District Attorney Kara Davis has filed to run for the D.A. position in that County.
The Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was safely moored at the Lower Mooring near Bonneville Dam and Lock after breaking free of its moorage at the Cascade Locks Marina in high winds Saturday morning. The vessel caused significant damage to a footbridge that spans the old lock channel and connects the Cascade Locks Marina parking lot to Thunder Island. The Port of Cascade Locks says it also destroyed one fishing platform owned by a local Native American fishing family. Port Executive Director Jeremiah Blue says they have been in contact with the family, and it is a high priority to replace the platform quickly. Blue added they are concerned about damage to the footbridge and will be working to assess the damage to the Sternwheeler as soon as possible.
