The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened eastbound Interstate 84 between Cascade Locks and Hood River Wednesday morning, while the section between Troutdale and Cascade Locks reopened shortly after noon.  ODOT shut down that portion of the freeway Tuesday night after more than 20 trees fell on the roadway during high winds.  ODOT’s Don Hamilton says they needed to do the shutdown because of what they could not see at night, and the need to examine the roadway for more hazardous in daylight.  Winds yesterday evening were measured at around 70 miles per hour in the Bonneville Dam area, 60 miles per hour in the Upper Hood River Valley, and over 50 miles per hour elsewhere in the region.

The Bonneville Power Administration energized and brought into service a new 500-kilovolt transmission line running between The Dalles and Goldendale.  The 28-mile, single-circuit line connects BPA’s Big Eddy Substation in The Dalles to the new Knight Substation northwest of Goldendale.  Big Eddy Knight was energized Friday afternoon.  The line increases the electrical capacity of BPA’s transmission system in response to requests for transmission service in this area.  Construction on Big Eddy-Knight began in the fall of 2011 and underwent design adjustments in the latter half of 2012 and 2013 to accommodate for newly discovered culturally sensitive sites along the route.  The project included the use of helicopters to string 20 transmission cables between two towers across the Columbia River near Wishram.

The Hood River County School District continues to move toward preparing a bond measure to present to voters in 2016.  District Superintendent Dan Goldman says a community workgroup of 40 to 45 members have been evaluating information on the condition of the district’s facilities and enrollment and growth, while staff is analyzing the fiscal issues involved.  Goldman says the district board will hold a December 9 worksession to go over the options, noting the possibility of including a new building remains on the table, especially given the age of the district’s facilities.  Goldman added the district board would need to decide by January whether to put a bond measure on the May ballot.

White Salmon officials will meet with the Washington Water Trust next week about a proposal to increase the City’s water supply by withdrawing from the White Salmon River.  Mayor David Poucher says the City’s water rights come off the White Salmon River, adding the state Department of Ecology, Department of Health, and the Yakama Nation have indicated they like that solution. But Poucher says the City would need financial help to do the project, estimated to cost $6,000,000.  The Washington Water Trust is a non-profit organization that seeks to find solutions to water issues.  Poucher says coming of the main stem of the White Salmon would have environmental benefits and eliminate the need for more wells, noting the City would still get the bulk of its water from Buck Creek.

Residents in The Dalles are being reminded not to rake leaves into the street, but rather to compost them or bag them for disposal.  Municipal codes forbid dumping leaves into the street.  The Dalles Disposal is accepting leaves, from residences only, at no charge during the month of November if they are taken to the transfer station at 1317 West First Street, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  City street sweepers are running two shifts to pick up leaves, and residents are asked to park off streets if possible.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is warning those who operate high profile vehicles to be wary of high winds Tuesday.  Those who are operating vehicles like motor homes, travel trailers, or commercial truck should note the forecast for high winds.  Travelers are also being warned to be prepared for possible delays due to downed trees and to watch for blowing debris and dust.  Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Klickitat counties are among “main impact” counties in a high wind warning issued by the National Weather Service for gusts up to 50 miles per hour this afternoon and this evening.

Hood River City Councilors gave direction on what they want municipal staff and planning commissioners to work towards as they develop code and regulations for short-term rentals.  Councilors reached consensus on wanting to put regulations in place for the short-term rentals, and to seek a cap on the number of permits to issue for them at current levels, with no cap on short-term rentals of rooms in primary residences.  They also want permits to expire when a property is sold.  Mayor Paul Blackburn said taking a week to digest information after last week’s marathon session on the topic helped the Council develop direction.  City Planner Cindy Walbridge told the Council they could expect to receive recommendations on code and regulation changes from the Planning Commission in late winter or early spring.

Hood River native Minoru Yasui has been named by President Barack Obama to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.  The White House made the announcement Monday.  Yasui, born in Hood River in 1916…was the first to intentionally defy a military curfew imposed upon Japanese-Americans in 1942. He was sent to prison, including nine months in solitary confinement in the Multnomah County Jail, and fought his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld his conviction.  Yasui spent the rest of his life appealing his wartime conviction, until his death in 1986, the year his conviction was overturned by a federal court.  Yasui was the first Japanese-American graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law.  Oregon Congressman Greg Walden nominated Yasui for the award earlier this year, and said in a statement today that “For decades, Minoru Yasui fought tirelessly to defend and expand basic rights for all Americans. Though he faced discrimination and hatred during World War II, his belief in America never wavered.”  There are 17 Medal of Freedom recipients this year, with the award ceremony scheduled for November 24.

Hood River City Councilors held their annual goal-setting session over the weekend, and once again working on creating more opportunities for attainable housing remains at the top of the list.  City Manager Steve Wheeler says some new goals were added, including plans to discuss whether the City is generating enough revenue to appropriately fund its operations.  Also among newer goals discussed, whether the City should take on more of a leadership role in regards to parks, and putting more emphasis on the use of clean energy.  Dealing with planning department funding and development of a greener stormwater system remain among the Council goals. Monday night, the City Council will continue its discussion on what kind of direction to give staff and the planning commission as they develop new regulations on short-term rentals.  The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its campaign to get local residents to shop at home during the 2015 holiday season.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says spending at local retailers is an investment that pays off.  Among the efforts being undertaken by the Chamber during the holiday season are the Shop Local and Win campaign in which consumers turn in their receipts from local businesses for a chance to win prizes, and Small Business Saturday on November 28 during which residents are encouraged to patronize small businesses.