The Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was safely moored at the Lower Mooring near Bonneville Dam and Lock after breaking free of its moorage at the Cascade Locks Marina in high winds Saturday morning. The vessel caused significant damage to a footbridge that spans the old lock channel and connects the Cascade Locks Marina parking lot to Thunder Island. The Port of Cascade Locks says it also destroyed one fishing platform owned by a local Native American fishing family. Port Executive Director Jeremiah Blue says they have been in contact with the family, and it is a high priority to replace the platform quickly. Blue added they are concerned about damage to the footbridge and will be working to assess the damage to the Sternwheeler as soon as possible.
Rasmussen Won’t Seek Re-election As Hood River DA; Ellis Files For Position
Hood River County District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen announced she is not going to seek re-election in the upcoming May election, and Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis has filed his candidacy for that position. In a statement announcing her decision not to run after one term in the office and 19 years working in the Hood River County D.A.’s office, Rasmussen said she was ready to explore new endeavors, adding she felt her team had transformed the office to become one that values mutual respect, professionalism, accountability, and fairness. In his own statement, Ellis said he was proud of the work he and his team has done in Wasco County, but the Mt. Hood resident wanted to seek the available position in the County he lives in. Rasmussen said she was giving Ellis her full support. Ellis is the only person to have filed to run for the Hood River County D.A. position. Current Wasco County Deputy District Attorney Kara Davis has filed to run for the D.A. position in that County.
Sternwheeler Moored Near Dam After Breaking Free Saturday Morning
The Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was safely moored at the Lower Mooring near Bonneville Dam and Lock after breaking free of its moorage at the Cascade Locks Marina in high winds Saturday morning. The vessel caused significant damage to a footbridge that spans the old lock channel and connects the Cascade Locks Marina parking lot to Thunder Island. The Port of Cascade Locks says it also destroyed one fishing platform owned by a local Native American fishing family. Port Executive Director Jeremiah Blue says they have been in contact with the family, and it is a high priority to replace the platform quickly. Blue added they are concerned about damage to the footbridge and will be working to assess the damage to the Sternwheeler as soon as possible.
Port of HR Approves Dropping Bridge Load Rating
The Port of Hood River Commission has approved a resolution to drop the load rating on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from 80,000 pounds to 64,000 pounds. The load limit had been raised back to 80,000 pounds last year after a two-year reduction, but during the fall’s 96-hour bridge closure welders found substantial need for deck welding, and Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says that is the driving factor in making the reduction. The weight limit change is to take effect by March 1.
TD Chamber To Attend Outdoor Shows To Promote Visitation
While frigid conditions are prevailing in the region right now, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the spring and summer tourism season. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says part of that is attending outdoor shows. She says they will have a booth at the Portland Sportsman’s Show in February. Farquharson adds they will also attend the Central Oregon Sportsman’s Show in Redmond in March. She also says there is a new bass fishing tournament series coming to The Dalles monthly from May through August.
January 11 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
North Marion 65, The Dalles 58
LaSalle 69, Hood River Valley 49
Ione-Arlington 58, Trout Lake 40
Girls Basketball
LaSalle 41, Hood River Valley 33: The Eagles hung with but could not overcome the eighth-ranked Falcons. Ava Bergeson led LaSalle with 13 points, while Marina Castaneda topped HRV with 14.
North Marion 44, The Dalles 38
Columbia 44, LaCenter 38
Trout Lake 48, Ione-Arlington 36
Wrestling
Columbia 60, Corbett 0: Seven Bruins won by first round falls.
Boys Swimming
Hood River Valley 105, Centennial 21
Girls Swimming
Hood River Valley 141, Centennial 20
January 10 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Stevenson 50, Columbia 43
Girls Basketball
Sherman 52, Bickleton 22
Boys Wrestling
Hood River Valley 59, Wilsonville 21: The Eagles won seven matches by fall on the way to the Northwest Oregon Conference dual win.
Girls Wrestling
Hood River Valley 48, Wilsonville 29: Abigail Carsley, Betzaida Rodriguez Nolasco, and Natalia Solorio Campos all won by fall for HRV.
Have Emergency Kits Ready
Emergency services officials are reminding people to make sure to have emergency kits both at home and in the car in case winter conditions leave you stranded or without power. Daron Ryan of the Hood River County Health Department says it’s important to be ready for any kind of unforeseen circumstance, whether it’s a highway closure or a power outage. Kits should include flashlights and batteries, food and water, a first aid kit, clothing & bedding, and wet wipes & hand sanitizer.
Waters Introduces Bill To Codify Rural Broadband Program
A bill from Washington 17th District State Rep. Kevin Waters that would further the effort to expand rural broadband in Washington received a hearing in the House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee. House Bill 1982 would codify the Community Economic Revitalization Board Rural Broadband program. Waters is a member of the CERB board. Since 2018, CERB has operated a Rural Broadband Program with funding from the capital budget, which provides grants and loans to local governments and federally recognized tribes. The program finances the cost to build infrastructure to provide high-speed, open-access broadband service to rural and underserved communities for the purposes of economic development or community development.
Northern Wasco PUD Starts Grant Program
Northern Wasco County PUD will be accepting applications for Economic Development grants until April 11. The Board of Directors allocated $50,000 this year to help fund local economic development projects, with a limit of $20,000 for any individual projects. Applications must include a brief history of the requesting organization and description of project, including how the project will economically benefit the community, what steps are being taken to bring the project to a successful completion, other community resources being utilized, and how the organization and project will contribute back to the community. Projects shall be for infrastructure or property with a life expectancy of at least five years and are located within the Northern Wasco County PUD service area. Applications may be obtained at the Northern Wasco County PUD Office located at 2345 River Road in The Dalles, online at nwascopud.org, or by calling 541-298-3302.