A man wanted for firing shots at a Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputy on Saturday near Shaniko was arrested on Wednesday in Skamania County.  The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Logan Cantwell was taken into custody without incident after a brief standoff.  Cantwell was lodged into the Skamania County Jail on local felony warrants along with a Wasco County felony warrant for attempted murder.  The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and the FBI assisted the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office in taking Cantwell into custody.  On Monday, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis filed multiple charges including first degree attempted murder against Cantwell.  He is alleged to have fired shots at a Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputy near Shaniko while attempting to elude arrest along Highway 97.  No one was injured in that incident.

Hood River County Commission Chair Mike Oates announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2022.  Oates made the announcement during Monday’s Commission meeting.  He said the three years he has spent as Chair of the panel has taken a toll on him.  Oates said he wanted to make the announcement now to give people plenty of time to decide if they want to run for the position.

Hood River County Commissioners heard four different options for redistricting of Commission districts, and will discuss the issue further in December.  The early consensus of the Commission leaned toward an option that would move Cascade Locks from District 1 with the Westside area to District 4 in the Upper Valley, move some of western rural Odell and Hood River from District 4 to District 3, and leave District 2 in the City essentially as is.  In presenting the options, Records and Assessment Director Brian Beebe explained those changes would bring the most balance in population across the districts for future growth.  A hearing on redistricting is planned for December.  

North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell says Wasco County is seeing a downward trend in COVID-19 cases, dropping to 54 reported last week, compared to over 90 five weeks ago.  McDonell said Wasco County now has 77.4 percent of those age 18 and up vaccinated.  McDonell notes Mid-Columbia Medical Center is still being challenged with high numbers of patients with COVID-19 symptoms, with six to eight at one time, often with cardiac monitoring being done.  She says people tend to stay an average of seven days in the hospital, with some staying much longer.  McDonell did add the availability of Intensive Care Unit beds in the state has improved in recent weeks.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is once again encouraging residents to shop locally this holiday season.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says many local business already have their gift inventories in their stores.  Farquharson says the Chamber will be doing some activities and promotions for local businesses during the holiday season, including Shop Small Saturday.  

Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott says the County is staring to see a drop in COVID-19 cases.  Elliott told County Commissioners on Monday that the County continues to have the highest percentage of adults 18 and up vaccinated against the coronavirus.  She says with the rollout of vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, the department is stepping back to change the process for that age group, noting they can’t utilize the same approach as with adults.  Elliott said at a clinic they held last week, 80 youngsters were vaccinated in three hours.

Mt. Hood Meadows has announced its COVID operational plan for the upcoming winter season.  The resort says that in accordance with published Oregon Health Authority requirements, masks will be required in lift lines or other outdoor locations where physical distancing is not possible, and at all times indoors except while actively eating or drinking in designated dining areas.  This season Meadows says it will mix passengers from different parties on chairlifts, and plan to load four to a quad and two to a double.  People can request loading only with members of their own party.  Passengers will be required to wear masks while riding in Mt. Hood Meadows shuttles.  Meadows is advising people not to plan on coming to the ski area without first purchasing lift access in advance.

A man being sought by police after an incident in which shots were fired on Saturday near Shaniko is facing multiple charges including first degree attempted murder.  Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis says 23-year-old Logan Cantwell is alleged to have fired shots at a Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputy near Shaniko on Saturday as he attempted to elude arrest along Highway 97.  No one was injured in the exchange of gunshots, but Cantwell escaped and is still at large.  Ellis indicated Cantwell is believed to be in the Gorge on either the Oregon or Washington side, and he may be going by either Logan Taylor or Kendall Myers.  Ellis described Cantwell as a white 23-year-old male, five-feet-nine-inches tall, with short strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes, and weighing about 182 pounds.  Cantwell is considered armed and dangerous, and if he is seen, the public should not approach him, but contact law enforcement immediately.      

The Port of Hood River says the annual maintenance welding of the bridge deck on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge should be finished by the end of Tuesday.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says some good weather helped move the project along.  He added the bridge deck was found to be in better condition that they expected to find, with prior welds holding and less deterioration and cracking than projected.  Work by helicopter on a telecommunication utility line on the bridge is still planned for Wednesday, which will bring full 30-minute closures from 9:00 to 9:30 and 10:30 to 11:00 in the morning and 12:30 to 1:00 in the afternoon.  

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce continues to take entries for the Starlight Parade coming up on November 26.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they are currently at 15 entries, and they will continue to take them the rest of this week.  Farquharson says they would like to get to 30 to 40 entries for the parade that traditionally kicks off the holiday season in The Dalles.  The parade will start at 6 p.m. on November 26 on the regular route through downtown The Dalles, ending with a tree-lighting ceremony at the Chamber office on West 2nd Street.