The Dalles City Council and Planning Commission received an overview of a proposed Economic Opportunities Analysis and Buildable Lands Inventory during a joint meeting. The inventory done by the consulting firm Moore Iacofaro Goltsman estimated 204 acres of buildable land for employment available in The Dalles, but there was a large deficit of sites of 20 acres or more, and none in the 60 to 100 acre range. MIG’s Matt Hastie said that’s a concern for economic development, as most business attraction efforts involve those sizes of properties. Members of the two panels will give feedback over the next two weeks, and will receive a revised document after that. The earliest the adoption process would begin is in October.
D21 To Expand Pilot Program For Student Cell Phones
The North Wasco County School District 21 Board reached a consensus to expand a pilot program to prevent students having cell phones in class at The Dalles Middle School to the other schools in the district until it fully develops its own policy as mandated by an executive order from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Board members felt a sample policy developed by the Oregon School Boards Association was too lenient compared to the pilot at the middle school, which centered on separating phones and other smart devices from students, and consequences for violating the rule. Superintendent Cheryl Bernal said it would help school administrators to have a consistent policy from the start of the school year. Under the executive order, the district needs to adopt a policy by October 31 and implement it by December 31. Bernal noted teaching staff does not report to work until next week, and she would like to get their feedback before the board moves forward with adopting a formal policy.
Teenager Dies In Fall At Cape Horn
A 17-year-old died Wednesday in a fall over the embankment at the Cape Horn Lookout on Highway 14. Skamania County first responders were contacted by the teen’s brother, who said he had attempted to make verbal contact with the fall victim without success. Southwest Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Silver Star Search and Rescue teams responded to the location. The 17-year-old was located, deceased, and extricated from the steep cliffside. The manner of death was determined as accidental.
Recovery Cost Estimate Lowered; But How To Get Funds Still A Question
The estimate for Phase 2 of cleanup of the Rowena Fire has dropped slightly after a Monday meeting of County and state officials, but there are no answers yet on where to get the money to do it. Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege says after the meeting with representatives of the Governor’s office, Department of Enviromental Quality, and Oregon Emergency Management, the estimate was whittled down to $5 million. But he adds the path to getting those funds remains cloudy, noting the Legislative Emergency Board will not be meeting until late September. Hege says the group discussed other potential sources for the cleanup funding.
Emergency Temporary Housing Plan Proposed
Wasco County Commissioners heard about a potential Emergency Temporary Housing Community for those displaced by the Rowena Fire, but there would be numerous hurdles to make it happen. County Planning Director and Long-Term Recovery Group member Daniel Dougherty told the Commission the location to host upward of 49 825 square foot sites for temporary shelter that would be located on property on Highway 30 that has been considered for an RV Park. The County itself is applying for the permit from its Community Development Department, and also would have to go through National Scenic Area reviews. Commissioner Scott Hege questioned whether this is a realistic solution for those who have been displaced who are looking for answers now, rather than six months down the road. Commissioner Jeff Justesen expressed there needs to be a backup plan, and Dougherty says the Recovery Group is working on all options. Friends of the Columbia Gorge has already submitted comments noting regulations that would prohibit the facility at that location.
HR County Approves Bridges Plan
The Hood River County Commission approved a County Bridges Capital Improvement Plan and detour options. County Public Works Director Cori Wiessner told Commissioners the plan was put together after bringing in an outside consultant to inspect the 26 bridges in the County road system. She says there are four bridges, three of which are east of Highway 35, for which repairs won’t extend their lifespan, and should be targeted for replacement rather than maintenance. Wiessner noted one of those bridges, on Fir Mountain Road at the East Fork Irrigation ditch, is being replaced in an East Fork Irrigation District project, and another on Fir Mountain over Neal Creek near Highway 35 will be the focus of a an application for a Rural and Tribal Assistance grant. The other two bridges are on Thomsen Road at Neal Creek and Wy’eth Road at Gorton Creek.
Klickitat County Receives Grant For Five Safety Projects
Klickitat County has received a $2.6 million grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to do five public safety projects. County Engineer Seth Scarola outlined for the County Commission the work that the money will pay for, including a Pine Creek Bridge guardrail retrofit, and white plastic edge lines on portions of Bickleton and Centerville highways. There will also be in-laid plastic pavement markings installed on Roosevelt Grade Road, guardrail upgrades on Alderdale and Trout Lake Highway, and curve warning signs on Bickleton Highway in the Rock Creek grade area. In other business, County Commissioners approved an annexation of properties into the Rural 7 Fire District.
Partners Campaign To Get White Salmon Drivers To Slow Down
The White Salmon Valley School District, Skyline Hospital, City of White Salmon, and other community partners are starting a campaign asking motorists to slow down on neighborhood streets as students return to school next week. They are distributing free signs for the 20 is Plenty campaign. School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says the signs are simply a reminder to the community to slow down for pedestrians and bicyclists. The 20 is Plenty signs are available at White Salmon City Hall, Bingen City Hall, and at local back-to-school events.
Rowena Fire Disaster Loan Deadline Is September 15
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible businesses, private nonprofits, and residents in Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, and Klickitat counties of the September 15 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the Rowena Fire. Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence. Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
CGCC Introduces Two New Transfer Pathways
Columbia Gorge Community College says it has two new enhanced opportunities for students seeking career advancement and transfer pathways. One works towards a paramedic license. Students complete their first year of coursework locally at CGCC then transition into Chemeketa Community College’s paramedic program, which would be delivered on-site at CGCC. The second is an updated agreement with Pacific Northwest College of Art to create a clear transfer pathway for students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Eligible students can receive a $5,000 transfer partner scholarship, which is stackable with other scholarships and external aid. The agreement provides meaningful credit for previous coursework and removes common transfer barriers. Information on both programs is available at cgcc.edu.