The 50-Plus Expo, a resource fair for those age 50 and older, will be held Saturday at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.  The event is being put on by Mid-Columbia Senior Center, Hearts of Gold Caregivers, and Bicoastal Media.  Thomas Keolker of Hearts of Gold says the event was inspired by clients and community members looking for various resources as they age.  There will be more than 30 exhibitors along with eight different speakers.  The event is free, and will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  A schedule of speakers is available at gorgeradio.com.

A lawyer for the Goldendale woman accused of killing one daughter and trying to kill another in a Cannon Beach hotel last summer indicated the woman’s mental state would play a role when the case goes to trial.  William Falls told Clatsop County Circuit Judge Cindee Matyas during proceedings this week that 41-year-old Jessica Smith suffered a mental breakdown.  Smith’s lawyers have asked the court in a motion to bar the possibility of a death penalty in this case, citing “evolving standards of decency” in regards to dealing with severe mental illness.  The defense is also asking for the court to allow Smith to appear at trial free of any restraints.  A status conference is scheduled on the case in late August, with further motions due by December 31, and a trial expected next year.

Track and Field Hood River Valley leads Hermiston by 12 points in the boys’ standings after one day of the Columbia River Conference Track and Field Championships at Sid White Field in The Dalles.  The host Riverhawks sit in fourth after a limited number of finals.  HRV earned four first place finishes in the first day of competition, with Sebastian Barajas winning both the shot put and discus, Justin Crosswhite winning the 3,000 meters, and Parker Irusta the long jump.  In the girls’ competition, Pendleton has a ten point lead over both Hood River Valley and The Dalles.  The Riverhawks’ Yasmin Hill won both the pole valut and long jump, while the Eagles’ Jestena Mattson was victorious in the high jump.  The meet continues with the rest of the finals on Friday at 3:30.   Oregon High School Girls Lacrosse Association Playoffs Second Round Lake Oswego 17, Hood River Valley 1  

North Wasco County School District 21’s budget committee approved a flat budget for the 2015-16 school year as many district officials hope the state will increase K-12 education funding for the upcoming biennium.  D-21 Chief Financial Officer Randy Anderson used a state biennium funding number of $7.255 million in putting together the budget, but says he wouldn’t be surprised if there is a revised number that will lead to changes to the fiscal plan before the school board holds its hearing in late June.  He added he budgeted to spend 49 percent of the biennial allocation rather than splitting it 50-50.  Anderson says the budget is flat…with no staff reductions or school days cut, but no cost of living increases either.

Long-time Mid-Columbia Council of Governments Executive Director John Arens has submitted his resignation.  Arens had been in the position for the agency that runs six programs for five Mid-Columbia counties for 15 years.  He says he wants to explore other professional opportunities.  Arens said he is remaining on the job until MCCOG can find a replacement.  He was unsure how long that would take.  Prior to taking the MCCOG position, Arens was the chair of the Hood River County Commission.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office will increase traffic patrols for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend.   The Sheriff’s Office receives grant funds to increase patrols for both DUII and seatbelt enforcement through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Oregon Department of Transportation.   The goal is to reduce traffic crashes and increase safety through high visibility enforcement.   The Sheriff’s Office is urging everyone to drive with care, wear a safety belt and to not drive when using substances that impair, including prescription medication, alcohol, marijuana or any other impairing substance.   Report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1.

Baseball Pendleton 10, The Dalles 6:  Pendleton clinches second place in the Columbia River Conference, while the Riverhawks fall to tie for third and the final play-in spot in the CRC with Hermiston with one game left to play. Hermiston 5, Hood River Valley 3:  The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead to defeat the CRC champions and keep their post-season hopes alive.   Softball Hood River Valley 10, Hermiston 7:  The Eagles couldn’t hold a 7-2 lead, but scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to win and clinch third place in the CRC and a play-in berth. Pendleton 12, The Dalles 2:  The Buckaroos remain unbeaten in league play. LaCenter at Stevenson, doubleheader, postponed to Thursday.   Southwest Washington District Class 1-A Boys Soccer Tournament First Round Columbia 2, Montesano 0:  The Bruins clinch a state tournament berth, and advance to the district semi-finals in Kalama, where they will play Elma on Thursday at 5 p.m.   Boys Golf The Dalles finished 12th and Hood River Valley 14th in the Class 5-A Special District 1 Tournament at Eagle Crest.  

A 40-year-old Bend man accused of murdering his girlfriend on a steep section of the Eagle Creek trail in March of 2009 pleaded not guilty in Hood River County Circuit Court.  Stephen Wagner Nichols entered the not guilty plea to a murder charge before Circuit Judge John Olson on Monday afternoon.  23-year-old Rhonda Casto of Portland fell 100 feet on March 16, 2009 about a mile from the Eagle Creek trailhead.  Nichols was arrested in early February in San Mateo County, California in February of this year.  A tentative trial date for Nichols is set for sometime between late May and July of next year.  A status check was scheduled for this July 7, while a motion for release hearing will take place in early August.  Nichols’ attorney Mike Arnold said during the proceedings a motion to suppress some evidence has been filed.

The Dalles City Council approved a plan to transition the City’s current Administrative Fellow into a full-time position of Project Coordinator that would be involved in helping the City reach its economic development goals.  The new position would include among its duties managing the City and Wasco County Enterprise Zone, help coordinate activities with The Dalles Main Street program, manage the Urban Renewal District property rehabilitation and loan and grant program, and work on Riverfront Trail projects.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says the goal is to consolidate a number of issues into one position.  City Councilors decided not to seek an AmeriCorps/RARE program member to do the Community Curation project.  The new position was approved by the City Budget Committee for the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget.  In other business, the Council approved refunds of pre-paid assessments for public improvements totaling over $65,000 to six property owners who had paid into a fund under requirements the Council recently abolished.  And the Council approved The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce community marketing program for 2015-16.

The City of Hood River is working on a 20-year plan for water and sewer system upgrades and how to plan to pay for them.  City Councilors heard a presentation on the needs facing the City in those areas, including old sewer lines with leaded joints and the need for improved water pressure in the growing west side of town.  City Manager Steve Wheeler says part of the challenge is how to pay for improvements, particularly when federal funding is drying up.  He adds loans are still available, but you have to plan how to pay them back, primarily through systems development charges and rates.  Councilors will consider the information they receive as they look to make decisions on finalizing a 20-year plan.