There will be multiple daytime lifts of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday through Friday of next week. The Port of Hood River says motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes or more, depending on traffic volume. The Port is recommending motorists consider alternate routes during those hours to avoid delays. Bridge engineers and Port crews will be conducting extensive bi-annual inspections of the bridge lift’s mechanical and electrical systems. For more information, contact the Port of Hood River via email at info@portofhoodriver.com.
Big River Land Trust Gets Ready To Build First Home
Big River Community Land Trust is about to build its first home. They are currently in the permitting process. The organization works toward generating more low to middle income home ownership opportunities. The first house will be on a small piece of land on Tucker Road south of Windmaster Corner that was sold to the group for $1 by the City of Hood River. Big River Executive Director Alysha Sherburne says the property was big enough to build about a 13-hundred square foot, three bedroom, two bathroom house on it. The organization works toward generating more low to middle income home ownership opportunities. There will be a community open house with a copy of the architectural design and site plan on display at pFriem Family Brewers at Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hood River Parking Rates Go Up July 1
Hourly parking rates at metered spots in downtown Hood River will increase from $1 to $1.25 an hour beginning on July 1. Payment options include two phone apps, and Cale machines on every block which accept coins and credit/debit cards. In addition City of Hood River officials say citations for failure to pay and overtime parking city-wide will increase from $29 to $35. They say the City’s parking program is primarily concerned with encouraging turnover of desirable parking spots in busy areas, as well as street maintenance. The City also reminds the community and visitors that vehicles, recreational vehicles, trailers and other personal property are prohibited from remaining parked in the same location for over one week.
Shooting Investigation Continues
The investigation into Tuesday’s officer-involved shooting in The Dalles that resulted in a man who drove a stolen commercial boom truck at officers and patrol cars being shot and dying of his wounds is continuing. The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy says the investigation is being led by a Hood River County Sheriff’s Office detective, with assistance from other agencies in the region, and interviews with those involved are taking place into Friday. Worthy noted the investigation has been on-going since the incident occurred early Tuesday morning, and also said law enforcement recognized how impactful this is in the community, and the agencies involved want to make sure it gets done right. Once the investigative report is finished, it will go to the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office for review. Worthy added peer support has been engaged for the officers that were involved in the shooting. As per routine procedure, those officers have been placed on administrative leave.
Providence Picket Continues
Oregon Nurses Association members say they will continue their picket at six Providence facilities across Oregon, including Hood River, Friday and Saturday in response to what they term an unlawful lockout of nurses after their three-day strike. Picketing was to wrap up Thursday, and the ONA says it had indicated that nurses would unconditionally offer to return to work Friday morning. But the ONA claims Providence announced that it would only welcome nurses back to their regular shifts starting Sunday morning. Providence hired replacement nurses on five-day contracts, and KOIN-TV reports Providence has since said it was going to notify nurses whether they would be selected to fulfill their shifts via phone calls Thursday evening. The ONA says that constitutes an unlawful partial lockout, and is filing an unfair labor practice charge, and will also seek back pay for all affected nurses. Nurses have been in contract talks with Providence for a number of months, with staffing levels emerging as the major stumbling block.
Downtown The Dalles Trees Receiving Care
The City of The Dalles says their contractor is monitoring the health of newly planted trees in the downtown area, and proactive steps are being taken to address any issues and ensure the trees’ long-term health. City officials say some of the trees are struggling to adapt to their new environment, and contractor Davey Tree Expert Company is increasing watering and feeding efforts at no additional cost to the City. Community Development Director Joshua Chandler says any of the trees that do not regain their health will be replaced this fall, also at no extra cost to the City. All of the downtown trees are guaranteed for three years from the time of successful planting. City officials say the community can help by ensuring the tree wells remain clear of litter and by properly disposing of cigarette butts, which can be harmful to the trees’ health.
Study Shows Whitson Building Beyond Serviceable Life
A survey and study done by Southwest Washington Education Service District 110’s construction management group of White Salmon Valley School District facilities found Whitson Elementary School has effectively gone beyond its serviceable life. Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says that means the cost to make repairs and upgrades exceed the cost of simply building a new facility. He says the ESD team is going to do further study of the building. He adds the building issues are not limited to the elementary school, as there are also needs at secondary school facilities as well. Polkinghorn notes that in their recent strategic planning process, staff, community members, and students had the condition of district buildings at the top of their list of concerns.
Klickitat County Deputies & Citizen Receive Life-Saving Award
Three Klickitat County Sheriff’s Deputies and a citizen have received a life-saving award from the Washington State Patrol for their actions in helping a state trooper who had been seriously injured in a patrol vehicle accident near Goldendale last June. Deputies Randy Wells, Chance Leroue, and Dustin Vorce were first on the scene of the accident on Highway 142 near Olson Road to provide aid to WSP Trooper Anthony Maton, who was responding to another collision when he left the road, struck a tree, and become entrapped in his car. Maton was eventually airlifted to a hospital with multiple broken bones and a serious head injury, which he continues to recover from. Washington State Police Chief presented the awards to the three troopers along with Klickitat County resident Colby Cain, who reported the accident to 9-1-1.
Driver Of Stolen Boom Truck Dies In Officer Shooting; Witnesses Sought
The driver of a stolen boom truck that attempted to ram patrol cars in the western end of The Dalles early Tuesday morning was shot by officers and died of his wounds. According to The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy, at about 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies observed the truck dragging a cable in the parking lot of Home Depot on West 6th Street, and the driver behaving suspiciously. When deputies approached, the truck sped easterly down the street, attempting to ram the deputies’ patrol vehicles. The Dalles Police arrived to assist, and a TDPD car was rammed in area of the 2900 block of West 6th. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies fired on the driver when the truck was directed at them, and the suspect was shot. First aid was given, and the suspect was taken to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Hospital, where he died of his wounds. The Dalles Police later received a report of a break-in at a business on Crates Way, where the involved boom truck was reported to be a stolen and a gate was rammed. No officers were physically injured. Names of the involved officers and the deceased suspect have not yet been released. A multi-agency investigation is underway. The Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team is seeking help from anyone who might have seen what led up to the shooting or information on the vehicle. The team of detectives from multiple regional law enforcement agencies would like to hear from anyone who saw an older model Ford flatbed boom truck with a green stripe in the area of Home Depot Tuesday between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. Anyone who has relevant information is encouraged to please contact the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 541-387-7077.
ODOT Receives Federal Grant To Finish Historic Highway
The Federal Highway Administration announced the Oregon Department of Transportation is receiving an $11 million grant for completion of the 37-year effort to restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway. The funding will repurpose the final trail segment remaining by constructing a separated and protected bicycle- and pedestrian-only hard-surface trail between Mitchell Point and the Ruthton Trailhead west of Hood River. The money comes from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize roads and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. This Oregon project is one of five nationwide receiving a total of $88.2 million in Fiscal Year 2023.