A bill to authorize legislative leaders to terminate an emergency after 90 days passed the Washington Senate on a 29-20 vote, but what happens in the House is up in the air.  That’s because Governor Jay Inslee is expected to veto any bill that limits the executive’s power to declare an emergency.  Republican 14th District Representative Chris Corry says there is interested from both sides of the aisle on a bill to create a legislative review of an emergency, and compromise from both parties will be needed to create a veto-proof bill.  A two-thirds majority in both chambers are required to override a Governor’s veto.

The White Salmon Valley School District is entering into a partnership for the 2022-23 school year to offer the “Right At School” after-school program for kindergarten through sixth graders.  District Superintendent Sean McGeeney says “Right At School” will be offering after school care for students that engages them in a curriculum to continue developing skills.  A Zoom informational meeting for interested parents will take place on March 3 at 6:30 p.m.  For log-in information, go to the White Salmon School District Facebook page or go to wsvsd.org.

The Dalles Public Works Department is asking citizens to make a special effort to prevent unsightly damage to street trees that have low hanging branches. Trimming branches before collision breaks branches is healthier for trees, and prevents damage to tall vehicles like package delivery vans, recreational vehicles, garbage trucks and school buses. Property owners or occupants are responsible to care for trees in The Dalles. City staff only takes care of City-owned trees in the Downtown Area. When branches block safe passage, the property owner or occupant is responsible to reduce the hazard, whether the tree is on their property or on the right-of-way next to their property. For more information about trimming trees and shrubs for traffic safety visit thedalles.org or contact the Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.

Boys Basketball

Redmond 69, Hood River Valley 61:  The Panthers clinched the Intermountain Conference championship with the win, while the Eagles stay in second place in the league.  Garrett Osborne scored 20 points to lead Redmond, while Tommy Ziegler paced HRV with 17.

The Dalles 58, Ridgeview 40:  The Dalles stays in a tie for third with Crook County for the IMC’s third and final playoff spot.  The Riverhawks will play at Crook County next Tuesday, with a game at Pendleton coming up on Friday.

  Girls Basketball

Redmond 40, Hood River Valley 30

Ridgeview 61, The Dalles 14

  Big Sky Girls Basketball Playoffs

First Round

Echo 63, Dufur 35

South Wasco 49, Condon 44:  The Redsides visit Ione-Arlington for a semi-final game on Thursday.

  Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Basketball District Tournament

Eatonville 41, Columbia 33

  Wednesday Schedule

Big Sky Boys Basketball Semi-Finals

Condon at South Wasco, 6 p.m.

 

Hood River City Councilors voted unanimously to approve a purchase option agreement with Community Development Partners in the latest step toward an affordable housing development at 780 Rand Road.  There was some question about current plans to focus on rental housing rather than incorporating some ownership options.  But Councilor Mark Zanmiller noted while he agreed with the idea of moving toward ownership, this project has a tight timeline to qualify for funding opportunities this year, and they need to keep progress moving.  The next step is a public hearing before the Council on February 28 to review a zone change to facilitate the project.

In another major step toward reconstruction of the Dog River water pipeline, The Dalles City Council approved to purchase 13,250 feet of pipe and fittings for the project.  City Public Works Director Dave Anderson said the bid was being awarded to Core and Main for just under $952,000, well under the initial estimate for this part of the project.  The engineering design for the project is 90% complete, applications for needed permits have been made, and a timber removal contract is being finalized.  The construction contract is to be advertised for bid in March with an award planned for late April or early May.

The Hood River City Council authorized the continued temporary use of right of way for parklets, permits for the use of private property and parking lots for food, beverage, and commercial uses, suspension of the six-month time limit to locate food carts, and fees for park shelters for the 2022 calendar year.  City Planning Director Dustin Nilsen noted uncertainty around COVID-19 still remains for businesses.  In giving the authorization, Councilors indicated they would plan to revisit the issue in the fall.

The Dalles City Councilors heard a report on an initial community survey as part of its process of developing a 20-year vision plan.  Aubrie Koenig of consultant Barney and Worth said they received 439 responses to a community on-line survey in November, and outlined key themes that came out.  At the top was upgrading high school and public health facilities, along with supporting affordable housing opportunities and small business diversity.  Other main themes from the survey included maintaining paths, trails, and river access, continuing revitalization of downtown with mixed-use development and places to gather, and honoring The Dalles’ diverse history.  Councilors approved scheduling a virtual town hall on the subject for March 9 at 5:30 p.m., with another survey to be done in late March.  

The White Salmon City Council will consider ordinances and resolutions to address short-term rentals at their Wednesday evening meeting.  Councilors, along with municipal planning commissioners, have spent a number of months working on the various regulations they seek to place on STR’s.  Mayor Marla Keethler says the Council has tried to end up in a place that shows they support STR’s but feel strongly that the opportunity to have them should first benefit those who live in the community.  There are different rules for whether an STR is a hosted homeshare or an outright short-term rental.  The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday via Zoom, with access information available at white-salmon.net.

Hood River County School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says the district will be communicating with the Hood River County Health District in the wake of the Oregon Health Authority planning to no longer require masking in schools as of March 31.  Polkinghorn says they want to get the pulse of the community to find out what they want the district to do.  Polkinghorn noted the Oregon Department of Education is preparing a new guidance framework for schools that will not involve requiring wearing a mask.