The City of Hood River is reminding residents to keep their leaves out of the streets. City Manager Abigail Elder notes it’s important to get your leaves taken care of for a couple of different reasons. One is to keep sidewalks clean and safely passible, and the other is to avoid catch basins becoming clogged. If there are catch basins near your property, please help keep them clear of leaves and debris to keep water draining and streets from flooding. Hood River residents may utilize their yard waste and compost roll-bin provided by Hood River Garbage for weekly pick up. Hood River Garbage also offers a yard waste drop-off at a discounted rate on Wednesdays, where residents may drop off leaves for $5 a load. Make sure all garbage cans are placed in a safe place off the street to allow access for street sweepers.
HRPD Traffic Stop Discovers 1/2 Pound Of Meth; Two Arrested
The Hood River Police Department arrested two people last week following a traffic stop, seizing over a half-pound of methamphetamine. According to the department, during the traffic stop an officer observed several signs of impairment being exhibited by the vehicle’s driver, Kevin James Hill, who was out on Parole from Clackamas County. He was taken into custody on suspicion of DUll-Controlled Substance, and the officer later discovered a confirmed stolen firearm out of Jackson County from June of 2023 concealed on him. The passenger, Cassandra Leeann Hill, was also taken into custody for concealing over a half pound of methamphetamine on her person. The pair, both from Baker City, were booked and lodged at NORCOR on several charges.
TDPD Completes Transition To New Sidearm
The Dalles Police Department says it has completed the transition to a new duty sidearm. In a social media statement, TDPD says it recently completed the transition to the Glock 47, chambered in 9mm. The department’s former service handgun was chambered in .40 caliber and those sidearms had been in service for 12 years. The 9mm round offers similar performance to the .40 caliber and costs substantially less at about 31 cents per round while the .40 caliber costs around 48 cents per round. The price differential saves about $150 per case of ammunition. The new sighting system, known as a red dot system, offers greater accuracy than open sights, promotes faster learning and are meant to be shot with both eyes open, giving better situational awareness to officers during encounters. The department adds the new sidearms are carried in a modern, high security holster to ensure maximum retention during non-lethal force encounters. Tactical pistol mounted lights continue to be used with the new sidearms to aid officers in low light encounters.
Second Man Charged In Klickitat County Double Murder
The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office says a second man has been arrested in the March double murder of a pair from the Yakima area. The Sheriff’s Office says 58-year-old Larry Duane Kleven was arrested over the weekend and charged with three counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Jeremy Wyatt and Elisha King, along with other various charges. Kleven had initially been booked in the Klickitat County Jail shortly after discovery of the homicide at the end of Box Canyon Road on rendering criminal assistance and evidence tampering charges, and was released after posting bail. But the Sheriff’s Office says further investigation led to the new charges being filed and Kleven being booked into the County Jail. He made his first appearance in Klickitat County Superior Court on Monday, and bail was set at $1 million. A second suspect, 31-year-old John Scott Raczykowski of Rufus, is currently in the Klickitat County Jail on two counts of first degree murder.
West Mayer State Park To Be Closed For Construction
West Mayer State Park will be closed starting Monday until mid-April to allow for a construction project that will replace the boat ramp, expand and improve vehicle parking, and replace the vault restroom. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Marine Board are partnering in the effort. Park Manager David Spangler says the improved boat ramp will provide anglers and others better facilities to launch into the Columbia River. The Parks and Rec Department is contributing $858,000 through its Facility Investment Program, a Fish and Wildlife Department grant of $800,000, and a Marine Board grant of $342,000 will cover the over $1.14 million project cost. Boat anglers can alternatively access the Columbia River at the Port of The Dalles or Hood River during the construction period this winter. Tapani Construction of Battle Ground has been awarded the project.
HR Schools Add One-Hour Delay Option
The Hood River County School District is going to add a third option for school closures and delays this winter. Along with the full closure and two-hour options the district already uses, Interim Superintendent Bill Newton says they will have a one-hour option available, geared toward mornings when it appears ice will thaw quickly. Newton adds the one-hour delay is designed for spring with late morning frost and black ice that goes away quickly once the sun comes out.
City Of White Salmon Looking For Youth Center Home
The City of White Salmon has been looking for a new home for the community’s youth center. Mayor Marla Keethler says that’s been a goal of the City Council for some time. Keethler says they’ve explored numerous options from building new to finding an existing space. She notes the City recently made a presentation to the White Salmon Valle School District board about a potential partnership to use the Park Building for a youth center. It also could house day care. A youth center is currently located in a City building.
Port of HR To Consider Rolling Back Bridge Weight Limit
The Port of Hood River is looking at rolling back the weight limit on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge after welding work done during the recent four-day closure of the bridge. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says they are finding that since raising the load limit back up after a two-year reduction, the need for repairs to the metal bridge deck has gone up. Greenwood says since they lowered the posted speed limit to 15 miles per hour, they have observed a reduction in average speeds ten miles per hour less than when the posted limit was 25. Greenwood expects the Port Commission to take up the issue in the next month.
The Dalles Chamber Encourages “Shop Local Season”
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is pushing Shop Local Season during the holidays. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they started efforts the first of November to keep money in the community, asking residents to shop at all local businesses rather than buying online. Farquharson notes some of the smaller businesses in The Dalles will be celebrating Small Business Saturday this weekend. She says for every dollar spent with local businesses, 68 cents stays in the community.
Hood River Shelter Opens For Winter
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is opening the 24-bed, non-congregate shelter at 1733 Oak St. in Hood River beginning today. It will be open until March, and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Community Action’s non-congregate shelter site in The Dalles is open year-round and is now located at The Annex at 200 W. 2nd Street. Shelter guest intakes at both locations will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. Community Action also has street outreach supplies to ensure unsheltered community members can stay warm through the winter, and they are available at their offices at 31 East 4th in The Dalles and 606 State Street in Hood River during business hours.