Wasco County utilizes ballot drop boxes, and they are almost all at governmental buildings to help ensure security. The boxes are at city halls in Mosier, Dufur, and Maupin along with at the Wasco County Courthouse in The Dalles, plus on the Warm Springs Reservation at Simasho. County Clerk Lisa Gambee says they have additional security measures in place for those boxes, but adds their locations have the advantage of being spots where there is naturally a high level of traffic. Gambee says they have noticed the boxes being used more and more worried that the post office won’t get their ballots to the election offices, with some even bringing them directly to the County Clerk’s office by hand.
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Magill Receives Smith New Freedom Award
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Oregon awarded Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill its Gordon and Sharon Smith New Freedom Award. The organization says Magill was selected for his work in Wasco County and around the state to create alternatives to traditional law enforcement responses for individuals experiencing mental health issues and crisis. The award that was established in 2009 and is done in partnership with former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and Sharon Smith to annually recognize individuals and organizations who publicly advocate for improved behavioral health services and for wider public awareness in Oregon. The Smiths lost their son Garrett to suicide and both have been tireless advocates for suicide prevention. Magill said he was honored and humbled by the award, noting it is not about him but rather everyone coming together to improve the mental health system for the betterment of all citizens.
Hood River County Christmas Project Taking Applications
The Hood River County Christmas Project is taking applications in its 101st year of helping those in need during the holidays. The project’s Lindsay Holmson says they are taking applications are now from those who would like to receive a food and gift box. Hood River County residents who qualify as low-income in the state of Oregon are eligible to receive the help. Applications are online at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com, or by calling 541-329-0901. Information on how to donate to the effort or volunteer to help is also available at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.
Northern Wasco PUD Receives Smart Energy Provider Designation
Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District has been designated as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association. The designation is awarded to utilities that demonstrate excellence in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives. Northern Wasco PUD is Oregon’s sole recipient in the program’s six-year history. The SEP program recognizes close to 100 public power utilities across the nation for their commitment to best practices in energy management. An expert review panel that assesses the utility’s programs in four key areas: Smart Energy Information, Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources, Environmental and Sustainability Programs, and Communication/Education and Customer Experience. The SEP designation lasts for three years, commencing on December 1.
City of Hood River Asks Residents For Issues
The City of Hood River is asking its residents’ one question in advance of an upcoming City Council goal setting session. City Manager Abigail Elder says they are asking simply what should the Council focus on in the upcoming two years. The goal setting session will try to think big picture and what are the projects the City should focus on. Mayor Paul Blackburn added this is a good opportunity to bring up issues other than housing, which has dominated the Council’s focus for some time.
Klickitat County Works Through Budget
As Klickitat County works through its 2025 budget, it has been able to close what had been a substantial gap between revenues and expenses. County Commissioner Jacob Anderson said they are almost there, with County staff being asked to make final adjustments. Anderson notes they never spend all of what they budget, and they tend to estimate revenues low, and by the end of every year they have more money than they expected. One of the unfunded requirements is a new state requirement for the County to hire a coroner, which will cost about $300,000. Anderson adds they will be incurring some additional costs with the transition of Klickitat County Jail operations from the Sheriff’s Office to its own department.
Truax Named To Hood River County School Board
The Hood River County School District Board has appointed a former member to fill the Position 2 seat left vacant by the resignation of Barb Hosford. Rich Truax was tabbed by the panel to fill out the remainder of Hosford’s term. Truax, a longtime resident of Hood River County, served on the Disrict board from 2015 to 2019, contributing to multiple board activities, including meetings, committee work, financial planning, and campaign support. Truax is currently serving on the district’s Finance Advisory Committee and has participated in the budget and facilities committees and multiple capital bond and levy campaigns. His community involvement includes youth sports coaching, trail development with Hood River Area Trail Stewards, and support for various student activities.
The Dalles Will Enforces Rules Against Election Signs In Right-Of-Way
The City of The Dalles says it will be enforcing the municipal code and removing non-permitted political campaign signs located within the City’s public right-of-way or on other City-owned property. City officials say non-permitted signs located in the public right-of-way is a safety concern—and pursuant to municipal code, the City may remove and immediately confiscate such signs without prior notice. For signs without a visible telephone number or address of the sign’s owner on the sign itself, the City will hold such a confiscated sign for at least 15 days before disposing of it unless the sign’s owner reclaims it. The City will destroy such confiscated signs if unclaimed within that 15-day period. For signs with a visible telephone number or address of the sign’s owner, the person responsible for the sign, or the person that is the subject of the sign’s communication, the City will hold such a confiscated sign for at least 30 days from the time the City contacts such person by telephone or by mail.
South Wasco Resident Deputy Position To Start In 2025
Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill announced the implementation of a South Wasco County Resident Deputy position effective with the start of 2025. In a statement, Magill said Pine Hollow resident Kyle VeraCruz was selected for the position. VeraCruz has eight years of law enforcement experience, and has been with the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office since 2019. Along with patrol duties, VeraCruz has been a field trainer, active shooter response trainer, a search and rescue coordinator, and part of the regional tactical response team. In the resident deputy position, VeraCruz will focus on patrolling an approximately 1,100 square mile area of South Wasco County.
Top Of The World Fire Fully Contained
The Top of the World Fire has been declared fully contained. The fire was on Forest Service land west of the Catherine Creek recreation area in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area between Bingen and Lyle. A Scenic Area spokesperson said within the last few days, firefighters have been able to take advantage of cooler weather and light precipitation to further reinforce containment lines and have completed a containment line around 100% of the fire perimeter. Local fire resources will continue to patrol and monitor the fire area for any smoke or potential additional fire activity. The Catherine Creek trail system and trailhead are open for public use. Visitors should be aware that hazards continue to exist inside the burned area from falling rocks and fire weakened trees, and firefighters will be continuing suppression operations as needed. Extra caution should be used when visiting the area.