Three brothers arrested this week in connection with the disappearance of Jason Muschawek of Parkdale one year ago made their initial appearance in Hood River County Circuit Court today.  27-year-old Michael David Schneider, 23-year-old Peter Damien Schneider, and 22-year-old Donald Mathew Schneider listened by video hookup from NORCOR as the charges against them were read and each was assigned an attorney.  Michael and Donald Schneider were both charged with murder, burglary, theft, unlawful use of a weapon, and abuse of a corpse, while Peter Schneider faces burglary and theft charges.  While authorities have not released many details about the case at this point, while reading the charges Hood River County District Attorney John Sewell noted the theft charges stem from taking a firearm that belonged to the victim.  Michael and Donald Schneider are being held without bail pending court appearances next week, while Peter Schneider is being held on $5,000 cash bail.

White Salmon City Councilors will ask their swimming pool committee to get more public input on what citizens want to see in a pool.  Consultant Mike Wellman gave his pool feasibility study to the Council with five different options ranging from renovating the current aging facility to constructing an indoor facility.  Mayor David Poucher says they want the community to discuss what it wants in a swimming pool.  Poucher expects it will take at least another six months to make any decision.  In other business, Councilors selected Donna Heimke to fill the remainder of the term for a Council seat vacated by George Rau.  The current term runs to the end of the year, and Heimke is unopposed for the seat in the fall election.

Stevenson Elementary School Principal Karen Douglass has been named the new Superintendent of the Stevenson-Carson School District.  Douglass has worked in the district for over 25 years, spending the last ten years in her current role.  She also currently serves as the District’s federal programs supervisor, homeless liaison, and professional development coordinator.  Douglass holds a bachelor’s degree from Warner Pacific College and a Master’s degree from Portland State University.  She will succeed outgoing Superintendent Dan Read on July 1.

The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections board has made an offer to one of the candidates to be the jail’s new administrator.  Michael Cantrell has 26 years of experience in the juvenile justice system, and is currently program director for the Rite Of Passage program in Omaha, Nebraska.  NORCOR board member and Hood River County Commission Chair Ron Rivers says Cantrell has an extensive training background and list of certifications, noting he was questioned about making the transition to adult corrections during his interview.  There will be a three to four week background search conducted by the Oregon State Police before Cantrell can officially accept the position.  Rivers says the hope is that Cantrell will be able to take over the position sometime in July.  He will replace the retiring Jim Weed.

A local group has been deeded a two-and-a-half acre parcel in the western portion of The Dalles for construction of a youth center.  Executive Director for the group ACTS (Acclaiming Christ Through Sports) Joe Martin said an anonymous donor has given two-and-a-half acres on West Seventh Street behind the Motel 6.  Martin says ACTS is working with a number of different organizations to put together a plan to build a youth center on the site, and active recreation will be a big focus.  He says the center will involve a number of different youth organizations.  Martin says the next step is to get conceptual drawings done for a center, finalizing who will be partnering in the effort, and soliciting grant funding.  He has an ambitious goal of getting a first phase of the Center finished by September of next year.

Over 20 private property owners in the Glenwood Valley and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed an agreement for management of lands to preserve habitat for the Oregon Spotted Frog and maintain agricultural activities.  The frog is listed as a threatened species, and the Glenwood Valley is home to a population of the species.  Klickitat County Commissioners helped facilitate the agreement.  Commissioner David Sauter feels the agreement with benefit all parties, with property owners making some adjustments to their practices including when haying takes place and when water goes on and is withdrawn from fields and when it is kept in canals.  Sauter says it is a 20-year agreement.

Cherry harvesting in the Mid-Columbia is off to its earliest start in nearly three decades as the result of a warmer winter and spring than usual, and it appears the crop may be better than originally forecasted.  Oregon State University Extension Agent Lynn Long says feared damage from a hard freeze in November has not proven to be as widespread as originally feared.  Long added California’s cherry crop is winding down, so the market for Mid-Columbia cherries should be good.  The major concern at this point is forecasts of hot weather in the Gorge.  Long says an extended number of above 90-degree days can cause problems with sunburn and drying out of the fruit.  Chelan and Early Robin varieties are being harvested now, and Bing harvest should begin next week.

Three brothers have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Parkdale man one year ago.  Hood River County Sheriff Matt English says 27-year-old Michael David Schneider, 23-year-old Peter Damien Schneider, and 22-year-old Donald Mathew Schneider were take into custody on various charges surrounding the May 4, 2014 disappearance of Jason Muschaweck of Parkdale.  The trio was taken into custody early this morning after search warrants were executed at two Parkdale residences.  Michael Schneider was arrested at a residence in the 6200 block of Miller Road, while Peter and Donald Schneider were taken into custody at a residence on the 7400 block of Clear Creek Road.  All three were taken into custody without incident.  The brothers were lodged at Northern Oregon Regional Corrections in The Dalles.  Michael and Donald Schneider were charged with Murder, Burglary I and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  Peter Schneider was lodged on the charge of Burglary I.   The Oregon State Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team and Wasco County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the operation.

Patrick Harvey’s bases loaded single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Hood River Valley a 1-0 win over Pendleton in an OSAA/U.S. Bank/Les Schwab Tires Class 5A baseball semi-final, sending the Eagles to the state championship game for the second straight year.  Kam Walker was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and then Pendleton pitcher Quinn Cockburn threw Ryan Ward’s sacrifice bunt down the right field line, moving Walker to third.  Kellen Duffy was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Harvey followed with a line drive to right field to win it.  Pendleton had a chance to score in the top of the eighth when Jack Peterson singled and Wyatt Morris followed with a double, but Kam Walker delivered a perfect relay to the plate to throw out Peterson.  Ward and Cochran were both terrific on the mound.  Ward allowed only three hits and struck out ten, while Cochran gave up just four hits and struck out six.  Ward’s effort moved the Eagles’ string of shutout innings in the post-season to 22.  The Eagles will face Liberty, a 2-1 winner over Summit in 14 innings on Tuesday, for the state 5A baseball title on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.

YouthThink of Wasco County is planning a community discussion next week to discuss what the legalization of marijuana in Oregon means to children in the community.  YouthThink coordinator Debby Jones says the meeting will not be a debate about the law, but rather a discussion of a strategy on how to best help children.  Jones says the goal is to receive factual information.  Short presentations will be made by representatives of law enforcement, the juvenile department, schools, treatment services, parents, business, and youth.  The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday night (June 9) at the Riverenza on 401 East 10th in The Dalles.