The Port of Hood River is expecting by the end of the year or early in January to receive notice from the Oregon Department of Transportation requiring a reduction in the weight limit for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from 80,000 pounds to 64,000 pounds for most vehicles, and less than that for some specialized hauling vehicles.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee points out this would affect specific types of vehicles, like concrete trucks and dump trucks.  McElwee says the weight reduction will come 30 days after the Port receives notice from ODOT.  He adds large trucks account for about seven percent of the traffic that crosses the bridge.

The Historic Columbia River Highway from Bridal Veil to Ainsworth State Park and Interstate 84 Eastbound exit 41 off-ramp at Eagle Creek will both remain closed until at least Wednesday due to debris slides Sunday during heavy rainfall.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the highway closure is due to a debris slide from heavy rainfall feeding Mosquito Springs Creek.  About 70 cubic yards of material had blocked the highway by 4 a.m. Sunday between Angel’s Rest and Multnomah Falls.

The Hood River County Health Department said Friday that about 26 residents and 18 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak at Hood River Care Center.  According to a statement from the department, four of the eight deaths that have occurred in the County related to COVID were residents of the Care Center who had tested positive for the virus, but it also noted not all of the deaths were directly due to COVID.  The County has had 113 new COVID cases in the past week, well above last week’s 85 that had been the highest total of the pandemic.  Also, Hood River County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg says the County has not received any COVID vaccine as of Thursday, but expected to receive it very soon.

The North Wasco County School District 21 board voted to support a resolution by the Medford School District calling for state officials to prioritize getting K-5 students back into classrooms and providing the resources and safety measures to do so.  The board also plans to prepare its own resolution on the topic for its next meeting in January.  D-21 board co-chair Jose Aparicio said the Oregon Legislature needs to practice what they preach in regard to education being a priority.  D-21 Superintendent Theresa Peters told the board negotiations with the D-21 Education Association on hybrid learning and the safety concerns of staff are on-going.  Peters added she has been working with the North Central Public Health District limited in-person learning opportunities.  

Hood River City Councilors have approved an ordinance giving the City Manager the discretion to suspend utility shutoff penalties and interest for non-payment of utility charges during a “unusual circumstance impacting the local economy.”  The City had enacted emergency measures at the beginning of the pandemic in March allowing for those moves, but those provisions expired at the beginning of December.  Mayor Kate McBride says this doesn’t really change what the City intends to do during the pandemic, but does give City Manager Rachael Fuller and staff flexibility to make changes as the situation warrants.  The City intends to waive utility late payment fees, interest, and suspend shutoffs for nonpayment until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.

The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council and Mid-Columbia Housing Authority say they have received an additional $100,000 from Oregon Housing and Community Services through its Coronavirus Relief Fund to assist area households in keeping up with their rent payments.  The agencies have collaborated to get nearly $900,000 in rental assistance out to households in the region during the pandemic.  The COVID Rent Relief Program provides rental assistance to households who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and have experienced a loss of income, compromised health conditions, have been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19, or at risk of losing housing as a result of public health measures.  Funds are available through December 30 and are available on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information or to apply for the COVID Rent Relief Program, contact Mid-Columbia Housing Authority at 541-296-5462.

Klickitat County has received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines.  County Public Health Director Erinn Quinn says they were delivered Thursday to Klickitat Valley Health in Goldendale for vaccinating high priority healthcare workers.   The first group of healthcare workers to be vaccinated are those who will be administering the vaccine and includes the staff at Klickitat Valley Health, NorthShore Medical Group, and Skyline Health.   Next to be vaccinated will be first responders.  The first frontline healthcare providers from both county hospitals and NorthShore Medical Group will be vaccinated promptly, kicking off Klickitat County’s participation in the largest vaccination campaign in United States history.  Klickitat Valley Health CEO Leslie Hiebert called the arrival of the first vaccine shipment “the hopeful light at the end of the tunnel.”  The vaccine does arrive at a time when positive case counts have surged in Klickitat County.  In the first two weeks of December alone there were over 100 reported cases of COVID-19 in the county.  That equates to the total reported positive cases between March through July.

The Hood River County Health Department will be doing some COVID testing on a trial basis for adult contacts who do not have a personal medical provider.  The goal is to allow symptomatic close contacts of cases who have no personal care provider access to be tested at the Health Department.  It is not open to the general public for testing of those with no symptoms.    Testing will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. December 21 and after the Christmas holiday on December 28 and December 31.  People will need to make an appointment for testing by phone at 541-386-1115.  

The Hood River Valley Adult Center’s capital funds campaign to renovate the building starting with the kitchen has gone over $150,000.  Campaign board member Gary Young notes that puts them in range of their $250,000 goal to seek help from philanthropic organizations.  Young noted the Center has seen demand for Meals on Wheels prepared in its aging kitchen jump dramatically during the pandemic.  To contribute, go to the Center’s website at hrvac.org.

Washington Gorge Action Programs has reached its immediate $50,000 goal to replenish its COVID-19 relief fund.  WAGAP Executive Director Leslie Naramore says they gave out nearly $180,000 from the fund this year to help pay essential bills for those in Skamania and Klickitat counties that have lost a job or had hours reduced by the pandemic.  Naramore says they will continue to take donations for the relief fund, noting this could be a difficult winter.  To donate to the WAGAP Covid-19 Relief Fund, go online to wagap.org/donate, and designate the relief fund by typing it in the “Note” field.