Hood River County COVID-19 Coordinator Daron Ryan told County Commissioners on Monday that there are currently 28 active COVID cases in the County.  Ryan says that’s up from prior weeks, but also observed Hood River County tends to lag behind national trends.  Ryan noted that Hood River County remains at the top of vaccination rates in the state, at 87% of those 18 years of age or up receiving at least one dose.  She says the County Health Department is focusing on boosters and vaccinating children.  Ryan added they are planning to do more pop-up vaccination events in January.

The latest figures from The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce showed that lodging stays last summer were back to the levels seen in 2019, and even a bit higher than that.  The figures were presented last week to The Dalles City Council.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says she was surprised by the results, but she says it is great for the community, adding it leads to dollars being spent in The Dalles.  Farquaharson says the visitors who came in 2021 were tired of being pent up rather than coming for a specific purpose, in particular Portlanders looking for a quick getaway.

Engineers have told the Port of Hood River that the 16 wire ropes that lift the span on the Interstate Bridge will have to be replaced.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says they are targeting the project for fall of 2022, and is one of two major bridge projects next year.  It’s about a $1.5 million project.  McElwee adds in the spring the Port will be repaving both the north and south approach ramps to the bridge, and he says that will cost between $500,000 and $600,000.  McElwee notes while they continue to work for a new bridge, it is necessary to keep up with maintenance on the current bridge to ensure in it safe.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office says two deputies received recognition by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association for actions taken in the performance of their duties.  Deputy Caitlin Plese was given the Life Saving Award, while Deputy Joel Carmody was presented with the Distinguished Action Award.  They were both recognized with these awards for their actions in dealing with persons in crisis.  In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office said the deputies’ calm approach, de-escalation techniques and sound judgement brought about positive outcomes in each of their respective situations, ensuring the preservation of life.

Boys Basketball

The Dalles 63, Dallas 33

Woodburn 61, The Dalles 54

Horizon Christian 68, Klickitat-Glenwood 32

Dufur 41, Horizon Christian 32

South Wasco 75, Klickitat-Glenwood 20

Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 61, Sherman 45

Ione-Arlington 64, Sherman 46

White Swan 68, Goldendale 64

Girls Basketball

Klickitat-Glenwood 35, Horizon Christian 17

Dufur 62, Horizon Christian 9

South Wasco 66, Klickitat-Glenwood 31

Sherman 27, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 24

Ione-Arlington 48, Sherman 32

Stevenson 51, Kalama 25

White Swan 40, Goldendale 36

Wrestling Hood River Valley’s Mason Steffers won the 170 pound B bracket with three straight wins at the Liberty Tournament.

Goldendale’s Bryce Waddell won four matches at Best of the West Duals in Pasco.

Girls Wrestling Madison Kiemele of Goldendale won four straight matches to take the 145 pound bracket at the Best of the West tournament in Pasco.

Boys Basketball

The Dalles 73, McKay 63:  Jaxson Pullen scored 20 points, Andre Niko 16, and Will Lee 14 as the Riverhawks won their first game at the Woodburn Showcase, and will face Dallas this evening.

Dufur 67, Trout Lake 40

Seton Catholic 65, Stevenson 31:  Kacen Bach scored 11 to pace Stevenson.

  Girls Basketball

Sandy 55, The Dalles 26

Trout Lake 49, Dufur 19

Health officials warned Friday Oregon’s peak number of hospitalizations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, about 1,200, could more than double by the end of February.  Those officials expect omicron to become the dominant variant in the state within a month and possibly trigger a fifth wave of infections.  Governor Kate Brown said the Oregon Health Authority is working to expand booster vaccination, with a goal of administering booster shots to an additional million residents by the end of January, doubling the current number people who have already received the booster.  Oregon Health Sciences University lead data scientist Dr. Peter Graven said modeling does show Omicron with a dramatically lower death rate, but the issue is the number of hospitalizations that are expected.  And that has OHSU Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Renee Edwards concerned, pointing out they are still seeing a large number of Delta variant patients.  Health officials say the best way to combat the quick spread of the new variant is for people to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster shot.  Brown did not announce any added statewide coronavirus-related restrictions.  

A Wasco County grand jury Friday indicted a 23-year-old man for the attempted murder of a Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputy.  Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis says Logan Cantwell has been charged with first degree attempted murder along with assault, criminal mischief, unlawful use of a weapon, and attempting to elude.  On November 13 Cantwell fired multiple rounds at the deputy after getting out of his vehicle when one of his tires blew out during a high-speed chase in the Shaniko area.  The gunshots struck the windshield and hood of the deputy’s vehicle, barely missing striking the deputy’s left side.  In a statement, Ellis said the deputy was able to reverse his vehicle while firing back at Cantwell, preventing subsequent rounds from penetrating the cab of the patrol vehicle.  The grand jury cleared the deputy of any possible wrongdoing in using his weapon in self-defense.  Cantwell is currently being held in the Skamania County Jail, where he was taken into custody days after the incident.  

An extensive search is continuing near Condon for a 22-year-old Boardman woman missing since driving away from her family’s residence on November 27.  The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office says over 70 searchers covered about 2,700 acres on Thursday in the area where hunters on Wednesday found Autumn Jones’ unoccupied vehicle in a canyon.  The sheriff’s office says searchers used drones, ATVs and tracking dogs, and traveled by horseback and walked over the rolling terrain.  Autumn Jones is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, has blue eyes, medium-length brown hair, and weighs about 300 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a black Riverside T-shirt, black sweatshirt, black tennis shoes and possibly a black Carhartt coat.  If you have seen Jones, her car, or have other information about her disappearance, you are asked to contact the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office at 541-351-9530.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday announced a pair of Mid-Columbia infrastructure projects will be receiving federal funds.  The City of Dufur is receiving a $2,442,000 loan and $1,625,000 grant to make wastewater system improvements.  The project will expand storage, improve treatment, and make significant upgrades to Dufur’s system.  The Biggs Service District will use an $898,000 loan and $290,000 grant to complete significant water system improvements.  That will allow the service district to install a main water line which will serve all district users and provide the necessary fire flow for community growth.  In addition, the service district will purchase two formerly private wells and upgrade them to provide a backup water source.