Public hearings are planned for this month before the Wasco County Planning Commission to present a draft ordinance on the time, manner, and place for marijuana businesses to operate in unincorporated areas of the County.  Hearings are planned for December 16 and 21 at 3 p.m. in the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.  The planning panel will make a recommendation to the County Commission, which will make a decision on December 28.  County Commissioner Steve Kramer says all options remain on the table, including possibly referring a measure to opt-out of the state’s legalization of marijuana businesses to the voters, but they’ve been advised a final decision must be made by the 28th.  The draft ordinance is to be posted on the County website on Wednesday.

Oregon 59th District Representative John Huffman says he will be introducing a bill to regulate recreational and hobby drones during the February legislative session.  A workgroup has been working on the bill as reports of interference with manned aircraft and firefighting efforts became frequent this past summer.  Huffman says while penalties will be in put place through the bill, at the same time they want to emphasize education for proper drone use.  Huffman pointed out there is a website called knowbeforeyoufly.org that provides a guide for proper unmanned aircraft use.

The Oregon School Activities Association Executive Board on Monday approved a plan that will allow The Dalles High School to play an independent football schedule next season.  Under the plan, the remaining three Columbia River Conference schools, Hood River Valley, Pendleton, and Hermiston, will join the five Intermountain Conference teams in the Bend and Redmond area to form a special district for football only.  The Columbia River Conference will continue as currently constituted for all other sports.  The Dalles has struggled with participation numbers in its football program for a few years, and will play smaller schools under an independent schedule as the program attempts to rebuild.

No major flooding issues were reported along the Hood River in the wake of Monday’s heavy rains.  National Weather Service statistics indicate about two-and-a-half inches of rain fell in the Hood River area on Monday.  Hood River County Sheriff Matt English said water did get over the Mount Hood Railroad train trestle at Powerdale on Monday.  But after cresting just above flood stage on Monday evening, English reported the Hood was down by four to five inches this morning.

Girls Basketball Kalama 71, Columbia 52:  The Chinooks used a 27-12 fourth quarter to pull away for the Trico League win, as Kaelyn Shipley and Parker Esary both registered double-doubles for Kalama.   Boys Basketball Nixyaawii 79, Sherman 48

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Hood River.  The river had reached flood stage at 13 feet at about 4 p.m., and is expected to crest at 13.5 feet at 6 p.m.  The river is expected to go over its banks in a few locations, and minor flooding of low-lying property and roads adjacent to the river is likely.   Officials advise people to stay away from river banks that may be eroded away by the high and fast-flowing water.  Heavy rains are expected to continue for the next three days.   Local health officials advise at least two sewage treatment plants in the area have released wastewater into local rivers and streams. Sewage overflow happens when the treatment plant is overwhelmed with greater than normal flows. Excessive runoff has also carried contamination from livestock and other domestic animals into the local waterways.

A group seeking to block Nestle’s proposed water bottling plan in Cascade Locks and prohibit commercial water bottling in Hood River County turned in signatures to place the measure on the May 2016 ballot.  Campaign backers for the Local Water Alliance turned in more than 1,600 signatures to the Hood River County elections office Monday.  497 valid signatures are needed to qualify the measure for the ballot.  County officials will verify the signatures over the next few days.  Nestle has been taking steps towards establishing the bottling plant in Cascade Locks since 2008.  Earlier this year, the Cascade Locks City Council voted to seek the Oregon Water Resources Department’s permission to swap a portion of its well water right for a half-cubic foot per second of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s right to draw 10 cubic feet per second from Oxbow Springs.

As North Wasco County School District 21 officials consider whether to go out for a bond measure in the near future to develop new facilities and repair existing buildings, one important component will be to determine if there is community support for such a move.  A citizens’ task force told district officials last week they should go out for a bond measure to construct a new high school in November 2016 to take advantage of state matching funds.  Superintendent Candy Armstrong feels the district does have a better community profile than it did a few years ago, but they will have to gauge community readiness for a bond measure.  The D-21 board plans to discuss the report it received from the task force in January.

Hood River County Library District cardholder have a chance to come clean on any late fines they may be facing.  The district says it will forgive any late fines for district cardholders who visiting the Hood River, Cascade Locks, or Parkdale libraries between December 15 and December 19.  Library staff will forgive any fines associated with returning items late.   They’ll also give free replacement library cards, for those who have lost theirs.  Not eligible for forgiveness are charges for lost or damaged materials, copies and printouts, temporary and non-resident cards, or other charges not explicitly mentioned.  For more information, contact the Hood River County Library District at 541-386-2535.

Boys Basketball Central 55, Hood River Valley 47 Hood River Valley 68, Columbia 42 LaGrande 71, The Dalles 51 Washougal 46, Columbia 36 Stevenson 68, Lyle-Wishram 59 Columbia Christian 79, Trout Lake 23 River View 48, Goldendale 46 South Wasco 65, Klickitat 29 Stanfield 46, South Wasco 41 Triad 61, Klickitat 38 Horizon Christian 46, Jordan Valley 42 Horizon Christian 52, Triangle Lake 40 Damascus Christian 73, Dufur 51 Sherman 90, North Lake 42   Girls Basketball Putnam 38, The Dalles 35 LaGrande 51, The Dalles 34 Franklin 53, Hood River Valley 41 Washougal 61, Columbia 29 Lyle-Wishram 61, Stevenson 36 Trout Lake 31, Columbia Christian 17 Goldendale 44, River View 38 South Wasco 58, Klickitat 46 Stanfield 47, South Wasco 26 Jordan Valley 63, Horizon Christian 24 Horizon Christian 45, Mitchell-Spray 30 Damascus Christian 53, Dufur 21 North Lake 48, Sherman 28