There will be a change in animal shelter operations in Wasco County. The Central Oregon Animal Friends Board that governs Home At Last Animal Shelter in The Dalles says it is tentatively planning to step away from shelter operations on March 10, turning it over to the Columbia Gorge Humane Society. A transition process is underway. The Columbia Gorge Humane Society is 90% funded by community donations, and plans to seek support from the community as they move forward with this changeover. The Humane Society is planning a stakeholder’s event in April and to announce plans for a community spay and neuter program. Those interested in volunteering, donating supplies, or making a donation, visit Columbiagorgehs.org.
Mosbrucker DV Supervision Bill Passes Senate
The Washington State Senate gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a bill by 14th District Rep. Gina Mosbrucker that would ensure the Department of Corrections supervises repeat domestic violence offenders and protects survivors from being stalked and abused. House Bill 2048 would close a loophole in state law that has allowed felony domestic violent repeat offenders upon release from prison to go after their victims because they have had no supervision. The bill would remove the words “pleaded and proven” as a requirement before the supervision of domestic violent offenders could be enacted. The measure would also require an audit of DOC supervisory obligations concerning specified domestic violence offenses. The audit and report would cover between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024, and identify the number of individuals under court-ordered supervision, the number of individuals for whom supervision was ordered but has not occurred, and the reason why DOC did not undertake supervision. A report would be due to the Legislature by Dec. 1. The bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. It now goes to the governor for his signature.
Tucker Road Gas Line Relocation To Run Through March 8
Work to relocate a NW Natural gas line at the intersection of Tucker Road and Orchard Road south of Hood River is now expected to continue through next Friday, March 8. NW Natural indicated the project schedule has been extended due to delays associated with inclement weather. Tucker Road through the construction area is closed during work hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, except for emergency vehicles, school buses, local residents and businesses. Traffic will detour at Barker Road for eastbound traffic on Tucker Road, and at Guignard Road for southbound traffic on Tucker Road. Other detour routes are available at Indian Creek Road for northbound Tucker Road and Brookside Drive for southbound Tucker Road traffic. NW Natural is relocating the gas line at Nobi’s Corner to accommodate an Oregon Department of Transportation project later this summer.
Waters Bill For Fish Barrier Sponsorship Headed To Govenor
The Washington State Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan bill from 17th District Rep. Kevin Waters on Wednesday that would give a boost to the state’s efforts to remove fish barriers in Washington. House Bill 2045 would facilitate the removal of fish barriers on lands owned by local governments by creating the “Adopt a Fish Barrier” program, through which local governments may receive private donations. The Stevenson Republican’s legislation would coordinate with current fish barrier programs to pair donations with grant applications already in progress. The Recreation and Conservation Office would keep a list of projects suited to receiving private donations so a person could choose to which project they donate. Donations of $10,000 or more would be recognized with a sign at the corrected barrier. Donations of $100,000 or more would also receive a plaque signed by the governor with their name, the location of the project, the amount and year of the donation, and the fish species benefitting from their donation. House Bill 2045 now heads to the governor’s desk to await his signature.
Madsen Talks Housing With HR City Council
Mid-Columbia Housing Authority and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Executive Director Joel Madsen gave a presentation on the agency’s efforts to Hood River City Councilors. Madsen says they are always looking to partner with local governments, and expand their relationship with the City of Hood River to reach both of their goals. He also noted there has never been as much attention to housing at all governmental levels as there is now, and that is a huge opportunity in many ways, so advocacy from local governments is important. Madsen noted the housing market is not working for many people at various economic levels.
City Of The Dalles Getting Ready For Budget Work
City of The Dalles officials are getting ready to embark on the budgeting process for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Earlier this month the City received good marks in its annual audit, and Mayor Rich Mays says the City is in good fiscal health, noting the general fund that pays for day-to-day operations is in good shape. Among the issues to be discussed during the municipal budget process: requests for funding from local non-profit organizations, and how the City should handle increased revenues from Google projects.
February 27 Prep Basketball Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Parkrose 75, Hood River Valley 41
Girls Basketball
Hood River Valley 59, Parkrose 36
Klickitat County Hires New Planning Director
Klickitat County has hired Scott Edelman to be its new planning director. Edelman had been with Jefferson County in Central Oregon as its Community Development Director, and before that was with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. Klickitat County Commissioner Lori Zoller says Edelman brings a wide skill set to the position. Edelman will start his job in Klickitat County in the early part of March. He’ll be dealing with helping the County with a number of plan revisions that have been facing the County in recent months.
Training Class On Caring For Home Orchard Trees Scheduled
Central Gorge Master Gardeners will be holding a training class on how to care for home orchard trees on March 6, and it will be open to the public. It will be taught by OSU Hood River and Wasco County Extension tree fruit horticulturist Ashley Thompson. Attendees will learn about establishing and caring for a home fruit tree orchard. The Master Gardeners’ Eric Bosler says since the Central Gorge is a major commercial tree fruit area, it is important that home orchards are properly cared for. This class is being offered free of charge to everyone as a service of OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardeners. No pre-registration is needed. It will be held at Hood River Valley Christian Church on the evening of March 6. Arrive by 5:50 p.m. as class begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Bridge Design & Construction Lead Selected
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority board of commissioners has selected Kiewit Infrastructure West to lead the design and construction of a new bridge. Kiewit scored the highest of the three firms that responded to the October request for proposals for a design-build firm. Contract negotiations are underway, and are expected to be finished in April. The Bridge Authority has approved a maximum price of $8 million for the first phase of the design portion of the project. After the contract is finalized, the company will start designing the bridge with input from the Bridge Aesthetics Committee, which will inform the bridge’s look and feel. Public input on aesthetics considerations at two open house events slated for April and July. Bridge construction is targeted to start in late 2025.