Boys Basketball
Madras 62, The Dalles 55: The Riverhawks fall to third in the Tri-Valley Conference with the loss.
Big Sky Boys Basketball Tournament
First Round
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 59, Horizon Christian 45
Condon 64, Lyle-Wishram 43
Girls Basketball
Madras 48, The Dalles 36
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office will be joining the Oregon Department of Transportation’s radio system as it moves from analog to digital communications. By joining with ODOT the cost to upgrade will be just over $404,000 with an annual $33,000 payment to ODOT for operation and maintenance, compared with the County spending over $1.2 million to build out its own system. Commissioner Scott Hege says the upgrade will have many benefits. The current analog system will remain in use as a backup and for use by smaller agencies.
Wind and snow may cause hazardous travel conditions in the Columbia River Gorge and mountain passes this week. The Oregon Department of Transportation says its maintenance crews will be ready with winter tools including plows, salt, de-icer and sand. With various types of winter weather threats possible in Oregon, travelers need to be extra cautious on the roads in the days ahead. Travelers should consult Tripcheck.com and check weather forecasts on their planned routes. If you must travel in winter weather, be prepared. Pack your vehicle with the essentials: tire chains, snacks, water, medications and warm clothing. Fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank and fully charge its battery. Plan your route ahead, and if you’re following GPS navigation, make sure it sticks to main roads because many rural roads are not maintained in severe weather and can be very treacherous.
A man was arrested on charges connected to the theft of a large amount of quarters from a laundromat in Cascade Square in The Dalles. According to The Dalles Police Department reports, 37-year-old Michael Andrew Barresse was arrested by Hood River police and lodged at NORCOR on charges including theft, burglary, and criminal mischief. The police reports indicate someone broke into the Wash ‘n Shop on Monday and stole tools and a large amount of coins, primarily quarters. The report also says Hood River police were alerted to subjects cashing $500 worth of coins, leading to the arrest. The Dalles Police also are investigating a break-in at the Columbia River Hotel on Bret Clodfelter Way early Monday morning. Police reports say someone broke a window on the side of the building, destroyed lottery equipment and flooring, and managed to steal an ATM machine.
The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency Board has decided to have staff move forward with increasing the maximum indebtedness for the Waterfront Urban Renewal District to act as insurance should costs to complete stormwater line replacement go above estimates. Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris told the board that if current estimates hold up, funds the district has on hand would cover the rest of the project, but if there is any significant jump, without the indebtedness the City’s stormwater utility fund would have to cover the remaining cost. The proposed increase in indebtedness is for $2.15 million and add two years to the life of the district that is currently set to expire next year. A resolution will be developed for the board to approve, and then notice would be given to impacted taxing districts and the public for a 45-day comment period.
The City of The Dalles received its audit report for fiscal year 2022-23, and it found no significant issues with the municipal financial picture. Andrew Sherwood of KDP Certified Public Accountants told the City Council the overall audit went smoothly with clean, unmodified opinions. The City once again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association.
Installation of a traffic light at 2nd and Oak streets in downtown Hood River is now underway. The entire intersection will be closed to vehicle traffic, with detours rerouting vehicles to nearby Cascade, State, 1st, and 3rd Streets. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to continue to travel through the intersection and access businesses despite sidewalk closures – crossing through the middle of the intersection instead. Businesses will remain open and accessible during construction. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day.
Boys Basketball
Wilsonville 65, Hood River Valley 39: Kallen Gutridge scored 26 points as the defending 5A champion Wildcats pulled away. Sawyer Clemett scored 12 for HRV.
Lyle-Wishram 51, Trout Lake 49: The Mustangs advance to play at Condon tonight in a Big Sky League playoff game.
Girls Basketball
Wilsonville 85, Hood River Valley 16
A weekend traffic stop in Hood River resulted in the seizure of generous amounts of narcotics. The Hood River Police Department says an officer stopped a vehicle driven by an individual that was known to have suspended driving privileges. The driver exhibited several signs of impairment during the traffic stop. A search of the vehicle yielded over 16 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of Methamphetamine, and nearly 5 grams of heroin, along with a large amount of cash. The driver was taken into custody on the charges of DUII-Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Schedule II-Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Heroin and Felon in Possession of a restricted weapon.
Hood River County has created a new position to bring a grant writer on board. The County has been dealing with grants in individual departments for years, but County Administrator Allison Williams says it is easier to ensure compliance with terms of federal grants in particular with a dedicated grant writer. County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer said American Rescue Plan funds will be used to pay for the position for the next two years, and then the hope is the position becomes self-sustaining.
