An open house on Oregon’s new community wildfire risk reduction programs is scheduled for July 1 in The Dalles. The events will offer opportunities to learn about new defensible space and home hardening standards, as well as the draft wildfire hazard map. The open house will begin with a short presentation and introductions, but visitors may stop in at any point during the event to get questions answered about the draft hazard map and associated community wildfire programs. Representatives from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Building Codes and Financial Regulation Divisions, and Wildfire Programs Advisory Council members will be on hand to answer questions. The open house will be on July 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.
Hood River Election Materials Available
Those who are interested in running for Mayor or City Council in Hood River during the upcoming November election can file their candidacy. The City’s 2024 general election packet is available online at cityofhoodriver.gov on the City Council page, or by calling 541-387-5212. The deadline to file for one of the positions up for election is Tuesday, August 27. In addition, applications continue to be accepted to fill the Council vacancy left by the passing of Tim Counihan. The deadline to file for that position is July 1, with the Council planning to conduct interviews for those looking to serve the two-and-a-half years remaining for that position’s term on July 22.
Crews Knock Down West 2nd Fire
Crews dealt with a grass fire in the 2400 block of West 2nd in The Dalles on Tuesday afternoon. The fire occurred at around 2 p.m. Responders were able to bring the blaze under control within approximately an hour. Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue was joined by crews from Dallesport and the Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District. ODF declared the start of fire season on Monday, and Wasco County is currently under a burn ban.
White Salmon Legion & Elks Taking Old Flags For Retirement
White Salmon American Legion Post 87 and Elks Lodge 1868 will hold an American flag retirement ceremony on Friday, which is Flag Day. The 30-minute event will be conducted at Rheingarten Part in White Salmon. The ceremony will properly retire old, worn U.S. Flags that have been submitted by Klickitat County citizens. In addition, Elks Lodge members will present a brief history of the American Flag, while displaying eight, full size historical American flags. Klickitat County residents are invited to dispose of unserviceable US flags of any size by depositing them in a box located at Hunsacker’s gas station in White Salmon. They will be collected and later ceremoniously retired, at this or a similar event.
Bridge Lifts Planned Week Of June 24
The Port of Hood River says there will be multiple daytime lifts of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge during the week of June 24. The lifts will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28. Bridge engineers and Port crews will be conducting extensive bi-annual inspections of the bridge lift’s mechanical and electrical systems. Motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes or more, depending on traffic volume during those hours. In addition, a full bridge closure is expected that week for at least one hour. Port officials said the exact date and time of the full bridge closure will be provided soon.
CGOA Sinfonietta Finishes Season With Weekend Performances
The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association’s Gorge Sinfonietta wraps up its season this weekend with a trio of concerts with the theme of “Our American Home.” Conductor Mark Steighner says the concert will feature music from the 1930’s and 1940’s. The concerts will include pianist Mitchell Jett Spencer performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue with the Sinfonietta. The concerts will be Friday evening at 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell, and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at The Dalles Civic Auditorium Ballroom. For ticket information, go to gorgeorchestra.org.
“Naloxbox” Installed At Hood River County Health Department
The Hood River County Health Department has installed a “Naloxbox,” or an opioid overdose rescue station, at its office at 1109 June Street. The health department’s Daron Ryan says this is part of a project they have been working on with the Hood River County Prevention Department to make Naloxone available throughout the community. She says the box is located between two doors on the north side of the Health Department building and will be available 24/7. Ryan says they hope to install more of the public “Naloxbox” locations at various community locations. She adds the County has trained over 600 people in how to use Naloxone and given out more than 1,000 kits that includes two doses of Naloxone and mental health resources that are available.
Lift Of Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Set For Early Friday
There will be a lift of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge lift span starting at 5:30 Friday morning. The lift is for maintenance. The Port of Hood River says motorists should expect a delay of up to 30 minutes, depending on traffic volume. For more information, please contact the Port of Hood River via email at info@portofhoodriver.com
TD Council Discusses Vision For Tourism
The Dalles City Council discussed their vision for tourism and its role in the community as they kicked off a review of the use of its Transient Room Tax during its meeting this week. The City currently collects an 8% Transient Room Tax on top of 1.5% state tax, and under state law 55% of that must be used for tourism advertising, promotion, and facilities. A quarter of the 8% local tax goes to the Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District. City Manager Matthew Klebes presented three broad examples for a vision for tourism, with Councilors leaning towards tourism in an important supportive role for local businesses and attractions. At a future Council meeting, a review and update of the ordinance levying and collecting TRT’s is planned.
Norris Presents “Missing Middle” Concept To Hood River URA Board
Hood River Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris presented a concept for incentivizing the construction of “missing middle” housing in the Westside Urban Renewal Area revolving around reimbursing development fees that exceed 7% of the building permit value for qualifying homes. Norris notes some permit fees are static regardless of how large the home is. He did emphasize this would be a “light touch” effort that while it would not likely bring prices down substantially, it could add to supply that can start to bend costs. URA board members gave staff the go-ahead to continue to flush out the concept and bring it back to them for more discussion.