Klickitat County Public Health Director Erinn Quinn told County Commissioners on Tuesday that the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the County is on a downward trend.  Quinn said there were 21 cases reported last week compared to 27 the week before, and there have only been eight so far this week.  Quinn added she took part in a Monday meeting with the Washington Department of Health that discussed the omicron variant, saying state officials said it is something to watch and be mindful of, but it will be at least a couple of weeks before more is known.  Quinn said Klickitat County’s immunization rate continues to slowly climb, now at 42.5 percent of the total population.

North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell told Wasco County Commissioners on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases continue to trend downward.  After seeing a peak over 500 cases in August, McDonell said that number is down under 200 for November.  McDonell says the local hospitalizations numbers are encouraging after peaking in September.  McDonell said Wasco County has now had 78.5% of residents age 18 and over receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Oregon Farm Bureau Federation and a number of other agricultural organizations including the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers say they will be opposing a lawsuit filed by the Oregon Law Center this week in regard to agricultural overtime.  The lawsuit claims a 2017 bill on overtime in manufacturing industries should apply to agriculture, which the Farm Bureau and other ag organizations claim was not the case.  In a statement on Wednesday, the organizations called the suit an “appalling attempt” to circumvent the legislative process, noting the groups have been participating in a legislative workgroup discussing the nuances for proposals to extend overtime to agriculture.  The groups also said they pay among the highest wages for agricultural production in the world, and policy changes could have significant impacts on farm viability and the availability of agricultural work.

The City of The Dalles Beautification Committee is getting ready for its holiday decoration contest, and this year the panel plans to recognize three homes with awards.  There will be a winner picked in three different categories, with one being traditional involving lights strung on the house and biblical scenes, Santa themes, and Christmas and winter holiday stores.  But there is also a futuristic category for light shows, music, and new ways of decorating, and a grandiose category that includes entertainment, moving pieces, and over the top and extravagant work.   For a link to the nomination form, go to the City of The Dalles’ Facebook page.

The Next Door is in the midst of its annual year-end fundraising campaign.  The Next Door’s Development Officer Justine Ziegler says the organization has a wide range of programs serving ages ranging from infants to adults.  Ziegler says donors can give to a certain program or to The Next Door as a whole.  She adds they have $600,000 in matching funds available.  To give to The Next Door, go to nextdoorinc.org and click on the donate button.

Boys Basketball

Goldendale 79, Columbia 48:  Eli Golding scored 23 points and Caleb Smith added 22 to pace the Timberwolves.  Spencer Karlson scored 19 for the Bruins.

  Girls Basketball

Goldendale 54, Columbia 42

The Oregon Department of Transportation says Highway 197 was closed north of Dufur late this morning due to an accident.  ODOT said the highway was closed in both directions between mileposts 12 and 13 as of just before 10 a.m. before reopening in the early afternoon.  The agency had expected the closure to be lengthy, and advised motorists to use alternate routes.  No details on the accident were available yet.

Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue is looking for volunteers.  Volunteer coordinator Fred Coleman says they are just finishing up a volunteer structural academy, but there will be wildland training coming up in the spring.  He says the pandemic has made it more difficult to find volunteers.  Coleman says they also have needs for people to volunteer in non-response positions.  Those who would like to volunteer with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue can contact Coleman at MCFR at 541-296- 9445 or go online to mcfr.org and go to the volunteering page for an application.

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association’s Voci Choir is getting ready to perform its holiday concert later this month.  Director Mark Steighner says the group has not been able to perform for almost two yearsm and they will be singing their Christmas around the world and through the ages selections.  The Voci Choir will perform on December 10 at Riverside Community Church in Hood River and on December 12 at St. Peter’s Landmark in The Dalles.  For ticket information go to gorgeorchestra.org.

State health officials said Tuesday Oregonians no longer have to wear a mask in public outdoor settings, lifting a mandate in place nearly three months.  Since late summer the state has required that everyone wear a mask in a public, outdoor space where social distancing isn’t possible, regardless of vaccination status.  Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen says this change reflects the downward trend in COVID-19 cases.  But Allen also said people should expect to keep wearing masks indoors at least into next year, noting there is still limited hospital capacity available.  He did not want to give any kind of estimate on when more guidelines will be relaxed, adding vaccinations remain the best path out of the pandemic.