The new Thompson Park swimming pool in The Dalles appears to be on track for a June 20 opening.  Scott Hege is overseeing the project for the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District.  He says concrete for most of the pool deck was being poured Wednesday, the pool itself is being plastered, and by the end of this week the pool will start to be filled.  Hege says the biggest challenge to get finished is the splash pad, but he added the pool itself could still open even if that is not completed by June 20.  He also said much of the work for the final month of construction involves whittling down a big list of detail items so the pool can open on time.

The vote for the final available spot on the Crystal Springs Water District board in Hood River County was tied after Tuesday night’s vote count.  Michael McCafferty and Mick Swyers were the top two getters in the four-candidate race for three seats, but Bill Munk and Larry Brown were tied for third with 327 votes apiece.  Hood River County Elections Supervisor Kim Kean says they still have some ballots coming in from other counties plus some challenged ballots that will need to be resolved.  She says if a tie remains after all remaining ballots have been counted, then Munk and Brown will roll dice to see who wins.

Girls Golf Ileana Telles of The Dalles finished in a tie for fourth at the Oregon Class 5-A High School Girls Golf Championships at Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis.  Telles moved up two spots on the leaderboard during the final round by shooting a four-over-par 76, pulling her even with Hallee Creswick of Corvallis.  Madison Odiorne of Summit and Daniele Giles of Crater both finished at four-under for the two rounds to share medalist honors.   Class 2-A/1-A Special District 6 Baseball First Round Irrigon 8, Sherman 2:  Irrigon advances to the semi-finals on Saturday at Quinton Street Park.

  CGCC Board Position 3   Lee Fairchild                           1,161   Christina Suarez                      774     CGCC Board Position 4   Charlotte Arnold (inc)            1,491   Guy Fenner                             804     CGCC Board Position 5   Stu Watson (inc)                     1,289   Becky Kopecky                      1,031     Hood River County School District Board Pos. 1   Chris Reitz                              263   Kris Wilhelm                           222   Rob Brostoff                           157     Hood River Valley Parks and Rec District Board (vote for 3)   Mike McCarthy                       1,180   Art Carroll (inc)                      1,170   Glenna Mahurin (inc)              1,143   Karen Ford (inc)                     1,062   Matt Rutledge                         788       Port of Hood River Commission Pos. 4   Brian Shortt (inc)                    1,849   Dennis Cullington                      360     Port of Hood River Commission Pos. 5   Hoby Streich (inc)                   1,542   Jason Carpenter                         315   Brian Hardy                              297     Crystal Springs Water District Board (vote for 3)   Michael McCaffery                 531   Mick Sywers                           455   Bill Munk                                327   Larry Brown                           327     Port of Cascade Locks Board Pos. 1   John Stipen                             151   Philip Schey                            59     Port of Cascade Locks Board Pos. 2   Brad Lorang                            137   Donna Mohr (inc)                   91     Port of Cascade Locks Board Pos. 3   David Lipps                            127   Brenda Cramblett (inc)           110    

North Wasco County School District 21 Zone 2 Dean McAllister (inc.)                        284 John Frederick                                     108   Dufur Recreation District…3 year local tax option renewal, $45K per year Yes                                                                  185 No                                                                     29

Hood River County Commissioners are making changes to the County’s zoning ordinance and administrative code to clarify the panel’s ability to hear appeals from the Planning Commission.  County Administrator David Meriwether noted a land use case a couple of years ago brought to light some code provisions that actually limited what the County Commission could hear in an appeal.  Meriwether adds there was also some disconnects in procedures between the zoning ordinance and the administrative code.  He says it will take some time to clear up the code issues.

The Hood River County School District’s budget committee last week recommended a fiscal plan for the 2015-16 school year, but there could be changes before the district board gives its final approval in June.  That’s because an increase in the state revenue forecast the day after the budget committee action figures to increase the district’s state funding by about $300,000 to $350,000.  Superintendent Dan Goldman points out that’s about the amount of cuts they had to make in the budget, but knowing the potential for other future costs including a jump in Public Employees Retirement System contributions in two years, it is doubtful staff would recommend using all of the increase to restore cuts.  Goldman says early calculations from the Oregon School Boards Association have the PERS increase costing the district about one-point-one million dollars.

Klickitat and Skamania counties along with the cities of Bingen and White Salmon are seeking a Washington State Community Development Block Grant to establish a fund for home repair grants for those in need.  Bingen Mayor Betty Barnes says they are seeking a $400,000 grant to establish the fund.  If approved, Columbia Gorge Housing Authority would administer the fund.

Time is ticking down to submit ballots for the special districts election in Oregon.  It’s a fairly busy ballot in Hood River County, with contested races for three Columbia Gorge Community College board seats, two for the Port of Hood River, three for the Port of Cascade Locks, three for the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District, and a Hood River County School District board position.  It’s a bit quieter in Wasco County with a limited number of contested races, the most notable being the zone two seat on the North Wasco County School District 21 board matching incumbent Dean McAllister and former board member John Fredrick.  There is also a three-year local option tax for the Dufur Recreation District on the ballot.  Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.  In Wasco County they should be returned to the County Courthouse in The Dalles or Maupin City Hall.  In Hood River County ballots should be taken to the County Administration Building or Cascade Locks City Hall.

Port of Hood River Commissioners this week will be receiving a report this week on the future of the marina.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says they have asked an outside consultant to take a look at the marina and make some recommendations.  McElwee noted the mix of motorized and sailing watercraft, the growth of sailing in the marina, and the increasing demand for shell space for dinghy storage are all part of what they will be learning about.  The report will be given at Tuesday’s Port meeting, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Marina Center boardroom.