The Columbia Gorge Food Bank will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday for its new facility on Crates Way in The Dalles. Food Bank Manager Sharon Thornberry says they have been in the new location since the start of the year, adding the 11,000 square foot building is state-of-the-art with ample facilities to store fresh and frozen foods. The building also has a community flex space along with a learning kitchen. Local artists have contributed to the site, and exterior murals will be installed. Thursday’s ribbon cutting is at 5 p.m.
Wasco County Hopeful State Homeless Money Coming
Wasco County wasn’t included in the first round of funding for housing assistance recently approved in the Oregon Legislature, but may be in line to receive monies in an upcoming bill. County Commissioner Steve Kramer says Governor Tina Kotek’s staff says the County is in line to get a piece of a $27 million pool for the 26 counties that were not addressed in the first bill. Kramer said he’s working with Mid-Columbia Community Action Executive Director Kenny LaPoint to put together what is needed for the state to award the funds. Kramer did say the Mid-Columbia is fortunate because Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties work together well on a regional basis to receive state funds.
April 10 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Madras 7, The Dalles 1: The Riverhawks could never get much offense going against Madras right-hander Ayden Holcomb, who gave up only two hits in the complete game win.
Softball
The Dalles 17, Madras 1: The Riverhawks scored ten third inning runs in winning their Tri-Valley Conference opener. Despina Seufalemua had two doubles and drove in five runs, while Jeilane Stewart homered and tripled.
Girls Lacrosse
Oregon Episcopal 13, Hood River Valley 3
Klickitat County Murder Suspect Arrested In Jefferson County
A Rufus man wanted in connection with the murder of two people in mid-March north of Goldendale has been arrested in Jefferson County, Oregon. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old John Scott Raczykowski was taken into custody and lodged in the Jefferson County Jail in Madras on Sunday on a Klickitat County warrant charging him with two counts of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of 35-year-old Jeremy Allen Wyatt and 34-year-old Elisha Ann King of Yakima. There were no details released on the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer says Raczykowski will face extradition hearings, and other legal proceedings, prior to being transported to Klickitat County. Once Raczykowski arrives at the Klickitat County Jail, he will face various charges as a result of the murder investigation. Klickitat County investigators determined Wyatt and King were killed at a location on Box Canyon Road north of Goldendale on March 16, and their bodies burned near Toppenish on Yakama Tribal land. Authorities arrested another man in connection with the case early the next day for rendering criminal assistance and tampering with physical evidence.
Hood River Police Make Narcotic Seizure After Traffic Stop
Hood River Police seized a substantial quantity of narcotics after a traffic stop over the weekend. According to a statement from the Hood River Police Department, an officer stopped a vehicle for expired registration tags and observed numerous signs of impairment in the driver. The department says 108 grams of suspected Fentanyl in pills and uncut form, 95 grams of methamphetamine, and ten grams of heroin was seized from the vehicle along with a large amount of cash. The HRPD noted the term “suspected” fentanyl was used because there is no easy or safe way to test for fentanyl in the field, as opposed to meth and heroin test kits that are readily available to officers.
Lewis Consulting With ESD On White Salmon Schools Budget Issue
Acting White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Jerry Lewis says he has meetings scheduled with Educational Service District 112 to develop budget projections as he tries to help White Salmon Schools navigate a projected $3.5 million budget shortfall for the 2023-24 school year. Lewis said in a letter to the community released Monday morning that the school district needs to know exactly what they have to work with, and then the board, administrative team, and unions can develop a plan as quickly as possible. He adds in the letter that the goal is to save as many jobs as possible in order to maintain a high quality of education for students. Lewis also says he wants the process and plan to be transparent and handled with sensitivity and compassion. Lewis volunteered last week to return to the post he retired from two years ago after Sean McGeeney resigned. The district had a reserve of about $2.5 million two years ago, but McGeeney had reported that was down to $90,000.
HR County Issuing Orchard Pest Control Reminder
Hood River County is reminding property owners of their responsibility to help control orchard pests. Both the County and the state have ordinances and regulations in place, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, and the County are working together to develop a plan to help with pest management. County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer says unmanaged or abandoned orchards can lead to insect problems for the commercial orchard industry. Euwer noted educating County residents about the problems pests can cause the orchard industry will be a large part of the effort.
Port of TD Seeks Funds For Property Acquisition
During the recent visit of The Dalles Community Outreach Team to Washington, D.C., one of the projects the group pitched was for funding to help the Port of The Dalles acquire more industrial land. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says her agency has put in a request for federal funding to buy and then develop property. Klaas noted the Port is exploring an opportunity to buy about 45 acres of land for around $4 million, with substantial development costs expected. Klaas says the Port currently holds 25 acres of buildable lands.
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Closure Pushed Back
The planned 4-day closure of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate bridge in mid-May has been cancelled due to fabrication delays for the new wire ropes that were to be installed on the bridge’s lift span. Port of Hood River officials had planned for the closure to take place on May 19 to 22. The project is postponed to later in the year, likely in October after the conclusion of the fruit harvest.
Harris Medical Procedure Access Bill Approved By Senate
A bipartisan bill that would help increase access to certain medical care and procedures is headed to the governor’s desk, after passing the Washington state Senate on Thursday. House Bill 1073, sponsored by 17th District Rep. Paul Harris, would extend the expiration of a certified medical assistant interim permit to the issuance of a certification. The bill would also allow an individual who has applied for a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential, and has completed the training program, to work under the level of supervision required for the training program, up to 180 days after filing their application. HB 1073 would also allow a certified medical assistant to establish intravenous lines under the supervision of a health care practitioner if certain minimum standards are met. Furthermore, it would authorize a registered medical assistant to prepare patients for, and assist with, examinations, procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries that use minimal sedation. The bill contains an emergency clause, which means it would take effect immediately after the governor signs it.