Wasco County Commissioners reached consensus on moving forward on a process to determine the distribution of the Community Service Fee from the latest Strategic Investment Plan agreement with Google for two new data centers on former aluminum property land, but also recommended looking at a 50-50 split between the taxing districts impacted and funding potential “greater good” projects.  Earlier, The Dalles City Council recommended a proportional distribution of all monies to the taxing districts.  Commissioner Scott Hege noted this is simply a recommendation, but he liked the idea of splitting the use of the funds.  The next step is for the team that negotiated the deal with Google to bring together all the taxing districts to hash out an agreement.

Hood River County Commissioners have opted to look at a more minimal sized boundary for a community boundary for Odell, but also examine whether an expansion into low-value farmland is feasible and seek a rule change at the state level that prevents urban growth boundaries within ten miles of each other.  The County has been readdressing the subject in an effort to create more housing options.  Commissioners considered a variety of options, all of which come with uncertainties.  Commissioner Les Perkins suggested the possible expansion into what was described as mainly pasture land, and Commissioner Arthur Babitz concurred it should be studied.  County Planning Director Eric Walker told Commissioners he would look into it further, adding there would be a significant planning process and funding to consider.

Hood River County Health Department Health Director Trish Elliott says the County had recorded 357 COVID-19 cases between January 1 and January 18, and it will likely be the heaviest month of cases for the pandemic.  Elliott told County Commissioners that number is probably higher with home testing that is taking place.  Elliott said Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital beds have been full at times, but added that number fluctuates daily.  County COVID-19 Coordinator Daron Ryan told the Commission they are still seeing high numbers turning out for vaccine clinics, especially on weekends.  She added the Federal Emergency Management Agency will return to the County to do mass vaccine clinics for two weeks in February and two weeks in March.

Gilliam County is leaving North Central Public Health District.  The Gilliam County Court voted to form its own health department to start on July 1.  County Commissioner Pat Shannon, who is also on the NCPHD Board of Health, said the health community in his county felt the distance involved made it difficult to get the services they feel they should be getting.  Shannon added a feasibility study determined the County could provide those services more efficiently.  North Central Public Health District was formed in 2009 by Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties, forming the state’s only three-county public health district.  Board of Health Chair and Wasco County Commissioner Kathy Schwartz said the Oregon Health Authority will work with Gilliam County to move forward with developing their programs.

Girls Basketball

Hood River Valley 48, Aloha 46: The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with the non-league road victory.

Castle Rock 36, Columbia 27

South Wasco 62, Lyle-Wishram 27

Boys Basketball

South Wasco 70, Lyle-Wishram 22

A burglary suspect who barricaded himself in a Hood River motel room came out on his own accord early Wednesday evening after a little over four hours.  The Hood River Police Department said he came out prior to 7 p.m.  The incident began just after 2 p.m. at the motel on 2429 Cascade Avenue.   Police say the man is 26-years-old…and is the suspect in a recent burglary.  Police closed Cascade Avenue between Rand Road and 20^th Street while they negotiated with the man.  A regional tactical team was brought in to assist Hood River Police and County Sheriff’s officers.  Police said the man was being evaluated by a medical team after being taken into custody.

The Hood River County Commission voted to move forward this spring with a fee parking permit program for County forestland trailheads, but left open the possibility of adding Lower Post Canyon to the list of locations that would be involved.  It was not one of the original six locations included in a resolution for the program, but Commissioners will discuss it further in February.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel says there is a legalization process that would be needed to add Lower Post Canyon to the fee program.  Post Flats, Seven Streams, Family Man, Binns Hill, Kingsley Reservoir, and Pinemont will be part of the program.  An annual parking fee will be $30, with proceeds to be used to maintain the forestland trail system.  In other business, County Commissioners approved moving a proposed revision to Commission district boundaries to a February 1 hearing.

A North Central Public Health District official told Wasco County Commissioners Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available, but the public is not coming out to get them.  District Clinical Programs Supervisor Martha McInnes says Wasco County is 28th out of 36 Oregon counties for those eligible to receive a booster shot at about 37 percent.  She adds the district is trying to figure out the best way to get the message out that booster shots are important, noting they are very effective at keeping people out of the hospital, which is vital to support a health care system under a tremendous strain.  NCPHD holds a vaccination clinic every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, go to ncphd.org for appointment information.

A bill introduced in the Oregon Legislature to establish a pilot program for cities and counties to be able to develop and coordinate homeless service systems includes the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council’s service area.  Mid-Columbia Community Action Executive Director Kenny LaPoint says unlike other selected locations which paired one city and one county, this partners Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties along with the cities of Hood River and The Dalles.  The legislation calls for recipients to receive $1 million for develop a homeless strategic plan and established a coordinated office, but LaPoint told Wasco County Commissioners that Community Action already has those in process, so they want to use the money for implementation and to develop a sustainability plan.  LaPoint is asking local governmental officials to assist in convincing legislators to approve the bill.  

A nationally renowned walkability expert is visiting White Salmon as part of the City’s initiative to update its transportation plan.  Jeff Speck is walking White Salmon with municipal staff, and will present his findings at a virtual workshop Thursday evening at 6 p.m.  Mayor Marla Keethler says the intent of the visit Speck works with communities to make them more walkable.  She says that can activate the downtown business core and drive economic development.  Information on accessing the workshop online is available at white-salmon.net.