The Hood River County Prevention Department and the Hood River County Health Department are embarking on an education campaign around the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Fake pills sold illegally are often laced with fentanyl, and even a dose as small as two milligrams is lethal. One of the aims of the campaign is to increase the availability of opioid rescue medications such as naloxone, which is a nasal spray that can be used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose to give time for emergency medical attention to be provided.
Student Taken Into Custody After Alleged Threat
A Stevenson High School student was taken into custody on Wednesday after allegedly asking another student to “shoot up the school.” A statement from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says there was no plan in place and no intent from the recipient of the text message to cause harm. The Sheriff’s Office added it was not necessary to place the school into lockdown as there was no direct threat on campus. School staff had contacted the Sheriff’s Office immediately after receiving word of the threat. The Sheriff’s Office says the juvenile suspect was taken into custody and booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Juvenile Detention Center, adding it is an active case and further details are being investigated.
CGCC Aviation Program Students Have Jobs Waiting For Them
The first cohort of students is moving through Columbia Gorge Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program. CGCC Director of Technology and Trades Robert Clark says those students have jobs waiting for them when they are done, with industry partners committing to hiring all of their graduates. The program is currently based in a former warehouse, but plans to move to Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport. Clark says they are awaiting a bill in the Oregon Legislature authored by 26th District Senator Daniel Bonham that will allow the move across the river, where the program’s industry partners are located.
Newhouse & Rodgers Introduce Dam Protection Bill
Washington Representatives Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers have introduced a bill to protect Lower Snake River Dams. The legislation entitled the “Northwest Energy Security Act” supports the Federal Columbia River Power System. It directs the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) to be operated in alignment with the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Decision. Published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration in September of that year, the decision found that the Lower Snake River Dams should not be breached, with efforts focused on improving and maintaining hydropower assets while working to improve salmon passage and conditions. Senators Jim Risch of Idaho and Steve Daines of Montana introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
March 22 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 15, Taft 1: Braden Schwartz went 4 for 4 with three doubles and fire runs batted in to lead the Riverhawks’ offense.
Softball
The Dalles 9, Yamhill-Carlton 7: Maddie Brock homered and drove in two runs while Madalynn Sagapolutele and Despina Seufalemua also had two RBI apiece to lead the Riverhawks.
Stevenson 8, Kalama 4
Busy May Election Set For Hood River County
The special districts election on May 16 will be a very busy one in Hood River County, with the majority of the offices on the ballot with multiple candidates. All three Hood River County School District board positions are contested, with position 1 incumbent Chrissy Reitz opposed by Katelyn Logan, current position 3 seat holder Corinda Hankins Elliott seeking re-election against Joe Correa and Sarah Jensen Roth, and Brenda Bounds and David Stuben are the candidates for position 5. There is one contested Port of Hood River Commission race, with Jim Klaas and Tor Bicher filing for position 5. In addition, there are nine people running for three seats on the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District board. In Wasco County, the only contested race for the North Wasco County School District 21 board is for zone 1, with current member Adrian Lopez and Katie Kuehnl on the ballot.
Three Bills By Waters Pass Senate Committee
Three bills from Washington 17th District State Rep. Kevin Waters have been voted out of committee. All three bills were passed in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday. House Bill 1730 would allow youth between the ages of 18 to 20 to be employed in establishments traditionally classified as off-limits to persons under the age of 21, under specific and limited circumstances. Additionally, the committee passed House Bill 1731. which allow short-term rental operators, such as individuals who rent properties through Airbnb, to acquire permits to provide one complimentary bottle of wine to rental guests who are at least 21 years old, under certain conditions. And House Bill 1772, which would make it illegal to manufacture, import, offer, or sell in Washington a consumable product that contains cannabis or any form of tetrahydrocannabinol in combination with beer, wine, spirits, or any other type of liquor in the same product, is also moving forward. All three bills now wait for a vote from the entire Senate.
Little Royals Contest Starts
The 2023 Little Royals Contest for this year’s 42nd Northwest Cherry Festival is getting underway. One boy and one girl between the ages of 3 and 7 will be selected to represent Little Miss Royal Ann and Little Mister Royal Andy. The Little Royal Court gets crowned at the Coronation Breakfast on April 22 before the Cherry Festival Parade. The winner will receive a backpack full of goodies, a gift certificate to Fred Meyer’s, and get to ride in the Cherry Festival Parade. To nominate your child, fill out the application at NorthwestCherryFestival.com or get one online at Rivermark Community Credit Union or The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce until April 3, including a photograph of your child. Online voting will start April 5. More information is available at NorthwestCherryFestival.com.
NCPHD Lifting Its Mask Requirements
North Central Public Health District says it will lift statewide mask requirements on April 3 along with other healthcare facilities in Oregon. The state has left it up to local entities to decide whether they will continue, modify, or lift their mask policies. NCPHD officials say they will support any member of the public who wishes to continue masking for their own comfort level, adding those who visit their office will be asked to wear a mask if they are coughing or otherwise appear to be ill. The state announced the change in requirements in early March, giving healthcare facilities time to update their own masking policies. The state decided to lift the mask mandate because cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV were dropping. NCPHD officials say people at higher risk for severe disease, or who live with someone at higher risk, should still consider wearing masks in health care or any settings, to better protect themselves and those most vulnerable around them.
TD Art Center On Track To Be Preserved
The Dalles Art Center board now says the facility is on track to be preserved just a week after announcing that it was in financial trouble. Since last week’s announcement the Art Center needed a minimum of $3,500 in committed funding a month to avoid closing by mid-April, board member Philip Mascher said Tuesday they have received $25,500 in one-time donations, and a commitment for $2,200 in recurring monthly donations. That puts the Center needing an additional $1,300 in monthly donations to cover the basic costs of running it at the current level of staffing and opening hours. Wednesday’s statement by the Center board indicated with the support they have seen, all planned exhibits will continue as scheduled and no exhibit cancellations will occur. To contribute to The Dalles Art Center, go to thedallesartcenter.org.