Washington 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker says a package of four bills out of a much larger number presented by Republicans in regard to public safety have made it to the House floor.  The bills are in response to changes made last session in response to the Supreme Court’s Blake decision.  The Goldendale Republican says much of the content of these bills is to allow officers to act on reasonable suspicion, rather than requiring probable cause as in the court decision.  Mosbrucker adds the bills are primarily amendments Republicans tried to add to the legislation passed in 2021.

The state of Oregon announced on Monday that indoor mask mandates will be lifted no later than March 31, but local health officials are reminding people that it’s not time to discard them yet.  Hood River County Health Department Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg says masks still need to be used indoors, emphasizing they work, noting drop in flu cases over the last couple of years.  Hood River County is hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic provided by the Federal Emergency Management Administration at the County Fairgrounds in Odell.  It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through February 19.

North Central Public Health District has distributed about 1,500 free home COVID-19 test kits to a number of entities in Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties to be given out to the community.  They are available at libraries, senior centers, and public health clinics.  People eligible for at-home test kits are those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to a positive case.  Each test kit contains two tests, and people are asked to only take enough kits to have one test per person.  They are not intended for screening purposes such as travel or event attendance.  Test kits are also available for the public at the North Central Public Health District office in The Dalles.  Call 541-506-2600, and select the testing option to request a home test kit.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Wednesday over $262 million is headed to Oregon to help the state recover from wildfires.  The U.S. Forest Service will allocate nearly $1.1 billion in disaster assistance funding nationally to support post-disaster recovery and other emergency needs as a result of natural disasters occurring over the past three years.  Merkley is Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the Forest Service.  National forests and grasslands will be provided with specific funding for selected projects that meet certain criteria.  This funding will also be used for state and private forestry programs to meet recovery needs on non-Federal lands in states that experienced damage from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters.  This funding will also be allocated to complete data collection and program delivery tasks delayed by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boys Basketball

Hood River Valley 75, Crook County 64: The Eagles move into sole possession of second place in the Intermountain Conference with the win…as HRV got their lead up to 22 points in the third quarter before cruising to the victory.

Redmond 85, The Dalles 57:  The Riverhawks are now tied for third in the IMC with Ridgeview after falling to the conference leaders.

Horizon Christian 47, Lyle-Wishram 31

Dufur 78, Klickitat-Glenwood 9

  Girls Basketball

Crook County 52, Hood River Valley 37

Redmond 49, The Dalles 37

Trout Lake 59, South Wasco 28

Dufur 55, Klickitat-Glenwood 25

Central Christian 23, Horizon Christian 14

Sherman 32, Bickleton 26

SW Washington Class 2B District Tournament:  Ilwaco 56, Stevenson 22

Wasco County Commissioners are starting to look ahead toward preparing a budget for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year.  And one of the large topics of discussion is what to do with over $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, half of which is in hand and the rest coming soon.  Commissioner Scott Hege says the federal guidelines for use of the funds gives them quite a bit of leeway, and it is very wide open for use as revenue replacement.  He noted other agencies have expressed interest in receiving a portion of the funds.  Hege says the final payment of those funds will be coming in the next month or so.  

A bill authored by Washington 14th District State Representative Chris Corry targeting the reduction of lane departure accidents and fatalities in rural communities has passed out of the House Transportation Committee.  The Yakima Republican’s House Bill 1605 is based on research provided by the Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Target Zero.  The plan offers several ways to address top areas of concern, including lane departure accidents, including wider markings on roads, improved lighting, and surface road treatments.  According to the Target Zero report, in Washington state between 2015-2017, there were 796 fatalities and 2,458 serious injuries involving lane departures.  Lane departure accidents make up 48% of all motor vehicle accidents.  Corry’s bill now waits for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced legislation to reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy’s federal eligibility to receive federal funding for water quality and conservation projects.  Founded in 1996, the DRC initially focused on grazing and timber issues impacting river health, but has shifted to water management in recent years.  Following its reauthorization in 2005, DRC was eligible to receive $2 million per year for ten years, but no allocations were made during that time period and the organization currently relies on private donations or local government entities.  The bill would provide up to $2 million in funding per year for ten years.  Since its creation, the DRC has helped restore 250 cubic feet per second of water to parts of the Deschutes River and surrounding tributaries.  Upcoming projects will include addressing water quality issues in the Crooked River.

Harmony of the Gorge, the Sweet Adelines chorus in the region, is doing its Singing Valentines fundraiser again this year.  The group’s Judy Galloway says they are offering phone, electronic, and in-person options to give the gift of romantic music to someone you love.  Quartets from the chorus will sing two romantic songs to your loved one for $25 for local in-person, or for $10 via phone, text, e-mail, or Facebook.  To purchase call 541-806-1388 or go to harmonyofthegorge.com.

Google announced a $50,000 grant to The Dalles Main Street to support the upcoming 2022 Northwest MuralFest.  MuralFest will be held in late August, when a large group of muralists known as the Walldogs will travel to Oregon to paint 15 new murals chosen by residents of The Dalles.  A group of The Dalles business owners and city leaders convinced the Walldogs to choose The Dalles for the home of its 2022 festival which organizers believe will be only the second MuralFest to occur in the Western U.S.  Residents of The Dalles voted on themes for the 15 murals that will be painted during the festival.  Each mural will have a lead painter guiding multiple artists to paint and complete the murals through the festival weekend.  Along with the painting, the festival will include food, crafts, music, and vendors.