ODOT has announced I-84 eastbound from Troutdale has been reopened.
Port of HR Commission Gets Set For New Year
The Port of Hood River Commission has set as one of its tasks for the upcoming year to begin to plan how to replace tolling revenue from the bridge when a new one is in place under a separate governmental authority. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says they would be looking at replacing three million dollars annually in some way, whether it’s replacing revenue or reducing what it does. Greenwood says they believe the Port remains an important part of Hood River, and there are plenty of areas for the Port to work on next year and in future years. Among the tasks for this coming year, working on getting infrastructure to Anchor Way and First Street in so development of Lot 1 can move forward.
Holiday Shopping Season Brings Mixed Results
The holiday shopping season is proving to be a mixed bag. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says it has been good for some and slow for others. She says most retailers are down compared to last year, as inflation and other economic factors play a role. Farquharson continues to urge local residents to shop locally, noting that money spent in the region stays in the community.
HR Law Enforcement Makes Fentanyl & Cocaine Seizure
Hood River law enforcement report they seized large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine during a traffic stop earlier in the month. According to a statement from the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, a sheriff’s officer with assistance from a Hood River Police officer found the narcotics in the vehicle along with two concealed firearms, one of which was stolen and within reach of the driver, who was a convicted felon. The driver was taken into custody on a statewide warrant, and a passenger was also lodged at NORCOR. Both were facing multiple charges. About 2,200 fentanyl pills and over 81 grams of cocaine were seized. They had an estimated street value of approximately $30,000.
Sherman County Looks For Help In Wrong Way Driving Investigation
Sherman County Sheriff’s Officers are investigating a wrong-way driving incident on Interstate 84 last Saturday evening. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies tried to stop a white, early 2000’s 2-door Honda Civic at 9:12 Saturday night. The vehicle began driving the wrong direction on I-84, first from about mile post 104 to 107 it was eastbound in the westbound lane, then from about mile post 104 to 102 it was westbound in the eastbound lane. The car then crossed the Biggs Bridge into Washington and disappeared. If you witnessed the incident or have information about it, please contact the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.
Mosbrucker Retains Public Safety Panel Seat
Washington 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker has been reappointed ranking Republican on the House Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee, formerly the House Public Safety Committee. Mosbrucker has also been reappointed to the House Capital Budget Committee. The committee considers the state capital budget, which approves money for the construction and repair of public buildings and for other long-term investments, such as land acquisitions and transfers. The 14th District lawmaker has also been chosen to serve on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. That panel considers a broad range of issues relating to physical and behavioral health care services, long-term care, licensing of health care facilities, credentialing of health care providers, regulations of pharmaceuticals, and affordability and access to health insurance. Mosbrucker will begin her fifth term in office serving the 14th Legislative District when the 2023 Legislature convenes in Olympia on January 9.
More Than 140,000 Pikeminnow Caught This Season
The Bonneville Power Administration says in 2022, anglers caught and removed more than 140,000 northern pikeminnow from the Columbia and Snake rivers, helping protect hundreds of thousands of young salmon and steelhead from predation. Nearly 1,200 people registered to be part of the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program that ran from May 1 through Sept. 30. In total, anglers removed 140,121 of the salmon-eating predators from the two rivers, earning over $1.36 million for their efforts. The program, funded by the BPA, pays registered anglers $6 to $10 per fish, nine inches or longer. This year, the top angler registered with the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program earned $69,230, catching almost 7,000 fish in just five months. Northern pikeminnow are significant predators, consuming millions of young salmon and steelhead every year. Since 1991, anglers paid through the program have removed approximately 5.4 million pikeminnow from the Columbia and Snake rivers, reducing predation on young salmon and steelhead by up to 40 percent. The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife collaboratively manage the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program.
TD Public Works Issues Pipes Reminder With Cold Coming
Very cold temperatures are forecast later this week, and The Dalles Public Works Department is asking people to take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes before freezing weather sets in. Check that your water meter is insulated by lifting the small metal door on your water meter, and if the thermal blanket is missing, call the Public Works Department. Drain or blow out all irrigation systems, remove hoses from outside faucets and install an insulated cover on faucets, and insulate or install heat tape on water pipes exposed to the cold. If you have installed heat tapes, check to be sure they are working. Make sure all foundation vents are closed or plugged, secure basements against the cold, and look for your main shut-off valve, usually located where the water pipe enters your house. If you do not have a main shut-off valve, install one in case of emergency. For more information go to thedalles.org/waterdistribution.
December 16-17 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
South Eugene 95, The Dalles 56
Columbia 54, Hudson’s Bay 45
Stevenson 52, Hudson’s Bay 48
Stevenson 61, Lyle-Wishram 26
Weston-McEwen 79, South Wasco 73 (OT)
South Wasco 61, Heppner 47
Dufur 66, Trout Lake 48
Horizon Christian 52, Dufur 40
Trout Lake 69, Lyle-Wishram 43
Ione-Arlington 62, Sherman 53
Klickitat-Glenwood 43, Griswold 40
Goldendale 60, Granger 54
Goldendale 55, Highland 23
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 56, Columbia 41
Stevenson 45, Lyle-Wishram 6
Hudson’s Bay 65, Stevenson 16
Trout Lake 55, Dufur 23
Trout Lake 75, Lyle-Wishram 8
Horizon Christian 51, Dufur 34
South Wasco 54, Weston-McEwen 46
South Wasco 48, Heppner 33
Ione-Arlington 32, Sherman 30
Klickitat-Glenwood 42, Griswold 37
Goldendale 50, Granger 38
Goldendale 59, Highland 9
Wrestling
Hood River Valley’s Connor Farlow finished second at 113 pounds at a tournament at Liberty High School, as HRV finished 14th in the team standings. In the girls’ portion of the event, the Eagles’ Lauraine Smith was second at 155 pounds, with HRV finishing 17th as a team.
Columbia won one out of four matches in the Bruin Invitational team duals in hosted.
Matthew Gray finished second in the 145 pound division for Goldendale at the Cadet Classic at Eisenhower, with the Timberwolves 15th in the team standings.
City Of Hood River Developing 2023 Work Plan
The Hood River City Council and municipal staff recently began to develop a work plan for the upcoming year. Some of the priority issues like housing and homelessness, and development of the Heights and Westside urban renewal districts, will be on the list. But there are other issues that could be on the list, and City Manager Abigail Elder notes one is a return to considering a new police station, something that has been discussed in recent years. Elder says the Council will probably formalize the work plan sometime in January. Three new members will be coming on board at the start of the year. They participated in the work plan session.