A bill authored by Washington 17th District State Rep. Paul Harris designed to hold negligent drivers to greater accountability was unanimously passed by the Senate. House Bill 1112 would allow judges, at their discretion, to impose criminal penalties for negligent driving involving the death of a vulnerable victim. It would also create a gross misdemeanor offense of negligent driving with a vulnerable victim in the first degree. HB 1112 would allow for a person to be found guilty of an offense when he or she operates a vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers, or is likely to endanger, any person or property and causes the death of someone using a public way. The offense would be punishable by up to 364 days of imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, which may not be reduced below $1,000, and suspension of driving privileges for 90 days. Because the Senate amended HB 1112, the House must approve the changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.
Waters Bill To Prohibit Alcohol/THC Combination
A bill from Washington 17th District State Rep. Kevin Waters that would prohibit the sale of products combining alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol is headed to the governor’s desk. House Bill 1772, which the Senate unanimously passed on Wednesday, would make it illegal to manufacture, import, offer, or sell in Washington a consumable product that contains cannabis or any form of THC in combination with beer, wine, spirits, or any other type of liquor in the same product. Waters, a Republican from Stevenson said mixing the two substances is very dangerous, calling them “a blackout in a bottle.” He added these types of products could become more prevalent and difficult to stop in the next few years, especially if federal regulations change, and this law would help Washington get ahead of that. The bill now waits for the governor’s signature to become law. The 105-day 2023 legislative session is scheduled to end on April 23.
April 11 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 13, Centennial 1
Dufur 9, Stanfield-Echo 7
Irrigon at Sherman, ppd. to Wednesday
Heppner at Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram, 4 p.m.
Softball
Hood River Valley at Parkrose, ppd. to Thursday
Heppner 1, Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram 0
Boys Soccer
King’s Way Christian 3, Columbia 2
TD City Council Approves Public Records Policy
The Dalles City Council approved a public records policy on Monday. City Attorney Jonathan Kara put the policy together, following standards set by Oregon Public Records Law allowing for municipalities to draw up reasonable rules to protect its records and prevent interference with City staff’s regular discharge of duties. Requests would be directed through the City Attorney’s office, and the City would provide a response within ten days. Kara told Councilors the policy is designed to meet a number of goals, including being “user friendly.” Kara noted the City receives public records requests on a daily basis.
HR Council Approves Initial List Of Westside URA Projects
Hood River City Councilors approved an initial list of proposed projects for a Westside Urban Renewal District to present to the public in advance of a planned digital open house in May. Councilors did make one change to the list…removing a sidewalk along the north side of Westcliff Drive from the west urban growth boundary to exit 62 that would have been for expansion of the Historic Columbia River Highway bicycle trail from Portland to the Gorge, electing instead to list various potential sidewalk projects with more value to neighborhoods. City Manager Abigail Elder noted there will be flexibility in the future to make changes to project lists. After the open house is held and public comment considered, a final plan will go to the Council in the summer.
Food Bank Ribbon Cutting Set For Thursday
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.