Crack sealing of streets in The Dalles will begin on Wednesday in the downtown core area and progress to other areas throughout town over the summer months. The purpose of crack sealing is to extend the useful life of asphalt streets by preventing water intrusion into cracks. Work will be done in one-block sections, closing one lane at a time to allow traffic to continue to flow. The partial closures will be in place for one hour or less depending on the severity of the cracking. For questions or concerns, please contact The Dalles Public Works office at (541) 296-5401, extension 2001.
Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of Friday morning’s fatal commercial truck crash that occurred along Interstate 84 in Hood River. Friday at about 5:12 a.m., a 2004 Freightliner truck pulling an empty container trailer driven by 64-year-old Melvin Roy Schwark of Lyle was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 63. For an unconfirmed reason, the truck and trailer gradually drifted to the left and struck the guardrail on the south side of the traffic lanes. The truck and trailer continued westbound into the center median before coming to an uncontrolled rest after colliding with a tree. A tree section came to rest partially blocking the left eastbound lane. Schwark was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators are looking into the possibility that he suffered a medical emergency while driving that may have been a factor in the crash occurring. He was driving for J&L Transportation out of Wasco, Oregon.
The Columbia Gorge Consortium will take a number of Oregon and Washington legislators next week on a bus tour of the western Gorge to discuss transportation, housing, education, and infrastructure needs for the region. The Consortium is made up of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, Mid-Columbia Council of Governments, Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, and Columbia Gorge Community College. Dan Spatz of CGCC says the goal of the consortium and the tour is to show the Gorge as one region working together to meet its needs. The tour next Friday will begin and end at the Pioneer Center in White Salmon.
Goldendale businesswoman Gina McCabe on Thursday officially announced her intention to seek the Washington 14th District State House seat being vacated by Charles Ross. McCabe and her family own several businesses in the Goldendale area, and she coaches dance and cheerleading at Goldendale High School. While making the announcement in Yakima, McCabe said she wants to put family values into policy in Olympia, believing improvements in education and public safety start with parents instilling values in their children. Two other Republicans have said they want the seat that Ross is leaving: Yakima businessman Ben Shoval and state National Guard Sergeant Adam Yoest of Yakima. No Democrats have publically announced an intention to run.
Lyle Middle School is one of 13 in Washington that will receive federal School Improvement Grants. Funds received can be used in a variety of areas, including targeted professional development, supplies and materials, and before- and after-school programs. Schools receiving the grants were identified as priority schools, defined as being among lowest five percent of Title I schools based on test results. Title I schools have at least 40 percent of students from low-income families. This is the third round of School Improvement Grants in Washington. A state analysis on the first group of schools showed three out of every four schools increased test scores in reading, while 95 percent increased math scores.
Declining weighted enrollment, a history of spending down reserves, and increased operational cuts have led to a 2014-15 budget with reductions for the Hood River County School District. The reductions include one full time equivalent teacher reduction at the elementary level, one-and-three-quarters in the middle schools that would diminish the world language program at that level, and two at Hood River Valley High School that will mostly impact the alternative education program and the diversity of electives. Other staffing cuts will occur in community education, special education support personnel, and administrative level, plus there will be reductions in discretionary spending. District Superintendent Dan Goldman says without an increase in state funding support during the next legislative session, there will be more cuts next year, and reserves are still being used to balance the budget this time. He added the rationale for using reserves in 14-15 was based on the knowledge they will have to make cuts next year without a funding jump. There was a motion to pass the budget, but committee members decided to meet again this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Hood River Valley High School to give the public an opportunity to provide more comment.
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A 24-year-old Parkdale area man has been reported as missing.