Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is going to hold three town halls in the Mid-Columbia region this month. It’s part of tour of ten town halls between March 28 and April 2. Wyden will be in Sherman County on March 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the Wasco Events Center on 903 Barnett in Wasco. Then on March 31, Wyden will be in the Gorge for a pair of town halls. The first will be at noon at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center in The Dalles, then he will go to Hood River Valley High School for another meeting at 4 p.m.
HRPD Seizes Narcotics During Traffic Stops
The Hood River Police Department this week made two stops of suspected impaired drivers this week resulting the seizure of large quantities of narcotics. In a social media statement, the HPRD says that on Monday during a traffic stop for a registration violation, a driver who was a felony offender acknowledged using both methamphetamine and fentanyl, and purchasing large quantities of drugs in the Portland area. Over 84 grams of suspected methamphetamine and over 35 grams of fentanyl was seized. On Tuesday, during a vehicle stop for an expired registration, the driver exhibited multiple signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests, then was taken into custody. The HRPD reported that the driver admitted to using methamphetamine, and during a vehicle search just over 22 grams of fentanyl and 1.4 grams of meth was seized.
March 18 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 15, Valley Catholic 5: Gunner Bustos and Zeke Cervantes drove in two runs on two hits each as the Riverhawks took advantage of six Valiant errors to win their season opener.
Softball
Sandy 14, Hood River Valley 2: The Pioneers had six extra base hits on the way to the victory in the season opener for both teams. Honey Wampler-Bryan and Addi Van Metre drove in the runs for HRV, while Gracyn Hanshaw had a pair of hits for the Eagles.
Toutle Lake 15, Columbia 5: The Bruins scored four runs in the first, but could not hold off Toutle Lake. Joella Posini had two hits and two runs batted in for CHS.
Boys Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 12, Sherwood 8: The Eagles win their second game in a row to start the season.
Port of HR Talks Keeping Tolling Going When New Bridge Construction Begins
The Port of Hood River Commission discussed keeping tolling operations going for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge running smoothly when construction of a new bridge begins. When the work on the new bridge starts, it will require moving the tollbooth to the east and perhaps reducing the number of lanes from four to two. Port and Bridge Authority Commissioner Kathryn Thomas said there is a concern around making sure they don’t lose tolling because there could be more wide-open area that could cause issues for focusing license plate cameras in the correct location. Maintaining toll revenue is also important to the Bridge Authority, as it supports loans that have been gathered to build the new crossing.
Columbia Gateway URA Considers Small Business Expansion Program
The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency board discussed a matrix of 51 different ideas on how it can support revitalization of downtown The Dalles. One idea that got some support is a business expansion and creation grant program, based on something currently being done in Pendleton. Agency Manager Jacob Anderson says these would be fairly small grants, but they can bring positive results. URA board members were supportive of the idea. Finding a way to reduce the cost of system development charges for businesses moving into vacant and unused buildings was also brought up. The topic was discussed in a workshop format with no decisions made.
Wasco County DA Gives Report To Commission
Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis gave a report to County Commissioners, showing crime in the county, when adjusted for the re-criminalization of some drugs, has been trending downward since 2022. A decrease in criminal referrals to the D.A.’s office is consistent with reports from law enforcement. Davis says the office has made some changes in the administration of plea deals leading to an increase in cases going to trial, most notably in the area of person crimes resulting in what she termed “very favorable outcomes.” She added two-third of cases in her office come from The Dalles City Police.
Lions Follies Start This Weekend
The 46th Annual Mid-Columbia Lions Follies are this and next weekend at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium. This year’s theme for the community show is a murder mystery entitled “Whodunit powered by AI” written by Terri Tyler. The Follies’ Izzie Hollenberry explains the plot centers around a tech billionaire who developed an AI house, and is found in it murdered by a fish. The show is a benefit for the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. the next two Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for kids 12 and under. They are available at Waucoma Bookstore, Key Bank, online at olshf.org, or at the door.
White Salmon Schools Looking To Strengthen Student Support
The White Salmon Valley School District is working on providing more support for students who need it. Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says they prepared for about a year-and-a-half before rolling it out in recent months. It’s a multi-tiered system of support, using data to screen student academic achievement, identifying those who need help early, and getting them the support early and often. Polkinghorn also said they have a group of teachers developing a new K-12 math curriculum for the district that should be ready for adoption soon. He says the goal is to create students who are critical thinkers and problem solvers.
March 17 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 4, St. Helens 0: Landon Pratt and Trevor Jacobs combined on a no-hitter, striking out 15 Lions’ batters. Chaz Valentine drove in the go-ahead run with a base hit in the fifth inning, while Pratt drove in two in the sixth.
Umatilla 18, Sherman 14 (8 innings): The Vikings scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull out the win.
Softball
The Dalles 9, Cascade 5: Candace Young had two hits and brought home four runs, while Edie May had three RBI to lead the Riverhawks to the win.
Columbia 5, Kalama 2: Danica Herman had three hits and a home run as the Bruins won their season opener.
Boys Soccer
Columbia 1, Stevenson 0
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 5, Redmond 3
The Dalles 4, Ridgeview 4
Girls Tennis
Redmond 4, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Golf
Pendleton trimmed Dufur by one shot, while The Dalles finished fourth in a tournament at The Dalles Country Club. The Rangers’ Tygh Timinsky shot a seven-over-par 79 to win medalist honors.
Sheriff Asks To Review West Fork Purchase Proposal Before County Supports
Hood River County Commissioners showed support for efforts by the Mt. Hood National Forest to purchase about 1900 acres along the West Fork of the Hood River, but will wait a couple of weeks to sign a letter of support after County Sheriff Matt English said he wanted time to vet the proposal for public safety concerns. Mt. Hood National Forest District Ranger Kameron Sam told the Commission one of the reasons they are hoping to acquire the land by the end of the year is for better recreational access. English said he not seen the proposal until before the meeting on Monday, and would like time to review it before Commissioners take a position. He notes the land is adjacent to the Mt. Hood Wilderness, the Bull Run Watershed, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Sam said acquisition of the land would enhance protection of threatened and endangered fish species and habitat, and provide watershed protection.