Applications to fill the vacant Hood River City Council position to fill the term of the late Tim Counihan are being taken through Monday at 5 p.m. The applications are available at City Hall or on the City’s website, cityofhoodriver.gov. The appointee will serve the remaining two-and-a-half years of the term. The City Council will conduct interviews on July 22.
HR Council Delays Waterfront Stormwater Relocation Bid
The Hood River City Council delayed going out for bid on Phase 3 of the Waterfront Stormwater Relocation Project after receiving a new cost estimate that increased by $900,000 from previous estimates. Matt Huxley of project manager Tetra Tech said the jump from $1.6 million to $2.5 million was due to having a completed design and increases in unit prices. Councilors were not pleased with the increase, but whether there is another option is questionable. One possibility is changing from multiple filter locations to a single filter system on property between the railroad track and Interstate 84, which Huxley says might cost less but could be difficult to maintain long-term because of access issues. City staff will come back with more information about the single filter system at the next Council meeting, and then a decision on how to proceed will be made.
TD Council Moves Ahead With Phase 1 Of Municipal Wi-Fi Rebuild
The Dalles City Council voted to move ahead with a rebuilding of the municipal wi-fi system. A wide-ranging system was deployed in 2011, but it hasn’t had any significant investment in the last seven years, leading it to become outdated, lacking security updates and proving unreliable for users. City Special Projects Coordinator Ann Moorhead says this project would focus on outdoor public areas and reducing coverage over commercial areas. The first phase will dismantle the existing system and install wi-fi access at 2nd & Federal, City Park, the Cruise Ship Dock, Lewis & Clark Festival Park, Thompson Park, and Sorosis Park, at a cost of just over $142,000. A second phase estimated to cost about $56,000 when funds are secured, and would include Firehouse Park, Kramer Field, Quinton Street Ballpark, and the Fort Dalles Museum.
Containment Of Long Bend Fire Up To 50%
Containment on the Long Bend Fire jumped up to 50 percent late Monday afternoon. The fire has burned 1,024 acres two miles southwest of Maupin. The Central Oregon Interagency Agency Dispatch Center says crews were able to make great progress on Monday. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels, as south of Highway 216 from Natural Pasture Road to Blue Rock Road, and east of Reservation Road and South of Highway 216 to Natural Pasture Road are now on a Level 1 advisory. Access to the Deschutes River south of Maupin is expected to reopen on Tuesday. Boaters should use caution, avoid pulling over on the fire side of the river, and follow directions of firefighters and river staff. Firefighters on Monday were looking for opportunities to engage the fire directly along Wapinitia Creek, and focused on patrolling and extinguishing sources of heat along the fire perimeter to secure control lines. Aircraft were assisting ground resources as needed by dropping water to help cool hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Victim In Fatal Shooting Identified
The victim in a fatal shooting in The Dalles early Saturday morning has been identified. The Dalles Police Department said on Monday that 41-year-old Michael A. Boyer was a former resident of The Dalles who was now living in Southwest Washington. The shooting occurred at 1015 Walnut at 12:21 a.m. Saturday. A suspect, 22-year-old Noe Zaragoza, was taken into custody later that day in Camas, and was to make an initial court appearance in Clark County on Monday. Police say it was determined that several witnesses were present at the scene but left before they could be interviewed. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call The Dalles Police Department detectives at 541-296-2233.
Long Bend Fire Evacuation Advisory Drops From Level 2 To Level 1
Evacuation advisories for areas near the Long Bend Fire two miles southwest of Maupin have been dropped from Level 2 “Get Set” to Level 1 “Be Ready. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office said Monday afternoon south of Highway 216 from Natural Pasture Road to Blue Rock Road, and east of Reservation Road and South of Highway 216 to Natural Pasture Road are now on a Level 1 advisory. The Long Bend Fire has burned 1,024 acres, with containment at 5%. A Central Oregon Type 3 incident management team has 4 Type 2 initial attack crews, 7 engines, 3 water tenders, 1 dozer, 2 Type 2 helicopters, 1 Type 3 helicopter and 25 overhead personnel. Today, firefighters were looking for opportunities to engage the fire directly along Wapinitia Creek, and focusing on patrolling and extinguishing sources of heat along the fire perimeter to secure control lines. Aircraft were assisting ground resources as needed by dropping water to help cool hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Deceased Man Found Along I-84 East Of The Dalles
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says a deceased man was found near Interstate 84 east of The Dalles on Saturday. The man’s body was located near eastbound I-84 at about milepost 99. The Sheriff’s Office says the man has not been identified and at this time the cause of death is unknown. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen someone walking along I-84 dressed in all black clothing over the last couple of weeks to call the Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580.
Suspect In Saturday Morning Shooting In The Dalles Arrested In Camas
A man is dead after an early Saturday morning shooting in The Dalles, and the suspect was arrested later in the day in Washington. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reported 22-year-old Noe Zaragoza was taken into custody in Camas. The Dalles Police Department says officers responded to the shooting at 1015 Walnut at 12:21 a.m. Saturday, and found a deceased male. The identity of the victim has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. Police say it was determined that several witnesses were present at the scene but left before they could be interviewed. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call The Dalles Police Department detectives at 541-296-2233.
Name Of Deceased Man In Officer Involved Shooting Released
Law enforcement officials have identified the man who was killed in Tuesday’s officer-involved shooting in The Dalles, along with the officers who were involved. In a joint statement, The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy and Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill identified the deceased man as 68-year-old Jimmy Ewing, who was also known as August J. Law. Early Tuesday morning, Wasco County Sheriff’s deputies and The Dalles Police officers attempted to stop a stolen commercial boom truck Ewing was driving on West 6th in The Dalles. Ewing refused to stop and in the ensuing pursuit the boom truck rammed one police car, and three law enforcement officers fired on the subject, who was killed by police gunfire. Worthy and Magill identified the three as The Dalles Police officer Jeremy Dutton, and Sheriff’s deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus. Two other police officers and another sheriff’s deputy was involved in the pursuit. All those involved are on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting. Both Worthy and Magill noted the investigation remains active, and once it is finished it will be reviewed by the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office.
Hood River Fireworks Taking Donations
The annual Hood River Fourth of July fireworks show is scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, and organizers are once again seeking donations to defray the cost of the event and volunteers to help as well. Organizer Brett Stomps says the fireworks show is now a completely separate registered 501c3 non-profit entity from the Eyeopeners Lions Club, which used to put on the event. He says donations are going well, but they could use more people to get involved to help with the fundraising effort. For all the information on how to donate or volunteer, go to hoodriverfireworks.com.