Hood River County Commissioners received an overview of the proposed Westside Urban Renewal District from City officials on Monday. Councilor Tim Counihan told the panel the district is intended to fund infrastructure, park development, and advance affordable housing development. Commissioner Arthur Babitz asked about the possible impacts the district could have on compression of general government local option levies now and in the future. City consultant Elaine Howard noted there is very little compression with the exception of the school district’s local option levy. She did say the County’s permanent property tax levy could see some compression loss, but probably not a lot. She did add they don’t have any hard data yet, and the impact on levies could change in the future. Because some of the urban renewal area might be outside of the city limits, the County would have a voice in establishment of the district.
HR School District Wraps Up Construction Projects
The Hood River County School District has been wrapping up a pair of construction projects. At Hood River Middle School, new office space and a new main entrance is open and being used, and conversion of the old office into a counseling center is being finished up. Hood River County School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says getting a single point of entry at Hood River Middle School was part of an effort to improve security at all district buildings. At Parkdale Elementary, a new modular classroom is providing space for a third kindergarten classroom. Crews are doing exterior flat work around the building during the current spring break.
White Salmon Prepares For Community Outreach On Housing
The City of White Salmon is planning community surveys, walking tours, and hosted conversations with experts to engage residents in the conversation on housing needs. Mayor Marla Keethler says as City officials delve into this subject in the next few months, they need to gauge what the community’s vision is. She says that could involve breaking down barriers in the City codes that make building homes cost prohibitive for developers, and how zoning could be adjusted to encourage various types of housing. Keethler says White Salmon’s Planning Commission and City Council will be working on municipal housing codes over the next few months.
Cherry Fest One Month Away
The Northwest Cherry Festival is just one month away. The annual event in The Dalles will take place April 21-23. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says vendor applications for the outdoor market are still being accepted. Those interested in being a vendor can inquire by emailing events@thedalleschamber.com or call the Chamber office at 541-296-2231. Applications for the Cherry Festival Parade are also currently available at northwestcherryfestival.org.
Suspect Sought In Double Murder North Of Goldendale
A search is underway for a man believed to have been the shooter in the murder of two people on Box Canyon Road north of Goldendale last week, while another man has been arrested in connection with the case. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office says a warrant has been issued charging 31-year-old John Scott Raczykowski of Rufus 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, both from Yakima. Klickitat County authorities were alerted Thursday night by the FBI in Yakima of a suspect that had been involved in the burning of two bodies on Yakama Nation land in the Toppenish area. Early Friday morning Goldendale Police, Klickitat County Sheriff’s, and FBI officers located a vehicle associated with one of the suspects in Goldendale, and took two subjects into custody, one of whom was determined to not be involved in the incident. 57-year-old Larry Duane Kleven of Goldendale was booked into the Klickitat County Jail for rendering criminal assistance and tampering with physical evidence. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may know where Raczykowski is located to call County Emergency Management at 509-773-4545. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Investigating “Suspicious” Death As Homicide
Authorities in Wasco County have confirmed the death of a woman termed “suspicious” was a homicide. In a statement Monday, the Wasco County District Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identity of the woman as Amanda Harman, and autopsy results confirmed her death was a homicide. The statement says Harman was killed late Friday near Cherry Heights outside The Dalles, but authorities have offered no other details at this time. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with a camera on Cherry Heights near Ayres Drive or with any possible information to contact law enforcement. A tip can be submitted online through The Dalles City Police website tip form at thedalles.org, by phone to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580, or texted to TIP 411. The investigation is on-going.
Port of Hood River Director In D.C.
Port of Hood River Executive Director Kevin Greenwood is in Washington, D.C. with the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association advocating for infrastructure funding and streamlining permitting processes, which includes the proposed new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge. Greenwood says he’s also pushing for NOAA Fisheries to help them finish the environmental impact study for the bridge. Greenwood adds its completion is a necessary step for the bridge project to be able to compete for federal dollars. He says the delegation will meet with the agency later this week.
The Dalles Public Works Begins Work At East 4th & Union
The Dalles Public Works on Monday began the first phase of a storm water catch basin project on East 4th Street and Union Street. The first project area is on East 4th between Union and Court Streets. Work on the first phase is expected to be done on Wednesday. Until then, no through traffic in either direction on East 4th will be allowed between Union and Court Streets during work hours, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Through traffic will detour to East 3rd Street or East 5th. On Wednesday, The Dalles Public Works will move the project area to Union Street between 4th and 5th Streets, with work to be finished on Friday. From Wednesday to Friday, no through traffic in either direction on Union Street will be allowed between 4th and 5th Streets during work hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Through traffic will detour to Court Street.
The Dalles Chamber Dissolving Gift Card Program
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has decided to dissolve the Explore The Dalles Gift Card program. The Chamber is advising people that if you have gift cards to use them by March 31st at participating businesses, and if you still have funds on the cards after that you can come to The Chamber office at 404 West 2nd Street in The Dalles to receive a refund. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they had issues with the company that was doing the card program that made it difficult to operate. Farquharson said they are looking at other options to promote local businesses. Those with questions can contact The Dalles Chamber at 541-296-2231 or email accounting@thedalleschamber.com.
March 17-18 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 5, St. Helens 1
The Dalles sweeps Baker 12-2 and 18-5
Stevenson 7, Lyle-Wishram 0
Weston-McEwen sweeps Dufur 19-4 and 24-3
Zillah 5, Goldendale 1
Goldendale 6, Warden 4
Montesano 11, Columbia 1
Sherman splits with Country Christian, losing game one 11-1 and winning game two 4-0.
Softball
St. Helens 14, Hood River Valley 2
Pendleton 5, The Dalles 4
Track and Field
Zoe Dunn of The Dalles and Raymond Holycross of Goldendale won three events apiece at the season opening Mullen-Leavitt Invitational in The Dalles.
Columbia won the girls’ team title at the Wildcat Relays in LaCenter. The Bruins’ Jessica Polkinghorn swept all three throwing events.
Boys Soccer
Royal 2, Columbia 1