Despite challenges for the state’s farmers and ranchers, Oregon’s top agriculture official is optimistic about the New Year.  Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba remains confident that the industry is generally in good shape at year’s end, despite several tough challenges, many of which played out during the 2015 legislative session.          Coba’s hopes for the New Year start with an improved water picture through an increase in rainfall and snowpack, working on issues to improve transportation for ag products, and capitalizing on the passion for local food in the state.  Coba enters her 14th year as ODA director, making her the longest tenured director in agency history.

The Dalles City Council has begun to take applications from non-profit organizations in the City who would like funding for projects and programs.  In December the Council approved a policy for the applications, after non-profits in the past came before Council to request funds without a formal process in place.  Applicants should demonstrate how they would stimulate economic development or tourism in The Dalles or provide social benefit for the community.  Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall on 313 Court Street and on the City’s website until January 31.  Approved applications will be submitted for funding through the annual budget process, with funds being awarded after July 1.  For more information contact Interim City Manager Julie Krueger at 541-296-5481, ext. 1120.

Boys Basketball Woodburn 54, Hood River Valley 52 Bend 76, The Dalles 57 South Wasco 74, Monument/Dayville 51   Girls Basketball Bend 44, The Dalles 42 Kelso 39, Hood River Valley 22 South Wasco 33, Monument/Dayville 32

The Next Door is honoring Jeannette Kreft-Logsdon as their 2015 Bonnie Benton Philanthropist of the year. Kreft-Logsdon, the owner of Wyeast Laboratories in Odell, is a long-time supporter of The Next Door. Last December, she offered a matching gift, doubling up to $100,000 of other donors’ gifts. That amount was surpassed by the donors, raising over $134,000 during the donation period. Kreft-Logsdon first donated to The Next Door in 2010 to help support the purchase of their Tucker Road building. The Lobby is named in honor of Wyeast Laboratories. The Executive Director of The Next Door, Janet Hamada, presented the award at a surprise party at the Crag Rat Hut. The Next Door is a local non-profit whose mission is opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families and improving communities.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Department says Wendy Hildreth, 48, of Hood River, is the woman whose body was found at The Family Man Staging Area on Monday. Investigators believe she died of blunt force trauma at the hands of her husband, Michael Hildreth, 58. He then committed suicide at their home. Police haven’t said if Wendy was killed at the recreation area or if her body was dumped there. Police said they found evidence of blood at the couple’s home. The couple was in the process of getting divorced, and Wendy recently sought a restraining order against Michael, according to a release from Hood River County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sergeant Pete Hughes.

The discovery of a woman’s body at the Family Man Staging Area Monday has launched a homicide investigation. According to Hood River County Sheriff Matt English, deputies were dispatched to the site about 1:00 Monday afternoon on a report of suspicious activity. The area is 6 miles southwest of Hood River. When deputies arrived, they found fresh blood on the snow and a trail of blood leading out of the parking lot. The body was discovered about a quarter of a mile away. The Mid-Columbia Major Crimes Team and investigators with the Oregon State Police Forensics Lab worked into last night at the scene. Details including the woman’s name, age, hometown and cause of death will be released when it becomes available. The State Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy today (Tuesday).  

Interviews for finalists for The Dalles City Manager position have been scheduled for January 14.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says all of their finalists are from out of state, adding they will involve a number of people in the January 14 process, with department heads and Councilors to conduct inteviews.  Lawrence says the Council is holding off on comprehensive goal-setting for the year until a new City Manager is in place.  He added that person is going to be asked to do a complete review of the City’s operations and make recommendations back to the Council.

Metered parking is coming to the Port of Hood River waterfront area in 2016.  The growth of the waterfront and its multiple uses are increasing the parking challenges in the area, and City Manager Steve Wheeler says they are collaborating with the Port, which owns some of the roads, to develop a better situation.  Wheeler indicated the most likely areas for metered parking on First Street and the east side of Portway Avenue.  Rates are likely to be similar to those in the downtown area.  Wheeler says those are being looked at, as those rates have not been raised from the current 75 cents per hour since July 2008.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will hold town hall meetings in Wasco…Sherman…and Hood River counties during the first week of January.  Wyden will hold the meetings on January 5 at 9:15 a.m. at The Dalles High School Auditorium, January 6 at 10 a.m. at Sherman High School and later that day at 1:30 at Hood River Valley High School.  Wyden noted he will hold the 750th town hall of his tenure in the Senate on January 5 at 1:30 at Wheeler High School in Fossil.

Hood River County will be closing the gates of forest roads in the Northwest area of the County Forest on Thursday, and they will remained locked until about April 1.  Gates being closed are located at Post Canyon Road just to the north of Post Flats Staging Area, and on Riordan Hill Road about a quarter-mile to the west of Family Man Staging Area and near Binns Hill Road.  Gates on upper Riordan Hill Road that accesses the Viento Ridge area and across Forest Road # 2400 north of Lower Kingsley Reservoir were closed and locked last week.  The gate closings are an effort to block vehicular traffic and protect the County’s road system during a time of year when it is most vulnerable to damage.