Klickitat County Commissioners announced on Monday they have selected someone it is offering the job of jail administrator. The position is being established as Commissioners create a separate department under which the jail will operate, rather than under the Sheriff’s Office. In a brief statement on Monday afternoon, the County said Commissioners had unanimously voted to extend a conditional offer of employment to what it called a “highly qualified” applicant for the jail administrator position. The statement said the Commission will release more information once the post-offer hiring process is completed. The Commission holds its regular meeting on Tuesday in Goldendale.
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Agencies Work To Coordinate Wildfire Preparedness
The Hood River Forest Collaborative and the Oregon Department of Forestry is working with land management agencies and other partners to develop a coordinated approach to wildfire preparedness and hazardous fuels reduction. The collaborative’s Andrew Spaeth told Hood River County Commissioners the group is being referred to as the Hood River All-Lands Partnership. He notes part of the motivation for the partnership is to be able to influence on-going fire prevention planning efforts on the federal, state, and local level. Spaeth says last month the partnership submitted a proposal to receive $8 million from a federal program to help fund wildfire prevention efforts. In other business, the Commission unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the Parkdale Community Plan, with a public hearing scheduled for October 21 at 6 p.m.
Goldendale Couple Found Dead In Their Home
A Goldendale couple was found dead in their home on Friday. Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer says the bodies of 43-year-old David Payne and 42-year-old Elizabeth Payne were found inside their home on Highway 142 by a neighbor who had gone to their home to visit. An initial investigation found that David Payne committed suicide with a firearm. Songer says Elizabeth Payne’s cause of death is still under investigation at this time.
HR County School District Enrollment Stable In First Month
Enrollment in the Hood River County School District is essentially the same as it was at the start of last school year. Superintendent Bill Newton says the district currently has 3,810 students, up by two from one year ago, and up 35 from the end of the last school year. He adds that’s a change from what has been a gradual downward trend in the last two years, but also noted they have not seen a bump up in kindergarten and first grade enrollment. Newton says for future planning, it’s difficult to say what the early enrollment numbers mean. He points out much of that will be determined by funding levels the Oregon Legislature establishes in the 2025 session.
Scenic Area Managers Lift Campfire & Smoking Restrictions
Cool weather has prompted Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area fire managers to lift all restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities, effective Wednesday. Even with the removal of restrictions on scenic area lands, fire managers remind everyone to practice safe campfire principles and be cautious with any potential ignition source, as vegetation remains dry. Scenic Area officials advise when smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in some type of ashtray, avoid driving and parking in tall grass or on roads with heavy fine fuel accumulations, don’t drag chains while towing, and make sure your campfire is completely out and cold to the touch before leaving. They also note fire restrictions may still be in effect on neighboring State and private lands, so check the regulations of those agencies when recreating.
HR County To Consider Whether To Put Prevention Services In New Department
Hood River County is considering whether to create a Department of Health and Human Services and put the County’s Prevention Department and Veterans Services Officer under that umbrella. That structure was recommended in an organizational assessment one year ago, and with Prevention Department Director Belinda Ballah retiring at the end of the month along with other departures from its staff, County Administrator Allison Williams recommended to the County Commission studying the reorganization now. Williams says she has hired former Hood River City Manager Rachael Fuller to serve as a temporary Prevention Department Director to evaluate the impact of such a move. The Prevention Department is primarily funded through grant monies, and Williams said that would not change.
September 16 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. Hillsboro 25-23, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22
Boys Soccer
Trout Lake-Glenwood 4, North Clackamas Christian 0
Damascus Chrisitan 2, Horizon Christian 1
Over 2100 Signed Up So Far For Bridge Walk
Over 2,100 people have signed up so far for the opportunity to walk on the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge on October 6 in commemoration of the structure’s 100th anniversary. The narrow bridge has never been open to pedestrians. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says the public will have a chance to go on to the structure on foot. The bridge will be open to walkers on October 6 from 10 a.m. to noon, while it will be closed to motorists from 9:30 to 12:30. To sign up to walk on the bridge, go to portofhoodriver.com.
Chamber CEO Touts Fishing In The Dalles Area
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson is taking part in Fish Camp, an annual event based out of Peach Beach Park near Maryhill State Park that brings together members of the outdoors media and those in the fishing industry. Farquharson’s mission is to connect with those media members to further engrain The Dalles as a destination for those seeking great places to fish. Farquharson says fishing has become a larger part of the Eastern Gorge tourism sector, noting the Port of The Dalles is reporting at least a 40% increase in dock and boat ramp use. She adds that reflects positively for hotel and restaurant traffic.
Trail Closures Continue For Whisky Creek Fire Area
Hood River County Forestry says progress in Whisky Creek Fire suppression efforts is allowing them to begin phase 2 reopening of trails, roads, staging areas, and Kingsley Campground, but a number of roads and trails remain closed or will be decommissioned. Roads and trails remaining closed include Dead Point Road, Green Point Road, and both Kingsley Road and Upper Trail 180 west of Kingsley Reservoir. Trails having been impacted by contingency fire line construction and will remain closed until repaired include Mitchell Ridge, Baby Heads, and Trail 112. The Borderline and Blade Runner trails have been absorbed by the fireline construction and are now decommissioned, and the County says they will be replaced with comparable alternatives and relocated. Hood River County Forestry also indicated efforts to repair impacted trails will commence once moisture returns and dirt can be compacted.