The Oregon State Police will be conducting a high visibility saturation patrol over the President’s Day weekend focusing on driving behaviors.  Beginning Friday and continuing through Monday, the OSP says troopers from all of their area command locations will focus on Oregon’s Interstate freeways   This saturation will be focusing on what OSP refers to as the “Fatal Five”:  speeding, occupant safety, lane safety, impaired driving, and distracted driving.  The OSP says those five driving behaviors are the leading causes of serious injury and fatal crashes.  The agency adds that sheriff’s deputies and local police officers will be joining the OSP in this effort.

The Hood River County Transportation District, which operates as Columbia Area Transit, is in the process of updating their 2017 Transit Master Plan.  That’s a key guiding document that outlines the delivery of community and regional transit services.  The district is seeking input from community and regional residents to help shape its future delivery of services.  It notes Hood River County has a growing population with expanding employment opportunities and remains a continued draw for tourists, and the agency wants to determine how transit options can support it.  An online survey is available in English and Spanish at engagecatbus.org.

Big Sky League Girls Basketball Semi-Final

Ione-Arlington 42, South Wasco 41

Echo 54, Trout Lake 53:  Trout Lake and South Wasco will play Saturday at 2 p.m. in Umatilla for the Big Sky’s third state playoff bid.

  Boys Basketball

Central Christian 44, Sherman 41

Wasco County’s COVID-19 cases are decreasing with the rest of the state, according a North Central Public Health District report given to Wasco County Commissioners on Wednesday.  Health District Board member Kathy Schwartz, who is also Wasco County Commission Chair, gave the report that also showed an improving picture for hospital space in the region and a decrease in COVID-19 test volumes.  But Schwartz did say health officials are asking for continued mask use right now, with hospitals still under stress from large patient numbers.  A Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be set up at the old Griffith Motors building on East 3rd in The Dalles beginning this Monday, and it will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through February 28.

A bill to authorize legislative leaders to terminate an emergency after 90 days passed the Washington Senate on a 29-20 vote, but what happens in the House is up in the air.  That’s because Governor Jay Inslee is expected to veto any bill that limits the executive’s power to declare an emergency.  Republican 14th District Representative Chris Corry says there is interested from both sides of the aisle on a bill to create a legislative review of an emergency, and compromise from both parties will be needed to create a veto-proof bill.  A two-thirds majority in both chambers are required to override a Governor’s veto.

The White Salmon Valley School District is entering into a partnership for the 2022-23 school year to offer the “Right At School” after-school program for kindergarten through sixth graders.  District Superintendent Sean McGeeney says “Right At School” will be offering after school care for students that engages them in a curriculum to continue developing skills.  A Zoom informational meeting for interested parents will take place on March 3 at 6:30 p.m.  For log-in information, go to the White Salmon School District Facebook page or go to wsvsd.org.

The Dalles Public Works Department is asking citizens to make a special effort to prevent unsightly damage to street trees that have low hanging branches. Trimming branches before collision breaks branches is healthier for trees, and prevents damage to tall vehicles like package delivery vans, recreational vehicles, garbage trucks and school buses. Property owners or occupants are responsible to care for trees in The Dalles. City staff only takes care of City-owned trees in the Downtown Area. When branches block safe passage, the property owner or occupant is responsible to reduce the hazard, whether the tree is on their property or on the right-of-way next to their property. For more information about trimming trees and shrubs for traffic safety visit thedalles.org or contact the Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.

Boys Basketball

Redmond 69, Hood River Valley 61:  The Panthers clinched the Intermountain Conference championship with the win, while the Eagles stay in second place in the league.  Garrett Osborne scored 20 points to lead Redmond, while Tommy Ziegler paced HRV with 17.

The Dalles 58, Ridgeview 40:  The Dalles stays in a tie for third with Crook County for the IMC’s third and final playoff spot.  The Riverhawks will play at Crook County next Tuesday, with a game at Pendleton coming up on Friday.

  Girls Basketball

Redmond 40, Hood River Valley 30

Ridgeview 61, The Dalles 14

  Big Sky Girls Basketball Playoffs

First Round

Echo 63, Dufur 35

South Wasco 49, Condon 44:  The Redsides visit Ione-Arlington for a semi-final game on Thursday.

  Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Basketball District Tournament

Eatonville 41, Columbia 33

  Wednesday Schedule

Big Sky Boys Basketball Semi-Finals

Condon at South Wasco, 6 p.m.

 

Hood River City Councilors voted unanimously to approve a purchase option agreement with Community Development Partners in the latest step toward an affordable housing development at 780 Rand Road.  There was some question about current plans to focus on rental housing rather than incorporating some ownership options.  But Councilor Mark Zanmiller noted while he agreed with the idea of moving toward ownership, this project has a tight timeline to qualify for funding opportunities this year, and they need to keep progress moving.  The next step is a public hearing before the Council on February 28 to review a zone change to facilitate the project.

In another major step toward reconstruction of the Dog River water pipeline, The Dalles City Council approved to purchase 13,250 feet of pipe and fittings for the project.  City Public Works Director Dave Anderson said the bid was being awarded to Core and Main for just under $952,000, well under the initial estimate for this part of the project.  The engineering design for the project is 90% complete, applications for needed permits have been made, and a timber removal contract is being finalized.  The construction contract is to be advertised for bid in March with an award planned for late April or early May.