The Dalles Community Action Team will be heading to Washington, D.C. in early March to pitch local projects for federal funding. Port of The Dalles Executive Director Andrea Klaas expects it to be an interesting trip, with the federal government running on a continuing resolution and some programs that have funds available for local projects sunsetting. Projects that will be pitched include the search for more buildable industrial lands, and work on the Port of The Dalles Marina boat ramp and the permits necessary for it.
Mosbrucker’s “Ivan’s Law” Passes Washington House
Ivan’s Law, introduced in the Washington State House by Goldendale Representative Gina Mosbrucker, has won bipartisan approval in that chamber. The bill is named after a 24-year-old Yakama tribal member who took his own life while in jail in Klickitat County. After hearing many stories from citizens on the impact of fentanyl, Mosbrucker says her legislation begins with an educational outreach campaign. Ivan’s Law also would assist hospitals with the cost of fentanyl screening in emergency rooms and promotes effective intervention. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Bridge Aesthetics Committee Appointed
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement project has appointed 22 members to its new Bridge Aesthetics Committee, which will be responsible for providing ideas and concepts for the look and feel of the new bridge and its amenities. The project recently won a $200-million grant from the federal government and is in the process of selecting a firm to design and build the bridge. Over the next several months, the Bridge Aesthetics Committee will meet to consider details like potential colors, textures and finishes for the bridge, furnishings that include railings, traffic barriers, overlooks, lighting, and benches, artwork and landscaping, and signs. The committee will meet four times and will hold public events to present ideas to the public and gather feedback on the way to developing aesthetic guidance that bridge designers will consult. The committee consists of public agencies and nonprofits with a connection and vested interest in the Columbia River Gorge, as well as community members residing in the area. Its first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., and the public can attend on Zoom by going to hoodriverbridge.org.
Waters Bill To Improve Illegal Cannabis Monitoring Approved In House
Legislation by Washington 17th District Rep. Kevin Waters that would improve detection and prevention of the illegal inversion and diversion of cannabis in and out of Washington is headed to the Senate after receiving unanimous approval from the House. House Bill 2255 would require the Liquor and Cannabis Board to regularly audit the data in the Cannabis Central Reporting System, with a goal of identifying and preventing illegal inversion and diversion of cannabis and cannabis products into and out of Washington’s regulated cannabis system. Waters says currently enforcement is being driven by licensees submitting complaints against each other, and enforcement officers spending too much time on minor infractions. The Stevenson Republican believes this bill would help steer officers to the larger, more serious offenses. If House Bill 2255 were to become law, the LCB could use the data the agency collects to help direct and prioritize enforcement.
February 9-10 Prep Sports Roundup
Swimming
Both Hood River Valley’s boys and girls 200 yard freestyle relay teams grabbed first place finishes at the Northwest Oregon Conference championships, while the Eagles’ Caiden Titus won the boys’ 100 yard freestyle. HRV’s girls earned seven entries to next weekend’s Oregon Class 5A Championships, while the Eagle boys grabbed four. Hood River’s girls were second in the team standings, and the boys finished third.
Boys Wrestling
The Dalles advanced two wrestlers to the state tournament from the Tri-Valley Conference Championships in Prineville, as the Riverhawks finished fifth. Alexander DeLaTorre advanced at 157 pounds as did Alfred Brackenbury at 165, as both finished third in their weight class.
Columbia’s Sawyer Muehlbauer won the 190 pound division at the Southwest Washington Class 1A Regionals in Hoquiam, helping the Bruins to a sixth place finish. Stevenson took ninth, as Kasen Polzel took second at 150.
Goldendale’s Matthew Gray was the 150 pound champion as the Timberwolves finished third at the Washington Class B Region 2 tournament at Tonasket. The Timberwolves also earned three seconds and three thirds.
Girls Wrestling
Hood River Valley’s Natalia Solorio Campos advanced to the state tournament by finishing second at 190 pounds at the Oregon Class 6A/5A tourney at Century.
Stevenson’s Regan Minnis finished third at 140 pounds and Columbia’s Ashley Totolhua was fifth at 105 pounds at the Washington Class 2A/1A/B Region 2 at Centralia
Goldendale’s Brielle Starr was third at 130 pounds at the Washington Class 2A/1A/B Region 3 at Toppenish.
Cheerleading
The Dalles finished second to Baker in the Class 4A Coed Game Day division at the Oregon Class 4A Cheerleading Championships.
Boys Basketball
LaSalle 70, Hood River Valley 53
The Dalles 65, Estacada 34
Klickitat-Glenwood 62, South Wasco 48
Sherman 59, Ione-Arlington 39
Sherman 34, Crosspoint Christian 29
Ione-Arlington 70, Klickitat-Glenwood 55
Trout Lake 57, Lyle-Wishram 48
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 69, Trout Lake 42
Dufur 53, Horizon Christian 34
Condon 63, Horizon Christian 56
Southwest Washington Class 1A District Boys Basketball
Loser-Out Game
Stevenson 69, Hoquiam 59…The Bulldogs advance to face Elma on Wednesday.
Girls Basketball
LaSalle 56, Hood River Valley 41
The Dalles 50, Estacada 26
Ione-Arlington 46, Sherman 33
Trout Lake 66, Lyle-Wishram 14
Trout Lake 47, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 36
Dufur 53, Horizon Christian 23
Condon 55, Horizon Christian 5
Wasco County Nears Kramer Field MOU
Wasco County is working on a memorandum of understanding with The Dalles Little League and The Dalles Babe Ruth that will outline the care and maintenance of Kramer Field this spring and summer. County Commissioner Scott Hege reported to the rest of the Commission on the status of Kramer Field, which the County owns, during their meeting on Wednesday. Hege says he has been working with youth baseball organizations on a memorandum of understanding that would have the County committing to caring for irrigation needs, fertilization, and weed control. Commission Chair Steve Kramer noted with other facilities acquisitions in recent months, this will be a part of the County increasing its maintenance needs. The Commissioners said there won’t be time for major repairs before games begin this spring, but the County can fund more immediate needs.
White Salmon Council Appoints Fire Authority Reps
The White Salmon City Council appointed its three representatives to serve on the recently voter-approved Western Klickitat Regional Fire Authority. City Councilors Jason Hartmann, Ben Giant, and David Lindley will serve as three of the six commissioners for the authority, as called for in the draft plan for the agency. The other three seats will be held by the three commissioners of Klickitat Fire District 3. The official formation date for the new entity is September 30, but the appointed leadership is expected to meet in advance of the effective date to begin setting up administration and operations for the fire authority. In addition to the six Commissioners, the work group undertaking the setup for the fire authority will also include representation from the District 3 volunteer firefighters, the White Salmon Fire Department, and members of the public who served on a citizen task force leading up to the new organization.
Waters’ Fish Barrier Adoption Plan Passes House
The Washington state House of Representatives approved a bill authored by 17th District Representative Kevin Waters that would improve the state’s efforts to remove fish barriers. Taking the idea from the state’s Adopt-a-Highway program, Waters has proposed using private donations for fish barrier removal. House Bill 2045 would have the Recreation and Conservation Office keep a list of fish barrier removal projects for donations. Donors giving more than $10,000 would get a sign at the location with their name. A $100,000 donation would prompt a plaque signed by the governor. Waters’ “Adopt-a-Fish Barrier” bill passed the House 95-2, and is now headed to the Senate.
Sense Of Place Host Receives Humanities’ Storytelling Fellowship
The host of the Sense of Place event series is one of the newest recipients of Oregon Humanities’ Community Storytelling Fellowship. Multimedia producer Sarah Fox of Hood River is one of seven to receive the $5,000 grant to support a storytelling project focused on or created in collaboration with their communities. Oregon Humanities says Fox is planning to share stories about the working lives of Hood River County residents. The resulting stories will be shared in Oregon Humanities magazine and other publications. Oregon Humanities Communications Director Ben Waterhouse says they the stories produced through the Fellowship will allow more Oregonians to see their experiences represented, fill information gaps, and encourage readers to work toward a more inclusive and civically engaged state.
Circles Of Care Seeking Volunteers
The Circles of Care program in Wasco and Hood River counties continues to seek volunteers to help older adults who have requested periodic help or simply friendly visits. Scott McKay says Circles of Care matches volunteers with older adults who have requested periodic help with things like grocery shopping or transportation. Volunteer information is available at ageplus.org/circles-of-care, or by calling 541-397-0724. There will be a volunteer informational meeting on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center in The Dalles.