A bill authored by Goldendale Representative Gina Mosbrucker that would authorize public utility districts, including Klickitat County PUD, to sell biogenic carbon dioxide and other bio-gas products passed the Washington state House of Representatives 97-0. House Bill 2069 would allow the Republic Landfill in Klickitat County to capture carbon dioxide currently released into the air. The landfill already captures methane gas. About 58% of the gas is methane, which produces renewable natural gas. The other 32% is carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and its derivatives, such as carbon monoxide (CO), can be used in manufacturing processes for food processing, sustainable fuel production, and feedstocks. Mosbrucker says Klickitat County PUD was approached by parties that want to purchase the biogenic CO2, but millions of dollars will need to be invested in equipment that can clean the gas to food-grade safety. Before making those investments, Mosbrucker says the PUD wants to have the clear authority to sell it. The bill would provide that authority. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Pacific Power To Provide Funds For EV Ports At HRV Adult Center
Pacific Power has awarded more than $2 million to 22 organizations in Oregon for projects that will expand electric mobility and connect people across the state to the cost-saving, clean-air benefits of electric vehicles, with one of the projects targeted for Hood River. Funds will be used to install four publicly accessible EV charging ports at the Hood River Valley Adult Center. The center runs a volunteer Circles of Care program that provides free rides to medical appointments, and being able to charge EVs quickly is important. Other groups that will benefit from additional charging capacity include 30 EV drivers associated with the center and residents of a nearby senior-living facility.
Hood River Library Bookmobile Expands Services
The Hood River County Library District has expanded its bookmobile services. The bookmobile will be out the first Thursday of every month at 11:30 at Pine Grove Early Intervention on 2405 Eastside Road, then on the second Thursday of the month in will be on Pacific Avenue at 2:30, Sieverkropp Drive at 3:30, and at Wy’east Vista Apartments at 5 p.m. The third Thursday sees the bookmobile at Hood River Mobile Manor at 2:30, Hood River Crossings Apartments at 3:30, and Columbia View Apartments at 5, with a stop at the Rockford Grange on the fourth Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, the bookmobile tours Odell, going to the mobile home park and AGA Road for residents only at 10:30, at Community Park on Tamarack Road at 12:30, and Wy’east Middle School at 2:30.
February 13 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Madras 62, The Dalles 55: The Riverhawks fall to third in the Tri-Valley Conference with the loss.
Big Sky Boys Basketball Tournament
First Round
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 59, Horizon Christian 45
Condon 64, Lyle-Wishram 43
Girls Basketball
Madras 48, The Dalles 36
Wasco County Joins ODOT Radio System
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office will be joining the Oregon Department of Transportation’s radio system as it moves from analog to digital communications. By joining with ODOT the cost to upgrade will be just over $404,000 with an annual $33,000 payment to ODOT for operation and maintenance, compared with the County spending over $1.2 million to build out its own system. Commissioner Scott Hege says the upgrade will have many benefits. The current analog system will remain in use as a backup and for use by smaller agencies.
ODOT Issues Winter Travel Warning
Wind and snow may cause hazardous travel conditions in the Columbia River Gorge and mountain passes this week. The Oregon Department of Transportation says its maintenance crews will be ready with winter tools including plows, salt, de-icer and sand. With various types of winter weather threats possible in Oregon, travelers need to be extra cautious on the roads in the days ahead. Travelers should consult Tripcheck.com and check weather forecasts on their planned routes. If you must travel in winter weather, be prepared. Pack your vehicle with the essentials: tire chains, snacks, water, medications and warm clothing. Fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank and fully charge its battery. Plan your route ahead, and if you’re following GPS navigation, make sure it sticks to main roads because many rural roads are not maintained in severe weather and can be very treacherous.
Man Arrested In Laundromat Theft
A man was arrested on charges connected to the theft of a large amount of quarters from a laundromat in Cascade Square in The Dalles. According to The Dalles Police Department reports, 37-year-old Michael Andrew Barresse was arrested by Hood River police and lodged at NORCOR on charges including theft, burglary, and criminal mischief. The police reports indicate someone broke into the Wash ‘n Shop on Monday and stole tools and a large amount of coins, primarily quarters. The report also says Hood River police were alerted to subjects cashing $500 worth of coins, leading to the arrest. The Dalles Police also are investigating a break-in at the Columbia River Hotel on Bret Clodfelter Way early Monday morning. Police reports say someone broke a window on the side of the building, destroyed lottery equipment and flooring, and managed to steal an ATM machine.
Hood River Urban Renewal Looking At Extension Of Waterfront District
The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency Board has decided to have staff move forward with increasing the maximum indebtedness for the Waterfront Urban Renewal District to act as insurance should costs to complete stormwater line replacement go above estimates. Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris told the board that if current estimates hold up, funds the district has on hand would cover the rest of the project, but if there is any significant jump, without the indebtedness the City’s stormwater utility fund would have to cover the remaining cost. The proposed increase in indebtedness is for $2.15 million and add two years to the life of the district that is currently set to expire next year. A resolution will be developed for the board to approve, and then notice would be given to impacted taxing districts and the public for a 45-day comment period.
The Dalles Receives Good Audit Report
The City of The Dalles received its audit report for fiscal year 2022-23, and it found no significant issues with the municipal financial picture. Andrew Sherwood of KDP Certified Public Accountants told the City Council the overall audit went smoothly with clean, unmodified opinions. The City once again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association.
Signal Light Installation In Downtown Hood River Underway
Installation of a traffic light at 2nd and Oak streets in downtown Hood River is now underway. The entire intersection will be closed to vehicle traffic, with detours rerouting vehicles to nearby Cascade, State, 1st, and 3rd Streets. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to continue to travel through the intersection and access businesses despite sidewalk closures – crossing through the middle of the intersection instead. Businesses will remain open and accessible during construction. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day.