Travel on eastbound Interstate 84 near Warrendale will be reduced to one lane starting Tuesday as crews work to replace the aging eastbound bridge over McCord Creek. The Oregon Department of Transportation says replacing the bridge will eliminate a dip in the road and increase safety, earthquake resilience and the lifespan of the highway. Over the summer, crews prepared the work site under the bridge and are now beginning the first visible work for interstate travelers. Travelers on I-84 can expect around-the-clock single lane and shoulder closures on I-84 eastbound at McCord Creek for the next few weeks. Visit tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1 for traffic alerts.
Category: Uncategorized
One Injured In Highway 141 Accident
A 48-year-old White Salmon woman was injured in one-vehicle accident Thursday night at Highway 141 alternate near Underwood that resulted in the automobile ending up partially in the White Salmon River. According to the Washington State Patrol, the vehicle the woman was driving was traveling northbound on 141 alternate at Highway 14 at about 7 p.m. Thursday evening. The WSP says the vehicle struck a rock wall on the northbound shoulder of the road, overcorrected, and drove off the embankment. The vehicle came to rest partially submerged in the White Salmon River. A 53-year-old man from BZ Corners who was also in the vehicle was uninjured.
August 29-30 Prep Sports Roundup
Football
The Dalles 27, Umatilla 6
Dufur 50, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 34
Joseph 46, Sherman 13
Volleyball
St. Paul def. South Wasco 25-19, 25-10, 25-14
South Wasco def. Cove 25-22, 16-25, 25-16, 24-26, 16-14
Grand View Christian def. Horizon Christian 2-1
C.S. Lewis Academy def. Horizon Christian 27-26, 12-25, 19-17
Columbia Christian def. Horizon Christian 2-1
Joseph def. Sherman 25-16, 25-19, 25-23
Girls Soccer
Trout Lake 4, Western Christian 1
Farmers Irrigation Asks For 25% Reduction In Water Use
Farmers Irrigation District in Hood River County is asking all of its patrons to reduce water use by 25%. The district says the U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified Hood River County as in Severe Drought, with hot, dry weather and early snowpack melt-off resulting in low streamflows. The district reports that has been coupled with earlier and higher water use. District officials say voluntary water conservation and reductions in use will help the District better match use to the available supply. They say if water use remains high, the district is at risk of needing to implement water rotation restrictions to maintain water service through the rest of the irrigation season, which concludes September 30. More information is available on the Farmers Irrigation District website at fidhr.org or by calling the district office at 541-387-5261.
The Dalles City Officials Hear Buildable Lands & Economic Report
The Dalles City Council and Planning Commission received an overview of a proposed Economic Opportunities Analysis and Buildable Lands Inventory during a joint meeting. The inventory done by the consulting firm Moore Iacofaro Goltsman estimated 204 acres of buildable land for employment available in The Dalles, but there was a large deficit of sites of 20 acres or more, and none in the 60 to 100 acre range. MIG’s Matt Hastie said that’s a concern for economic development, as most business attraction efforts involve those sizes of properties. Members of the two panels will give feedback over the next two weeks, and will receive a revised document after that. The earliest the adoption process would begin is in October.
D21 To Expand Pilot Program For Student Cell Phones
The North Wasco County School District 21 Board reached a consensus to expand a pilot program to prevent students having cell phones in class at The Dalles Middle School to the other schools in the district until it fully develops its own policy as mandated by an executive order from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Board members felt a sample policy developed by the Oregon School Boards Association was too lenient compared to the pilot at the middle school, which centered on separating phones and other smart devices from students, and consequences for violating the rule. Superintendent Cheryl Bernal said it would help school administrators to have a consistent policy from the start of the school year. Under the executive order, the district needs to adopt a policy by October 31 and implement it by December 31. Bernal noted teaching staff does not report to work until next week, and she would like to get their feedback before the board moves forward with adopting a formal policy.
Teenager Dies In Fall At Cape Horn
A 17-year-old died Wednesday in a fall over the embankment at the Cape Horn Lookout on Highway 14. Skamania County first responders were contacted by the teen’s brother, who said he had attempted to make verbal contact with the fall victim without success. Southwest Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Silver Star Search and Rescue teams responded to the location. The 17-year-old was located, deceased, and extricated from the steep cliffside. The manner of death was determined as accidental.
Recovery Cost Estimate Lowered; But How To Get Funds Still A Question
The estimate for Phase 2 of cleanup of the Rowena Fire has dropped slightly after a Monday meeting of County and state officials, but there are no answers yet on where to get the money to do it. Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege says after the meeting with representatives of the Governor’s office, Department of Enviromental Quality, and Oregon Emergency Management, the estimate was whittled down to $5 million. But he adds the path to getting those funds remains cloudy, noting the Legislative Emergency Board will not be meeting until late September. Hege says the group discussed other potential sources for the cleanup funding.
Emergency Temporary Housing Plan Proposed
Wasco County Commissioners heard about a potential Emergency Temporary Housing Community for those displaced by the Rowena Fire, but there would be numerous hurdles to make it happen. County Planning Director and Long-Term Recovery Group member Daniel Dougherty told the Commission the location to host upward of 49 825 square foot sites for temporary shelter that would be located on property on Highway 30 that has been considered for an RV Park. The County itself is applying for the permit from its Community Development Department, and also would have to go through National Scenic Area reviews. Commissioner Scott Hege questioned whether this is a realistic solution for those who have been displaced who are looking for answers now, rather than six months down the road. Commissioner Jeff Justesen expressed there needs to be a backup plan, and Dougherty says the Recovery Group is working on all options. Friends of the Columbia Gorge has already submitted comments noting regulations that would prohibit the facility at that location.
HR County Approves Bridges Plan
The Hood River County Commission approved a County Bridges Capital Improvement Plan and detour options. County Public Works Director Cori Wiessner told Commissioners the plan was put together after bringing in an outside consultant to inspect the 26 bridges in the County road system. She says there are four bridges, three of which are east of Highway 35, for which repairs won’t extend their lifespan, and should be targeted for replacement rather than maintenance. Wiessner noted one of those bridges, on Fir Mountain Road at the East Fork Irrigation ditch, is being replaced in an East Fork Irrigation District project, and another on Fir Mountain over Neal Creek near Highway 35 will be the focus of a an application for a Rural and Tribal Assistance grant. The other two bridges are on Thomsen Road at Neal Creek and Wy’eth Road at Gorton Creek.