Authorities in Wasco County have confirmed the death of a woman termed “suspicious” was a homicide. In a statement Monday, the Wasco County District Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identity of the woman as Amanda Harman, and autopsy results confirmed her death was a homicide. The statement says Harman was killed late Friday near Cherry Heights outside The Dalles, but authorities have offered no other details at this time. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with a camera on Cherry Heights near Ayres Drive or with any possible information to contact law enforcement. A tip can be submitted online through The Dalles City Police website tip form at thedalles.org, by phone to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580, or texted to TIP 411. The investigation is on-going.
Port of Hood River Director In D.C.
Port of Hood River Executive Director Kevin Greenwood is in Washington, D.C. with the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association advocating for infrastructure funding and streamlining permitting processes, which includes the proposed new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge. Greenwood says he’s also pushing for NOAA Fisheries to help them finish the environmental impact study for the bridge. Greenwood adds its completion is a necessary step for the bridge project to be able to compete for federal dollars. He says the delegation will meet with the agency later this week.
The Dalles Public Works Begins Work At East 4th & Union
The Dalles Public Works on Monday began the first phase of a storm water catch basin project on East 4th Street and Union Street. The first project area is on East 4th between Union and Court Streets. Work on the first phase is expected to be done on Wednesday. Until then, no through traffic in either direction on East 4th will be allowed between Union and Court Streets during work hours, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Through traffic will detour to East 3rd Street or East 5th. On Wednesday, The Dalles Public Works will move the project area to Union Street between 4th and 5th Streets, with work to be finished on Friday. From Wednesday to Friday, no through traffic in either direction on Union Street will be allowed between 4th and 5th Streets during work hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Through traffic will detour to Court Street.
The Dalles Chamber Dissolving Gift Card Program
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has decided to dissolve the Explore The Dalles Gift Card program. The Chamber is advising people that if you have gift cards to use them by March 31st at participating businesses, and if you still have funds on the cards after that you can come to The Chamber office at 404 West 2nd Street in The Dalles to receive a refund. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they had issues with the company that was doing the card program that made it difficult to operate. Farquharson said they are looking at other options to promote local businesses. Those with questions can contact The Dalles Chamber at 541-296-2231 or email accounting@thedalleschamber.com.
March 17-18 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 5, St. Helens 1
The Dalles sweeps Baker 12-2 and 18-5
Stevenson 7, Lyle-Wishram 0
Weston-McEwen sweeps Dufur 19-4 and 24-3
Zillah 5, Goldendale 1
Goldendale 6, Warden 4
Montesano 11, Columbia 1
Sherman splits with Country Christian, losing game one 11-1 and winning game two 4-0.
Softball
St. Helens 14, Hood River Valley 2
Pendleton 5, The Dalles 4
Track and Field
Zoe Dunn of The Dalles and Raymond Holycross of Goldendale won three events apiece at the season opening Mullen-Leavitt Invitational in The Dalles.
Columbia won the girls’ team title at the Wildcat Relays in LaCenter. The Bruins’ Jessica Polkinghorn swept all three throwing events.
Boys Soccer
Royal 2, Columbia 1
TD Art Center Reports Donation Levels
The Dalles Art Center board says they have received over $10,500 in one-time donations and $1,640 in monthly recurring donations since announcing earlier in the week they needed a minimum of $3,500 in committed funding a month to avoid closing by mid-April. A statement from the Center today also said they had several other large donations pledged but have not come in yet. Center board member Philip Mascher says the current trend is positive. The Dalles Athletic Club is also making a $2,000 matching donation. To contribute to the Art Center, go to thedallesartcenter.org.
NCPHD Reports Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak In The Dalles
The North Central Public Health District says a gastrointestinal illness outbreak in The Dalles that causes vomiting and diarrhea has led to 100 absences at several local elementary schools, and 22 cases at a local long term care facility. The district says cases started slowing down by mid-week. The Centers for Disease Control says it is the height of norovirus season, and cases nationally are at a 12-month high. North Central Public Health District communicable disease investigator Sirisha Botta says while these are suspected cases of norovirus, only three are confirmed locally. It takes a laboratory sample to confirm norovirus, and that is not often done. Norovirus symptoms usually resolve in three days, but you are contagious for several days after you recover. She adds the best protection against the highly contagious illness, suspected to be norovirus is careful hand washing. Those who do come down with a gastrointestinal illness should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid loss.
March 16 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Stevenson 11, Lyle-Wishram 1
Softball
Corbett 13, Stevenson 2
Track and Field
Shaw Burns won three events and Elliot Hawley two as Hood River Valley won the boys’ half of an eight-school meet at Valley Catholic. Jackson Bullock and Robert Wood also had first place finishes for the Eagles. The HRV girls finished second to the host Valiants. The Eagles received first place efforts from Ximena Santillan, Asal Akhmedova, and Sylvaine Farr.
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 8, Gresham 0
Boys Lacrosse
Oregon City 21, Hood Rier Valley 11
The Dalles Art Center Gets Closer To Goal
A member of The Dalles Art Center board says they have seen an outpouring of community support since announcing earlier in the week they need a minimum of $3,500 in committed funding a month to avoid closing by mid-April. Philip Mascher says they have received donations to move them about halfway toward their goal. In addition, Mascher said The Dalles Athletic Club is making a $2,000 matching donation. To contribute to the Art Center, go to thedallesartcenter.org. Mascher said they need a consistent $3,500 a month in funding to allow the Center to keep the doors open, and then they can begin to move toward increasing that to allow more sustainable operations.
Homelessness Town Hall Hits Capacity, To Be Livestreamed
A town hall on homelessness planned for The Dalles on April 3 is already full up. Wasco County officials says seating at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center for the event being put on by the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council is at capacity. However, the town hall will be livestreamed via Zoom. The zoom link is available at the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page. The town hall be on Monday, April 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Questions can be submitted in advance at town.hall@co.wasco.or.us.