The Port of The Dalles is embarking on updating its strategic plan.  It was last updated in 2012.  The Port has received a $50,000 grant from Business Oregon to help defray the cost of the work, and will be issuing a request for proposals from consultants this week.  A difference from past strategic plans is a need to acquire more property for business development, and Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says that wouldn’t necessarily be in the form of undeveloped lands.  Klaas says the target is to start work on the strategic plan update in January and finish it in June, in time for the budget for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year and the Port’s annual work plan.

All of the debris from the August fire at the Port of The Dalles Marina has been removed.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says a cleanup crew needed about a week-and-a-half to remove material on the surface and debris that had sunk to the bottom.  Klaas says they are awaiting an inspection report on the docks, but she is anticipating some good news from it.  She says unlike a similar fire at the Marina in July 2021, the damage to the docks involved appears to be cosmetic, and won’t require replacement, unlike docks damaged in 2021.  Klaas says this cleanup has gone quicker than last year after a similar fire.  She says that’s in part due to learning the process during last year’s experience.

Hood River County Commissioners have sent a letter to the Oregon Department of Forestry over a new draft of forest practices rules being applied to local governments, after being told initially local governments would not be impacted by the agreement reached between large private forestland holders, the state, and environmental groups.  County Commission Chair Mike Oates said in a letter to ODF the County only recently learned it would be impacted by rules he says would result in a drop of five-to-ten percent in harvest and road requirements that would limit recreational uses.  Oates says the state got a chance to do its own habitat conservation plan, and local governments should get the same opportunity.  He notes much of what the state wants is already being done by the County on its own.  Hood River County currently manages 34,500 acres of designated forest for sustainable harvest to provide revenue to the County’s general fund.

A LaGrande woman died in a motor vehicle accident on Friday afternoon in Wasco County on Highway 97.  According to the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred Friday at 5:21 p.m. near milepost 63.  A preliminary investigation revealed a car driven by 60-year-old Sandra Miller of La Grande attempted to pass a commercial motor vehicle on the northbound shoulder while it was also passing another commercial vehicle.  The car lost control during the maneuver and left the highway, rolling multiple times.  The OSP says Miller sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The City of Hood River says its Wastewater Treatment Plant has discharged effluent that exceeds the plant’s limit for E. coli due to incomplete disinfection.  Sample test results read on Saturday indicated an E. coli exceedance due to what is termed an upset in biological processes.  Water quality monitoring is ongoing, and the ultraviolet disinfection process has been increased to maximum capacity in order to compensate for partially affected biological process upset.  Increased frequency of sampling is taking place at the waste water plant and also at pre-arranged locations downstream in the Columbia River to determine the effect of the discharge on water quality.  Signs indicating “Warning – Contaminated Water – No water contact” will be placed at locations within The Hook Area of public river access on the Oregon shore, west of the waste water plant.  The signs will also have phone numbers to call for information.  Questions can be directed to the Wastewater Treatment Plant at (541) 386-2432 or Public Works Department office at (541) 386-2383.

If the right conditions persist a prescribed burn will take place on the Mt. Adams Ranger District this Wednesday through Sunday.  The prescribed burn site is located about six miles north of Trout Lake and four miles south of the Mt. Adams Wilderness area within the Upper White Restoration Area.  District officials say it may be necessary to temporarily hold traffic on Forest Roads 8020, 8225, and 021 due to limited visibility caused by smoke and to keep the public at a safe distance from the burn areas.  Smoke may be detected in the towns of Glenwood and/or Trout Lake but is not expected to travel further.  There will be visible smoke in the area for several days following the burn.  The Upper White Salmon Restoration prescribed fire project calls for understory burning of 1,712 acres of the Upper White Restoration Area with the intent of creating a landscape more resistant and resilient to wildfire, insects, and disease.  This burn will focus on the completion of a 288-acre portion of the project area.  The other three units will be burned over the course of the next several years.      

The North Central Public Health District says four three-day COVID-19 vaccine clinics are coming up in October, November and December, and they’ll be offering all brands of COVID vaccine, and all doses, from first doses to the updated booster.  Also offered will be flu shots and the vaccine against the monkeypox virus.  Everyone 12 and up is eligible for an updated booster, as long as at least two months have passed since their last vaccine.  The vaccine clinics will be free, with no appointment, insurance, or ID needed.  The clinics will run Thursdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the following dates.  The first set will be this coming Thursday through Saturday, with the others November 3-5, November 17-19, and December 15-17.  All of the clinics will take place at the same location, 523 E. 3rd St., in The Dalles.  That’s the former Griffith Motors building.

The Dalles Public Works on Monday started asphalt maintenance work on West 10th Street from Cherry Heights to Walnut that should continue over the next two weeks.  Work will progress from west to east, and is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday both weeks.  Lane closures will be in effect on portions of West 10th each day.  Intersections, business and residential access will be partially closed all day in each work area and opened to all motor vehicle traffic at the end of the day.  Motor vehicles and bicyclists will be detoured to adjacent side streets.  While West 10th will remain open to traffic throughout the project, use of alternate routes is encouraged.  Pedestrian and sidewalk access to businesses and residences remain open through the duration of this work.  No parking will be allowed within the daily work areas due to heavy equipment use.   No parking signs will be place on the curb 48 hours before the project moves into each work area.

Football

Putnam 26, Hood River Valley 13

Baker 35, The Dalles 8

King’s Way Christian 32, Columbia 7

Adna 33, Stevenson 0

Sherman 46, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 18

Dufur 60, Pilot Rock 32

South Wasco 41, Echo 12

Goldendale 20, Kittitas 14

  Boys Soccer

Trout Lake 8, Damascus Christian 0

Mannahouse Academy 6, Horizon Christian 1

  Girls Soccer

Riverdale 4, Trout Lake 1

LaCenter 5, Stevenson 0

  Volleyball

Goldendale def. King’s Way Christian 25-16, 20-25, 25-19, 25-19

With increased moisture and cooler and shorter days, the Mt. Hood National Forest has lifted its fire restrictions, effective Friday. However, visitors are reminded to continue to be careful with possible ignition sources as there are still dry conditions after months of very little rain. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) have also been downgraded to Level I across the Forest. This allows firewood cutting and other activities requiring chainsaws and equipment to take place throughout the day. If you have a campfire remember to have plenty of water and a shovel on hand to stir the ashes. Make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before you leave it unattended. Forest officials say if it’s too hot to touch with your bare hands, it’s too hot to leave. Fireworks and explosive materials are always prohibited on all national forests. The Mt. Hood National Forest has not experienced any large fires this year.