Ballot return for the primary election in Mid-Columbia counties remains slow, but also ahead of the statewide pace.  As of Tuesday, the Oregon Secretary of State’s office reports 12.7% of ballots have been returned in Hood River County, 12.3% in Wasco County, and 14.1% in Sherman County.  Statewide, the return rate is 9.8%.  The Wasco County Clerk’s Office says two years ago, the return rate at a similar time was 19.68%.

Baseball

Hood River Valley 2, Redmond 1:  Mason Spellecy’s two-run homer in the first inning lifted HRV to the victory, moving the Eagles two games ahead of Pendleton atop the Intermountain Conference standings with three to play.  Spellecy struck out seven over five innings before Jake von Lubken retired the final six batters of the game to earn the save.

The Dalles 15, Crook County 11:  Manatu Crichton-Tunai hit a three-run homer and drove in six runs while Henry Begay had a grand slam as the Riverhawks won their second straight IMC game.

Eatonville 5, Columbia 1

  Softball

The Dalles 5, Crook County 4:  Jeilane Stewart homered and drove in two runs as the Riverhawks moved into a tie for second in the IMC with Ridgeview.

Hood River Valley sweeps Redmond 7-4 and 10-0:  The Eagles moved with a game of The Dalles and Ridgeview heading into a three-game series with The Dalles starting on Thursday in Hood River.

Stevenson sweeps Morton-White Pass 24-7 and 24-14

  Southwest Washington Class 1A Boys Soccer Tournament

Semi-Final

Seton Catholic 7, Columbia 0:  Columbia will face Forks on Thursday at a site to be determined, with the winner grabbing a state playoff berth.

  Golf

The Dalles qualified for next week’s Class 5A state tournament at Trysting Tree in Corvallis with a second place finish at the regional tournament at Heron Lakes.  Joe Codding finished in second place individually with a pair of rounds of 80.  Hood River Valley’s Davis Kerr and Keirnan Chown qualified as individuals for state.

  Also at Heron Lakes, The Dalles’ Katelyn Vassar qualified for the state 5A girls’ golf tournament next week at Emerald Valley in Creswell by finishing in seventh place in the district tourney.

  Track and Field

Goldendale finished second to Kittitas in the boys’ portion of the Eastern Washington Athletic Conference West Division meet at Highland.  Alden Williams won both the 800 and 1600 meters for the Timberwolves, while Issac Call won the 3200 meters and Ethan Mell was first in the discus.  In the girls’ half of the meet, Goldendale’s Emma Olson won the triple jump, and the Timberwolves received a first place finish from its 4 by 200 meter relay team.

The Hood River City Council, acting in its capacity as the Urban Renewal Agency Board, decided to wait on making any decisions on changes to the Waterfront Urban Renewal District that could extend it, reduce its size or allow it to expire.  Port of Hood River Executive Director Michael McElwee made a presentation to the Council with various options that could allow for funds to be made available for infrastructure development on Lot 1 moving toward a public transit hub and a park area.  That project is seeking federal grant money that could pay for much of it, but McElwee says that is still uncertain.  Mayor Kate McBride said the array of options didn’t lend to an immediate decision.  Councilors have been discussing using the urban renewal acreage currently allocated for the Waterfront to eventually move forward with a Westside URA in the near future.

The Dalles City Council approved the latest step in the process of the rebuild of the Dog River water pipeline, approving a contract to clear timber along the pipeline corridor for construction to take place.  The contract was given to Bounds Excavation for just over $469,000.  City Public Works Director Dave Anderson told the Council the corridor the clearing will take place in is lengthy and narrow:  3 1/2 miles long and 25 feet wide.  Anderson noted the contract is just under the $500,000 that was budgeted for this portion of the Dog River project.

Riverside Community Church is planning a Train of Tears Commemoration and Procession on Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of the relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans from the Hood River Valley during World War II.  The church’s Vicky Stifter says the congregation there has wrestled with the issue of the silence of the church when the internment was occurring, and they crafted a declaration that acknowledges the silence of 80 years ago, the harm that caused, and a vow to never be silent again.  The commemoration will begin with exhibits from the History Museum of Hood River County on display at the church on 317 State in downtown Hood River at 11:30 a.m., followed by a presentation featuring Episcopal Bishop Diana Akiyama at noon, and then the procession to the Hood River train station for installation of a peace pole.

The Hood River Police Department said it seized 376 suspected Fentanyl pills while arresting a woman on Sunday.  According to a police statement the woman is facing several charges, including Unlawful Possession and Distribution of a Schedule II substance, Unlawful Possession and Distribution of Methamphetamine, DUII-Controlled Substance, driving while criminally suspended, unlawful possession of a firearm, and Theft III involving a local business establishment.  She also had a warrant for her arrest in Multnomah County.  The HRPD statement indicated officers are being proactive in the apprehension of people who come into the community with narcotics like Fentanyl.

Wasco County has a survey up on its website, asking for feedback from residents on its programs and services. Commissioner Kathy Schwartz says the survey is very general in nature, and helping the County to determine how well this kind of online outreach works. The survey is available at wascocounty.org.

Monday Schedule

Baseball

SW Washington Class 1A District Playoffs

Montesano 13, Columbia 2:  The Bruins play Eatonville in a loser-out game Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Castle Rock.

  Softball

Goldendale sweeps White Swan 18-8 and 11-7

Stevenson 1, Wahkiakum 0

  Girls Lacrosse

Grant 21, Hood River Valley 6

It appears a bill addressing increased protections for the Mount Hood Recreation Area will be introduced to a Congressional committee on Wednesday.  Hood River County Commission Chair Mike Oates said on the Mid-Columbia Today program Monday morning that Congressman Earl Blumenauer called him Friday and sent him a draft of what will be sent to committee this week.  Oates says after reviewing the draft, he felt issues the County have raised in talks with Blumenauer were addressed, but financial support remains a question.  Oates said the bill did include bringing in law enforcement through the Forest Service, which could take a financial burden off of Hood River County.

The Port of The Dalles has set its priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, and reestablishing personal contact with businesses on the Port is on top of the list.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says they kept tabs on many of those businesses during the pandemic by phone or video conference, but they want to get back to face-to-face meetings.  Also on the priority list, addressing the expansion needs of area businesses, real estate opportunities, and continued work on potential Brownsfield clean-up projects.