Some farmers and ranchers in the region are beginning to experiment with electric-powered equipment.  Wy’east Resource Conservation and Development Area Council is one of four non-profits that is looking at electric powered farm equipment, and bring it to rural areas to put them through the test.  Wy’east’s Robert Wallace says they have been receiving interest from ag operators seeking to try out the equipment, which tend to be smaller tractors at this point.  Information is available at wyeast-rcd.org.

Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital plans to focus on a pair of behavioral health initiative in 2022. Chief Executive Jeanie Vieira says they are planning to establish the Better Outcomes through Bridges program to focus on adding additional support for those who come to the hospital and its clinics who face challenges like lack of housing, needing a medical home, assistance with access to services, and at the same time dealing with a mental or behavioral health issue. In addition, state funds will be available to counties and their health partners to help address specific behavioral health issues.

Girls Basketball

The Dalles 41, Dufur 27:  Zoe LeBreton scored 16 points to lead the Riverhawks to their second straight win.  Hanna Kortge topped the Rangers with eight points.

Wahkiakum 61, Stevenson 30

  Wrestling

Woodburn 51, Hood River Valley 30:  Connor Farlow and Carson Farlow each scored wins by fall for the Eagles.

A boat was located last week in 35 feet of water at The Dalles’ port docks.  The Skamania County Dive Rescue/Recovery Team says divers entered the water and located the boat after being asked by The Dalles Police Department to assist following a report of a suspicious unknown vessel sinking.  The vessel was unoccupied but due to navigation and environmental hazards the divers rigged and lifted the boat out of the water using lift bags.  The Dalles Public Works used a boom truck to pull the vessel up onto the road.  The Dalles Police will attempt to find the owners of the vessel and continue with an investigation.  The location is vital for the cruise ship industry to dock, re-supply, and allow tourist to visit the area.

Hood River County’s COVID-19 numbers are going up and down on a daily basis.  County Health Department Director Trish Elliott says that’s due to testing numbers varying, noting they have had weekly COVID testing available from the Oregon Health Authority, and when that takes place numbers go up.  Elliott said test positivity rates remain high, at 11 percent last week, and she says they want to get that down to five percent.  She adds the testing provides a sampling of the entire population.  Hood River County’s vaccination rates remain among the highest in the state, and Elliott encourages people to get their booster shots.

The public is invited to review and comment on the draft 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.  The strategy covers Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington, and is compiled by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District over several meetings this past year with more than 100 stakeholders.  MCEDD Executive Director Jessica Metta said the group looked at COVID-19 impacts and did a deeper dive into demographic and economic data.  Economic resiliency is a key part of the strategy, along with addressing housing and child care issues.  The draft plan can be found at mcedd.org, and comment is being taken until January 7.

Boys Basketball

Hood River Valley 64, Sandy 63

Parkrose 65, The Dalles 64

Washougal 68, Columbia 48

Horizon Christian 49, St. Stephens Academy 37

South Wasco 77, Irrigon 36

Wahluke 87, Goldendale 76

  Girls Basketball

Hood River Valley 47, Gresham 46

The Dalles 48, Parkrose 12:  Maria Rojas scored 14 points and Zoe LeBreton 10 to lead the Riverhawks.

Horizon Christian 25, St. Stephens Academy 15

Irrigon 55, South Wasco 47

Goldendale 50, Wahluke 17

The Hood River County Commission decided to allow the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District’s plan to dissolve and reform with a property tax rate of $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed value to pay for construction of a new swimming pool and community center and pay for operation of the district to move on to public hearings, but expressed reservations about allowing it to go to the ballot.  Commissioners expressed concerns about combining operations and capital plans that could lead to overall problems with compression down the road.  But commissioners also felt they had not set parameters for this kind of proposal, and the public should get a chance to offer their opinion.  A public hearing would be held in January.

City Councilors in The Dalles sat down with a consultant hired to conduct the search for a new City Manager to replace the retiring Julie Krueger.  The Council gave their opinions of what they would like to see in that position to Bill McDonald of Prothman Company, who said advertising for applicants will begin soon.  He will screen the candidates to provide a list of finalists the first week of March.  Mayor Rich Mays pointed out that while there are some basic experience and skill requirements they will be looking for, they shouldn’t get too bogged down in specifics.  The aim is to have finalists selected for interviews to take place in the middle of March.

The Hood River County Commission decided to wait to get the opinion of Cascade Locks officials before moving forward on adjustments to the four Commissioners districts.  A main component of the option that would best balance populations between the four districts out of four possibilities would move Cascade Locks from District 1 including the Westside area to District 4 with the Upper Valley.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel said he will be meeting with Cascade Locks representatives next week, and Commission Chair Mike Oates said they needed to hear the town’s thoughts on that kind of configuration before continuing.  The County needs to get the redistricting process finished by the end of January.